bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting growth and habitat responses of Ginkgo biloba L. to climate change
Authors: Guo Ying , Lu Yue , El-Kassaby Yousry A. , Feng Lei , Wang Guibing , Wang Tongli
Published: October 2019

Key message

We developed a climatic response function using 20-year tree height observed from 45Ginkgo bilobaplantations in China and used it to predict the growth and habitat responses to anticipated climate change. We projected northward and upward shifts in the species habitat and productive areas, but a dramatic contraction of the species distribution is unlikely to occur at least during the present century.

Context

Ginkgo biloba is the only living species in the division Ginkgophyta. The species exists in small natural populations in southeastern China but is cultivated across China and the world. The species’ future under climate change is of concern.

Aims

This study was initiated to model the species’ growth response to climate change and to predict its range of suitable habitat under future climates.

Methods

Using height data from 45 20 years old plantations growing under a wide range of climatic conditions across China, we developed univariate and bivariate climatic response functions to identify the climate requirements of the species.

Results

According to the amount of variance explained (> 70%) and the high level of agreement (> 99%) with independent species occurrence coordinates, the developed climate response function was highly accurate and credible. Projections for future periods (2011–2040, 2041–2070, and 2071–2100) under the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5) scenario indicated that the areas of potential suitable habitat would increase (25–67 million hectares). It would also be associated with northward (0.21–0.62° in latitude) and elevational (24–75 m) shifts.

Conclusion

Global climate change is projected to increase the area of potential suitable habitats for Ginkgo and shift its spatial distributions northward and upward.
Proteomic analysis of black poplar (Populus nigra L.) seed storability
Authors: Pawłowski Tomasz A. , Klupczyńska Ewelina A. , Staszak Aleksandra M. , Suszka Jan
Published: October 2019

Key message

Adequate storability of black poplar (Populus nigraL.) seeds at temperatures below 0 °C was associated with preservation of proteins of energy and carbohydrate metabolism, protein turnover, and proteins maintaining long-term stability of dehydrated tissue.

Context

Understanding seed storability is a key factor for effective seed preservation and conservation. Black poplar is an endangered tree species and its seed loses rapidly viability during storage.

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine, and functionally characterise, the proteins associated with storability of black poplar seeds.

Methods

Dried seeds (7.1% MC) were stored at 3 °C, − 3 °C, − 20 °C, and − 196 °C, for a period of 12 and 24 months. Proteins were extracted and separated according to their isoelectric point (pI) and mass using 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Proteins that varied in abundance for temperature and time of storage were identified by mass spectrometry.

Results

A germination test showed that seeds remained viable at − 3, − 20, and − 196 °C. Storage at 3 °C caused loss of seed viability. This loss in seed vigour was related to the largest changes in protein abundance. As storage temperature decreased, a smaller number of proteins displayed changed abundance.

Conclusion

Good storability of black poplar seeds under freezing conditions may be associated with the following: an inhibition of synthesis of energy and carbohydrate metabolism and protein turnover proteins, LEA proteins that maintain long-term stability of dehydrated tissue, GDSL esterases/lipases that inhibit hydrolysing activity, and by chaperonins that protect protein functionality. Storage conditions influence the preservation of protein function that governs seed viability.
Challenges with Disaster Mortality Data and Measuring Progress Towards the Implementation of the Sendai Framework
Authors: Green Helen K. , Lysaght Oliver , Saulnier Dell D. , Blanchard Kevin , Humphrey Alistair , Fakhruddin Bapon , Murray Virginia
Published: October 2019

Disasters exact a heavy toll globally. However, the degree to which we can accurately quantify their impact, in particular mortality, remains challenging. It is critical to ensure that disaster data reliably reflects the scale, type, and distribution of disaster impacts given the role of data in: (1) risk assessments; (2) developing disaster risk management programs; (3) determining the resources for response to emergencies; (4) the types of action undertaken in planning for prevention and preparedness; and (5) identifying research gaps. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030s seven global disaster-impact reduction targets represent the first international attempt to systematically measure the effectiveness of disaster-impact reduction as a means of better informing policy with evidence. Target A of the Sendai Framework aims to “substantially reduce global disaster mortality by 2030, aiming to lower the average per 100,000 global mortality rate in the decade 2020–2030 compared to the period 2005–2015.” This article provides an overview of the complexities associated with defining, reporting, and interpreting disaster mortality data used for gauging success in meeting Target A, acknowledging different challenges for different types of hazard events and subsequent disasters. It concludes with suggestions of how to address these challenges to inform the public health utility of monitoring through the Sendai Framework.
Georeferencing of an Unmanned Aerial System by Means of an Iterated Extended Kalman Filter Using a 3D City Model
Authors: Bureick Johannes , Vogel Sören , Neumann Ingo , Unger Jakob , Alkhatib Hamza
Published: October 2019

In engineering geodesy, the technical progress leads to various kinds of multi-sensor systems (MSS) capturing the environment. Multi-sensor systems, especially those mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles, subsequently called unmanned aerial system (UAS), have emerged in the past decade. Georeferencing for MSS and UAS is an indispensable task to obtain further products of the data captured. Georeferencing comprises at least the determination of three translations and three rotations. The availability and accuracy of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers, inertial measurement units, or other sensors for georeferencing is not or not constantly given in urban scenarios. Therefore, we utilize UAS-based laser scanner measurements on building facades. The building latter are modeled as planes in a three-dimensional city model. We determine the trajectory of the UAS by combining the laser scanner measurements with the plane parameters. The resulting implicit measurement equations and nonlinear equality constraints are covered within an iterated extended Kalman filter (IEKF). We developed a software simulation for testing the IEKF using different scenarios to evaluate the functionality, performance, strengths, and remaining challenges of the IEKF implemented.
Surgical management of gingival recession using autogenous soft tissue grafts
Authors: Windisch Peter , Molnar Balint
Published: October 2019

