823 research outputs found
Protostellar accretion traced with chemistry. High resolution C18O and continuum observations towards deeply embedded protostars in Perseus
Context: Understanding how accretion proceeds is a key question of star
formation, with important implications for both the physical and chemical
evolution of young stellar objects. In particular, very little is known about
the accretion variability in the earliest stages of star formation.
Aims: To characterise protostellar accretion histories towards individual
sources by utilising sublimation and freeze-out chemistry of CO.
Methods: A sample of 24 embedded protostars are observed with the
Submillimeter Array (SMA) in context of the large program "Mass Assembly of
Stellar Systems and their Evolution with the SMA" (MASSES). The size of the
CO emitting region, where CO has sublimated into the gas-phase, is
measured towards each source and compared to the expected size of the region
given the current luminosity. The SMA observations also include 1.3 mm
continuum data, which are used to investigate whether a link can be established
between accretion bursts and massive circumstellar disks.
Results: Depending on the adopted sublimation temperature of the CO ice,
between 20% and 50% of the sources in the sample show extended CO
emission indicating that the gas was warm enough in the past that CO sublimated
and is currently in the process of refreezing; something which we attribute to
a recent accretion burst. Given the fraction of sources with extended CO
emission, we estimate an average interval between bursts of 20000-50000 yr,
which is consistent with previous estimates. No clear link can be established
between the presence of circumstellar disks and accretion bursts, however the
three closest known binaries in the sample (projected separations <20 AU) all
show evidence of a past accretion burst, indicating that close binary
interactions may also play a role in inducing accretion variability.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A, 21 pages, 13 figure
A retrospective analysis of geriatric trauma patients: venous lactate is a better predictor of mortality than traditional vital signs
BACKGROUND: Traditional vital signs (TVS), including systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR) and their composite, the shock index, may be poor prognostic indicators in geriatric trauma patients. The purpose of this study is to determine whether lactate predicts mortality better than TVS. METHODS: We studied a large cohort of trauma patients age ≥ 65 years admitted to a level 1 trauma center from 2009-01-01 - 2011-12-31. We defined abnormal TVS as hypotension (SBP < 90 mm Hg) and/or tachycardia (HR > 120 beats/min), an elevated shock index as HR/SBP ≥ 1, an elevated venous lactate as ≥ 2.5 mM, and occult hypoperfusion as elevated lactate with normal TVS. The association between these variables and in-hospital mortality was compared using Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 1987 geriatric trauma patients included, with an overall mortality of 4.23% and an incidence of occult hypoperfusion of 20.03%. After adjustment for GCS, ISS, and advanced age, venous lactate significantly predicted mortality (OR: 2.62, p < 0.001), whereas abnormal TVS (OR: 1.71, p = 0.21) and SI ≥ 1 (OR: 1.18, p = 0.78) did not. Mortality was significantly greater in patients with occult hypoperfusion compared to patients with no sign of circulatory hemodynamic instability (10.67% versus 3.67%, p < 0.001), which continued after adjustment (OR: 2.12, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that occult hypoperfusion was exceedingly common in geriatric trauma patients, and was associated with a two-fold increased odds of mortality. Venous lactate should be measured for all geriatric trauma patients to improve the identification of hemodynamic instability and optimize resuscitative efforts
Mena/VASP and αII-Spectrin complexes regulate cytoplasmic actin networks in cardiomyocytes and protect from conduction abnormalities and dilated cardiomyopathy
BACKGROUND: In the heart, cytoplasmic actin networks are thought to have important roles in mechanical support, myofibrillogenesis, and ion channel function. However, subcellular localization of cytoplasmic actin isoforms and proteins involved in the modulation of the cytoplasmic actin networks are elusive. Mena and VASP are important regulators of actin dynamics. Due to the lethal phenotype of mice with combined deficiency in Mena and VASP, however, distinct cardiac roles of the proteins remain speculative. In the present study, we analyzed the physiological functions of Mena and VASP in the heart and also investigated the role of the proteins in the organization of cytoplasmic actin networks.
RESULTS: We generated a mouse model, which simultaneously lacks Mena and VASP in the heart. Mena/VASP double-deficiency induced dilated cardiomyopathy and conduction abnormalities. In wild-type mice, Mena and VASP specifically interacted with a distinct αII-Spectrin splice variant (SH3i), which is in cardiomyocytes exclusively localized at Z- and intercalated discs. At Z- and intercalated discs, Mena and β-actin localized to the edges of the sarcomeres, where the thin filaments are anchored. In Mena/VASP double-deficient mice, β-actin networks were disrupted and the integrity of Z- and intercalated discs was markedly impaired.
