Seismic analysis of 70 Ophiuchi A: A new quantity proposed

The basic intent of this paper is to model 70 Ophiuchi A using the latest asteroseismic observations as complementary constraints and to determine the fundamental parameters of the star. Additionally, we propose a new quantity to lift the degeneracy between the initial chemical composition and stellar age. Using the Yale stellar evolution code (YREC7), we construct a series of stellar evolutionary tracks for the mass range $M$ = 0.85 -- 0.93 $M_{\odot}$ with different composition $Y_{i}$ (0.26 -- 0.30) and $Z_{i}$ (0.017 -- 0.023). Along these tracks, we select a grid of stellar model candidates that fall within the error box in the HR diagram to calculate the theoretical frequencies, the large- and small- frequency separations using the Guenther's stellar pulsation code. Following the asymptotic formula of stellar $p$-modes, we define a quantity $r_{01}$ which is correlated with stellar age. Also, we test it by theoretical adiabatic frequencies of many models. Many detailed models of 70 Ophiuchi A have been listed in Table 3. By combining all non-asteroseismic observations available for 70 Ophiuchi A with these seismological data, we think that Model 60, Model 125 and Model 126, listed in Table 3, are the optimum models presently. Meanwhile, we predict that the radius of this star is about 0.860 -- 0.865 $R_{\odot}$ and the age is about 6.8 -- 7.0 Gyr with mass 0.89 -- 0.90 $M_{\odot}$. Additionally, we prove that the new quantity $r_{01}$ can be a useful indicator of stellar age.Comment: 23 pages, 5 figures, accepted by New Astronom

Asteroseismic study of solar-like stars: A method of estimating stellar age

Asteroseismology, as a tool to use the indirect information contained in stellar oscillations to probe the stellar interiors, is an active field of research presently. Stellar age, as a fundamental property of star apart from its mass, is most difficult to estimate. In addition, the estimating of stellar age can provide the chance to study the time evolution of astronomical phenomena. In our poster, we summarize our previous work and further present a method to determine age of low-mass main-sequence star.Comment: 2 pages, 1 figures, submitted to IAUS25

De-biasing interferometric visibilities in VLTI-AMBER data of low SNR observations

AIMS: We have found that the interferometric visibilities of VLTI-AMBER observations, extracted via the standard reduction package, are significantly biased when faint targets are concerned. The visibility biases derive from a time variable fringing effect (correlated noise) appearing on the detector. METHODS: We have developed a method to correct this bias that consists in a subtraction of the extra power due to such correlated noise, so that the real power spectrum at the spatial frequencies of the fringing artifact can be restored. RESULTS: This pre-processing procedure is implemented in a software, called AMDC and available to the community, to be run before the standard reduction package. Results obtained on simulated and real observations are presented and discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figure

Three-Dimensional Analysis of Wakefields Generated by Flat Electron Beams in Planar Dielectric-Loaded Structures

An electron bunch passing through dielectric-lined waveguide generates $\check{C}$erenkov radiation that can result in high-peak axial electric field suitable for acceleration of a subsequent bunch. Axial field beyond Gigavolt-per-meter are attainable in structures with sub-mm sizes depending on the achievement of suitable electron bunch parameters. A promising configuration consists of using planar dielectric structure driven by flat electron bunches. In this paper we present a three-dimensional analysis of wakefields produced by flat beams in planar dielectric structures thereby extending the work of Reference [A. Tremaine, J. Rosenzweig, and P. Schoessow, Phys. Rev. E 56, No. 6, 7204 (1997)] on the topic. We especially provide closed-form expressions for the normal frequencies and field amplitudes of the excited modes and benchmark these analytical results with finite-difference time-domain particle-in-cell numerical simulations. Finally, we implement a semi-analytical algorithm into a popular particle tracking program thereby enabling start-to-end high-fidelity modeling of linear accelerators based on dielectric-lined planar waveguides.Comment: 12 pages, 2 tables, 10 figure

'Rapid fire' spectroscopy of Kepler solar-like oscillators

The NASA Kepler mission has been continuously monitoring the same field of the sky since the successful launch in March 2009, providing high-quality stellar lightcurves that are excellent data for asteroseismology, far superior to any other observations available at the present. In order to make a meaningful analysis and interpretation of the asteroseismic data, accurate fundamental parameters for the observed stars are needed. The currently available parameters are quite uncertain as illustrated by e.g. Thygesen et al. (A&A 543, A160, 2012), who found deviations as extreme as 2.0 dex in [Fe/H] and log g, compared to catalogue values. Thus, additional follow-up observations for these targets are needed in order to put firm limits on the parameter space investigated by the asteroseismic modellers. Here, we propose a metod for deriving accurate metallicities of main sequence and subgiant solar-like oscillators from medium resolution spectra with a moderate S/N. The method takes advantage of the additional constraints on the fundamental parameters, available from asteroseismology and multi-color photometry. The approach enables us to reduce the analysis overhead significantly when doing spectral synthesis, which in turn will increases the efficiency of follow-up observations.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures. Proceedings from Asteroseismology of Stellar Populations in the Milky Way 2013 to appear in 'Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings

Microarray based comparative genome-wide expression profiling of major subtypes of leukemia

