The tidal parameters of TRAPPIST-1b and c

The TRAPPIST-1 planetary system consists of seven planets within 0.05 au of each other, five of which are in a multiresonant chain. These resonances suggest the system formed via planet migration; subsequent tidal evolution has damped away most of the initial eccentricities. We used dynamical N-body simulations to estimate how long it takes for the multiresonant configuration that arises during planet formation to break. From there we use secular theory to pose limits on the tidal parameters of planets b and c. We calibrate our results against multilayered interior models constructed to fit the masses and radii of the planets, from which the tidal parameters are computed independently. The dynamical simulations show that the planets typically go unstable 30 Myr after their formation. Assuming synchronous rotation throughout, we compute k_2/Q ≳ 2× 10^{-4} for planet b and k_2/Q ≳ 10^{-3} for planet c. Interior models yield (0.075-0.37) × 10-4 for TRAPPIST-1b and (0.4-2) × 10-4 for TRAPPIST-1c. The agreement between the dynamical and interior models is not too strong, but is still useful to constrain the dynamical history of the system. We suggest that this two-pronged approach could be of further use in other multiresonant systems if the planet's orbital and interior parameters are sufficiently well known

Searching for electromagnetic counterpart of LIGO gravitational waves in the Fermi GBM data with ADWO

The Fermi collaboration identified a possible electromagnetic counterpart of the gravitational wave event of September 14, 2015. Our goal is to provide an unsupervised data analysis algorithm to identify similar events in Fermi's Gamma-ray Burst Monitor CTTE data stream. We are looking for signals that are typically weak. Therefore, they can only be found by a careful analysis of count rates of all detectors and energy channels simultaneously. Our Automatized Detector Weight Optimization (ADWO) method consists of a search for the signal, and a test of its significance. We developed ADWO, a virtual detector analysis tool for multi-channel multi-detector signals, and performed successful searches for short transients in the data-streams. We have identified GRB150522B, as well as possible electromagnetic candidates of the transients GW150914 and LVT151012. ADWO is an independently developed, unsupervised data analysis tool that only relies on the raw data of the Fermi satellite. It can therefore provide a strong, independent test to any electromagnetic signal accompanying future gravitational wave observations.Comment: 4 pages and 4 figures, A&A Letters accepte

Long-term tidal evolution of the TRAPPIST-1 system

The ultracool M-dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 is surrounded by seven planets configured in a resonant chain. Transit-timing variations have shown that the planets are caught in multiple three-body resonances and that their orbits are slightly eccentric, probably caused by resonant forcing. The current values of the eccentricities could be a remnant from their formation. Here we run numerical simulations using fictitious forces of trapping the fully-grown planets in resonances as they migrated in the gas disc, followed by numerical simulations detailing their tidal evolution. For a reduced disc scale height $h\sim 0.03$--0.05, the eccentricities of the planets upon capture in resonance are higher than their current values by factors of a few. We show that the current eccentricities and spacing of planets d to h are natural outcomes of coupled tidal evolution wherein the planets simultaneously damp their eccentricities and separate due to their resonant interaction. We further show that the planets evolve along a set of equilibrium curves in semimajor axis--eccentricity phase space that are defined by the resonances, and that conserve angular momentum. As such, the current 8:5--5:3--(3:2)$^2$--4:3--3:2 resonant configuration cannot be reproduced from a primordial (3:2)$^4$--4:3--3:2 resonant configuration from tidal dissipation in the planets alone. We use our simulations to constrain the long-term tidal parameters $k_2/Q$ for planets b to e, which are in the range $10^{-3}$ to $10^{-2}$, and show that these are mostly consistent with those obtained from interior modelling following reasonable assumptions.Comment: Accepted in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Societ

