175 research outputs found
The X-ray nebula of the filled center supernova remnant 3C58 and its interaction with the environment
An \xmm observation of the plerionic supernova remnant 3C58 has allowed us to
study the X-ray nebula with unprecedented detail. A spatially resolved spectral
analysis with a resolution of 8\arcsec has yielded a precise determination of
the relation between the spectral index and the distance from the center. We do
not see any evidence for bright thermal emission from the central core. In
contrast with previous ASCA and {\em Einstein} results, we derive an upper
limit to the black-body 0.5-10 keV luminosity and emitting area of \ergsec and cm, respectively, ruling out
emission from the hot surface of the putative neutron star and also excluding
the "outer-gap" model for hot polar caps. We have performed for the first time
a spectral analysis of the outer regions of the X-ray nebula, where most of the
emission is still non-thermal, but where the addition of a soft (kT=0.2-0.3
keV) optically thin plasma component is required to fit the spectrum at
keV. This component provides 6% of the whole remnant observed flux in the
0.5-10.0 keV band. We show that a Sedov interpretation is incompatible with the
SN1181-3C58 association, unless there is a strong deviation from electron-ion
energy equipartition, and that an origin of this thermal emission in terms of
the expansion of the nebula into the ejecta core nicely fits all the radio and
X-ray observations.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in A&
Speciation and Extinction Drive the Appearance of Directional Range Size Evolution in Phylogenies and the Fossil Record
The appearance of directional trends in the evolution of species range sizes can arise from stochastic models and need not imply the existence of underlying trends
Hyperon-Nucleon Final State Interaction in Kaon Photoproduction of the Deuteron
Final state hyperon-nucleon interaction in strangeness photoproduction of the
deuteron is investigated making use of the covariant reaction formalism and the
P-matrix approach to the YN system. Remarkably simple analytical expression for
the amplitude is obtained. Pronounced effects due to final state interaction
are predicted including the manifestation of the 2.13 GeV resonance.Comment: LaTeX, 13 page
Loss of functional diversity through anthropogenic extinctions of island birds is not offset by biotic invasions
Human impacts reshape ecological communities through the extinction and introduction of species. The combined impact of these factors depends on whether non-native species fill the functional roles of extinct species, thus buffering the loss of functional diversity. This question has been difficult to address, because comprehensive information about past extinctions and their traits is generally lacking. We combine detailed information about extinct, extant, and established alien birds to quantify historical changes in functional diversity across nine oceanic archipelagos. We found that alien species often equal or exceed the number of anthropogenic extinctions yet apparently perform a narrower set of functional roles as current island assemblages have undergone a substantial and ubiquitous net loss in functional diversity and increased functional similarity among assemblages. Our results reveal that the introduction of alien species has not prevented anthropogenic extinctions from reducing and homogenizing the functional diversity of native bird assemblages on oceanic archipelagos
Combined effects of bird extinctions and introductions in oceanic islands : Decreased functional diversity despite increased species richness
Aim We analyse the consequences of species extinctions and introductions on the functional diversity and composition of island bird assemblages. Specifically, we ask if introduced species have compensated the functional loss resulting from species extinctions. Location Seventy-four oceanic islands (> 100 km(2)) in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Time period Late Holocene. Major taxa studied Terrestrial and freshwater bird species. Methods We compiled a species list per island (extinct and extant, native and introduced), and then compiled traits per species. We used single-trait analyses to assess the effects of past species extinctions and introductions on functional composition. Then, we used probabilistic hypervolumes in trait space to calculate functional richness and evenness of original versus present avifaunas of each island (and net change), and to estimate how functionally unique are extinct and introduced species on each island. Results The net effects of extinctions and introductions were: an increase in average species richness per island (alpha diversity), yet a decline in diversity across all islands (gamma diversity); an average increase in the prevalence of most functional traits, yet an average decline in functional richness and evenness, associated with the fact that extinct species were functionally more unique (when compared to extant natives) than introduced species. Main conclusions Introduced species are on average offsetting (and even surpassing) the losses of extinct species per island in terms of species richness, and they are increasing the prevalence of most functional traits. However, they are not compensating for the loss of functional richness due to extinctions. Current island bird assemblages are becoming functionally poorer, having lost unique species and being composed of functionally more redundant species. This is likely to have cascading repercussions on the functioning of island ecosystems. We highlight that taxonomic and functional biodiversity should be assessed simultaneously to understand the global impacts of human activities.Peer reviewe
