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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Circular RNA hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}000673 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma malignance by decreasing miR-767-3p targeting SET

Highlights: • Hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}000673 was highly expressed in HCC tissues. • Hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}000673 knockdown suppressed HCC cell proliferation and invasion. • Hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}000673 promoted HCC proliferation and invasion by sponging miR-767-3p. • Hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}000673 facilitated HCC cell proliferation and invasion via regulating miR-767-3p/SET pathway. The importance of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in human cancers has gradually been acknowledged. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), several circRNAs have been reported to regulate tumor growth and metastasis. However, the role of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}000673 in HCC remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}000673 was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues. Moreover, we found that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}000673 knockdown markedly inhibited the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells in vitro. Besides, hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}000673 silence led to delayed tumor growth in vivo. In terms of mechanism, we showed that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}000673 directly associated with miR-767-3p in HCC cells. Via inhibiting miR-767-3p, hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}000673 promoted HCC cell proliferation and invasion. Furthermore, we demonstrated that SET was a downstream effector of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}000673/miR-767-3p signaling. We showed that miR-767-3p could significantly promote SET expression by sponging miR-767-3p in HCC cells. Finally, rescue assays indicated that SET expression was essential for the effects of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}000673/miR-767-3p signaling on HCC cell proliferation and invasion. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}000673 promoted HCC malignant behaviors via regulating miR-767-3p/SET pathway.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

A novel circular RNA, hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}046701, promotes carcinogenesis by increasing the expression of miR-142-3p target ITGB8 in glioma

Highlights: • We identified a novel circular RNA, hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}046701 in glioma cells. • Hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}046701 was significantly upregulated in glioma tissues. • Hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}046701 sponges miR-142-3p in glioma. • MiR-142-3p directly targets ITGB8 in glioma. • Hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}046701/miR-142-3p/ITGB8 axis plays critical roles in glioma pathogenesis. In the present study, we identified a novel circular RNA (circRNA), hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}046701, in glioma cells. We measured the expression of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}046701 using qRT-PCR in glioma tissues and cell lines, and explored its functions using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, colony formation, and Transwell assays. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to validate the correlation between microRNA miR-142-3p and hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}046701 or integrin subunit beta 8 (ITGB8). The results showed that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}046701 was significantly upregulated in glioma tissues and cell lines, and knockdown of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}046701 inhibited cell proliferation and invasion. Luciferase reporter assays indicated that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}046701 functions as a sponge for miR-142-3p and regulates the expression of ITGB8. Subsequently, functional assays revealed that silencing of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}046701 could upregulate miR-142-3p, resulting in downregulation of ITGB8. The results demonstrated that the hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}046701/miR-142-3p/ITGB8 axis might play critical regulatory roles in the pathogenesis and development of glioma.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534/miR-761/ZIC5 regulatory loop modulates the proliferation and migration of glioma cells

