13,611 research outputs found
Analysis Of Parity Between Protein-based Electrophoretic Methods For The Characterization Of Oral Candida Species.
Electrophoretic studies of multilocus-enzymes (MLEE) and whole-cell protein (SDS-PAGE) were carried out in order to evaluate the parity between different methods for the characterization of five Candida species commonly isolated from oral cavity of humans by numerical taxonomy methods. The obtained data revealed that sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is more efficient in grouping strains in their respective species while MLEE has much limited resolution in organizing all strains in their respective species-specific clusters. MLEE technique must be regarded for surveys in which just one species of Candida is involved.95801-
Photometric Variability in the Ultracool Dwarf BRI 0021-0214: Possible Evidence for Dust Clouds
We report CCD photometric monitoring of the nonemission ultracool dwarf BRI
0021-0214 (M9.5) obtained during 10 nights in 1995 November and 4 nights in
1996 August, with CCD cameras at 1 m class telescopes on the observatories of
the Canary Islands. We present differential photometry of BRI 0021-0214, and we
report significant variability in the I-band light curve obtained in 1995. A
periodogram analysis finds a strong peak at a period of 0.84 day. This
modulation appears to be transient because it is present in the 1995 data but
not in the 1996 data. We also find a possible period of 0.20 day, which appears
to be present in both the 1995 and 1996 datasets. However, we do not find any
periodicity close to the rotation period expected from the spectroscopic
rotational broadening (< 0.14 day). BRI 0021-0214 is a very inactive object,
with extremely low levels of Halpha and X-ray emission. Thus, it is unlikely
that magnetically induced cool spots can account for the photometric
variability. The photometric variability of BRI 0021-0214 could be explained by
the presence of an active meteorology that leads to inhomogeneous clouds on the
surface. The lack of photometric modulation at the expected rotational period
suggests that the pattern of surface features may be more complicated than
previously anticipated.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ. 26 pages, 13 figures include
The Type IIP SN 2007od in UGC 12846: from a bright maximum to dust formation in the nebular phase
Ultraviolet (UV), optical and near infrared (NIR) observations of the type
IIP supernova (SN) 2007od are presented, covering from the maximum light to the
late phase, allowing to investigate in detail different physical phenomena in
the expanding ejecta. These data turn this object into one of the most peculiar
IIP ever studied. The early light curve of SN 2007od is similar to that of a
bright IIPs with a short plateau, a bright peak (MV = -18 mag), but a very
faint optical light curve at late time. However, with the inclusion of mid
infrared (MIR) observations during the radioactive decay we have estimate a
M(56Ni) ~ 2\times10^-2 M\odot. Modeling the bolometric light curve, ejecta
expansion velocities and black-body temperature, we estimate a total ejected
mass was 5 - 7.5 M\odot with a kinetic energy of at least 0.5 \times 10^51 erg.
The early spectra reveal a boxy H{\alpha} profile and high velocities features
of the Balmer series that suggest interaction between the ejecta and a close
circum-stellar matter (CSM). SN 2007od may be, therefore, an intermediate case
between a Type IIn SN and a typical Type IIP SN. Also late spectra show a clear
evidence of CSM and the presence of dust formed inside the ejecta. The episodes
of mass loss short before explosion, the bright plateau, along with the
relatively small amount of 56Ni and the faint [O I] observed in the nebular
spectra are consistent with a super-asympthotic giant branch (super-AGB)
progenitor (M~9.7 - 11 M\odot).Comment: V2, some test added and three figures changed from the first version.
21 pages, 18 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS on May 24, 201
AT 2017be - a new member of the class of Intermediate-Luminosity Red Transients
We report the results of our spectrophotometric monitoring campaign for
AT~2017be in NGC~2537. Its lightcurve reveals a fast rise to an optical
maximum, followed by a plateau lasting about 30 days, and finally a fast
decline. Its absolute peak magnitude ( 12 ) is
fainter than that of core-collapse supernovae, and is consistent with those of
supernova impostors and other Intermediate-Luminosity Optical Transients. The
quasi-bolometric lightcurve peaks at 2 10 erg s,
and the late-time photometry allows us to constrain an ejected Ni mass
of 8 10\msun. The spectra of AT~2017be show minor
evolution over the observational period, a relatively blue continuum showing at
early phases, which becomes redder with time. A prominent H emission
line always dominates over other Balmer lines. Weak Fe {\sc ii} features,
Ca~{\sc ii} HK and the Ca {\sc ii} NIR triplet are also visible, while
P-Cygni absorption troughs are found in a high resolution spectrum. In
addition, the [Ca~{\sc ii}] 7291,7324 doublet is visible in all
spectra. This feature is typical of Intermediate-Luminosity Red Transients
(ILRTs), similar to SN~2008S. The relatively shallow archival Spitzer data are
not particularly constraining. On the other hand, a non-detection in deeper
near-infrared HST images disfavours a massive Luminous Blue Variable eruption
as the origin for AT~2017be. As has been suggested for other ILRTs, we propose
that AT~2017be is a candidate for a weak electron-capture supernova explosion
of a super-asymptotic giant branch star, still embedded in a thick dusty
envelope.Comment: 21 pages, 15 figures, accepted by MNRA
Soma térmica de fases de desenvolvimento de cultivares de arroz irrigado em função da época de semeadura.
