An Optical and Infrared Photometric Study of the Young Open Cluster IC 1805 in the Giant H II Region W4

We present deep wide-field optical CCD photometry and mid-infrared Spitzer/IRAC and MIPS 24micron data for about 100,000 stars in the young open cluster IC 1805. The members of IC 1805 were selected from their location in the various color-color and color-magnitude diagrams, and the presence of Halpha emission, mid-infrared excess emission, and X-ray emission. The reddening law toward IC 1805 is nearly normal (R_V = 3.05+/-0.06). However, the distance modulus of the cluster is estimated to be 11.9+/-0.2 mag (d = 2.4+/-0.2 kpc) from the reddening-free color-magnitude diagrams, which is larger than the distance to the nearby massive star-forming region W3(OH) measured from the radio VLBA astrometry. We also determined the age of IC 1805 (tau_MSTO = 3.5 Myr). In addition, we critically compared the age and mass scale from two pre-main-sequence evolution models. The initial mass function with a Salpeter-type slope of Gamma = -1.3+/-0.2 was obtained and the total mass of IC 1805 was estimated to be about 2700+/-200 M_sun. Finally, we found our distance determination to be statistically consistent with the Tycho-Gaia Astrometric Solution Data Release 1, within the errors. The proper motion of the B-type stars shows an elongated distribution along the Galactic plane, which could be explained by some of the B-type stars being formed in small clouds dispersed by previous episodes of star formation or supernova explosions.Comment: 45 pages, 32 figures, 9 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ

Hierarchy of the Selberg zeta functions

We introduce a Selberg type zeta function of two variables which interpolates several higher Selberg zeta functions. The analytic continuation, the functional equation and the determinant expression of this function via the Laplacian on a Riemann surface are obtained.Comment: 14 page

Maturity Framework Enabling Organizational Digital Readiness

Digitalization and the use of advanced technologies for more flexible and resource efficient production processes are changing the industrial competitiveenvironment. However, new technologies are not seldom implemented without the whole organization being ready to fully utilize its benefits. This readiness can be expressed as organizational digital maturity. Previous studies identified that the level of digitalization is increasing, but, in many cases, due to lack of foundation, it is not aligned with the business strategy and/or supported by the organizational and technological infrastructures. There is a gap in existing models to provide practical starting-up steps to support the organizational digital readiness. A conceptual readiness framework for organizational digital readiness was tested through the analysis and reflection of four cases implemented by a Swedish manufacturing company. Findings point out that it is important to create a proper organizational foundation, a readiness, to ensure a company to evolve in digital maturity. That canbe developed based on three main stages of change management practices. The tool can be used to identify the organizational readiness and thereby the gaps and thresholds necessary to overcome. This will enable companies to utilize the technology level necessary to increase cost and resource efficiency, and hence competitiveness. In addition, dimensions and a roadmap for organizational, digital, and smart readiness is presented

Digital organisational readiness: experiences from manufacturing companies

Purpose: This research aims to identify and organise the conditions of organisational readiness for digital transformation. Design/methodology/approach: This qualitative study comprises three case studies within manufacturing companies from different sizes and industries located in Sweden. Plant visits and in-depth interviews bring to light companies\u27 experiences with initial steps towards digital transformation. A set of conditions for digital organisational readiness was translated into a questionnaire and tested with one of the studied companies. Findings: This paper organises and tests digital organisational readiness conditions to support companies\u27 initial steps on digital transformation. The results are put in perspective of established change management theory and previous studies about digital transformation. The findings will conclude in a questionnaire to support dialogue and digital organisational readiness assessments. Research limitations/implications: Additional conditions for the initial phase of digital transformation could possibly be found if more cases had been included in the study. Practical implications: The article identifies a set of conditions translated into a questionnaire that should be used as a dialogue tool to create strategic alignment and support companies in their initial discussions. If this process can be faster and more efficient, the company can achieve a competitive advantage against competitors. Originality/value: This research\u27s relevance relies on the fact that companies are advancing in adopting digital technologies without being ready from an organisational perspective. This gap creates barriers for companies\u27 digital maturing processes, stopping them from having full access to digital technologies\u27 benefits

Modified embedded-atom method interatomic potentials for the Mg-Al alloy system

We developed new modified embedded-atom method (MEAM) interatomic potentials for the Mg-Al alloy system using a first-principles method based on density functional theory (DFT). The materials parameters, such as the cohesive energy, equilibrium atomic volume, and bulk modulus, were used to determine the MEAM parameters. Face-centered cubic, hexagonal close packed, and cubic rock salt structures were used as the reference structures for Al, Mg, and MgAl, respectively. The applicability of the new MEAM potentials to atomistic simulations for investigating Mg-Al alloys was demonstrated by performing simulations on Mg and Al atoms in a variety of geometries. The new MEAM potentials were used to calculate the adsorption energies of Al and Mg atoms on Al (111) and Mg (0001) surfaces. The formation energies and geometries of various point defects, such as vacancies, interstitial defects and substitutional defects, were also calculated. We found that the new MEAM potentials give a better overall agreement with DFT calculations and experiments when compared against the previously published MEAM potentials.Comment: Fixed a referenc

Preroughening, Diffusion, and Growth of An FCC(111) Surface

Preroughening of close-packed fcc(111) surfaces, found in rare gas solids, is an interesting, but poorly characterized phase transition. We introduce a restricted solid-on-solid model, named FCSOS, which describes it. Using mostly Monte Carlo, we study both statics, including critical behavior and scattering properties, and dynamics, including surface diffusion and growth. In antiphase scattering, it is shown that preroughening will generally show up at most as a dip. Surface growth is predicted to be continuous at preroughening, where surface self-diffusion should also drop. The physical mechanism leading to preroughening on rare gas surfaces is analysed, and identified in the step-step elastic repulsion.Comment: Revtex + uuencoded figures, to appear in Physical Review Letter