Highlights: • Hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 knockdown inhibited glioma cell proliferation and migration. • Hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 regulated cell proliferation and migration by sponging miR-761. • ZIC5 was a target of miR-761. • Hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 promoted glioma cell proliferation and migration via upregulating ZIC5 expression by sponging miR-761. Increasing evidences demonstrate the essential roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in human cancers. However, the study about the functions of circRNAs in glioma remains very limited. In the present study, we found that circRNA hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 was highly expressed in glioma tissues compared to normal brain tissues. Furthermore, we found that knockdown of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of glioma cells. In mechanism, we showed that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 could sponge miR-761 to repress its availability in glioma cells. We found that inhibition of miR-761 could rescue the suppressed proliferation and migration of glioma cells by hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 knockdown. Moreover, we explored the downstream mechanism and found that ZIC5 was a target of miR-761. We showed that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 promoted the expression of ZIC5 by inhibiting miR-761 in glioma cells. And restoration of ZIC5 expression significantly reversed the effects of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 knockdown on glioma cell proliferation and migration. In summary, our results demonstrated that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 serves as an oncogene in glioma via promoting ZIC5 expression by repressing miR-761 availability. Our results suggested that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534/miR-761/ZIC5 regulatory loop might be a promising therapeutic target for glioma treatment.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Overexpressing circular RNA hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}002052 impairs osteosarcoma progression via inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin pathway by regulating miR-1205/APC2 axis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel class of noncoding RNAs, whose importance in cancer has been gradually acknowledged. However, the functions of circRNAs in tumorigenesis have not been fully understood. In the present study, we identified a novel circRNA hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}002052 significantly downregulated in osteosarcoma (OS) tissues and cell lines. Moreover, we found that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}002052 could act as a biomarker to indicate the prognosis of OS patients. Functionally, we showed that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}002052 overexpression significantly suppressed OS cell proliferation, migration and invasion while promoting apoptosis in vitro. Similarly, in vivo assay indicated that ectopic expression of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}002052 impaired OS cell growth. In terms of mechanism, we found that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}002052 inhibited miR-1205 while miR1205 targeted APC2, a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. By releasing the inhibition of miR-1205 on APC2 expression, hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}002052 suppressed the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, leading to attenuated OS progression. Taken together, our study for the first time revealed a suppressive circRNA hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}002052 involved in OS progression. Our study suggested hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}002052/miR-1205/APC2/Wnt/β-catenin axis might be a potential target for OS therapy.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Downregulation of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 suppresses breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion by targeting miR-593/MUC19 signal pathway

Highlights: • We reported circular RNA, has{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 in breast cancer (BC). • We reported mircro-RNA, miR-593 in breast cancer. • Has{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 sponges miR-593 in BC. • MiR-593 directly targets MUC19 in BC. • Has{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534/miR-593/MUC19 axis plays critical role in BC pathogenesis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are important non-coding RNAs that are reportedly involved in the progression of diverse human cancers through their action as a microRNA (miRNA) sponge. However, the exact roles of circRNAs in breast cancer (BC) remain largely unknown. The present data demonstrate the significantly upregulated expression of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 circRNA in BC tissues and cell lines. In contrast, miR-593 expression was significantly downregulated. Knockdown of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 inhibited BC cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis in BC cells. Moreover, hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 was demonstrated to be a sponge of miR-593, and expression of miR-593 in BC cells was negatively correlated with hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534. MUC19 expression was markedly increased in BC tissues and cell lines, and the 3-UTR of MUC19 was targeted by miR-593. The expression of MUC19 was negatively regulated by miR-593 in BC cells. Our findings suggest an oncogenic role for hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}007534 in BC by acting as a miR-593 sponge to promote MUC19 expression.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2010

Comparative Spectra of Oxygen-Rich Versus Carbon-Rich Circumstellar Shells: VY Canis Majoris and IRC(plus)10216 at 215-285 GHz

A sensitive (1sigma rms at 1 MHz resolution approx.3 mK) 1 mm spectral line survey (214.5-285.5 GHz) of VY Canis Majoris (VY CMa) and IRC +10216 has been conducted to compare the chemistries of oxygen- and carbon-rich circumstellar envelopes. This study was carried out using the Submillimeter Telescope of the Arizona Radio Observatory with a new Atacama Large Millimeter Array type receiver. This survey is the first to chemically characterize an O-rich circumstellar shell at millimeter wavelengths. In VY CMa, 128 emission features were detected arising from 18 different molecules; and in IRC +10216, 720 lines were observed, assigned to 32 different species. The 1 mm spectrum of VY CMa is dominated by SO, and SiS; in IRC +10216, C4H and SiC2 are the most recurrent species. Ten molecules were common to both sources: CO, SiS, SiO, CS, CN, HCN, HNC, NaCl, PN, and HCO(+). Sulfur plays an important role in VY CMa, but saturated/ unsaturated carbon dominates the molecular content of IRC +102.16, producing CH2NH, for example. Although the molecular complexity of IRC +10216 is greater, VY CMa supports a unique "inorganic" chemistry leading to the oxides PO, AlO, and AlOH. Only diatomic and triatomic compounds were observed in VY CMa, while species with four or more atoms are common in IRC +10216, reflecting carbon's ability to form multiple strong bonds, unlike oxygen. In VY CMa, a new water maser (v2 = 2) has been found, as well as vibrationally excited NaCl. Toward IRC +10216, vibrationally excited CCH was detected for the first time.