One of the chief goals of periodontal plastic surgery is establishment of ideal pink esthetics through the reconstruction of gingival recessions. A gold standard treatment approach for coverage of gingival recession with predictable esthetic outcomes is the transplantation of autogenous soft tissue grafts. Various surgical techniques can be used in combination with autogenous soft tissue grafts for gingival recession coverage.
Slowakische Republik (Slovak Republic) v. Achmea BV (C.J.E.U.)
Authors: Ahmad Jawad
Published: October 2019

On March 6, 2018, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) found in Slowakische Republik (Slovak Republic) v. Achmea B.V. that the arbitration agreement contained in the 1991 Agreement on Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investments between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Czech and Slovak Federative Republic (BIT) had an adverse effect on the autonomy of EU law and, thus, was incompatible with EU law. This important decision has ignited a debate on the compatibility of other arbitration agreements in both intra-EU bilateral investment treaties (intra-EU BITs) and in the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) with EU law.
Agreement Establishing The African Continental Free Trade Area
Authors: Gathii James Thuo
Published: October 2019

On May 30, 2019, the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) entered into force for the twenty-four countries that had deposited their instruments of ratification. When the remaining thirty-one member states of the African Union ratify it, the AfCFTA will cover a market of 1.2 billion people and a gross domestic product (GDP) of $2.5 trillion. That would make it the world's largest trade agreement since the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Vedanta Resources PLC and Another (Appellants) v. Lungowe and Others (U.K. Sup. Ct.)
Authors: Hughes-Jennett Julianne
Published: October 2019

On April 10, 2019, the U.K. Supreme Court (UKSC) handed down judgment in the case of Vedanta Resources PLC and Another (Appellants) v. Lungowe and Others (Respondents). The case raises important issues regarding jurisdiction and the potential for a duty of care to be imposed on a parent company in respect of harm caused by its subsidiary. The UKSC has also made clear that a duty of care could be imposed in a nonequity relationship such as in relation to a company's supply chain.
Late Prehistoric Stelae, Persistent Places and Connected Worlds: A Multi-disciplinary Review of the Evidence at Almargen (Lands of Antequera, Spain)
Authors: Díaz-Guardamino Marta , García-Sanjuán Leonardo , Wheatley David , Lozano-Rodríguez José Antonio , Rogerio-Candelera Miguel Ángel , Casado-Ariza Manolo
Published: October 2019

This paper examines how monuments with ‘local’ idiosyncrasies are key in processes of place-making and how, through persistence, such places can engage in supra-local and even ‘global’ dynamics. Departing from a detailed revision of its context, materiality and iconography, we show how a remarkable Iberian ‘warrior’ stela brings together the geo-strategic potential of a unique site, located literally between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic worlds, the century-long dialogue between shared and local identities and the power of connectivity of inexorable global processes. Previous approaches to Iberian late prehistoric stelae have had problems in developing bottom-up, theoretically informed and empirically sound approaches to their simultaneously local and supra-local character. The remarkable site of Almargen provides the opportunity to explore this issue. Located in Lands of Antequera (Málaga), a region with a strong tradition of landscape-making through monuments going back to the Late Neolithic, the Almargen ‘warrior’ stela serves us to explore the notion of ‘glocalization’, which embodies persistent local engagements with material culture, sites and landscapes on the one hand, and their connections with wider regional and even ‘global’ worlds on the other.
Incidentally detected small fistula flows in pulmonary artery by colour Doppler: echocardiographic findings and follow-up results
Authors: Atik Sezen Ugan , Saltik Irfan Levent
Published: October 2019

Abnormal small fistulous flows in the pulmonary artery were detected on routine transthoracic echocardiography in asymptomatic patients by colour Doppler echocardiography. The most likely diagnosis is small coronary artery-pulmonary artery fistulas. We evaluated the clinical, echocardiographic, and follow-up findings of 101 patients. The mean age at first echocardiographic evaluation was 4.3 ± 4.2 years. In 79 (78.2%) of the patients, fistula flow in the pulmonary artery was diagnosed at the first presentation and the remaining 22 patients (21.8%) were diagnosed between the 2nd and 10th examination. The echocardiography indication was cardiac murmur in 42 (41.6%), routine cardiac control in 30 (29.7%), additional CHD in 14 (13.8%), non-specific chest pain in 11 (10.9%), suspicion of inflammatory heart disease in 2 (2%), and syncope in 2 (2%) patients. In 70 (69.3%) patients, fistulous flow was located in the anterior aspect of the main pulmonary artery, in 23 (22.8%) patients on the aortic side of the pulmonary artery and in 8 (7.9%) patients on the right pulmonary artery. Additional cardiac anomalies were ventricular septal defect in 8, patent ductus arteriosus in 6, atrial septal defect in 5, mitral valve prolapse in 4, coarctation of aorta in 4, bicuspid aortic valve in 3, and Kawasaki syndrome in 1 patient. Sixty-four patients (63.3%) were followed during a mean of 52.6 ± 43.7 months. Spontaneous closure was detected in only three patients; the others remained almost unchanged during the follow-up. Since the fistulas are thin and hemodynamically insignificant, echocardiography is an appropriate method to monitor these patients without performing any invasive diagnostic procedures for the fistula source.
Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: an uncommon cause of exertional chest pain in children
Authors: Zhao Qu-ming , He Lan , Liu Fang
Published: October 2019

