A Statistical Strategy for the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect's Cluster Data

We present a statistical strategy for the efficient determination of the cluster luminosity function from the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effects survey. To determine the cluster luminosity function from the noise contaminated SZ map, we first define the zeroth-order cluster luminosity function as a discrepancy between the measured peak number density of the SZ map and the mean number density of noise. Then we demonstrate that the noise contamination effects can be removed by the stabilized deconvolution of the zeroth-order cluster luminosity function with the one-dimensional Gaussian distribution. We test this analysis technique against Monte-Carlo simulations, and find that it works quite well especially in the medium amplitude range where the conventional cluster identification method based on the threshold cut-off usually fails.Comment: final version, accepted by ApJ Letter

The Cosmological Mass Function in the Zel'dovich Approximation

The Press-Schechter theory of the cosmological mass function and its modifications allow to constraint cosmological scenarios of the structure formation. Recently a few new models have been suggested that explored the influence of anisotropic collapse on the shape of the mass function. I discuss in more detail a particular model that assumes that a fluid particle becomes a part of a gravitationally bound halo when the smallest eigenvalue of the deformation tensor of the filtered initial density field reaches a certain threshold (like the filtered density contrast reaches the threshold in the Press-Schechter formalism). Choosing the smallest eigenvalue guarantees that the fluid particle in question experiences collapse along all three axes. The model shows a better agreement with the N-body simulations than the standard Press-Schechter model.Comment: Talk at 15th Florida Workshop in Nonlinear Astronomy and Physics "The Onset of Nonlinearity", 17-19 February 2000, Gainesville, FL (12 pages, 5 figures

Educating Lawyers: Preparation for the Profession of Law

Examines the unique aspects and limitations of legal education, as part of a series of reports from the foundation's Preparation for the Professions Program

A multi-method approach to delineate and validate migratory corridors

Context: Managers are faced with numerous methods for delineating wildlife movement corridors, and often must make decisions with limited data. Delineated corridors should be robust to different data and models. Objectives: We present a multi-method approach for delineating and validating wildlife corridors using multiple data sources, which can be used conserve landscape connectivity. We used this approach to delineate and validate migration corridors for wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) in the Tarangire Ecosystem of northern Tanzania. Methods: We used two types of locational data (distance sampling detections and GPS collar locations), and three modeling methods (negative binomial regression, logistic regression, and Maxent), to generate resource selection functions (RSFs) and define resistance surfaces. We compared two corridor detection algorithms (cost-distance and circuit theory), to delineate corridors. We validated corridors by comparing random and wildebeest locations that fell within corridors, and cross-validated by data type. Results: Both data types produced similar RSFs. Wildebeest consistently selected migration habitat in flatter terrain farther from human settlements. Validation indicated three of the combinations of data type, modeling, and corridor detection algorithms (detection data with Maxent modeling, GPS collar data with logistic regression modeling, and GPS collar data with Maxent modeling, all using cost-distance) far outperformed the other seven. We merged the predictive corridors from these three data-method combinations to reveal habitat with highest probability of use. Conclusions: The use of multiple methods ensures that planning is able to prioritize conservation of migration corridors based on all available information

On the anisotropic density distribution on large scales

Motivated by the recent detection of an enhanced clustering signal along the major axis of haloes in N-body simulations, we derive a formula for the anisotropic density distribution around haloes and voids on large scales. Our model, which assumes linear theory and that the formation and orientation of nonlinear structures are strongly correlated with the Lagrangian shear, is in good agreement with measurements. We also show that the measured amplitude is inconsistent with a model in which the alignment is produced by the initial inertia rather than shear tensor.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures; With a moderate revision of the original version, as published in MNRA

Optimizing Collection of Trace Biological Samples from Vehicle Headrests

Tape-lifting and swabbing are two methods commonly used for collecting biological samples in the United Kingdom and United States to investigate vehicle crimes. Determining the optimal collection method may lead to an increase in generating DNA profiles and crime-solving. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of adhesive tape and the double-swab collection methods for investigating vehicle crimes with possible touch DNA samples. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of tape-lifts and swabs on spiked common vehicle fabric materials. The efficiency of recovery between the two collection methods was performed using qPCR. The results from the collection of fabric materials indicated tape-lifts outperformed swabbing on cloth and vinyl substrates, while swabbing resulted in comparable recovery on leather substrates. By optimizing sample collection techniques, we aim to aid not only investigations involving vehicles but also other crimes with touch DNA evidence present

Light-Element Abundance Variations at Low Metallicity: the Globular Cluster NGC 5466