Tenebaum, E. D.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Circular RNA hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}023404 exerts an oncogenic role in cervical cancer through regulating miR-136/TFCP2/YAP pathway

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most prevalent malignances among women. However, the mechanism underlying CC development remains elusive. Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been known as important regulators in tumorigenesis. Whether circRNAs are involved in CC requires to be determined. In the present study, we found that circRNA hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}023404 was significantly upregulated in CC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. And its overexpression was correlated with poor prognosis in CC patients. Functionally, we showed that knockdown of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}023404 significantly suppressed the proliferation, arrested the cell-cycle progression and inhibited cell migration and invasion in CC. In terms of mechanism, we found that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}023404 acted as a sponge of miR-136 and miR-136 targeted TFCP2, which is an activator of YAP signaling pathway. We showed that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}023404 activated YAP pathway in CC via promoting TFCP2 expression by sponging miR-136, leading to CC development and progression. Taken together, our study for the first time demonstrated the pivot role of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}023404 and revealed a novel regulatory loop of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}023404/miR-136/TFCP2/YAP axis in CC progression.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Circular RNA hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}008039 promotes breast cancer cell proliferation and migration by regulating miR-432-5p/E2F3 axis

As the development of sequencing technology, more and more circular RNAs (circRNAs) are identified in human cancer tissues. Increasing evidences imply circRNAs are important regulators in tumor progression. Nevertheless, how circRNAs participate in breast cancer development and progression is not well understood. In the present study, we identified a novel circRNA hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}008039 with upregulated expression level in breast cancer tissues. By functional experiments, we found that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}008039 depletion significantly suppressed the proliferation, arrested cell-cycle progression and reduced migration in breast cancer. Mechanistic investigations suggested that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}008039 served as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-432-5p. Subsequently, E2F3 was identified as the functional target of miR-432-5p and overexpression of hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}008039 elevated E2F3 expression in breast cancer. On the whole, our study indicated that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}008039 exerted oncogenic roles in breast cancer and suggested the hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}008039/miR-432-5p/E2F3 axis might be a potential therapeutic target.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Mm9{sub c}irc{sub 0}09056 enhances osteogenesis by targeting BMP7 via CGRP-mediated miR-22–3p

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that can function as miRNA sponges, post-transcriptionally regulating the expression of genes. Here, we report a novel positive function of mm9{sub c}irc{sub 0}09056 during osteogenesis in regulating bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) through miR-22–3p. First, we found that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) had great osteogenesis function on MC3T3 cells. Then aberrant expression of mm9{sub c}irc{sub 0}09056 were confirmed in CGRP-induced cells. Furthermore, the expression of mm9{sub c}irc{sub 0}09056 was up-regulated in the CGRP-induced cells, whereas miR-22–3p was obviously decreased. Silencing of mm9{sub c}irc{sub 0}09056 increased the expression of miR-22–3p and decreased the gene and protein levels of BMP7, RUNX2. Cells proliferation and growth were also inhibited following silengcing. The protein levels of BMP7 and RUNX2 decreased after mimics transfection and increased after inhibitors transfection. In summary, mm9{sub c}irc{sub 0}09056 may function as a sponge for miR-22–3p to regulate osteogenesis in CGRP-induced cells.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Global identification of circular RNAs in chronic myeloid leukemia reveals hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}080145 regulates cell proliferation by sponging miR-29b

