The VLT-FLAMES survey of massive stars: mass loss and rotation of early-type stars in the SMC

We have studied the optical spectra of a sample of 31 O- and early B-type stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud, 21 of which are associated with the young massive cluster NGC 346. Stellar parameters are determined using an automated fitting method (Mokiem et al. 2005, A&A, 441, 711), which combines the stellar atmosphere code FASTWIND (Puls et al. 2005, A&A, 435, 669) with the genetic algorithm based optimisation routine PIKAIA (Charbonneau 1995, ApJS, 101, 309). Comparison with predictions of stellar evolution that account for stellar rotation does not result in a unique age, though most stars are best represented by an age of 1-3 Myr. The automated method allows for a detailed determination of the projected rotational velocities. The present day v(r) sin i distribution of the 21 dwarf stars in our sample is consistent with an underlying rotational velocity (v(r)) distribution that can be characterised by a mean velocity of about 160-190 km s(-1) and an effective half width of 100-150 km s(-1). The vr distribution must include a small percentage of slowly rotating stars. If predictions of the time evolution of the equatorial velocity for massive stars within the environment of the SMC are correct (Maeder & Meynet 2001, A&A, 373, 555), the young age of the cluster implies that this underlying distribution is representative for the initial rotational velocity distribution. The location in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram of the stars showing helium enrichment is in qualitative agreement with evolutionary tracks accounting for rotation, but not for those ignoring vr. The mass loss rates of the SMC objects having luminosities of log L-star/L-circle dot greater than or similar to 5.4 are in excellent agreement with predictions by Vink et al. (2001, A&A, 369, 574). However, for lower luminosity stars the winds are too weak to determine. M accurately from the optical spectrum. Three targets were classified as Vz stars, two of which are located close to the theoretical zero-age main sequence. Three lower luminosity targets that were not classified as Vz stars are also found to lie near the ZAMS. We argue that this is related to a temperature effect inhibiting cooler from displaying the spectral features required for the Vz luminosity class.

Atomic oxygen surface loss coefficient measurements in a capacitive/inductive radio-frequency plasma

Spatially resolved measurements of the atomic oxygen densities close to a sample surface in a dual mode (capacitive/inductive) rf plasma are used to measure the atomic oxygen surface loss coefficient beta on stainless steel and aluminum substrates, silicon and silicon dioxide wafers, and on polypropylene samples. beta is found to be particularly sensitive to the gas pressure for both operating modes. It is concluded that this is due to the effect of changing atom and ion flux to the surface. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.

Induction of tetraploidy through loss of p53 and upregulation of Plk1 by Human Papillomavirus type-16 E6

Cancer cells are insensitive to many signals that inhibit growth of untransformed cells. Here, we show that primary human epithelial cells expressing human papillomavirus (HPV) type-16 E6/E7 bypass arrest caused by the DNA-damaging drug adriamycin and become tetraploid. To determine the contribution of E6 in the context of E7 to the resistance of arrest and induction of tetraploidy, we used an E6 mutant unable to degrade p53 or RNAi targeting p53 for knockdown. The E6 mutant fails to generate tetraploidy; however, the presence of E7 is sufficient to bypass arrest while the p53 RNAi permits both arrest insensitivity and tetraploidy. We published previously that polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is upregulated in E6/E7-expressing cells. We observe here that abnormal expression of Plk1 protein correlates with tetraploidy. Using the p53 binding-defective mutant of E6 and p53 RNAi, we show that p53 represses Plk1, suggesting that loss of p53 results in tetraploidy through upregulation of Plk1. Consistent with this hypothesis, overexpression of Plk1 in cells generates tetraploidy but does not confer resistance to arrest. These results support a model for transformation caused by HPV-16 where bypass of arrest and tetraploidy are separable consequences of p53 loss with Plk1 required only for the latter effect.

Allocating transmission loss to loads and generators through complex power flow tracing

This paper presents a new method for complex power flow tracing that can be used for allocating the transmission loss to loads or generators. Two algorithms for upstream tracing (UST) and downstream tracing (DST) of the complex power are introduced. UST algorithm traces the complex power extracted by loads back to source nodes and assigns a fraction of the complex power flow through each line to each load. DST algorithm traces the output of the generators down to the sink nodes determining the contributions of each generator to the complex power flow and losses through each line. While doing so, active- and reactive-power flows as well as complex losses are considered simultaneously, not separately as most of the available methods do. Transmission losses are taken into consideration during power flow tracing. Unbundling line losses are carried out using an equation, which has a physical basis, and considers the coupling between active- and reactive-power flows as well as the cross effects of active and reactive powers on active and reactive losses. The tracing algorithms introduced can be considered direct to a good extent, as there is no need for exhaustive search to determine the flow paths as these are determined in a systematic way during the course of tracing. Results of application of the proposed method are also presented.

Transmission Loss Allocation Through Complex Power Flow Tracing

This paper presents a new method for transmission loss allocation. The method is based on tracing the complex power flow through the network and determining the share of each load on the flow and losses through each line. Transmission losses are taken into consideration during power flow tracing. Unbundling line losses is carried out using an equation, which has a physical basis, and considers the coupling between active and reactive power flows as well as the cross effects of active and reactive power on active and reactive losses. A tracing algorithm which can be considered direct to a good extent, as there is no need for exhaustive search to determine the flow paths as these are determined in a systematic way during the course of tracing. Results of application of the proposed method are also presented.

Transmission loss allocation in a deregulated electrical energy market

This paper presents a new method for transmission loss allocation in a deregulated electrical power market. The proposed method is based on physical flow through transmission lines. The contributions of individual loads to the line flows are used as basis for allocating transmission losses to different loads. With minimum assumptions, that sound to be reasonable and cannot be rejected, a novel loss allocation formula is derived. The assumptions made are: a number of currents sharing a transmission line distribute themselves over the cross section in the same manner; that distribution causes the minimum possible power loss. Application of the proposed method is straightforward. It requires only a solved power flow and any simple algorithm for power flow tracing. Both active and reactive powers are considered in the loss allocation procedure. Results of application show the accuracy of the proposed method compared with the commonly used procedures.