9,043 research outputs found
Multiwavelength study of the starburst galaxy NGC7714. I: Ultraviolet-Optical spectroscopy
We have studied the physical conditions in the central 300 pc of the
proto-typical starburst galaxy NGC 7714. Our analysis is based on ultraviolet
spectroscopy with the HST+GHRS and ground-based optical observations.The data
are interpreted using evolutionary models optimized for young starburst
regions. The massive stellar population is derived in a self-consistent way
using the continuum and stellar absorption lines in the ultraviolet and the
nebular emission line optical spectrum.
The central starburst has an age of about 4.5 Myr, with little evidence for
an age spread. Wolf-Rayet features at the ultraviolet indicates a stellar
population of 2000 Wolf-Rayet stars. The overall properties of the newly
formed stars are quite similar to those derived, e.g., in 30 Doradus. A
standard Salpeter IMF is consistent with all observational constraints. We find
evidence for spatial structure within the central 300 pc sampled. Therefore it
is unlikely that the nucleus of NGC 7714 hosts a single star cluster exceeding
the properties of other known clusters. Contrary to previous suggestions, we
find no evidence for a nuclear supernova rate that would significantly exceed
the total disk-integrated rate. About one supernova event per century is
predicted.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figures in a tar file. Accepted for publication in ApJ,
1999, March, issue 51
AVOCADO: A Virtual Observatory Census to Address Dwarfs Origins
Dwarf galaxies are by far the most abundant of all galaxy types, yet their
properties are still poorly understood -especially due to the observational
challenge that their intrinsic faintness represents. AVOCADO aims at
establishing firm conclusions on their formation and evolution by constructing
a homogeneous, multiwavelength dataset for a statistically significant sample
of several thousand nearby dwarfs (-18 < Mi < -14). Using public data and
Virtual Observatory tools, we have built GALEX+SDSS+2MASS spectral energy
distributions that are fitted by a library of single stellar population models.
Star formation rates, stellar masses, ages and metallicities are further
complemented with structural parameters that can be used to classify them
morphologically. This unique dataset, coupled with a detailed characterization
of each dwar's environment, allows for a fully comprehensive investigation of
their origins and to track the (potential) evolutionary paths between the
different dwarf types.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. To appear in the proceedings of IAU Symposium 277,
"Tracing the Ancestry of Galaxies on the Land of our Ancestors", Carignan,
Freeman, and Combes, ed
LINER/H II "Transition" Nuclei and the Nature of NGC 4569
Motivated by the discovery of young, massive stars in the nuclei of some
LINER/H II ``transition'' nuclei such as NGC 4569, we have computed
photoionization models to determine whether some of these objects may be
powered solely by young star clusters rather than by accretion-powered active
nuclei. The models were calculated with the photoionization code CLOUDY, using
evolving starburst continua generated by the the STARBURST99 code of Leitherer
et al. (1999). We find that the models are able to reproduce the emission-line
spectra of transition nuclei, but only for instantaneous bursts of solar or
higher metallicity, and only for ages of ~3-5 Myr, the period when the
extreme-ultraviolet continuum is dominated by emission from Wolf-Rayet stars.
For clusters younger than 3 Myr or older than 6 Myr, and for models with a
constant star-formation rate, the softer ionizing continuum results in an
emission spectrum more typical of H II regions. This model predicts that
Wolf-Rayet emission features should appear in the spectra of transition nuclei.
While such features have not generally been detected to date, they could be
revealed in observations having higher spatial resolution. Demographic
arguments suggest that this starburst model may not apply to the majority of
transition nuclei, particularly those in early-type host galaxies, but it could
account for some members of the transition class in hosts of type Sa and later.
The starburst models during the Wolf-Rayet-dominated phase can also reproduce
the narrow-line spectra of some LINERs, but only under conditions of
above-solar metallicity and only if high-density gas is present (n_e >~ 10^5
cm^{-3}). This scenario could be applicable to some ``Type 2'' LINERs which do
not show any clear signs of nonstellar activity.Comment: To appear in PASP. 22 pages, includes 9 figures, uses AASTeX v5.