Highlights: • A large number of circRNAs aberrantly expressed in chronic myeloid leukemia. • Top 20 aberrantly expressed interacted with leukemia-associated miRNAs. • hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}080145 knockdown significantly suppressed CML cell proliferation. • hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}080145 acts as an miR-29b sponge in CML. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that participate in various biological processes and disease pathogenesis. However, the role of circRNAs in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) remains largely unknown. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was performed to explore the expression profile of circRNAs in CML patients for the first time, and a large number of differentially expressed circRNAs were identified. In addition, we constructed potential circRNA-miRNA interaction networks in CML, including a detailed hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}080145-mediated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network. Furthermore, functional experiments demonstrated that hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}080145 knockdown significantly suppressed CML cell proliferation and hsa{sub c}irc{sub 0}080145 regulated CML cell proliferation by acting as an miR-29b sponge.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Low-cost Retrofit Kit for Integral Reciprocating Compressors (IRCs) to Reduce Emissions and Enhance Efficiency

Methane emissions from natural gas engines within the oil and gas industry pose a significant environmental challenge, contributing approximately 34.1 MMTCO2 eq to the total of 239 MMTCO2 eq of methane emissions in 2021, according to the EPA report. In response to this pressing issue, a collaborative effort involving the University of Oklahoma and key industry partners—WAGO Automation, Mid Continental Rental, Elipsa, and Perscient—has resulted in the development of a retrofit kit designed to reduce emissions from integral reciprocating compressors (IRCs), which are integrated compressors and engines. The retrofit kit developed comprises an Air Management System (AMS), Integrated Sensors, and a Cloud-Connected Control Unit with Graphical User Interface (GUI)/Human-Machine Interface (HMI). This solution enhances operational efficiency, reduces emissions, and expands the operational envelope of IRCs in the natural gas industry. The project successfully completed all tasks, including the installation of a full-size IRC at a designated site in Oklahoma, the development of an optimized AMS, integration of sensors, and implementation of a data acquisition system. Significant achievements include a notable reduction in CH 4 emissions, up to 84% at specific loads, and the successful deployment of the retrofit kit in diverse field conditions. The system's capabilities were enhanced through the creation of a feedback control algorithm for the AMS using a correlation matrix illustrating relationships between engine parameters, and the design of a predictive and preventive maintenance platform. The project concluded with the deployment of the entire retrofit kit to another location, confirming its effectiveness in reducing emissions and enhancing IRC performance. The comprehensive solution offers valuable benefits for IRCs, making them invaluable assets in the natural gas industry.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2015

THE PECULIAR DISTRIBUTION OF CH{sub 3}CN IN IRC +10216 SEEN BY ALMA

IRC +10216 is a circumstellar envelope around a carbon-rich evolved star which contains a large variety of molecules. According to interferometric observations, molecules are distributed either concentrated around the central star or as a hollow shell with a radius of ∼15″. We present ALMA Cycle 0 band 6 observations of the J = 14 – 13 rotational transition of CH{sub 3}CN in IRC +10216, obtained with an angular resolution of 0.″76 × 0.″61. The bulk of the emission is distributed as a hollow shell located at just ∼2″ from the star, with a void of emission in the central region up to a radius of ∼1″. This spatial distribution is markedly different from those found to date in this source for other molecules. Our analysis indicates that methyl cyanide is not formed in either the stellar photosphere or far in the outer envelope, but at radial distances as short as 1″–2″, reaching a maximum abundance of ∼0.02 molecules cm{sup −3} at 2″ from the star. Standard chemical models of IRC +10216 predict that the bulk of CH{sub 3}CN molecules should be present at a radius of ∼15″ where other species such as polyyne radicals and cyanopolyynes are observed, with an additional inner component within 1″ from the star. The non-uniform structure of the circumstellar envelope and grain surface processes are discussed as possible causes of the peculiar distribution of methyl cyanide in IRC +10216.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1983

The dust around the carbon star IRC +10216

Mass loss from late-type stars is important both in the evolution of these objects and for replenishment of the interstellar medium with processed material. Because the outflows are cool and dense, grains form. The present investigation is concerned with the nature of the extinction of the grains in the carbon star IRC+10216. The basic method employed involves the study of the extinction as a function of wavelength around IRC+10216. By a comparison with different models, it is then possible to infer which grain model is more likely to be correct. It is concluded that the dust around IRC+10216 is composed of relatively small grains. The grains are either amorphous carbon or graphite similar to that described by Mezger et al. (1982), but not like the graphite described by Mitchell and Robinson (1980). In particular, the grains around IRC + 10216 are relatively efficient emitters in the infrared. If this result is true of carbon stars in general, it means that the carbon grains present in the interstellar medium are much cooler than often believed.

