The cell cycle in psoriasis

Imperial Users onl

Globular Clusters and Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies

Traditionally globular clusters and dwarf spheroidal galaxies have been distinguished by using one or more of the following criteria: (1) mass, (2) luminosity, (3) size, (4) mass-to-light ratio and (5) spread in metallicity. However, a few recently discovered objects show some overlap between the domains in parameter space that are occupied by galaxies and clusters. In the present note it is shown that ellipticity can, in some cases, be used to help distinguish between globular clusters and dwarf spheroidal galaxies.Comment: MNRAS (Letters), in pres

Metastable states of a ferromagnet on random thin graphs

We calculate the mean number of metastable states of an Ising ferromagnet on random thin graphs of fixed connectivity c. We find, as for mean field spin glasses that this mean increases exponentially with the number of sites, and is the same as that calculated for the +/- J spin glass on the same graphs. An annealed calculation of the number <N_{MS}(E)> of metastable states of energy E is carried out. For small c, an analytic result is obtained. The result is compared with the one obtained for spin glasses in order to discuss the role played by loops on thin graphs and hence the effect of real frustration on the distribution of metastable states.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure

Kinetic energy functional for Fermi vapors in spherical harmonic confinement

Two equations are constructed which reflect, for fermions moving independently in a spherical harmonic potential, a differential virial theorem and a relation between the turning points of kinetic energy and particle densities. These equations are used to derive a differential equation for the particle density and a non-local kinetic energy functional.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Fatalism, Social Support and Mental Health in Four Former Soviet Cultures

Research on social support has identified differences in levels of support between cultures, but has provided only a limited explanation of the role of values or beliefs in accounting for such variations. In this paper we examine the relationship between fatalism and perceived support amongst 2672 respondents in four former Soviet States (Russia, Georgia, Ukraine and Belorussia), with participants drawn from groups of manual workers, managers, civil servants, students and the retired in these four countries. We also examine the consequences of such social support for mental health across these nations. Findings indicate a small but significant moderator effect for fatalism on the relationship between social support and mental health. These results are discussed in the context of the continuing economic and social challenges facing the citizens of these nations

The shape of the initial cluster mass function: what it tells us about the local star formation efficiency

We explore how the expulsion of gas from star-cluster forming cloud-cores due to supernova explosions affects the shape of the initial cluster mass function, that is, the mass function of star clusters when effects of gas expulsion are over. We demonstrate that if the radii of cluster-forming gas cores are roughly constant over the core mass range, as supported by observations, then more massive cores undergo slower gas expulsion. Therefore, for a given star formation efficiency, more massive cores retain a larger fraction of stars after gas expulsion. The initial cluster mass function may thus differ from the core mass function substantially, with the final shape depending on the star formation efficiency. A mass-independent star formation efficiency of about 20 per cent turns a power-law core mass function into a bell-shaped initial cluster mass function, while mass-independent efficiencies of order 40 per cent preserve the shape of the core mass function.Comment: accepted in Ap

Kinematic Masses of Super Star Clusters in M82 from High-Resolution Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Using high-resolution (R~22,000) near-infrared (1.51 -- 1.75 microns) spectra from Keck Observatory, we measure the kinematic masses of two super star clusters in M82. Cross-correlation of the spectra with template spectra of cool evolved stars gives stellar velocity dispersions of sigma_r=15.9 +/- 0.8 km/s for MGG-9 and sigma_r=11.4 +/- 0.8 km/s for MGG-11. The cluster spectra are dominated by the light of red supergiants, and correlate most closely with template supergiants of spectral types M0 and M4.5. We fit King models to the observed profiles of the clusters in archival HST/NICMOS images to measure the half-light radii. Applying the virial theorem, we determine masses of 1.5 +/- 0.3 x 10^6 M_sun for MGG-9 and 3.5 +/- 0.7 x 10^5 M_sun for MGG-11. Population synthesis modelling suggests that MGG-9 is consistent with a standard initial mass function, whereas MGG-11 appears to be deficient in low-mass stars relative to a standard IMF. There is, however, evidence of mass segregation in the clusters, in which case the virial mass estimates would represent lower limits.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures; ApJ, in pres

Tracking and data systems support for the Helios project. Volume 2: DSN support of Project Helios April 1975 - May 1976

Deep Space Network activities in the development of the Helios B mission from planning through entry of Helios 2 into first superior conjunction (end of Mission Phase II) are summarized. Network operational support activities for Helios 1 from first superior conjunction through entry into third superior conjunction are included

Multiplicity in Early Stellar Evolution

Observations from optical to centimeter wavelengths have demonstrated that multiple systems of two or more bodies is the norm at all stellar evolutionary stages. Multiple systems are widely agreed to result from the collapse and fragmentation of cloud cores, despite the inhibiting influence of magnetic fields. Surveys of Class 0 protostars with mm interferometers have revealed a very high multiplicity frequency of about 2/3, even though there are observational difficulties in resolving close protobinaries, thus supporting the possibility that all stars could be born in multiple systems. Near-infrared adaptive optics observations of Class I protostars show a lower binary frequency relative to the Class 0 phase, a declining trend that continues through the Class II/III stages to the field population. This loss of companions is a natural consequence of dynamical interplay in small multiple systems, leading to ejection of members. We discuss observational consequences of this dynamical evolution, and its influence on circumstellar disks, and we review the evolution of circumbinary disks and their role in defining binary mass ratios. Special attention is paid to eclipsing PMS binaries, which allow for observational tests of evolutionary models of early stellar evolution. Many stars are born in clusters and small groups, and we discuss how interactions in dense stellar environments can significantly alter the distribution of binary separations through dissolution of wider binaries. The binaries and multiples we find in the field are the survivors of these internal and external destructive processes, and we provide a detailed overview of the multiplicity statistics of the field, which form a boundary condition for all models of binary evolution. Finally we discuss various formation mechanisms for massive binaries, and the properties of massive trapezia.Comment: Accepted for publication as a chapter in Protostars and Planets VI, University of Arizona Press (2014), eds. H. Beuther, R. Klessen, C. Dullemond, Th. Hennin

Evaporation of Compact Young Clusters near the Galactic Center

We investigate the dynamical evolution of compact young clusters (CYCs) near the Galactic center (GC) using Fokker-Planck models. CYCs are very young (< 5 Myr), compact (< 1 pc), and only a few tens of pc away from the GC, while they appear to be as massive as the smallest Galactic globular clusters (~10^4 Msun). A survey of cluster lifetimes for various initial mass functions, cluster masses, and galactocentric radii is presented. Short relaxation times due to the compactness of CYCs, and the strong tidal fields near the GC make clusters evaporate fairly quickly. Depending on cluster parameters, mass segregation may occur on a time scale shorter than the lifetimes of most massive stars, which accelerates the cluster's dynamical evolution even more. When the difference between the upper and lower mass boundaries of the initial mass function is large enough, strongly selective ejection of lighter stars makes massive stars dominate even in the outer regions of the cluster, so the dynamical evolution of those clusters is weakly dependent on the lower mass boundary. The mass bins for Fokker-Planck simulations were carefully chosen to properly account for a relatively small number of the most massive stars. We find that clusters with a mass <~ 2x10^4 Msun evaporate in <~ 10 Myr. A simple calculation based on the total masses in observed CYCs and the lifetimes obtained here indicates that the massive CYCs comprise only a fraction of the star formation rate (SFR) in the inner bulge estimated from Lyman continuum photons and far-IR observations.Comment: 20 pages in two-column format, accepted for publication in Ap