Context. The hard X-ray emission of active galactic nuclei (AGN), and in particular, the reflection component, is shaped by the innermost and outer regions of the galactic nucleus. Aims. Our main ...goal is to investigate the variation of the Compton hump amongst a population of sources and correlate it with other spectral properties to constrain the source geometry. Methods. We studied the NuSTAR hard X-ray spectra of a sample of 83 AGN and performed a detailed spectral analysis of each of them. Based on their spectral shape, we divided the sample into five categories and also studied their stacked spectra. Results. We found a stronger reflection in mildly obscured sources, which verifies the results reported in previous works. In addition, the reflection behaviour, and probably origin, varies with absorption. The accretion disc seems to be the main reflector in unabsorbed sources. A clumpy torus seems to produce most of the reflection in obscured sources. The filling factor of the clouds surrounding the active nucleus is a key parameter that drives the appearance of AGN. Finally, we found that the Fe line and the Compton hump are roughly correlated, as expected.
Context.
The reflection hump is a prominent feature in the hard X-ray spectrum of active galactic nuclei (AGN). Its exact shape and its correlation to other quantities provide valuable information ...about the inner and outer regions of an AGN.
Aims.
Our main goal is to study the reflection hump in a large sample of nearby AGN. We aim to investigate the evolution of reflection with absorption and its correlation with the spectral index.
Methods.
We analysed archived
NuSTAR
observations of the 70-month BAT catalogue AGN. By performing a detailed spectral analysis, we were able to constrain the spectral parameters and to investigate the reflection emission in a large sample of individual sources.
Results.
The reflection strength was found to be strongly correlated with the power-law slope in unabsorbed sources, pointing towards disc reflection for these sources. Different possible explanations were tested and the most likely one is that the corona is moving either towards or away from the disc with a moderately relativistic velocity. An
R
− Γ correlation was not detected for absorbed sources. In addition, these AGN feature harder spectra, suggesting intrinsic differences between the two classes or a slab geometry for the X-ray source.
Context. η Carinae is a colliding wind binary hosting two of the most massive stars and featuring the strongest wind collision mechanical luminosity. The wind collision region of this system is ...detected in X-rays and γ-rays and offers a unique laboratory for the study of particle acceleration and wind magneto-hydrodynamics. Aim. Our main goal is to use X-ray observations of η Carinae around periastron to constrain the wind collision zone geometry and understand the reasons for its variability. Methods. We analysed 10 Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) observations, which were obtained around the 2014 periastron. The NuSTAR array monitored the source from 3 to 30 keV, which allowed us to grasp the continuum and absorption parameters with very good accuracy. We were able to identify several physical components and probe their variability. Results. The X-ray flux varied in a similar way as observed during previous periastrons and largely as expected if generated in the wind collision region. The flux detected within ~10 days of periastron is lower than expected, suggesting a partial disruption of the central region of the wind collision zone. The Fe Kα line is likely broadened by the electrons heated along the complex shock fronts. The variability of its equivalent width indicates that the fluorescence region has a complex geometry and that the source obscuration varies quickly with the line of sight.
ABSTRACT
NGC 5548 was recently monitored intensively from NIR to X-rays as part of the STORM campaign. Its disc emission was found to lag behind the observed X-rays, while the measured time lag was ...increasing with wavelength. These results are consistent with the assumption that short-term variability in AGN emission is driven by the X-ray illumination of the accretion disc. In this work, we studied the power spectrum of UV/optical and X-ray emission of NGC 5548, using the data of the STORM campaign as well as previous Swift data, in order to investigate the relation between the UV/optical and X-ray variability and to examine its consistency with the above picture. We demonstrate that even the power spectrum results are compatible with a standard disc being illuminated by X-rays, with low accretion rates, but the details are not entirely consistent with the results from the modelling of the ‘τ versus λ’ relation. The differences indicate that the inner disc might be covered by a ‘warm corona’ which does not allow the detection of UV/optical emission from the inner disc. Finally, we found strong evidence that the UV emission of NGC 5548 is not stationary.
