X-ray pulsar XTE J1858+034: discovery of the cyclotron line and the revised optical identification

We present results of a detailed investigation of the poorly studied X-ray pulsar XTE J1858+034 based on the data obtained with the NuSTAR observatory during the outburst of the source in 2019. The spectral analysis resulted in the discovery of a cyclotron absorption feature in the source spectrum at ~48 keV both in the pulse phase averaged and resolved spectra. Accurate X-ray localization of the source using the NuSTAR and Chandra observatories allowed us to accurately determine the position of the X-ray source and identify the optical companion of the pulsar. The analysis of the counterpart properties suggested that the system is likely a symbiotic binary hosting an X-ray pulsar and a late type companion star of K-M classes rather than Be X-ray binary as previously suggested.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures, accepted by Ap

Broad-band analysis of X-ray pulsar 2S 1845–024

We present the results of a detailed investigation of the poorly studied X-ray pulsar 2S 1845−024 based on data obtained at the NuSTAR observatory during the type I outburst in 2017. Neither pulse phase-averaged nor phase-resolved spectra of the source show evidence for a cyclotron absorption feature. We also used data obtained from other X-ray observatories (Swift, XMM-Newton and Chandra) to study the spectral properties as a function of orbital phase. The analysis reveals a high hydrogen column density for the source reaching ∼1024 cm−2 around periastron. Using high-quality Chandra data we were able to obtain an accurate localization of 2S 1845−024 at 18h48m16s.8 and Dec. = −2◦25'25".1 (J2000), which allowed us to use infrared (IR) data to roughly classify the optical counterpart of the source as an OB supergiant at a distance of ≳15 kpc.</p

X-Ray Pulsar XTE J1858+034: Discovery of the Cyclotron Line and the Revised Optical Identification

We present the results of a detailed investigation of the poorly studied X-ray pulsar (XRP) XTE J1858+034 based on the data obtained with the NuSTAR observatory during the outburst of the source in 2019. The spectral analysis resulted in the discovery of a cyclotron absorption feature in the source spectrum at similar to ~48 keV in both the pulse phase-averaged and resolved spectra. Accurate X-ray localization of the source using the NuSTAR and Chandra observatories allowed us to accurately determine the position of the X-ray source and identify the optical companion of the pulsar. The analysis of the counterpart properties suggested that the system is likely a symbiotic binary hosting an XRP and a late-type companion star of the K-M classes rather than a Be X-ray binary as previously suggested

Folding of poly-amino acids and intrinsically disordered proteins in overcrowded milieu induced by pH change

pH-induced structural changes of the synthetic homopolypeptides poly-E, poly-K, poly-R, and intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) prothymosin alpha (ProT alpha) and linker histone H1, in concentrated PEG solutions simulating macromolecular crowding conditions within the membrane-less organelles, were characterized. The conformational transitions of the studied poly-amino acids in the concentrated PEG solutions depend on the polymerization degree of these homopolypeptides, the size of their side chains, the charge distribution of the side chains, and the crowding agent concentration. The results obtained for poly-amino acids are valid for IDPs having a significant total charge. The overcrowded conditions promote a significant increase in the cooperativity of the pH-induced coil-alpha-helix transition of ProTa and provoke histone H1 aggregation. The most favorable conditions for the pH-induced structural transitions in concentrated PEG solutions are realized when the charged residues are grouped in blocks, and when the distance between the end of the side group carrying charge and the backbone is small. Therefore, the block-wise distribution of charged residues within the IDPs not only plays an important role in the liquid-liquid phase transitions, but may also define the expressivity of structural transitions of these proteins in the overcrowded conditions of the membrane-less organelles. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Discovery of a pulse-phase-transient cyclotron line in the X-ray pulsar Swift J1808.4-1754 and identification of an optical companion

In this work, the temporal and spectral properties of the poorly studied X-ray pulsar Swift J1808.4$-$1754 were investigated in the 0.8-79 keV energy range based on the data from the NuSTAR and Swift observatories collected during the 2014 outburst. Strong pulsations with a period of $909.73\pm0.03$ s were detected in the source light curve, with the pulsed fraction demonstrating a nonmonotonic dependence on the energy with a local minimum around 17-22 keV. Phase lags in one of the pulse profile components, reaching the maximal value approximately at the same energy, were discovered. The pulse phase-averaged spectrum of the source has a power-law shape with an exponential cutoff at high energies, which is typical of X-ray pulsars. Pulse phase-resolved spectroscopy revealed the presence of a pulse phase-transient cyclotron absorption line at $\sim$21 keV, allowing us to estimate the neutron star magnetic field of $2.4\times10^{12}$ G. This makes Swift J1808.4$-$1754 a member of very small family of X-ray pulsars with a pulse-phase-transient cyclotron line in a narrow phase range. The data from the Nordic Optical Telescope allowed us to study the properties of the IR companion in the system and to conclude that most probably it is a Be-type star located at a distance of 5-8 kpc.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 9 pages, 10 figures, 3 table

