2,156 research outputs found
Energetic Components of Cooperative Protein Folding
A new lattice protein model with a four-helix bundle ground state is analyzed
by a parameter-space Monte Carlo histogram technique to evaluate the effects of
an extensive variety of model potentials on folding thermodynamics. Cooperative
helical formation and contact energies based on a 5-letter alphabet are found
to be insufficient to satisfy calorimetric and other experimental criteria for
two-state folding. Such proteinlike behaviors are predicted, however, by models
with polypeptide-like local conformational restrictions and
environment-dependent hydrogen bonding-like interactions.Comment: 11 pages, 4 postscripts figures, Phys. Rev. Lett. (in press
Spectral Energy Distributions of Local Luminous And Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies
Luminous and ultraluminous infrared galaxies ((U)LIRGs) are the most extreme
star forming galaxies in the universe. The local (U)LIRGs provide a unique
opportunity to study their multi-wavelength properties in detail for comparison
to their more numerous counterparts at high redshifts. We present common large
aperture photometry at radio through X-ray wavelengths, and spectral energy
distributions (SEDs) for a sample of 53 nearby LIRGs and 11 ULIRGs spanning log
(LIR/Lsun) = 11.14-12.57 from the flux-limited Great Observatories All-sky LIRG
Survey (GOALS). The SEDs for all objects are similar in that they show a broad,
thermal stellar peak and a dominant FIR thermal dust peak, where nuLnu(60um) /
nuLnu(V) increases from ~2-30 with increasing LIR. When normalized at
IRAS-60um, the largest range in the luminosity ratio,
R(lambda)=log[nuLnu(lambda)/nuLnu(60um)] observed over the full sample is seen
in the Hard X-rays (HX=2-10 keV). A small range is found in the Radio (1.4GHz),
where the mean ratio is largest. Total infrared luminosities, LIR(8-1000um),
dust temperatures, and dust masses were computed from fitting thermal dust
emission modified blackbodies to the mid-infrared (MIR) through submillimeter
SEDs. The new results reflect an overall ~0.02 dex lower luminosity than the
original IRAS values. Total stellar masses were computed by fitting stellar
population synthesis models to the observed near-infrared (NIR) through
ultraviolet (UV) SEDs. Mean stellar masses are found to be log(M/Msun) =
10.79+/-0.40. Star formation rates have been determined from the infrared
(SFR_IR~45Msun/yr) and from the monochromatic UV luminosities
(SFR_UV~1.3Msun/yr), respectively. Multiwavelength AGN indicators have be used
to select putative AGN: about 60% of the ULIRGs would have been classified as
an AGN by at least one of the selection criteria.Comment: 39 pages, including 12 figures and 11 tables; accepted for
publication in ApJ
The Great Observatories All-Sky LIRG Survey: Comparison of Ultraviolet and Far-Infrared Properties
The Great Observatories All-sky LIRG Survey (GOALS) consists of a complete
sample of 202 Luminous Infrared Galaxies (LIRGs) selected from the IRAS Revised
Bright Galaxy Sample (RBGS). The galaxies span the full range of interaction
stages, from isolated galaxies to interacting pairs to late stage mergers. We
present a comparison of the UV and infrared properties of 135 galaxies in GOALS
observed by GALEX and Spitzer. For interacting galaxies with separations
greater than the resolution of GALEX and Spitzer (2-6"), we assess the UV and
IR properties of each galaxy individually. The contribution of the FUV to the
measured SFR ranges from 0.2% to 17.9%, with a median of 2.8% and a mean of 4.0
+/- 0.4%. The specific star formation rate of the GOALS sample is extremely
high, with a median value (3.9*10^{-10} yr^{-1}) that is comparable to the
highest specific star formation rates seen in the Spitzer Infrared Nearby
Galaxies Survey sample. We examine the position of each galaxy on the IR
excess-UV slope (IRX-beta) diagram as a function of galaxy properties,
including IR luminosity and interaction stage. The LIRGs on average have
greater IR excesses than would be expected based on their UV colors if they
obeyed the same relations as starbursts with L_IR < 10^{11}L_0 or normal
late-type galaxies. The ratio of L_IR to the value one would estimate from the
IRXg-beta relation published for lower luminosity starburst galaxies ranges
from 0.2 to 68, with a median value of 2.7. A minimum of 19% of the total IR
luminosity in the RBGS is produced in LIRGs and ULIRGs with red UV colors (beta
