1,898 research outputs found
Color bimodality: Implications for galaxy evolution
We use a sample of 69726 galaxies from the SDSS to study the variation of the
bimodal color-magnitude (CM) distribution with environment. Dividing the galaxy
population by environment (Sigma_5) and luminosity (-23<M_r<-17), the u-r color
functions are modeled using double-Gaussian functions. This enables a
deconvolution of the CM distributions into two populations: red and blue
sequences. The changes with increasing environmental density can be separated
into two effects: a large increase in the fraction of galaxies in the red
distribution, and a small color shift in the CM relations of each distribution.
The average color shifts are 0.05+-0.01 and 0.11+-0.02 for the red and blue
distributions, respectively, over a factor of 100 in projected neighbor
density. The red fraction varies between about 0% and 70% for low-luminosity
galaxies and between about 50% and 90% for high-luminosity galaxies. This
difference is also shown by the variation of the luminosity functions with
environment. We demonstrate that the effects of environment and luminosity can
be unified. A combined quantity, Sigma_mod = Sigma_5/Mpc^{-2} + L_r/L_{-20.2},
predicts the fraction of red galaxies, which may be related to the probability
of transformation events. Our results are consistent with major interactions
(mergers and/or harassment) causing galaxies to transform from the blue to the
red distribution. We discuss this and other implications for galaxy evolution
from earlier results and model the effect of slow transformations on the color
functions.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, in AIP Conf. Proc., The New Cosmology, eds. R.
E. Allen et al. (aka. The Mitchell Symposium), see
http://proceedings.aip.org/proceedings/confproceed/743.jsp ; v2: replaced
Figure 5 which was incomplete in original submissio
Quenching of dynamic nuclear polarization by spin-orbit coupling in GaAs quantum dots
The central-spin problem, in which an electron spin interacts with a nuclear
spin bath, is a widely studied model of quantum decoherence. Dynamic nuclear
polarization (DNP) occurs in central spin systems when electronic angular
momentum is transferred to nuclear spins and is exploited in spin-based quantum
information processing for coherent electron and nuclear spin control. However,
the mechanisms limiting DNP remain only partially understood. Here, we show
that spin-orbit coupling quenches DNP in a GaAs double quantum dot, even though
spin-orbit coupling in GaAs is weak. Using Landau-Zener sweeps, we measure the
dependence of the electron spin-flip probability on the strength and direction
of in-plane magnetic field, allowing us to distinguish effects of the
spin-orbit and hyperfine interactions. To confirm our interpretation, we
measure high-bandwidth correlations in the electron spin-flip probability and
attain results consistent with a significant spin-orbit contribution. We
observe that DNP is quenched when the spin-orbit component exceeds the
hyperfine, in agreement with a theoretical model. Our results shed new light on
the surprising competition between the spin-orbit and hyperfine interactions in
central-spin systems.Comment: 5+12 pages, 9 figure
Ion beam effect on Ge-Se chalcogenide glass films: Non-volatile memory array formation, structural changes and device performance
The conductive bridge non-volatile memory technology is an emerging way to
replace traditional charge based memory devices for future neural networks and
configurable logic applications. An array of the memory devices that fulfills
logic operations must be developed for implementing such architectures. A
scheme to fabricate these arrays, using ion bombardment through a mask, has
been suggested and advanced by us. Performance of the memory devices is
studied, based on the formation of vias and damage accumulation due to the
interactions of Ar+ ions with GexSe1-x (x=0.2, 0.3 and 0.4) chalcogenide
glasses as a function of the ion energy and dose dependence. Blanket films and
devices were created to study the structural changes, surface roughness, and
device performance. Raman Spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Energy
Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and electrical measurements expound the Ar+
ions behavior on thin films of GexSe1-x system. Raman studies show that there
is a decrease in area ratio between edge-shared to corner-shared structural
units, revealing occurrence of structural reorganization within the system as a
result of ion/film interaction. AFM results demonstrate a tendency in surface
roughness improvement with increased Ge concentration, after ion bombardment.
