321 research outputs found
Chemical evolution of the metal poor Globular Cluster NGC 6809
We present the abundances analysis for a sample of 11 red giant branch stars
in the metal-poor globular cluster NGC 6809 based on high-resolution spectra.
Our main goals are to characterize its chemical composition and analyze this
cluster's behavior associated with the Multiple Population (MPs) phenomenon. In
our work we obtained the stellar parameters and chemical abundances of 24
elements (O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Sc, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Zr,
Ba, La, Ce, Eu, Nd and Dy). We found a radial velocity of 174.7 3.2 km
and a mean iron content of [Fe/H]=-2.01 0.02 in good agreement
with other studies. Moreover, we found a large spread in the abundances of the
light elements O, Na and Al confirming the presence of a Na-O anti-correlation
a Na-Al correlation. The Mg-Al anti-correlation is also present in our cluster.
The and iron-peak elements show good agreement with the halo field
star trend. The heavy elements are dominated by the r-process.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in MNRA
The blue straggler population of the open clusters Trumpler 5, Trumpler 20, and NGC 2477
We present a study, based on Gaia DR2, of the population of blue straggler
stars (BSS) in the open clusters Trumpler 5, Trumpler 20, and NGC 2477. All
candidates were selected according to their position in the color-magnitude
diagram, to their proper motion components, and to their parallax. We also
looked for yellow stragglers, i.e., possible evolved blue stragglers. We found
that Trumpler 5 hosts a large BSS population, which allowed us to analyze their
radial distribution as a probe of the cluster's dynamical status. The BSS
distribution was compared with that of red giant branch stars (RGB) to evaluate
mass segregation. Our results indicate that blue straggler stars are not more
centrally concentrated than RGB stars in any of the clusters. The radial
distribution of BSS in Trumpler 5 is flat. Additionally, using a multi-epoch
radial velocity survey conducted with the high-resolution spectrograph
FLAMES/GIRAFFE at VLT, we measured the radial velocities of a sample of
stragglers, for the sake of comparison with the mean radial velocity and the
velocity dispersion of the clusters. Based on the radial velocity variations
for different epochs, we roughly classified these stars as possible close-or
long-period binaries.Comment: 20 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in A
Infinite-Order Percolation and Giant Fluctuations in a Protein Interaction Network
We investigate a model protein interaction network whose links represent
interactions between individual proteins. This network evolves by the
functional duplication of proteins, supplemented by random link addition to
account for mutations. When link addition is dominant, an infinite-order
percolation transition arises as a function of the addition rate. In the
opposite limit of high duplication rate, the network exhibits giant structural
fluctuations in different realizations. For biologically-relevant growth rates,
the node degree distribution has an algebraic tail with a peculiar rate
dependence for the associated exponent.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, 2 column revtex format, to be submitted to PRL 1;
reference added and minor rewording of the first paragraph; Title change and
major reorganization (but no result changes) in response to referee comments;
to be published in PR
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Space charge behaviour in epoxy laminates under high constant electric field
The development of space charge in insulating materials is one of the main causes of their electrical ageing. The pulsed electro-acoustic method is often used to determine space charge distribution, but the signal analysis in the case of laminate structures is much more complex to analyse. In this paper the authors describe and use a simulated signal in order to study laminates made of epoxy resin and fibre mat. The relatively large conductivity of the fibres compared with that of the resin seems to produce a rapid charge dissociation and recombination in the fibres. Under voltage the presence of fibres close to an electrode seems to promote charge injection
Two-tape finite automata with quantum and classical states
{\it Two-way finite automata with quantum and classical states} (2QCFA) were
introduced by Ambainis and Watrous, and {\it two-way two-tape deterministic
finite automata} (2TFA) were introduced by Rabin and Scott. In this paper we
study 2TFA and propose a new computing model called {\it two-way two-tape
finite automata with quantum and classical states} (2TQCFA). First, we give
efficient 2TFA algorithms for recognizing languages which can be recognized by
2QCFA. Second, we give efficient 2TQCFA algorithms to recognize several
languages whose status vis-a-vis 2QCFA have been posed as open questions, such
as . Third, we show that
can be recognized by {\it -tape
deterministic finite automata} (TFA). Finally, we introduce {\it
-tape automata with quantum and classical states} (TQCFA) and prove that
can be recognized by TQCFA.Comment: 25 page
A Study of the Blue Straggler Population of the Old Open Cluster Collinder 261
Blue stragglers (BSs) are stars located in an unexpected region of the colorâmagnitude diagram (CMD) of a stellar
population, as they appear bluer and more luminous than the stars in the turn-off region. They are ubiquitous, since
they have been found among Milky Way field stars, in open and globular clusters, and also in other galaxies of the
Local Group. Here we present a study on the BS population of the old and metal-rich open cluster Collinder 261,
based on Gaia DR2 data and on a multi-epoch radial velocity survey conducted with Fibre Large Array Multi
Element Spectrograph (FLAMES) at the Very Large Telescope (VLT). We also analyze the radial distribution of
the BS population to probe the dynamical status of the cluster. BS candidates were identified first with Gaia DR2,
according to their position on the CMD, proper motions, and parallaxes. Their radial distribution was compared
with those of main sequence, red giant, and red clump stars, to evaluate mass segregation. Additionally, their radial
velocities (and the associated uncertainties) were compared with the mean radial velocity and velocity dispersion of
the cluster. When possible, close binaries and long-period binaries were also identified, based on the radial velocity
variations for the different epochs. We also looked for yellow stragglers, i.e., possible evolved BSs. We found 53
BS members of Collinder 261, six of them were already identified in previous catalogs. Among the BS candidates
with radial velocity measurements, we found one long-period binary, five close-binary systems, three nonvariable
stars; we also identified one yellow stragglerIndexaciĂłn: Scopu
Compensated right ventricular function of the onset of pulmonary hypertension in a rat model depends on chamber remodeling and contractile augmentation.
