918 research outputs found
Stirring the Embers: High Sensitivity VLBI Observations of GRB030329
We present high sensitivity Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI)
observations 806 days after the gamma-ray burst of 2003 March 29 (GRB030329).
The angular diameter of the radio afterglow is measured to be 0.347 +- 0.09
mas, corresponding to 0.99 +- 0.26 pc at the redshift of GRB030329 (z =
0.1685). The evolution of the image size favors a uniform external density over
an R^-2 wind-like density profile (at distances of R >~10^18 cm from the
source), although the latter cannot be ruled out yet. The current apparent
expansion velocity of the image size is only mildly relativistic, suggesting a
non-relativistic transition time of t_NR ~ 1 yr. A rebrightening, or at least a
significant flattening in the flux decay, is expected within the next several
years as the counter-jet becomes visible (this has not yet been observed). An
upper limit of <1.9c is set on the proper motion of the flux centroid.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Astrophysical
Journa
Dynamical entropy of generalized quantum Markov chains on gauge invariant -algebras
We prove that the mean entropy and the dynamical entropy are equal for
generalized quantum Markov chains on gauge-invariant -algebras.Comment: 8 page
Long range order for lattice dipoles
We consider a system of classical Heisenberg spins on a cubic lattice in
dimensions three or more, interacting via the dipole-dipole interaction. We
prove that at low enough temperature the system displays orientational long
range order, as expected by spin wave theory. The proof is based on reflection
positivity methods. In particular, we demonstrate a previously unproven
conjecture on the dispersion relation of the spin waves, first proposed by
Froehlich and Spencer, which allows one to apply infrared bounds for estimating
the long distance behavior of the spin-spin correlation functions.Comment: 9 page
Abstract polymer models with general pair interactions
A convergence criterion of cluster expansion is presented in the case of an
abstract polymer system with general pair interactions (i.e. not necessarily
hard core or repulsive). As a concrete example, the low temperature disordered
phase of the BEG model with infinite range interactions, decaying polynomially
as with , is studied.Comment: 19 pages. Corrected statement for the stability condition (2.3) and
modified section 3.1 of the proof of theorem 1 consistently with (2.3). Added
a reference and modified a sentence at the end of sec. 2.
Enhanced production of tropane alkaloids in transgenic Scopolia parviflora hairy root cultures over-expressing putrescine N-methyl transferase (PMT) and hyoscyamine-6β-hydroxylase (H6H)
Scopolia parviflora adventitious roots were metabolically engineered by co-expression of the two gene putrescine N-methyl transferase (PMT) and hyoscyamine-6β-hydroxylase (H6H) cDNAs with the aid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes. The transformed roots developed into morphologically distinct S. parviflora PMT1 (SpPMT1), S. parviflora PMT1 (SpPMT2), and S. parviflora H6H (SpH6H) transgenic hairy root lines. Consequent to the introduction of these key enzyme genes, the production of the alkaloids hyoscyamine and scopolamine was enhanced. Among the transgenic hairy root lines, SpPMT2 line possessed the highest growth index. The treatment of transgenic hairy roots with growth regulators further enhanced the production of scopolamine. Thus, the results suggest that PMT1, PMT2, and H6H genes may not only be involved in the metabolic regulation of alkaloid production but also that these genes may play a role in the root development
Estimating the carbon dynamics of South Korean forests from 1954 to 2012
Forests play an important role in the global carbon (C) cycle, and the South Korean forests also contribute to this global C cycle. While the South Korean forest ecosystem was almost completely destroyed by exploitation and the Korean War, it has successfully recovered because of national-scale reforestation programs since 1973. There have been several studies on the estimation of C stocks and balances over the past decades in the South Korean forests. However, a retrospective long-term study that includes biomass and dead organic matter C and validates dead organic matter C is still lacking. Accordingly, we estimated the C stocks and their changes of both biomass and dead organic matter C during the 1954-2012 period using a process-based model, the Korean Forest Soil Carbon model, and the 5th South Korean national forest inventory (NFI) report. Validation processes were also conducted based on the 5th NFI and statistical data. Simulation results showed that the biomass C stocks increased from 36.4 to 440.4 Tg C at a rate of 7.0 Tg C yrg-1 during the period 1954-2012. The dead organic matter C stocks increased from 386.0 to 463.1 Tg C at a rate of 1.3 Tg C yrg-1 during the same period. The estimates of biomass and dead organic matter C stocks agreed well with observed C stock data. The annual net biome production (NBP) during the period 1954-2012 was 141.3 g C mg-2 yrg-1, which increased from ??'8.8 g C mg-2 yrg-1 in 1955 to 436.6 g C mg-2 yrg-1 in 2012. Because of the small forested area, the South Korean forests had a comparatively lower contribution to the annual C sequestration by global forests. In contrast, because of the extensive reforestation programs, the NBP of South Korean forests was much higher than those of other countries. Our results could provide the forest C dynamics in South Korean forests before and after the onset of reforestation programs.Korea Forest Service (S111314L100120, S111114L030100) and Korea Ministry of Environment (C314-00131-0408-0).Scopu
