276 research outputs found
Gravitational instability of finite isothermal spheres in general relativity. Analogy with neutron stars
We investigate the effects of relativity on the gravitational instability of
finite isothermal gaseous spheres. In the first part of the paper, we treat the
gravitational field within the framework of Newtonian mechanics but we use a
relativistic equation of state in the condition of hydrostatic equilibrium. In
the second part of the paper, we study the full general relativistic problem
for a gas described by an equation of state such that the
pressure is proportional to the energy density (``isothermal'' distribution).
For , this equation of state describes the core of neutron stars. The
mass-density diagram displays some damped oscillations and there exists a
critical value of mass-energy above which no equilibrium state is possible. We
show analytically that the mass peaks are associated with new modes of
instability. These results are strikingly similar to those obtained by Antonov
[Vest. Leningr. Gos. Univ. 7, 135 (1962)] and Lynden-Bell & Wood (1968) for a
classical isothermal gas. Our study completes the analogy between isothermal
spheres and neutron stars investigated by Yabushita [MNRAS 167, 95 (1974)].Comment: Submitted to Astron. Astrophy
Spectroscopy by frequency entangled photon pairs
Quantum spectroscopy was performed using the frequency-entangled broadband
photon pairs generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. An absorptive
sample was placed in front of the idler photon detector, and the frequency of
signal photons was resolved by a diffraction grating. The absorption spectrum
of the sample was measured by counting the coincidences, and the result is in
agreement with the one measured by a conventional spectrophotometer with a
classical light source.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, to be published in Phys. Lett.
Multi--Pressure Polytropes as Models for the Structure and Stability of Molecular Clouds. I. Theory
Molecular clouds are supported by thermal pressure, magnetic pressure, and
turbulent pressure. Each of these can be modeled with a polytropic equation of
state, so that overall the total pressure is the sum of the individual
components. We model the turbulent pressure as being due to a superposition of
Alfven waves. The theory of polytropes is generalized to allow for the flow of
entropy in response to a perturbation, as expected for the entropy associated
with wave pressure. The equation of state of molecular clouds is "soft", so
that the properties of the clouds are generally governed by the conditions at
the surface. In general, the polytropes are not isentropic, and this permits
large density and pressure drops to occur between the center and the edge of
the polytropes, as is observed.Comment: Submitted to ApJ with 10 figure
Dynamical stability of infinite homogeneous self-gravitating systems: application of the Nyquist method
We complete classical investigations concerning the dynamical stability of an
infinite homogeneous gaseous medium described by the Euler-Poisson system or an
infinite homogeneous stellar system described by the Vlasov-Poisson system
(Jeans problem). To determine the stability of an infinite homogeneous stellar
system with respect to a perturbation of wavenumber k, we apply the Nyquist
method. We first consider the case of single-humped distributions and show
that, for infinite homogeneous systems, the onset of instability is the same in
a stellar system and in the corresponding barotropic gas, contrary to the case
of inhomogeneous systems. We show that this result is true for any symmetric
single-humped velocity distribution, not only for the Maxwellian. If we
specialize on isothermal and polytropic distributions, analytical expressions
for the growth rate, damping rate and pulsation period of the perturbation can
be given. Then, we consider the Vlasov stability of symmetric and asymmetric
double-humped distributions (two-stream stellar systems) and determine the
stability diagrams depending on the degree of asymmetry. We compare these
results with the Euler stability of two self-gravitating gaseous streams.
Finally, we determine the corresponding stability diagrams in the case of
plasmas and compare the results with self-gravitating systems
Habitable Zones in the Universe
Habitability varies dramatically with location and time in the universe. This
was recognized centuries ago, but it was only in the last few decades that
astronomers began to systematize the study of habitability. The introduction of
the concept of the habitable zone was key to progress in this area. The
habitable zone concept was first applied to the space around a star, now called
the Circumstellar Habitable Zone. Recently, other, vastly broader, habitable
zones have been proposed. We review the historical development of the concept
of habitable zones and the present state of the research. We also suggest ways
to make progress on each of the habitable zones and to unify them into a single
concept encompassing the entire universe.Comment: 71 pages, 3 figures, 1 table; to be published in Origins of Life and
Evolution of Biospheres; table slightly revise
Gravitational instability of finite isothermal spheres
We investigate the stability of bounded self-gravitating systems in the
canonical ensemble by using a thermodynamical approach. Our study extends the
earlier work of Padmanabhan [Astrophys. J. Supp. 71, 651 (1989)] in the
microcanonical ensemble. By studying the second variations of the free energy,
we find that instability sets in precisely at the point of minimum temperature
in agreement with the theorem of Katz [ Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 183, 765
(1978)]. The perturbation that induces instability at this point is calculated
explicitly; it has not a ``core-halo'' structure contrary to what happens in
the microcanonical ensemble. We also study Jeans type gravitational instability
of isothermal gaseous spheres described by Navier-Stokes equations. We show
analytically the equivalence between dynamical stability and thermodynamical
stability and the fact that the stability of isothermal gas spheres does not
depend on the viscosity. This confirms the findings of Semelin et al.