Right-ventricular function is a good indicator of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) prognosis; however, how the right ventricle (RV) adapts to the pressure overload is not well understood. Here, we aimed at characterizing the time course of RV early remodeling and discriminate the contribution of ventricular geometric remodeling and intrinsic changes in myocardial mechanical properties in a monocrotaline (MCT) animal model. In a longitudinal study of PAH, ventricular morphology and function were assessed weekly during the first four weeks after MCT exposure. Using invasive measurements of RV pressure and volume, heart performance was evaluated at end of systole and diastole to quantify contractility (end-systolic elastance) and chamber stiffness (end-diastolic elastance). To distinguish between morphological and intrinsic mechanisms, a computational model of the RV was developed and used to determine the level of prediction when accounting for wall masses and unloaded volume measurements changes. By four weeks, mean pulmonary arterial pressure and elastance rose significantly. RV pressures rose significantly after the second week accompanied by significant RV hypertrophy, but RV stroke volume and cardiac output were maintained. The model analysis suggested that, after two weeks, this compensation was only possible due to a significant increase in the intrinsic inotropy of RV myocardium. We conclude that this MCT-PAH rat is a model of RV compensation during the first month after treatment, where geometric remodeling on EDPVR and increased myocardial contractility on ESPVR are the major mechanisms by which stroke volume is preserved in the setting of elevated pulmonary arterial pressure. The mediators of this compensation might themselves promote longer-term adverse remodeling and decompensation in this animal model
Rhomboid family member 2 regulates cytoskeletal stress-associated Keratin 16.
Keratin 16 (K16) is a cytoskeletal scaffolding protein highly expressed at pressure-bearing sites of the mammalian footpad. It can be induced in hyperproliferative states such as wound healing, inflammation and cancer. Here we show that the inactive rhomboid protease RHBDF2 (iRHOM2) regulates thickening of the footpad epidermis through its interaction with K16. K16 expression is absent in the thinned footpads of irhom2-/- mice compared with irhom2+/+mice, due to reduced keratinocyte proliferation. Gain-of-function mutations in iRHOM2 underlie Tylosis with oesophageal cancer (TOC), characterized by palmoplantar thickening, upregulate K16 with robust downregulation of its type II keratin binding partner, K6. By orchestrating the remodelling and turnover of K16, and uncoupling it from K6, iRHOM2 regulates the epithelial response to physical stress. These findings contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying hyperproliferation of the palmoplantar epidermis in both physiological and disease states, and how this 'stress' keratin is regulated
Periodic Emission from the Gamma-ray Binary 1FGL J1018.6-5856
Gamma-ray binaries are stellar systems containing a neutron star or black
hole with gamma-ray emission produced by an interaction between the components.
These systems are rare, even though binary evolution models predict dozens in
our Galaxy. A search for gamma-ray binaries with the Fermi Large Area Telescope
(LAT) shows that 1FGL J1018.6-5856 exhibits intensity and spectral modulation
with a 16.6 day period. We identified a variable X-ray counterpart, which shows
a sharp maximum coinciding with maximum gamma-ray emission, as well as an
O6V((f)) star optical counterpart and a radio counterpart that is also
apparently modulated on the orbital period. 1FGL J1018.6-5856 is thus a
gamma-ray binary, and its detection suggests the presence of other fainter
binaries in the Galaxy.Comment: Contact authors: R.H.D. Corbet, M. Kerr, C.C. Cheun
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