Broad-band analysis of X-ray pulsar 2S 1845–024

We present the results of a detailed investigation of the poorly studied X-ray pulsar 2S 1845−024 based on data obtained at the NuSTAR observatory during the type I outburst in 2017. Neither pulse phase-averaged nor phase-resolved spectra of the source show evidence for a cyclotron absorption feature. We also used data obtained from other X-ray observatories (Swift, XMM-Newton and Chandra) to study the spectral properties as a function of orbital phase. The analysis reveals a high hydrogen column density for the source reaching ∼1024 cm−2 around periastron. Using high-quality Chandra data we were able to obtain an accurate localization of 2S 1845−024 at RA = 18$^{\mathrm{h}}48^{\mathrm{m}}16{{\overset{\text{s}}{.}}}8$ and Dec = $-2^\circ25^{\prime}25{{\overset{\prime\prime}{.}}}1$ (J2000), which allowed us to use infrared (IR) data to roughly classify the optical counterpart of the source as an OB supergiant at a distance of ≳15 kpc

Валлериитсодержащая руда Кингашского месторождения (Сибирь, Россия): Мессбауэровская и рентгенофотоэлектронная спектроскопия, термические и межфазные свойства

Valleriite, (Cu,Fe)S2×n(Mg,Al,Fe)(OH)2, and related layered minerals are of interest due to their unusual two-dimensional structure, formation mechanisms, physical and chemical properties, and potential involvement into mineral processing and materials science applications. Here, we have studied Kingash Cu-Ni ore samples containing 10–25% of valleriite in association with serpentines (lizardite and chrysotile) and magnetite using scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermal analysis and zeta potential measurement. The data are compared with those for Al-doped valleriite synthesized via a hydrothermal route. It was found that the Kingash valleriite contains excessive iron relative to CuFeS2 stoichiometry, which mainly occurs, leaving aside magnetite, as Fe3+-OH species in hydroxide layers of valleriite and minor Fe centers in serpentines. Thermal dehydroxylation of hydroxide layers of valleriites occurs near 500oC in inert atmosphere; in air, sulfide sheets oxidize with an exothermal peak at 447oC, and sulfur oxides don’t volatilize but react with hydroxide groups of valleriite rather than serpentines. Zeta potential measurements of coarse ore particles using the flow potential technique suggested that the surface of valleriite is negatively charged in a wide pH range while the positive values at low pHs for fine particles are inflicted by serpentine. The findings demonstrate close resemblance of the natural and synthetic Al-doped valleriites, and the key role of valleriite, despite its moderate content, for the interfacial characteristics of the valleriite-bearing oresВаллериит, (Cu, Fe)S2×n(Mg, Al, Fe)(OH)2 и родственные ему слоистые минералы представляют интерес в связи с их необычной двумерной структурой, механизмами образования, физическими и химическими свойствами и возможностью применения в процессах переработки полезных ископаемых и материаловедения. В настоящей работе с помощью сканирующей электронной микроскопии и электронного микрозондового анализа, мессбауэровской спектроскопии, рентгеновской фотоэлектронной спектроскопии (РФЭС), термического анализа и измерения дзета-потенциала нами были изучены образцы медно-никелевых руд Кингашского месторождения, содержащие 10–25 % валлериита в ассоциации с серпентинами (лизардит и хризотил) и магнетитом. Было проведено сравнение полученных данных с результатами измерений легированного алюминием валлериита, синтезированного гидротермальным способом. Установлено, что валлериит Кингашского месторождения содержит избыточное железо по отношению к стехиометрии CuFeS2, которое представлено в основном, не считая магнетита, в виде центров Fe3+-OH, расположенных в гидроксидных слоях валлериита и небольшого числа примесей Fe в серпентинах. Термическое дигидроксилирование гидроксидных слоев валлериитов происходит около 500 °C в инертной атмосфере; на воздухе сульфидные слои окисляются с экзотермическим пиком при 447 °C, а оксиды серы не улетучиваются, а реагируют скорее с гидроксидными группами валлериита, чем с серпентинами. Измерения дзета-потенциала крупных частиц руды с использованием метода потенциала протекания показали, что поверхность валлериита отрицательно заряжена в широком диапазоне рН, в то время как положительные показатели при низких значениях рН для более мелких частиц обусловлены присутствием серпентина. Полученные данные демонстрируют близкое сходство природного и синтетического валлериитов, легированного алюминием, и его ключевую роль для межфазных характеристик валлериитсодержащих руд, даже при его умеренном содержани