CONCLUSIONS: Together, our data suggest that Mena, VASP, and αII-Spectrin assemble cardiac multi-protein complexes, which regulate cytoplasmic actin networks. Conversely, Mena/VASP deficiency results in disrupted β-actin assembly, Z- and intercalated disc malformation, and induces dilated cardiomyopathy and conduction abnormalities
An Investigation into the Oil Transport and Starvation of Piston-Ring Pack
In order to accurately predict the lubricant film thickness and generated friction in any tribological contact, it is important to determine appropriate boundary conditions, taking into account the oil availability and extent of starvation. This paper presents a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model of a piston ring pack for prediction of lubricant film thickness, friction and total power loss. The model takes into account starvation caused by reverse flow at the conjunctional inlet wedge, and applied to a ring pack, comprising a compression and scraper ring. Inlet boundaries are calculated for an engine cycle of a four-cylinder, four-stroke gasoline engine operating at 1500 r/min with conditions pertaining to the New European Drive Cycle. The analysis shows the two main sources of starvation: first, due to a physical lack of inlet meniscus and second, due to reverse flow at the inlet wedge significantly affecting the prevailing conditions from the generally assumed idealised boundary conditions. Such an approach has not hitherto been reported in literature
The Green Bank Ammonia Survey: Unveiling the Dynamics of the Barnard 59 star-forming Clump
Understanding the early stages of star formation is a research field of
ongoing development, both theoretically and observationally. In this context,
molecular data have been continuously providing observational constraints on
the gas dynamics at different excitation conditions and depths in the sources.
We have investigated the Barnard 59 core, the only active site of star
formation in the Pipe Nebula, to achieve a comprehensive view of the kinematic
properties of the source. These information were derived by simultaneously
fitting ammonia inversion transition lines (1,1) and (2,2). Our analysis
unveils the imprint of protostellar feedback, such as increasing line widths,
temperature and turbulent motions in our molecular data. Combined with
complementary observations of dust thermal emission, we estimate that the core
is gravitationally bound following a virial analysis. If the core is not
contracting, another source of internal pressure, most likely the magnetic
field, is supporting it against gravitational collapse and limits its star
formation efficiency.Comment: 18 pages, 18 figure
Modelling circumstellar discs with 3D radiation hydrodynamics
We present results from combining a grid-based radiative transfer code with a
Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics code to produce a flexible system for modelling
radiation hydrodynamics. We use a benchmark model of a circumstellar disc to
determine a robust method for constructing a gridded density distribution from
SPH particles. The benchmark disc is then used to determine the accuracy of the
radiative transfer results. We find that the SED and the temperature
distribution within the disc are sensitive to the representation of the disc
inner edge, which depends critically on both the grid and SPH resolution. The
code is then used to model a circumstellar disc around a T-Tauri star. As the
disc adjusts towards equilibrium vertical motions in the disc are induced
resulting in scale height enhancements which intercept radiation from the
central star. Vertical transport of radiation enables these perturbations to
influence the mid-plane temperature of the disc. The vertical motions decay
over time and the disc ultimately reaches a state of simultaneous hydrostatic
and radiative equilibrium.Comment: MNRAS accepted; 15 pages; 17 figures, 4 in colou
SPYGLASS. II. The Multi-Generational and Multi-Origin Star Formation History of Cepheus Far North
Young stellar populations provide a record of past star formation, and by
establishing their members' dynamics and ages, it is possible to reconstruct
the full history of star formation events. Gaia has greatly expanded the number
of accessible stellar populations, with one of the most notable
recently-discovered associations being Cepheus Far North (CFN), a population
containing hundreds of members spanning over 100 pc. With its proximity (d
200 pc), apparent substructure, and relatively small population, CFN
represents a manageable population to study in depth, with enough evidence of
internal complexity to produce a compelling star formation story. Using Gaia
astrometry and photometry combined with additional spectroscopic observations,
we identify over 500 candidate CFN members spread across 7 subgroups. Combining
ages from isochrones, asteroseismology, dynamics, and lithium depletion, we
produce well-constrained ages for all seven subgroups, revealing a largely
continuous 10 Myr star formation history in the association. By tracing back
the present-day populations to the time of their formation, we identify two
spatially and dynamically distinct nodes in which stars form, one associated
with Cephei which shows mostly co-spatial formation, and one associated
with EE Draconis with a more dispersed star formation history. This detailed
view of star formation demonstrates the complexity of the star formation
process, even in the smallest of regions.Comment: Accepted to ApJ; 34 pages, 15 figures, 6 tables in two-column
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