7,498 research outputs found
Origin of the heavy elements in HD 140283. Measurement of europium abundance
HD 140283 is a nearby (V=7.7) subgiant metal-poor star, extensively analysed
in the literature. Although many spectra have been obtained for this star, none
showed a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio high enough to enable a very accurate
derivation of abundances from weak lines. The detection of europium proves that
the neutron-capture elements in this star originate in the r-process, and not
in the s-process, as recently claimed in the literature. Based on the OSMARCS
1D LTE atmospheric model and with a consistent approach based on the spectrum
synthesis code Turbospectrum, we measured the europium lines at 4129 {\AA} and
4205 {\AA}, taking into account the hyperfine structure of the transitions. The
spectrum, obtained with a long exposure time of seven hours at the
Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), has a resolving power of 81000 and a S/N
ratio of 800 at 4100 {\AA}. We were able to determine the abundance A(Eu)=-2.35
dex, compatible with the value predicted for the europium from the r-process.
The abundance ratio [Eu/Ba]=+0.58 dex agrees with the trend observed in
metal-poor stars and is also compatible with a strong r-process contribution to
the origin of the neutron-capture elements in HD 140283.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures. To be published in A\&
Magnetization plateau in a two-dimensional multiple-spin exchange model
We study a multiple-spin exchange model on a triangular lattice, which is a
possible model for low-density solid 3He films. Due to strong competitions
between ferromagnetic three-spin exchange and antiferromagnetic four-spin one,
the ground states are highly degenerate in the classical limit. At least
2^{L/2}-fold degeneracy exists on the L*L triangular lattice except for the
SO(3) symmetry. In the magnetization process, we found a plateau at
m/m_{sat}=1/2, in which the ground state is "uuud state" (a collinear state
with four sublattices). The 1/2-plateau appears due to the strong four-spin
exchange interaction. This plateau survives against both quantum and thermal
fluctuations. Under a magnetic field which realizes the "uuud" ordered state, a
phase transition occurs at a finite temperature. We predict that low-density
solid 3He thin films may show the 1/2-plateau in the magnetization process.
Experimental observation of the plateau will verify strength of the four-spin
exchange. It is also discussed that this magnetization plateau can be
understood as an insulating-conducting transition in a particle picture.Comment: 10 pages, RevTeX, 12 figures, added a reference and corrected typos,
to be published in Phys.Rev.B (01 APR 99
High-resolution abundance analysis of HD 140283
HD 140283 is a reference subgiant that is metal poor and confirmed to be a
very old star. The abundances of this type of old star can constrain the nature
and nucleosynthesis processes that occurred in its (even older) progenitors.
The present study may shed light on nucleosynthesis processes yielding heavy
elements early in the Galaxy. A detailed abundance analysis of a high-quality
spectrum is carried out, with the intent of providing a reference on stellar
lines and abundances of a very old, metal-poor subgiant. We aim to derive
abundances from most available and measurable spectral lines. The analysis is
carried out using high-resolution (R = 81 000) and high signal-to-noise ratio
(800 < S/N/pixel < 3400) spectrum, in the wavelength range 3700 - 10475,
obtained with a seven-hour exposure time, using the ESPaDOnS at the CFHT. The
calculations in LTE were performed with the OSMARCS 1D atmospheric model and
the spectrum synthesis code Turbospectrum, while the analysis in NLTE is based
on the MULTI code. We present LTE abundances for 26 elements, and NLTE
calculations for the species C I, O I, Na I, Mg I, Al I, K I, Ca I, Sr II, and
Ba II lines. The abundance analysis provided an extensive line list suitable
for metal-poor subgiant stars. The results for Li, CNO, alpha-, and iron peak
elements are in good agreement with literature. The newly NLTE Ba abundance,
along with a NLTE Eu correction and a 3D Ba correction from literature, leads
to [Eu/Ba] = +0.59 +/- 0.18. This result confirms a dominant r-process
contribution, possibly together with a very small contribution from the main
s-process, to the neutron-capture elements in HD 140283. Overabundances of the
lighter heavy elements and the high abundances derived for Ba, La, and Ce
favour the operation of the weak r-process in HD 140283.Comment: 34 pages, 27 figure
Possible chiral phase transition in two-dimensional solid He
We study a spin system with two- and four-spin exchange interactions on the
triangular lattice, which is a possible model for the nuclear magnetism of
solid He layers. It is found that a novel spin structure with scalar chiral
order appears if the four-spin interaction is dominant. Ground-state properties
are studied using the spin-wave approximation. A phase transition concerning
the scalar chirality occurs at a finite temperature, even though the
dimensionality of the system is two and the interaction has isotropic spin
symmetry. Critical properties of this transition are studied with Monte Carlo
simulations in the classical limit.Comment: 4 pages, Revtex, 4 figures, to appear in Phys.Rev.Let
Biofilm formation by filamentous fungi recovered from a water system
Filamentous fungi have been constantly recovered from diverse aquatic environments including drinking water distribution systems. Althoughmost of the works are focused on the study of planktonic form, recent researches have shown that fungi develop biofilm within these systems. In this study, Aspergillus sp. (section Nigri), Aspergillus sp. (section Flavi), Alternaria sp., Botrytis sp., Cladosporium sp., and Penicillium sp. recovered from water biofilms were used to evaluate their capability to grow as biofilms under laboratorial conditions.Morphological and physiological characteristics were analysed using image analysis and biomass and cell activity estimation. All six isolates were able to form biofilm, though different patterns of development were observed. Only Alternaria sp. formed biofilm in water over 24h of analysis.MEB was shown to be the best culture media for biofilm formation. A direct correlation between biomass and cell activity was not observed, but biomass values and morphological parameters, that is, monolayer and EPS production, were directly correlated.Thus, the results present here highlight the capability of fungi to form biofilms and the emergent necessity to standardize methods for further research in this area
Biofilm formation by filamentous fungi recovered from a water system
Filamentous fungi have been consistently recovered from diverse aquatic environments
including drinking water distribution systems. Although most of the work is
focused on planktonic forms, recent research demostrates unequivocally that fungi
develop biofilms within these systems. In this study, individual strains of Aspergillus
(section Nigri), Aspergillus (section Flavi), Alternaria, Botrytis, Cladosporium
and Penicillium, recovered from water biofilms, were used to evaluate their capability
to grow as biofilms in vitro. Morphological and physiological characteristics
were analysed using image analysis, and biomass and cell activity estimations. All
six isolates were able to form biofilms, although different patterns of development
were observed. Only Alternaria sp. formed biofilms in water within 24 h. Malt extract
broth (MEB) was the optimal culture medium for biofilm formation. A direct
correlation between biomass and cell activity was not observed, but the quantity
of biomass and morphological parameters, i.e. monolayer and exopolysaccharides
(EPS) production, were directly correlated. Thus, fungi are capable of forming biofilms
and there remains a necessity to standardize methods for further research
in this area
Quantification of fungal biomass in Penicillium brevicompactum biofilms by image analysis
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BD/43719/200
Effectiveness of free chlorine against water biofilms and spores of Penicillium brevicompactum
- …