A CVD diamond detector for (n,alpha) cross section measurements

Copyright owned by the author(s) under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike LicenceIn astrophysics, the determination of the optical alpha-nucleus potential for low alpha-particle energies, crucial in understanding the origin of the stable isotopes, has turned out to be a challenge. Theory still cannot predict the optical potentials required for the calculation of the astrophysical reaction rates in the Hauser-Feshbach statistical model and there is scant experimental information on reactions with alpha particles at the relevant astrophysical energies. Measurements of (n,alpha) cross-sections offer a good opportunity to study the alpha channel. At the n_TOF experiment at CERN, a prototype detector, based on the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond technology, has been recently developed for (n,alpha) measurements. A reference measurement of the 10B(n,alpha)7Li reaction was performed in 2011 at n_TOF as a feasibility study for this detector type. The results of this measurement and an outline for future experiments are presented here

PALLADIUM BASED CONTACTS TO GaAs AND InP

Au(85nm)/Pd(55nm) and Pd(55nm) metallizations were deposited on GaAs(lOO) and InP(100) substrates. The samples were heat treated in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The simultaneous observation of the volatile component loss (in situ) by Evolved Gas Analysis (EGA) and the change in surface morphology by SEM during the heart treatment using a heating rate of 30°C/min were carried out. The interaction of the metallization with compound semiconductor substrates was observed after the heat treatment by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using samples prepared by cross-sectional technique. In the course of the present work a large volatile component (arsenic and phosphorus) loss was observed for the samples coated by single layer metallization (at 410° C for Pd/GaAs and at 580°C for Pd/InP) and two peaks were registered in the case of Au/Pd metallization. In the latter case the cause of the second evaporation peak is the interaction between diffused gold and compound semiconductor. The SEM images of the surfaces demonstrate a significant change of the surface morphology at the singularities of the EGA curves. The grains grown into the semiconductors are shown by the cross-sectional images of the heat treated samples

Hydroconversion of acetic acid over carbon aerogel supported molybdenum catalyst

High surface area carbon aerogels with increasing molybdenum content were obtained by carbonization of resorcinol-formaldehyde polymer aerogels after incipient wetness impregnation (IWI). The Mo(VI) form of the impregnant was converted into different molybdenum species during the heat treatment, resulting in samples with substantially different surface and bulk compositions. The samples were tested in the hydroconversion reaction of acetic acid, a model biomass. The reaction pathways and the product distribution were governed by the accessibility of the carbon surface as well as by the amount and form of Mo. The highest selectivity for ethanol was 16 %, when 85 % of the acetic acid was converted. Post-catalyst analysis of the aerogels revealed that their morphology and chemistry changed substantially during the redox processes. The products of each of the three potential pathways (hydrogenolysis, ketonization and consecutive reduction) oxidized the surface even in the reductive hydrogen flow

Characterization of Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH-I) receptor type I as a potential molecular target in OCM-1 and OCM-3 human uveal melanoma cell lines

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Concurrence of chromosome 3 and 4 aberrations in human uveal melanoma

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy with a very poor prognosis. The most frequent chromosome aberration in UM is the monosomy of chromosome 3. Previously, we demonstrated that ~50% of UMs express type-I receptor for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH-R). The gene encoding LH-RH-R is located in chromosome 4 (location: 4q21.2); however, the occurrence of numerical aberrations of chromosome 4 have never been studied in UM. In the present study, we investigated the abnormalities of chromosome 3 and 4, and the possible correlation between them, as well as with LH-RH-R expression. Forty-six specimens of UM were obtained after enucleation. Numerical aberrations of chromosome 3 and 4 were studied by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Chromosome 4 was detected in normal biparental disomy only in 14 (30%) samples; however, 32 cases (70%) showed more than 2 signals/nucleus. Monosomy of chromosome 3 could be found in 16 (35%) samples. In 6 specimens (13%), more than 2 copies of chromosome 3 were found, while normal biparental disomy was detected in 24 (52%) samples. Statistical analysis indicated a statistically significant (p<0.05) correlation between the copy number of chromosome 3 and 4. Moreover, moderate difference was revealed in the survival rate of the UM patients with various pathological profiles. No correlation was found between chromosome aberrations and LH-RH-R expression. Our results clearly demonstrate abnormalities in chromosome 3 and 4 and the incidence of the monosomy of chromosome 3 in human UM. In summary, our results provide new incite concerning the genetic background of this tumor. Our findings could contribute to a more precise determination of the prognosis of human UM and to the development of new therapeutic approaches to this malignancy