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an uncommon morphologic variant of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is rarely diagnosed in childhood. To date, very few cases of asymptomatic children younger than 18 years have been reported in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of paediatric apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy presenting with exertional chest pain, with characteristic electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, MRI, and cardiac angiography findings.
Growth and the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator in a small child
Authors: Spentzou Georgia , McLean Andrew , McLeod Karen
Published: October 2019

The effect of growth on the subcutaneous cardioverter defibrillators when implanted in small children is unknown. These two chest X-rays demonstrate that these devices can cope well with growth.
Promoting meal planning through mass media: awareness of a nutrition campaign among Canadian parents
Authors: Fernandez Melissa Anne , Desroches Sophie , Marquis Marie , Lebel Alexandre , Turcotte Mylène , Provencher Véronique
Published: October 2019

Objective:

To evaluate awareness of the Eat Well Campaign (EWC) among parents and assess perceptions about its effectiveness.

Design:

Post-campaign evaluation study with a cross-section of parents recruited through random digit dialling. Participants completed an online survey about EWC awareness, its perceived effectiveness among parents and their meal planning practices (attitudes, behaviours and self-efficacy).

Setting:

A federal mass-media campaign disseminated by Health Canada (2013–2014) to promote meal planning to Canadian parents.

Participants:

Parents (n 964) of children aged 2–12 years from all Provinces and Territories.

Results:

Of respondents, 41 % (390/964) were aware of the campaign; Quebec City and rural Quebec had the highest rates of awareness, whereas Vancouver, Winnipeg and Toronto had the lowest. Awareness was greater among parents with lower income, basic education and French-speakers. Campaign intensity was significantly associated with greater odds of reporting positive attitudes towards the EWC and meal planning (P < 0·05). Campaign awareness was significantly associated with greater odds of believing that meal planning helps maintain a healthy diet (OR = 1·68, 95 % CI 1·03, 2·74) and planning meals (OR = 1·66, 95 % CI 1·03, 2·54), but not self-efficacy, in adjusted models.

Conclusions:

The present study is the first to evaluate an initiative that promoted meal planning with mass media. The EWC demonstrated evidence of success in terms of equitable access to a nutrition initiative by reaching lower-income and less-educated parents. Understanding behavioural factors among different segments of the population will be important to target appropriate audiences and develop tailored interventions that support healthy eating practices.
The merger debris of dwarf galaxies in the local stellar halo
Authors: Du Cuihua , Li Hefan , Newberg Heidi Jo
Published: October 2019

Based on the second Gaia data release and spectroscopy from the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) Data, we identified 23,582 halo stars kinematically. The halo streams in the solar neighborhood could be detected in the space of energy and angular momentum. We reshuffle the velocities of these stars to determine the significance of the substructure. Finally, we find 14 statistically significant substructures and several substructures are not reported by previous works. These structures may be the debris of dwarf galaxies accretion event and their dynamical and chemical information can help to understand the history of the Galaxy.
Isolated dwarf galaxies in the Local Group
Authors: Higgs Clare R. , McConnachie Alan W. ,   the  Collaboration
Published: October 2019

The Solo (Solitary local) Dwarf Galaxy Survey is a volume limited sample of all nearby (< 3 Mpc) and isolated (> 300 kpc from the Milky Way or M31) dwarfs, with wide-field g and i imaging. This survey uses resolved stellar populations to parameterize these low mass systems. Comparison to the well studied satellite dwarfs characterizes the evolutionary impact of a large galaxy in close proximity. The deep, wide field nature of this survey also lends itself to searching for nearby substructures, both globular clusters and possible faint satellites.

Current work is focused on the 16 closest Solo dwarfs, all within the virial radius (approximately 1 Mpc) of the Local Group. This subset has been characterized using consistent methods, despite their diversity in stellar mass and apparent size. The analysis highlights the extended stellar structure and morphology. We will examine trends with star formation history, and separation from a large host. This first subset emphasizes the survey’s unique challenges and advantages.

The Solo Survey provides detailed look at the extended structure of dwarfs and characterizes the evolution of galaxies in the faint limit.
Hot star wind mass-loss rate predictions at low metallicity
Authors: Krtička Jiří , Kubát Jiří
Published: October 2019

Hot star winds are driven by the radiative force due to light absorption in lines of heavier elements. Therefore, the amount of mass lost by the star per unit of time, i.e., the mass-loss rate, is sensitive to metallicity. We provide mass-loss rate predictions for O stars with mass fraction of heavier elements 0.2 <Z/Z⊙ ≤ 1. Our predictions are based on global model atmospheres. The models allow us to predict wind terminal velocity and the mass-loss rate just from basic global stellar parameters. We provide a formula that fits the mass-loss rate predicted by our models as a function of stellar luminosity and metallicity. On average, the mass-loss rate scales with metallicity as (Z/Z⊙)0.59. The predicted mass-loss rates agree with mass-loss rates derived from ultraviolet wind line profiles. At low metallicity, the rotational mixing affects the wind mass-loss rates. We study the influence of magnetic line blanketing.
Galactic Ambient of Host Galaxies of GRBs
Authors: Bernal Santiago , Vásquez Nicolás , Hoyle Fiona , Calderón Jaime
Published: October 2019

