4,566 research outputs found
An air shower array for LOFAR: LORA
LOFAR is a new form of radio telescope which can detect radio emission from
air showers induced by very high-energy cosmic rays. It can also look for radio
emission from particle cascades on the Moon induced by ultra high-energy cosmic
rays or neutrinos. To complement the radio detection, we are setting up a small
particle detector array LORA (LOfar Radboud Air shower array) within an area of
m diameter in the LOFAR core. It will help in triggering and
confirming the radio detection of air showers with the LOFAR antennas. In this
paper, we present a short overview about LORA and discuss its current status.Comment: 10 pages (using article.cls), 6 figures, accepted for the proceedings
of 22nd European Cosmic Ray Symposium, 3-6 August 2010, Finlan
Correlation between Infrared Colors and Intensity Ratios of SiO Maser Lines
We present the results of SiO millimeter-line observations of a sample of
known SiO maser sources covering a wide dust-temperature range. A cold part of
the sample was selected from the SiO maser sources found in our recent SiO
maser survey of cold dusty objects. The aim of the present research is to
investigate the causes of the correlation between infrared colors and SiO maser
intensity ratios among different transition lines. In particular, the
correlation between infrared colors and SiO maser intensity ratio among the
J=1-0 v=1, 2, and 3 lines are mainly concerned in this paper. We observed in
total 75 SiO maser sources with the Nobeyama 45m telescope quasi-simultaneously
in the SiO J=1-0 v=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and J=2-1 v=1, 2 lines. We also observed the
sample in the 29SiO J=1-0 v=0 and J=2-1 v=0, and 30SiO J=1-0 v=0 lines, and the
H2O 6(1,6)-5(2,3) line. As reported in previous papers, we confirmed that the
intensity ratios of the SiO J=1-0 v=2 to v=1 lines clearly correlate with
infrared colors. In addition, we found possible correlation between infrared
colors and the intensity ratios of the SiO J=1-0 v=3 to v=1&2 lines. Two
overlap lines of H2O (i.e., 11(6,6) nu_2=1 -> 12(7,5) nu_2=0 and 5(0,5) nu_2=2
-> 6(3,4) nu_2=1) might explain these correlation if these overlap lines become
stronger with increase of infrared colors, although the phenomena also might be
explained by more fundamental ways if we take into account the variation of
opacity from object to object.Comment: 49 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ. Full
resolution version available at
http://www.asiaa.sinica.edu.tw/~junichi/paper
The Anomalous Infrared Emission of Abell 58
We present a new model to explain the excess in mid and near infrared
emission of the central, hydrogen poor dust knot in the planetary nebula (PN)
Abell 58. Current models disagree with ISO measurement because they apply an
average grain size and equilibrium conditions only. We investigate grain size
distributions and temperature fluctuations affecting infrared emission using a
new radiative transfer code and discuss in detail the conditions requiring an
extension of the classical description. The peculiar infrared emission of V605
Aql, the central dust knot in Abell 58, has been modeled with our code. V605
Aql is of special interest as it is one of only three stars ever observed to
move from the evolutionary track of a central PN star back to the post-AGB
state.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures; accepted and to be published in Ap
Pulsations and Long-Term Light Variability of Three Candidates to Protoplanetary Nebulae
We present new photometric data and analysis of the long-duration UBV
photoelectric observations for three candidates to protoplanetary objects -
F-supergiants with IR-excesses located at large galactic latitudes, IRAS
18095+2704, IRAS 19386+0155, and IRAS 19500-1709. All three stars have revealed
quasiperiodic low-amplitude variabilities caused by pulsations observed against
the long-term trends of brightnesses. For IRAS 18095+2704=V887 Her we have
found a pulsation period of 109 days and a linear trend of brightness under the
constant colours if being averaged over the year timescale. The light curve of
IRAS 19386+0155=V1648 Aql over 2000-2008 can be approximated by a wave with a
main period of 102 days which is modulated by close frequency, with a period of
98 days, that results in brightness oscillations with a variable amplitude.
