30 research outputs found
Quantifying Resonant Structure in NGC 6946 from Two-dimensional Kinematics
We study the two-dimensional kinematics of the H-alpha-emitting gas in the
nearby barred Scd galaxy, NGC 6946, in order to determine the pattern speed of
the primary m=2 perturbation mode. The pattern speed is a crucial parameter for
constraining the internal dynamics, estimating the impact velocities of the
gravitational perturbation at the resonance radii, and to set up an
evolutionary scenario for NGC 6946. Our data allows us to derive the best
fitting kinematic position angle and the geometry of the underlying gaseous
disk, which we use to derive the pattern speed using the Tremaine-Weinberg
method. We find a main pattern speed Omega_p=22 km/s/kpc, but our data clearly
reveal the presence of an additional pattern speed Omega_p=47 km/s/kpc in a
zone within 1.25 kpc of the nucleus. Using the epicyclic approximation, we
deduce the location of the resonance radii and confirm that inside the outer
Inner Lindblad Resonance radius of the main oval, a primary bar has formed
rotating at more than twice the outer pattern speed. We further confirm that a
nuclear bar has formed inside the Inner Lindblad Resonance radius of the
primary bar, coinciding with the inner Inner Lindblad Resonance radius of the
large-scale m=2 mode oval.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ Letter
In Search of Possible Associations between Planetary Nebulae and Open Clusters
We consider the possibility of cluster membership for 13 planetary nebulae
that are located in close proximity to open clusters lying in their lines of
sight. The short lifetimes and low sample size of intermediate-mass planetary
nebulae with respect to nearby open clusters conspire to reduce the probability
of observing a true association. Not surprisingly, line of sight coincidences
almost certainly exist for 7 of the 13 cases considered. Additional studies are
advocated, however, for 6 planetary nebula/open cluster coincidences in which a
physical association is not excluded by the available evidence, namely M
1-80/Berkeley 57, NGC 2438/NGC 2437, NGC 2452/NGC 2453, VBRC 2 & NGC 2899/IC
2488, and HeFa 1/NGC 6067. A number of additional potential associations
between planetary nebulae and open clusters is tabulated for reference
purposes. It is noteworthy that the strongest cases involve planetary nebulae
lying in cluster coronae, a feature also found for short-period cluster
Cepheids, which are themselves potential progenitors of planetary nebulae.Comment: Accepted for publication in PASP (December 2007
Spectroscopic and physical parameters of Galactic O-type stars. I. Effects of rotation and spectral resolving power in the spectral classification of dwarfs and giants
The modern-era spectral classification of O-stars relies on either the
Walborn or the Conti-Mathys scheme. Since both of these approaches have been
developed using low-quality photographic data, their application to
high-quality digital data might not be straightforward and be hampered by
problems and complications that have not yet been appreciated. Using
high-resolution spectra obtained with the ESO/MPG 2.2\,m telescope in La Silla
and following the premises of the Walborn and Conti classification schemes, we
determined the spectral types and luminosity classes of 19 Galactic O-type
stars and compared them to those attributed by Walborn and Mathys based on
low-quality data. Our analysis reveals that the morphological spectral types
assigned using high-resolution data are systematically later (by up to 1.5
subtypes) then those attributed by Walborn. By means of line-profile
simulations, we show that part of this discrepancy is more likely caused by the
combined effect of stellar rotation and high spectral resolution on the depth
of helium lines used as spectral type indicators. In addition, we demonstrate
that at least for narrow-lined stars the "rotational effect" does not disappear
when the high-resolution spectra are degraded to the resolution of the Walborn
standards. We also find evidence of a systematic difference between our
high-resolution quantitative spectral types and those assigned by Mathys.
Rotation and spectral resolution are important third parameters in the spectral
classification of O-type stars. To obtain reliable spectral classes within the
Walborn approach, the unknown and the standard spectra must be compared at the
same resolution and \vsini. Owing to resolution effects, the Conti approach
might also need to be updated.Comment: paper accepted for publication in A&
Orang Asal Semai dan Temiar di Pahang dan Kelantan, Semenanjung Malaysia : Sejarah, Budaya dan Bahasa
Naskah ini merupakan salah satu usaha projek penyelidikan yang dikenali sebagai Telecentre Project for Orang Asli (TPOA) yang bertujuan untuk memperkasakan pengetahuan peribumi sejajar dengan perubahan semasa. Kami menyedari bahawa pembangunan fizikal dan teknologi semata-mata tidak mampu untuk dipertahankan tanpa ilmu dan kekayaan budaya yang menjadi asas kepada identiti dan kelestarian
komuniti dalam mengharungi cabaran modenisasi dan globalisasi
The Effective Temperatures of Hot Stars II. The Early-O Types
We derive the stellar parameters of a sample of Galactic early-O type stars
by analysing their UV and Far-UV spectra from FUSE (905-1187A), IUE, HST-STIS
and ORFEUS (1200-2000A). The data have been modeled with spherical,
hydrodynamic, line-blanketed, non-LTE synthetic spectra computed with the
WM-basic code. We obtain effective temperatures ranging from Teff = 41,000 K to
39,000 K for the O3-O4 dwarf stars, and Teff = 37,500 K for the only supergiant
of the sample (O4 If+). Our values are lower than those from previous empirical
calibrations for early-O types by up to 20%. The derived luminosities of the
dwarf stars are also lower by 6 to 12%; however, the luminosity of the
supergiant is in agreement with previous calibrations within the error bars.
