541 research outputs found
The Metallicity Distribution Functions of SEGUE G and K dwarfs: Constraints for Disk Chemical Evolution and Formation
We present the metallicity distribution function (MDF) for 24,270 G and
16,847 K dwarfs at distances from 0.2 to 2.3 kpc from the Galactic plane, based
on spectroscopy from the Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and
Exploration (SEGUE) survey. This stellar sample is significantly larger in both
number and volume than previous spectroscopic analyses, which were limited to
the solar vicinity, making it ideal for comparison with local volume-limited
samples and Galactic models. For the first time, we have corrected the MDF for
the various observational biases introduced by the SEGUE target selection
strategy. The SEGUE sample is particularly notable for K dwarfs, which are too
faint to examine spectroscopically far from the solar neighborhood. The MDF of
both spectral types becomes more metal-poor with increasing |Z|, which reflects
the transition from a sample with small [alpha/Fe] values at small heights to
one with enhanced [alpha/Fe] above 1 kpc. Comparison of our SEGUE distributions
to those of two different Milky Way models reveals that both are more
metal-rich than our observed distributions at all heights above the plane. Our
unbiased observations of G and K dwarfs provide valuable constraints over the
|Z|-height range of the Milky Way disk for chemical and dynamical Galaxy
evolution models, previously only calibrated to the solar neighborhood, with
particular utility for thin- and thick-disk formation models.Comment: 70 pages, 25 figures, 7 tables. Accepted by The Astrophysical Journa
Evaluating open access journals using Semantic Web technologies and scorecards
This paper describes a process to develop and publish a scorecard from an OAJ (Open Access Journal) on the Semantic Web using Linked Data technologies in such a way that it can be linked to related datasets. Furthermore, methodological guidelines are presented with activities related to each step of the process. The proposed process was applied to a university OAJ, including the definition of the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) linked to the institutional strategies, the extraction, cleaning and loading of data from the data sources into a data mart, the transformation of data into RDF (Resource Description Framework), and the publication of data by means of a SPARQL endpoint using the Virtuoso software. Additionally, the RDF data cube vocabulary has been used to publish the multidimensional data on the Web. The visualization was made using CubeViz, a faceted browser to present the KPIs in interactive charts.This research was supported by National Polythecnic School of Quito, Ecuador. Alejandro Maté is funded by the Generalitat Valenciana (APOSTD/2014/064)
The Quasar / Galaxy Pair PKS 1327-206 / ESO 1327-2041: Absorption Associated with a Recent Galaxy Merger
We present HST/WFPC2 broadband and ground-based Halpha images, H I 21-cm
emission maps, and low-resolution optical spectra of the nearby galaxy ESO
1327-2041, which is located 38 arcsec (14 kpc in projection) west of the quasar
PKS 1327-206. Our HST images reveal that ESO 1327-2041 has a complex optical
morphology, including an extended spiral arm that was previously classified as
a polar ring. Our optical spectra show Halpha emission from several H II
regions in this arm located ~5 arcsec from the quasar position (~2 kpc in
projection) and our ground-based Halpha images reveal the presence of several
additional H II regions in an inclined disk near the galaxy's center.
Absorption associated with ESO 1327-2041 is found in H I 21-cm, optical, and
near-UV spectra of PKS 1327-206. We find two absorption components at cz = 5255
and 5510 km/s in the H I 21-cm absorption spectrum, which match the velocities
of previously discovered metal-line components. We attribute the 5510 km/s
absorber to disk gas in the extended spiral arm and the 5255 km/s absorber to
high-velocity gas that has been tidally stripped from the disk of ESO
1327-2041. The complexity of the galaxy/absorber relationships for these very
nearby H I 21-cm absorbers suggests that the standard view of high redshift
damped Lyman-alpha absorbers is oversimplified in many cases.Comment: Replaced with accepted version; 16 page
Formation and Evolution of the Disk System of the Milky Way: [alpha/Fe] Ratios and Kinematics of the SEGUE G-Dwarf Sample
We employ measurements of the [alpha/Fe] ratio derived from low-resolution
(R~2000) spectra of 17,277 G-type dwarfs from the SEGUE survey to separate them
into likely thin- and thick-disk subsamples. Both subsamples exhibit strong
gradients of orbital rotational velocity with metallicity, of opposite signs,
-20 to -30 km/s/dex for the thin-disk and +40 to +50 km/s/dex for the
thick-disk population. The rotational velocity is uncorrelated with
Galactocentric distance for the thin-disk subsample, and exhibits a small trend
for the thick-disk subsample. The rotational velocity decreases with distance
from the plane for both disk components, with similar slopes (-9.0 {\pm} 1.0
km/s/kpc). Thick-disk stars exhibit a strong trend of orbital eccentricity with
metallicity (about -0.2/dex), while the eccentricity does not change with
metallicity for the thin-disk subsample. The eccentricity is almost independent
of Galactocentric radius for the thin-disk population, while a marginal
gradient of the eccentricity with radius exists for the thick-disk population.
Both subsamples possess similar positive gradients of eccentricity with
distance from the Galactic plane. The shapes of the eccentricity distributions
for the thin- and thick-disk populations are independent of distance from the
plane, and include no significant numbers of stars with eccentricity above 0.6.
