2,064 research outputs found
Optical to near-infrared transmission spectrum of the warm sub-Saturn HAT-P-12b
We present the transmission spectrum of HAT-P-12b through a joint analysis of
data obtained from the Hubble Space Telescope Space Telescope Imaging
Spectrograph (STIS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) and Spitzer, covering the
wavelength range 0.3-5.0 m. We detect a muted water vapor absorption
feature at 1.4 m attenuated by clouds, as well as a Rayleigh scattering
slope in the optical indicative of small particles. We interpret the
transmission spectrum using both the state-of-the-art atmospheric retrieval
code SCARLET and the aerosol microphysics model CARMA. These models indicate
that the atmosphere of HAT-P-12b is consistent with a broad range of
metallicities between several tens to a few hundred times solar, a roughly
solar C/O ratio, and moderately efficient vertical mixing. Cloud models that
include condensate clouds do not readily generate the sub-micron particles
necessary to reproduce the observed Rayleigh scattering slope, while models
that incorporate photochemical hazes composed of soot or tholins are able to
match the full transmission spectrum. From a complementary analysis of
secondary eclipses by Spitzer, we obtain measured depths of
and at 3.6 and 4.5 m, respectively, which are
consistent with a blackbody temperature of K and indicate
efficient day-night heat recirculation. HAT-P-12b joins the growing number of
well-characterized warm planets that underscore the importance of clouds and
hazes in our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres.Comment: 25 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in AJ, updated with
proof correction
Orbital Solutions and Absolute Elements of the Short-Period Eclipsing Binary ES Librae
We have obtained new differential UBV photoelectric photometry and radial velocities of both components of the short-period eclipsing binary ES Lib. The system has a circular orbit with a period of 0.883040928 days and is seen at an inclination of 70.1°. With the Wilson-Devinney analysis program, we obtained a simultaneous solution of our photometric and spectroscopic observations that resulted in masses of M1 = 2.30 ± 0.03 M⊙ and M2 = 0.97 ± 0.01 M⊙ and the equal-volume radii of R1 = 2.69 ± 0.02 R⊙ and R2 = 1.83 ± 0.01 R⊙ for the primary and secondary, respectively. The secondary is oversized and overluminous for its mass. The effective temperatures of the primary and secondary are 8500 K (fixed) and 5774 ± 57 K, respectively. Despite the very large temperature difference, our photometric and spectroscopic data indicate that ES Lib is not semidetached but rather require it to be in an overcontact state, where both components exceed their critical Roche lobes. Given its nonthermal equilibrium state, if the overcontact solution correctly characterizes the system, the change from being semidetached to overcontact may have occurred recently. While the asymmetry of the light curves can be modeled well with a large, hot starspot or a large, cool one on the secondary component, we prefer the latter interpretation because cool spots are a typical feature on many contact binaries
The Emergence and Evolution of the Multidimensional Organization
The article discusses multidimensional organizations and the evolution of complex organizations. The six characteristics of multidimensional organizations, disadvantages of the successful organizational structure that is categorized as a multidivisional, multi-unit or M-form, research by the Foundation for Management Studies which suggests that synergies across business divisions can be exploited by the M-form, a team approach to creating economic value, examples of multidimensional firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, and a comparison of various organization types including the matrix form are mentioned
Safety, the Preface Paradox and Possible Worlds Semantics
This paper contains an argument to the effect that possible worlds semantics renders
semantic knowledge impossible, no matter what ontological interpretation is given
to possible worlds. The essential contention made is that possible worlds semantic
knowledge is unsafe and this is shown by a parallel with the preface paradox
Geographic distribution and genetic diversity of the Ehrlichia sp. from Panola Mountain in Amblyomma americanum
Background:
A novel Ehrlichia, closely related to Ehrlichia ruminantium, was recently discovered from Panola Mountain State Park, GA, USA. We conducted a study to determine if this agent was recently introduced into the United States.
Methods:
We developed a sensitive PCR assay based on the conserved gltA (citrate synthase) gene and tested DNA samples extracted from 1964 field-collected and 1835 human-biting Amblyomma americanum from 23 eastern states of the USA.
Results:
The novel agent was detected in 36 ticks collected from 10 states between 1998 and 2006. Infected ticks were collected both from vegetation (n = 14, 0.7%) and from humans (n = 22, 1.2%). Fragments of the conserved gltA gene and the variable map1 gene were sequenced from positive samples. Two distinct clades, with 10.5% nucleic acid divergence over the 730 bp map1 sequence, were identified.
Conclusion:
These data suggest that the Panola Mountain Ehrlichia was not recently introduced to the United States; this agent has an extensive distribution throughout the range of its tick vector, has been present in some locations for several years, and displays genetic variability. Furthermore, people in several states were exposed to this agent through the bite of infected ticks, underscoring the potential public health risk of this emerging ehrlichiosis
Power Law Scaling for a System of Interacting Units with Complex Internal Structure
We study the dynamics of a system composed of interacting units each with a
complex internal structure comprising many subunits. We consider the case in
which each subunit grows in a multiplicative manner. We propose a model for
such systems in which the interaction among the units is treated in a mean
field approximation and the interaction among subunits is nonlinear. To test
the model, we identify a large data base spanning 20 years, and find that the
model correctly predicts a variety of empirical results.Comment: 4 pages with 4 postscript figures (uses Revtex 3.1, Latex2e,
multicol.sty, epsf.sty and rotate.sty). Submitted to PR
Genetic differentiation in the threatened soft coral Dendronephthya australis in temperate eastern Australia
The endangered soft coral Dendronephthya australis faces substantial population decreases in central eastern Australian waters. Despite uncertainty about the cause of these declines, the population genetics of the species has not been investigated. Genetic analysis suggests that D. australis is a single species within the family Nephtheidae, confirming identifications based on morphological characteristics only. Soft coral colonies were distributed from Seahorse Gardens in Port Stephens to Jervis Bay in temperate Australian waters, a distance of some 400 km. Genetic differentiation was observed along this distribution using SNP genotyping. Relatively high levels of genetic differentiation were observed between Jervis Bay and the other sites, indicating limited gene flow between this location and others. Moreover, the genetic distinctiveness, low diversity and heterozygote excess at this southern location suggested that it was subjected to a recent population decline and genetic bottleneck. Colonies at Seahorse Gardens and Ettalong, approximately 150 km south of Seahorse Gardens, displayed greater genetic diversity, making these sites more likely to host ancestral populations and to have acted as refugia. Recent substantial decreases in population sizes at these locations are particularly concerning, and these locations require immediate conservation attention
- …