Jura, M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A 43GHz VLBI mapping of SiO maser emission associated with Orion-KL IRC-2

A milliarcsecond resolution spot map of the SiO maser emission associated with IRC-2 in Orion-KL is presented. The two dominant groups of spectral features, near V(LRS) = -6 and 16 km/s, were observed in the 43 GHz, v = 1 to 0 transition of SiO, using a Mark III VLBI system. The 74 km baseline ran from Haystack Observatory in Westford, Massachusetts to Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory (FCRAO) in New Salem, Massachusetts. Five distinct maser features were observed: -8.5 to -6.5 km/s; -5 to -1.5 km/s; 12 to 13.5 km/s; 16.5 to 19 km/s; and 20 to 21 km/s (stellar velocity = 5 km/s). The relative positions were established, from an analysis of fringe phases, to an accuracy of about 5 milliarcseconds. All the features lay within an area of radius 0.08 arcseconds or 6x10(14) cm, at a distance of 500 pc. Previous interferometric studies were only able to measure the gross separation between the red and the blue shifted groups. Our measurement of the separation between these two gropus is consistent with those of the previous studies, indicating the persistence of these two centers of activity. The absolute positions of the masers with respect to IRC-2 are only known to an accuracy of about 1 arcsecond. It is assumed that IRC-2 is centered between the red shifted and the blue shifted maser features. The relative placement of these two groups of maser features agrees with observations of thermal emission from SO, which traces the outflow on a much larger scale. The SiO masers trace the neutral outflow from IRC-2 on the smallest scale yet observed.

Greenhill, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Exotic fluoride molecules in IRC +10216: Confirmation of AlF and searches for MgF and CaF

Three new rotational transitions of aluminum fluoride (AlF) at 0.8 and 1.2 mm have been observed. The J = 10-9, J = 8-7, and J = 7-6 lines of AlF at 230, 263, and 329 GHz, respectively, were seen toward IRC +10216 using the Caltech Submillimter Observatory (CSO). Combined with the earlier data obtained for this species at IRAM at 2 and 3 mm, these measurements confirm the presence of the metal halide in this carbon-rich circumstellar shell. Analysis of the CSO and IRAM data suggests that AlF arises from a source with a diameter of theta(sub s) approximately = 5-10 sec and hence is present chiefly in the inner envelope of IRC +10216. In this region, the molecule has a column density of (0.3-1.1) x 10(exp 15)/sq cm, which indicates a fractional abundance of at least approximately 10(exp -9), relative to H2. Searches for the metal fluoride species CaF and MgF have also been conducted toward IRC +10216, but with negative results. The column density upper limits for MgF and CaF are N(sub tot) less than (1-4) x 10(exp 14)/sq cm. Relative abundances of these metal fluoride molecules can be understood in terms of chemical thermodynamic equilibrium. The presence of AlF in IRC +10216 also indicates that large quantities of fluorine must be present in the inner stellar envelope, suggesting that this element may be produced not primarily in explosive nucleosynthesis but rather in helium shell flashes, as indicated also by HF spectroscopy of red giant stars.

Ziurys, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS2010

The Arizona Radio Observatory 1 mm Spectral Survey of IRC (plus)10216 and VY Canis Majoris (215-285 GHz)

