2,631 research outputs found
Spitzer Observations of Gamma-Ray Burst Host Galaxies: A Unique Window into High Redshift Chemical Evolution and Star-formation
We present deep Spitzer 3.6 micron observations of three z~5 GRB host
galaxies. Our observations reveal that z~5 GRB hosts are a factor of 3 less
luminous than the median rest-frame V-band luminosity of spectroscopically
confirmed z~5 galaxies in the GOODS fields and the UDF. The strong connection
between GRBs and massive star formation implies that not all star-forming
galaxies at these redshifts are currently being accounted for in deep surveys
and GRBs provide a unique way to measure the contribution to the star-formation
rate density from galaxies at the faint end of the galaxy luminosity function.
By correlating the co-moving star-formation rate density with co-moving GRB
rates at lower redshifts, we estimate a lower limit to the star-formation rate
density of 0.12+/-0.09 and 0.09+/-0.05 M_sun/yr/Mpc^3 at z~4.5 and z~6,
respectively. Finally, we provide evidence that the average metallicity of
star-forming galaxies evolves as (stellar mass density)^(0.69+/-0.17) between
and , probably indicative of the loss of a significant
fraction of metals to the intergalactic medium, particularly in low-mass
galaxies.Comment: ApJ, in pres
Exponential Distributions in a Mechanical Model for Earthquakes
We study statistical distributions in a mechanical model for an earthquake
fault introduced by Burridge and Knopoff [R. Burridge and L. Knopoff, {\sl
Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am.} {\bf 57}, 341 (1967)]. Our investigations on the size
(moment), time duration and number of blocks involved in an event show that
exponential distributions are found in a given range of the paramenter space.
This occurs when the two kinds of springs present in the model have the same,
or approximately the same, value for the elastic constants. Exponential
distributions have also been seen recently in an experimental system to model
earthquake-like dynamics [M. A. Rubio and J. Galeano, {\sl Phys. Rev. E} {\bf
50}, 1000 (1994)].Comment: 11 pages, uuencoded (submitted to Phys. Rev. E
An Integrated Picture of Star Formation, Metallicity Evolution, and Galactic Stellar Mass Assembly
We present an integrated study of star formation and galactic stellar mass
assembly from z=0.05-1.5 and galactic metallicity evolution from z=0.05-0.9
using a very large and highly spectroscopically complete sample selected by
rest-frame NIR bolometric flux in the GOODS-N. We assume a Salpeter IMF and fit
Bruzual & Charlot (2003) models to compute the galactic stellar masses and
extinctions. We determine the expected formed stellar mass density growth rates
produced by star formation and compare them with the growth rates measured from
the formed stellar mass functions by mass interval. We show that the growth
rates match if the IMF is slightly increased from the Salpeter IMF at
intermediate masses (~10 solar masses). We investigate the evolution of galaxy
color, spectral type, and morphology with mass and redshift and the evolution
of mass with environment. We find that applying extinction corrections is
critical when analyzing galaxy colors; e.g., nearly all of the galaxies in the
green valley are 24um sources, but after correcting for extinction, the bulk of
the 24um sources lie in the blue cloud. We find an evolution of the
metallicity-mass relation corresponding to a decrease of 0.21+/-0.03 dex
between the local value and the value at z=0.77 in the 1e10-1e11 solar mass
range. We use the metallicity evolution to estimate the gas mass of the
galaxies, which we compare with the galactic stellar mass assembly and star
formation histories. Overall, our measurements are consistent with a galaxy
evolution process dominated by episodic bursts of star formation and where star
formation in the most massive galaxies (>1e11 solar masses) ceases at z<1.5
because of gas starvation. (Abstract abridged)Comment: 48 pages, Accepted by the Astrophysical Journa
Potential energy savings achievable by zoned control of individual rooms in UK housing compared to standard central heating controls
Energy is wasted in domestic buildings when rooms that are heated are not occupied. Allowing those rooms to cool reduces the inside – outside temperature difference and therefore rate of heat loss, resulting in an energy saving. This suggests a cost effective way to upgrade an existing modern heating system, especially in older properties where other energy saving possibilities are limited. Assessing the savings achievable requires an analysis of a range of influencing factors, such as house type and age, location and occupancy patterns. Door opening has a major influence due to the impact on air exchange between heated and unheated zones in a house, so this was also considered. Annual simulations were carried out on dynamic models of the thermal and air flow interactions, for all combinations of influencing factors, to compare the potential energy savings of zoned versus non-zoned control. Savings of between 12% and 31% were obtained in the case of a semi-detached house model, and between 8% and 37% for a single storey bungalow. The largest percentage savings occurred in older properties, with interconnecting doors kept closed, and for the more intermittent types of occupancy. The average saving obtained for both house types was around 20%
The Density of Lyman-alpha Emitters at Very High Redshift
We describe narrowband and spectroscopic searches for emission-line star
forming galaxies in the redshift range 3 to 6 with the 10 m Keck II Telescope.
