1,048 research outputs found
Stellar Populations in Barred Galaxies
We developed an iterative technique to better characterize stellar
populations and the central activity of barred galaxies using evolutionary
synthesis codes and OASIS data. The case of NGC5430 is presented here. Our
results are reinforcing the role played by the bar and nuclear structures for
the evolution of galaxies.Comment: 2 pages, 1 figure, to be published in the proceedings of IAU Symp.
262 "Stellar Populations - Planing for the Next Decate" (Aug. 2009
Cepheids and Long Period Variables in M33
We are conducting a long-term photometric survey of the nearby galaxy M33 to
discover Cepheids, eclipsing binaries, and long-period variables. The dataset
combines previously-obtained optical images from the DIRECT project with new
observations acquired at the WIYN 3.5m telescope. The entire data set spans
over 7 years with excellent synoptic coverage which will enable the discovery
and characterization of stars displaying variability over a wide range of
timescales (days, weeks, months, years). In this preliminary work we show
representative light curves of different variables we found so far in two
fields, color-magnitude diagrams, and optical Cepheid Period-Luminosity
relations for M33. The ultimate goal of the project is to provide an absolute
calibration of the Cepheid Period-Luminosity relation, and to study its
metallicity dependence at optical wavelengths.Comment: 3 pages, 6 figures. To appear in "Stellar Pulsation: Challenges for
Theory and Observation", Eds. J. Guzik and P. Bradle
Taking the pulse of snowmelt: in situ sensors reveal seasonal, event and diurnal patterns of nitrate and dissolved organic matter variability in an upland forest stream
Highly resolved time series data are useful to accurately identify the timing, rate, and magnitude of solute transport in streams during hydrologically dynamic periods such as snowmelt. We used in situ optical sensors for nitrate (NO3 −) and chromophoric dissolved organic matter fluorescence (FDOM) to measure surface water concentrations at 30 min intervals over the snowmelt period (March 21–May 13, 2009) at a 40.5 hectare forested watershed at Sleepers River, Vermont. We also collected discrete samples for laboratory absorbance and fluorescence as well as δ18O–NO3 − isotopes to help interpret the drivers of variable NO3 − and FDOM concentrations measured in situ. In situ data revealed seasonal, event and diurnal patterns associated with hydrological and biogeochemical processes regulating stream NO3 − and FDOM concentrations. An observed decrease in NO3 − concentrations after peak snowmelt runoff and muted response to spring rainfall was consistent with the flushing of a limited supply of NO3 − (mainly from nitrification) from source areas in surficial soils. Stream FDOM concentrations were coupled with flow throughout the study period, suggesting a strong hydrologic control on DOM concentrations in the stream. However, higher FDOM concentrations per unit streamflow after snowmelt likely reflected a greater hydraulic connectivity of the stream to leachable DOM sources in upland soils. We also observed diurnal NO3 − variability of 1–2 μmol l−1 after snowpack ablation, presumably due to in-stream uptake prior to leafout. A comparison of NO3 − and dissolved organic carbon yields (DOC, measured by FDOM proxy) calculated from weekly discrete samples and in situ data sub-sampled daily resulted in small to moderate differences over the entire study period (−4 to 1% for NO3 − and −3 to −14% for DOC), but resulted in much larger differences for daily yields (−66 to +27% for NO3 − and −88 to +47% for DOC, respectively). Despite challenges inherent in in situ sensor deployments in harsh seasonal conditions, these data provide important insights into processes controlling NO3 − and FDOM in streams, and will be critical for evaluating the effects of climate change on snowmelt delivery to downstream ecosystems
On the distribution of initial masses of stellar clusters inferred from synthesis models
The fundamental properties of stellar clusters, such as the age or the total
initial mass in stars, are often inferred from population synthesis models. The
predicted properties are then used to constrain the physical mechanisms
involved in the formation of such clusters in a variety of environments.
Population synthesis models cannot, however, be applied blindy to such systems.
We show that synthesis models cannot be used in the usual straightforward way
to small-mass clusters (say, M < few times 10**4 Mo). The reason is that the
basic hypothesis underlying population synthesis (a fixed proportionality
between the number of stars in the different evolutionary phases) is not
fulfilled in these clusters due to their small number of stars. This incomplete
sampling of the stellar mass function results in a non-gaussian distribution of
the mass-luminosity ratio for clusters that share the same evolutionary
conditions (age, metallicity and initial stellar mass distribution function).
