693 research outputs found
An investigation of microstructural characteristics of contact-lens polymers
The free volume and gas permeability in several contact lens specimens were measured as part of a Space Commercialization Program. Free volume was measured using positron lifetime spectroscopy, while permeability for O2, N2, CO2 gases was measured using mass spectrometry and polarography. Permeability for all gases increases with the mean free volume cell size in the test samples. As might be expected, the specimens with the highest free volume fraction also exhibit the lowest Rockwell Hardness Number. An interesting corollary is the finding that the presence of fluorine atoms in the lens chemical structure inhibits filling up of their free volume cells. This is expected to allow the lenses to breathe freely while in actual use
Empirical constraints on the origin of fast radio bursts: volumetric rates and host galaxy demographics as a test of millisecond magnetar connection
The localization of the repeating FRB 121102 to a low-metallicity dwarf
galaxy at , and its association with a quiescent radio source,
suggests the possibility that FRBs originate from magnetars, formed by the
unusual supernovae in such galaxies. We investigate this via a comparison of
magnetar birth rates, the FRB volumetric rate, and host galaxy demographics. We
calculate average volumetric rates of possible millisecond magnetar production
channels such as superluminous supernovae (SLSNe), long and short gamma-ray
bursts (GRBs), and general magnetar production via core-collapse supernovae.
For each channel we also explore the expected host galaxy demographics using
their known properties. We determine for the first time the number density of
FRB emitters (the product of their volumetric birthrate and lifetime), Gpc, assuming that FRBs are predominantly emitted
from repetitive sources similar to FRB 121102 and adopting a beaming factor of
0.1. By comparing rates we find that production via rare channels (SLSNe, GRBs)
implies a typical FRB lifetime of 30-300 yr, in good agreement with
other lines of argument. The total energy emitted over this time is consistent
with the available energy stored in the magnetic field. On the other hand, any
relation to magnetars produced via normal core-collapse supernovae leads to a
very short lifetime of 0.5yr, in conflict with both theory and
observation. We demonstrate that due to the diverse host galaxy distributions
of the different progenitor channels, many possible sources of FRB birth can be
ruled out with host galaxy identifications. Conversely, targeted
searches of galaxies that have previously hosted decades-old SLSNe and GRBs may
be a fruitful strategy for discovering new FRBs and related quiescent radio
sources, and determining the nature of their progenitors
Immunosuppressive/anti-inflammatory cytokines directly and indirectly inhibit endothelial dysfunction- a novel mechanism for maintaining vascular function
This study aims to elucidate in greater detail the dermal uptake of nicotine from air or from nicotine-exposed clothes, which was demonstrated recently in a preliminary study. Six non-smoking participants were exposed to gaseous nicotine (between 236 and 304 μg/m³) over 5 hours while breathing clean air through a hood. Four of the participants wore only shorts and 2 wore a set of clean clothes. One week later, 2 of the bare-skinned participants were again exposed in the chamber, but they showered immediately after exposure instead of the following morning. The 2 participants who wore clean clothes on week 1 were now exposed wearing a set of clothes that had been exposed to nicotine. All urine was collected for 84 hours after exposure and analyzed for nicotine and its metabolites, cotinine and 3OH-cotinine. All participants except those wearing fresh clothes excreted substantial amounts of biomarkers, comparable to levels expected from inhalation intake. Uptake for 1 participant wearing exposed clothes exceeded estimated intake via inhalation by >50%. Biomarker excretion continued during the entire urine collection period, indicating that nicotine accumulates in the skin and is released over several days. Absorbed nicotine was significantly lower after showering in 1 subject but not the other. Differences in the normalized uptakes and in the excretion patterns were observed among the participants. The observed cotinine half-lives suggest that non-smokers exposed to airborne nicotine may receive a substantial fraction through the dermal pathway. Washing skin and clothes exposed to nicotine may meaningfully decrease exposure
Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Observations of the Binary Neutron Star Merger GW170817
We present Spitzer Space Telescope 3.6 and 4.5 micron observations of the
binary neutron star merger GW170817 at 43, 74, and 264 days post-merger. Using
the final observation as a template, we uncover a source at the position of
GW170817 at 4.5 micron with a brightness of 22.9+/-0.3 AB mag at 43 days and
23.8+/-0.3 AB mag at 74 days (the uncertainty is dominated by systematics from
the image subtraction); no obvious source is detected at 3.6 micron to a
3-sigma limit of >23.3 AB mag in both epochs. The measured brightness is dimmer
by a factor of about 2-3 times compared to our previously published kilonova
model, which is based on UV, optical, and near-IR data at <30 days. However,
the observed fading rate and color (m_{3.6}-m_{4.5}> 0 AB mag) are consistent
with our model. We suggest that the discrepancy is likely due to a transition
to the nebular phase, or a reduced thermalization efficiency at such late time.
Using the Spitzer data as a guide, we briefly discuss the prospects of
observing future binary neutron star mergers with Spitzer (in LIGO/Virgo
Observing Run 3) and the James Webb Space Telescope (in LIGO/Virgo Observing
Run 4 and beyond).Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, submitted to ApJ
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