The Mass distribution of the Cluster 0957+561 from Gravitational Lensing

Multiply gravitationally lensed objects with known time delays can lead to direct determinations of H$_0$ independent of the distance ladder if the mass distribution of the lens is known. Currently, the double QSO 0957+561 is the only lensed object with a precisely known time delay. The largest remaining source of systematic error in the H$_0$ determination results from uncertainty in the mass distribution of the lens which is comprised of a massive galaxy (G1) and the cluster in which it resides. We have obtained V-band CCD images from CFHT in order to measure the mass distribution in the cluster from its gravitional distorting effect on the appearance of background galaxes. We use this data to constuct a two-dimensional mass map of the field. A mass peak is detected at the $4.5\sigma$ level, offset from, but consistent with, the position of G1. Simple tests reveal no significant substructure and the mass distribution is consistent with a spherical cluster. The peak in the number density map of bright galaxies is offset from G1 similarly to the mass peak. We constructed an azimuthally averaged mass profile centered on G1 out to 2 \arcmin ($400 h^{-1}$ kpc). It is consistent with an isothermal mass distribution with a small core (r_c \approx 5 \arcsec = 17 h^{-1} kpc). The inferred mass within 1 Mpc is consistent with the dynamical mass estimate but $2\sigma$ higher than the upper limits from a ROSAT X-ray study. We discuss implications for H$_0$ in a future paper.Comment: LaTeX, aas version 4 macros. Calibration error in original led to overestimate of cluster mass. Seven out of twelve figures included. Complete paper is available at: http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu:80/users/philf

The Mass distribution of the Most Luminous X-ray Cluster RXJ1347.5-1145 from Gravitational Lensing

Galaxy cluster mass distribution are potentially useful probes of $\Omega_0$ and the nature of the dark matter. Large clusters will distort the observed shapes of background galaxies through gravitational lensing allowing the measurement of the cluster mass distributions. In this paper we describe weak statistical lensing measurements of the most luminous X-ray cluster known, RXJ1347.5-1145 at z=0.45. We detect a shear signal in the background galaxies at a signal-to-noise ratio of 7.5 in the radial range $120 \le r \le 1360 h^{-1}$ kpc. A mass map of the cluster reveals an 11$\sigma$ peak in the cluster mass distribution consistent with the position of the central dominant galaxy and 3 $\sigma$ evidence for the presence of a subcluster at a projected radius of 1.3 - 1.7 h^{-1} Mpc from the cluster center. In the range $120 \le r \le 1360 h^{-1}$ kpc mass traces light, and the azimuthally averaged cluster mass and light profiles are consistent with singular isothermal spheres with M(r<1 Mpc) = $1.7 \pm 0.4 \times 10^{15} M_\odot$. Assuming an isotropic velocity distribution function, the implied velocity dispersion is $\sigma = 1500 \pm 160 km s^{-1}$. The rest-frame mass-to-light ratio is $M/L_B = 200 \pm 50 h M_\odot/L_{B\odot}$. The lensing mass estimate is almost twice as high as a previously determined X-ray mass estimate.Comment: 21 Pages LaTeX, AASTEX version 4 macros, Accepted for publication in the AJ. 8 of 12 figures included, full paper at http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu:80/users/philf/www/papers/list.htm

Improved Parameters and New Lensed Features for Q0957+561 from WFPC2 Imaging

New HST WFPC2 observations of the lensed double QSO 0957+561 will allow improved constraints on the lens mass distribution and hence will improve the derived value of H$_0$. We first present improved optical positions and photometry for the known components of this lens. The optical separation between the A and B quasar images agrees with VLBI data at the 10 mas level, and the optical center of the primary lensing galaxy G1 coincides with the VLBI source G' to within 10 mas. The best previous model for this lens (Grogin and Narayan 1996) is excluded by these data and must be reevaluated. Several new resolved features are found within 10\arcsec of G1, including an apparent fold arc with two bright knots. Several other small galaxies are detected, including two which may be multiple images of each other. We present positions and crude photometry of these objects.Comment: 7 pages including 2 postscript figures, LaTeX, emulateapj style. Also available at http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu:80/users/philf/www/papers/list.htm

Detection of Lens Candidates for the Double QSO Q2345+007

Luminous objects associated with the 7.06\arcsec\ separation double quasar Q2345+007 have, until now, escaped detection. In this letter we present the results of the deepest known imaging of the region surrounding the quasar. The total exposure times were 47600 seconds in B$_j$ (101 frames) and 32160 seconds in R (82 frames). The frames came from CFHT, CTIO, and KPNO. We detect a B$_j$ = 25.0 mag galaxy (B$_j$ -- R = 0.5 mag) in close proximity to the fainter QSO image, possibly at $z = 1.49$ given by several absorption features in the QSO spectra. Furthermore, there is a 2.9$\sigma$ enhancement in the number density of faint galaxies ($24 \le$ B$_j$ $\le 28$, B$_j-$ R $\le 1.5$) near the quasar and another 3.1$\sigma$ enhancement further away. These discoveries support the hypothesis that Q2345+007 is being lensed by one or more distant mass concentrations and may imply that compact ``clusters'' already exist at early epochs. We discuss several lens models for the system and the cosmological implications.Comment: (uuencoded compressed postscript

Polymorphisms in genes related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and antidepressant response – Systematic review

