747 research outputs found
Comparative Characterization of Gluten and Hydrolyzed Wheat Proteins
Hydrolyzed wheat proteins (HWPs) are widely used as functional ingredients in foods and cosmetics, because of their emulsifying and foaming properties. However, in individuals suffering from celiac disease or wheat allergy, HWPs may have a modified immunoreactivity compared to native gluten due to changes in molecular structures. Although a variety of HWPs are commercially available, there are no in-depth comparative studies that characterize the relative molecular mass (M) distribution, solubility, and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of HWPs compared to native gluten. Therefore, we aimed to fill this gap by studying the above characteristics of different commercial HWP and gluten samples. Up to 100% of the peptides/proteins in the HWP were soluble in aqueous solution, compared to about 3% in native gluten. Analysis of the Mr distribution indicated that HWPs contained high percentages of low-molecular-weight peptides/proteins and also deamidated glutamine residues. We also found considerable differences between the seven HWPs studied, so that each HWP needs to be studied in detail to help explain its potential immunoreactivit
Magneto-elastic torsional oscillations of magnetars
We extend a general-relativistic ideal magneto-hydrodynamical code to include
the effects of elasticity. Using this numerical tool we analyse the
magneto-elastic oscillations of highly magnetised neutron stars (magnetars). In
simulations without magnetic field we are able to recover the purely crustal
shear oscillations within an accuracy of about a few per cent. For dipole
magnetic fields between 5 x 10^13 and 10^15 G the Alfv\'en oscillations become
modified substantially by the presence of the crust. Those quasi-periodic
oscillations (QPOs) split into three families: Lower QPOs near the equator,
Edge QPOs related to the last open field line and Upper QPOs at larger distance
from the equator. Edge QPOs are called so because they are related to an edge
in the corresponding Alfv\'en continuum. The Upper QPOs are of the same kind,
while the Lower QPOs are turning-point QPOs, related to a turning point in the
continuous spectrum.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure, 1 table, Proceedings of NEB14, to appear in J.
Phys.: Conf. Se
Magneto-elastic oscillations of neutron stars: exploring different magnetic field configurations
We study magneto-elastic oscillations of highly magnetized neutron stars
(magnetars) which have been proposed as an explanation for the quasi-periodic
oscillations (QPOs) appearing in the decaying tail of the giant flares of soft
gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs). We extend previous studies by investigating various
magnetic field configurations, computing the Alfv\'en spectrum in each case and
performing magneto-elastic simulations for a selected number of models. By
identifying the observed frequencies of 28 Hz (SGR 1900+14) and 30 Hz (SGR
1806-20) with the fundamental Alfv\'en QPOs, we estimate the required surface
magnetic field strength. For the magnetic field configurations investigated
(dipole-like poloidal, mixed toroidal-poloidal with a dipole-like poloidal
component and a toroidal field confined to the region of field lines closing
inside the star, and for poloidal fields with an additional quadrupole-like
component) the estimated dipole spin-down magnetic fields are between 8x10^14 G
and 4x10^15 G, in broad agreement with spin-down estimates for the SGR sources
producing giant flares. A number of these models exhibit a rich Alfv\'en
continuum revealing new turning points which can produce QPOs. This allows one
to explain most of the observed QPO frequencies as associated with
magneto-elastic QPOs. In particular, we construct a possible configuration with
two turning points in the spectrum which can explain all observed QPOs of SGR
1900+14. Finally, we find that magnetic field configurations which are entirely
confined in the crust (if the core is assumed to be a type I superconductor)
are not favoured, due to difficulties in explaining the lowest observed QPO
frequencies (f<30 Hz).Comment: 21 pages, 16 figures, 6 tables, matched to version accepted by MNRAS
with extended comparison/discussion to previous wor
Synthetic spectra of H Balmer and HeI absorption lines. I: Stellar library
We present a grid of synthetic profiles of stellar H Balmer and HeI lines at
optical wavelengths with a sampling of 0.3 A. The grid spans a range of
effective temperature 4000 K < Teff < 50000 K, and gravity 0.0 < log g < 5.0 at
solar metallicity. For Teff > 25000 K, NLTE stellar atmosphere models are
computed using the code TLUSTY (Hubeny 1988). For cooler stars, Kurucz (1993)
LTE models are used to compute thesynthetic spectra. The grid includes the
profiles of the high-order hydrogen Balmer series and HeI lines for effective
temperatures and gravities that have not been previously synthesized. The
behavior of H8 to H13 and HeI 3819 with effective temperature and gravity is
very similar to that of the lower terms of the series (e.g. Hb) and the other
HeI lines at longer wavelengths; therefore, they are suited for the
determination of the atmospheric parameters of stars. These lines are
potentially important to make predictions for these stellar absorption features
in galaxies with active star formation. Evolutionary synthesis models of these
lines for starburst and post-starburst galaxies are presented in a companion
paper. The full set of the synthetic stellar spectra is available for retrieval
at our website http://www.iaa.es/ae/e2.html and
http://www.stsci.edu/science/starburst/ or on request from the authors at
[email protected]: To be published in ApJS. 28 pages and 12 figure
Three-dimensional Models of Core-collapse Supernovae From Low-mass Progenitors With Implications for Crab
We present 3D full-sphere supernova simulations of non-rotating low-mass (~9
Msun) progenitors, covering the entire evolution from core collapse through
bounce and shock revival, through shock breakout from the stellar surface,
