3,624 research outputs found
Long Gamma-Ray Burst Progenitors: Boundary Conditions and Binary Models
The observed association of Long Gamma-Ray Bursts (LGRBs) with peculiar Type
Ic supernovae gives support to Woosley`s collapsar/hypernova model, in which
the GRB is produced by the collapse of the rapidly rotating core of a massive
star to a black hole. The association of LGRBs with small star-forming galaxies
suggests low-metallicity to be a condition for a massive star to evolve to the
collapsar stage. Both completely-mixed single star models and binary star
models are possible. In binary models the progenitor of the GRB is a massive
helium star with a close companion. We find that tidal synchronization during
core-helium burning is reached on a short timescale (less than a few
millennia). However, the strong core-envelope coupling in the subsequent
evolutionary stages is likely to rule out helium stars with main-sequence
companions as progenitors of hypernovae/GRBs. On the other hand, helium stars
in close binaries with a neutron-star or black-hole companion can, despite the
strong core-envelope coupling in the post-helium burning phase, retain
sufficient core angular momentum to produce a hypernova/GRB.Comment: 8 pp., 2 figs, Proceedings of 5th Stromlo Symposiu
Detection of mRNA using the BIACORE
We present the detection of native mRNA using the BIACORE system. The influence of different probes and flow rates on the detection is shown and compared to the hybridisation of oligonucleotides. Probes for mRNA detection were chosen by calculations of secondary structures using energy minimizing criteria based on the algorithm of Zuker. Probe concentrations were optimised as well as the regeneration conditions for the sensor surface. The influence of the flow rate appeared to be more marked for mRNA than for oligonucleotide hybridisation
The Extraordinary Abundances of QSO Broad Absorption Line Regions: A Matter of Novae?
The broad absorption lines (BALs) of QSOs indicate abundances of heavy
elements, relative to hydrogen, that are 1 to 2 orders of magnitude higher than
the solar values. In at least one QSO, an especially large enhancement of
phosphorus is observed. These abundances resemble those in Galactic novae, and
this suggests that novae may produce the BAL gas. The needed rate of nova
outbursts may come from single white dwarfs that accrete gas as they pass
through a supermassive accretion disk around a central black hole.Comment: 9 pages including 1 Postscript figure. Uses aaspp4.sty and
flushrt.sty. Uuencoded, gzipped tarfile. To appear in Astrophys. J.
(Letters), 1996 April 1
Evolution of Neutron-Star, Carbon-Oxygen White-Dwarf Binaries
At least one, but more likely two or more, eccentric neutron-star,
carbon-oxygen white-dwarf binaries with an unrecycled pulsar have been
observed. According to the standard scenario for evolving neutron stars which
are recycled in common envelope evolution we expect to observe \gsim 50 such
circular neutron star-carbon oxygen white dwarf binaries, since their formation
rate is roughly equal to that of the eccentric binaries and the time over which
they can be observed is two orders of magnitude longer, as we shall outline. We
observe at most one or two such circular binaries and from that we conclude
that the standard scenario must be revised. Introducing hypercritical accretion
into common envelope evolution removes the discrepancy by converting the
neutron star into a black hole which does not emit radio waves, and therefore
would not be observed.Comment: 25 pages, 1 figure, accepted in Ap
Challenges in diagnostic testing of nephritic factors
Nephritic factors (NeFs) are autoantibodies promoting the activity of the central enzymes of the complement cascade, an important first line of defense of our innate immune system. NeFs stabilize the complement convertase complexes and prevent their natural and regulator-mediated decay. They are mostly associated with rare complement-mediated kidney disorders, in particular with C3 glomerulopathy and related diseases. Although these autoantibodies were already described more than 50 years ago, measuring NeFs for diagnostic purposes remains difficult, and this also complicates our understanding of their clinical associations. In this review, we address the multifactorial challenges of NeF diagnostics. We describe the diseases NeFs are associated with, the heterogenic mechanisms of action of different NeF types, the different methods available in laboratories used for their detection, and efforts for standardization. Finally, we discuss the importance of proper NeF diagnostics for understanding the clinical impact of these autoantibodies in disease pathophysiology and for considering future complement-directed therapy
Impaired planning in Parkinson's disease is reflected by reduced brain activation and connectivity
Contains fulltext :
159315.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)13 p
Different Aspects of Classical Pathway Overactivation in Patients With C3 Glomerulopathy and Immune Complex-Mediated Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis
