18,596 research outputs found
Multiple Molecular H2 Outflows in AFGL 618
We report high spatial (0.5 arcsec) and high spectral (9 km/s) resolution
spectro-imaging of the 2.12 micron H2 1-0 S(1) line in the proto-planetary
nebula AFGL 618 using BEAR at the CFHT. The observations reveal the presence of
multiple, high-velocity, molecular outflows that align with the remarkable
optical jets seen in HST images. The structure and kinematics of the outflows
show how jets interact with circumstellar gas and shape the environment in
which planetary nebulae form.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures. To appear in The Astrophysical Journal Letter
Nonlinear stabilitty for steady vortex pairs
In this article, we prove nonlinear orbital stability for steadily
translating vortex pairs, a family of nonlinear waves that are exact solutions
of the incompressible, two-dimensional Euler equations. We use an adaptation of
Kelvin's variational principle, maximizing kinetic energy penalised by a
multiple of momentum among mirror-symmetric isovortical rearrangements. This
formulation has the advantage that the functional to be maximized and the
constraint set are both invariant under the flow of the time-dependent Euler
equations, and this observation is used strongly in the analysis. Previous work
on existence yields a wide class of examples to which our result applies.Comment: 25 page
The molecular environment of massive star forming cores associated with Class II methanol maser emission
Methanol maser emission has proven to be an excellent signpost of regions
undergoing massive star formation (MSF). To investigate their role as an
evolutionary tracer, we have recently completed a large observing program with
the ATCA to derive the dynamical and physical properties of molecular/ionised
gas towards a sample of MSF regions traced by 6.7 GHz methanol maser emission.
We find that the molecular gas in many of these regions breaks up into multiple
sub-clumps which we separate into groups based on their association
with/without methanol maser and cm continuum emission. The temperature and
dynamic state of the molecular gas is markedly different between the groups.
Based on these differences, we attempt to assess the evolutionary state of the
cores in the groups and thus investigate the role of class II methanol masers
as a tracer of MSF.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, IAU Symposium 242 Conference Proceeding
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Areas of the visual field important during reading in patients with glaucoma
Purpose To determine the areas of the binocular visual field (VF) associated with reading speed in glaucomatous patients with preserved visual acuity (VA). Materials and methods Fifty-four patients with glaucoma (mean age ± standard deviation 70 ± 8 years) and 38 visually healthy controls (mean age 66 ± 9 years) had silent reading speeds measured using non-scrolling text on a computer setup. Participants completed three cognitive tests and tests of visual function, including the Humphrey 24-2 threshold VF test in each eye; the results were combined to produce binocular integrated VFs (IVFs). Regression analyses using the control group to correct for cognitive test scores, age and VA were conducted to obtain the IVF mean deviation (MD) and total deviation (TD) value from each IVF test location. Concordance between reading speed and TD, assessed using R2 statistics, was ranked in order of importance to explore the parts of the IVF most likely to be linked with reading speed. Results No significant association between IVF MD value and reading speed was observed (p = 0.38). Ranking individual thresholds indicated that the inferior left section of the IVF was most likely to be associated with reading speed. Conclusions Certain regions of the binocular VF impairment may be associated with reading performance even in patients with preserved VA. The inferior left region of patient IVFs may be important for changing lines during
reading
New approaches to investigating the function of mycelial networks
Fungi play a key role in ecosystem nutrient cycles by scavenging, concentrating, translocating and redistributing nitrogen. To quantify and predict fungal nitrogen redistribution, and assess the importance of the integrity of fungal networks in soil for ecosystem function, we need better understanding of the structures and processes involved. Until recently nitrogen translocation has been experimentally intractable owing to the lack of a suitable radioisotope tracer for nitrogen, and the impossibility of observing nitrogen translocation in real time under realistic conditions. We have developed an imaging method for recording the magnitude and direction of amino acid flow through the whole mycelial network as it captures, assimilates and channels its carbon and nitrogen resources, while growing in realistically heterogeneous soil microcosms. Computer analysis and modeling, based on these digitized video records, can reveal patterns in transport that suggest experimentally testable hypotheses. Experimental approaches that we are developing include genomics and stable isotope NMR to investigate where in the system nitrogen compounds are being acquired and stored, and where they are mobilized for transport or broken down. The results are elucidating the interplay between environment, metabolism, and the development and function of transport networks as mycelium forages in soil. The highly adapted and selected foraging networks of fungi may illuminate fundamental principles applicable to other supply networks
Infrared images of reflection nebulae and Orion's bar: Fluorescent molecular hydrogen and the 3.3 micron feature
Images were obtained of the (fluorescent) molecular hydrogen 1-0 S(1) line, and of the 3.3 micron emission feature, in Orion's Bar and three reflection nebulae. The emission from these species appears to come from the same spatial locations in all sources observed. This suggests that the 3.3 micron feature is excited by the same energetic UV-photons which cause the molecular hydrogen to fluoresce
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