288 research outputs found
The BAST algorithm for transit detection
The pioneer space mission for photometric exoplanet searches, CoRoT, steadily
monitors about 12000 stars in each of its fields of view. Transit detection
algorithms are applied to derive promising planetary candidates, which are then
followed-up with ground-based observations. We present BAST (Berlin Automatic
Search for Transits), a new algorithm for periodic transit detection, and test
it on simulated CoRoT data. BAST searches for box-shaped signals in normalized,
filtered, variability-fitted, and unfolded light curves. A low-pass filter is
applied to remove high-frequency signals, and linear fits to subsections of
data are subtracted to remove the star's variability. A search for periodicity
is then performed in transit events identified above a given detection
threshold. Some criteria are defined to better separate planet candidates from
binary stars.
From the analysis of simulated CoRoT light curves, we show that the BAST
detection performance is similar to that of the Box-fitting Least-Square (BLS)
method if the signal-to-noise ratio is high. However, the BAST box search for
transits computes 10 times faster than the BLS method. By adding periodic
transits to simulated CoRoT data, we show that the minimum periodic depth
detectable with BAST is a linearly increasing function of the noise level. For
low-noise light curves, the detection limit corresponds to a transit depth
d~0.01%, i.e. a planet of 1 Earth radius around a solar-type star.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to be published in A&
The Berlin Exoplanet Search Telescope II. Catalog of Variable Stars. I. Characterization of Three Southern Target Fields
A photometric survey of three Southern target fields with BEST II yielded the
detection of 2,406 previously unknown variable stars and an additional 617
stars with suspected variability. This study presents a catalog including their
coordinates, magnitudes, light curves, ephemerides, amplitudes, and type of
variability. In addition, the variability of 17 known objects is confirmed,
thus validating the results. The catalog contains a number of known and new
variables that are of interest for further astrophysical investigations, in
order to, e.g., search for additional bodies in eclipsing binary systems, or to
test stellar interior models.
Altogether, 209,070 stars were monitored with BEST II during a total of 128
nights in 2009/2010. The overall variability fraction of 1.2-1.5% in these
target fields is well comparable to similar ground-based photometric surveys.
Within the main magnitude range of , we identify
0.67(3)% of all stars to be eclipsing binaries, which indicates a completeness
of about one third for this particular type in comparison to space surveys.Comment: accepted to A
Variability survey in the CoRoT SRa01 field: Implications of eclipsing binary distribution on cluster formation in NGC 2264
Time-series photometry of the CoRoT field SRa01 was carried out with the
Berlin Exoplanet Search Telescope II (BEST II) in 2008/2009. A total of 1,161
variable stars were detected, of which 241 were previously known and 920 are
newly found. Several new, variable young stellar objects have been discovered.
The study of the spatial distribution of eclipsing binaries revealed the higher
relative frequency of Algols toward the center of the young open cluster NGC
2264. In general Algol frequency obeys an isotropic distribution of their
angular momentum vectors, except inside the cluster, where a specific
orientation of the inclinations is the case. We suggest that we see the orbital
plane of the binaries almost edge-on.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
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Targeting extracellular lectins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with glycomimetic liposomes
The antimicrobial resistance crisis requires novel approaches for the therapy of infections especially with
Gram-negative pathogens. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is defined as priority 1 pathogen by the WHO and
thus of particular interest. Its drug resistance is primarily associated with biofilm formation and essential
constituents of its extracellular biofilm matrix are the two lectins, LecA and LecB. Here, we report
microbial lectin-specific targeted nanovehicles based on liposomes. LecA- and LecB-targeted
phospholipids were synthesized and used for the preparation of liposomes. These liposomes with
varying surface ligand density were then analyzed for their competitive and direct lectin binding activity.
We have further developed a microfluidic device that allowed the optical detection of the targeting
process to the bacterial lectins. Our data showed that the targeted liposomes are specifically binding to
their respective lectin and remain firmly attached to surfaces containing these lectins. This synthetic and
biophysical study provides the basis for future application in targeted antibiotic delivery to overcome
antimicrobial resistance
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Targeting extracellular lectins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with glycomimetic liposomes
The antimicrobial resistance crisis requires novel approaches for the therapy of infections especially with Gram-negative pathogens. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is defined as priority 1 pathogen by the WHO and thus of particular interest. Its drug resistance is primarily associated with biofilm formation and essential constituents of its extracellular biofilm matrix are the two lectins, LecA and LecB. Here, we report microbial lectin-specific targeted nanovehicles based on liposomes. LecA- and LecB-targeted phospholipids were synthesized and used for the preparation of liposomes. These liposomes with varying surface ligand density were then analyzed for their competitive and direct lectin binding activity. We have further developed a microfluidic device that allowed the optical detection of the targeting process to the bacterial lectins. Our data showed that the targeted liposomes are specifically binding to their respective lectin and remain firmly attached to surfaces containing these lectins. This synthetic and biophysical study provides the basis for future application in targeted antibiotic delivery to overcome antimicrobial resistance
Induction of rare conformation of oligosaccharide by binding to calcium-dependent bacterial lectin: X-ray crystallography and modelling study
Pathogenic micro-organisms utilize protein receptors (lectins) in adhesion to host tissues, a process that in some cases relies on the interaction between lectins and human glycoconjugates. Oligosaccharide epitopes are recognized through their three-dimensional structure and their flexibility is a key issue in specificity. In this paper, we analysed by X-ray crystallography the structures of the LecB lectin from two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in complex with Lewis x oligosaccharide present on cell surfaces of human tissues. An unusual conformation of the glycan was observed in all binding sites with a non-canonical syn orientation of the N-acetyl group of N-acetyl-glucosamine. A PDB-wide search revealed that such an orientation occurs only in 4% of protein/carbohydrate complexes. Theoretical chemistry calculations showed that the observed conformation is unstable in solution but stabilised by the lectin. A reliable description of LecB/Lewis x complex by force field-based methods had proven especially challenging due to the special feature of the binding site, two closely apposed Ca2+ ions which induce strong charge delocalisation. By comparing various force-field parametrisations, we propose a general strategy which will be useful in near future for designing carbohydrate-based ligands (glycodrugs) against other calcium-dependent protein receptors
JUN dependency in distinct early and late BRAF inhibition adaptation states of melanoma.
