192 research outputs found
The Sudden Death of the Nearest Quasar
Galaxy formation is significantly modulated by energy output from
supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies which grow in highly
efficient luminous quasar phases. The timescale on which black holes transition
into and out of such phases is, however, unknown. We present the first
measurement of the shutdown timescale for an individual quasar using X-ray
observations of the nearby galaxy IC 2497, which hosted a luminous quasar no
more than 70,000 years ago that is still seen as a light echo in `Hanny's
Voorwerp', but whose present-day radiative output is lower by at least 2 and
more likely by over 4 orders of magnitude. This extremely rapid shutdown
provides new insights into the physics of accretion in supermassive black
holes, and may signal a transition of the accretion disk to a radiatively
inefficient state.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. Astrophysical Journal Letters, in pres
Hanny's Voorwerp: a nuclear starburst in IC2497
We present high and intermediate resolution radio observations of the central
region in the spiral galaxy IC 2497, performed using the European VLBI Network
(EVN) at 18 cm, and the Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network
(MERLIN) at 18 cm and 6 cm. The e-VLBI observations detect two compact radio
sources with brightness temperatures in excess of 105 K, suggesting that they
are associated with an AGN located at the centre of the galaxy. We show that
IC2497 lies on the FIR-radio correlation and that the dominant component of the
18 cm radio flux density of the galaxy is associated with extended emission
confined to sub-kpc scales. IC 2497 therefore appears to be a luminous infrared
galaxy that exhibits a nuclear starburst with a total star formation rate
(assuming a Salpeter IMF) of ~ 70 M*/yr. Typically, vigorous star forming
galaxies like IC2497 always show high levels of extinction towards their
nuclear regions. The new results are in-line with the hypothesis that the
ionisation nebula "Hanny's Voorwerp", located ~15-25 kpc from the galaxy is
part of a massive gas reservoir that is ionised by the radiation cone of an AGN
that is otherwise obscured along the observer's line-of- sight.Comment: Paper presented at the 10th EVN Symposium in Manchester, Sep. 201
Genomic characterization and linkage mapping of the apple allergen genes Mal d 2 (thaumatin-like protein) and Mal d 4 (profilin)
Four classes of apple allergens (Mal d 1, ¿2, ¿3 and ¿4) have been reported. By using PCR cloning and sequencing approaches, we obtained genomic sequences of Mal d 2 (thaumatin-like protein) and Mal d 4 (profilin) from the cvs Prima and Fiesta, the two parents of a European reference mapping population. Two copies of the Mal d 2 gene (Mal d 2.01A and Mal d 2.01B) were identified, which primarily differed in the length of a single intron (378 or 380 nt) and in one amino acid in the signal peptide. Both Mal d 2.01A and Mal d 2.01B were mapped at identical position on linkage group 9. Genomic characterization of four Mal d 4 genes (Mal d 4.01A and B, Mal d 4.02A and Mal d 4.03A) revealed their complete gDNA sequences which varied among genes in length from 862 to 2017 nt. They all contained three exons of conserved length: 123, 138, and 135 nt. Mal d 4.01 appeared to be duplicated in two copies and located on linkage group 9. Mal d 4.02A and Mal d 4.03A were single copy genes located on linkage group 2 and 8, respectivel
High-pressure structural, elastic and electronic properties of the scintillator host material, KMgF_3
The high-pressure structural behaviour of the fluoroperovskite KMgF_3 is
investigated by theory and experiment. Density functional calculations were
performed within the local density approximation and the generalized gradient
approximation for exchange and correlation effects, as implemented within the
full-potential linear muffin-tin orbital method. In situ high-pressure powder
x-ray diffraction experiments were performed up to a maximum pressure of 40 GPa
using synchrotron radiation. We find that the cubic Pm\bar{3}m crystal symmetry
persists throughout the pressure range studied. The calculated ground state
properties -- the equilibrium lattice constant, bulk modulus and elastic
constants -- are in good agreement with experimental results. By analyzing the
ratio between the bulk and shear modulii, we conclude that KMgF_3 is brittle in
nature. Under ambient conditions, KMgF_3 is found to be an indirect gap
insulator with the gap increasing under pressure.Comment: 4 figure
Resistance gene analogues identified through the NBS-profiling method map close to major genes and QTL for disease resistance in apple
We used a new method called nucleotide-binding site (NBS) profiling to identify and map resistance gene analogues (RGAs) in apple. This method simultaneously allows the amplification and the mapping of genetic markers anchored in the conserved NBS-encoding domain of plant disease resistance genes. Ninety-four individuals belonging to an F1 progeny derived from a cross between the apple cultivars Discovery and TN10-8 were studied. Two degenerate primers designed from the highly conserved P-loop motif within the NBS domain were used together with adapter primers. Forty-three markers generated with NBS profiling could be mapped in this progeny. After sequencing, 23 markers were identified as RGAs, based on their homologies with known resistance genes or NBS/leucine-rich-repeat-like genes. Markers were mapped on 10 of the 17 linkage groups of the apple genetic map used. Most of these markers were organized in clusters. Twenty-five markers mapped close to major genes or quantitative trait loci for resistance to scab and mildew previously identified in different apple progenies. Several markers could become efficient tools for marker-assisted selection once converted into breeder-friendly markers. This study demonstrates the efficiency of the NBS-profiling method for generating RGA markers for resistance loci in appl
Changes in articular cartilage after meniscectomy and meniscus replacement using a biodegradable porous polymer implant
Purpose: To evaluate the long-term effects of implantation of a biodegradable polymer meniscus implant on articular cartilage degeneration and compare this to articular cartilage degeneration after meniscectomy.
