2,986 research outputs found
A collimated, ionized bipolar structure and a high density torus in the young planetary nebula IRAS 17347-3139
We present observations of continuum (lambda = 0.7, 1.3, 3.6 and 18 cm) and
OH maser (lambda = 18 cm) emission toward the young planetary nebula IRAS
17347-3139, which is one of the three planetary nebulae that are known to
harbor water maser emission. From the continuum observations we show that the
ionized shell of IRAS 17347-3139 consists of two main structures: one extended
(size ~1". 5) with bipolar morphology along PA=-30 degrees, elongated in the
same direction as the lobes observed in the near-infrared images, and a central
compact structure (size ~0". 25) elongated in the direction perpendicular to
the bipolar axis, coinciding with the equatorial dark lane observed in the
near-infrared images. Our image at 1.3 cm suggests the presence of dense walls
in the ionized bipolar lobes. We estimate for the central compact structure a
value of the electron density at least ~5 times higher than in the lobes. A
high resolution image of this structure at 0.7 cm shows two peaks separated by
about 0". 13 (corresponding to 100-780 AU, using a distance range of 0.8-6
kpc). This emission is interpreted as originating in an ionized equatorial
torus-like structure, from whose edges the water maser emission might be
arising. We have detected weak OH 1612 MHz maser emission at VLSR ~ -70 km/s
associated with IRAS 17347-3139. We derive a 3 sigma upper limit of < 35% for
the percentage of circularly polarized emission. Within our primary beam, we
detected additional OH 1612 MHz maser emission in the LSR velocity ranges -5 to
-24 and -90 to -123 km/s, associated with the sources 2MASS J17380406-3138387
and OH 356.65-0.15, respectively.Comment: 26 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap
Spectral index of the H2O-maser emitting planetary nebula IRAS 17347-3139
We present radio continuum observations of the planetary nebula (PN) IRAS
17347-3139 (one of the only two known to harbour water maser emission), made to
derive its spectral index and the turnover frequency of the emission. The
spectrum of the source rises in the whole frequency range sampled, from 2.4 to
24.9 GHz, although the spectral index seems to decrease at the highest
frequencies (0.79+-0.04 between 4.3 and 8.9 GHz, and 0.64+-0.06 between 16.1
and 24.9 GHz). This suggests a turnover frequency around 20 GHz (which is
unusual among PNe, whose radio emission usually becomes optically thin at
frequencies < 10 GHz), and a relatively high emission measure (1.5 x 10^9
cm^{-6} pc). The radio continuum emission has increased by a factor of ~1.26 at
8.4 GHz in 13 years, which can be explained as expansion of the ionized region
by a factor of ~1.12 in radius with a dynamical age of ~120 yr and at an
expansion velocity of ~5-40 km/s. These radio continuum characteristics,
together with the presence of water maser emission and a strong optical
extinction suggest that IRAS 17347-3139 is one of the youngest PNe known, with
a relatively massive progenitor star.Comment: Five pages, 2 figures, accepted by MNRA
Stimulation of TLR3 Triggers Release of Lysosomal ATP in Astrocytes and Epithelial cells that Requires TRPML1 Channels
Cross-reactions between innate immunity, lysosomal function, and purinergic pathways may link signaling systems in cellular pathologies. We found activation of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) triggers lysosomal ATP release from both astrocytes and retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells. ATP efflux was accompanied by lysosomal acid phosphatase and beta hexosaminidase release. Poly(I:C) alkalinized lysosomes, and lysosomal alkalization with bafilomycin or chloroquine triggered ATP release. Lysosomal rupture with glycyl-L-phenylalanine-2-naphthylamide (GPN) eliminated both ATP and acid phosphatase release. Secretory lysosome marker LAMP3 colocalized with VNUT, while MANT-ATP colocalized with LysoTracker. Unmodified membrane-impermeant 21-nt and “non-targeting” scrambled 21-nt siRNA triggered ATP and acid phosphatase release, while smaller 16-nt RNA was ineffective. Poly(I:C)-dependent ATP release was reduced by TBK-1 block and in TRPML1−/− cells, while TRPML activation with ML-SA1 was sufficient to release both ATP and acid phosphatase. The ability of poly(I:C) to raise cytoplasmic Ca2+ was abolished by removing extracellular ATP with apyrase, suggesting ATP release by poly(I:C) increased cellular signaling. Starvation but not rapamycin prevented lysosomal ATP release. In summary, stimulation of TLR3 triggers lysosomal alkalization and release of lysosomal ATP through activation of TRPML1; this links innate immunity to purinergic signaling via lysosomal physiology, and suggests even scrambled siRNA can influence these pathways
