855 research outputs found
The extended structure of the remote cluster B514 in M31. Detection of extra-tidal stars
We present a study of the density profile of the remote M31 globular cluster
B514, obtained from HST/ACS observations. Coupling the analysis of the
distribution of the integrated light with star counts we can reliably follow
the profile of the cluster out to r~35", corresponding to ~130pc. The profile
is well fitted, out to ~15 core radii, by a King Model having C=1.65. With an
estimated core radius r_c=0.38", this corresponds to a tidal radius of r_t~17"
(~65pc). We find that both the light and the star counts profiles show a
departure from the best fit King model for r>~8" - as a surface brightness
excess at large radii, and the star counts profile shows a clear break in
correspondence of the estimated tidal radius. Both features are interpreted as
the signature of the presence of extratidal stars around the cluster. We also
show that B514 has a half-light radius significantly larger than ordinary
globular clusters of the same luminosity. In the M_V vs. log r_h plane, B514
lies in a region inhabited by peculiar clusters, like Omega Cen, G1, NGC2419
and others, as well as by the nuclei of dwarf elliptical galaxies.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy &
Astrophysic
Seeing deconvolution of globular clusters in M31
Seeing deconvolution of surface-brightness profiles using the regularized multi-Gaussian method is potentially a powerful method for extraction of morphological information from digital images. Here we illustrate this method by applying it to CCD images of six globular clusters in M31. We demonstrate that it is possible to make some judgments about the dynamical structure of M31 globulars, using good-seeing, deconvolved CCD images obtained from the ground; for example, whether they have post-core-collapse morphology or not. The effective resolution limit of the method is about 0.1-0.3 arcsec, for the CCD images obtained in FWHM ≃ 1 arcsec seeing, and sampling of 0.3 arcsec/pixel. We also demonstrate the robustness of the method, i.e., its insensivity to the exact choices of the functional representation of the point-spread function, details of the deconvolution technique, etc. The situation is equivalent in terms of angular resolution and sampling to observing globular clusters in the Virgo Cluster (e.g., around M87) with the Hubble Space Telescope, and the methods demonstrated here may be applied to HST data in the future. Dynamical structure of globular clusters, e.g., propensity for the post-core-collapse morphology as a function of position in the host galaxy, reflects the global dynamical evolution of a globular cluster system, as was already demonstrated for our galaxy. Similar studies of large samples of globulars in M31 and other Local Group galaxies from the ground, and out to Virgo with the HST, can provide valuable insights about the mass distribution in galaxies, and the formation and evolution of their globular cluster systems. This pilot study is a step in this direction
Lipase-Mediated Synthesis of Oleoyl Ethanolamide Starting from High-Oleic Sunflower Oil Soapstock
This work describes the lipase-mediated synthesis of oleoyl ethanolamide, a dietary supplement for body weight loss recently approved by FDA. The target compound is prepared by conversion of the oleic acid contained in a mixture of fatty acids recovered by enzymatic hydrolysis of soapstock, a side-product of high oleic sunflower oil refinement. The use of a packed-bed reactor (a glass column loaded with the commercial lipase Lipozyme 435) in continuous flow mode improves the space-time yield of the reaction and the catalyst productivity. The nontoxic, bioderived, and renewable solvent limonene is used in the reaction medium. The process has been run for more than 157 h of continuous operation, demonstrating the stability and efficiency of the biocatalyst. Additionally, at the end of the reaction, only oleoyl ethanolamide crystallizes from the reaction mixture, thus, it is collected by simple filtration of the outlet solution in 53% isolation yield, showing 99% chemical purity, while all the byproducts of the reaction are left behind in the mother liquors
One-pot multi-enzymatic synthesis of the four stereoisomers of 4-methylheptan-3-ol
The use of pheromones in the integrated pest management of insects is currently considered a sustainable and
environmentally benign alternative to hazardous insecticides. 4-Methylheptan-3-ol is an interesting example of an insect
pheromone, because its stereoisomers are active towards different species. All four possible stereoisomers of this
compd. were prepd. from 4-methylhept-4-en-3-one by a one-pot procedure in which the two stereogenic centers were
created during two sequential redns. catalyzed by an ene-reductase (ER) and an alc. dehydrogenase (ADH), resp
Correlations of Globular Cluster Properties: Their Interpretations and Uses
Correlations among the independently measured physical properties of globular
clusters (GCs) can provide powerful tests for theoretical models and new
insights into their dynamics, formation, and evolution. We review briefly some
of the previous work, and present preliminary results from a comparative study
of GC correlations in the Local Group galaxies. The results so far indicate
that these diverse GC systems follow the same fundamental correlations,
suggesting a commonality of formative and evolutionary processes which produce
them.Comment: An invited review, to appear in "New Horizons in Globular Cluster
Astronomy", eds. G. Piotto, G. Meylan, S.G. Djorgovski, and M. Riello, ASPCS,
in press (2003). Latex file, 8 pages, 5 eps figures, style files include
Central serous chorioretinopathy: Pathogenesis and management
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a common retina disease and has a relative high recurrence rate, etiology, and pathogenesis of which remains largely ambiguous. The effects on the retina are usually self-limited, although some people are left with permanent vision loss due to progressive and irreversible photoreceptor damage or retinal pigment epithelium atrophy. There have been a number of interventions used in CSC, including, but not limited to, laser treatment, photodynamic therapy (PDT), intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, and subthreshold lasers. It is not clear whether there is a clinically important benefit to treating acute CSC, which often resolves spontaneously as part of its natural history. Of the interventions studied to date, PDT and micropulse laser treatment appear the most promising
Biocatalysed reduction of carboxylic acids to primary alcohols in aqueous medium: a novel synthetic capability of the zygomycete fungus Syncephalastrum racemosum.
Bioreduction of carboxylic acids and esters by using filamentous fungi: novel carboxylic acid reductase activities
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