Methods: Porous polymer polycaprolacton-based polyurethane meniscus implants were implanted for 6 or 24 months in the lateral compartment of Beagle dog knees. Contralateral knees were meniscectomized, or left intact and served as controls. Articular cartilage degeneration was evaluated in detail using India ink staining, routine histology, immunochemistry for denatured (Col2-¾M) and cleaved (Col2-¾Cshort) type II collagen, Mankin’s grading system, and cartilage thickness measurements.
Results: Histologically, fibrillation and substantial immunohistochemical staining for both denatured and cleaved type II collagen were found in all three treatment groups. The cartilage of the three groups showed identical degradation patterns. In the 24 months implant group, degradation appeared to be more severe when compared to the 6 months implant group and meniscectomy group. Significantly more cartilage damage (India ink staining, Mankin’s grading system, and cartilage thickness measurements) was found in the 24 months implant group compared to the 6 months implant group and meniscectomy group.
Conclusion: Degradation of the cartilage matrix was the result of both mechanical overloading as well as localized cell-mediated degradation. The degeneration patterns were highly variable between animals. Clinical application of a porous polymer implant for total meniscus replacement is not supported by this study.
Study protocol subacromial impingement syndrome: the identification of pathophysiologic mechanisms (SISTIM)
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS) is the most common diagnosed disorder of the shoulder in primary health care, but its aetiology is unclear. Conservative treatment regimes focus at reduction of subacromial inflammatory reactions or pathologic scapulohumeral motion patterns (<it>intrinsic </it>aetiology). Long-lasting symptoms are often treated with surgery, which is focused at enlarging the subacromial space by resection of the anterior part of the acromion (based on <it>extrinsic </it>aetiology). Despite that acromionplasty is in the top-10 of orthopaedic surgical procedures, there is no consensus on its indications and reported results are variable (successful in 48-90%). We hypothesize that the aetiology of SIS, i.e. an increase in subacromial pressure or decrease of subacromial space, is multi-factorial. SIS can be the consequence of pathologic scapulohumeral motion patterns leading to humerus cranialisation, anatomical variations of the scapula and the humerus (e.g. hooked acromion), a subacromial inflammatory reaction (e.g. due to overuse or micro-trauma), or adjoining pathology (e.g. osteoarthritis in the acromion-clavicular-joint with subacromial osteophytes).</p> <p>We believe patients should be treated according to their predominant etiological mechanism(s). Therefore, the objective of our study is to identify and discriminate etiological mechanisms occurring in SIS patients, in order to develop tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this cross-sectional descriptive study, applied clinical and experimental methods to identify intrinsic and extrinsic etiologic mechanisms comprise: MRI-arthrography (eligibility criteria, cuff status, 3D-segmented bony contours); 3D-motion tracking (scapulohumeral rhythm, arm range of motion, dynamic subacromial volume assessment by combining the 3D bony contours and 3D-kinematics); EMG (adductor co-activation) and dynamometry instrumented shoulder radiographs during arm tasks (force and muscle activation controlled acromiohumeral translation assessments); Clinical phenotyping (Constant Score, DASH, WORC, and SF-36 scores).</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>By relating anatomic properties, kinematics and muscle dynamics to subacromial volume, we expect to identify one or more predominant pathophysiological mechanisms in every SIS patient. These differences in underlying mechanisms are a reflection of the variations in symptoms, clinical scores and outcomes reported in literature. More insight in these mechanisms is necessary in order to optimize future diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients with SIS symptoms.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Dutch Trial Registry (Nederlands Trial Register) <a href="http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=2283">NTR2283</a>.</p
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