until fallback is completed several days later. We obtain low-energy explosions
[~(0.5-1.0)x 10^{50} erg] of iron-core progenitors at the low-mass end of the
core-collapse supernova (LMCCSN) domain and compare to a super-AGB (sAGB)
progenitor with an oxygen-neon-magnesium core that collapses and explodes as
electron-capture supernova (ECSN). The onset of the explosion in the LMCCSN
models is modelled self-consistently using the Vertex-Prometheus code, whereas
the ECSN explosion is modelled using parametric neutrino transport in the
Prometheus-HOTB code, choosing different explosion energies in the range of
previous self-consistent models. The sAGB and LMCCSN progenitors that share
structural similarities have almost spherical explosions with little metal
mixing into the hydrogen envelope. A LMCCSN with less 2nd dredge-up results in
a highly asymmetric explosion. It shows efficient mixing and dramatic shock
deceleration in the extended hydrogen envelope. Both properties allow fast
nickel plumes to catch up with the shock, leading to extreme shock deformation
and aspherical shock breakout. Fallback masses of <~5x10^{-3} Msun have no
significant effects on the neutron star (NS) masses and kicks. The anisotropic
fallback carries considerable angular momentum, however, and determines the
spin of the newly-born NS. The LMCCSNe model with less 2nd dredge-up results in
a hydrodynamic and neutrino-induced NS kick of >40 km/s and a NS spin period of
~30 ms, both not largely different from those of the Crab pulsar at birth.Comment: 47 pages, 27 figures, 6 tables; minor revisions, accepted by MNRA
Magnetorotational supernovae: a nucleosynthetic analysis of sophisticated 3D models
Magnetorotational supernovae are a rare type of core-collapse supernovae where the magnetic field and rotation play a central role in the dynamics of the explosion. We present the post-processed nucleosynthesis of state-of-the-art neutrino-MHD supernova models that follow the post explosion evolution for few seconds. We find three different dynamical mechanisms to produce heavy r-process elements: (i) a prompt ejection of matter right after core bounce, (ii) neutron-rich matter that is ejected at late times due to a reconfiguration of the protoneutronstar shape, (iii) small amount of mass ejected with high entropies in the centre of the jet. We investigate total ejecta yields, including the ones of unstable nuclei such as 26Al, 44Ti, 56Ni, and 60Fe. The obtained 56Ni masses vary between 0.01−1M⊙. The latter maximum is compatible with hypernova observations. Furthermore, all of our models synthesize Zn masses in agreement with observations of old metal-poor stars. We calculate simplified light curves to investigate whether our models can be candidates for superluminous supernovae. The peak luminosities obtained from taking into account only nuclear heating reach up to a few ∼1043ergs−1. Under certain conditions, we find a significant impact of the 66Ni decay chain that can raise the peak luminosity up to ∼38 percent compared to models including only the 56Ni decay chain. This work reinforces the theoretical evidence on the critical role of magnetorotational supernovae to understand the occurrence of hypernovae, superluminous supernovae, and the synthesis of heavy elements
Oidium longipes, a new powdery mildew fungus on petunia in the USA: A potential threat to ornamental and vegetable solanaceous crops
This is the first North American report of Oidium longipes, an anamorphic powdery mildew species described recently in Europe. It was found on vegetatively propagated petunia grown in a commercial greenhouse in New Jersey, USA, where it caused a rapidly spreading disease. The pathogen might have originated offshore and may have already been distributed in the United States through horticultural trade. During field surveys in Europe, it was found on petunia in Hungary and Austria as well; this is the first report of O. longipes from these two countries. A detailed light microscopy study of American and European specimens of O. longipes, including freshly collected samples and authentic herbarium specimens, revealed that its conidiophore morphology is more variable than illustrated in the original species description or in subsequent works. Microcycle conidiation, a process not yet known to occur in powdery mildews, was repeatedly observed in O. longipes. The rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences were identical in colonies containing different conidiophore types as well as in a total of five specimens collected from petunia in the United States, Austria, Hungary, Germany, and Switzerland. A phylogenetic analysis of the ITS sequences revealed that the closest known relative of O. longipes is O. lycopersici, known to infect tomato only in Australia. Cross-inoculation tests showed that O. longipes from petunia heavily infected tobacco cv. Xanthi, while the tomato and eggplant cultivars tested were moderately susceptible to this pathogen. These results indicate that its spread represents a potential danger to a number of solanaceous crops. Our ad hoc field surveys conducted in 2006 and 2007 did not detect it outside New Jersey in the United States; all the other powdery mildew–infected petunias, collected in New York and Indiana, were infected by Podosphaera xanthii. In Europe, most of the powdery mildew–infected petunias examined in this study were infected by P. xanthii or Golovinomyces orontii. Our multiple inoculation tests revealed that the same petunia plants and even the same leaves can be infected concomitantly by O. longipes, O. neolycopersici, G. orontii, and P. xanthii. Thus, it is at present unclear to what extent O. longipes contributes to the powdery mildew epidemics that develop year after year on solanaceous plants in many parts of the world
Constraining relativistic models through heavy ion collisions
Relativistic models can be successfully applied to the description of compact
star properties in nuclear astrophysics as well as to nuclear matter and finite
nuclei properties, these studies taking place at low and moderate temperatures.