A low noise (1(sigma) rms approx. 3 mK) 1. nun spectral survey (214.5-285.5 GHz) of the oxygen-rich supergiant VY Canis Majoris and the carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch star IRC +10216 has been conducted using the Arizona Radio Observatory's 10 m Submillimeter Telescope. Here the complete data set is presented. This study, carried out with a new ALMA-type receiver, marks the first continuous band scan of an O-rich circumstellar envelope, and the most sensitive survey to date of IRC +10216. In VY CMa, 130 distinct molecular lines were detected, 14 of which cannot be identified; in IRC +10216, 717 lines were observed, with 126 features remaining unidentified. In the 1 mm bands of VY CMa and IRC +10216, emission is present from 18 and 32 different chemical compounds, respectively, with 10 species common to both sources. Many narrow emission lines were observed in both circumstellar shells, arising from vibrationally excited molecules and from refractory-containing species. Line profiles in VY CMa also exhibit a variety of different shapes, caused by the complex, asymmetric outflow of this object. The survey highlights the fact that C-rich and O-rich circumstellar envelopes are chemically interesting, and both are sources of new interstellar molecules. The high number of unidentified lines and the unreliable, rest frequencies for known species such as NaCN indicate the need for additional laboratory spectroscopy studies.

Tenenbaum, E. D.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Probing hypergiant mass loss with adaptive optics imaging and polarimetry in the infrareD: MMT-Pol and LMIRCam observations of IRC +10420 and VY Canis Majoris

We present 2–5 μm adaptive optics (AO) imaging and polarimetry of the famous hypergiant stars IRC +10420 and VY Canis Majoris. The imaging polarimetry of IRC +10420 with MMT-Pol at 2.2 μm resolves nebular emission with intrinsic polarization of 30%, with a high surface brightness indicating optically thick scattering. The relatively uniform distribution of this polarized emission both radially and azimuthally around the star confirms previous studies that place the scattering dust largely in the plane of the sky. Using constraints on scattered light consistent with the polarimetry at 2.2 μm, extrapolation to wavelengths in the 3–5 μm band predicts a scattered light component significantly below the nebular flux that is observed in our Large Binocular Telescope/LMIRCam 3–5 μm AO imaging. Under the assumption this excess emission is thermal, we find a color temperature of ∼500 K is required, well in excess of the emissivity-modified equilibrium temperature for typical astrophysical dust. The nebular features of VY CMa are found to be highly polarized (up to 60%) at 1.3 μm, again with optically thick scattering required to reproduce the observed surface brightness. This star’s peculiar nebular feature dubbed the “Southwest Clump” is clearly detected in the 3.1 μm polarimetry as well, which, unlike IRC +10420, is consistent with scattered light alone. The high intrinsic polarizations of both hypergiants’ nebulae are compatible with optically thick scattering for typical dust around evolved dusty stars, where the depolarizing effect of multiple scatters is mitigated by the grains’ low albedos.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

HERSCHEL/HIFI SEARCH FOR H{sub 2}{sup 17}O AND H{sub 2}{sup 18}O IN IRC+10216: CONSTRAINTS ON MODELS FOR THE ORIGIN OF WATER VAPOR

We report the results of a sensitive search for the minor isotopologues of water, H{sub 2}{sup 17}O and H{sub 2}{sup 18}O, toward the carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch star IRC+10216 (a.k.a. CW Leonis) using the HIFI instrument on the Herschel Space Observatory. This search was motivated by the fact that any detection of isotopic enhancement in the H{sub 2}{sup 17}O and H{sub 2}{sup 18}O abundances would have strongly implicated CO photodissociation as the source of the atomic oxygen needed to produce water in a carbon-rich circumstellar envelope. Our observations place an upper limit of 1/470 on the H{sub 2}{sup 17}O/H{sub 2}{sup 16}O abundance ratio. Given the isotopic {sup 17}O/{sup 16}O ratio of 1/840 inferred previously for the photosphere of IRC+10216, this result places an upper limit of a factor 1.8 on the extent of any isotope-selective enhancement of H{sub 2}{sup 17}O in the circumstellar material, and provides an important constraint on any model that invokes CO photodissociation as the source of O for H{sub 2}O production. In the context of the clumpy photodissociation model proposed previously for the origin of water in IRC+10216, our limit implies that {sup 12}C{sup 16}O (not {sup 13}C{sup 16}O or SiO) must be the dominant source of {sup 16}O for H{sub 2}O production, and that the effects of self-shielding can only have reduced the {sup 12}C{sup 16}O photodissociation rate by at most a factor {approx}2.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