These searches yield a substantial population of objects with only a single
strong (equivalent width >> 100 Angstrom) emission line, lying in the 4000 -
10,000 Angstrom range. Spectra of the objects found in narrowband-selected
samples at lambda ~5390 Angstroms and ~6741 Angstroms show that these very high
equivalent width emission lines are generally redshifted Lyman alpha 1216
Angstrom at z~3.4 and 4.5. The density of these emitters above the 5 sigma
detection limit of 1.5 e-17 ergs/cm^2/s is roughly 15,000 per square degree per
unit redshift interval at both z~3.4 and 4.5. A complementary deeper (1 sigma
\~1.0 e-18 ergs/cm^2/s) slit spectroscopic search covering a wide redshift
range but a more limited spatial area (200 square arcminutes) shows such
objects can be found over the redshift range 3 to 6, with the currently highest
redshift detected being at z=5.64. The Lyman alpha flux distribution can be
used to estimate a minimum star formation rate in the absence of reddening of
roughly 0.01 solar masses/Mpc^3/year (H_0 = 65 km/s/Mpc and q_0 = 0.5).
Corrections for reddening are likely to be no larger than a factor of two,
since observed equivalent widths are close to the maximum values obtainable
from ionization by a massive star population. Within the still significant
uncertainties, the star formation rate from the Lyman alpha-selected sample is
comparable to that of the color-break-selected samples at z~3, but may
represent an increasing fraction of the total rates at higher redshifts. This
higher-z population can be readily studied with large ground-based telescopes.Comment: 7 pages, 5 encapsulated figures; aastex, emulateapj, psfig and lscape
style files. Separate gif files for 2 gray-scale images also available at
http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/faculty/hu/emitters.html . Added discussion of
foreground contaminants. Updated discussion of comparison with external
surveys (Sec. 5 and Fig. 5). Note: continuum break strength limits (Fig. 3
caption) are correct here -- published ApJL text has a sign erro
Cosmological Implications of the Very High Redshift GRB 050904
We report near simultaneous multi-color (RIYJHK) observations made with the
MAGNUM 2m telescope of the gamma ray burst GRB 050904 detected by the SWIFT
satellite. The spectral energy distribution shows a very large break between
the I and J bands. Using intergalactic transmissions measured from high
redshift quasars we show that the observations place a 95% confidence lower
limit of z=6.18 on the object, consistent with a later measured spectroscopic
redshift of 6.29 obtained by Kawai et al. (2005) with the Subaru telescope. We
show that the break strength in the R and I bands is consistent with that
measured in the quasars. Finally we consider the implications for the star
formation history at high redshift.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal. Expanded
introduction and discussio
A Submillimeter and Radio Survey of Gamma-Ray Burst Host Galaxies: A Glimpse into the Future of Star Formation Studies
We present the first comprehensive search for submillimeter and radio
emission from the host galaxies of twenty well-localized gamma-ray bursts
(GRBs). With the exception of a single source, all observations were undertaken
months to years after the GRB explosions to ensure negligible contamination
from the afterglows. We detect the host galaxy of GRB 000418 in both the sub-mm
and radio, and the host galaxy of GRB 000210 only in the sub-mm. These
observations, in conjunction with the previous detections of the host galaxies
of GRB 980703 and GRB 010222, indicate that about 20% of GRB host galaxies are
ultra-luminous and have star formation rates of about 500 M_sun/yr. As an
ensemble, the non-detected hosts have a star formation rate of about 100
M_sun/yr (5-sigma) based on their radio emission. The detected and ensemble
star formation rates exceed the optical values by an order of magnitude,
indicating significant dust obscuration. In the same vein, the ratio of
bolometric dust luminosity to UV luminosity for the hosts detected in the
sub-mm and radio ranges from 20-800, and follows the known trend of increasing
obscuration with increasing bolometric luminosity. We also show that, both as a
sample and individually, the GRB host galaxies have bluer R-K colors as
compared with galaxies selected in the sub-mm in the same redshift range. This
possibly indicates that the stellar populations in the GRB hosts are on average
younger, supporting the massive stellar progenitor scenario for GRBs, but it is
also possible that GRB hosts are on average less dusty.Comment: Submitted to ApJ; 36 pages, 3 tables, 7 figures; updated reference
Evaluation of Overall Survival (OS) and Event-Free Survival (EFS) of paediatric sarcoma patients at a single institution
Aims: To evaluate OS and EFS of paediatric sarcoma patients with an interest in comparing metastatic cases with non-metastatic cases, and compiling statistics on treatment methods.