The European Photon Imaging Camera on XMM-Newton: The MOS Cameras
The EPIC focal plane imaging spectrometers on XMM-Newton use CCDs to record
the images and spectra of celestial X-ray sources focused by the three X-ray
mirrors. There is one camera at the focus of each mirror; two of the cameras
contain seven MOS CCDs, while the third uses twelve PN CCDs, defining a
circular field of view of 30 arcmin diameter in each case. The CCDs were
specially developed for EPIC, and combine high quality imaging with spectral
resolution close to the Fano limit. A filter wheel carrying three kinds of
X-ray transparent light blocking filter, a fully closed, and a fully open
position, is fitted to each EPIC instrument. The CCDs are cooled passively and
are under full closed loop thermal control. A radio-active source is fitted for
internal calibration. Data are processed on-board to save telemetry by removing
cosmic ray tracks, and generating X-ray event files; a variety of different
instrument modes are available to increase the dynamic range of the instrument
and to enable fast timing. The instruments were calibrated using laboratory
X-ray beams, and synchrotron generated monochromatic X-ray beams before launch;
in-orbit calibration makes use of a variety of celestial X-ray targets. The
current calibration is better than 10% over the entire energy range of 0.2 to
10 keV. All three instruments survived launch and are performing nominally in
orbit. In particular full field-of-view coverage is available, all electronic
modes work, and the energy resolution is close to pre-launch values. Radiation
damage is well within pre-launch predictions and does not yet impact on the
energy resolution. The scientific results from EPIC amply fulfil pre-launch
expectations.Comment: 9 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in the A&A Special
Issue on XMM-Newto
High resolution study of the Lambda p final state interaction in the reaction p + p -> K+ + (Lambda p)
The reaction pp -> K+ + (Lambda p) was measured at Tp=1.953 GeV and Theta = 0
deg with a high missing mass resolution in order to study the Lambda p final
state interaction. The large final state enhancement near the Lambda p
threshold can be described using the standard Jost-function approach. The
singlet and triplet scattering lengths and effective ranges are deduced by
fitting simultaneously the Lambda p invariant mass spectrum and the total cross
section data of the free Lambda p scattering.Comment: submitted to Physics Letters B, 10 pages, 3 figure
Can Doubly Strange Dibaryon Resonances be Discovered at RHIC?
The baryon-baryon continuum invariant mass spectrum generated from
relativistic nucleus + nucleus collision data may reveal the existence of
doubly-strange dibaryons not stable against strong decay if they lie within a
few MeV of threshold. Furthermore, since the dominant component of these states
is a superposition of two color-octet clusters which can be produced
intermediately in a color-deconfined quark-gluon plasma (QGP), an enhanced
production of dibaryon resonances could be a signal of QGP formation. A total
of eight, doubly-strange dibaryon states are considered for experimental search
using the STAR detector (Solenoidal Tracker at RHIC) at the new Relativistic
Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). These states may decay to Lambda-Lambda and/or
proton-Cascade-minus, depending on the resonance energy. STAR's large
acceptance, precision tracking and vertex reconstruction capabilities, and
large data volume capacity, make it an ideal instrument to use for such a
search. Detector performance and analysis sensitivity are studied as a function
of resonance production rate and width for one particular dibaryon which can
directly strong decay to proton-Cascade-minus but not Lambda-Lambda. Results
indicate that such resonances may be discovered using STAR if the resonance
production rates are comparable to coalescence model predictions for dibaryon
bound states.Comment: 28 pages, 5 figures, revised versio
The x-ray microcalorimeter spectrometer onboard Athena
Trabajo presentado a la conferencia: "Space Telescopes and Instrumentation: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray" celebrada en Amsterdam (Holanda) el 1 de julio de 2012.-- et al.One of the instruments on the Advanced Telescope for High-Energy Astrophysics (Athena) which was one of the three missions under study as one of the L-class missions of ESA, is the X-ray Microcalorimeter Spectrometer (XMS). This instrument, which will provide high-spectral resolution images, is based on X-ray micro-calorimeters with Transition Edge Sensor (TES) and absorbers that consist of metal and semi-metal layers and a multiplexed SQUID readout. The array (32 x 32 pixels) provides an energy resolution of < 3 eV. Due to the large collection area of the Athena optics, the XMS instrument must be capable of processing high counting rates, while maintaining the spectral resolution and a low deadtime. In addition, an anti-coincidence detector is required to suppress the particle-induced background. Compared to the requirements for the same instrument on IXO, the performance requirements have been relaxed to fit into the much more restricted boundary conditions of Athena. In this paper we illustrate some of the science achievable with the instrument. We describe the results of design studies for the focal plane assembly and the cooling systems. Also, the system and its required spacecraft resources will be given. © (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.Peer Reviewe
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