19,898 research outputs found
Brown dwarfs in the Hyades and beyond?
We have used both the Low-Resolution Imaging Spectrograph and the HIRES
echelle spectrograph on the Keck telescopes to obtain spectra of twelve
candidate members of the Hyades cluster identified by Leggett and Hawkins
(1988, 1989). All of the objects are chromospherically-active, late-type
M-dwarfs, with H equivalent widths varying from 1 to 30\AA. Based on
our measured radial velocities, the level of stellar activity and other
spectroscopic features, only one of the twelve stars has properties consistent
with cluster membership. We consider how this result affects estimates of the
luminosity and mass function of the Hyades cluster. Five of the eleven field
stars have weak K I 7665/7699\AA and CaH absorption as compared with M-dwarf
standards of the same spectral type, suggesting a lower surface gravity. Two of
these sources, LH0416+14 and LH0419+15, exhibit significant lithium 6708 \AA
absorption. Based partly on parallax measurements by the US Naval Observatory
(Harris et al, 1998), we identify all five as likely to be young, pre-main
sequence objects in or near the Taurus-Auriga association at distances of
between 150 and 250 parsecs. A comparison with theoretical models of pre-main
sequence stars indicates masses of less than 0.05 M.Comment: to appear in AJ, January 1999; 34 pages, (Latex format), including 10
embedded postscript figures and two table
Comparison of medium frequency pulsed radar interferometer and correlation analysis winds, part 2
In order to test whether the chosen Doppler peaks represent localized scatters in motion, as opposed to some sort of integrated composite, an attempt was made to determine the change in position of single scatterers over a series of sequential records. A four-antenna system was employed which had 1 degree of freedom in phase. Due to limitations N-S linear transmission and E-W linear reception were used. The Doppler frequency peak selection criteria were that at least two of the four power spectra should have a local peak, and that normalized phase discrepancy, should be less than 0.3. The lack of success in tracking individual scatters seems to suggest a short lifetime. If this is the case, then the present experiment is not able to resolve the difference found between the correlation analysis true velocity and the interferometer value. On the other hand, it appears that the interferometer may be of some use in tracking waves
VHF radar measurements in the summer polar mesosphere
Measurements in the mesosphere over Andoya/Norway (69 N, 16 E) were carried out using the mobile SOUSY-VHF radar with an extended beam configuration during the MAC/SINE campaign in summer 1987. First results of a 48 h and a 3 h observational period for heights between about 83 and 91 km are presented. Zonal mean winds are characterized by a strong westward flow of up to 50/ms, whereas the equatorward directed meridional component is weaker. The dominating semidiurnal tide has amplitudes up to 30/ms and a vertical wavelength of about 55 km. The diurnal tide is less pronounced. The total upward flux of horizontal momentum takes values of -2 sq m/sq s near 84 km and increases with increasing height, reaching a maximum value of 22 sq m/sqs for both the zonal and meridional components. However, measurements of the horizontal isotropy of the wave field suggest significant anisotropy. The major contribution to the momentum flux is from the 10 min to 1 h period range below about 87 km, and from the 1 to 6 h period range above this height
Cardiovascular effects of calcium supplementation
Peer reviewedPostprin
Animal models of ischaemic stroke and characterisation of the ischaemic penumbra
Over the past forty years, animal models of focal cerebral ischaemia have allowed us to identify the critical cerebral blood flow thresholds responsible for irreversible cell death, electrical failure, inhibition of protein synthesis, energy depletion and thereby the lifespan of the potentially salvageable penumbra. They have allowed us to understand the intricate biochemical and molecular mechanisms within the âischaemic cascadeâ that initiate cell death in the first minutes, hours and days following stroke. Models of permanent, transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and embolic stroke have been developed each with advantages and limitations when trying to model the complex heterogeneous nature of stroke in humans. Yet despite these advances in understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of stroke-induced cell death with numerous targets identified and drugs tested, a lack of translation to the clinic has hampered pre-clinical stroke research. With recent positive clinical trials of endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischaemic stroke the stroke community has been reinvigorated, opening up the potential for future translation of adjunctive treatments that can be given alongside thrombectomy/thrombolysis. This review discusses the major animal models of focal cerebral ischaemia highlighting their advantages and limitations. Acute imaging is crucial in longitudinal pre-clinical stroke studies in order to identify the influence of acute therapies on tissue salvage over time. Therefore, the methods of identifying potentially salvageable ischaemic penumbra are discussed
VHF radar measurements over Andoya (Northern Norway)
The Mobile SOUSY Radar was operated during the MAP/WINE, the MAC/SINE, and MAC/Epsilon campaigns at Andoya in Northern Norway. A comparison between summer and winter results is presented, in particular the generation and development of the scattering regions, the different power spectral densities and the aspect sensitivities which were derived from six different beam directions
5-micron photometry of late-type dwarfs
We present narrowband-M photometry of nine low-mass dwarfs with spectral
types ranging from M2.5 to L0.5. Combining the (L'-M') colours derived from our
observations with data from the literature, we find colours consistent with a
Rayleigh-Jeans flux distribution for spectral types earlier than M5, but
enhanced F_3.8/F_4.7 flux ratios (negative (L'-M') colours) at later spectral
types. This probably reflects increased absorption at M' due to the CO
fundamental band. We compare our results against recent model predictions and
briefly discuss the implications.Comment: accepted for the Astronomical Journa
The \chi Factor: Determining the Strength of Activity in Low Mass Dwarfs
We describe a new, distance-independent method for calculating the magnetic
activity strength in low mass dwarfs, L_{H\alpha}/L_{bol}. Using a
well-observed sample of nearby stars and cool standards spanning spectral type
M0.5 to L0, we compute ``\chi'', the ratio between the continuum flux near
H-alpha and the bolometric flux, f_{\lambda6560}/f_{bol}. This ratio may be
multiplied by the measured equivalent width of the H-alpha emission line to
yield L_{H\alpha}/L_{bol}. We provide \chi values for all objects in our
sample, as well as fits to \chi as a function of color and average values by
spectral type. This method was used by West et al.(2004) to examine trends in
magnetic activity strength in low mass stars.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in PAS
Isolation and characterisation of 17 microsatellite loci for the red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)
Peer reviewedPostprin
Bell inequalities for continuous-variable correlations
We derive a new class of correlation Bell-type inequalities. The inequalities
are valid for any number of outcomes of two observables per each of n parties,
including continuous and unbounded observables. We show that there are no
first-moment correlation Bell inequalities for that scenario, but such
inequalities can be found if one considers at least second moments. The
derivation stems from a simple variance inequality by setting local commutators
to zero. We show that above a constant detector efficiency threshold, the
continuous variable Bell violation can survive even in the macroscopic limit of
large n. This method can be used to derive other well-known Bell inequalities,
shedding new light on the importance of non-commutativity for violations of
local realism.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. v2: New results on detector efficiencies and
macroscopic limit, new co-author, changed title and abstract, changed figure,
added journal reference and DO
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