4,452 research outputs found
Observations of Outflowing UV Absorbers in NGC 4051 with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph
We present new Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph
observations of the Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4051. These data were
obtained as part of a coordinated observing program including X-ray
observations with the Chandra/High Energy Transmission Grating (HETG)
Spectrometer and Suzaku. We detected nine kinematic components of UV
absorption, which were previously identified using the HST/Space Telescope
Imaging Spectrograph. None of the absorption components showed evidence for
changes in column density or profile within the \sim 10 yr between the STIS and
COS observations, which we interpret as evidence of 1) saturation, for the
stronger components, or 2) very low densities, i.e., n_H < 1 cm^-3, for the
weaker components. After applying a +200 km s^-1 offset to the HETG spectrum,
we found that the radial velocities of the UV absorbers lay within the O VII
profile. Based on photoionization models, we suggest that, while UV components
2, 5 and 7 produce significant O VII absorption, the bulk of the X-ray
absorption detected in the HETG analysis occurs in more highly ionized gas.
Moreover, the mass loss rate is dominated by high ionization gas which lacks a
significant UV footprint.Comment: 41 pages, 10 Figures; accepted for publication in the Astrophysical
Journa
Computer processing support, volume 4
There are no author-identified significant results in this report
Virus Sharing, Genetic Sequencing, and Global Health Security
The WHO’s Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework was a milestone global agreement designed to promote the international sharing of biological samples to develop vaccines, while that ensuring poorer countries would have access to those vaccines. Since the PIP Framework was negotiated, scientists have developed the capacity to use genetic sequencing data (GSD) to develop synthetic viruses rapidly for product development of life-saving technologies in a time-sensitive global emergency—threatening to unravel the Framework. Access to GSD may also have major implications for biosecurity, biosafety, and intellectual property (IP).
By rendering the physical transfer of viruses antiquated, GSD may also undermine the effectiveness of the PIP Framework itself, with disproportionate impacts on poorer countries. We examine the changes that need to be made to the PIP Framework to address the growing likelihood that GSD might be shared instead of physical virus samples. We also propose that the international community harness this opportunity to expand the scope of the PIP Framework beyond only influenza viruses with pandemic potential.
In light of non-influenza pandemic threats such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Ebola, we call for an international agreement on the sharing of the benefits of research – such as vaccines and treatments – for other infectious diseases to ensure not only a more secure and healthy world, but also a more just world, for humanity
Significant X-ray Line Emission in the 5-6 keV band of NGC 4051
A Suzaku X-ray observation of NGC 4051 taken during 2005 Nov reveals line
emission at 5.44 keV in the rest-frame of the galaxy which does not have an
obvious origin in known rest-frame atomic transitions. The improvement to the
fit statistic when this line is accounted for establishes its reality at >99.9%
confidence: we have also verified that the line is detected in the three XIS
units independently. Comparison between the data and Monte Carlo simulations
shows that the probability of the line being a statistical fluctuation is p <
3.3 x 10^-4. Consideration of three independent line detections in Suzaku data
taken at different epochs yields a probability p< 3 x 10^-11 and thus
conclusively demonstrates that it cannot be a statistical fluctuation in the
data. The new line and a strong component of Fe Ka emission from neutral
material are prominent when the source flux is low, during 2005. Spectra from
2008 show evidence for a line consistent with having the same flux and energy
as that observed during 2005, but inconsistent with having a constant
equivalent width against the observed continuum. The stability of the line flux
and energy suggests that it may not arise in transient hotspots, as has been
suggested for similar lines in other sources, but could arise from a special
location in the reprocessor, such as the inner edge of the accretion disk.