We studied a sample of 1672 galaxies in regions where a GRB event had occurred, in order to determine if the galactic environment plays a significant role on these energetic events. The Luminosity Function distribution for these galaxies shows some interesting features. For instance, there is a decline on the Luminosity Function at Mr~ −20.5; a lack of flatness at Mr~ −14 and higher-than-expected values of Φ(Mr) for Mr < −22.5. A comparison between our data and the Void, Wall and Early galaxies Luminosity Function was performed.
The Local Group Dwarf Galaxies. The Star Formation Histories derived using the Long Period Variable Stars
Authors: Saremi Elham , Javadi Atefeh , van Loon Jacco Th. , Khosroshahi Habib , Rezaei kh Sara , Golshan Roya Hamedani , Hashemi Seyed A.
Published: October 2019

Dwarf galaxies in the Local Group (LG) represent a distinct as well as diverse family of tracers of the earliest phases of galaxy assembly and the processing resulting from galactic harrassment. Their stellar populations can be resolved and used as probes of the evolution of their host galaxy. In this regard, we present the first reconstruction of the star formation history (SFH) of them using the most evolved AGB stars that are long period variable (LPV). LPV stars trace stellar populations as young as ∼ 30 Myr to as old as the oldest globular clusters. For the nearby, relatively massive and interacting gas-rich dwarf galaxies, the Magellanic Clouds, we found that the bulk of the stars formed ∼ 10 Gyr ago for the LMC, while the strongest episode of star formation in the SMC occurred a few Gyr later. A peak in star formation around 0.7 Gyr ago in both Clouds is likely linked to their recent interaction. The Andromeda satellite pair NGC147/185 show different histories; the main epoch of star formation for NGC 185 occurred 8.3 Gyr ago, followed by a much lower, but relatively constant star formation rate (SFR). In the case of NGC 147, the SFR peaked only 6.9 Gyr ago, staying intense until ∼ 3 Gyr ago. Star formation in the isolated gas-rich dwarf galaxy IC 1613 has proceeded at a steady rate over the past 5 Gyr, without any particular dominant epoch. Due to lack of sufficient data, we have conducted an optical monitoring survey at the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) of 55 dwarf galaxies in the LG to reconstruct the SFH of them uniformly. The observations are made over ten epochs, spaced approximately three months apart, as the luminosity of LPV stars varies on timescales of months to years. The system of galactic satellites of the large Andromeda spiral galaxy (M31) forms one of the key targets of our monitoring survey. We present the first results in the And I dwarf galaxy, where we discovered 116 LPVs among over 10,000 stars.
The Hi Neighborhoods Around STARBIRDS
Authors: Johnson Megan C. , McQuinn Kristen B. W. , Cannon John , Martinkus Charlotte , Skillman Evan , Bailin Jeremy , Ford H. Alyson , Hunt Lucas , Westmeier Tobias , Wong O. Ivy , Kamphuis Peter
Published: October 2019

Starbursts are finite periods of intense star formation (SF) that can dramatically impact the evolutionary state of a galaxy. Recent results suggest that starbursts in dwarf galaxies last longer and are distributed over more of the galaxy than previously thought, with star formation efficiencies (SFEs) comparable to spiral galaxies, much higher than those typical of non-bursting dwarfs. This difference might be explainable if the starburst mode is externally triggered by gravitational interactions with other nearby systems. We present new, sensitive neutral hydrogen observations of 18 starburst dwarf galaxies, which are part of the STARburst IRregular Dwarf Survey (STARBIRDS) and each were mapped with the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) and/or Parkes Telescope in order to study the low surface brightness gas distributions, a common tracer for tidal interactions.
HI gas component in dwarf and disk galaxies in the view of semi-analytic models
Authors: Fu Jian
Published: October 2019

We show our recent progress on the L-Galaxies semi-analytic models of galaxy formation, which focuses on the HI gas in low mass galaxies. We find that the model based on ELUCID haloes can reproduce the HI mass function from ALFALFA 100 at low mass end. On the other hand, our models predict some gas rich low mass galaxies around the Milky Way, which may offer opportunities for future HI 21cm survey in nearby universe by FAST and SKA-1.
Dwarf Galaxies in the Local Volume
Authors: Karachentsev Igor D. , Kaisina E. I.
Published: October 2019

The Updated Nearby Galaxy Catalog (=UNGC) of 1047 Local Volume (=LV) galaxies, situated within a distance of 11 Mpc, contains 870 dwarfs, i.e. 5/6 of the sample. Almost 40% of them have accurate distances measured with Hubble Space Telescope. Most of the LV dwarfs have been observed in HI and Hα emission lines, as well in far-ultraviolet with GALEX. We present basic properties of the LV dwarfs, their HI -mass content and star-formation rate in different local environments. We discuss a baryonic Tully-Fisher relation for the LV dwarfs, and apply it to determine TF -distances for several hundreds local galaxies. The accurate distances and radial velocities of the LV dwarfs are used by us to trace dark matter distribution within 11 Mpc. We discuss also does the Local Group may be treated as a typical or uncommon representative of the LV population.
The evolution of the luminosity function faint end of cluster galaxies in the Cluster-EAGLE simulation
Authors: Negri Andrea , Vecchia Claudio Dalla , Aguerri Alfonso , Bahé Yannick , Barnes David , Kay Scott
Published: October 2019

