bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Massive stellar systems: observational challenges and perspectives in the E-ELT era
Authors: Bono G. , Braga V. F. , Ferraro I. , Fiorentino G. , Gilmozzi R. , Iannicola G. , Magurno D. , Matsunaga N. , Monelli M. , Rastello S. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe introduce the empirical framework concerning optical and near-infrared (NIR) photometry of crowded stellar fields. In particular, we address the impact that linear detectors and analytical PSF played in improving the accuracy and the precision of multi-band color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs). We focus our attention on recent findings based on deep NIR images collected with Adaptive Optics (AO) systems at the 8-10m class telescopes and discuss pros and cons of the different approaches. We also discuss the estimate of the absolute age of globular clusters using a well defined knee along the lower main sequence. We mention the role which the current AO-assisted instruments will have in addressing longstanding astrophysical problems of the Galactic center. Finally, we outline the role of first generation of E-ELT instruments upon photometry and spectroscopy of crowded stellar fields.
Nuclear Star Clusters
Authors: Neumayer Nadine 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe centers of galaxies host two distinct, compact components: massive black holes and nuclear star clusters. Nuclear star clusters are the densest stellar systems in the universe, with masses of ~ 107M⊙and sizes of ~ 5pc. They are almost ubiquitous at the centres of nearby galaxies with masses similar to, or lower than the Milky Way. Their occurrence both in spirals and dwarf elliptical galaxies appears to be a strong function of total galaxy light or mass. Nucleation fractions are up to 100% for total galaxy magnitudes of MB= −19mag or total galaxy luminosities of about LB= 1010L⊙and falling nucleation fractions for both smaller and higher galaxy masses. Although nuclear star clusters are so common, their formation mechanisms are still under debate. The two main formation scenarios proposed are the infall and subsequent merging of star clusters and the in-situ formation of stars at the center of a galaxy. Here, I review the state-of-the-art of nuclear star cluster observations concerning their structure, stellar populations and kinematics. These observations are used to constrain the proposed formation scenarios for nuclear star clusters. Constraints from observations show, that likely both cluster infall and in-situ star formation are at work. The relative importance of these two mechanisms is still subject of investigation.
Young and old massive star clusters and their stellar populations - Theoretical challenges for the next decade
Authors: Charbonnel Corinne 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSeveral models presented in the literature compete to explain the origin of multiple stellar populations in globular clusters (GC), but they all fail to reproduce the large variety of present-day characteristics of these systems. In parallel, independent clues on GC early evolution may be derived from observations of young massive clusters (YMC) in the Local Group. But are these two populations of clusters related? And can we reconcile the informations and data concerning GCs and YMCs? Here we summarize some open questions on the nucleosynthetic origin of multiple stellar populations in GCs, on the actual evolution and characteristics of GC low-mass stars, and on early gas expulsion from massive clusters. We propose theoretical paths to be explored in the near future.
The super star cluster driven feedback in ESO338-IG04 and Haro 11
Authors: Bik A. , Östlin G. , Menacho V. , Adamo A. , Hayes M. , Melinder J. , Amram P. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe stellar content of young massive star clusters emit large amounts of Lyman continuum photons and inject momentum into the inter stellar medium (ISM) by the strong stellar winds of the most massive stars in the cluster. When the most massive stars explode as supernovae, large amounts of mechanical energy are injected in the ISM. A detailed study of the ISM around these massive cluster provides insights on the effect of cluster feedback.We present high quality integral field spectroscopy taken with VLT/MUSE of two starburst galaxies: ESO 338-IG04 and Haro 11. Both galaxies contain a significant number of super star clusters. The MUSE data provide us with an unprecedented view of the state and kinematics of the ionized gas in the galaxy allowing us to study the effect of stellar feedback on small and large spatial scales. We present our recent results on studying the ISM state of these two galaxies. The data of both galaxies show that the mechanical and ionization feedback of the super star clusters in the galaxy modify the state and kinematics of the ISM substancially by creating highly ionized bubbles around the cluster, making the central part of the galaxy highly ionized. This shows that the HII regions around the individual clusters are density bounded, allowing the ionizing photons to escape and ionize the ISM further out.
