First images on the sky from a hyper telescope

We show star images obtained with a miniature ``densified pupil imaging interferometer'' also called a hyper-telescope. The formation of such images violates a ``golden rule of imaging interferometers'' which appeared to forbid the use of interferometric arrangements differing from a Fizeau interferometer. These produce useless images when the sub-apertures spacing is much wider than their size, owing to diffraction through the sub-apertures. The hyper-telescope arrangement solves these problems opening the way towards multi-kilometer imaging arrays in space. We experimentally obtain an intensity gain of 24 +- 3X when a densified-pupil interferometer is compared to an equivalent Fizeau-type interferometer and show images of the double star alpha Gem. The initial results presented confirm the possibility of directly obtaining high resolution and high dynamic range images in the recombined focal plane of a large interferometer if enough elements are used.Comment: 6 pages, LaTeX, standard A&A macros + BibTeX macros. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement

The weight of water

Leonardo da Vinci’s pioneering work on hydrostatics combined traditional knowledge and innovative empiricism in an attempt to understand an object fraught with paradox: the water-filled container

First astronomical unit scale image of the GW Ori triple. Direct detection of a new stellar companion

Young and close multiple systems are unique laboratories to probe the initial dynamical interactions between forming stellar systems and their dust and gas environment. Their study is a key building block to understanding the high frequency of main-sequence multiple systems. However, the number of detected spectroscopic young multiple systems that allow dynamical studies is limited. GW Orionis is one such system. It is one of the brightest young T Tauri stars and is surrounded by a massive disk. Our goal is to probe the GW Orionis multiplicity at angular scales at which we can spatially resolve the orbit. We used the IOTA/IONIC3 interferometer to probe the environment of GW Orionis with an astronomical unit resolution in 2003, 2004, and 2005. By measuring squared visibilities and closure phases with a good UV coverage we carry out the first image reconstruction of GW Ori from infrared long-baseline interferometry. We obtain the first infrared image of a T Tauri multiple system with astronomical unit resolution. We show that GW Orionis is a triple system, resolve for the first time the previously known inner pair (separation $\rho\sim$1.4 AU) and reveal a new more distant component (GW Ori C) with a projected separation of $\sim$8 AU with direct evidence of motion. Furthermore, the nearly equal (2:1) H-band flux ratio of the inner components suggests that either GW Ori B is undergoing a preferential accretion event that increases its disk luminosity or that the estimate of the masses has to be revisited in favour of a more equal mass-ratio system that is seen at lower inclination. Accretion disk models of GW Ori will need to be completely reconsidered because of this outer companion C and the unexpected brightness of companion B.Comment: 5 pages, 9 figures, accepted Astronomy and Astrophysics Letters. 201

STAT3α interacts with nuclear GSK3beta and cytoplasmic RISK pathway and stabilizes rhythm in the anoxic-reoxygenated embryonic heart.

Activation of the Janus Kinase 2/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway is known to play a key role in cardiogenesis and to afford cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion in adult. However, involvement of JAK2/STAT3 pathway and its interaction with other signaling pathways in developing heart transiently submitted to anoxia remains to be explored. Hearts isolated from 4-day-old chick embryos were submitted to anoxia (30 min) and reoxygenation (80 min) with or without the antioxidant MPG, the JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor AG490 or the PhosphoInositide-3-Kinase (PI3K)/Akt inhibitor LY-294002. Time course of phosphorylation of STAT3α(tyrosine705) and Reperfusion Injury Salvage Kinase (RISK) proteins [PI3K, Akt, Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3beta (GSK3beta), Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase 2 (ERK2)] was determined in homogenate and in enriched nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of the ventricle. STAT3 DNA-binding was determined. The chrono-, dromo- and inotropic disturbances were also investigated by electrocardiogram and mechanical recordings. Phosphorylation of STAT3α(tyr705) was increased by reoxygenation, reduced (~50%) by MPG or AG490 but not affected by LY-294002. STAT3 and GSK3beta were detected both in nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions while PI3K, Akt and ERK2 were restricted to cytoplasm. Reoxygenation led to nuclear accumulation of STAT3 but unexpectedly without DNA-binding. AG490 decreased the reoxygenation-induced phosphorylation of Akt and ERK2 and phosphorylation/inhibition of GSK3beta in the nucleus, exclusively. Inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 delayed recovery of atrial rate, worsened variability of cardiac cycle length and prolonged arrhythmias as compared to control hearts. Thus, besides its nuclear translocation without transcriptional activity, oxyradicals-activated STAT3α can rapidly interact with RISK proteins present in nucleus and cytoplasm, without dual interaction, and reduce the anoxia-reoxygenation-induced arrhythmias in the embryonic heart

STAT3α interacts with nuclear GSK3beta and cytoplasmic RISK pathway and stabilizes rhythm in the anoxic-reoxygenated embryonic heart.

