5,363 research outputs found
An Idealized Pulsar Magnetosphere: the Relativistic Force-Free Approximation
The non-dissipative relativistic force-free condition should be a good
approximation to describe the electromagnetic field in much of the pulsar
magnetosphere, but we may plausibly expect it to break down in singular
domains. Self-consistent magnetospheric solutions are found with field lines
closing both at and within the light-cylinder. In general, the detailed
properties of the solutions may be affected critically by the physics
determining the appropriate choice of equatorial boundary condition beyond the
light-cylinder.Comment: 31 pages, 3 figure
Symmetry based determination of space-time functions in nonequilibrium growth processes
We study the space-time correlation and response functions in nonequilibrium
growth processes described by linear stochastic Langevin equations. Exploiting
exclusively the existence of space and time dependent symmetries of the
noiseless part of these equations, we derive expressions for the universal
scaling functions of two-time quantities which are found to agree with the
exact expressions obtained from the stochastic equations of motion. The
usefulness of the space-time functions is illustrated through the investigation
of two atomistic growth models, the Family model and the restricted Family
model, which are shown to belong to a unique universality class in 1+1 and in
2+1 space dimensions. This corrects earlier studies which claimed that in 2+1
dimensions the two models belong to different universality classes.Comment: 18 pages, three figures included, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Phase-locked modulation delay between the poles of pulsar B1055-52
We present a detailed single pulse study of PSR B1055-52 based on
observations at the Parkes radio telescope. The radio emission is found to have
a complex modulation dominated by a periodicity of ~20 times its rotational
period P (0.197s), whose phase and strength depends on pulse longitude. This
periodicity exhibits a phase-locked delay of about 2.5P between the main pulse
(MP) and interpulse (IP), presumed to be the opposite poles of the pulsar. This
delay corresponds to a light travel distance of many times the light cylinder
radius. More complex modulations are found within the MP on timescales down to
about 9P, and both these and the principal modulation vary strongly across the
(at least) 7 components which the MP and IP exhibit. The nature of the single
pulse emission, which ranges from smooth and longitudinally extended to
`spiky', is also component-dependent. Despite these disparities, the total
pulse intensity distributions at the MP and IP are virtually identical in
shape, suggesting a common emission mechanism. In an attempt to account for the
complex modulations we examine a number of physical models, both intrinsic
(which presuppose the pulsar to be an isolated neutron star) and extrinsic
(appealing to the presence of circumstellar material to modulate the emission).
Significant objections can be made to each model, so this pulsar's behaviour
patterns remain a crucial challenge to theorists.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, submitted to MNRA
Interaction of 7-acetyltaxol with different tubulin assemblies
AbstractEquilibrium microdialysis of [3PH]acetyltaxol against different tubulin assemblies showed that: (i) the binding capacity of tubulin does not depend on the temperature; (ii) two classes of ‘polymers’ exist, with respect to Ac-taxol binding. Some of them (plaques, complex cylinders induced with some polycations and spirals made with rhazinilam) bound Ac-taxol, as do normal microtubules. In contrast, spirals formed with vinblastine and griseofulvin, rings made with polycations and complex cylinders induced with spermine do not bind Ac-taxol as is the case with free tubulin
Spectroscopic Pulsational Frequency Identification and Mode Determination of Gamma Doradus Star HD135825
We present the mode identification of frequencies found in spectroscopic
observations of the Gamma Doradus star HD135825. Four frequencies were
successfully identified: 1.3150 +/- 0.0003 1/d; 0.2902 +/- 0.0004 1/d; 1.4045
+/- 0.0005 1/d; and 1.8829 +/- 0.0005 1/d. These correspond to (l, m) modes of
(1,1), (2,-2), (4,0) and (1,1) respectively. Additional frequencies were found
but they were below the signal-to-noise limit of the Fourier spectrum and not
suitable for mode identification. The rotational axis inclination and vsini of
the star were determined to be 87 degrees (nearly edge-on) and 39.7 km/s
(moderate for Gamma Doradus stars) respectively. A simultaneous fit of these
four modes to the line profile variations in the data gives a reduced chi
square of 12.7. We confirm, based on the frequencies found, that HD135825 is a
bona fide Gamma Doradus star.Comment: Accepted to MNRAS 2012 March
Selection of mutants with resistance or diminished susceptibility to ceftazidime/avibactam from ESBL- and AmpC- producing Enterobacteriaceae