The rare and heterogeneous kidney disorder C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is characterized by dysregulation of the alternative pathway (AP) of the complement system. C3G is often associated with autoantibodies stabilizing the AP C3 convertase named C3 nephritic factors (C3NeF). The role of classical pathway (CP) convertase stabilization in C3G and related diseases such as immune complex-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the CP convertase activity in patients with C3G and IC-MPGN. Using a refined two-step hemolytic assay, we measured the stability of CP convertases directly in the serum of 52 patients and 17 healthy controls. In four patients, CP convertase activity was prolonged compared to healthy controls, i.e. the enzymatic complex was stabilized. In three patients (2 C3G, 1 IC-MPGN) the convertase stabilization was caused by immunoglobulins, indicating the presence of autoantibodies named C4 nephritic factors (C4NeFs). Importantly, the assay also enabled detection of non-immunoglobulin-mediated stabilization of the CP convertase in one patient with C3G. Prolonged CP convertase activity coincided with C3NeF activity in all patients and for up to 70 months of observation. Crucially, experiments with C3-depleted serum showed that C4NeFs stabilized the CP C3 convertase (C4bC2a), that does not contain C3NeF epitopes. All patients with prolonged CP convertase activity showed clear signs of complement activation, i.e. lowered C3 and C5 levels and elevated levels of C3d, C3bc, C3bBbP, and C5b-9. In conclusion, this work provides new insights into the diverse aspects and (non-)immunoglobulin nature of factors causing CP convertase overactivity in C3G/IC-MPGN.</p
T Pyxidis: The First Cataclysmic Variable with a Collimated Jet
We present the first observational evidence for a collimated jet in a
cataclysmic variable system; the recurrent nova T Pyxidis. Optical spectra show
bipolar components of H with velocities , very similar
to those observed in the supersoft X-ray sources and in SS 433. We argue that a
key ingredient of the formation of jets in the supersoft X-ray sources and T
Pyx (in addition to an accretion disk threaded by a vertical magnetic field),
is the presence of nuclear burning on the surface of the white dwarf.Comment: 10 pages 2 figures to appear in ApJ Letter
Frontal alpha asymmetry in response to stressor moderates the relation between parenting hassles and child externalizing problems
Inequitable urban environments are associated with toxic stress and altered neural social stress processing that threatens the development of self-regulation. Some children in these environments struggle with early onset externalizing problems that are associated with a variety of negative long-term outcomes. While previous research has linked parenting daily hassles to child externalizing problems, the role of frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) as a potential modifier of this relationship has scarcely been explored. The present study examined mother-child dyads, most of whom were living in low socioeconomic status households in an urban environment and self-identified as members of racial minority groups. Analyses focused on frustration task electroencephalography (EEG) data from 67 children (mean age = 59.0 months, SD = 2.6). Mothers reported the frequency of their daily parenting hassles and their childâs externalizing problems. Frustration task FAA moderated the relationship between parenting daily hassles and child externalizing problems, but resting FAA did not. More specifically, children with left frontal asymmetry had more externalizing problems as their mothers perceived more hassles in their parenting role, but parenting hassles and externalizing problems were not associated among children with right frontal asymmetry. These findings lend support to the motivational direction hypothesis and capability model of FAA. More generally, this study reveals how individual differences in lateralization of cortical activity in response to a stressor may confer differential susceptibility to child behavioral problems with approach motivation (i.e., left frontal asymmetry) predicting externalizing problems under conditions of parental stress
A Massive White Dwarf Companion to the Eccentric Binary Pulsar System PSR B2303+46
Pulsars in close, eccentric binary systems are usually assumed to have
another neutron star as a companion. These double neutron star binaries have
proven to be the best laboratories for experimental General Relativity and are
the most secure candidates for gravitational wave interferometers. We present
deep B, V, and R images of the field containing the eccentric binary pulsar
system PSR B2303+46. We find a faint, blue object (B=26.60+/-0.09;
(B-R)_0=-0.4+/-0.2) coincident with the timing position. We suggest this object
is the optical counterpart to the PSR B2303+46 system. The counterpart is too
bright to reflect emission from the pulsar or a neutron star companion. Most
likely, the companion of PSR B2303+46 is not a neutron star but a massive white
dwarf. We show that the observations are consistent with a hot white dwarf
companion (T_eff>~5*10^4 K) with cooling age equal the characteristic age of
the pulsar (t_cool~30 Myr) and mass within the range set by timing observations
and the Chandrasekhar mass (1.2<M_C<1.4 M_sun). Given the eccentric orbit, the
white dwarf must have formed before the neutron star, from what was originally
the more massive star in the binary. Due to mass transfer, the originally less
massive star could become sufficiently massive to end its life in a supernova
explosion and form the radio pulsar. We constrain the mass of the pulsar to be
in the range 1.24<M_psr<1.44 M_sun.Comment: Revised version, with only very small changes. 6 pages, 1 figure,
uses aas4pp2.sty, psfig.sty. Accepted for publication in Astrophysical
Journal Letter
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