Activation of the Janus Kinase 2/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway is known to play a key role in cardiogenesis and to afford cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion in adult. However, involvement of JAK2/STAT3 pathway and its interaction with other signaling pathways in developing heart transiently submitted to anoxia remains to be explored. Hearts isolated from 4-day-old chick embryos were submitted to anoxia (30 min) and reoxygenation (80 min) with or without the antioxidant MPG, the JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor AG490 or the PhosphoInositide-3-Kinase (PI3K)/Akt inhibitor LY-294002. Time course of phosphorylation of STAT3α(tyrosine705) and Reperfusion Injury Salvage Kinase (RISK) proteins [PI3K, Akt, Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3beta (GSK3beta), Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase 2 (ERK2)] was determined in homogenate and in enriched nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of the ventricle. STAT3 DNA-binding was determined. The chrono-, dromo- and inotropic disturbances were also investigated by electrocardiogram and mechanical recordings. Phosphorylation of STAT3α(tyr705) was increased by reoxygenation, reduced (~50%) by MPG or AG490 but not affected by LY-294002. STAT3 and GSK3beta were detected both in nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions while PI3K, Akt and ERK2 were restricted to cytoplasm. Reoxygenation led to nuclear accumulation of STAT3 but unexpectedly without DNA-binding. AG490 decreased the reoxygenation-induced phosphorylation of Akt and ERK2 and phosphorylation/inhibition of GSK3beta in the nucleus, exclusively. Inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 delayed recovery of atrial rate, worsened variability of cardiac cycle length and prolonged arrhythmias as compared to control hearts. Thus, besides its nuclear translocation without transcriptional activity, oxyradicals-activated STAT3α can rapidly interact with RISK proteins present in nucleus and cytoplasm, without dual interaction, and reduce the anoxia-reoxygenation-induced arrhythmias in the embryonic heart

Environmental performance of chocolate produced in ghana using life cycle assessment

Ghana is an important cocoa producer and exporter and this production is of high economic importance. Increasing interest in the sustainable productions of cocoa/chocolate necessitated the need to assess the environmental impacts associated with the production of different chocolate variants (extra dark (EDC), dark (DC), milk (MC) and flavoured milk (FMC) in Ghana, including the identification of environmental hotspots for improvement. The life cycle assessment tool was used following the CML_IA and CED impact assessment methods. EDC had the lowest scores for most of the impact categories while FMC was most impactful. For Global Warming Potential (GWP), EDC and FMC were estimated to be 1.61 kg CO2 eq. and 4.21 kg CO2 eq., respectively. CED ranged from 1.44 × 102 to 1.50 × 102 MJ-eq. Chocolate manufacturing phase was generally more impactful than cocoa cultivation due to high emissions from milk and sugar production. The impact scores for 100 g packaged chocolate bar were the lowest in comparison to 300 g chocolate pouches and 12.5 g packaged chocolate strips. GWP for 100 g and 12.5 g were 0.20 kg CO2 eq. and 0.39 kg CO2 eq., respectively. Comparing different destination points for the manufactured chocolate, impact scores for the international destination were similar to those recorded for local destinations. Improvement options are suggested for all phases to ensure more sustainable chocolate production and distribu-tion

Variations in some of the body fluid hormone levels currently used for endocrine monitoring during the third trimester of pregnancy

Peer Reviewe

Low-resolution spectrograph for the IOTA interferometer

The design and scientific objectives of a near infrared channeled spectrometer planned at the IOTA interferometer are discussed. The spectrometer has the flexibility to reconfigure easily for conventional broadband operations in addition to multi-channel mode. This instrument makes use of the existing PICNIC camera at the IOTA in order to be cost efficient. The spectrometer has been designed specifically for studying Mira stars. However, it will find its application in other areas of astrophysical interests such as studies of circumstellar disks around young stars and binary stars

Imaging the asymmetric dust shell around CI Cam with long baseline optical interferometry

We present the first high angular resolution observation of the B[e] star/X-ray transient object CI Cam, performed with the two-telescope Infrared Optical Telescope Array (IOTA), its upgraded three-telescope version (IOTA3T) and the Palomar Testbed Interferometer (PTI). Visibilities and closure phases were obtained using the IONIC-3 integrated optics beam combiner. CI Cam was observed in the near-infrared H and K spectral bands, wavelengths well suited to measure the size and study the geometry of the hot dust surrounding CI Cam. The analysis of the visibility data over an 8 year period from soon after the 1998 outburst to 2006 shows that the dust visibility has not changed over the years. The visibility data shows that CI Cam is elongated which confirms the disc-shape of the circumstellar environment and totally rules out the hypothesis of a spherical dust shell. Closure phase measurements show direct evidence of asymmetries in the circumstellar environment of CI Cam and we conclude that the dust surrounding CI Cam lies in an inhomogeneous disc seen at an angle. The near-infrared dust emission appears as an elliptical skewed Gaussian ring with a major axis a = 7.58 +/- 0.24 mas, an axis ratio r = 0.39 +/- 0.03 and a position angle theta = 35 +/- 2 deg.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, accepted MNRA