In the last decade observations have been able to probe the evolution of the galaxy luminosity function, in particular showing a variation of its faint-end with redshift. We employ the data of the Cluster-EAGLE project, a set of cosmological, hydrodynamical zoom-in simulations of 30 galaxy clusters, to study the evolution of the galaxy luminostity functions in clusters with redshift. We compile a catalogue of simulated galaxies’ luminosities in the SDSS bands using the E-MILES spectra database, and taking into account dust attenuation. Stacked luminosity functions present little evolution with redshift of the faint-end slope from z=3.5 to z=0, regardless of the cluster mass.
Bright-red stars in the dwarf irregular galaxy Leo A
Authors: Leščinskaitė Alina , Stonkutė Rima , Vansevičius Vladas
Published: October 2019

We analysed a population of bright-red (BR) stars in the dwarf irregular galaxy Leo A by using multicolour photometry data obtained with the Subaru/Suprime-Cam (B, V, R, I,Hα) and HST/ACS (F475W & F814W) instruments. In order to separate the Milky Way (MW) and Leo A populations of red stars, we developed a photometric method, which enabled us to study the spatial distribution of BR stars within the Leo A galaxy.

We found a significant difference in the scale-length (S-L) of radial distributions of the “young” and “old” red giant branch (RGB) stars – 0′.82 ± 0′.04 and 1′53 ± 0′.03, respectively. Also, we determined the S-L of BR stars of 0′.85 ± 0′.05, which closely matches that of the “young” RGB stars. Additionally, we found a sequence of peculiar RGB stars and 8 dust-enshrouded stars in the Leo A galaxy.
The Milky Way’s total satellite population and constraining the mass of the warm dark matter particle
Authors: Newton Oliver , Cautun Marius , Jenkins Adrian , Frenk Carlos S. , Helly John C.
Published: October 2019

The Milky Way’s (MW) satellite population is a powerful probe of warm dark matter (WDM) models as the abundance of small substructures is very sensitive to the properties of the WDM particle. However, only a partial census of the MW’s complement of satellite galaxies exists because surveys of the MW’s close environs are incomplete both in depth and in sky coverage. We present a new Bayesian analysis that combines the sample of satellites recently discovered by the Dark Energy Survey (DES) with those found in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to estimate the total satellite galaxy luminosity function down to Mv = 0. We find that there should be at least $124_{ - 27}^{ + 40}$ (68% CL, statistical error) satellites as bright or brighter than Mv = 0 within 300 kpc of the Sun, with only a weak dependence on MW halo mass. When it comes online the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope should detect approximately half of this population. We also show that WDM models infer the same number of satellites as in ΛCDM, which will allow us to rule out those models that produce insufficient substructure to be viable.
Detection of AGB stars in the IC 10 dwarf irregular galaxy
Authors: Gholami Mahtab , Javadi Atefeh , van Loon Jacco Th. , Khosroshahi Habib , Mirtorabi Mohammad Taghi , Saremi Elham , Eftekhari Samaneh
Published: October 2019

Amongst the dwarf galaxies in the Local Group, the isolated irregular one, IC 10 is one of the most interesting galaxies, with strong star forming activity and the highest density of Wolf-Rayet stars. Undergoing a starburst phase, having numerous HII regions and being bright in all wavebands, makes it an exquisite galaxy to study the internal and external processes that continue to affect dwarf galaxies 14 Gyr since the Big Bang. In this study, we present a new deep and precise optical monitoring survey of IC 10 using the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) with the wide field camera (WFC). We performed observations at nine epochs spaced between three to four months apart between 2015 and 2017. We identified Long Period Variable stars (LPVs), Asymptotic Giant Branch stars (AGBs) and Red Super Giant stars (RSGs) to determine the star formation history and chemical evolution of IC 10.
The properties of bright globular clusters, ultra-compact dwarfs and dwarf nuclei in the Virgo core: hints on origin of ultra-compact dwarf galaxies (UCDs)
Authors: Liu Chengze , Peng Eric W. , Côté Patrick , Zhang Hong-Xin , Ferrarese Laura , Jordán Andrés , Mihos J. Christopher , Muñoz Roberto P. , Puzia Thomas H. , Lançon Ariane , Gwyn Stephen , Cuillandre Jean-Charles , Blakeslee John P. , Boselli Alessandro , Durrell Patrick R. , Duc Pierre-Alain , Guhathakurta Puragra , MacArthur Lauren A. , Mei Simona , Sánchez-Janssen Rubén , Xu Haiguang
Published: October 2019