Strömgren-Hβ photometry of the young open cluster NGC 6913
Authors: Kaltcheva Nadia , Golev Valeri , Beaver John , Lund Steven , Briley Michael 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe present new CCD uvbyβ photometry of about 50 stars located in the central region of the open cluster NGC 6913. The individual stellar distances and color excesses of established cluster’s members are analyzed and new estimate of the cluster’s distance is provided.
Searching for Possible Members of Star Moving Groups in the Kepler Field
Authors: Chen Chang Yao , Chen W. P. , Luo Ali 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe present identification of candidate members of the Beta Pictoris, AB Doradus, and TW Hydrae moving star groups. Our pilot study toward the Kepler field, where a multitude of stellar parameters are available, led to a list of 19 highly probable candidates that share the same range of distance and space (tangential and radial) motion as known members in a moving group. A few candidates lack radial velocity data, but are ROSAT X-ray sources, so are considered as likely young stars.
Comparing ALMA, VLT, and HST data for Massive, Young Clusters in Grand-Design Spirals
Authors: Grosbøl Preben , Dottori Horacio 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA population of young, massive stellar cluster complexes with near-infrared (NIR) colors indicating high extinction (i.e. Av ~ 7m) was identified on HAWK-I/VLT images of several nearby, grand-design spiral galaxies. Models suggest that they are very young cluster complexes still embedded in a dust/gas envelope which will be expelled after 5-7 Myr. This type of very young, embedded clusters are not seen in optical studies using HST data.A detailed comparison of HST and HAWK-I images was done to better understand the discrepancy between the optical and NIR detection of stellar clusters in nearby galaxies. More than 70% of the NIR clusters are located close to dust lanes which would make an optical detection difficult. A comparison of the ALMA CO(1-0)-map of NGC 4321 and the young, massive clusters shows that 60% of them have CO emission within 2“ indicating a correlation between giant molecular clouds and formation of massive clusters.
NGC 346: Looking in the Cradle of a Massive Star Cluster
Authors: Gouliermis Dimitrios A. , Hony Sacha 
Published: March 2017

AbstractHow does a star cluster of more than few 10,000 solar masses form? We present the case of the cluster NGC 346 in the Small Magellanic Cloud, still embedded in its natal star-forming region N66, and we propose a scenario for its formation, based on observations of the rich stellar populations in the region. Young massive clusters host a high fraction of early-type stars, indicating an extremely high star formation efficiency. The Milky Way galaxy hosts several young massive clusters that fill the gap between young low-mass open clusters and old massive globular clusters. Only a handful, though, are young enough to study their formation. Moreover, the investigation of their gaseous natal environments suffers from contamination by the Galactic disk. Young massive clusters are very abundant in distant starburst and interacting galaxies, but the distance of their hosting galaxies do not also allow a detailed analysis of their formation. The Magellanic Clouds, on the other hand, host young massive clusters in a wide range of ages with the youngest being still embedded in their giant HII regions. Hubble Space Telescope imaging of such star-forming complexes provide a stellar sampling with a high dynamic range in stellar masses, allowing the detailed study of star formation at scales typical for molecular clouds. Our cluster analysis on the distribution of newly-born stars in N66 shows that star formation in the region proceeds in a clumpy hierarchical fashion, leading to the formation of both a dominant young massive cluster, hosting about half of the observed pre–main-sequence population, and a self-similar dispersed distribution of the remaining stars. We investigate the correlation between stellar surface density (and star formation rate derived from star-counts) and molecular gas surface density (derived from dust column density) in order to unravel the physical conditions that gave birth to NGC 346. A power law fit to the data yields a steep correlation between these two parameters with a considerable scatter. The fraction of stellar over the total (gas plus young stars) mass is found to be systematically higher within the central 15 pc (where the young massive cluster is located) than outside, which suggests variations in the star formation efficiency within the same star-forming complex. This trend possibly reflects a change of star formation efficiency in N66 between clustered and non-clustered star formation. Our findings suggest that the formation of NGC 346 is the combined result of star formation regulated by turbulence and of early dynamical evolution induced by the gravitational potential of the dense interstellar medium.
