941 research outputs found
Chemical evolution in the early phases of massive star formation II: Deuteration
The chemical evolution in high-mass star-forming regions is still poorly
constrained. Studying the evolution of deuterated molecules allows to
differentiate between subsequent stages of high-mass star formation regions due
to the strong temperature dependence of deuterium isotopic fractionation. We
observed a sample of 59 sources including 19 infrared dark clouds, 20 high-mass
protostellar objects, 11 hot molecular cores and 9 ultra-compact HII regions in
the (3-2) transitions of the four deuterated molecules, DCN, DNC, DCO+ and N2D+
as well as their non-deuterated counterpart. The overall detection fraction of
DCN, DNC and DCO+ is high and exceeds 50% for most of the stages. N2D+ was only
detected in a few infrared dark clouds and high-mass protostellar objects. It
can be related to problems in the bandpass at the frequency of the transition
and to low abundances in the more evolved, warmer stages. We find median D/H
ratios of ~0.02 for DCN, ~0.005 for DNC, ~0.0025 for DCO+ and ~0.02 for N2D+.
While the D/H ratios of DNC, DCO+ and N2D+ decrease with time, DCN/HCN peaks at
the hot molecular core stage. We only found weak correlations of the D/H ratios
for N2D+ with the luminosity of the central source and the FWHM of the line,
and no correlation with the H2 column density. In combination with a previously
observed set of 14 other molecules (Paper I) we fitted the calculated column
densities with an elaborate 1D physico-chemical model with time-dependent
D-chemistry including ortho- and para-H2 states. Good overall fits to the
observed data have been obtained the model. It is one of the first times that
observations and modeling have been combined to derive chemically based
best-fit models for the evolution of high-mass star formation including
deuteration.Comment: 26 pages, 16 figures, accepted at A&
The pulsation spectrum of VX Hydrae
We present the results of a two-year, multisite observing campaign
investigating the high-amplitude delta Scuti star VX Hydrae during the 2006 and
2007 observing seasons. The final data set consists of nearly 8500 V-band
observations spanning HJD 2453763.6 to 2454212.7 (2006 January 28 to 2007 April
22). Separate analyses of the two individual seasons of data yield 25
confidently-detected frequencies common to both data sets, of which two are
pulsation modes, and the remaining 23 are Fourier harmonics or beat frequencies
of these two modes. The 2006 data set had five additional frequencies with
amplitudes less than 1.5 mmag, and the 2007 data had one additional frequency.
Analysis of the full 2006-2007 data set yields 22 of the 25 frequencies found
in the individual seasons of data. There are no significant peaks in the
spectrum other than these between 0 and 60 c/d. The frequencies of the two main
pulsation modes derived from the 2006 and 2007 observing seasons individually
do not differ at the level of 3-sigma, and thus we find no conclusive evidence
for period change over the span of these observations. However, the amplitude
of f(1) = 5.7898 c/d changed significantly between the two seasons, while the
amplitude of f(0) = 4.4765 c/d remained constant; amplitudes of the Fourier
harmonics and beat frequencies of f(1) also changed. Similar behavior was seen
in the 1950s, and it is clear that VX Hydrae undergoes significant amplitude
changes over time.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, published in Publications of the Astronomical
Society of the Pacific, v.121, p.1076 (October 2009
Chemical evolution in the early phases of massive star formation. I
Understanding the chemical evolution of young (high-mass) star-forming
regions is a central topic in star formation research. Chemistry is employed as
a unique tool 1) to investigate the underlying physical processes and 2) to
characterize the evolution of the chemical composition. We observed a sample of
59 high-mass star-forming regions at different evolutionary stages varying from
the early starless phase of infrared dark clouds to high-mass protostellar
objects to hot molecular cores and, finally, ultra-compact HII regions at 1mm
and 3mm with the IRAM 30m telescope. We determined their large-scale chemical
abundances and found that the chemical composition evolves along with the
evolutionary stages. On average, the molecular abundances increase with time.