[astro-ph/9908073] who used numerical methods. We also give a simpler
derivation of the geometric hierarchy of scales inducing instability discovered
by these authors. The density profiles that trigger these instabilities are
calculated analytically; they present more and more oscillations that also
follow a geometric progression. This suggests that the system will fragmentate
in a series of `clumps' and that these `clumps' will themselves fragmentate in
substructures. The fact that both the domain sizes leading to instability and
the `clumps' sizes within a box follow a geometric progression with the same
ratio suggests a fractal-like behaviour. This gives further support to the
interpretation of de Vega et al. [Nature, 383, 56 (1996)].Comment: Submitted to Astron. Astrophy
Does the use of the 2009 FIGO classification of endometrial cancer impact on indications of the sentinel node biopsy?
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lymphadenectomy is debated in early stages endometrial cancer. Moreover, a new FIGO classification of endometrial cancer, merging stages IA and IB has been recently published. Therefore, the aims of the present study was to evaluate the relevance of the sentinel node (SN) procedure in women with endometrial cancer and to discuss whether the use of the 2009 FIGO classification could modify the indications for SN procedure.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eighty-five patients with endometrial cancer underwent the SN procedure followed by pelvic lymphadenectomy. SNs were detected with a dual or single labelling method in 74 and 11 cases, respectively. All SNs were analysed by both H&E staining and immunohistochemistry. Presumed stage before surgery was assessed for all patients based on MR imaging features using the 1988 FIGO classification and the 2009 FIGO classification.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An SN was detected in 88.2% of cases (75/85 women). Among the fourteen patients with lymph node metastases one-half were detected by serial sectioning and immunohistochemical analysis. There were no false negative case. Using the 1988 FIGO classification and the 2009 FIGO classification, the correlation between preoperative MRI staging and final histology was moderate with Kappa = 0.24 and Kappa = 0.45, respectively. None of the patients with grade 1 endometrioid carcinoma on biopsy and IA 2009 FIGO stage on MR imaging exhibited positive SN. In patients with grade 2-3 endometrioid carcinoma and stage IA on MR imaging, the rate of positive SN reached 16.6% with an incidence of micrometastases of 50%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The present study suggests that sentinel node biopsy is an adequate technique to evaluate lymph node status. The use of the 2009 FIGO classification increases the accuracy of MR imaging to stage patients with early stages of endometrial cancer and contributes to clarify the indication of SN biopsy according to tumour grade and histological type.</p
Is lymphadenectomy a prognostic marker in endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the human endometrium?
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>During surgery for endometrial cancer, a pelvic lymphadenectomy with or without para-aortic lymphadenectomy is performed at least in patients with risk factors (stage I, grading 2 and/or histological subtypes with higher risk of lymphatic spread), and is hence recommended by the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO). Although lymph node metastases are important prognostic parameters, it has been contentious whether a pelvic lymph node dissection itself has a prognostic impact in the treatment of endometrial cancer, especially in endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Therefore, this study evaluated whether lymphadenectomy has a prognostic impact in patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The benefits of lymphadenectomy were examined in 214 patients with a histological diagnosis of endometrial adenocarcinoma. Tumour characteristics were analysed with respect to the surgical and pathological stage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 214 patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma, 171 (79.9%) were classified as FIGO stage I, 15 (7.0%) FIGO stage II, 21 (9.8%) FIGO stage III and 7 (3.3%) FIGO stage IV. One hundred and thirty four (62.6%) of the patients had a histological grade 1 tumour, while 56 (26.2%) and 24 (11.2%) had a histological grade 2 or grade 3 tumour, respectively. Lymphadenectomy was performed in 151 (70.6%) patients. Only 11 (5.1%) patients showed metastatic disease in the lymph nodes. The performance of a lymphadenectomy resulted in significantly increased cause-specific and overall survival, while progression-free survival was not affected by this operative procedure.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The performance of an operative lymphadenectomy resulted in better survival of patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma. This increase was significant for cause-specific and overall survival, while there was a tendency only towards increased progression-free survival. Therefore, even in endometrioid adenocarcinoma, a pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy should be performed.</p
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