CG J1720-67.8: A Detailed Analysis of Optical and Infrared Properties of a New Ultracompact Group of Galaxies

We present here optical spectroscopy and BVRJHK(s) photometry of the recently discovered ultra-compact group of galaxies CG J1720-67.8. This work represents a considerable extension of the preliminary results we presented in a previous paper. Despite the complicated morphology of the group, a quantitative morphological classification of the three brightest members of the group is attempted based on photometric analysis. We find that one galaxy is consistent with a morphological type S0, while the other two are most probably late-type spirals that are already losing their identity due tothe interaction process. Information on the star formation activity and dust content derived from both spectroscopic data and optical and near-infrared colors are complemented with a reconstruction of far-infrared (FIR) maps from IRAS raw data. Enhanced star formation activity is revealed in all the group's members, including the early-type galaxy and the extended tidal tail, along which several tidal dwarf galaxy candidates are identified. The metallicity of the gaseous component is investigated and photoionization models are applied to the three main galaxies of the group, while a detailed study of the tidal dwarf candidates will appear in a companion paper. Subsolar metal abundances are found for all the three galaxies, the highest values being shown by the early-type galaxy (Z ~ 0.5 Zsolar).Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Mind the Gap: A Study in Global Development through Persistent Homology

The Gapminder project set out to use statistics to dispel simplistic notions about global development. In the same spirit, we use persistent homology, a technique from computational algebraic topology, to explore the relationship between country development and geography. For each country, four indicators, gross domestic product per capita; average life expectancy; infant mortality; and gross national income per capita, were used to quantify the development. Two analyses were performed. The first considers clusters of the countries based on these indicators, and the second uncovers cycles in the data when combined with geographic border structure. Our analysis is a multi-scale approach that reveals similarities and connections among countries at a variety of levels. We discover localized development patterns that are invisible in standard statistical methods

Dynamics of the excitations of a quantum dot in a microcavity

We study the dynamics of a quantum dot embedded in a three-dimensional microcavity in the strong coupling regime in which the quantum dot exciton has an energy close to the frequency of a confined cavity mode. Under the continuous pumping of the system, confined electron and hole can recombine either by spontaneous emission through a leaky mode or by stimulated emission of a cavity mode that can escape from the cavity. The numerical integration of a master equation including all these effects gives the dynamics of the density matrix. By using the quantum regression theorem, we compute the first and second order coherence functions required to calculate the photon statistics and the spectrum of the emitted light. Our main result is the determination of a range of parameters in which a state of cavity modes with poissonian or sub-poissonian (non-classical) statistics can be built up within the microcavity. Depending on the relative values of pumping and rate of stimulated emission, either one or two peaks close to the excitation energy of the dot and/or to the natural frequency of the cavity are observed in the emission spectrum. The physics behind these results is discussed

Microscopic structure of Fe-Ni and Fe-Ni-S molten alloys of geophysical interest

9 págs.; 9 figs.; 2 tabs. ; PACS number(s): 61.25.Mv, 62.60.1v, 96.35.2jThe static S(Q) liquid structure factors for binary FexNi 1-x, x=0.90, 0.85, and ternary Fe0.85Ni 0.05S0.15 molten alloys are investigated by means of the concurrent use of neutron diffraction and reverse Monte Carlo simulations. The measured G(r) radial distributions reveal atomic orderings varying from that present in the Fe0.90Ni0.10 alloy, reminiscent of the ideal bcc structure of solid Fe, to a far more open structure found in Fe 0.85Ni0.05S0.15. From data at hand no clear evidence of the clustering of sulfur within the Fe-Ni matrix is found. In contrast, the addition of sulfur leads to significant changes in structural and some dynamical properties that can be inferred from knowledge of the static structure factors. Such dynamical changes seem to arise as a result of a strong decrease of the elastic moduli of the alloys resulting from interactions with a light element rather than from a density effect. ©2004 American Physical SocietyWe thank the Institut Laue Langevin for neutron beam time.We are grateful to Pierre Palleau and to Dr. J. Campo of ILL for his technical support during the diffraction experiments, and Carlos Ayala of Centro Atómico Bariloche for the sample preparationPeer Reviewe

5G: Una nueva generación para una nueva sociedad

El desarrollo de las telecomunicaciones móviles ha mostrado tremendos cambios en los últimos años, pasando de 3G a 4G, haciendo evidente el crecimiento tecnológico. Es en este momento en el que la investigación se vuelca hacia el desarrollo de la siguiente tecnología. En este artículo se presentan las claves que darán nacimiento a 5G (quinta generación), exponiendo las investigaciones que vienenrealizando diferentes grupos e instituciones a nivel mundial

Effects of reduced and conventional tillage on weed communities: Results of a long-term experiment in Southwestern Spain [Efeito do cultivo mínimo e plantio convencional em comunidades de plantas daninhas: Resultados de um experimento de longo prazo no sudoeste da espanha]

An important drawback in adopting minimum tillage (MT) and notillage (NT) techniques is the frequently observed weed shift promoting adapted species and achieving poorer weed control. These changes can be detected best with long-term experiments, and results might differ depending on soil characteristics and the local flora. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the effect of reduced tillage on weed seed distribution in the soil profile and to identify possible consequences on weed diversity on a long-term experiment maintained during 24 years in Seville (Spain) with three tillage systems: NT, MT and conventional tillage (CT) including moldboard plow on a vertisol. For this purpose, soil seedbanks at 0-8 cm and 8-16 cm depths were enumerated in autumn 2005 and in-field emerged plants in autumn 2005 and winter 2006. Shannon diversity index (H) and evenness (J’) were calculated for seedbank and aboveground weed communities. Total weed seed density was highest for NT and lowest for CT. Some big-seeded species, such as Chrozophora tinctorea L., showed highest seed density in CT. NT increased the relative density of Amaranthus blitoides S. Watson seeds in the seedbank and the abundance of emerged plants of Malva parviflora L., Anagallis arvensis L. and Picris echioides L. Overall, MT led to a less diverse seedbank in the 0-8 cm depth of soil than CT. The frequent drought-induced deep fractures in the expandable clay soil caused natural tillage, which probably resulted in fewer differences in weed seed and seedling densities among tillage treatments compared to what might be expected in other soil types