1,144 research outputs found
Properties of optically selected BL Lac candidates from the SDSS
\textbf{Context.} Deep optical surveys open the avenue for find large numbers
of BL Lac objects that are hard to identify because they lack the unique
properties classifying them as such. While radio or X-ray surveys typically
reveal dozens of sources, recent compilations based on optical criteria alone
have increased the number of BL Lac candidates considerably. However, these
compilations are subject to biases and may contain a substantial number of
contaminating sources. \textbf{Aims.} In this paper we extend our analysis of
182 optically selected BL Lac object candidates from the SDSS with respect to
an earlier study. The main goal is to determine the number of bona fide BL Lac
objects in this sample. \textbf{Methods.} We examine their variability
characteristics, determine their broad-band radio-UV SEDs, and search for the
presence of a host galaxy. In addition we present new optical spectra for 27
targets with improved S/N with respect to the SDSS spectra. \textbf{Results.}
At least 59% of our targets have shown variability between SDSS DR2 and our
observations by more than 0.1-0.27 mag de- pending on the telescope used. A
host galaxy was detected in 36% of our targets. The host galaxy type and
luminosities are consistent with earlier studies of BL Lac host galaxies.
Simple fits to broad-band SEDS for 104 targets of our sample derived
synchrotron peak frequencies between with a peak at
. Our new optical spectra do not reveal any new
redshift for any of our objects. Thus the sample contains a large number of
bona fide BL Lac objects and seems to contain a substantial fraction of
intermediate-frequency peaked BL Lacs.Comment: Accepted for publication in A\&
Characterization of B cell responses in relation to organ transplantation
Antibody-mediated rejection is increasingly recognised within the transplantation community as a cause or contributing factor in the rejection of transplanted organs. The humoral immune response towards allografts involves B cells that, after T cell dependent activation, can differentiate into antibody producing cells. Whereas there are several therapeutic entities to treat cellular rejection, at present, no standard treatment for humoral rejection exists. The first part of this thesis describes the effects of different maintenance immunosuppressive drugs directly on B cells, as well as the effect on T cell help in vitro. The data presented in these chapters show differential effects of the drugs on B cells and T cell help. Furthermore, the effects of novel, experimental drugs on the in vitro activation of B cells are described. The second part of this thesis describes the development of a novel technique for monitoring the humoral alloimmune response. By using this technique, patients at risk for humoral rejection may be identified. The last part describes the difficulties and pitfalls of monitoring T cells that respond to alloantigen via the indirect pathway of allorecognition. In an alloimmune response, these are the T cells that provide help to B cells to become fully activated.Symbio Herborn Group, Stichting NRC, Astellas Pharma B.V., Novartis Pharma B.V., Baxter B.V., BD Biosciences, Greiner Bio-One, VPS Diagnostics, Clean Air Techniek B.V., Genome Diagnostics, Millipore B.V. and Corning B.V.UBL - phd migration 201
Internal kinematics of spiral galaxies in distant clusters. Part II. Observations and data analysis
We have conducted an observing campaign with FORS at the ESO-VLT to explore
the kinematical properties of spiral galaxies in distant galaxy clusters. Our
main goal is to analyse transformation- and interaction processes of disk
galaxies within the special environment of clusters as compared to the
hierarchical evolution of galaxies in the field. Spatially resolved MOS-spectra
have been obtained for seven galaxy clusters at 0.3<z<0.6 to measure rotation
velocities of cluster members. For three of the clusters, Cl0303+17, Cl0413-65,
and MS1008-12, for which we presented results including a TF-diagram in Ziegler
et al. 2003, we describe here in detail the observations and data analysis.
Each of them was observed with two setups of the standard FORS MOS-unit.With
typical exposure times of >2 hours we reach an S/N>5 in the emission lines
appropriate for the deduction of the galaxies' internal rotation velocities
from [OII], Hbeta, or [OIII] profiles. Preselection of targets was done on the
basis of available redshifts as well as from photometric and morphological
information gathered from own observations, archive data, and from the
literature. Emphasis was laid on the definition of suitable setups to avoid the
typical restrictions of the standard MOS unit for this kind of observations. In
total we assembled spectra of 116 objects of which 50 turned out to be cluster
members. Position velocity diagrams, finding charts as well as tables with
photometric, spectral, and structural parameters of individual galaxies are
presented.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and
Astrophysics. A version with full resolution figures can be downloaded from
http://www.uni-sw.gwdg.de/~vwgroup/publications.htm
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