74 research outputs found
High-redshift galaxies and black holes in the eyes of JWST: a population synthesis model from infrared to X-rays
The first billion years of the Universe is a pivotal time: stars, black holes
(BHs) and galaxies form and assemble, sowing the seeds of galaxies as we know
them today. Detecting, identifying and understand- ing the first galaxies and
BHs is one of the current observational and theoretical challenges in galaxy
formation. In this paper we present a population synthesis model aimed at
galaxies, BHs and Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) at high redshift. The model
builds a population based on empirical relations. Galaxies are characterized by
a spectral energy distribution determined by age and metallicity, and AGNs by a
spectral energy distribution determined by BH mass and accretion rate. We
validate the model against observational constraints, and then predict
properties of galaxies and AGN in other wavelength and/or luminosity ranges,
estimating the contamination of stellar populations (normal stars and high-mass
X-ray binaries) for AGN searches from the infrared to X-rays, and vice-versa
for galaxy searches. For high-redshift galaxies, with stellar ages < 1 Gyr, we
find that disentangling stellar and AGN emission is challenging at restframe
UV/optical wavelengths, while high-mass X-ray binaries become more important
sources of confusion in X-rays. We propose a color-color selection in JWST
bands to separate AGN vs star-dominated galaxies in photometric observations.
We also esti- mate the AGN contribution, with respect to massive, hot,
metal-poor stars, at driving high ionization lines, such as C IV and He II.
Finally, we test the influence of the minimum BH mass and occupa- tion fraction
of BHs in low mass galaxies on the restframe UV/near-IR and X-ray AGN
luminosity function.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa
Mid-Infrared Colors of Dwarf Galaxies: Young Starbursts Mimicking Active Galactic Nuclei
Searching for active galactic nuclei (AGN) in dwarf galaxies is important for
our understanding of the seed black holes that formed in the early Universe.
Here, we test infrared selection methods for AGN activity at low galaxy masses.
Our parent sample consists of ~18,000 nearby dwarf galaxies (M*< 3 x 10^9 Msun,
) in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey with significant detections in the
first three bands of the AllWISE data release from the Wide-field Infrared
Survey Explorer (WISE). First, we demonstrate that the majority of
optically-selected AGNs in dwarf galaxies are not selected as AGNs using WISE
infrared color diagnostics and that the infrared emission is dominated by the
host galaxies. We then investigate the infrared properties of
optically-selected star-forming dwarf galaxies, finding that the galaxies with
the reddest infrared colors are the most compact, with blue optical colors,
young stellar ages and large specific star formation rates. These results
indicate that great care must be taken when selecting AGNs in dwarf galaxies
using infrared colors, as star-forming dwarf galaxies are capable of heating
dust in such a way that mimics the infrared colors of more luminous AGNs. In
particular, a simple color cut alone should not be
used to select AGNs in dwarf galaxies. With these complications in mind, we
present a sample of 41 dwarf galaxies worthy of follow-up observations that
fall in WISE infrared color space typically occupied by more luminous AGNs.Comment: 17 pages, 12 figures, accepted by the Astrophysical Journa
The gene encoding the fragile X RNA-binding protein is controlled by nuclear respiratory factor 2 and the CREB family of transcription factors
FMR1 encodes an RNA-binding protein whose absence results in fragile X mental retardation. In most patients, the FMR1 gene is cytosine-methylated and transcriptionally inactive. NRF-1 and Sp1 are known to bind and stimulate the active, but not the methylated/silenced, FMR1 promoter. Prior analysis has implicated a CRE site in regulation of FMR1 in neural cells but the role of this site is controversial. We now show that a phospho-CREB/ATF family member is bound to this site in vivo. We also find that the histone acetyltransferases CBP and p300 are associated with active FMR1 but are lost at the hypoacetylated fragile X allele. Surprisingly, FMR1 is not cAMP-inducible and resides in a newly recognized subclass of CREB-regulated genes. We have also elucidated a role for NRF-2 as a regulator of FMR1 in vivo through a previously unrecognized and highly conserved recognition site in FMR1. NRF-1 and NRF-2 act additively while NRF-2 synergizes with CREB/ATF at FMR1's promoter. These data add FMR1 to the collection of genes controlled by both NRF-1 and NRF-2 and disfavor its membership in the immediate early response group of genes
Long-lasting changes in glial cells isolated from rats subjected to the valproic acid model of autism spectrum disorder.