Introduction: Difficult Gram-negative infections are increasingly treated with new β-lactamase inhibitor combinations, e.g. ceftazidime/avibactam. Disturbingly, mutations in KPC carbapenemases can confer ceftazidime/avibactam resistance, which is sometimes selected during therapy. We explored whether this risk extended to AmpC and ESBL enzymes. Methods: Mutants were selected by plating AmpC-derepressed strains, ESBL producers and ceftazidime-susceptible controls on agar containing ceftazidime + avibactam (1 or 4 mg/L). MICs were determined by CLSI agar dilution; WGS was by Illumina methodology. Results: Using 2× MIC of ceftazidime + 1 mg/L avibactam, mutants were selected from all strain types at frequencies of 10−7–10−9. Rates diminished to <10−9 with 4 mg/L avibactam or higher MIC multiples, except with AmpC-derepressed Enterobacteriaceae. Characterized mutants (n = 10; MICs 4–64 mg/L) of AmpC-derepressed strains had modifications in ampC, variously giving Arg168Pro/His, Gly176Arg/Asp, Asn366Tyr or small deletions around positions 309–314. Mutants of ESBL producers (n = 19; MICs 0.5–16 mg/L) mostly had changes affecting permeability, efflux or β-lactamase quantity; only one had an altered β-lactamase, with an Asp182Tyr substitution in CTX-M-15, raising the ceftazidime/avibactam MIC, but abrogating other cephalosporin resistance. Mutants of ceftazidime-susceptible strains were not sequenced, but phenotypes suggested altered drug accumulation or, for Enterobacter cloacae only, AmpC derepression. In further experiments, avibactam reduced, but did not abolish, selection of AmpC-derepressed Enterobacteriaceae by ceftazidime. Conclusions: Most mutants of AmpC-derepressed Enterobacteriaceae had structural mutations in ampC; those of ESBL producers mostly had genetic modifications outside β-lactamase genes, commonly affecting uptake, efflux, or β-lactamase quantity. The clinical significance of these observations remains to be determined
Drosophila melanogaster γ-TuRC is dispensable for targeting γ-tubulin to the centrosome and microtubule nucleation
In metazoans, γ-tubulin acts within two main complexes, γ-tubulin small complexes (γ-TuSCs) and γ-tubulin ring complexes (γ-TuRCs). In higher eukaryotes, it is assumed that microtubule nucleation at the centrosome depends on γ-TuRCs, but the role of γ-TuRC components remains undefined
Spatial Patterns and Sequential Sampling Plans for Estimating Densities of Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Soybean in the North Central Region of the United States
Stink bugs are an emerging threat to soybean (Fabales: Fabaceae) in the North Central Region of the United States. Consequently, region-specific scouting recommendations for stink bugs are needed. The aim of this study was to characterize the spatial pattern and to develop sampling plans to estimate stink bug population density in soybean fields. In 2016 and 2017, 125 fields distributed across nine states were sampled using sweep nets. Regression analyses were used to determine the effects of stink bug species [Chinavia hilaris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Euschistus spp. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)], life stages (nymphs and adults), and field locations (edge and interior) on spatial pattern as represented by variance–mean relationships. Results showed that stink bugs were aggregated. Sequential sampling plans were developed for each combination of species, life stage, and location and for all the data combined. Results for required sample size showed that an average of 40–42 sample units (sets of 25 sweeps) would be necessary to achieve a precision of 0.25 for stink bug densities commonly encountered across the region. However, based on the observed geographic gradient of stink bug densities, more practical sample sizes (5–10 sample units) may be sufficient in states in the southeastern part of the region, whereas impractical sample sizes (\u3e100 sample units) may be required in the northwestern part of the region. Our findings provide research-based sampling recommendations for estimating densities of these emerging pests in soybean
An Empirical Model for the Radio Emission from Pulsars
A model for slow radio pulsars is proposed which involves the entire
magnetosphere in the production of the observed radio emission. It is argued
that observations of pulsar profiles suggest that a feedback mechanism exists
between the star surface and the null charge surface, requiring particle flow
in both directions. In their flow to and from the surface the particles execute
an azimuthal drift around the magnetic pole, thereby creating a ring of
discrete `emission nodes' close to the surface. Motion of the nodes is observed
as the well-known subpulse `drift', but is interpreted here as a small residual
component of the real particle drift. The nodes can therefore move in either
direction, or even remain stationary. A precise fit is found for the pulsar
PSR0943+10. Azimuthal interactions between different regions of the
magnetosphere depend on the angle between the magnetic and rotation axes and
influence the conal type, as observed. The requirement of intermittent weak
pair-production in an outergap suggests a natural evolutionary link between
radio and gamma-ray pulsars.Comment: 17 pages 8 figure
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