Stimulation of TLR3 Triggers Release of Lysosomal ATP in Astrocytes and Epithelial Cells that Requires TRPML1 Channels
Cross-reactions between innate immunity, lysosomal function, and purinergic pathways may link signaling systems in cellular pathologies. We found activation of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) triggers lysosomal ATP release from both astrocytes and retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells. ATP efflux was accompanied by lysosomal acid phosphatase and beta hexosaminidase release. Poly(I:C) alkalinized lysosomes, and lysosomal alkalization with bafilomycin or chloroquine triggered ATP release. Lysosomal rupture with glycyl-L-phenylalanine-2-naphthylamide (GPN) eliminated both ATP and acid phosphatase release. Secretory lysosome marker LAMP3 colocalized with VNUT, while MANT-ATP colocalized with LysoTracker. Unmodified membrane-impermeant 21-nt and non-targeting scrambled 21-nt siRNA triggered ATP and acid phosphatase release, while smaller 16-nt RNA was ineffective. Poly(I:C)-dependent ATP release was reduced by TBK-1 block and in TRPML1-/- cells, while TRPML activation with ML-SA1 was sufficient to release both ATP and acid phosphatase. The ability of poly(I:C) to raise cytoplasmic Ca2+ was abolished by removing extracellular ATP with apyrase, suggesting ATP release by poly(I:C) increased cellular signaling. Starvation but not rapamycin prevented lysosomal ATP release. In summary, stimulation of TLR3 triggers lysosomal alkalization and release of lysosomal ATP through activation of TRPML1; this links innate immunity to purinergic signaling via lysosomal physiology, and suggests even scrambled siRNA can influence these pathways. © 2018 The Author(s)
The P2Y12 Receptor Antagonist Ticagrelor Reduces Lysosomal pH and Autofluorescence in Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells From the ABCA4-/- Mouse Model of Retinal Degeneration
The accumulation of partially degraded lipid waste in lysosomal-related organelles may contribute to pathology in many aging diseases. The presence of these lipofuscin granules is particularly evident in the autofluorescent lysosome-associated organelles of the retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells, and may be related to early stages of age-related macular degeneration. While lysosomal enzymes degrade material optimally at acidic pH levels, lysosomal pH is elevated in RPE cells from the ABCA4-/- mouse model of Stargardt\u27s disease, an early onset retinal degeneration. Lowering lysosomal pH through cAMP-dependent pathways decreases accumulation of autofluorescent material in RPE cells in vitro, but identification of an appropriate receptor is crucial for manipulating this pathway in vivo. As the P2Y12 receptor for ADP is coupled to the inhibitory Gi protein, we asked whether blocking the P2Y12 receptor with ticagrelor could restore lysosomal acidity and reduce autofluorescence in compromised RPE cells from ABCA4-/- mice. Oral delivery of ticagrelor giving rise to clinically relevant exposure lowered lysosomal pH in these RPE cells. Ticagrelor also partially reduced autofluorescence in the RPE cells of ABCA4-/- mice. In vitro studies in ARPE-19 cells using more specific antagonists AR-C69931 and AR-C66096 confirmed the importance of the P2Y12 receptor for lowering lysosomal pH and reducing autofluorescence. These observations identify P2Y12 receptor blockade as a potential target to lower lysosomal pH and clear lysosomal waste in RPE cells. © 2018 Lu, Gómez, Lim, Guha, O\u27Brien-Jenkins, Coffey, Campagno, McCaughey, Laties, Carlsson and Mitchell
Status and Recent Results of the Acoustic Neutrino Detection Test System AMADEUS
The AMADEUS system is an integral part of the ANTARES neutrino telescope in
the Mediterranean Sea. The project aims at the investigation of techniques for
acoustic neutrino detection in the deep sea. Installed at a depth of more than
2000m, the acoustic sensors of AMADEUS are based on piezo-ceramics elements for
the broad-band recording of signals with frequencies ranging up to 125kHz.