> 0). Among resolved interacting systems, 32% contain one galaxy which
dominates the IR emission while the companion dominates the UV emission. Only
21% of the resolved systems contain a single galaxy which dominates both
wavelengths.Comment: 37 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
Walking with head-mounted virtual and augmented reality devices : effects on position control and gait biomechanics
What was once a science fiction fantasy, virtual reality (VR) technology has evolved and come a long way. Together with augmented reality (AR) technology, these simulations of an alternative environment have been incorporated into rehabilitation treatments. The introduction of head-mounted displays has made VR/AR devices more intuitive and compact, and no longer limited to upper-limb rehabilitation. However, there is still limited evidence supporting the use of VR and AR technology during locomotion, especially regarding the safety and efficacy relating to walking biomechanics. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore the limitations of such technology through gait analysis. In this study, thirteen participants walked on a treadmill in normal, virtual and augmented versions of the laboratory environment. A series of spatiotemporal parameters and lower-limb joint angles were compared between conditions. The center of pressure (CoP) ellipse area (95% confidence ellipse) was significantly different between conditions (p = 0.002). Pairwise comparisons indicated a significantly greater CoP ellipse area for both the AR (p = 0.002) and VR (p = 0.005) conditions when compared to the normal laboratory condition. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in stride length (p0.082), except for maximum ankle plantarflexion (p = 0.001). These differences in CoP ellipse area indicate that users of head-mounted VR/AR devices had difficulty maintaining a stable position on the treadmill. Also, differences in the gait parameters suggest that users walked with an unusual gait pattern which could potentially affect the effectiveness of gait rehabilitation treatments. Based on these results, position guidance in the form of feedback and the use of specialized treadmills should be considered when using head-mounted VR/AR devices
Tracing PAHs and Warm Dust Emission in the Seyfert Galaxy NGC 1068
We present a study of the nearby Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 using mid- and far-
infrared data acquired with the IRAC, IRS, and MIPS instruments aboard the
Spitzer Space Telescope. The images show extensive 8 um and 24 um emission
coinciding with star formation in the inner spiral approximately 15" (1 kpc)
from the nucleus, and a bright complex of star formation 47" (3 kpc) SW of the
nucleus. The brightest 8 um PAH emission regions coincide remarkably well with
knots observed in an Halpha image. Strong PAH features at 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, and
11.3 um are detected in IRS spectra measured at numerous locations inside,
within, and outside the inner spiral. The IRAC colors and IRS spectra of these
regions rule out dust heated by the AGN as the primary emission source; the
SEDs are dominated by starlight and PAH emission. The equivalent widths and
flux ratios of the PAH features in the inner spiral are generally consistent
with conditions in a typical spiral galaxy ISM. Interior to the inner spiral,
the influence of the AGN on the ISM is evident via PAH flux ratios indicative
of a higher ionization parameter and a significantly smaller mean equivalent
width than observed in the inner spiral. The brightest 8 and 24 um emission
peaks in the disk of the galaxy, even at distances beyond the inner spiral, are
located within the ionization cones traced by [O III]/Hbeta, and they are also
remarkably well aligned with the axis of the radio jets. Although it is
possible that radiation from the AGN may directly enhance PAH excitation or
trigger the formation of OB stars that subsequently excite PAH emission at
these locations in the inner spiral, the orientation of collimated radiation
from the AGN and star formation knots in the inner spiral could be
coincidental. (abridged)Comment: 20 pages, 11 figures; AJ, accepted; full resolution version available
at http://spider.ipac.caltech.edu/staff/jhhowell/astro/howelln1068.pd
Forecasting Tunisian type 2 diabetes prevalence to 2027: validation of a simple model.