The Nature of LINERs
We present -band (m) spectroscopy of a sample of nine
galaxies showing some degree of LINER activity (classical LINERs, weak-[O {\sc
i}] LINERs and transition objects), together with -band spectroscopy for
some of them. A careful subtraction of the stellar continuum allows us to
obtain reliable [Fe {\sc ii}]m/Pa line ratios. We conclude
that different types of LINERs (i.e., photoionized by a stellar continuum or by
an AGN) cannot be easily distinguished based solely on the [Fe {\sc ii}]m/Pa line ratio.
The emission line properties of many LINERs can be explained in terms of an
aging starburst. The optical line ratios of these LINERs are reproduced by a
model with a metal-rich H {\sc ii} region component photoionized with a single
stellar temperature K, plus a supernova remnant (SNR) component.
The [Fe {\sc ii}] line is predominantly excited by shocks produced by SNRs in
starbursts and starburst-dominated LINERs, while Pa tracks H {\sc ii}
regions ionized by massive young stars. The contribution from SNRs to the
overall emission line spectrum is constrained by the [Fe {\sc ii}]m/Pa line ratio. Although our models for aging starbursts are
constrained only by these infrared lines, they consistently explain the optical
spectra of the galaxies also.
The LINER-starburst connection is tested by predicting the time dependence of
the ratio of the ionizing luminosity () to the supernova rate
(SNr), /(SNr). We predict the relative number of starbursts to
starburst-dominated LINERs (aging starbursts) and show that it is in
approximate agreement with survey findings for nearby galaxies.Comment: Accepted in ApJ (19 pages, 8 figures, uses emulateapj.sty
Rationale of the association between Mediterranean diet and the risk of frailty in older adults and systematic review and meta-analysis
Frailty is a geriatric syndrome whose frequency is increasing in parallel with population aging and is of great interest due to its dire consequences: increased disability, hospitalizations, falls and fractures, institutionalization, and mortality. Frailty is multifactorial but nutritional factors, which are modifiable, play a crucial role in its pathogenesis. Epidemiologic evidence supports that high-quality dietary patterns can prevent, delay or even reverse the occurrence of frailty. In order to add new knowledge bridging the gap as the main purpose of the present article we performed a comprehensive review of the rationale behind the association of MedDiet with frailty and a systematic review and meta-analysis updating the latest ones published in 2018 specifically examining the relationship of Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and incident frailty. Adding the updated information, our results confirmed a robust association of a higher adherence to MedDiet with reduced incident frailty. Key components of the MedDiet, i.e., abundant consumption of vegetables and fruit as well as the use of olive oil as the main source of fat, all of which have been associated with a lower incidence of frailty, may help explain the observed benefit. Future well-designed and sufficiently large intervention studies are needed to confirm the encouraging findings of the current observational evidence. Meanwhile, based on the existing evidence, the promotion of MedDiet, a high-quality dietary pattern, adapted to the conditions and traditions of each region, and considering lifelong and person-tailored strategies, is an open opportunity to reduced incident frailty. This could also help counteract the worrying trend towards the spread of unhealthy eating and lifestyle models such as those of Western diets that greatly contribute to the genesis of chronic non-communicable diseases and disability
The Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector (RICH) of the AMS experiment
The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) experiment to be installed on the
International Space Station (ISS) will be equipped with a proximity focusing
Ring Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) detector for measuring the electric charge and
velocity of the charged cosmic particles. A RICH prototype consisting of 96
photomultiplier units, including a piece of the conical reflector, was built
and its performance evaluated with ion beam data. Preliminary results of the
in-beam tests performed with ion fragments resulting from collisions of a 158
GeV/c/nuc primary beam of Indium ions (CERN SPS) on a Pb target are reported.