AMADEUS was completed in May 2008 and comprises six "acoustic clusters", each
one holding six acoustic sensors that are arranged at distances of roughly 1m
from each other. The clusters are installed with inter-spacings ranging from
15m to 340m. Acoustic data are continuously acquired and processed at a
computer cluster where online filter algorithms are applied to select a
high-purity sample of neutrino-like signals. 1.6 TB of data were recorded in
2008 and 3.2 TB in 2009. In order to assess the background of neutrino-like
signals in the deep sea, the characteristics of ambient noise and transient
signals have been investigated. In this article, the AMADEUS system will be
described and recent results will be presented.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures. Proceedings of ARENA 2010, the 4th International
Workshop on Acoustic and Radio EeV Neutrino Detection Activitie
Measurement of Atmospheric Neutrino Oscillations with the ANTARES Neutrino Telescope
The data taken with the ANTARES neutrino telescope from 2007 to 2010, a total
live time of 863 days, are used to measure the oscillation parameters of
atmospheric neutrinos. Muon tracks are reconstructed with energies as low as 20
GeV. Neutrino oscillations will cause a suppression of vertical upgoing muon
neutrinos of such energies crossing the Earth. The parameters determining the
oscillation of atmospheric neutrinos are extracted by fitting the event rate as
a function of the ratio of the estimated neutrino energy and reconstructed
flight path through the Earth. Measurement contours of the oscillation
parameters in a two-flavour approximation are derived. Assuming maximum mixing,
a mass difference of eV is
obtained, in good agreement with the world average value.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure
Acoustic and optical variations during rapid downward motion episodes in the deep north-western Mediterranean Sea
An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) was moored at the deep-sea site
of the ANTARES neutrino telescope near Toulon, France, thus providing a unique
opportunity to compare high-resolution acoustic and optical observations
between 70 and 170 m above the sea bed at 2475 m. The ADCP measured downward
vertical currents of magnitudes up to 0.03 m s-1 in late winter and early
spring 2006. In the same period, observations were made of enhanced levels of
acoustic reflection, interpreted as suspended particles including zooplankton,
by a factor of about 10 and of horizontal currents reaching 0.35 m s-1. These
observations coincided with high light levels detected by the telescope,
interpreted as increased bioluminescence. During winter 2006 deep dense-water
formation occurred in the Ligurian subbasin, thus providing a possible
explanation for these observations. However, the 10-20 days quasi-periodic
episodes of high levels of acoustic reflection, light and large vertical
currents continuing into the summer are not direct evidence of this process. It
is hypothesized that the main process allowing for suspended material to be
moved vertically later in the year is local advection, linked with topographic
boundary current instabilities along the rim of the 'Northern Current'.Comment: 30 pages, 7 figure
Search for dark photons from supersymmetric hidden valleys
We search for a new light gauge boson, a dark photon, with the D0 experiment.
In the model we consider, supersymmetric partners are pair produced and cascade
to lightest neutralinos that can decay into the hidden sector state plus either
a photon or a dark photon. The dark photon decays through its mixing with a
photon into fermion pairs. We therefore investigate a previously unexplored
final state that contains a photon, two spatially close leptons, and large
missing transverse energy. We do not observe any evidence for dark photons and
set a limit on their production.Comment: submitted to PR
Search for anomalous \boldmath{Wtb} couplings in single top quark production
In 0.9 fb of collisions, D0 has observed an excess of
events with an isolated lepton, missing transve rse momentum, and two to four
jets. This excess is consistent with single top quark production. We examine
these data to study the Lorentz structure of the coupling. The standard
model predicts a left-handed vector coupling at the vertex. The most
general lowest dimension, CP-conserving Lagrangian admits right-handed vector
and left- or right-h anded tensor couplings as well. We find that the data
prefer the left-handed vector coupling and set upper limits on the anomalous
couplings. These are the first direct constraints on a general
interaction and the first direct limits on left- and right-handed tensor
couplings.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
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