We review some tests that can be carried out a priori to check whether a given
cluster can be analysed with the fully-sampled standard population synthesis
models, or, on the contrary, a probabilistic framework must be used. This leads
to a re-assessment in the estimation of the low-mass tail in the distribution
function of initial masses of stellar clusters.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, to appear in ``Young Massive Star Clusters -
Initial Conditions and Environments'', 2008, Astrophysics & Space Science,
eds. E. Perez, R. de Grijs, R. M. Gonzalez Delgad
An Augmented OxRAM Synapse for Spiking Neural Network (SNN) Circuits
International audienceIn this paper, the conductance modulation of OxRAM memristive devices is evaluated based on experimental data to reveal the memristor inherent analog synaptic behavior. Simulation results are presented to validate the use of OxRAMs as synapses at a circuit level in a spiking neural network context. In the proposed approach, the OxRAM synapse is augmented with a shift register associated with current compliance control transistors to provide an efficient monitoring of the OxRAM conductance
High dispersion spectroscopy of two A supergiant systems in the Small Magellanic Cloud with novel properties
We present the results of a spectroscopic investigation of two novel variable
bright blue stars in the SMC, OGLE004336.91-732637.7 (SMC-SC3) and the
periodically occulted star OGLE004633.76-731204.3 (SMC-SC4), whose photometric
properties were reported by Mennickent et al. (2010). High-resolution spectra
in the optical and far-UV show that both objects are actually A + B type
binaries. Three spectra of SMC-SC4 show radial velocity variations, consistent
with the photometric period of 184.26 days found in Mennickent et al. 2010. The
optical spectra of the metallic lines in both systems show combined absorption
and emission components that imply that they are formed in a flattened
envelope. A comparison of the radial velocity variations in SMC-SC4 and the
separation of the V and R emission components in the Halpha emission profile
indicate that this envelope, and probably also the envelope around SMC-SC3, is
a circumbinary disk with a characteristic orbital radius some three times the
radius of the binary system. The optical spectra of SMC-SC3 and SMC-SC4 show,
respectively, HeI emission lines and discrete Blue Absorption Components (BACs)
in metallic lines. The high excitations of the HeI lines in the SMC-SC3
spectrum and the complicated variations of FeII emission and absorption
components with orbital phase in the spectrum of SMC-SC4 suggests that shocks
occur between the winds and various static regions of the stars' co-rotating
binary-disk complexes. We suggest that BACs arise from wind shocks from the A
star impacting the circumbinary disk and a stream of former wind-efflux from
the B star accreting onto the A star. We dub these objects prototype of a small
group of Magellanic Cloud wind-interacting A + B binaries.Comment: To be published in MNRA
Changes in plant communities over three decades on two disturbed bogs in southeastern Quebec.
Abstract Questions: Have the natural plant communities of two mined bogs experienced changes in composition and richness over a three-decade period, and are these changes associated with anthropogenic disturbances? Location: Bas-Saint-Laurent region, southeastern Que´bec, Canada. Methods: We monitored three decades of floristic changes in two disturbed bogs by revisiting 57 plots in 1998, which were previously sampled in 1965 and 1966. Changes in species richness and composition were evaluated using Wilcoxon signed rank tests, principal component analysis and partial redundancy analyses (pRDA). We also used pRDA and an indicator species analysis to determine which species had undergone the greatest changes over time. Variation partitioning was used to evaluate the relative influence of human disturbance in compositional change. Results: The main changes in the vegetation of the two bogs were 1) a decrease of overall species diversity, 2) an increase in the percent cover of trees and of species tolerant of shade or drought, and 3) a decrease in the cover of heliophilous species. Picea mariana, Sphagnum fuscum and Pleurozium schreberi increased in percent cover while Chamaedaphne calyculata and Sphagnum rubellum decreased in percent cover. Variation partitioning suggested that human activities had a significant impact on vegetation composition. Conclusion: The results indicated that substantial changes occurred in the vegetation of the natural fragments of these severely disturbed bogs. Although human activities were partially responsible for the changes, our study suggested that the drying of the peat surface due to drought during the 1960s and 1980s may have contributed to the vegetation changes
Metodologia de utilização de dados espaciais Landsat MSS e TM no estudo de uso do solo: região de Marilia, SP
Metodologia de utilização de dados espaciais Landsat MSS e TM no estudo de uso do solo: região de Marilia, S
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