Methods: Information was obtained from patient notes in the Schiehallion ward. These contained information about diagnosis, treatment, prognostic indicators, and outcomes for each patient.
Results: 56 patients, 2001-2008. Osteosarcoma: 11 patients, 7♂, 4♀; age range: 4-16; = 10; OS = 64%, EFS = 55%; Primary site of disease: Femur (47%), Tibia (41%), Humerus (5.5%), Scapula (5.5%), Other (1%); Metastatic Rate = 27% (OS = 0%). Ewing’s sarcoma: 24 patients, 10♂, 14♀; age range: 1-16, = 12; OS = 71%, EFS = 58%; Primary site of disease: Pelvis (29%), Femur (22%), Paraspinal (16%), Chest Wall (10%), Tibia (10%), Other (13%); Metastatic Rate = 21% (OS = 40%; EFS = 40%); Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma: 10 patients; OS= 80%, EFS = 60%; Metastatic Rate = 20% (OS = 100%; EFS = 100%). Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma: 11 patients; OS = 73%, EFS = 73%; Metastatic Rate = 0%.
Conclusions: Our results reflect access to an experienced and innovative paediatric sarcoma service with close links to a national Sarcoma MDT. The data falls in line with other studies in terms of age of onset, location of primary tumour, metastatic rate, site of metastases, and prognosis for all cancer types. Limb salvage surgery is greatly favoured over amputation for both osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma. Females have a more favourable prognosis in osteosarcoma and a slightly poorer prognosis in Ewing’s sarcoma. Yorkhill’s overall survival rates are currently better than the UK-wide statistic for three of the four tumours examined.</p
The Chandra Large Area Synoptic X-ray Survey (CLASXS) of the Lockman Hole-Northwest: The X-ray Catalog
We present the X-ray catalog and basic results from our Chandra Large Area
Synoptic X-ray Survey (CLASXS) of the Lockman Hole-Northwest field. Our 9
ACIS-I fields cover a contiguous solid angle of ~0.4 sq. deg. and reach fluxes
of 5E-16 cgs (0.4-2 keV) and 3E-15 cgs (2-8keV). Our survey bridges the gap
between ultradeep pencil-beam surveys, such as the Chandra Deep Fields (CDFs),
and shallower, large area surveys, allowing a better probe of the X-ray sources
that contribute most of the 2-10 keV cosmic X-ray background (CXB). We find a
total of 525 X-ray point sources and 4 extended sources. At ~10E-14 cgs 2-8
keV, our number counts are significantly higher than those of several
non-contiguous, large area surveys. On the other hand, the integrated flux from
the CLASXS field, combined with ASCA and Chandra ultradeep surveys, is
consistent with results from other large area surveys, within the variance of
the CXB. Spectral evolution is seen in the hardening of the sources at fluxes
below 1E-14 cgs Above 4E1-14 cgs(0.4-8 keV), ~60 of the sources are variable.
Four extended sources in CLASXS is consistent with the previously measured
LogN-LogS of galaxy clusters. We report the discovery of a gravitational
lensing arc associated with one of these sources. (Abridged)Comment: 67 pages, 26 figures, accepted for publication in the Astronomical
Journa
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