Based on the data from the Next Generation Virgo cluster Survey (NGVS), we statistically study the photometric properties of globular clusters (GCs), ultra-compact dwarfs (UCDs) and dwarf nuclei in the Virgo core (M87) region. We found an obvious negative color (g - z) gradient in GC system associate with M87, i.e. GCs in the outer regions are bluer. However, such color gradient does not exist in UCD system, neither in dwarf nuclei system around M87. In addition, we found that many UCDs are surrounded by extended, low surface brightness envelopes. The dwarf nuclei and UCDs show different spatial distributions from GCs, with dwarf nuclei and UCDs (especially for the UCDs with visible envelopes) lying at larger distances to the Virgo center. These results support the view that UCDs (at least for a fraction of UCDs) are more tied to dwarf nuclei than to GCs.
Nearby void dwarf galaxies: recent results, the ongoing project and prospects
Authors: Pustilnik Simon A. , Makarov Dmitri I. , Tepliakova Arina L.
Published: October 2019

Properties of dwarf galaxies formed and evolved in the lowest density environment remain largely unexplored and poorly understood. Especially this concerns the low-mass end (Mbar < 109M⊙). We overview the results of systematic study of a hundred void dwarfs from the nearby Lynx-Cancer void. We describe the ongoing project aiming to form Nearby Void galaxy sample (R < 25 Mpc) over the whole sky. 1354 objects with distances less than 25 Mpc fall within 25 voids delineated by 460 luminous galaxies/groups. The void major sizes range from 13 to 37 Mpc. 1088 of 1354 void galaxies reside deeply in voids, having distances to the nearest luminous neighbour of 2–11 Mpc. 195 nearest void galaxies reside in the Local Volume. We summarize the main statistical properties of the new sample and outline the prospects of study of both, the void dwarf properties and the fine structure of voids.
The massive stellar population of IC 10
Authors: Corral Luis J. , García Miriam , Navarro Silvana G. , Herrero Artemio
Published: October 2019

Using photometric data available in the literature we want to identify the massive stars members of the metal-poor irregular galaxy IC 10 and the clusters and associations that they form. The census of the clusters and associations of these objects is needed to provide information about age and environment on this galaxy that is apparently going through a starburst phase.
A wide angle chemical survey of the Sagittarius dwarf Spheroidal galaxy
Authors: Sbordone L. , Monaco L. , Duffau S. , Bonifacio P. , Caffau E.
Published: October 2019

We present the status of an ongoing project to map the detailed chemical abundances of stars across the main body of the Sagittarius dwarf Spheroidal galaxy (Sgr dSph). The Sgr dSph is the closest known dwarf galaxy, and is being tidally destroyed by its interaction with the Milky Way (MW), leaving behind a massive stellar stream. Sgr dSph is a chemically outstanding object, with peculiar abundance ratios, clear center-outskirts abundance gradients, and spanning more than 3 orders of magnitude in metallicity. We present here detailed abundances from UVES@VLT spectra for more than 50 giants across 8 fields along the major and minor axes of Sgr dSph, and 5 more outside the galaxy main body, but possibly associated to its stellar stream.
Resonant Trapping of the Moving Groups G18-39 and G21-22 in the Galactic Halo
Authors: Schuster W. J. , Moreno E. , Fernández-Trincado J. G.
Published: October 2019

Orbital resonances in the Galactic halo have been studied using the Galactic mass model of Pichardo et al. (2003, 2004), including a Galactic bar. For the two moving groups of the Galactic halo, G18-39 and G21-22 (Silva et al. 2012), the majority of stars in both groups appear trapped in two resonances over the Galactic plane, generated by the bar. We have taken the rotation speed of the bar, Ωb, as 45-55 km s-1 kpc-1. So, these two moving groups are part of stellar supergroups which populate these two resonances. The position of these two groups in the Bottlinger diagram can be explained by the mean (U,V) field generated by these two resonances crossing the solar vicinity, in contrast with the alternate explanation of Silva et al. (2012), based on the simulations of Meza et al. (2005), that these two groups, seen as two peaks in the U Galactic velocity, have been created by the accretion of a dwarf galaxy by the Milky Way, such as that of Ω Centauri.
Dwarf Galaxies and Cluster Environments
Authors: Hashimoto Yasuhiro , Henry J. Patrick , Böhringer Hans
Published: October 2019

We report an investigation of the properties of dwarf galaxies (Mr < -15) inside 26 clusters at z = 0.15 – 0.25, using the X-ray data from the Chandra archive, and optical images taken with Subaru Suprime-Cam. Our results include: 1. Investigation of the dwarf galaxy density distribution is sensitive to the background galaxies and the choice of colour selection of galaxies. 2. Cluster-centric dwarf-to-giant ratio is highly sensitive to the level of subtracted background galaxies. 3. A certain fraction of faint galaxies always remain undetected by the detection algorithm near the center of clusters, even after carefully treating the halo or extra diffuse light created by bright galaxies. The number of ‘undetected’ faint galaxies varies significantly from cluster to cluster, and even from pointing to pointing. 4. Dwarf galaxies extend up to 2 Mpc from the center in most clusters. Meanwhile, the distribution of blue dwarf galaxies extends more to the outside. 5. For a given colour, the spatial distributions of dwarf galaxies and giant galaxies become similar. Namely, the most of the radial distribution comes from the colour, rather than the size, of galaxies. 6. Relative to the NFW profile, all of the galaxy populations are showing a deficit near the cluster core (r < 0.3 Mpc). 7. The dwarf-to-giant ratio shows no variation against cluster measures such as the richness and X-ray luminosity, as well as various cluster X-ray characteristics related to possible dynamical status of clusters.
FOSSILs in the Galactic Halo
Authors: Grillmair Carl J.
Published: October 2019