The collected data included tests to the final front-end electronics and to
different aerogel radiators. Cherenkov rings for a large range of charged
nuclei and with reflected photons were observed. The data analysis confirms the
design goals. Charge separation up to Fe and velocity resolution of the order
of 0.1% for singly charged particles are obtained.Comment: 29th International Conference on Cosmic Rays (Pune, India
Synthetic spectra of H Balmer and HeI absorption lines. II: Evolutionary synthesis models for starburst and post-starburst galaxies
We present evolutionary stellar population synthesis models to predict the
spectrum of a single-metallicity stellar population, with a spectral sampling
of 0.3 A in five spectral regions between 3700 and 5000 A. The models, which
are optimized for galaxies with active star formation, synthesize the profiles
of the hydrogen Balmer series (Hb, Hg, Hd, H8, H9, H10, H11, H12 and H13) and
the neutral helium absorption lines (HeI 4922, HeI 4471, HeI 4388, HeI 4144,
HeI 4121, HeI 4026, HeI 4009 and HeI 3819) for a burst with an age ranging from
1 to 1000 Myr, and different assumptions about the stellar initial mass
function. Continuous star formation models lasting for 1 Gyr are also
presented. The input stellar library includes NLTE absorption profiles for
stars hotter than 25000 K and LTE profiles for lower temperatures. The
temperature and gravity coverage is 4000 K <Teff< 50000 K and 0.0< log g$< 5.0,
respectively.
The models can be used to date starburst and post-starburst galaxies until 1
Gyr. They have been tested on data for clusters in the LMC, the super-star
cluster B in the starburst galaxy NGC 1569, the nucleus of the dwarf elliptical
NGC 205 and a luminous "E+A" galaxy. The full data set is available for
retrieval at http://www.iaa.es/ae/e2.html and at
http://www.stsci.edu/science/starburst/, or on request from the authors at
[email protected]: To be published in ApJS. 48 pages and 20 figure
The AMS-RICH velocity and charge reconstruction
The AMS detector, to be installed on the International Space Station,
includes a Ring Imaging Cerenkov detector with two different radiators, silica
aerogel (n=1.05) and sodium fluoride (n=1.334). This detector is designed to
provide very precise measurements of velocity and electric charge in a wide
range of cosmic nuclei energies and atomic numbers. The detector geometry, in
particular the presence of a reflector for acceptance purposes, leads to
complex Cerenkov patterns detected in a pixelized photomultiplier matrix. The
results of different reconstruction methods applied to test beam data as well
as to simulated samples are presented. To ensure nominal performances
throughout the flight, several detector parameters have to be carefully
monitored. The algorithms developed to fulfill these requirements are
presented. The velocity and charge measurements provided by the RICH detector
endow the AMS spectrometer with precise particle identification capabilities in
a wide energy range. The expected performances on light isotope separation are
discussed.Comment: Contribution to the ICRC07, Merida, Mexico (2007); Presenter: F.
Bara
Actividades farmacológicas de la fosfolipasa A2 Ba SpII RP4 del veneno de Bothrops alternatus
El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar actividades farmacológicas (citotóxica, bactericida, agregante plaquetaria) y factores que afectan la actividad/ estabilidad de la fosfolipasa A2 (PLA2) aislada del veneno de Bothrops alternatus. Se utilizaron mioblastos/miotúbulos murinos (C2C12) y cepas bacterianas de Staphylococcus aureus (cepa ATCC 25923) y Escherichia coli (cepa ATCC 25922) para valorar respectivamente su acción miotóxica (in vitro) y bactericida, como así también líneas celulares epiteliales mamarias normales (NMuMG) y tumorales (LM3) para detectar su posible aplicación en terapia oncológica. Con el fin de evaluar la acción inhibitoria de la PLA2 aislada sobre la agregación plaquetaria se empleó plasma rico en plaquetas y trombina como inductor fisiológico. Por último, se registraron los cambios en la actividad y estabilidad de la PLA2 a diferentes temperaturas (4-90ºC) mediante ensayo cinético, en tanto que, por hemólisis radial indirecta se hizo lo mismo para evaluar efecto del pH (2,5-10). La PLA2 mostró una acción inhibitoria sobre la agregación plaquetaria dosis-dependiente. Presentó una alta estabilidad estructural al ser sometida a condiciones extremas de pH y temperatura durante varias horas, conservando la actividad catalítica prácticamente invariable. En cambio, cuando PLA2 fue evaluada sobre las diferentes líneas celulares, no produjo citotoxicidad (aún a dosis elevadas) ni efecto bactericida sobre las cepas utilizadas. Estos hallazgos amplían la caracterización de la enzima, una de las más abundantes del paquete proteico del veneno total de B. alternatus del nordeste argentino. A la vez, la inocuidad y estabilidad detectadas, permiten proponer a esta enzima como un inmunógeno alternativo en la producción de sueros antiofídicos.
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