575 research outputs found
SlicerAstro: a 3-D interactive visual analytics tool for HI data
SKA precursors are capable of detecting hundreds of galaxies in HI in a
single 12 hours pointing. In deeper surveys one will probe more easily faint HI
structures, typically located in the vicinity of galaxies, such as tails,
filaments, and extraplanar gas. The importance of interactive visualization has
proven to be fundamental for the exploration of such data as it helps users to
receive immediate feedback when manipulating the data. We have developed
SlicerAstro, a 3-D interactive viewer with new analysis capabilities, based on
traditional 2-D input/output hardware. These capabilities enhance the data
inspection, allowing faster analysis of complex sources than with traditional
tools. SlicerAstro is an open-source extension of 3DSlicer, a multi-platform
open source software package for visualization and medical image processing.
We demonstrate the capabilities of the current stable binary release of
SlicerAstro, which offers the following features: i) handling of FITS files and
astronomical coordinate systems; ii) coupled 2-D/3-D visualization; iii)
interactive filtering; iv) interactive 3-D masking; v) and interactive 3-D
modeling. In addition, SlicerAstro has been designed with a strong, stable and
modular C++ core, and its classes are also accessible via Python scripting,
allowing great flexibility for user-customized visualization and analysis
tasks.Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures, Accepted by Astronomy and Computing.
SlicerAstro link: https://github.com/Punzo/SlicerAstro/wiki#get-slicerastr
Oscillator Strengths and Predissociation Rates for Rydberg Transitions in 12C16O, 13C16O, and 13C18O Involving the E 1Pi, B 1Sigma+, and W 1Pi States
One of the processes controlling the interstellar CO abundance and the ratio
of its isotopologues is photodissociation. Accurate oscillator strengths and
predissociation rates for Rydberg transitions are needed for modeling this
process. We present results on absorption from the E ^1Pi-X ^1Sigma^+ (1-0) and
B ^1Sigma^+-X ^1Sigma^+ (6-0) bands at 1051 and 1002 \AA, respectively, and the
vibrational progression W ^1Pi-X ^1Sigma^+ (v'-0) bands with v' = 0 to 3 at
972, 956, 941, and 925 \AA, respectively. The corresponding spectra were
acquired at the high resolution (R ~ 30,000) SU5 beam line at the Super ACO
Synchrotron in Orsay, France. Spectra were obtained for the ^12C^16O, ^13C^16O,
and ^13C^18O isotopologues. These represent the most complete set of
measurements available. Comparison is made with earlier results, both empirical
and theoretical. While earlier determinations of oscillator strengths based on
absorption from synchrotron radiation tend to be somewhat smaller than ours,
the suite of measurements from a variety of techniques agree for the most part
considering the mutual uncertainties. For the bands studied here, their
relative weakness, or their significant line widths arising from
predissociation, minimizes potential problems from large optical depths at line
center in absorption measurements. Predissociating line widths could generally
be extracted from the spectra thanks to the profile simulations used in the
analysis. In many cases, these simulations allowed us to consider e and f
parity levels separately and to determine the dependence of the width on
rotational quantum number, J. Our results are consistent with earlier
determinations, especially the widths inferred from laser experiments
Ferromagnetism in the Strong Hybridization Regime of the Periodic Anderson Model
We determine exactly the ground state of the one-dimensional periodic
Anderson model (PAM) in the strong hybridization regime. In this regime, the
low energy sector of the PAM maps into an effective Hamiltonian that has a
ferromagnetic ground state for any electron density between half and three
quarters filling. This rigorous result proves the existence of a new magnetic
state that was excluded in the previous analysis of the mixed valence systems.Comment: Accepted in Phys. Rev.