Among several contemporary models of disk evolution we consider, radial
migration appears to have played an important role in the evolution of the
thin-disk population, but possibly less so for the thick disk, relative to the
gas-rich merger or disk heating scenarios. We emphasize that more physically
realistic models and simulations need to be constructed in order to carry out
the detailed quantitative comparisons that our new data enable.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ, 18 pages, 12 figures, 2 tables,
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A genome-wide scan for common alleles affecting risk for autism
Although autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have a substantial genetic basis, most of the known genetic risk has been traced to rare variants, principally copy number variants (CNVs). To identify common risk variation, the Autism Genome Project (AGP) Consortium genotyped 1558 rigorously defined ASD families for 1 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and analyzed these SNP genotypes for association with ASD. In one of four primary association analyses, the association signal for marker rs4141463, located within MACROD2, crossed the genome-wide association significance threshold of P < 5 × 10−8. When a smaller replication sample was analyzed, the risk allele at rs4141463 was again over-transmitted; yet, consistent with the winner's curse, its effect size in the replication sample was much smaller; and, for the combined samples, the association signal barely fell below the P < 5 × 10−8 threshold. Exploratory analyses of phenotypic subtypes yielded no significant associations after correction for multiple testing. They did, however, yield strong signals within several genes, KIAA0564, PLD5, POU6F2, ST8SIA2 and TAF1C
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Establishing Diagnostic Criteria for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy [AO Spine RECODE-DCM Research Priority Number 3].
STUDY DESIGN: Narrative review. OBJECTIVES: To discuss the importance of establishing diagnostic criteria in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM), including factors that must be taken into account and challenges that must be overcome in this process. METHODS: Literature review summarising current evidence of establishing diagnostic criteria for DCM. RESULTS: Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) is characterised by a degenerative process of the cervical spine resulting in chronic spinal cord dysfunction and subsequent neurological disability. Diagnostic delays lead to progressive neurological decline with associated reduction in quality of life for patients. Surgical decompression may halt neurologic worsening and, in many cases, improves function. Therefore, making a prompt diagnosis of DCM in order to facilitate early surgical intervention is a clinical priority in DCM. CONCLUSION: There are often extensive delays in the diagnosis of DCM. Presently, no single set of diagnostic criteria exists for DCM, making it challenging for clinicians to make the diagnosis. Earlier diagnosis and subsequent specialist referral could lead to improved patient outcomes using existing treatment modalities
Establishing Diagnostic Criteria for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy [AO Spine RECODE-DCM Research Priority Number 3].
STUDY DESIGN: Narrative review. OBJECTIVES: To discuss the importance of establishing diagnostic criteria in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM), including factors that must be taken into account and challenges that must be overcome in this process. METHODS: Literature review summarising current evidence of establishing diagnostic criteria for DCM. RESULTS: Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) is characterised by a degenerative process of the cervical spine resulting in chronic spinal cord dysfunction and subsequent neurological disability. Diagnostic delays lead to progressive neurological decline with associated reduction in quality of life for patients. Surgical decompression may halt neurologic worsening and, in many cases, improves function. Therefore, making a prompt diagnosis of DCM in order to facilitate early surgical intervention is a clinical priority in DCM. CONCLUSION: There are often extensive delays in the diagnosis of DCM. Presently, no single set of diagnostic criteria exists for DCM, making it challenging for clinicians to make the diagnosis. Earlier diagnosis and subsequent specialist referral could lead to improved patient outcomes using existing treatment modalities
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Individual common variants exert weak effects on the risk for autism spectrum disorders.
While it is apparent that rare variation can play an important role in the genetic architecture of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), the contribution of common variation to the risk of developing ASD is less clear. To produce a more comprehensive picture, we report Stage 2 of the Autism Genome Project genome-wide association study, adding 1301 ASD families and bringing the total to 2705 families analysed (Stages 1 and 2). In addition to evaluating the association of individual single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we also sought evidence that common variants, en masse, might affect the risk. Despite genotyping over a million SNPs covering the genome, no single SNP shows significant association with ASD or selected phenotypes at a genome-wide level. The SNP that achieves the smallest P-value from secondary analyses is rs1718101. It falls in CNTNAP2, a gene previously implicated in susceptibility for ASD. This SNP also shows modest association with age of word/phrase acquisition in ASD subjects, of interest because features of language development are also associated with other variation in CNTNAP2. In contrast, allele scores derived from the transmission of common alleles to Stage 1 cases significantly predict case status in the independent Stage 2 sample. Despite being significant, the variance explained by these allele scores was small (Vm< 1%). Based on results from individual SNPs and their en masse effect on risk, as inferred from the allele score results, it is reasonable to conclude that common variants affect the risk for ASD but their individual effects are modest
diverse human vh antibody fragments with bio therapeutic properties from the crescendo mouse
Abstract We describe the 'Crescendo Mouse', a human VH transgenic platform combining an engineered heavy chain locus with diverse human heavy chain V, D and J genes, a modified mouse Cγ1 gene and complete 3' regulatory region, in a triple knock-out (TKO) mouse background devoid of endogenous immunoglobulin expression. The addition of the engineered heavy chain locus to the TKO mouse restored B cell development, giving rise to functional B cells that responded to immunization with a diverse response that comprised entirely 'heavy chain only' antibodies. Heavy chain variable (VH) domain libraries were rapidly mined using phage display technology, yielding diverse high-affinity human VH that had undergone somatic hypermutation, lacked aggregation and showed enhanced expression in E. coli. The Crescendo Mouse produces human VH fragments, or Humabody® VH, with excellent bio-therapeutic potential, as exemplified here by the generation of antagonistic Humabody® VH specific for human IL17A and IL17RA
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