1,902 research outputs found
New atmospheric parameters and spectral interpolator for the MILES cool stars
Context: The full spectrum fitting of stellar spectra against a library of
empirical spectra is a well-established approach to measure the atmospheric
parameters of FGK stars with a high internal consistency. Extending it towards
cooler stars still remains a challenge. Aims: We address this question by
improving the interpolator of the MILES (Medium-resolution INT Library of
Empirical Spectra) library in the low effective temperature regime (Tefff <
4800 K), and we refine the determination of the parameters of the cool MILES
stars. Methods: We use the ULySS package to determine the atmospheric
parameters (Teff, logg and [Fe/H]), and measure the biases of the results with
respect to our updated compilation of parameters calibrated against theoretical
spectra. After correcting some systematic effects, we compute a new
interpolator that we finally use to redetermine the atmospheric parameters
homogeneously and assess the biases. Results: Based on an updated literature
compilation, we determine Teff in a more accurate and unbiased manner compared
to those determined with the original interpolator. The validity range is
extended downwards to about Teff = 2900 K compared to 3500 K previously. The
mean residual biases on Teff, logg, and [Fe/H], with respect to the literature
compilation for the coolest stars (Teff <= 3800 K) computed using the new
interpolator, are -15 K, -0.02 dex, and 0.02 dex respectively. The
corresponding estimations of the external precision are 63 K, 0.23 dex, and
0.15 dex respectively. For the stars with Teff in the range 3800 - 4200 K, the
determinations of Teff and [Fe/H] have been slightly improved. At higher
temperatures, the new interpolator is comparable to the original one. The new
version of the interpolator is publicly available.Comment: A&A Accepted, 30 pages, 10 figure
Status of (3686), (4040), (4160), Y (4260), (4415) and X (4630) charmonia like states
We examine the status of charmonia like states by looking into the behaviour
of the energy level differences and regularity in the behaviour of the leptonic
decay widths of the excited charmonia states. The spectroscopic states are
studied using a phenomenological Martin-like confinement potential and their
radial wave functions are employed to compute the di-leptonic decay widths.
Their deviations from the expected behaviour provide a clue to consider them as
admixtures of the nearby S and D states. The present analysis strongly favour
\\backslash$psi \$ (3686) as admixture of $c \bar{c}$ (2S) and $c \bar{c}$g
(4.1 GeV) hybrid, \\backslash\backslash\backslash^\circ^\circc \bar{c}c \bar{c}\backslash$psi \$ (4415) is still not clear as it does not fit to be pure or
admixture state
Taxing Emotional Distress Recoveries: Does Murphy Show the Way?
The taxability of recoveries of damages on account of emotional distress remains a complicated issue under the American federal income tax law. Recent developments due to a controversial decision by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals have further added fuel to this debate. Even if one were to argue the justifications of exempting such recoveries from income taxation, courts do not appear to be the very appropriate kind of forum. Congress can, and in fact does tax such recoveries and the constitutional basis of such power can hardly be doubted. As a result, appropriate changes in the statute only can bring the desirable result of exempting such recoveries from income taxation
Breeding Strategies for Improving Fodder Security in Semi-Arid Tropics (SAT)
Semi-Arid Tropic region extends in 55 countries of the world mostly developing nations which extend from Asia to Africa and provides home for 38 % of total poor of the world (Thornton et al., 2000). South Asia holds maximum areas under SAT which is followed by the countries from African continent and South America. The region is under tremendous change and facing acute problem of water, land degradation and soil health and loss of biodiversity. Demand for livestock product in the region is growing much more rapidly than the demand for food grains. Livestock numbers have increased significantly in all SAT regions for all categories of livestock over the last three decades. Increasing population of livestock in the region has created huge pressure on the available fodder resources. To meet the deficit in all components of fodder, dry crop residues and feed has to be met from either increasing productivity, utilizing untapped feed resources or increasing land area under fodder crops. The region primarily depends on annual dual purpose fodder crops viz., sorghum, pearlmillet, maize, oats, cowpea, clovers and perennial crops like lucerne and range grasses and legumes. The present paper deals about the current status, recent research and development and opportunities which can be effectively utilized for ensuring feed and fodder security in the region
