On the Formation of Multiple-Shells Around Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars

Two types of models for the formation of semi-periodic concentric multiple shells (M-shells) around asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars and in planetary nebulae are compared against observations. Models that attribute the M-shells to processes in an extended wind acceleration zone around AGB stars result in an optically thick acceleration zone, which reduces the acceleration efficiency in outer parts of the extended acceleration zone. This makes such models an unlikely explanation for the formation of M-shells. Models which attribute the M-shell to semi-periodic variation in one or more stellar properties are most compatible with observations. The only stellar variation models on time scales of 50-1500 years that have been suggested are based on an assumed solar-like magnetic cycle. Although ad-hoc, the magnetic cycle assumption fits naturally into the increasingly popular view that magnetic activity plays a role in shaping the wind from upper AGB stars.Comment: 8 pages, Submitted to Ap

Tissue holder for experimental and Demonstration Surgery

Development of device for holding anatomical tissues during operations is discussed. Device consists of plastic dish with hemispherical recess in center to hold excised eyes. Low vacuum applied to underside of recess insures holding of part

Distance Dependent Offsets between Parallaxes for Nearby Stars and Gaia DR1 Parallaxes

We use 612 single stars with previously published trigonometric parallaxes placing them within 25 pc to evaluate parallaxes released in Gaia's first data release (DR1). We find that the Gaia parallaxes are, on average, $0.24 \pm 0.02$ mas smaller than the weighted mean trigonometric parallax values for these stars in the solar neighborhood. We also find that the offset changes with distance out to 100 pc, in the sense that the closer the star, the larger the offset. We find no systematic trends in the parallax offsets with stellar $V$ magnitude, $V-K$ color, or proper motion. We do find that the offset is roughly twice as large for stars south of the ecliptic compared to those that are north.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ Letter. The table 1 is available in its entirety in a machine-readable form in the online journa

Mapping Metal Distributions in Thin Cryosections without Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope with the Philips Electron Beam and Image Deflection (EBID) Unit

The purpose of the present paper was to describe the use of a commercially-available, and relatively inexpensive, beam and image deflection unit that can facilitate digital X-ray (element) mapping in a standard transmission electron microscope not furnished with a STEM attachment. The test specimen was a thin freeze-dried section of the metal-sequestering chloragogenous tissue from the earthworm, Lumbricus rubellus, inhabiting a soil naturally contaminated with Pb, Zn and Cd. Qualitative maps obtained from this material confirmed the efficacy of the deflection unit, and revealed the presence of three compositionally distinct metal-accumulating compartments within the chloragocytes: (i) ovoid, electron-dense, phosphate-bearing and Ca-, Pb-and Zn-containing chloragosomes; (ii) relatively electron lucent, morphologically featureless, Cd-and S-rich cadmosomes ; an extremely electron-dense compartment lying close to individual chloragosomes, containing high concentrations of Ca, Pb and Zn but deficient in P. Azo dye histochemistry indicated that the chloragogenous tissue did not contain either diffuse or focal acid phosphatase activity. The possible relationships of the three metal-sequestering compartments to each other and to the lysosomal system was discussed