Alternatively, the line energy may be explained by spallation of Fe into Cr, as
discussed in a companion paper.Comment: 18 pages, accepted for publication by Ap
Artifacts at 4.5 and 8.0 um in Short Wavelength Spectra from the Infrared Space Observatory
Spectra from the Short Wavelength Spectrometer (SWS) on ISO exhibit artifacts
at 4.5 and 8 um. These artifacts appear in spectra from a recent data release,
OLP 10.0, as spurious broad emission features in the spectra of stars earlier
than ~F0, such as alpha CMa. Comparison of absolutely calibrated spectra of
standard stars to corresponding spectra from the SWS reveals that these
artifacts result from an underestimation of the strength of the CO and SiO
molecular bands in the spectra of sources used as calibrators by the SWS.
Although OLP 10.0 was intended to be the final data release, these findings
have led to an additional release addressing this issue, OLP 10.1, which
corrects the artifacts.Comment: 14 pages, AASTex, including 5 figures. Accepted by ApJ Letter
Multiphase Equilibrium Behavior of the Mixture Carbon Dioxide + Ethane + Methanol
The Three-Phase Liquid-Liquid-Vapor (Llg) Phase Equilibrium Behavior of the Mixture Carbon Dioxide + Ethane + Methanol Was Experimentally Studied. the Boundaries of the Three-Phase Llg Region in Pressure-Temperature Space Are Delineated. Compositions and Molar Volumes of the Two Liquid Phases and the Vapor Phase Along the 288.15 and 298.15 K Isotherms Are Reported. © 1994, American Chemical Society. All Rights Reserved
Increased elastase sensitivity and decreased intramolecular interactions in the more transmissible 501Y.V1 and 501Y.V2 SARS-CoV-2 variants' spike protein-an in silico analysis.
Two SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern showing increased transmissibility relative to the Wuhan virus have recently been identified. Although neither variant appears to cause more severe illness nor increased risk of death, the faster spread of the virus is a major threat. Using computational tools, we found that the new SARS-CoV-2 variants may acquire an increased transmissibility by increasing the propensity of its spike protein to expose the receptor binding domain via proteolysis, perhaps by neutrophil elastase and/or via reduced intramolecular interactions that contribute to the stability of the closed conformation of spike protein. This information leads to the identification of potential treatments to avert the imminent threat of these more transmittable SARS-CoV-2 variants
High Velocity Line Emission in the NLR of NGC 4151
Narrow-band imaging of the nuclear region of NGC 4151 with the Hubble Space
Telescope is presented. The filter bandpasses isolate line emission in various
high velocity ranges in several ions. Slitless and long-slit spectra of the
region with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph also indicate the
locations of high velocity gas. These emission regions are faint and are
interspersed among the bright emission clouds seen in direct images. They have
radial velocities up to 1400 km/s relative to the nucleus, and are found in
both approach and recession on both sides of the nucleus. This contrasts
strongly with the bright emission line clouds which have been discussed
previously as showing bidirectional outflow with velocities within 400 km/s of
the nucleus. We discuss the possible connections of the high velocity material
with the radio jet and the nuclear radiation.Comment: 12 pages plus 6 figures, to be published in A
The Geometry of Mass Outflows and Fueling Flows in the Seyfert 2 Galaxy Mrk 3
We present a study of the resolved emission-line regions and an inner
dust/gas disk in the Seyfert 2 galaxy Mrk 3, based on Hubble Space Telescope
observations. We show that the extended narrow-line region (ENLR), spanning ~4
kpc, is defined by the intersection of the ionizing bicone of radiation from
the AGN and the inner disk, which is not coplanar with the large-scale stellar
disk. This intersection leads to different position and opening angles of the
ENLR compared to the narrow-line region (NLR). A number of emission-line arcs
in the ENLR appear to be continuations of dust lanes in the disk, supporting
this geometry. The NLR, which consists of outflowing emission-line knots
spanning the central ~650 pc, is in the shape of a backwards S. This shape may
arise from rotation of the gas, or it may trace the original fueling flow close
to the nucleus that was ionized after the AGN turned on.Comment: 22 page, 7 figures, accepted for publication in the Astronomical
Journa
Verification of Input Analysis of a Reprocessing Plant by Means of Composite Sample Technique
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