In vitro antimicrobial activity of ten medicinal plants against clinical isolates of oral cancer cases
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Suppression of immune system in treated cancer patients may lead to secondary infections that obviate the need of antibiotics. In the present study, an attempt was made to understand the occurrence of secondary infections in immuno-suppressed patients along with herbal control of these infections with the following objectives to: (a) isolate the microbial species from the treated oral cancer patients along with the estimation of absolute neutrophile counts of patients (b) assess the in vitro antimicrobial activity medicinal plants against the above clinical isolates.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Blood and oral swab cultures were taken from 40 oral cancer patients undergoing treatment in the radiotherapy unit of Regional Cancer Institute, Pt. B.D.S. Health University,</p> <p>Rohtak, Haryana. Clinical isolates were identified by following general microbiological, staining and biochemical methods. The absolute neutrophile counts were done by following the standard methods. The medicinal plants selected for antimicrobial activity analysis were <it>Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav., Asparagus racemosus </it>Willd., <it>Balanites aegyptiaca </it>L.<it>, Cestrum diurnum </it>L., <it>Cordia dichotoma </it>G. Forst, <it>Eclipta alba </it>L., <it>Murraya koenigii </it>(L.) Spreng. <it>, Pedalium murex </it>L.<it>, Ricinus communis </it>L. and <it>Trigonella foenum graecum </it>L. The antimicrobial efficacy of medicinal plants was evaluated by modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. MIC and MFC were investigated by serial two fold microbroth dilution method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Prevalent bacterial pathogens isolated were <it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>(23.2%), <it>Escherichia coli </it>(15.62%), <it>Staphylococcus epidermidis </it>(12.5%), <it>Pseudomonas aeruginosa </it>(9.37%), <it>Klebsiella pneumonia </it>(7.81%), <it>Proteus mirabilis </it>(3.6%), <it>Proteus vulgaris </it>(4.2%) and the fungal pathogens were <it>Candida albicans </it>(14.6%), <it>Aspergillus fumigatus </it>(9.37%). Out of 40 cases, 35 (87.5%) were observed as neutropenic. Eight medicinal plants (<it>A. tenuifolius, A. racemosus, B. aegyptiaca, E. alba, M. koenigii, P. murex R. communis </it>and <it>T. foenum graecum</it>) showed significant antimicrobial activity (P < .05) against most of the isolates. The MIC and MFC values were ranged from 31 to 500 μg/ml. <it>P. aeruginosa </it>was observed highest susceptible bacteria (46.6%) on the basis of susceptible index.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It can be concluded that treated oral cancer patients were neutropenic and prone to secondary infection of microbes. The medicinal plant can prove as effective antimicrobial agent to check the secondary infections in treated cancer patients.</p
Water-mediated variability in the structure of relaxed-state haemoglobin
The crystal structure of high-salt horse methaemoglobin has been determined at environmental relative humidities (r.h.) of 88, 79, 75 and 66%. The molecule is in the R state in the native and the r.h. 88% crystals. At r.h. 79%, the water content of the crystal is reduced and the molecule appears to move towards the R2 state. The crystals undergo a water-mediated transformation involving a doubling of one of the unit-cell parameters and an increase in water content when the environmental humidity is further reduced to r.h. 75%. The water content is now similar to that in the native crystals and the molecules are in the R state. The crystal structure at r.h. 66% is similar, but not identical, to that at r.h. 75%, but the solvent content is substantially reduced and the molecules have a quaternary structure that is in between those corresponding to the R and R2 states. Thus, variation in hydration leads to variation in the quaternary structure. Furthermore, partial dehydration appears to shift the structure from the R state to the R2 state. This observation is in agreement with the earlier conclusion that the changes in protein structure that accompany partial dehydration are similar to those that occur during protein action
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