Applied fault detection and diagnosis for industrial gas turbine systems

The paper presents readily implementable approaches for fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) based on measurements from multiple sensor groups, for industrial systems. Specifically, the use of hierarchical clustering (HC) and self-organizing map neural networks (SOMNNs) are shown to provide robust and user-friendly tools for application to industrial gas turbine (IGT) systems. HC fingerprints are found for normal operation, and FDD is achieved by monitoring cluster changes occurring in the resulting dendrograms. Similarly, fingerprints of operational behaviour are also obtained using SOMNN based classification maps (CMs) that are initially determined during normal operation, and FDD is performed by detecting changes in their CMs. The proposed methods are shown to be capable of FDD from a large group of sensors that measure a variety of physical quantities. A key feature of the paper is the development of techniques to accommodate transient system operation, which can often lead to false-alarms being triggered when using traditional techniques if the monitoring algorithms are not first desensitized. Case studies showing the efficacy of the techniques for detecting sensor faults, bearing tilt pad wear and early stage pre-chamber burnout, are included. The presented techniques are now being applied operationally and monitoring IGTs in various regions of the world

Conserving pattern and process in the Southern Ocean: designing a Marine Protected Area for the Prince Edward Islands

South Africa is currently proclaiming a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of its sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands. The objectives of the MPA are to: 1) contribute to a national and global representative system of MPAs, 2) serve as a scientific reference point to inform future management, 3) contribute to the recovery of the Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides), and 4) reduce the bird bycatch of the toothfish fishery, particularly of albatrosses and petrels. This study employs systematic conservation planning methods to delineate a MPA within the EEZ that will conserve biodiversity patterns and processes within sensible management boundaries, while minimizing conflict with the legal toothfish fishery. After collating all available distributional data on species, benthic habitats and ecosystem processes, we used C-Plan software to delineate a MPA with three management zones: four IUCN Category Ia reserves (13% of EEZ); two Conservation Zones (21% of EEZ); and three Category IV reserves (remainder of EEZ). Compromises between conservation target achievement and the area required by the MPA are apparent in the final reserve design. The proposed MPA boundaries are expected to change over time as new data become available and as impacts of climate change become more evident

Dissecting the role of single nucleotide polymorphism of lymphotoxin beta gene during pig domestication using bioinformatic and experimental approaches

Studies of wild and laboratory animals have revealed a trade-off between reproductive success and immunity. Therefore, it is likely that domestication favored selection of individuals with high reproductive performance but low immunity. The low responsiveness of the immune system could become hereditary through fixation of genes with “unfavorable” mutations in populations. The objectives of this work are: 1) determination of frequencies of genotypes and alleles of the rs340283541 SNP in the gene for the lymphotoxin beta (LTB) cytokine in pigs of domestic breeds and wild boars; 2) investigation of the expression of LTB mRNA in minipigs with different genotypes, and 3) bioinformational analysis of the putative functional role of the SNP. The frequency of the GG genotype in the wild boar sample was significantly lower than in the pooled sample of domestic pigs. The LTB mRNA expression rate in the lymph node of minipigs with genotype GG tended to increase (p < 0.06) in comparison with carriers o allele A. The rs340283541 SNP occurs in a DNA motif highly conservative among 11 mammalian species; thus, it may be of functional significance. Context analysis shows that allele A has putative binding sites for  transcription factors BRN-2 and AP-1, whereas allele G has binding sites for transcription factors RFX1, ISGF3 (site ISRE), and USF expressed in cells of the immune system. Thus, pig domestication was accompanied by an increase in the frequency of the GG genotype for the rs340283541 SNP, occurring in the 3’ region of the LTB gene. It is likely that the GG genotype is associated with elevated LTB mRNA expression in the lymph node tissue. This increase may be related to the formation of binding sites for RFX1, ISRE, and USF and/or disruption of binding sites for BRN-2 and AP-1. A linkage disequilibrium between rs340283541 and another functionally significant mutation in LTB is also conceivable

Genome Sequence of the Lager Brewing Yeast, an Interspecies Hybrid

This work presents the genome sequencing of the lager brewing yeast (Saccharomyces pastorianus) Weihenstephan 34/70, a strain widely used in lager beer brewing. The 25 Mb genome comprises two nuclear sub-genomes originating from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces bayanus and one circular mitochondrial genome originating from S. bayanus. Thirty-six different types of chromosomes were found including eight chromosomes with translocations between the two sub-genomes, whose breakpoints are within the orthologous open reading frames. Several gene loci responsible for typical lager brewing yeast characteristics such as maltotriose uptake and sulfite production have been increased in number by chromosomal rearrangements. Despite an overall high degree of conservation of the synteny with S. cerevisiae and S. bayanus, the syntenies were not well conserved in the sub-telomeric regions that contain lager brewing yeast characteristic and specific genes. Deletion of larger chromosomal regions, a massive unilateral decrease of the ribosomal DNA cluster and bilateral truncations of over 60 genes reflect a post-hybridization evolution process. Truncations and deletions of less efficient maltose and maltotriose uptake genes may indicate the result of adaptation to brewing. The genome sequence of this interspecies hybrid yeast provides a new tool for better understanding of lager brewing yeast behavior in industrial beer production