Galactic planetary nebulae with precise nebular abundances as a tool to understand the evolution of asymptotic giant branch stars

We present nucleosynthesis predictions (HeCNOCl) from asymptotic giant branch (AGB) models, with diffusive overshooting from all the convective borders, in the metallicity range Z/4 < Z < 2Zsun. They are compared to recent precise nebular abundances in a sample of Galactic planetary nebulae (PNe) that is divided among double-dust chemistry (DC) and oxygen-dust chemistry (OC) according to the infrared dust features. Unlike the similar subsample of Galactic carbon-dust chemistry PNe recently analysed by us, here the individual abundance errors, the higher metallicity spread, and the uncertain dust types/subtypes in some PNe do not allow a clear determination of the AGB progenitor masses (and formation epochs) for both PNe samples; the comparison is thus more focussed on a object-by-object basis. The lowest metallicity OC PNe evolve from low-mass (~1 Msun) O-rich AGBs, while the higher metallicity ones (all with uncertain dust classifications) display a chemical pattern similar to the DC PNe. In agreement with recent literature, the DC PNe mostly descend from high-mass (M > 3.5 Msun) solar/supersolar metallicity AGBs that experience hot bottom burning (HBB), but other formation channels in low-mass AGBs like extra mixing, stellar rotation, binary interaction, or He pre-enrichment cannot be disregarded until more accurate C/O ratios would be obtained. Two objects among the DC PNe show the imprint of advanced CNO processing and deep second dredge-up, suggesting progenitors masses close to the limit to evolve as core collapse supernovae (above 6 Msun). Their actual C/O ratio, if confirmed, indicate contamination from the third dredge-up, rejecting the hypothesis that the chemical composition of such high-metallicity massive AGBs is modified exclusively by HBB.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS (11 pages, 3 figures, and 2 tables

Temperature dependent dynamic and static magnetic response in magnetic tunnel junctions with Permalloy layers

Ferromagnetic resonance and static magnetic properties of CoFe/Al2O3/CoFe/Py and CoFe/Al2O3/CoFeB/Py magnetic tunnel junctions and of 25nm thick single-layer Permalloy(Py) films have been studied as a function of temperature down to 2K. The temperature dependence of the ferromagnetic resonance excited in the Py layers in magnetic tunnel junctions shows knee-like enhancement of the resonance frequency accompanied by an anomaly in the magnetization near 60K. We attribute the anomalous static and dynamic magnetic response at low temperatures to interface stress induced magnetic reorientation transition at the Py interface which could be influenced by dipolar soft-hard layer coupling through the Al2O3 barrier

Studying the evolution of AGB stars in the Gaia epoch

We present asymptotic giant branch (AGB) models of solar metallicity, to allow the interpretation of observations of Galactic AGB stars, whose distances should be soon available after the first release of the Gaia catalogue. We find an abrupt change in the AGB physical and chemical properties, occurring at the threshold mass to ignite hot bottom burning,i.e. $3.5M_{\odot}$. Stars with mass below $3.5 M_{\odot}$ reach the C-star stage and eject into the interstellar medium gas enriched in carbon , nitrogen and $^{17}O$. The higher mass counterparts evolve at large luminosities, between $3\times 10^4 L_{\odot}$ and $10^5 L_{\odot}$. The mass expelled from the massive AGB stars shows the imprinting of proton-capture nucleosynthesis, with considerable production of nitrogen and sodium and destruction of $^{12}C$ and $^{18}O$. The comparison with the most recent results from other research groups are discussed, to evaluate the robustness of the present findings. Finally, we compare the models with recent observations of galactic AGB stars, outlining the possibility offered by Gaia to shed new light on the evolution properties of this class of objects.Comment: 21 pages, 11 figure, 3 tables, accepted for publication in MNRAS (2016 July 11

Public Libraries’ Perceptions of Future Collaborations for the Development of Smart Cities and Communities: Understanding Influential Factors

Recently, the concept of smart city has been adopted by many communities as a strategy to find alternative solutions to increasingly complex social, economic, and environmental issues. Different local actors, including public libraries, are already playing an important role in developing smart cities and communities either by themselves or in collaboration with other organizations. However, most public libraries are not currently collaborating for smart community development. Therefore, this paper analyzes the factors that influence public libraries’ perceptions about future collaborations in developing smart cities and communities as well as their potential benefits. The results show that consequential incentives, the nature of the task, preexisting relationships, an agreement on initial aims, and a collaborative and supportive leader all have a significant positive impact on the extent, effectiveness, and benefits of public libraries’ future collaborations to develop smart cities and communities