EDS results reveal a compositional change in the vias, with a clear tendency of
greater interaction between ions and the Ge atoms, as evidenced by greater
compositional changes in the Ge rich films
Galaxy bimodality versus stellar mass and environment
We analyse a z<0.1 galaxy sample from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey focusing
on the variation of the galaxy colour bimodality with stellar mass and
projected neighbour density Sigma, and on measurements of the galaxy stellar
mass functions. The characteristic mass increases with environmental density
from about 10^10.6 Msun to 10^10.9 Msun (Kroupa IMF, H_0=70) for Sigma in the
range 0.1--10 per Mpc^2. The galaxy population naturally divides into a red and
blue sequence with the locus of the sequences in colour-mass and
colour-concentration index not varying strongly with environment. The fraction
of galaxies on the red sequence is determined in bins of 0.2 in log Sigma and
log mass (12 x 13 bins). The red fraction f_r generally increases continuously
in both Sigma and mass such that there is a unified relation: f_r =
F(Sigma,mass). Two simple functions are proposed which provide good fits to the
data. These data are compared with analogous quantities in semi-analytical
models based on the Millennium N-body simulation: the Bower et al. (2006) and
Croton et al. (2006) models that incorporate AGN feedback. Both models predict
a strong dependence of the red fraction on stellar mass and environment that is
qualitatively similar to the observations. However, a quantitative comparison
shows that the Bower et al. model is a significantly better match; this appears
to be due to the different treatment of feedback in central galaxies.Comment: 19 pages, 17 figures; accepted by MNRAS, minor change
Colors, magnitudes and velocity dispersions in early-type galaxies: Implications for galaxy ages and metallicities
We present an analysis of the color-magnitude-velocity dispersion relation
for a sample of 39320 early-type galaxies within the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.
We demonstrate that the color-magnitude relation is entirely a consequence of
the fact that both the luminosities and colors of these galaxies are correlated
with stellar velocity dispersions. Previous studies of the color-magnitude
relation over a range of redshifts suggest that the luminosity of an early-type
galaxy is an indicator of its metallicity, whereas residuals in color from the
relation are indicators of the luminosity-weighted age of its stars. We show
that this, when combined with our finding that velocity dispersion plays a
crucial role, has a number of interesting implications. First, galaxies with
large velocity dispersions tend to be older (i.e., they scatter redward of the
color-magnitude relation). Similarly, galaxies with large dynamical mass
estimates also tend to be older. In addition, at fixed luminosity, galaxies
which are smaller, or have larger velocity dispersions, or are more massive,
tend to be older. Second, models in which galaxies with the largest velocity
dispersions are also the most metal poor are difficult to reconcile with our
data. However, at fixed velocity dispersion, galaxies have a range of ages and
metallicities: the older galaxies have smaller metallicities, and vice-versa.
Finally, a plot of velocity dispersion versus luminosity can be used as an age
indicator: lines of constant age run parallel to the correlation between
velocity dispersion and luminosity.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures. Accepted by A
Analysis of linezolid and tigecycline as candidates for local prophylaxis via antibiotic-loaded bone cement
Objectives To assess the Gram-positive-specific antibiotic linezolid and the broad-spectrum antibiotic tigecycline for use in local antibiotic delivery via antibiotic-loaded bone cement.
Methods Linezolid and tigecycline were added to Biomet bone cement at varying concentrations. Antibiotic elution over 1 week was quantified by HPLC-MS. The effect of wear on elution over 51 h was determined using a modified TE-66 wear tester. Eluted antibiotics were used to determine the MICs for a panel of clinically relevant bacteria. The impact strength of antibiotic-loaded samples was determined using a Charpy-type impact testing apparatus. Cytotoxicity of eluted antibiotics against MG-63 cells was evaluated using an MTT assay.
Results Linezolid and tigecycline eluted from bone cement to clinically relevant levels within 1 h and retained activity over 1 week. Mechanical wear significantly reduced elution of tigecycline, but had little effect on elution of linezolid. Linezolid showed low cytotoxicity towards MG-63 cells with ≤300 mg/mL resulting in >50% cell activity. Cytotoxicity of tigecycline was higher, with an IC50 of 5–10 mg/L.
Conclusions Linezolid and tigecycline retain activity after elution from bone cement. The concentration of tigecycline may need to be carefully controlled due to cytotoxicity. The effect of wear on bone cement may need to be considered if tigecycline is to be used for local delivery. Up to 10% linezolid can be added without affecting the impact strength of the bone cement. These results are promising indications for future investigation of these antibiotics for use in local antibiotic delivery strategies
Gemini surfactant as multifunctional corrosion and biocorrosion inhibitors for mild steel
Biocorrosion is an important type of corrosion which leads to economic losses across oil and gas industries, due to increased monitoring, maintenance, and a reduction in platform availability. Ideally, a chemical compound engineered to mitigate against biocorrosion would possess both antimicrobial properties, as well as efficient corrosion inhibition. Gemini surfactants have shown efficacy in both of these properties, however there still remains a lack of electrochemical information regarding biocorrosion inhibition. The inhibition of corrosion and biocorrosion, by cationic gemini surfactants, of carbon steel was investigated. The results showed that the inhibition efficiency of the gemini surfactants was high (consistently >95%), even at low concentrations. Gemini surfactants also showed strong antimicrobial activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (0.018 mM). Corrosion inhibition was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and linear polarisation resistance (LPR), with biocorrosion experiments carried out in an anaerobic environment. Surface morphology was analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
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