The Composition of the Bulge Globular Cluster NGC 6273
Authors: Pilachowski C. A. , Johnson C. I. , Rich R. M. , Caldwell N. , Mateo M. , Bailey J. I. , Crane J. D. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObservations of red giants in the Bulge globular cluster NGC 6273 with the Michigan/Magellan Fiber System (M2FS) mounted on the Nasmuth-East port of the Magellan-Clay 6.5-m telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory reveal a spread in metallicity. Members have been confirmed with radial velocity. NGC 6273 has at least two populations separated by 0.2-0.3 dex in [Fe/H]. The sodium and aluminum abundances are correlated while the magnesium and aluminum abundances are anti-correlated. The cluster also shows a rise in the abundance of the s-process element lanthanum with [Fe/H] similar to other massive clusters. The cluster contains a possible third population depleted in most elements by 0.3 dex.
Gene mobility promotes the spread of resistance in bacterial populations
Authors: Stevenson Cagla , Hall James P J , Harrison Ellie , Wood A Jamie , Brockhurst Michael A 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Theory predicts that horizontal gene transfer (HGT) expands the selective conditions under which genes spread in bacterial populations. Whereas vertically inherited genes can only spread by positively selected clonal expansion, mobile genetic elements can drive fixation of genes by infectious HGT. We tested this using populations of Pseudomonas fluorescens and the conjugative mercury resistance (HgR) plasmid pQBR57. HGT expanded the selective conditions allowing the spread of HgR: Chromosomal HgR only increased in frequency under positive selection, whereas plasmid-encoded HgR reached fixation with or without positive selection. Tracking plasmid dynamics over time revealed that the mode of HgR inheritance varied across mercury environments. Under mercury selection, the spread of HgR was driven primarily by clonal expansion while in the absence of mercury HgR dynamics were dominated by infectious transfer. Thus, HGT is most likely to drive the spread of resistance genes in environments where resistance is useless.
A tipping point in refreezing accelerates mass loss of Greenland’s glaciers and ice caps
Authors: Noël B. , van de Berg W. J , Lhermitte S. , Wouters B. , Machguth H. , Howat I. , Citterio M. , Moholdt G. , Lenaerts J. T. M. , van den Broeke M. R. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMelting of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) and its peripheral glaciers and ice caps (GICs) contributes about 43% to contemporary sea level rise. While patterns of GrIS mass loss are well studied, the spatial and temporal evolution of GICs mass loss and the acting processes have remained unclear. Here we use a novel, 1 km surface mass balance product, evaluated against in situ and remote sensing data, to identify 1997 (±5 years) as a tipping point for GICs mass balance. That year marks the onset of a rapid deterioration in the capacity of the GICs firn to refreeze meltwater. Consequently, GICs runoff increases 65% faster than meltwater production, tripling the post-1997 mass loss to 36±16 Gt−1, or ∼14% of the Greenland total. In sharp contrast, the extensive inland firn of the GrIS retains most of its refreezing capacity for now, buffering 22% of the increased meltwater production. This underlines the very different response of the GICs and GrIS to atmospheric warming.