BACKGROUND: Most projections of type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevalence are simply based on demographic change (i.e. ageing). We developed a model to predict future trends in T2D prevalence in Tunisia, explicitly taking into account trends in major risk factors (obesity and smoking). This could improve assessment of policy options for prevention and health service planning. METHODS: The IMPACT T2D model uses a Markov approach to integrate population, obesity and smoking trends to estimate future T2D prevalence. We developed a model for the Tunisian population from 1997 to 2027, and validated the model outputs by comparing with a subsequent T2D prevalence survey conducted in 2005. RESULTS: The model estimated that the prevalence of T2D among Tunisians aged over 25 years was 12.0% in 1997 (95% confidence intervals 9.6%-14.4%), increasing to 15.1% (12.5%-17.4%) in 2005. Between 1997 and 2005, observed prevalence in men increased from 13.5% to 16.1% and in women from 12.9% to 14.1%. The model forecast for a dramatic rise in prevalence by 2027 (26.6% overall, 28.6% in men and 24.7% in women). However, if obesity prevalence declined by 20% in the 10 years from 2013, and if smoking decreased by 20% over 10 years from 2009, a 3.3% reduction in T2D prevalence could be achieved in 2027 (2.5% in men and 4.1% in women). CONCLUSIONS: This innovative model provides a reasonably close estimate of T2D prevalence for Tunisia over the 1997-2027 period. Diabetes burden is now a significant public health challenge. Our model predicts that this burden will increase significantly in the next two decades. Tackling obesity, smoking and other T2D risk factors thus needs urgent action. Tunisian decision makers have therefore defined two strategies: obesity reduction and tobacco control. Responses will be evaluated in future population surveys
Theoretical Analysis of Quantum Ghost Imaging Through Turbulence
Atmospheric turbulence generally affects the resolution and visibility of an image in long-distance imaging. In a recent quantum ghost imaging experiment [P. B. Dixon et al., Phys. Rev. A 83, 051803 (2011)], it was found that the effect of the turbulence can nevertheless be mitigated under certain conditions. This paper gives a detailed theoretical analysis to the setup and results reported in the experiment. Entangled photons with a finite correlation area and a turbulence model beyond the phase screen approximation are considered
Bregman Voronoi Diagrams: Properties, Algorithms and Applications
The Voronoi diagram of a finite set of objects is a fundamental geometric
structure that subdivides the embedding space into regions, each region
consisting of the points that are closer to a given object than to the others.
We may define many variants of Voronoi diagrams depending on the class of
objects, the distance functions and the embedding space. In this paper, we
investigate a framework for defining and building Voronoi diagrams for a broad
class of distance functions called Bregman divergences. Bregman divergences
include not only the traditional (squared) Euclidean distance but also various
divergence measures based on entropic functions. Accordingly, Bregman Voronoi
diagrams allow to define information-theoretic Voronoi diagrams in statistical
parametric spaces based on the relative entropy of distributions. We define
several types of Bregman diagrams, establish correspondences between those
diagrams (using the Legendre transformation), and show how to compute them
efficiently. We also introduce extensions of these diagrams, e.g. k-order and
k-bag Bregman Voronoi diagrams, and introduce Bregman triangulations of a set
of points and their connexion with Bregman Voronoi diagrams. We show that these
triangulations capture many of the properties of the celebrated Delaunay
triangulation. Finally, we give some applications of Bregman Voronoi diagrams
which are of interest in the context of computational geometry and machine
learning.Comment: Extend the proceedings abstract of SODA 2007 (46 pages, 15 figures
Redshift-independent Distances in the NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database: Methodology, Content, and Use of NED-D
Estimates of galaxy distances based on indicators that are independent of cosmological redshift are fundamental to astrophysics. Researchers use them to establish the extragalactic distance scale, to underpin estimates of the Hubble constant, and to study peculiar velocities induced by gravitational attractions that perturb the motions of galaxies with respect to the "Hubble flow" of universal expansion. In 2006 the NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED) began making available a comprehensive compilation of redshift-independent extragalactic distance estimates. A decade later, this compendium of distances (NED-D) now contains more than 100,000 individual estimates based on primary and secondary indicators, available for more than 28,000 galaxies, and compiled from over 2000 references in the refereed astronomical literature. This paper describes the methodology, content, and use of NED-D, and addresses challenges to be overcome in compiling such distances. Currently, 75 different distance indicators are in use. We include a figure that facilitates comparison of the indicators with significant numbers of estimates in terms of the minimum, 25th percentile, median, 75th percentile, and maximum distances spanned. Brief descriptions of the indicators, including examples of their use in the database, are given in an appendix
Relationship between resident workload and self-perceived learning on inpatient medicine wards: a longitudinal study
BACKGROUND: Despite recent residency workload and hour limitations, little research on the relationship between workload and learning has been done. We sought to define residents' perceptions of the optimal patient workload for learning, and to determine how certain variables contribute to those perceptions. Our hypothesis was that the relationship between perceived workload and learning has a maximum point (forming a parabolic curve): that either too many or too few patients results in sub-optimal learning. METHODS: Residents on inpatient services at two academic teaching hospitals reported their team and individual patient censuses, and rated their perception of their learning; the patient acuity; case variety; and how challenged they felt. To estimate maximum learning scores, linear regression models with quadratic terms were fit on learning score. RESULTS: Resident self-perceived learning correlated with higher acuity and greater heterogeneity of case variety. The equation of census versus learning score, adjusted for perception of acuity and case mix scores, showed a parabolic curve in some cases but not in others. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that perceived resident workload is complex, and impacted by additional variables including patient acuity and heterogeneity of case variety. Parabolic curves exist for interns with regard to overall census and for senior residents with regard to new admissions on long call days
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