We modeled the chemical evolution, using a 1D physical model where density and
temperature vary from stage to stage coupled with an advanced gas-grain
chemical model and derived the best-fit chi^2 values of all relevant
parameters. A satisfying overall agreement between observed and modeled column
densities for most of the molecules was obtained. With the best-fit model we
also derived a chemical age for each stage, which gives the timescales for the
transformation between two consecutive stages. The best-fit chemical ages are
~10,000 years for the IRDC stage, ~60,000 years for the HMPO stage, ~40,000
years for the HMC stage, and ~10,000 years for the UCHII stage. The total
chemical timescale for the entire evolutionary sequence of the high-mass star
formation process is on the order of 10^5 years, which is consistent with
theoretical estimates. Furthermore, based on the approach of a multiple-line
survey of unresolved data, we were able to constrain an intuitive and
reasonable physical and chemical model. The results of this study can be used
as chemical templates for the different evolutionary stages in high-mass star
formation.Comment: 31 pages, 11 figures, 21 tables, accepted by A&A; typos adde
Portrayal of fuzzy recharge areas for water balance modelling – a case study in northern Oman
The research project IWAS Oman aims at implementing integrated water
resources management (IWRM) to a pilot area in Al Batinah, Oman. This
requires – amongst others – a realistic assessment of groundwater recharge
to the alluvial aquifer which obviously has to be based upon the extension
of recharge areas. In this context, the subsequent investigation focuses on
the role of vagueness as regards the portrayal of the areas that provide
water for particular aquifers. For that purpose, concepts of fuzziness in
spatial analysis are applied to describe possible extents of recharge areas.
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In general, any water assessment is based on clearly delineated boundaries.
However, in many cases, aquifer recharge areas are not clearly defined due
to the nature of the study area. Hence, surfaces indicating a gradual
membership to the recharge area of a particular aquifer are used in this
investigation. These surfaces, which are based on available qualitative
information, visualise a potential range of spatial extension. With regard
to water balance calculations, functional relationships in tabular form are
derived as well. Based on a regionalisation approach providing spatially
distributed recharge rates, the corresponding recharge volume is calculated.
Hence, this methodology provides fuzzy input data for water balance
calculations. Beyond the portrayal of one singular aquifer recharge area,
this approach also supports the complementary consideration of adjacent
areas
Liquid metal micro heat pipes for space radiator applications
Micromachining is a chemical means of etching three-dimensional structures, typically in single-crystalline silicon. These techniques are leading toward what is coming to be referred to as MEMS (micro electro mechanical systems), where in addition to the ordinary two dimensional (planar) microelectronics, it is possible to build three-dimensional micromotors, electrically-actuated microvalves, hydraulic systems, and much more on the same microchip. These techniques become possible because of differential etching rates of various crystallographic planes and materials used for semiconductor microfabrication. The University of Cincinnati group in collaboration with NASA Lewis formed micro heat pipes in silicon by the above techniques. Work is ongoing at a modest level, but several essential bonding and packaging techniques have been recently developed. Currently, we have constructed and filled water/silicon micro heat pipes. Preliminary thermal tests of arrays of 125 micro heat pipes etched in a 1 inch x 1 inch x 250 micron silicon wafer have been completed. These pipes are instrumented with extremely small P-N junctions to measure their effective conductivity and their maximum operating power. A relatively simple one-dimensional model has been developed in order to predict micro heat pipes' operating characteristics. This information can be used to optimize micro heat pipe design with respect to length, hydraulic diameter, and number of pipes. Work is progressing on the fabrication of liquid-metal micro heat pipes. In order to be compatible with liquid metal (sodium or potassium), the inside of the micro heat pipes will be coated with a refractory metal (such as tungsten, molybdenum, or titanium)
A Novel Silicon Micromachined Integrated MCM Thermal Management System
