2,331 research outputs found
A conceptual framework for developing explorative e-learning strategy using ontology-based knowledge management
This paper presents a conceptual framework for developing explorative e-learning strategy using ontology-based knowledge management. It conducts a comprehensive analysis of the applicability of ontologies in management of knowledge, with a particular reference to the development of explorative e-learning environments for enhancing an efficient use and reuse of available information and knowledge in e-learning, leading to a better understanding of the main issues for developing effective explorative e-learning strategies in an e-learning environment
From high-mass starless cores to high-mass protostellar objects
Aims: Our aim is to understand the evolutionary sequence of high-mass star
formation from the earliest evolutionary stage of high-mass starless cores, via
high-mass cores with embedded low- to intermediate-mass objects, to finally
high-mass protostellar objects. Methods: Herschel far-infrared PACS and SPIRE
observations are combined with existing data at longer and shorter wavelengths
to characterize the spectral and physical evolution of massive star-forming
regions. Results: The new Herschel images spectacularly show the evolution of
the youngest and cold high-mass star-forming regions from mid-infrared shadows
on the Wien-side of the spectral energy distribution (SED), via structures
almost lost in the background emission around 100mum, to strong emission
sources at the Rayleigh-Jeans tail. Fits of the SEDs for four exemplary regions
covering evolutionary stages from high-mass starless cores to high-mass
protostellar objects reveal that the youngest regions can be fitted by
single-component black-bodies with temperatures on the order of 17K. More
evolved regions show mid-infrared excess emission from an additional warmer
component, which however barely contributes to the total luminosities for the
youngest regions. Exceptionally low values of the ratio between bolometric and
submm luminosity additionally support the youth of the infrared-dark sources.
Conclusions: The Herschel observations reveal the spectral and physical
properties of young high-mass star-forming regions in detail. The data clearly
outline the evolutionary sequence in the images and SEDs. Future work on larger
samples as well as incorporating full radiative transfer calculations will
characterize the physical nature at the onset of massive star formation in even
more depth.Comment: 4 pages, A&A Herschel special issu
A Generative-Discriminative Basis Learning Framework to Predict Clinical Severity from Resting State Functional MRI Data
We propose a matrix factorization technique that decomposes the resting state
fMRI (rs-fMRI) correlation matrices for a patient population into a sparse set
of representative subnetworks, as modeled by rank one outer products. The
subnetworks are combined using patient specific non-negative coefficients;
these coefficients are also used to model, and subsequently predict the
clinical severity of a given patient via a linear regression. Our
generative-discriminative framework is able to exploit the structure of rs-fMRI
correlation matrices to capture group level effects, while simultaneously
accounting for patient variability. We employ ten fold cross validation to
demonstrate the predictive power of our model on a cohort of fifty eight
patients diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our method outperforms
classical semi-supervised frameworks, which perform dimensionality reduction on
the correlation features followed by non-linear regression to predict the
clinical scores
Hot Core, Outflows and Magnetic Fields in W43-MM1 (G30.79 FIR 10)
We present submillimeter spectral line and dust continuum polarization
observations of a remarkable hot core and multiple outflows in the high-mass
star-forming region W43-MM1 (G30.79 FIR 10), obtained using the Submillimeter
Array (SMA). A temperature of 400 K is estimated for the hot-core using
CHCN (J=19-18) lines, with detections of 11 K-ladder components. The high
temperature and the mass estimates for the outflows indicate high-mass
star-formation. The continuum polarization pattern shows an ordered
distribution, and its orientation over the main outflow appears aligned to the
outflow. The derived magnetic field indicates slightly super-critical
conditions. While the magnetic and outflow energies are comparable, the B-field
orientation appears to have changed from parsec scales to 0.1 pc scales
during the core/star-formation process.Comment: accepted, ApJ Letter
High Mass Starless Cores
We report the identification of a sample of potential High-Mass Starless
Cores (HMSCs). The cores were discovered by comparing images of the fields
containing candidate High-Mass Protostellar Objects (HMPOs) at 1.2mm and
mid-infrared (8.3um; MIR) wavelengths. While the HMPOs are detected at both
wavelengths, several cores emitting at 1.2mm in the same fields show absorption
or no emission at the MIR wavelength. We argue that the absorption is caused by
cold dust. The estimated masses of a few 10^2Msun - 10^3 Msun and the lack of
IR emission suggests that they may be massive cold cores in a pre-stellar
phase, which could presumably form massive stars eventually. Ammonia (1,1) and
(2,2) observations of the cores indicate smaller velocity dispersions and lower
rotation temperatures compared to HMPOs and UCHII regions suggesting a
quiescent pre-stellar stage. We propose that these newly discovered cores are
good candidates for the HMSC stage in high-mass star-formation. This sample of
cores will allow us to study the high-mass star and cluster formation processes
at the earliest evolutionary stages.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, to be published in ApJL, author names
replaced with comma separatio
Application of medical gases in the field of neurobiology
Medical gases are pharmaceutical molecules which offer solutions to a wide array of medical needs. This can range from use in burn and stroke victims to hypoxia therapy in children. More specifically however, gases such as oxygen, helium, xenon, and hydrogen have recently come under increased exploration for their potential theraputic use with various brain disease states including hypoxia-ischemia, cerebral hemorrhages, and traumatic brain injuries. As a result, this article will review the various advances in medical gas research and discuss the potential therapeutic applications and mechanisms with regards to the field of neurobiology
SMA outflow/disk studies in the massive star-forming region IRAS18089-1732
SMA observations of the massive star-forming region IRAS 18089-1732 in the
1mm and 850mu band reveal outflow and disk signatures in different molecular
lines. The SiO(5--4) data show a collimated outflow in the northern direction.
In contrast, the HCOOCH3(20--19) line, which traces high-density gas, is
confined to the very center of the region and shows a velocity gradient across
the core. The HCOOCH3 velocity gradient is not exactly perpendicular to the
outflow axis but between an assumed disk plane and the outflow axis. We
interpret these HCOOCH3 features as originating from a rotating disk that is
influenced by the outflow and infall. Based on the (sub-)mm continuum emission,
the mass of the central core is estimated to be around 38M_sun. The dynamical
mass derived from the HCOOCH3 data is 22Msun, of about the same order as the
core mass. Thus, the mass of the protostar/disk/envelope system is dominated by
its disk and envelope. The two frequency continuum data of the core indicate a
low dust opacity index beta ~ 1.2 in the outer part, decreasing to beta ~ 0.5
on shorter spatial scales.Comment: 7 pages of text, 1 table, 3 figures, accepted for ApJ Letter
Submillimeter Array multiline observations of the massive star-forming region IRAS 18089-1732
Submillimeter Array (SMA) observations of the high-mass star-forming region
IRAS 18089-1732 in the 1 mm and 850 m band with 1 GHz bandwidth reveal a
wealth of information. We present the observations of 34 lines from 16
different molecular species. Most molecular line maps show significant
contributions from the outflow, and only few molecules are confined to the
inner core. We present and discuss the molecular line observations and outline
the unique capabilities of the SMA for future imaging line surveys at high
spatial resolution.Comment: Accepted for ApJ Letters, SMA special volum
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