Our results extend the trend found for later-O types in a previous work by
Bianchi & Garcia.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. 38 pages
(including 9 figures and 4 tables
Immunization of young heifers with staphylococcal immune evasion proteins before natural exposure to Staphylococcus aureus induces a humoral immune response in serum and milk
Background: Staphylococcus aureus, a leading cause of mastitis in dairy cattle, causes severe mastitis and/or chronic persistent infections with detrimental effects on the cows' wellbeing, lifespan and milk production. Despite years of research there is no effective vaccine against S. aureus mastitis. Boosting of non-protective pre-existing immunity to S. aureus, induced by natural exposure to S. aureus, by vaccination may interfere with vaccine efficacy. The aim was to assess whether experimental immunization of S. aureus naïve animals results in an immune response that differs from immunity following natural exposure to S. aureus. Results: First, to define the period during which calves are immunologically naïve for S. aureus, Efb, LukM, and whole-cell S. aureus specific serum antibodies were measured in a cohort of newborn calves by ELISA. Rising S. aureus specific antibodies indicated that from week 12 onward calves mounted an immune response to S. aureus due to natural exposure. Next, an experimental immunization trial was set up using 8-week-old heifer calves (n = 16), half of which were immunized with the immune evasion molecules Efb and LukM. Immunization was repeated after one year and before parturition and humoral and cellular immunity specific for Efb and LukM was determined throughout the study. Post-partum, antibody levels against LukM and EfB were significantly higher in serum, colostrum and milk in the experimentally immunized animals compared to animals naturally exposed to S. aureus. LukM specific IL17a responses were also significantly higher in the immunized cows post-partum. Conclusions: Experimental immunization with staphylococcal immune evasion molecules starting before natural exposure resulted in significantly higher antibody levels against Efb and LukM around parturition in serum as well as the site of infection, i.e. in colostrum and milk, compared to natural exposure to S. aureus. This study showed that it is practically feasible to vaccinate S. aureus naïve cattle and that experimental immunization induced a humoral immune response that differed from that after natural exposure only.</p
Orang Asal Semai dan Temiar. Di Pahang dan Kelantan Semenanjung Malaysia : Sejarah, Budaya dan Bahasa
Naskah ini merupakan salah satu usaha projek penyelidikan yang dikenali sebagai Telecentre Project for Orang Asli (TPOA) yang bertujuan untuk memperkasakan pengetahuan peribumi sejajar dengan perubahan semasa. Kami menyedari bahawa pembangunan fizikal dan teknologi semata-mata tidak mampu untuk dipertahankan tanpa ilmu dan kekayaan budaya yang menjadi asas kepada identiti dan kelestarian
komuniti dalam mengharungi cabaran modenisasi dan globalisasi. Buku ini disasarkan sebagai rujukan untuk bacaan umum, guru-guru dan pelawat yang ingin mendekati jiwa komuniti Orang Asal Semai di Pahang dan Temiar
di Kelantan. Kosa kata yang terkandung di dalamnya juga akan ditambah-baik dari semasa ke semasa untuk memastikan ia kekal relevan kepada komuniti dan pengguna lain. Saya mengucapkan syabas kepada para penulis dan pengkaji naskhah ini yang dipelopori oleh Dr Sharifah Sophia atas komitmen yang tidak berbelah bahagi untuk memastikan penyampaian objektif projek memenuhi kehendak dan keperluan komuniti Semai dan Temiar di lokasi tersebut. Diharapkan agar usaha ini dapat memberi sedikit sebanyak maklumat tambahan kepada naskah-naskah penyelidikan
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Probiotic Lactobacilli Isolated from Kefir Promote Down-Regulation of Inflammatory Lamina Propria T Cells from Patients with Active IBD
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are immunologically mediated disorders. Several therapies are focused on activated T cells as key targets. Although Lactobacillus kefiri has shown anti-inflammatory effects in animal models, few studies were done using human mucosal T cells. The aim of this work was to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of this bacterium on intestinal T cells from patients with active IBD. Mucosal biopsies and surgical samples from IBD adult patients (n = 19) or healthy donors (HC; n = 5) were used. Lamina propria mononuclear cells were isolated by enzymatic tissue digestion, and entero-adhesive Escherichia coli-specific lamina propria T cells (LPTC) were expanded. The immunomodulatory properties of L. kefiri CIDCA 8348 strain were evaluated on biopsies and on anti-CD3/CD28-activated LPTC. Secreted cytokines were quantified by ELISA, and cell proliferation and viability were assessed by flow cytometry. We found that L. kefiri reduced spontaneous release of IL-6 and IL-8 from inflamed biopsies ex vivo. Activated LPTC from IBD patients showed low proliferative rates and reduced secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-13 in the presence of L. kefiri. In addition, L. kefiri induced an increased frequency of CD4+FOXP3+ LPTC along with high levels of IL-10. This is the first report showing an immunomodulatory effect of L. kefiri CIDCA 8348 on human intestinal cells from IBD patients. Understanding the mechanisms of interaction between probiotics and immune mucosal cells may open new avenues for treatment and prevention of IBD.Instituto de Estudios Inmunológicos y Fisiopatológico