We use a matched filter to detect compact groups of old, metal-poor stars that we term FOSSILs (Fragments of Old Stellar Systems in Limbo). With size scales on the order of 10 arcminutes, distances ranging from 2 to 200 kpc, and memberships ranging from a handful to several dozen stars, these FOSSILs stand out from the surrounding field and are presumably signatures of, or debris from, ancient star clusters and dwarf galaxies. They may be localized concentrations of stars within more extensive tidal streams, and in some cases may be the signatures of extant but heretofore undetected ultrafaint galaxies. Using magnitudes and colors from the Pan-STARRs survey, we detect ∼ 70 such FOSSILs at 5 σ or greater in a 2200 square degree region in the vicinity of the north Galactic pole. A subsample of more populous FOSSILs that could be candidate ultrafaint dwarf galaxies suggests a total population of 200 such objects within 200 kpc of the Galactic center. Spectroscopic and astrometric follow-up of these FOSSILs will be required to determine the nature of these structures, deepen our understanding of the make-up and accretion history of the Galactic halo, and perhaps alleviate the missing satellites problem.
Evolution of star-forming dwarf galaxies in different environments
Authors: Grossi Marco
Published: October 2019

The ubiquity of star-forming dwarf galaxies (SFDG) in the local Universe allows us to trace their evolution in all type of environments, from voids to rich clusters. SFDGs in low-density regions are still assembling their mass, they often show peculiar gas morphology and kinematics, likely associated to external gas accretion or galaxy interactions, and they can experience strong bursts of star formation. The most metal-poor SFDGs are found in the field and they are unique laboratories to investigate the star formation process in the low-metallicity regime, at conditions similar to their high-redshift analogues. On the other hand, SFDGs in intermediate- and high-density environments provide a key to understand the processes that remove their interstellar medium (ISM) and suppress star formation, leading to the different types of gas-poor early-type dwarfs. We review the most recent results on the properties of SFDGs at low and high galaxy densities focusing in particular on the impact of a cluster environment on their ISM components (dust, molecular, atomic and ionised gas). We analyse the population of SFDGs in the nearest rich clusters: Virgo, which is still in the process of assembly, and Fornax, which is more dynamically evolved, more compact and denser. We discuss how the different evolutionary stage of the two structures affects the properties of SFDGs.
CO / CI observations of N83C in the early stage of star formation in SMC with ALMA
Authors: Zahorecz Sarolta , Onishi Toshikazu , Muraoka Kazuyuki , Homma Aya , Harada Ryohei , Takada Shota , Maezawa Hiroyuki , Tokuda Kazuki , Saigo Kazuya , Kawamura Akiko , Mizuno Norikazu , Minamidani Tetsuhiro , Meixner Margaret , Indebetouw Remy , Sewilo Marta , Fukui Yasuo , Bolatto Alberto
Published: October 2019

The Magellanic Clouds offer the opportunity to obtain a spatially resolved view of external galaxies at reduced metallicity with no distance ambiguity. Our ALMA observations of the active star-forming region N83C in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) revealed subparsec-scale molecular structures in 12CO and 13CO (2-1) emission Muraoka et al. (2017). We found strong CO peaks associated with Young Stellar Objects(YSOs) and derived a typical gas density of ∽104 cm−3 and gas temperature of 40-60 K from the excitation analysis. The high gas density and temperature are presumably due to the effect of the HII region under the low-metallicity environment. We have found that the column density ratios N(CI)/N(CO) are generally high throughout the cloud compared with the Galaxy, ranging from 0.2 to 2.0. A peak of the ratio is observed toward a CO peak associated with a massive protostar.
The Representation of Hydrological Dynamical Systems Using Extended Petri Nets (EPN)
Authors: Bancheri Marialaura , Serafin Francesco , Rigon Riccardo
Published: October 2019

This work presents a new graphical system to represent hydrological dynamical models and their interactions. We propose an extended version of the Petri Nets mathematical modeling language, the Extended Petri Nets (EPN), which allows for an immediate translation from the graphics of the model to its mathematical representation in a clear way. We introduce the principal objects of the EPN representation (i.e., places, transitions, arcs, controllers, and splitters) and their use in hydrological systems. We show how to cast hydrological models in EPN and how to complete their mathematical description using a dictionary for the symbols and an expression table for the flux equations. Thanks to the compositional property of EPN, we show how it is possible to represent either a single hydrological response unit or a complex catchment where multiple systems of equations are solved simultaneously. Finally, EPN can be used to describe complex Earth system models that include feedback between the water, energy, and carbon budgets. The representation of hydrological dynamical systems with EPN provides a clear visualization of the relations and feedback between subsystems, which can be studied with techniques introduced in nonlinear systems theory and control theory.
The SCOC database, a large, open, and global database with sediment community oxygen consumption rates
Authors: Stratmann Tanja , Soetaert Karline , Wei Chih-Lin , Lin Yu-Shih , van Oevelen Dick
Published: October 2019