Synaptic alterations concomitant with neuroinflammation have been described in patients and experimental models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the role of microglia and astroglia in relation to synaptic changes is poorly understood. Male Wistar rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA, 450 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline (control) at embryonic day 10.5 were used to study synapses, microglia, and astroglia in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) at postnatal days 3 and 35 (PND3 and PND35). Primary cultures of cortical neurons, microglia, and astroglia isolated from control and VPA animals were used to study each cell type individually, neuron-microglia and microglia-astroglia crosstalk. In the PFC of VPA rats, synaptic changes characterized by an increase in the number of excitatory synapses were evidenced at PND3 and persisted until PND35. At PND3, microglia and astroglia from VPA animals were morphologically similar to those of age-matched controls, whereas at PND35, reactive microgliosis and astrogliosis were observed in the PFC of VPA animals. Cortical neurons isolated from VPA rats mimicked in vitro the synaptic pattern seen in vivo. Cortical microglia and astroglia isolated from VPA animals exhibited reactive morphology, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, and a compromised miRNA processing machinery. Microglia from VPA animals also showed resistance to a phagocytic challenge. In the presence of neurons from VPA animals, microglia isolated from VPA rats revealed a non-reactive morphology and promoted neurite outgrowth, while microglia from control animals displayed a reactive profile and promoted dendritic retraction. In microglia-astroglia co-cultures, microglia from VPA animals displayed a reactive profile and exacerbated astrocyte reactivity. Our study indicates that cortical microglia from VPA animals are insensitive or adapted to neuronal cues expressed by neurons from VPA animals. Further, long-term in vivo microgliosis could be the result of altered microglia-astroglia crosstalk in VPA animals. Thus, our study highlights cortical microglia-astroglia communication as a new mechanism implicated in neuroinflammation in ASD; consequently, we propose that this crosstalk is a potential target for interventions in this disorder.Fil: Traetta, Marianela Evelyn. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientÃficas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de BiologÃa Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de BiologÃa Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Uccelli, Nonthué Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientÃficas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de BiologÃa Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de BiologÃa Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Zarate, Sandra Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientÃficas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Cuautle, Jose Dante Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientÃficas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de BiologÃa Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de BiologÃa Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Ramos, Alberto Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientÃficas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de BiologÃa Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de BiologÃa Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Reines, Analia Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientÃficas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de BiologÃa Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de BiologÃa Celular y Neurociencia; Argentin
Primer registro del Camarón Almeja Leptestheria venezuelica Daday, 1923 (Crustacea: Brachiopoda: Spinicaudata) del Norte de Colombia
Large branchiopods has been distributed in temporary waters around the world, but the knowledge about these organisms in Colombia is poorly known, especially leptesteriids, we report a new record of the Clam Shrimp Leptestheria venezuelica Daday, 1923 from the north of Colombia.Los grandes branquiopodos se encuentran distribuidos en aguas temporales de todo el mundo, pero el conocimiento de estos en Colombia es poco sobre todo de los leptesteridos, en este trabajo presentamos un nuevo reporte del camaron almeja Leptestheria venezuelica Daday, 1923 para el norte de Colombia
The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory (HabEx) Mission Concept Study Final Report
