| 1. |
- Väisänen, P, et al.
(författare)
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Adaptive optics imaging and optical spectroscopy of a multiple merger in a luminous infrared galaxy
- 2008
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Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 384:3, s. 886-906
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present near-infrared (NIR) adaptive optics imaging obtained with VLT/NACO and optical spectroscopy from the Southern African Large Telescope of a luminous IR galaxy (LIRG) IRAS 19115-2124. These data are combined with archival Hubble Space Telescope imaging and Spitzer imaging and spectroscopy, allowing us to study this disturbed interacting/merging galaxy, dubbed the Bird, in extraordinary detail. In particular, the data reveal a triple system where the LIRG phenomenon is dominated by the smallest of the components. One nucleus is a regular barred spiral with significant rotation, while another is highly disturbed with a surface brightness distribution intermediate to that of disc and bulge systems, and hints of remaining arm/bar structure. We derive dynamical masses in the range 3-7 × 1010Msolarfor both. The third component appears to be a 1-2 × 1010Msolar mass irregular galaxy. The total system exhibits HII galaxy-like optical line ratios and strengths, and no evidence for active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity is found from optical or mid-IR data. The star formation rate is estimated to be ~190Msolaryr-1. We also report a search for supernovae from NIR images separated by five months and search for superstar cluster candidates. We detect outflowing gas from the Bird mostly in the range 100-300 km s-1 using NaI D absorption features. Overall, the Bird shows kinematic, dynamical and emission-line properties typical for cool ultraluminous IR galaxies (ULIRGs). However, the interesting features setting it apart for future studies are its triple merger nature, and the location of its star formation peak - the strongest star formation, as revealed by Spitzer imaging, does not come from the two major K-band nuclei, but from the third irregular component. This is in contrast to the conventional view that the (U)LIRG phases are powered by infalling gas to the major nuclei of the merging spiral galaxies. Aided by simulations, we discuss scenarios where the irregular component is on its first high-speed encounter with the more massive components. Based on observations made with ESO Telescopes at the Paranal Observatory under programme 073.D-0406A, and with the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT).
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| 2. |
- Safari, Dodi, et al.
(författare)
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Identification of the smallest structure capable of evoking opsonophagocytic antibodies against Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14
- 2008
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Ingår i: Infection and Immunity. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 0019-9567 .- 1098-5522. ; 76:10, s. 4615-4623
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Synthetic overlapping oligosaccharide fragments of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 14 capsular polysaccharide (Pn14PS), {6)-[beta-D-Galp-(1 -> 4)-] beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1 -> 3)-beta-D-Galp-(1 -> 4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1 -> 3}(n), were conjugated to CRM197 protein and injected into mice to determine the smallest immunogenic structure. The resulting antibodies were then tested for Pn14PS specificity and for their capacity to promote the phagocytosis of S. pneumoniae type 14 bacteria. Earlier studies have reported that the oligosaccharide corresponding to one structural repeating unit of Pn14PS, i.e., Gal-Glc-(Gal-) GlcNAc, induces a specific antibody response to Pn14PS. The broader study described here, which evaluated 16 oligosaccharides, showed that the branched trisaccharide element Glc-(Gal-) GlcNAc is essential in inducing Pn14PS-specific antibodies and that the neighboring galactose unit at the nonreducing end contributes clearly to the immunogenicity of the epitope. Only the oligosaccharide conjugates that produce antibodies recognizing Pn14PS were capable of promoting the phagocytosis of S. pneumoniae type 14. In conclusion, the branched tetrasaccharide Gal-Glc-(Gal-) GlcNAc may be a serious candidate for a synthetic oligosaccharide conjugate vaccine against infections caused by S. pneumoniae type 14.
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| 3. |
- Vaisanen, Petri, et al.
(författare)
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Adaptive optics imaging and optical spectroscopy of a multiple merger in a luminous infrared galaxy
- 2007
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- We present near-infrared (NIR) adaptive optics imaging obtained with VLT/NACO and optical spectroscopy from the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) of a luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG) IRAS 19115-2124. These data are combined with archival HST imaging and Spitzer imaging and spectroscopy, allowing us to study this disturbed interacting/merging galaxy, dubbed the Bird, in extraordinary detail. In particular, the data reveal a triple system where the LIRG phenomenon is dominated by the smallest of the components.One nucleus is a regular barred spiral with significant rotation, while another is highly disturbed with a surface brightness distribution intermediate to that of disk and bulge systems, and hints of remaining arm/bar structure. We derive dynamical masses in the range 3-7x10^10 M_solar for both. The third component appears to be a 1-2x10^10 M_solar mass irregular galaxy. The total system exhibits HII galaxy-like optical line ratios and strengths, and no evidence for AGN activity is found from optical or mid-infrared data. The star formation rate is estimated to be 190 M_solar/yr. We search for SNe, super star clusters, and detect 100-300 km/s outflowing gas from the Bird. Overall, the Bird shows kinematic, dynamical, and emission line properties typical for cool ultra luminous IR galaxies. However, the interesting features setting it apart for future studies are its triple merger nature, and the location of its star formation peak - the strongest star formation does not come from the two major K-band nuclei, but from the third irregular component. Aided by simulations, we discuss scenarios where the irregular component is on its first high-speed encounter with the more massive components.
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