Oscillator Strengths and Predissociation Widths for Rydberg Transitions in Carbon Monoxide
CO is used as a probe of astronomical environments ranging from planetary atmospheres and comets to interstellar clouds and the envelopes surrounding stars near the end of their lives. One of the processes controlling the CO abundance and the ratio of its isotopomers is photodissociation. Accurate oscillator strengths for Rydberg transitions are needed for modeling this process. Absorption bands were analyzed by synthesizing the profiles with codes developed independently in Meudon and Toledo. Each synthetic spectrum was adjusted to match the experimental one in a non-linear least-squares fitting procedure with the band oscillator strength, the line width (instrumental and predissociation
Spectrally-resolved UV photodesorption of CH4 in pure and layered ices
Context. Methane is among the main components of the ice mantles of
insterstellar dust grains, where it is at the start of a rich solid-phase
chemical network. Quantification of the photon-induced desorption yield of
these frozen molecules and understanding of the underlying processes is
necessary to accurately model the observations and the chemical evolution of
various regions of the interstellar medium. Aims. This study aims at
experimentally determining absolute photodesorption yields for the CH4 molecule
as a function of photon energy. The influence of the ice composition is also
investigated. By studying the methane desorption from layered CH4:CO ice,
indirect desorption processes triggered by the excitation of the CO molecules
is monitored and quantified. Methods. Tunable monochromatic VUV light from the
DESIRS beamline of the SOLEIL synchrotron is used in the 7 - 13.6 eV (177 - 91
nm) range to irradiate pure CH4 or layers of CH4 deposited on top of CO ice
samples. The release of species in the gas phase is monitored by quadrupole
mass spectrometry and absolute photodesorption yields of intact CH4 are
deduced. Results. CH4 photodesorbs for photon energies higher than ~9.1 eV
(~136 nm). The photodesorption spectrum follows the absorption spectrum of CH4,
which confirms a desorption mechanism mediated by electronic transitions in the
ice. When it is deposited on top of CO, CH4 desorbs between 8 and 9 eV with a
pattern characteristic of CO absorption, indicating desorption induced by
energy transfer from CO molecules. Conclusions. The photodesorption of CH4 from
the pure ice in various interstellar environments is around 2.0 x 10^-3
molecules per incident photon. Results on CO-induced indirect desorption of CH4
provide useful insights for the generalization of this process to other
molecules co-existing with CO in ice mantles
Wavelength-Dependent UV Photodesorption of Pure and Ices
Context: Ultraviolet photodesorption of molecules from icy interstellar grains can explain observations of cold gas in regions where thermal desorption is negligible. This non-thermal desorption mechanism should be especially important where UV fluxes are high. Aims: and are expected to play key roles in astrochemical reaction networks, both in the solid state and in the gas phase. Measurements of the wavelength-dependent photodesorption rates of these two infrared-inactive molecules provide astronomical and physical-chemical insights into the conditions required for their photodesorption.
Methods: Tunable radiation from the DESIRS beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron in the astrophysically relevant 7 to 13.6 eV range is used to irradiate pure and thin ice films. Photodesorption of molecules is monitored through quadrupole mass spectrometry. Absolute rates are calculated by using the well-calibrated CO photodesorption rates. Strategic and isotopolog mixtures are used to investigate the importance of dissociation upon irradiation. Results: photodesorption mainly occurs through excitation of the state and subsequent desorption of surface molecules. The observed vibronic structure in the photodesorption spectrum, together with the absence of formation, supports that the photodesorption mechanism of is similar to CO, i.e., an indirect DIET (Desorption Induced by Electronic Transition) process without dissociation of the desorbing molecule. In contrast, photodesorption in the 7â13.6 eV range occurs through dissociation and presents no vibrational structure. Conclusions: Photodesorption rates of and integrated over the far-UV field from various star-forming environments are lower than for CO. Rates vary between and photodesorbed molecules per incoming photon.Astronom
Identification of dichloroacetic acid degrading Cupriavidus bacteria in a drinking water distribution network model
Aims: Bacterial community structure and composition of a drinking water
network were assessed to better understand this ecosystem in relation to
haloacetic acid (HAA) degradation and to identify new bacterial species having
HAA degradation capacities.
Methods and Results: Biofilm samples were collected from a model system,
simulating the end of the drinking water distribution network and supplied
with different concentrations of dichloroacetic and trichloroacetic acids at
different periods over the course of a year. The samples were analysed by
culturing, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequencing.
Pipe diameter and HAA ratios did not impact the bacterial community
profiles, but the season had a clear influence. Based on DGGE profiles, it
appeared that a particular biomass has developed during the summer
compared with the other seasons. Among the bacteria isolated in this study,
those from genus Cupriavidus were able to degrade dichloroacetic acid.
Moreover, these bacteria degrade dichloroacetic acid at 18°C but not at 10°C.
Conclusions: The microbial diversity evolved throughout the experiment, but
the bacterial community was distinct during the summer. Results obtained on
the capacity of Cupriavidus to degrade DCAA only at 18°C but not at 10°C
indicate that water temperature is a major element affecting DCAA
degradation and confirming observations made regarding season influence on
HAA degradation in the drinking water distribution network.
Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first demonstration of the
HAA biodegradation capacity of the genus Cupriavidu
Electronic sculpting of ligand-GPCR subtype selectivity:the case of angiotensin II
GPCR subtypes possess distinct functional
and pharmacological profiles,
and thus development of subtype-selective ligands has immense therapeutic
potential. This is especially the case for the angiotensin receptor
subtypes AT1R and AT2R, where a functional negative control has been
described and AT2R activation highlighted as an important cancer drug
target. We describe a strategy to fine-tune ligand selectivity for
the AT2R/AT1R subtypes through electronic control of ligand aromatic-prolyl
interactions. Through this strategy an AT2R high affinity (<i>K</i><sub>i</sub> = 3 nM) agonist analogue that exerted 18,000-fold
higher selectivity for AT2R versus AT1R was obtained. We show that
this compound is a negative regulator of AT1R signaling since it is
able to inhibit MCF-7 breast carcinoma cellular proliferation in the
low nanomolar range
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