Nevertheless, all results are model dependent and so far it is unclear whether
some of them should be discarded. Moreover, in the regime of hot hadronic
matter very few calculations exist using these relativistic models, in
particular when applied to particle yields in heavy ion collisions.
In the present work we comment on the known constraints that can help the
selection of adequate models in this regime and investigate the main
differences that arise when the particle production during a Au+Au collision at
RHIC is calculated with different models.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure, 3 table
Puerperal influence of bovine uterine health status on the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors
After parturition, uterine bacterial infections lead to inflammatory processes
such as subclinical/clinical endometritis with high prevalence in dairy cows.
Endometrial epithelial cells participate in this immune response with the
production of pro-inflammatory factors. The objective of the present study was
to evaluate the endometrial mRNA expression pattern of pro inflammatory
factors during a selected postpartum (pp) period. Dairy cows with three
different uterine health conditions on days 24-30 pp (healthy: n = 11,
subclinical endometritis: n = 10, clinical endometritis: n = 10) were sampled
using the cytobrush technique. Subsequently, each cow was sampled 3 more times
in weekly intervals (days 31-37 pp; days 38-44 pp; days 45-51 pp). Samples
were subjected to mRNA analysis performed by RT-qPCR. Additionally, an
analysis of cultivable bacteria was performed at the early/late stage of the
selected puerperal period. mRNA expression of 16 candidate genes was analyzed
by using two different approaches. The first approach referred to the initial
grouping on days 24-30 pp to reveal long-term effects of the uterine health on
the subsequent puerperal period. The second approach considered the current
uterine health status at each sampling to elucidate the impact of different
points in time. Long-term effects seem to appear for chemokines, prostacyclin
synthase and prostaglandin D2 synthase. If related to the current uterine
health, the majority of candidate genes were significantly higher expressed in
endometritic cows on days 45-51 pp in contrast to earlier stages of the
puerperium. Microbiological analysis revealed the significantly higher
prevalence of Trueperella pyogenes findings in cows with clinical endometritis
on days 24-30 pp, but no correlations were found on days 45-51 pp. In
conclusion, a strong immune response to subclinical/clinical endometritis in
the late puerperium may be related to the negative impact of these conditions
on reproductive performance in dairy cows
Magnetorotational supernovae: a nucleosynthetic analysis of sophisticated 3D models
Magnetorotational supernovae are a rare type of core-collapse supernovae where the magnetic field and rotation play a central role in the dynamics of the explosion. We present the post-processed nucleosynthesis of state-of-the-art neutrino-MHD supernova models that follow the post explosion evolution for few seconds. We find three different dynamical mechanisms to produce heavy r-process elements: (i) a prompt ejection of matter right after core bounce, (ii) neutron-rich matter that is ejected at late times due to a reconfiguration of the protoneutronstar shape, (iii) small amount of mass ejected with high entropies in the centre of the jet. We investigate total ejecta yields, including the ones of unstable nuclei such as 26Al, 44Ti, 56Ni, and 60Fe. The obtained 56Ni masses vary between 0.01−1M⊙. The latter maximum is compatible with hypernova observations. Furthermore, all of our models synthesize Zn masses in agreement with observations of old metal-poor stars. We calculate simplified light curves to investigate whether our models can be candidates for superluminous supernovae. The peak luminosities obtained from taking into account only nuclear heating reach up to a few ∼1043ergs−1. Under certain conditions, we find a significant impact of the 66Ni decay chain that can raise the peak luminosity up to ∼38 percent compared to models including only the 56Ni decay chain. This work reinforces the theoretical evidence on the critical role of magnetorotational supernovae to understand the occurrence of hypernovae, superluminous supernovae, and the synthesis of heavy elements
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