We present low-resolution (R~850) spectra for 67 asymptotic giant branch (AGB), horizontal branch and red giant branch (RGB) stars in the low-metallicity globular cluster NGC 5466, taken with the VIRUS-P integral-field spectrograph at the 2.7-m Harlan J. Smith telescope at McDonald Observatory. Sixty-six stars are confirmed, and one rejected, as cluster members based on radial velocity, which we measure to an accuracy of 16 km s-1 via template-matching techniques. CN and CH band strengths have been measured for 29 RGB and AGB stars in NGC 5466, and the band strength indices measured from VIRUS-P data show close agreement with those measured from Keck/LRIS spectra previously taken of five of our target stars. We also determine carbon abundances from comparisons with synthetic spectra. The RGB stars in our data set cover a range in absolute V magnitude from +2 to -3, which permits us to study the rate of carbon depletion on the giant branch as well as the point of its onset. The data show a clear decline in carbon abundance with rising luminosity above the luminosity function "bump" on the giant branch, and also a subdued range in CN band strength, suggesting ongoing internal mixing in individual stars but minor or no primordial star-to-star variation in light-element abundances.Comment: 10 pages, emulateapj format, AJ accepte

The Three Dimensional Structural Shape of the Gravitational Potential in the Local Group

The Local Group is a small galaxy cluster with the membership of 62 nearby galaxies including the Milky Way and M31. Although the Local Group has yet to be virialized, it interacts with the surrounding matter as one gravitationally bound system. To understand the formation and evolution of the Local Group as well as its member galaxies, it is important to reconstruct the gravitational potential field from the surrounding matter distribution in the local cosmic web. By measuring the anisotropy in the spatial distribution of the Local Group galaxies, which is assumed to be induced by the local gravitational tidal field , we resolve the three dimensional structure of the gravitational potential in the vicinity of the Milky Way smoothed on the Local Group mass scale. Our results show that (i) the minor principal axis of the Local Group tidal field is in the equatorial direction of alpha_{p}=15^{h}00^{m} and delta_{p}=20^{d}; (ii) it has a prolate shape with axial ratio of 0.5 +/- 0.13; (iii) the global tides in the Local Group is quite strong, which may provide a partial explanation for the low abundance of dwarf galaxies in the Local Group.Comment: accepted for publication in MNRAS, revised version, 3D potential structure in LG found, error analysis significantly improved, 8 pages, 5 figure

Geobacter, Anaeromyxobacter and Anaerolineae populations are enriched on anodes of root exudate-driven microbial fuel cells in rice field soil

Plant-based sediment microbial fuel cells (PMFCs) couple the oxidation of root exudates in living rice plants to current production. We analysed the composition of the microbial community on anodes from PMFC with natural rice field soil as substratum for rice by analysing 16S rRNA as an indicator of microbial activity and diversity. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) analysis indicated that the active bacterial community on anodes from PMFCs differed strongly compared with controls. Moreover, clones related to Deltaproteobacteria and Chloroflexi were highly abundant (49% and 21%, respectively) on PMFCs anodes. Geobacter (19%), Anaeromyxobacter (15%) and Anaerolineae (17%) populations were predominant on anodes with natural rice field soil and differed strongly from those previously detected with potting soil. In open circuit (OC) control PMFCs, not allowing electron transfer, Deltaproteobacteria (33%), Betaproteobacteria (20%), Chloroflexi (12%), Alphaproteobacteria (10%) and Firmicutes (10%) were detected. The presence of an electron accepting anode also had a strong influence on methanogenic archaea. Hydrogenotrophic methanogens were more active on PMFC (21%) than on OC controls (10%), whereas acetoclastic Methanosaetaceae were more active on OC controls (31%) compared with PMFCs (9%). In conclusion, electron accepting anodes and rice root exudates selected for distinct potential anode-reducing microbial populations in rice soil inoculated PMFC

Effect of local climate anomalies on giraffe survival

With the rapid pace of global warming, there is an urgent need to understand survival responses to climate, particularly for large mammals that are already experiencing population declines associated with anthropogenic pressures such as poaching and habitat loss. We tested hypotheses about the interactive effects of local climatic anomalies (variations around a long-term mean) and proximity to edge of protected area boundaries on seasonal adult and juvenile survival in a population of 2,385 individually identified giraffes monitored over 8 years in the Tarangire Ecosystem of northern Tanzania. Temperature anomalies were positively correlated with seasonal survival of adult giraffes, suggesting these megaherbivores are adapted to hot conditions. Higher seasonal rainfall anomalies were negatively correlated with both juvenile and adult survival, and greater vegetation greenness was associated with lower adult survival. During seasons of anomalously high rainfall and vegetation greenness, higher parasite and disease abundance, poorer-quality nutrition in forage, and higher predation risk may all play a role in lowering giraffe survival. Furthermore, climate-associated reduction in survival was most pronounced during the short rainy season for adult giraffes living closer to the edge of protected areas, indicating that the influence of climate anomalies may be exacerbated by anthropogenic edge effects such as poaching or livestock keeping. Precipitation in East Africa is projected to increase substantially, with a greater proportion of rain falling during heavy events in the short rainy season, which may threaten persistence of giraffes in one of Earth’s most important landscapes for large mammals