A prominent mechanism of acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors in BRAF (V600) -mutant melanoma is associated with the upregulation of receptor tyrosine kinases. Evidences suggested that this resistance mechanism is part of a more complex cellular adaptation process. Using an integrative strategy, we found this mechanism to invoke extensive transcriptomic, (phospho-) proteomic and phenotypic alterations that accompany a cellular transition to a de-differentiated, mesenchymal and invasive state. Even short-term BRAF-inhibitor exposure leads to an early adaptive, differentiation state change-characterized by a slow-cycling, persistent state. The early persistent state is distinct from the late proliferative, resistant state. However, both differentiation states share common signaling alterations including JUN upregulation. Motivated by the similarities, we found that co-targeting of BRAF and JUN is synergistic in killing fully resistant cells; and when used up-front, co-targeting substantially impairs the formation of the persistent subpopulation. We confirmed that JUN upregulation is a common response to BRAF inhibitor treatment in clinically treated patient tumors. Our findings demonstrate that events shared between early- and late-adaptation states provide candidate up-front co-treatment targets
Pre-discovery observations of CoRoT-1b and CoRoT-2b with the BEST survey
The BEST wide-angle telescope installed at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence
and operated in remote control from Berlin by the Institut fuer
Planetenforschung, DLR, has observed the CoRoT target fields prior to the
mission. The resulting archive of stellar photometric lightcurves is used to
search for deep transit events announced during CoRoT's alarm-mode to aid in
fast photometric confirmation of these events. The "initial run" field of CoRoT
(IRa01) has been observed with BEST in November and December 2006 for 12
nights. The first "long run" field (LRc01) was observed from June to September
2005 for 35 nights. After standard CCD data reduction, aperture photometry has
been performed using the ISIS image subtraction method. About 30,000
lightcurves were obtained in each field. Transits of the first detected planets
by the CoRoT mission, CoRoT-1b and CoRoT-2b, were found in archived data of the
BEST survey and their lightcurves are presented here. Such detections provide
useful information at the early stage of the organization of follow-up
observations of satellite alarm-mode planet candidates. In addition, no period
change was found over ~4 years between the first BEST observation and last
available transit observations.Comment: AJ, accepte
Transmit array as a viable 3D printing option for backhaul applications at V-band
Two designs of high gain dielectric lens for a Vband backhaul antenna, compatible with 3D printing, are compared. The available printing materials still have significant losses, which limit the performance of traditional focusing dielectric lenses, as the dome elliptical lens. Herein, we show that an all-dielectric transmit array can present several mechanical and electrical advantages, especially when high gains are required. We demonstrate that even with a compact transmit array (f/d = 067 it is still possible to comply with the usual bandwidth (57-66 GHz) and gain (>30 dBi) requirements for backhaul applications.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
Targeting the central pocket of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecA
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic ESKAPE pathogen that produces two lectins, LecA and LecB, as part of its large arsenal of virulence factors. Both carbohydrate-binding proteins are central to the initial and later persistent infection processes, i. e. bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. The biofilm matrix is a major resistance determinant and protects the bacteria against external threats such as the host immune system or antibiotic treatment. Therefore, the development of drugs against the P. aeruginosa biofilm is of particular interest to restore efficacy of antimicrobials. Carbohydrate-based inhibitors for LecA and LecB were previously shown to efficiently reduce biofilm formations. Here, we report a new approach for inhibiting LecA with synthetic molecules bridging the established carbohydrate-binding site and a central cavity located between two LecA protomers of the lectin tetramer. Inspired by in silico design, we synthesized various galactosidic LecA inhibitors with aromatic moieties targeting this central pocket. These compounds reached low micromolar affinities, validated in different biophysical assays. Finally, X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the interactions of this compound class with LecA. This new mode of action paves the way to a novel route towards inhibition of P. aeruginosa biofilms
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