Objective: Around 50% of depressed patients do not respond to antidepressants. Evidence from familial studies suggests a genetic component to this. This study investigated whether patients with polymorphisms in genes related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis were less likely to respond to antidepressants. Method: EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library were searched. Inclusionary criteria were: 1) patients with depression, 2) study of HPA axis-related candidate genes, 3) at least four weeks of antidepressants, and 4) assessment of depressive symptoms dividing patients into non-responders and responders. Results: Nineteen studies were identified. Non-responders and responders did not differ in single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding arginine vasopressin. Findings were equivocal regarding genes encoding the FK506 binding protein 5 and glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. Specific SNPs and haplotypes within genes related to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRHBP, CRHR1) and melanocortins (POMC) predicted non-responder status. Conclusions: Replication studies and additional investigations exploring gene x environment and drug x environment interactions are necessary before pharmacological treatments may be adjusted based on a patient’s genetic profile

Consequences Of Fully Dressing Quark-Gluon Vertex Function With Two-Point Gluon Lines

We extend recent studies of the effects of quark-gluon vertex dressing upon the solutions of the Dyson-Schwinger equation for the quark propagator. A momentum delta function is used to represent the dominant infrared strength of the effective gluon propagator so that the resulting integral equations become algebraic. The quark-gluon vertex is constructed from the complete set of diagrams involving only 2-point gluon lines. The additional diagrams, including those with crossed gluon lines, are shown to make an important contribution to the DSE solutions for the quark propagator, because of their large color factors and the rapid growth in their number

Childhood trauma associated with increased post-awakening cortisol in major depressive disorder

Background: Enhanced post-awakening cortisol may serve as a biological marker for individuals with major depressive disorder. However, studies comparing post-awakening cortisol between patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls have produced conflicting findings. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this inconsistency could be due to the effects of childhood trauma. Methods: A total of N = 112 patients with MDD and healthy controls were divided into four groups according to the presence of childhood trauma. Saliva samples were collected at awakening and 15, 30, 45, and 60 min later. The total cortisol output and the cortisol awakening response (CAR) were calculated. Results: The total post-awakening cortisol output was significantly higher in patients with MDD as compared to healthy controls, but only in those individuals reporting childhood trauma. The four groups did not differ regarding the CAR. Conclusions: Elevated post-awakening cortisol in MDD may be confined to those with a history of early life stress. Tailoring and/or augmenting of currently available treatments may be required to meet the specific needs of this population

Nonperturbative structure of the quark-gluon vertex

The complete tensor structure of the quark--gluon vertex in Landau gauge is determined at two kinematical points (`asymmetric' and `symmetric') from lattice QCD in the quenched approximation. The simulations are carried out at beta=6.0, using a mean-field improved Sheikholeslami-Wohlert fermion action, with two quark masses ~ 60 and 115 MeV. We find substantial deviations from the abelian form at the asymmetric point. The mass dependence is found to be negligible. At the symmetric point, the form factor related to the chromomagnetic moment is determined and found to contribute significantly to the infrared interaction strength.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures, JHEP3.cl

OGFOD1 catalyzes prolyl hydroxylation of RPS23 and is involved in translation control and stress granule formation

2-Oxoglutarate (2OG) and Fe(II)-dependent oxygenase domain-containing protein 1 (OGFOD1) is predicted to be a conserved 2OG oxygenase, the catalytic domain of which is related to hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylases. OGFOD1 homologs in yeast are implicated in diverse cellular functions ranging from oxygen-dependent regulation of sterol response genes (Ofd1, Schizosaccharomyces pombe) to translation termination/mRNA polyadenylation (Tpa1p, Saccharomyces cerevisiae). However, neither the biochemical activity of OGFOD1 nor the identity of its substrate has been defined. Here we show that OGFOD1 is a prolyl hydroxylase that catalyzes the posttranslational hydroxylation of a highly conserved residue (Pro-62) in the small ribosomal protein S23 (RPS23). Unusually OGFOD1 retained a high affinity for, and forms a stable complex with, the hydroxylated RPS23 substrate. Knockdown or inactivation of OGFOD1 caused a cell type-dependent induction of stress granules, translational arrest, and growth impairment in a manner complemented by wild-type but not inactive OGFOD1. The work identifies a human prolyl hydroxylase with a role in translational regulation

VLT multi-epoch radial velocity survey toward NGC 6253. Analysis of three transiting planetary candidates

We measured the radial velocity of 139 stars in the region of NGC 6253, discussing cluster's membership and binarity in this sample, complementing our analysis with photometric, proper motion, and radial velocity data available from previous studies of this cluster, and analyzing three planetary transiting candidates we found in the field of NGC 6253. Spectra were obtained with the UVES and GIRAFFE spectrographs at the VLT, during three epochs in August 2008. The mean radial velocity of the cluster is -29.11+/-0.85 km/s. Using both radial velocities and proper motions we found 35 cluster's members, among which 12 are likely cluster's close binary systems. One star may have a sub-stellar companion, requiring a more intensive follow-up. Our results are in good agreement with past radial velocity and photometric measurements. Furthermore, using our photometry, astrometry and spectroscopy we identified a new sub-giant branch eclipsing binary system, member of the cluster. The cluster's close binary frequency at 29% +/- 9% (34% +/-10% once including long period binaries), appears higher than the field binary frequency equal to (22% +/- 5%, though these estimates are still consistent within the uncertainties. Among the three transiting planetary candidates the brightest one (V=15.26) is worth to be more intensively investigated with higher percision spectroscopy. We discussed the possibility to detect sub-stellar companions (brown dwarfs and planets) with the radial velocity technique (both with UVES/GIRAFFE and HARPS) around turn-off stars of old open clusters [abridged].Comment: 25 pages, 18 figures, 8 tables. Accepted for publication in A&