The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory, or HabEx, has been designed to be the Great Observatory of the 2030s. For the first time in human history, technologies have matured sufficiently to enable an affordable space-based telescope mission capable of discovering and characterizing Earthlike planets orbiting nearby bright sunlike stars in order to search for signs of habitability and biosignatures. Such a mission can also be equipped with instrumentation that will enable broad and exciting general astrophysics and planetary science not possible from current or planned facilities. HabEx is a space telescope with unique imaging and multi-object spectroscopic capabilities at wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet (UV) to near-IR. These capabilities allow for a broad suite of compelling science that cuts across the entire NASA astrophysics portfolio. HabEx has three primary science goals: (1) Seek out nearby worlds and explore their habitability; (2) Map out nearby planetary systems and understand the diversity of the worlds they contain; (3) Enable new explorations of astrophysical systems from our own solar system to external galaxies by extending our reach in the UV through near-IR. This Great Observatory science will be selected through a competed GO program, and will account for about 50% of the HabEx primary mission. The preferred HabEx architecture is a 4m, monolithic, off-axis telescope that is diffraction-limited at 0.4 microns and is in an L2 orbit. HabEx employs two starlight suppression systems: a coronagraph and a starshade, each with their own dedicated instrument
The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory (HabEx) Mission Concept Study Final Report
The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory, or HabEx, has been designed to be the
Great Observatory of the 2030s. For the first time in human history,
technologies have matured sufficiently to enable an affordable space-based
telescope mission capable of discovering and characterizing Earthlike planets
orbiting nearby bright sunlike stars in order to search for signs of
habitability and biosignatures. Such a mission can also be equipped with
instrumentation that will enable broad and exciting general astrophysics and
planetary science not possible from current or planned facilities. HabEx is a
space telescope with unique imaging and multi-object spectroscopic capabilities
at wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet (UV) to near-IR. These capabilities
allow for a broad suite of compelling science that cuts across the entire NASA
astrophysics portfolio. HabEx has three primary science goals: (1) Seek out
nearby worlds and explore their habitability; (2) Map out nearby planetary
systems and understand the diversity of the worlds they contain; (3) Enable new
explorations of astrophysical systems from our own solar system to external
galaxies by extending our reach in the UV through near-IR. This Great
Observatory science will be selected through a competed GO program, and will
account for about 50% of the HabEx primary mission. The preferred HabEx
architecture is a 4m, monolithic, off-axis telescope that is
diffraction-limited at 0.4 microns and is in an L2 orbit. HabEx employs two
starlight suppression systems: a coronagraph and a starshade, each with their
own dedicated instrument.Comment: Full report: 498 pages. Executive Summary: 14 pages. More information
about HabEx can be found here: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/habex
A MODEST review
We present an account of the state of the art in the fields explored by the
research community invested in 'Modeling and Observing DEnse STellar systems'.
For this purpose, we take as a basis the activities of the MODEST-17
conference, which was held at Charles University, Prague, in September 2017.
Reviewed topics include recent advances in fundamental stellar dynamics,
numerical methods for the solution of the gravitational N-body problem,
formation and evolution of young and old star clusters and galactic nuclei,
their elusive stellar populations, planetary systems, and exotic compact
objects, with timely attention to black holes of different classes of mass and
their role as sources of gravitational waves.
Such a breadth of topics reflects the growing role played by collisional
stellar dynamics in numerous areas of modern astrophysics. Indeed, in the next
decade, many revolutionary instruments will enable the derivation of positions
and velocities of individual stars in the Milky Way and its satellites and will
detect signals from a range of astrophysical sources in different portions of
the electromagnetic and gravitational spectrum, with an unprecedented
sensitivity. On the one hand, this wealth of data will allow us to address a
number of long-standing open questions in star cluster studies; on the other
hand, many unexpected properties of these systems will come to light,
stimulating further progress of our understanding of their formation and
evolution.Comment: 42 pages; accepted for publication in 'Computational Astrophysics and
Cosmology'. We are much grateful to the organisers of the MODEST-17
conference (Charles University, Prague, September 2017). We acknowledge the
input provided by all MODEST-17 participants, and, more generally, by the
members of the MODEST communit
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