Steviol glycosides enhance pancreatic beta-cell function and taste sensation by potentiation of TRPM5 channel activity
Authors: Philippaert Koenraad , Pironet Andy , Mesuere Margot , Sones William , Vermeiren Laura , Kerselaers Sara , Pinto Sílvia , Segal Andrei , Antoine Nancy , Gysemans Conny , Laureys Jos , Lemaire Katleen , Gilon Patrick , Cuypers Eva , Tytgat Jan , Mathieu Chantal , Schuit Frans , Rorsman Patrik , Talavera Karel , Voets Thomas , Vennekens Rudi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSteviol glycosides (SGs), such as stevioside and rebaudioside A, are natural, non-caloric sweet-tasting organic molecules, present in extracts of the scrub plant Stevia rebaudiana, which are widely used as sweeteners in consumer foods and beverages. TRPM5 is a Ca2+-activated cation channel expressed in type II taste receptor cells and pancreatic β-cells. Here we show that stevioside, rebaudioside A and their aglycon steviol potentiate the activity of TRPM5. We find that SGs potentiate perception of bitter, sweet and umami taste, and enhance glucose-induced insulin secretion in a Trpm5-dependent manner. Daily consumption of stevioside prevents development of high-fat-diet-induced diabetic hyperglycaemia in wild-type mice, but not in Trpm5−/− mice. These results elucidate a molecular mechanism of action of SGs and identify TRPM5 as a potential target to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes.
Evolution of full-length genomes of HBV quasispecies in sera of patients with a coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HBs antibodies
Authors: Zhou Tai-Cheng , Li Xiao , Li Long , Li Xiao-Fei , Zhang Liang , Wei Jia 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAlthough the evolutionary changes of viral quasispecies are correlated to the pathological status of a disease, little is known in the coexistence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to these antigens (anti-HBs). To examine evolutionary changes in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and their relationship to the coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HBs antibodies, HBV genomes in patients with a coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HBs antibodies (experimental group) and HBsAg positive without anti-HBs (control group) were assessed. Our results showed that quasispecies diversity was significantly higher in the experimental group for large HBsAg (LHBsAg), middle HBsAg (MHBsAg), and HBsAg genes. LHBsAg harbored dN/dS values eight times higher in the experimental group; however, the mean dN/dS ratios in genes HbxAg, Pol and PreC/C of the experimental patients had an opposite trend. Phylogenetic trees in the experimental group were more complex than the control group. More positive selection sites, mutations and deletions were observed in the experimental group in specific regions. Furthermore, several amino acid variants in epitopes were potentially associated with the immune evasion. In conclusion, cumulative evolutionary changes in HBV genome that facilitate immune evasion provide insights into the genetic mechanism of a coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HBs antibodies.
TbIRK is a signature sequence free potassium channel from Trypanosoma brucei locating to acidocalcisomes
Authors: Steinmann Michael E. , Schmidt Remo S. , Bütikofer Peter , Mäser Pascal , Sigel Erwin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPotassium channels from prokaryotes and eukaryotes are usually recognized by a typical amino acid sequence TXTGY(F)G representing the ionic selectivity filter. Using a screening approach with ion channel family profiles but without the above motif, we identified a gene in Trypanosoma brucei that exhibits homology to inward rectifying potassium channels. We report here cloning of this ion channel named TbIRK. The protein is localized to acidocalcisomes in procyclic and in bloodstream form parasites. Functional properties of this channel were established after expression in Xenopus oocytes. Currents recorded in potassium medium show inward rectification and little time dependence. Surprisingly, this channel retains selectivity for potassium ions over sodium ions >7, in spite of the lack of the classical selectivity filter. The sequence GGYVG was predicted in silico to replace this filter motif. Point mutations of the corresponding glycine residues confirmed this at the functional level. The channel is inhibited by caesium ions but remains unaffected by barium ions up to 10 mM. TbIRK is to our knowledge the first potassium channel in T. brucei that localizes to the acidocalcisomes, organelles involved in the storage of phosphates and the response to osmotic stress that occurs during the life cycle of trypanosomes.