Context. Recently, nearby bright galaxies have been the subject of long monitoring surveys in the X-rays, UV, and optical. All of these campaigns revealed a strong correlation between the various UV ...and optical bands, with time lags that increase with wavelength. In a series of papers, we have demonstrated that a scenario in which an X-ray source located on the rotation axis of the central black hole illuminating the accretion disc is a viable explanation for the observed correlations. However, some of the monitored sources showed low or moderate correlation between the X-rays and the UV, which could challenge this scenario. Aims. In this paper, we analyse the time-averaged and the variable broadband X-ray/UV/optical spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of NGC 5548, one of the most intensely monitored Seyfert 1 galaxies, using Swift , HST, and ground-based telescopes. The aim of this paper is to test whether the broadband spectral behaviour of the source could be explained with the X-ray illumination hypothesis, despite the apparently moderate correlation between the X-rays and longer wavelength. Methods. We modelled the broadband time-averaged SED, from the Space Telescope and Optical Reverberation Mapping (STORM) monitoring campaign of the source performed using the KYNSED model, which assumes X-ray illumination of the disc. We also modelled 15 time-resolved SEDs extracted from the same campaign to check whether this model can account for the spectral variability seen in the various wavebands during the monitoring. We assumed in our modelling that the X-ray corona is powered via the accretion process. Results. Our results show that the proposed scenario could describe the time-averaged and the time-resolved SEDs of NGC 5548 perfectly well. In this scenario, the height of the corona, the X-ray photon index, and the power that is transferred to the corona all vary. This would explain the variability behaviour at the various wavelengths. The best-fit model is obtained for a non-spinning black hole accreting at a constant rate of 5% of its Eddington limit. Since each of the variable parameters will affect the observed flux in a particular way, the combined variability of all of these parameters will then account for the moderate correlation between the X-rays and UV/optical. Conclusions. We demonstrate in this paper that X-ray illumination of the accretion disc can actually explain the observed properties of NGC 5548. In fact, this model not only fits the broadband spectra of the source well, but it also explains the time-lag behaviour as a function of wavelength as well as the power spectral distribution, providing a complete description of the behaviour of this source.
Abstract Cytokinesis is the final step of the cell division cycle that leads to the formation of two new cells. Successful cytokinesis requires significant remodelling of the plasma membrane by ...spatially distinct β- and γ-actin networks. These networks are generated by the formin family of actin nucleators, DIAPH3 and DIAPH1 respectively. Here we show that β- and γ-actin perform specialized and non-redundant roles in cytokinesis and cannot substitute for one another. Expression of hybrid DIAPH1 and DIAPH3 proteins with altered actin isoform specificity relocalized cytokinetic actin isoform networks within the cell, causing cytokinetic failure. Consistent with this we show that β-actin networks, but not γ-actin networks, are required for the maintenance of non-muscle myosin II and RhoA at the cytokinetic furrow. These data suggest that independent and spatially distinct actin isoform networks form scaffolds of unique interactors that facilitate localized biochemical activities to ensure successful cell division.
During cytokinesis, the actin cytoskeleton is partitioned into two spatially distinct actin isoform specific networks: a β-actin network that generates the equatorial contractile ring, and a γ-actin ...network that localizes to the cell cortex. Here we demonstrate that the opposing regulation of the β- and γ-actin networks is required for successful cytokinesis. While activation of the formin DIAPH3 at the cytokinetic furrow underlies β-actin filament production, we show that the γ-actin network is specifically depleted at the cell poles through the localized deactivation of the formin DIAPH1. During anaphase, CLIP170 is delivered by astral microtubules and displaces IQGAP1 from DIAPH1, leading to formin autoinhibition, a decrease in cortical stiffness and localized membrane blebbing. The contemporaneous production of a β-actin contractile ring at the cell equator and loss of γ-actin from the poles is required to generate a stable cytokinetic furrow and for the completion of cell division.
Revisiting UV/optical continuum time lags in AGN Kammoun, E S; Robin, L; Papadakis, I E ...
Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society,
11/2023, Letnik:
526, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
ABSTRACT
In this paper, we present an updated version of our model (KYNXiltr) which considers thermal reverberation of a standard Novikov–Thorne accretion disc illuminated by an X-ray point-like ...source. Previously, the model considered only two cases of black hole spins, and assumed a colour correction factor fcol = 2.4. Now, we extend the model to any spin value and fcol. In addition, we consider two scenarios of powering the X-ray corona, either via accretion, or external to the accretion disc. We use KYNXiltr to fit the observed time lags obtained from intense monitoring of four local Seyfert galaxies (NGC 5548, NGC 4593, Mrk 817, and Fairall 9). We consider various combinations of black hole spin, colour correction, corona height, and fraction of accretion power transferred to the corona. The model fits well the overall time-lag spectrum in these sources (for a large parameter space). For NGC 4593 only, we detect a significant excess of delays in the U band. The contribution of the diffuse BLR emission in the time-lag spectrum of this source is significant. It is possible to reduce the large best-fitting parameter space by combining the results with additional information, such as the observed Eddington ratio and average X-ray luminosity. We also provide an update to the analytic expression provided by Kammoun et al., for an X-ray source that is not powered by the accretion process, which can be used for any value of fcol, and for two values of the black hole spin (0 and 0.998).
•The Interacting Particle Representation Model (IPRM) is extended for passive scalar transport.•We develop a structure-based set of scale equations for the scalar field and couple them to the ...IPRM.•The complete model is evaluated for several cases of homogeneous deformation with good results.•We outline steps for coupling the new scalar scales to the Algebraic Structure-Based Model (ASBM).
A structure-based model has been constructed, for the first time, for the study of passive scalar transport in turbulent flows. The scalar variance and the large-scale scalar gradient variance are proposed as the two turbulence scales needed for closure of the scalar equations in the framework of the Interacting Particle Representation Model (IPRM). The scalar dissipation rate is modeled in terms of the scalar variance and the large-scale enstrophy of the velocity field. Model parameters are defined by matching the decay rates in freely isotropic turbulence. The model is validated for a large number of cases of deformation in both fixed and rotating frames, showing encouraging results. The model shows good agreement with DNS results for the case of pure shear flow in the presence of either transverse or streamwise mean scalar gradient, while it correctly predicts the presence of direct cascade for the passive scalar variance in two dimensional isotropic turbulence.
Purpose
Impaired negative feedback and hyperactivation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis characterizes type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a key ...mediator of HPA axis negative feedback; however, its role in linking hypercortisolemia and T2DM-associated hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and inflammation is not yet known.
Methods
In peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 31 T2DM patients and 24 healthy controls, we measured various GR-signaling parameters such as phosphorylated GR (pGR-S211),
GRα
/
GRβ
gene expression and GC-sensitivity using the basal and dexamethasone (DEX)-induced leucine zipper (
GILZ
) and FK506 binding-protein (
FKBP5
) mRNA levels as well as the basal interleukin (IL)-1β protein levels. Diurnal salivary cortisol curve parameters such as the cortisol awaking response (CAR) and area under the curve (AUC
total
and AUCi) as well as inflammatory and metabolic indices were also determined.
Results
T2DM patients exhibited diminished pGR-S211 protein content, increased
GRβ
, decreased basal
GILZ
and
FKBP5
mRNA levels and increased IL-1β levels. Flattened DEX-induced
GILZ
and
FKBP5
response curves and a flattened salivary cortisol profile characterized T2DM patients. Significant associations of GR measures and saliva cortisol curve parameters with biochemical and clinical characteristics were found.
Conclusion
Our novel data implicate an insufficient GR signaling in PBMCs in T2DM patients and HPA axis dysfunction. The significant associations of GR-signaling parameters with inflammatory and metabolic indices implicate that GR may be the critical link between HPA axis dysfunction, hypercortisolemia and diabetes-associated metabolic disturbances. Our findings provide significant insights into the contribution of GR-mediated mechanisms in T2DM aetiopathology and therapy.
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