The uncontrolled proliferation of hematopoietic cells with no capacity to differentiate into mature blood cells leads to leukemia. Though considerable amount of work has been done in understanding the molecular basis and gene expression profiles of hematologic malignancies viz., chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), the role of various underlying genes and mechanisms predisposing the disease are poorly understood. To develop the early diagnosis, preventive and therapeutic strategies, identification of population specific novel mutations and candidate genes are required. Micro array based gene expression profiling was performed for total of 18 samples (4 from each subtype of leukemia that is, CLL, CML, ALL, AML and 2 controls) from Indian population using single color hybridization. The expression of all genes presented in terms of fold variation was subjected to F-test. The microarray data of genes showing differential regulation with respect to the control samples have been obtained from total 50, 238 probes covering 14,992 genes on Agilent’s Human 8X60K Array. The experiment was conducted with expectation to have similar patterns of result in terms of gene expression but it demonstrates statistically significant relationship only among CML and ALL which are of myeloid and lymphoid origin, respectively, in contrast to other combinations. Gene expression profiles of four subtypes of leukemia were compared to each other to ascertain the overall association and significance of genes for occurrence of different types of leukemiawhich would guide in the development of common probable biomarkers for leukemias followed by effective diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Based on their geomean fold values, the highly upregulated genes found in this study are listed.Keywords: Leukemia, microarray, gene expression profiling, fold variation, lymphoid, myeloid, geomean foldAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(10), pp. 1174-1181, 5 March, 201

Hypersonic Separated Flows About "Tick" Configurations With Sensitivity to Model Design

This paper presents computational results obtained by applying the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method for hypersonic nonequilibrium flow about "tick-shaped" model configurations. These test models produces a complex flow where the nonequilibrium and rarefied aspects of the flow are initially enhanced as the flow passes over an expansion surface, and then the flow encounters a compression surface that can induce flow separation. The resulting flow is such that meaningful numerical simulations must have the capability to account for a significant range of rarefaction effects; hence the application of the DSMC method in the current study as the flow spans several flow regimes, including transitional, slip, and continuum. The current focus is to examine the sensitivity of both the model surface response (heating, friction and pressure) and flowfield structure to assumptions regarding surface boundary conditions and more extensively the impact of model design as influenced by leading edge configuration as well as the geometrical features of the expansion and compression surfaces. Numerical results indicate a strong sensitivity to both the extent of the leading edge sharpness and the magnitude of the leading edge bevel angle. Also, the length of the expansion surface for a fixed compression surface has a significant impact on the extent of separated flow

First result with AMBER+FINITO on the VLTI: The high-precision angular diameter of V3879 Sgr

Our goal is to demonstrate the potential of the interferometric AMBER instrument linked with the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) fringe-tracking facility FINITO to derive high-precision stellar diameters. We use commissioning data obtained on the bright single star V3879 Sgr. Locking the interferometric fringes with FINITO allows us to record very low contrast fringes on the AMBER camera. By fitting the amplitude of these fringes, we measure the diameter of the target in three directions simultaneously with an accuracy of 25 micro-arcseconds. We showed that V3879 Sgr has a round photosphere down to a sub-percent level. We quickly reached this level of accuracy because the technique used is independent from absolute calibration (at least for baselines that fully span the visibility null). We briefly discuss the potential biases found at this level of precision. The proposed AMBER+FINITO instrumental setup opens several perspectives for the VLTI in the field of stellar astrophysics, like measuring with high accuracy the oblateness of fast rotating stars or detecting atmospheric starspots

Effect of low-Raman window position on correlated photon-pair generation in a chalcogenide Ge11.5As24Se64.5 nanowire

We investigated correlated photon-pair generation via spontaneous four-wave mixing in an integrated chalcogenideGe11.5As24Se64.5photonicnanowire. The coincidence to accidental ratio, a key measurement for the quality of correlated photon-pair sources, was measured to be only 0.4 when the photon pairs were generated at 1.9 THz detuning from the pump frequency due to high spontaneous Raman noise in this regime. However, the existence of a characteristic low-Raman window at around 5.1 THz in this material's Raman spectrum and dispersion engineering of the nanowire allowed us to generate photon pairs with a coincidence to accidental ratio of 4.5, more than 10 times higher than the 1.9 THz case. Through comparing the results with those achieved in chalcogenide As2S3waveguides which also exhibit a low Raman-window but at a larger detuning of 7.4 THz, we find that the position of the characteristic low-Raman window plays an important role on reducing spontaneous Raman noise because the phonon population is higher at smaller detuning. Therefore the ultimate solution for Raman noise reduction in Ge11.5As24Se64.5 is to generate photon pairs outside the Raman gain band at more than 10 THz detuning

CLIMATOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE WIND IN PIEDMONT

The object of the following study is to individualize the common anemological features in the Piemonte region. The executed analysis avails itself of a multiannual sample of wind data (from 1990 to 2000) collected by 59 ARPA-Piemonte monitoring network. The wind statistical analyses have followed different phases: - analyses of wind frequency and wind directions and spotting of the anemological basins; - annual and monthly average of wind directions; - annual monthly and hourly average of the wind force with spotting of breezes; - analyses of daily and hourly wind calm; - analyses of the strongest windblasts with records of critical cases; - analyses of the number of days of föhn and types of weather (Borghi-Giuliacci method)