V1648 Aql has also shown synchronous reddening together with a persistent rise
of brightness in the V-band. IRAS 19500-1709=V5112 Sgr experiences irregular
pulsations with the periods of 39 and 47 days. The long-term component of the
variability of V5112 Sgr may be related to the binary character of this star.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Pis'ma Astron. Z
New Constraints on the Origin of the Short-Term Cyclical Variability of the Wolf-Rayet Star WR 46
The Wolf-Rayet star WR 46 is known to exhibit a very complex variability
pattern on relatively short time scales of a few hours. Periodic but
intermittent radial velocity shifts of optical lines as well as multiple
photometric periods have been found in the past. Non-radial pulsations, rapid
rotational modulation or the presence of a putative low-mass companion have
been proposed to explain the short-term behaviour. In an effort to unveil its
true nature, we observed WR 46 with FUSE (Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic
Explorer) over several short-term variability cycles. We found significant
variations on a time scale of ~8 hours in the far-ultraviolet (FUV) continuum,
in the blue edge of the absorption trough of the OVI {\lambda}{\lambda}1032,
1038 doublet P Cygni profile and in the SVI {\lambda}{\lambda}933, 944 P Cygni
absorption profile. We complemented these observations with X-ray and UV
light-curves and an X-ray spectrum from archival XMM-Newton (X-ray Multi-Mirror
Mission - Newton Space Telescope) data. The X-ray and UV light-curves show
variations on a time scale similar to the variability found in the FUV. We
discuss our results in the context of the different scenarios suggested to
explain the short-term variability of this object and reiterate that non-radial
pulsations is the most likely to occur.Comment: 36 pages, 11 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap
Echelle long-slit optical spectroscopy of evolved stars
We present echelle long-slit optical spectra of a sample of objects evolving
off the AGB, most of them in the pre-planetary nebula (pPN) phase, obtained
with the ESI and MIKE spectrographs at Keck-II and Magellan-I, respectively.
The total wavelength range covered with ESI (MIKE) is ~3900 to 10900 A (~3600
to 7200A). In this paper, we focus our analysis mainly on the Halpha profiles.
Prominent Halpha emission is detected in half of the objects, most of which
show broad Halpha wings (up to ~4000 km/s). In the majority of the
Halpha-emission sources, fast, post-AGB winds are revealed by P-Cygni profiles.
In ~37% of the objects Halpha is observed in absorption. In almost all cases,
the absorption profile is partially filled with emission, leading to complex,
structured profiles that are interpreted as an indication of incipient post-AGB
mass-loss. All sources in which Halpha is seen mainly in absorption have F-G
type central stars, whereas sources with intense Halpha emission span a larger
range of spectral types from O to G. Shocks may be an important excitation
agent of the close stellar surroundings for objects with late type central
stars. Sources with pure emission or P Cygni Halpha profiles have larger J-K
color excess than objects with Halpha mainly in absorption, which suggests the
presence of warm dust near the star in the former. The two classes of profile
sources also segregate in the IRAS color-color diagram in a way that intense
Halpha-emitters have dust grains with a larger range of temperatures.
(abridged)Comment: 68 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in ApJS (abstract
abridged
ICESat Measurements Reveal Complex Pattern of Elevation Changes on Siple Coast Ice Streams, Antarctica
We compare ICESat data (2003-2004) to airborne laser altimetry data (1997-98 and 1999-2000) to monitor surface changes over portions of Van der Veen (VdVIS), Whillans (WIS) and Kamb ice streams (KIS) in the Ross Embayment of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. The spatial pattern of detected surface changes is generally consistent with earlier observations. However, important changes have occurred during the past decade. For example, areas on the VdVIS and WIS, where large thinning was detected by the airborne surveys, are now closer to being in balance. The upper trunk of KIS continues to build up with thickening rates reaching 0.4 m/year. Our results provide new evidence that the overall mass balance of the region is becoming more positive, but a significant spatial variability exists. They also demonstrate the potential of ICESat data for detecting spatial patterns of surface elevation change in Antarctica
Increased epidermal thickness and abnormal epidermal differentiation in keloid scars
Background: The pathogenesis underlying keloid formation is still poorly understood. Research has focused mostly on dermal abnormalities, while the epidermis has not yet been studied.
Objectives: To identify differences within the epidermis of mature keloid scars compared with normal skin and mature normotrophic and hypertrophic scars.
Methods: Rete ridge formation and epidermal thickness were evaluated in tissue sections. Epidermal proliferation was assessed using immunohistochemistry (Ki67, keratins 6, 16 and 17) and with an in vitro proliferation assay. Epidermal differentiation was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (keratin 10, involucrin, loricrin, filaggrin, SPRR2, SKALP), reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (involucrin) and transmission electron microscopy (stratum corneum).
Results: All scars showed flattening of the epidermis. A trend of increasing epidermal thickness correlating to increasing scar abnormality was observed when comparing normal skin, normotrophic scars, hypertrophic scars and keloids. No difference in epidermal proliferation was observed. Only the early differentiation marker involucrin showed abnormal expression in scars. Involucrin was restricted to the granular layer in healthy skin, but showed panepidermal expression in keloids. Normotrophic scars expressed involucrin in the granular and upper spinous layers, while hypertrophic scars resembled normotrophic scars or keloids. Abnormal differentiation was associated with ultrastructural disorganization of the stratum corneum in keloids compared with normal skin.
Conclusions: Keloids showed increased epidermal thickness compared with normal skin and normotrophic and hypertrophic scars. This was not due to hyperproliferation, but possibly caused by abnormal early terminal differentiation, which affects stratum corneum formation. Our findings indicate that the epidermis is associated with keloid pathogenesis and identify involucrin as a potential diagnostic marker for abnormal scarring
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