Sediment community oxygen consumption (SCOC) rates provide important information about biogeochemical processes in marine sediments and the activity of benthic microorganisms and fauna. Therefore, several databases of SCOC data have been compiled since the mid-1990s. However, these earlier databases contained much less data records and were not freely available. Additionally, the databases were not transparent in their selection procedure, so that other researchers could not assess the quality of the data. Here, we present the largest, best documented, and freely available database of SCOC data compiled to date. The database is comprised of 3,540 georeferenced SCOC records from 230 studies that were selected following the procedure for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Each data record states whether the oxygen consumption was measured ex situ or in situ, as total oxygen uptake, diffusive or advective oxygen uptake, and which measurement device was used. The database will be curated and updated annually to secure and maintain an up-to-date global database of SCOC data.
Period-3 dominant phase synchronisation of Zelkova serrata: border-collision bifurcation observed in a plant population
Authors: Sakai Kenshi , Hoshino Yoshinobu , Prasad Awadhesh , Sugawara Fukamachi Atsuko , Ishibashi Akira
Published: October 2019

The population synchrony of tree seed production has attracted widespread attention in agriculture, forestry and ecosystem management. Oaks usually show synchronisation of irregular or intermittent sequences of acorn production, which is termed ‘masting’. Tree crops such as citrus and pistachio show a clear two-year cycle (period-2) termed ‘alternate bearing’. We identified period-3 dominant phase synchronisation in a population of Zelkova serrata. As ‘period-3’ is known to provide evidence to imply chaos in nonlinear science, the observed period-3 phase synchronisation of Zelkova serrata is an attractive real-world phenomenon that warrants investigation in terms of nonlinear dynamics. Using the Hilbert transform, we proposed a procedure to determine the fractions of periods underlying the survey data and distinguished the on-year (high yield year) and the off-year (low yield year) of the masting. We quantified the effects of pollen coupling, common environmental noise and individual variability on the phase synchronisation and demonstrated how the period-3 synchronisation emerges through a border-collision bifurcation process. In this paper, we propose a model that can describe diverse behaviours of seed production observed in many different tree species by changing its parameters.
AST-120, an Oral Carbon Absorbent, Protects against the Progression of Atherosclerosis in a Mouse Chronic Renal Failure Model by Preserving sFlt-1 Expression Levels
Authors: Nakada Yasuki , Onoue Kenji , Nakano Tomoya , Ishihara Satomi , Kumazawa Takuya , Nakagawa Hitoshi , Ueda Tomoya , Nishida Taku , Soeda Tsunenari , Okayama Satoshi , Watanabe Makoto , Kawakami Rika , Saito Yoshihiko
Published: October 2019

Soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1), an endogenous antagonist of the proatherogenic cytokine placental growth factor, is decreased in chronic kidney disease (CKD), leading to atherosclerotic progression. In this study, we investigated the effect of AST-120, an oral carbon adsorbent which can remove uremic toxins, on sFlt-1 expression levels and atherosclerosis progression. Atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice underwent a 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 NR) or a sham operation (sham) at 8 weeks of age and were then treated or not with oral AST-120 for 12 weeks. sFlt-1 expression levels and the degree of atherosclerosis were assessed at 22 weeks of age in each of the four groups (sham; n = 7, 5/6 NR; n = 10, sham + AST-120: n = 8, 5/6 NR + AST-120; n = 8). The expression levels of sFlt-1 mRNA in the kidney were significantly lower in the 5/6 NR group than in the sham group, but AST-120 treatment prevented this decrease in sFlt-1 levels. Similarly, the atherosclerotic plaque area of the thoracoabdominal aorta was significantly larger in the 5/6 NR group than in the sham group, and AST-120 treatment prevented this increase in atherosclerosis. AST-120 could, therefore, be used as a therapeutic to treat atherosclerosis in patients with CKD.
CO2 oxidative coupling of methane using an earth-abundant CaO-based catalyst
Authors: Zhang Yongzheng , Cho Yohei , Yamaguchi Akira , Peng Xiaobo , Miyauchi Masahiro , Abe Hideki , Fujita Takeshi
Published: October 2019

CO2 oxidative coupling of methane has been achieved by using CO2 as the oxidant. We explored various catalysts with the capability of producing C2,3 hydrocarbons and found that the use of a CaO-based oxide with sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) allowed for remarkable direct methane conversion with a C2,3 yield of 6.6% at 950 °C. Microstructural characterisations showed that the optimal sample contained sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) covered with fine calcium oxide particles with chloride doping. Interestingly, sodium carbonate acted as a molten salt catalyst in this scenario. The synthesised active components are earth-abundant and can increase the possibility of achieving higher yields of hydrocarbons.
Neural control of fasting-induced torpor in mice
Authors: Hitrec Timna , Luppi Marco , Bastianini Stefano , Squarcio Fabio , Berteotti Chiara , Lo Martire Viviana , Martelli Davide , Occhinegro Alessandra , Tupone Domenico , Zoccoli Giovanna , Amici Roberto , Cerri Matteo
Published: October 2019

Torpor is a peculiar mammalian behaviour, characterized by the active reduction of metabolic rate, followed by a drop in body temperature. To enter torpor, the activation of all thermogenic organs that could potentially defend body temperature must be prevented. Most of these organs, such as the brown adipose tissue, are controlled by the key thermoregulatory region of the Raphe Pallidus (RPa). Currently, it is not known which brain areas mediate the entrance into torpor. To identify these areas, the expression of the early gene c-Fos at torpor onset was assessed in different brain regions in mice injected with a retrograde tracer (Cholera Toxin subunit b, CTb) into the RPa region. The results show a network of hypothalamic neurons that are specifically activated at torpor onset and a direct torpor-specific projection from the Dorsomedial Hypothalamus to the RPa that could putatively mediate the suppression of thermogenesis during torpor.