249 research outputs found
Expanding the set of rhodococcal Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases by high-throughput cloning, expression and substrate screening
To expand the available set of Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs), we have created expression constructs for producing 22 Type I BVMOs that are present in the genome of Rhodococcus jostii RHA1. Each BVMO has been probed with a large panel of potential substrates. Except for testing their substrate acceptance, also the enantioselectivity of some selected BVMOs was studied. The results provide insight into the biocatalytic potential of this collection of BVMOs and expand the biocatalytic repertoire known for BVMOs. This study also sheds light on the catalytic capacity of this large set of BVMOs that is present in this specific actinomycete. Furthermore, a comparative sequence analysis revealed a new BVMO-typifying sequence motif. This motif represents a useful tool for effective future genome mining efforts.
The evolutionary state of Miras with changing pulsation periods
Context: Miras are long-period variables thought to be in the asymptotic
giant branch (AGB) phase of evolution. In about one percent of known Miras, the
pulsation period is changing. It has been speculated that this changing period
is the consequence of a recent thermal pulse in these stars. Aims: We aim to
clarify the evolutionary state of these stars, and to determine in particular
whether or not they are in the thermally-pulsing (TP-)AGB phase. Methods: One
important piece of information that has been neglected so far when determining
the evolutionary state is the presence of the radio-active s-process element
technetium (Tc). We obtained high-resolution, high signal-to-noise-ratio
optical spectra of a dozen prominent Mira variables with changing pulsation
period to search for this indicator of TPs and dredge-up. We also use the
spectra to measure lithium (Li) abundances. Furthermore, we establish the
evolutionary states of our sample stars by means of their present-day periods
and luminosities. Results: Among the twelve sample stars observed in this
programme, five were found to show absorption lines of Tc. BH Cru is found to
be a carbon-star, its period increase in the past decades possibly having
stopped by now. We report a possible switch in the pulsation mode of T UMi from
Mira-like to semi-regular variability in the past two years. R Nor, on the
other hand, is probably a fairly massive AGB star, which could be true for all
meandering Miras. Finally, we assign RU Vul to the metal-poor thick disk with
properties very similar to the short-period, metal-poor Miras. Conclusions: We
conclude that there is no clear correlation between period change class and Tc
presence. The stars that are most likely to have experienced a recent TP are BH
Cru and R Hya, although their rates of period change are quite different.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables; accepted for publication in A&
The ALMA detection of CO rotational line emission in AGB stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Context. Low- and intermediate-mass stars lose most of their stellar mass at the end of their lives on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB). Determining gas and dust mass-loss rates (MLRs) is important in quantifying the contribution of evolved stars to the enrichment of the interstellar medium.
Aims: This study attempts to spectrally resolve CO thermal line emission in a small sample of AGB stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC).
Methods: The Atacama Large Millimeter Array was used to observe two OH/IR stars and four carbon stars in the LMC in the CO J = 2-1 line.
Results: We present the first measurement of expansion velocities in extragalactic carbon stars. All four C stars are detected and wind expansion velocities and stellar velocities are directly measured. Mass-loss rates are derived from modelling the spectral energy distribution and Spitzer/IRS spectrum with the DUSTY code. The derived gas-to-dust ratios allow the predicted velocities to agree with the observed gas-to-dust ratios. The expansion velocities and MLRs are compared to a Galactic sample of well-studied relatively low MLRs stars supplemented with extreme C stars with properties that are more similar to the LMC targets. Gas MLRs derived from a simple formula are significantly smaller than those derived from dust modelling, indicating an order of magnitude underestimate of the estimated CO abundance, time-variable mass loss, or that the CO intensities in LMC stars are lower than predicted by the formula derived for Galactic objects. This could be related to a stronger interstellar radiation field in the LMC.
Conclusions: Although the LMC sample is small and the comparison to Galactic stars is non-trivial because of uncertainties in their distances (hence luminosities), it appears that for C stars the wind expansion velocities in the LMC are lower than in the solar neighbourhood, while the MLRs appear to be similar. This is in agreement with dynamical dust-driven wind models
Long-period variables in NGC147 and NGC185
Previous studies on the stellar content of the two nearby dwarf galaxies
NGC147 and NGC185 reveal a rich population of late-type giants in both systems,
including a large number of carbon-rich objects. These stars are known to show
pronounced photometric variability, which can be used for a more detailed
characterisation of these highly evolved stars. Owing to their well-studied
parameters, these Local Group members are ideal candidates for comparative
studies. Trough photometric monitoring, we attempt to provide a catalogue of
long-period variables (LPVs), including Mira variables, semi-regular variables,
and even irregular variables in NGC 147 and NGC185. We investigate the light
variations and compare the characteristics of these two LPV populations with
the results found for other galaxies such as the LMC. We carried out
time-series photometry in the i-band of the two target galaxies with the Nordic
Optical Telescope (NOT), covering a time span of \approx2.5 years. These data
were then combined with single-epoch K-band photometry, also obtained with the
NOT. Narrow-band photometry data from the literature was used to distinguish
between O-rich and C-rich stars. We report the detection of 513 LPVs in NGC185
and 213 LPVs in NGC147, showing i-amplitudes of up to \approx 2mag and periods
ranging between 90 and 800 days. The period-luminosity diagram for each of our
target galaxies exhibits a well populated sequence of fundamental mode
pulsators. The resulting period-luminosity relations we obtained are compared
to relations from the literature. We discuss the universality of those
relations because of which, as a side result, a correction of the distance
modulus of NGC185 may be necessary. Only one of our two galaxies, namely
NGC185, has a significant fraction of possibly first overtone pulsators. An
interpretation of this finding in terms of differences in the star-formation
histories is suggested.Comment: 10 pages (excluding online tables) and 9 figure
Performance of Al-Mn Transition-Edge Sensor Bolometers in SPT-3G
SPT-3G is a polarization-sensitive receiver, installed on the South Pole
Telescope, that measures the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background
(CMB) from degree to arcminute scales. The receiver consists of ten
150~mm-diameter detector wafers, containing a total of 16,000 transition-edge
sensor (TES) bolometers observing at 95, 150, and 220 GHz. During the 2018-2019
austral summer, one of these detector wafers was replaced by a new wafer
fabricated with Al-Mn TESs instead of the Ti/Au design originally deployed for
SPT-3G. We present the results of in-lab characterization and on-sky
performance of this Al-Mn wafer, including electrical and thermal properties,
optical efficiency measurements, and noise-equivalent temperature. In addition,
we discuss and account for several calibration-related systematic errors that
affect measurements made using frequency-domain multiplexing readout
electronics.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, submitted to the Journal of Low Temperature
Physics: LTD18 Special Editio
Separation – integration – and now …? - An historical perspective on the relationship between German management accounting and financial accounting
German accounting has traditionally followed a dual ledger approach with strictly separated internal cost accounting, as the basis for management information, and external financial accounting focusing on creditor protection and based on the commercial law. However, the increased adoption of integrated accounting system implies a significant change in the relationship between financial and management accounting systems. We use Hegelian dialectic to trace the historical development of German accounting from separated systems towards antithetical propositions of full integration, and the emergence of partial integration as the synthesis of this transformation process. For this reason, our paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the literature on the relationship between financial and management accounting in Germany. On this basis, we elaborate how financial accounting in Germany has been shaped by its economic context and legislation, and how financial accounting – accompanied by institutional pressures – in turn influenced management accounting. We argue that the changing relationship between management and financial accounting in the German context illustrates how current accounting practice is shaped not only by its environment, but also by its historical path. Based on this reasoning, we discuss several avenues for future research
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