Capicua deficiency induces autoimmunity and promotes follicular helper T cell differentiation via derepression of ETV5
High-affinity antibody production through the germinal centre (GC) response is a pivotal process in adaptive immunity. Abnormal development of follicular helper T (T(FH)) cells can induce the GC response to self-antigens, subsequently leading to autoimmunity. Here we show the transcriptional repressor Capicua/CIC maintains peripheral immune tolerance by suppressing aberrant activation of adaptive immunity. CIC deficiency induces excessive development of T(FH) cells and GC responses in a T-cell-intrinsic manner. ETV5 expression is derepressed in Cic null T(FH) cells and knockdown of Etv5 suppresses the enhanced T(FH) cell differentiation in Cic-deficient CD4+ T cells, suggesting that Etv5 is a critical CIC target gene in T(FH) cell differentiation. Furthermore, we identify Maf as a downstream target of the CIC-ETV5 axis in this process. These data demonstrate that CIC maintains T-cell homeostasis and negatively regulates T(FH) cell development and autoimmunity. ? The Author(s) 2017.117Nsciescopu
A Statistical Study on Photospheric Magnetic Nonpotentiality of Active Regions and Its Relationship with Flares during Solar Cycles 22-23
A statistical study is carried out on the photospheric magnetic
nonpotentiality in solar active regions and its relationship with associated
flares. We select 2173 photospheric vector magnetograms from 1106 active
regions observed by the Solar Magnetic Field Telescope at Huairou Solar
Observing Station, National Astronomical Observatories of China, in the period
of 1988-2008, which covers most of the 22nd and 23rd solar cycles. We have
computed the mean planar magnetic shear angle (\bar{\Delta\phi}), mean shear
angle of the vector magnetic field (\bar{\Delta\psi}), mean absolute vertical
current density (\bar{|J_{z}|}), mean absolute current helicity density
(\bar{|h_{c}|}), absolute twist parameter (|\alpha_{av}|), mean free magnetic
energy density (\bar{\rho_{free}}), effective distance of the longitudinal
magnetic field (d_{E}), and modified effective distance (d_{Em}) of each
photospheric vector magnetogram. Parameters \bar{|h_{c}|}, \bar{\rho_{free}},
and d_{Em} show higher correlation with the evolution of the solar cycle. The
Pearson linear correlation coefficients between these three parameters and the
yearly mean sunspot number are all larger than 0.59. Parameters
\bar{\Delta\phi}, \bar{\Delta\psi}, \bar{|J_{z}|}, |\alpha_{av}|, and d_{E}
show only weak correlations with the solar cycle, though the nonpotentiality
and the complexity of active regions are greater in the activity maximum
periods than in the minimum periods. All of the eight parameters show positive
correlations with the flare productivity of active regions, and the combination
of different nonpotentiality parameters may be effective in predicting the
flaring probability of active regions.Comment: 20 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables, accepted for publication in Solar
Physic
Measurement of Trace I-129 Concentrations in CsI Powder and Organic Liquid Scintillator with Accelerator Mass Spectrometry
Levels of trace radiopurity in active detector materials is a subject of
major concern in low-background experiments. Procedures were devised to measure
trace concentrations of I-129 in the inorganic salt CsI as well as in organic
liquid scintillator with Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) which leads to
improvement in sensitivities by several orders of magnitude over other methods.
No evidence of their existence in these materials were observed. Limits of < 6
X 10^{-13} g/g and < 2.6 X 10^{-17} g/g on the contaminations of I-129 in CsI
and liquid scintillator, respectively, were derived.These are the first results
in a research program whose goals are to develop techniques to measure trace
radioactivity in detector materials by AMS.Comment: Proceedings of 10th International Conference on Accelerator Mass
Spectrometr
Measurement of the Xi-p Scattering Cross Sections at Low Energy
In this paper we report cross-section measurements for elastic and
inelastic scatterings at low energy using a scintillating fiber active target.
Upper limit on the total cross-section for the elastic scattering was found to
be 24 mb at 90% confidence level, and the total cross section for the
reaction was found to be mb. We
compare the results with currently competing theoretical estimates.Comment: 9 page
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