8,119 research outputs found
The role of active galactic nuclei in galaxy formation
We use Monte-Carlo Markov chain techniques to constrain acceptable parameter
regions for the Munich L-Galaxies semi-analytic galaxy formation model.
Feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGN) is required to limit star-formation
in the most massive galaxies. However, we show that the introduction of tidal
stripping of dwarf galaxies as they fall into and merge with their host systems
can lead to a reduction in the required degree of AGN feedback. In addition,
the new model correctly reproduces both the metallicity of large galaxies and
the fraction of intracluster light.Comment: Monster's Fiery Breath Conference Proceedings, 4 page
Exact Solutions for Boson-Fermion Stars in (2+1) dimensions
We solve Einstein equations coupled to a complex scalar field with infinitely
large self-interaction, degenerate fermions, and a negative cosmological
constant in dimensions. Exact solutions for static boson-fermion stars
are found when circular symmetry is assumed. We find that the minimum binding
energy of boson-fermion star takes a negative value if the value of the
cosmological constant is sufficiently small.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figures, RevTeX 3.0, second revised versio
The role of bacteria in pine wilt disease: insights from microbiome analysis.
Pine Wilt Disease (PWD) has a significant impact on Eurasia pine forests. The microbiome of the nematode (the primary cause of the disease), its insect vector, and the host tree may be relevant for the disease mechanism. The aim of this study was to characterize these microbiomes, from three PWD-affected areas in Portugal, using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis, 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing, and a functional inference-based approach (PICRUSt). The bacterial community structure of the nematode was significantly different from the infected trees but closely related to the insect vector, supporting the hypothesis that the nematode microbiome might be in part inherited from the insect. Sampling location influenced mostly the tree microbiome (P < 0.05). Genes related both with plant growth promotion and phytopathogenicity were predicted for the tree microbiome. Xenobiotic degradation functions were predicted in the nematode and insect microbiomes. Phytotoxin biosynthesis was also predicted for the nematode microbiome, supporting the theory of a direct contribution of the microbiome to tree-wilting. This is the first study that simultaneously characterized the nematode, tree and insect-vector microbiomes from the same affected areas, and overall the results support the hypothesis that the PWD microbiome plays an important role in the disease's development
Stable Umbral Chromospheric Structures
Aims. To understand the morphology of the chromosphere in sunspot umbra. We
investigate if the horizontal structures observed in the spectral core of the
Ca II H line are ephemeral visuals caused by the shock dynamics of more stable
structures, and examine their relationship with observables in the H-alpha
line. Methods. Filtergrams in the core of the Ca II H and H-alpha lines as
observed with the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope are employed. We utilise a
technique that creates composite images and tracks the flash propagation
horizontally. Results. We find 0"15 wide horizontal structures, in all of the
three target sunspots, for every flash where the seeing was moderate to good.
Discrete dark structures are identified that are stable for at least two umbral
flashes, as well as systems of structures that live for up to 24 minutes. We
find cases of extremely extended structures with similar stability, with one
such structure showing an extent of 5". Some of these structures have a
correspondence in H-alpha but we were unable to find a one to one
correspondence for every occurrence. If the dark streaks are formed at the same
heights as umbral flashes then there are systems of structures with strong
departures from the vertical for all three analysed sunspots. Conclusions.
Long-lived Ca II H filamentary horizontal structures are a common and likely
ever-present feature in the umbra of sunspots. If the magnetic field in the
chromosphere of the umbra is indeed aligned with the structures, then the
present theoretical understanding of the typical umbra needs to be revisited.Comment: Accepted to Astronomy and Astrophysics. Online material (Fig3.mov and
Fig4.mov) will be available at A&
Torque Ripple Minimization in a Switched Reluctance Drive by Neuro-Fuzzy Compensation
Simple power electronic drive circuit and fault tolerance of converter are
specific advantages of SRM drives, but excessive torque ripple has limited its
use to special applications. It is well known that controlling the current
shape adequately can minimize the torque ripple. This paper presents a new
method for shaping the motor currents to minimize the torque ripple, using a
neuro-fuzzy compensator. In the proposed method, a compensating signal is added
to the output of a PI controller, in a current-regulated speed control loop.
Numerical results are presented in this paper, with an analysis of the effects
of changing the form of the membership function of the neuro-fuzzy compensator.Comment: To be published in IEEE Trans. on Magnetics, 200
Scientific evidence in the third sector: follow up Dianova Portugal
What is scientific evidence in the third sector for? This article aims to answer this central question based on a sustained argumentation in a follow-up study carried out at the therapeutic community Quinta das Lapas of the Dianova Association, in Portugal. The study of the integration trajectories of ex-dependents after the therapeutic process carried out at that community between 1999 and 2009, permitted the identification of some critical aspects in the process of social reinsertion. These are the aspects we discuss here, defending that from this analysis and discussion changes will result impacting the level of improvement of the services of treatment and reinsertion, and also the level of related public policies. Thus contributing to a more effective social reintegration of persons in a situation of vulnerability and consequently to the promotion of social cohesion
Development of epoxy-based voltammetric and ion-selective electrodes
A highly satisfactory method of preparing graphite-loaded epoxy-based
coated wire and disc voltammetric electrodes has been developed. The novel
technique of multilayer coating and curing of coated surfaces in the
atmosphere above a 40% m/m hydrofluoric acid solution presents many
advantages: the possibility of obtaining very thin and smooth layers of
loaded-epoxy base has been demonstrated to be of great versatility and
convenience for the preparation of electrodes in various shapes and sizes.
The technique has been extended to the easy and inexpensive fabrication
of other types of voltammetric electrodes, namely coated plastic, coated
glass and coated fabric electrodes, and to the preparation of ionselective
electrodes. Three different types of sulphide ion-selective electrode have been
prepared and have been evaluated in standard solutions. The construction
adopted here could be a viable alternative to existing methods for the
fabrication of inexpensive home-made units. The advantages and versatility of the novel coating and hardening
technique in terms of thinness and smoothness of layers, the lack of
interference usually presented by common hardeners and catalysts and the
resistance shown by the hardened surfaces to common reagents and solventss
have been demonstrated. The possibility of polishing and prompt renewal
of dirty or damaged surfaces coated by the method presented here has been
one of the advantages of the system discussed in the present work.
A simple technique of saturating the surfaces of coated plastic
electrodes with graphite powder has been introduced. It has been shown
to be of great help in the fabrication of coated plastic electrodes and
other systems of comparatively low electrical resistance
Opposite polarity field with convective downflow and its relation to magnetic spines in a sunspot penumbra
We discuss NICOLE inversions of Fe I 630.15 nm and 630.25 nm Stokes spectra
from a sunspot penumbra recorded with the CRISP imaging spectropolarimeter on
the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope at a spatial resolution close to 0.15". We
report on narrow radially extended lanes of opposite polarity field, located at
the boundaries between areas of relatively horizontal magnetic field (the
intra-spines) and much more vertical field (the spines). These lanes harbor
convective downflows of about 1 km/s. The locations of these downflows close to
the spines agree with predictions from the convective gap model (the "gappy
penumbra") proposed six years ago, and more recent 3D MHD simulations. We also
confirm the existence of strong convective flows throughout the entire
penumbra, showing the expected correlation between temperature and vertical
velocity, and having vertical RMS velocities of about 1.2 km/s.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A (06-March-2013). Minor corrections
made in this version
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