5,977 research outputs found
Optical I-band Linear Polarimetry of the Magnetar 4U 0142+61 with Subaru
The magnetar 4U~0142+61 has been well studied at optical and infrared
wavelengths and is known to have a complicated broad-band spectrum over the
wavelength range. Here we report the result from our linear imaging polarimetry
of the magnetar at optical -band. From the polarimetric observation carried
out with the 8.2-m Subaru telescope, we determine the degree of linear
polarization 3.4\%, or 5.6\% (90\% confidence level).
Considering models suggested for optical emission from magnetars, we discuss
the implications of our result. The upper limit measurement indicates that
different from radio pulsars, magnetars probably would not have strongly
polarized optical emission if the emission arises from their magnetosphere as
suggested.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication on Ap
Unconventional magnetic phase separation in -CoVO
We have explored the magnetism in the non-geometrically frustrated spin-chain
system -CoVO which possesses a complex magnetic exchange
network. Our neutron diffraction patterns at low temperatures (
= 6.6 K) are best described by a model in which two magnetic
phases coexist in a volume ratio 65(1) : 35(1), with each phase consisting of a
single spin modulation. This model fits previous studies and our observations
better than the model proposed by Lenertz in J. Phys. Chem. C 118,
13981 (2014), which consisted of one phase with two spin modulations. By
decreasing the temperature from , the minority phase of our
model undergoes an incommensurate-commensurate lock-in transition at =
5.6 K. Based on these results, we propose that phase separation is an
alternative approach for degeneracy-lifting in frustrated magnets
Novel ordering of an S = 1/2 quasi one-dimensional Ising-like anitiferromagnet in magnetic field
High-field specific heat measurements on BaCo2V2O8, which is a good
realization of an S = 1/2 quasi one-dimensional Ising-like antifferomagnet,
have been performed in magnetic fields up to 12 T along the chain and at
temperature down to 200 mK. We have found a new magnetic ordered state in the
field-induced phase above Hc ~ 3.9 T. We suggest that a novel type of the
incommensurate order, which has no correspondence to the classical spin system,
is realized in the field-induced phase.Comment: 4pages, 4figure
ASCA Observations of the Supernova Remnant IC 443: Thermal Structure and Detection of Overionized Plasma
We present the results of X-ray spatial and spectral studies of the
``mixed-morphology'' supernova remnant IC 443 using ASCA. IC 443 has a
center-filled image in X-ray band, contrasting with the shell-like appearance
in radio and optical bands. The overall X-ray emission is thermal, not from a
synchrotron nebula. ASCA observed IC 443 three times, covering the whole
remnant. From the image analysis, we found that the softness-ratio map reveals
a shell-like structure. At the same time, its spectra require two (1.0 keV and
0.2 keV) plasma components; the emission of the 0.2 keV plasma is stronger in
the region near the shell than the center. These results can be explained by a
simple model that IC 443 has a hot (1.0 keV) interior surrounded by a cool (0.2
keV) outer shell. From the emission measures, we infer that the 0.2 keV plasma
is denser than the 1.0 keV plasma, suggesting pressure equilibrium between the
two. In addition, we found that the ionization temperature of sulfur, obtained
from H-like K to He-like K intensity ratio, is 1.5 keV,
significantly higher than the gas temperature of 1.0 keV suggested from the
continuum spectrum. The same can be concluded for silicon. Neither an
additional, hotter plasma component nor a multi-temperature plasma successfully
accounts for this ratio, and we conclude that the 1.0 keV plasma is
overionized. This is the first time that overionized gas has been detected in a
SNR. For the gas to become overionized in the absence of a photoionizing flux,
it must cool faster than the ions recombine. Thermal conduction from the 1.0
keV plasma to the 0.2 keV one could cause the 1.0 keV plasma to become
overionized, which is plausible within an old (3 yr) SNR.Comment: 11 pages, 15 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in The
Astrophysical Journa
Exogenously added GPI-anchored tissue inhibitor of matrix metal loproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) displays enhanced and novel biological activities
The family of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) exhibits diverse physiological/biological functions including the inhibition of active matrix metalloproteinases, regulation of proMMP activation, cell growth, and the modulation of angiogenesis. TIMP-1 is a secreted protein that can be detected on the cell surface through its interaction with surface proteins. The diverse biological functions of TIMP-1 are thought to lie, in part, in the kinetics of TIMP-1/MMP/surface protein interactions. Proteins anchored by glycoinositol phospholipids (GPIs), when purified and added to cells in vitro, are incorporated into their surface membranes. A GPI anchor was fused to TIMP-1 to generate a reagent that could be added directly to cell membranes and thus focus defined concentrations of TIMP-1 protein on any cell surface independent of protein-protein interaction. Unlike native TIMP-1, exogenously added GPI-anchored TIMP-1 protein effectively blocked release of MMP-2 and MMP-9 from osteosarcoma cells. TIMP-1-GP1 was a more effective modulator of migration and proliferation than TIMP-1. While control hTIMP-1 protein did not significantly affect migration of primary microvascular endothelial cells at the concentrations tested, the GPI-anchored TIMP-1 protein showed a pronounced suppression of endothelial cell migration in response to bFGF. In addition, TIMP-1-GPI was more effective at inducing microvascular endothelial proliferation. In contrast, fibroblast proliferation was suppressed by the agent. Reagents based on this method should assist in the dissection of the protease cascades and activities involved in TIMP biology. Membrane-fixed TIMP-1 may represent a more effective version of the protein for use in therapeutic expression
Longitudinal SDW order in a quasi-1D Ising-like quantum antiferromagnet
From neutron diffraction measurements on a quasi-1D Ising-like Co
spin compound BaCoVO, we observed an appearance
of a novel type of incommensurate ordering in magnetic fields. This ordering is
essentially different from the N{\' e}el-type ordering, which is expected for
the classical system, and is caused by quantum fluctuation inherent in the
quantum spin chain. A Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid (TLL) nature characteristic of
the gapless quantum 1D system is responsible for the realization of the
incommensurate ordering.Comment: 4pages, 4figur
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