O desenvolvimento da planta de arroz é afetado pela temperatura do ar e assim, a influência da temperatura nos processos de desenvolvimento vegetal pode ser expressa pela soma térmica, com unidade graus dia (ºC dia). O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a soma térmica de fases de desenvolvimento de quatro cultivares de arroz em três épocas de cultivo. Foi conduzido um experimento na área de várzea do Departamento de Fitotecnia da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria com três datas de semeadura (17/10/2011, 18/11/2011 e 19/12/2011) e quatro cultivares de ciclos distintos: IRGA 421 (ciclo superprecoce), BRS Querência (ciclo precoce), IRGA 424 (ciclo médio) e SCSBRS Tio Taka (ciclo tardio). A duração (º C dia) da fase de emergência - diferenciação de panícula aumentou com o atraso da data de semeadura, enquanto a duração da fase antese ? início da maturação dos grãos foi similar entre as cultivares semeadas no período recomendado pelo zoneamento agrícola
Galactic Extinction from Colors and Counts of Field Galaxies in WFPC2 Frames: An Application to GRB 970228
We develop the ``simulated extinction method'' to measure average foreground
Galactic extinction from field galaxy number-counts and colors. The method
comprises simulating extinction in suitable reference fields by changing the
isophotal detection limit. This procedure takes into account selection effects,
in particular, the change in isophotal detection limit (and hence in isophotal
magnitude completeness limit) with extinction, and the galaxy color--magnitude
relation.
We present a first application of the method to the HST WFPC2 images of the
gamma-ray burster GRB 970228. Four different WFPC2 high-latitude fields,
including the HDF, are used as reference to measure the average extinction
towards the GRB in the F606W passband. From the counts, we derive an average
extinction of A_V = 0.5 mag, but the dispersion of 0.4 mag between the
estimates from the different reference fields is significantly larger than can
be accounted by Poisson plus clustering uncertainties. Although the counts
differ, the average colors of the field galaxies agree well. The extinction
implied by the average color difference between the GRB field and the reference
galaxies is A_V = 0.6 mag, with a dispersion in the estimated extinction from
the four reference fields of only 0.1 mag. All our estimates are in good
agreement with the value of 0.81\pm0.27 mag obtained by Burstein & Heiles, and
with the extinction of 0.78\pm0.12 measured by Schlegel et al. from maps of
dust IR emission. However, the discrepancy between the widely varying counts
and the very stable colors in these high-latitude fields is worth
investigating.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figures; submitted to the Astrophysical Journa
Moderately Luminous type II Supernovae
Core-collapse Supernovae (CC-SNe) descend from progenitors more massive than
about 8 Msun. Because of the young age of the progenitors, the ejecta may
eventually interact with the circumstellar medium (CSM) via highly energetic
processes detectable in the radio, X-ray, ultraviolet (UV) and, sometimes, in
the optical domains. In this paper we present ultraviolet, optical and near
infrared observations of five type II SNe, namely SNe 2009dd, 2007pk, 2010aj,
1995ad, and 1996W. Together with few other SNe they form a group of moderately
luminous type II events. We collected photometry and spectroscopy with several
telescopes in order to construct well-sampled light curves and spectral
evolutions from the photospheric to the nebular phases. Both photometry and
spectroscopy indicate a degree of heterogeneity in this sample. The light
curves have luminous peak magnitudes (). The ejected
masses of ^56\ni for three SNe span a wide range of values
(MsunM(\ni)Msun), while for a fourth
(SN2010aj) we could determine a stringent upper limit (Msun).
Clues of interaction, such as the presence of high velocity (HV) features of
the Balmer lines, are visible in the photospheric spectra of SNe 2009dd and
1996W. For SN2007pk we observe a spectral transition from a type IIn to a
standard type II SN. Modelling the observations of SNe 2009dd, 2010aj and
1995ad with radiation hydrodynamics codes, we infer kinetic plus thermal
energies of about 0.2-0.5 foe, initial radii of 2-5 cm and
ejected masses of 5.0-9.5 Msun. These values suggest moderate-mass,
super-asymptotic giant branch (SAGB) or red super-giants (RSG) stars as SN
precursors, in analogy with other luminous type IIP SNe 2007od and 2009bw.Comment: 28 pages, 27 fig, accepted by A&A, 3 pages of online material,
abstract abridged. revised significantly with respect to the previous versio
Health-related quality of life and functional changes in DMD:A 12-month longitudinal cohort study
Family caregivers of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) live stressful lives in which they spend most of their time caring for their loved ones and managing difficult situations, thereby reducing the time spent in taking care of themselves. This situation may last several years. Previous literature has widely highlighted that this situation reduces caregivers' quality of life and increases their psychological distress and risk of health problems, but there is a lack of studies that focus on psychological interventions for these situations. This qualitative study examined a pilot experience of two mutual support groups for family caregivers of people with ALS. The aim was to identify caregivers' needs, the prominent aspects of their experience, and to understand whether and how this intervention strategy might help them. Six partners (four men and two women) and six adult children (five women and one man) participated in the groups, which were conducted in northern Italy. After the support groups finished, participants underwent semi-structured interviews. The authors conducted a content analysis of the transcripts of the interviews and the 20 group sessions. The thematic areas identified were "caregiving," "being the son/daughter of a person with ALS," "being the partner of a person with ALS," "group experience" and "group evaluation." The caregiving experience was profoundly different depending on whether the caregiver was a son/daughter or a partner of a patient with ALS. Moreover, comparison with peers and mutual support helped participants to better cope with ALS and its consequences, to improve their care for their relatives and to overcome typical caregiver isolation. These results suggest the usefulness of involving communities in caregiver support in order to create new networks and activate personal and social resources for well-being
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