"Micromachining" is a chemical means of etching three-dimensional structures, typically in single- crystalline silicon. These techniques are leading toward what is coming to be referred to as MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems), where in addition to the ordinary two-dimensional (planar) microelectronics, it is possible to build three-dimensional n-ticromotors, electrically- actuated raicrovalves, hydraulic systems and much more on the same microchip. These techniques become possible because of differential etching rates of various crystallographic planes and materials used for semiconductor n-ticrofabfication. The University of Cincinnati group in collaboration with Karl Baker at NASA Lewis were the first to form micro heat pipes in silicon by the above techniques. Current work now in progress using MEMS technology is now directed towards the development of the next generation in MCM (Multi Chip Module) packaging. Here we propose to develop a complete electronic thermal management system which will allow densifica6on in chip stacking by perhaps two orders of magnitude. Furthermore the proposed technique will allow ordinary conu-nercial integrated chips to be utilized. Basically, the new technique involves etching square holes into a silicon substrate and then inserting and bonding commercially available integrated chips into these holes. For example, over a 100 1/4 in. by 1 /4 in. integrated chips can be placed on a 4 in. by 4 in. silicon substrate to form a Multi-Chip Module (MCM). Placing these MCM's in-line within an integrated rack then allows for three-diniensional stacking. Increased miniaturization of microelectronic circuits will lead to very high local heat fluxes. A high performance thermal management system will be specifically designed to remove the generated energy. More specifically, a compact heat exchanger with milli / microchannels will be developed and tested to remove the heat through the back side of this MCM assembly for moderate and high heat flux applications, respectively. The high heat load application of particular interest in mind is the motor controller developed by Martin Marietta for Nasa to control the thruster's directional actuators on space vechicles. Work is also proposed to develop highly advanced and improved porous wick structures for use in advanced heat loops. The porous wick will be micromachined from silicon using MEMS technology, thus permitting far superior control of pore size and pore distribution (over wicks made from sintered n-ietals), which in turn is expected to led to significantly improved heat loop performance
Porcine CD8αdim/-NKp46high NK cells are in a highly activated state
Natural Killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in the early phase of immune responses against various pathogens. In swine so far only little information about this lymphocyte population exists. Phenotypical analyses with newly developed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against porcine NKp46 recently revealed that in blood NKp46(-) and NKp46(+) cells with NK phenotype exist with comparable cytotoxic properties. In spleen a third NKp46-defined population with NK phenotype was observed that was characterised by a low to negative CD8α and increased NKp46 expression. In the current study it is shown that this NKp46(high) phenotype was correlated with an increased expression of CD16 and CD27 compared to the CD8α(+)NKp46(-) and NKp46(+) NK-cell subsets in spleen and blood. Additionally NKp46(high) NK cells expressed elevated levels of the chemokine receptor CXCR3 on mRNA level. Functional analyses revealed that splenic NKp46(high) NK cells produced much higher levels of Interferon-γ and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α upon stimulation with cytokines or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate/Ionomycin compared to the other two subsets. Furthermore, cross-linking of NKp46 by NKp46-specific mAbs led to a superior CD107a expression in the NKp46(high) NK cells, thus indicating a higher cytolytic capacity of this subset. Therefore porcine splenic NKp46(high) NK cells represent a highly activated subset of NK cells and may play a profound role in the immune surveillance of this organ
Automating the extraction of essential genes from literature
The construction of repositories with curated information about gene essentiality for organisms of interest in Biotechnology is a very relevant task, mainly in the design of cell factories for the enhanced production of added-value products. However, it requires retrieval and extraction of relevant information from literature, leading to high costs regarding manual curation. Text mining tools implementing methods addressing tasks as information retrieval, named entity recognition and event extraction have been developed to automate and reduce the time required to obtain relevant information from literature in many biomedical fields. However, current tools are not designed or optimized for the purpose of identifying mentions to essential genes in scientific texts.This work is co-funded by the North Portugal Regional Operational Programme, under the “Portugal 2020”, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), within project SISBI- Refa NORTE-01-0247-FEDER-003381. The Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, sponsored all computational hardware and software required for this work.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Numerical investigation of the vertical plunging force of a spherical intruder into a prefluidized granular bed
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