Case-control analysis of truncating mutations in DNA damage response genes connects TEX15 and FANCD2 with hereditary breast cancer susceptibility
Authors: Mantere Tuomo , Tervasmäki Anna , Nurmi Anna , Rapakko Katrin , Kauppila Saila , Tang Jiangbo , Schleutker Johanna , Kallioniemi Anne , Hartikainen Jaana M. , Mannermaa Arto , Nieminen Pentti , Hanhisalo Riitta , Lehto Sini , Suvanto Maija , Grip Mervi , Jukkola-Vuorinen Arja , Tengström Maria , Auvinen Päivi , Kvist Anders , Borg Åke , Blomqvist Carl , Aittomäki Kristiina , Greenberg Roger A. , Winqvist Robert , Nevanlinna Heli , Pylkäs Katri 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSeveral known breast cancer susceptibility genes encode proteins involved in DNA damage response (DDR) and are characterized by rare loss-of-function mutations. However, these explain less than half of the familial cases. To identify novel susceptibility factors, 39 rare truncating mutations, identified in 189 Northern Finnish hereditary breast cancer patients in parallel sequencing of 796 DDR genes, were studied for disease association. Mutation screening was performed for Northern Finnish breast cancer cases (n = 578–1565) and controls (n = 337–1228). Mutations showing potential cancer association were analyzed in additional Finnish cohorts. c.7253dupT in TEX15, encoding a DDR factor important in meiosis, associated with hereditary breast cancer (p = 0.018) and likely represents a Northern Finnish founder mutation. A deleterious c.2715 + 1G > A mutation in the Fanconi anemia gene, FANCD2, was over two times more common in the combined Finnish hereditary cohort compared to controls. A deletion (c.640_644del5) in RNF168, causative for recessive RIDDLE syndrome, had high prevalence in majority of the analyzed cohorts, but did not associate with breast cancer. In conclusion, truncating variants in TEX15 and FANCD2 are potential breast cancer risk factors, warranting further investigations in other populations. Furthermore, high frequency of RNF168 c.640_644del5 indicates the need for its testing in Finnish patients with RIDDLE syndrome symptoms.
Higher dietary intakes of choline and betaine are associated with a lower risk of primary liver cancer: a case-control study
Authors: Zhou Rui-fen , Chen Xiao-Lin , Zhou Zhong-guo , Zhang Yao-jun , Lan Qiu-ye , Liao Gong-cheng , Chen Yu-ming , Zhu Hui-lian 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe dietary intake of methyl donors is favorably associated with many diseases, but the findings regarding primary liver cancer (PLC) risk are limited. This study investigated the association between the intake of choline, betaine and methionine and PLC risk in adults. This 1:1 matched case-control study enrolled 644 hospital-based PLC patients and 644 community-based controls who were matched by sex and age, in Guangzhou, China. An interviewer-administered questionnaire and a food-frequency questionnaire were used to collect general information and dietary intake information. Conditional logistic regression showed a significantly inverse association between total choline and betaine intakes and PLC risk. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for PLC for the top (vs. bottom) tertile were 0.34 (0.24–0.49; P
-trend < 0.001) for total choline and 0.67 (0.48–0.93; P
-trend = 0.011) for betaine. No significant association was observed between the intake of methionine and PLC risk (P > 0.05). For individual choline compounds, higher consumptions of free choline, glycerophosphocholine, phosphocholine, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin were associated with a lower PLC risk (all P-trend < 0.05). The studied associations were not significantly modified by the folate intake (P-interactions: 0.488–0.890). Our findings suggest that higher choline and betaine intakes may be associated with a lower risk of PLC.
Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Perovskite Memory with Long-Term Stability in Air
Authors: Hwang Bohee , Lee Jang-Sik 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOrganic-inorganic perovskite materials have attracted extensive attention for wide range of applications such as solar cells, photo detectors, and memory devices. However, the lack of stability in ambient condition prevented the perovskite materials from applying to practical applications. Here, we demonstrate resistive switching memory devices based on organic-inorganic perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) that have been passivated using thin metal-oxide-layers. CH3NH3PbI3-based memory devices with a solution-processed ZnO passivation layer retain low-voltage operation and, on/off current ratio for more than 30 days in air. Passivation with atomic-layer-deposited (ALD) AlOx is also demonstrated. The resistive switching memory devices with an ALD AlOx passivation layer maintained reliable resistive switching for 30 d in ambient condition, but devices without the passivation layer degraded rapidly and did not show memory properties after 3 d. These results suggest that encapsulation with thin metal-oxide layers is easy and commercially-viable methods to fabricate practical memory devices, and has potential to realize memory devices with long-term stability and reliable, reproducible programmable memory characteristics.