Spectropolarimetry of the 2012 outburst of SN 2009ip: A bi-polar explosion in a dense, disc-like CSM

We present a sequence of eight spectropolarimetric observations monitoring the geometric evolution of the late phase of the major 2012 outburst of SN 2009ip. These were acquired with the Focal Reducer and Low Dispersion Spectrograph polarimeter mounted on European Southern Observatory VLT. The continuum was polarized at 0.3-0.8 per cent throughout the observations, showing that the photosphere deviated substantially from spherical symmetry by 10-15 per cent. Significant line polarization is detected for both hydrogen and helium at high velocities. The similarity in the polarized signal between these elements indicates that they form in the same location in the ejecta. The line polarization (p ~ 1-1.5 per cent) at low velocities revealed the presence of a highly aspherical hydrogen- and helium-rich circumstellar medium (CSM). Monte Carlo simulations of the observed polarimetry were performed in an effort to constrain the shape of the CSM. The simulations imply that the polarimetry can be understood within the framework of a disc-like CSM inclined by 14° ± 2° out of the line of sight, obscuring the photosphere only at certain epochs. The varying temporal evolution of polarization at high and low velocities indicated that the fast-moving ejecta expanded with a preferred direction orthogonal to that of the CSM

The ergogenic effect of beta-alanine combined with sodium bicarbonate on high-intensity swimming performance

We investigated the effect of beta-alanine (BA) alone (study A) and in combination with sodium bicarbonate (SB) (study B) on 100- and 200-m swimming performance. In study A, 16 swimmers were assigned to receive either BA (3.2 g·day−1 for 1 week and 6.4 g·day−1 for 4 weeks) or placebo (PL; dextrose). At baseline and after 5 weeks of supplementation, 100- and 200-m races were completed. In study B, 14 were assigned to receive either BA (3.2 g·day−1 for 1 week and 6.4 g·day−1 for 3 weeks) or PL. Time trials were performed once before and twice after supplementation (with PL and SB), in a crossover fashion, providing 4 conditions: PL-PL, PL-SB, BA-PL, and BA-SB. In study A, BA supplementation improved 100- and 200-m time-trial performance by 2.1% (p = 0.029) and 2.0% (p = 0.0008), respectively. In study B, 200-m time-trial performance improved in all conditions, compared with presupplementation, except the PL-PL condition (PL-SB, +2.3%; BA-PL, +1.5%; BA-SB, +2.13% (p < 0.05)). BA-SB was not different from BA-PL (p = 0.21), but the probability of a positive effect was 78.5%. In the 100-m time-trial, only a within-group effect for SB was observed in the PL-SB (p = 0.022) and BA-SB (p = 0.051) conditions. However, 6 of 7 athletes swam faster after BA supplementation. The probability of BA having a positive effect was 65.2%; when SB was added to BA, the probability was 71.8%. BA and SB supplementation improved 100- and 200-m swimming performance. The coingestion of BA and SB induced a further nonsignificant improvement in performance

Particle Dark Matter Constraints from the Draco Dwarf Galaxy

It is widely thought that neutralinos, the lightest supersymmetric particles, could comprise most of the dark matter. If so, then dark halos will emit radio and gamma ray signals initiated by neutralino annihilation. A particularly promising place to look for these indicators is at the center of the local group dwarf spheroidal galaxy Draco, and recent measurements of the motion of its stars have revealed it to be an even better target for dark matter detection than previously thought. We compute limits on WIMP properties for various models of Draco's dark matter halo. We find that if the halo is nearly isothermal, as the new measurements indicate, then current gamma ray flux limits prohibit much of the neutralino parameter space. If Draco has a moderate magnetic field, then current radio limits can rule out more of it. These results are appreciably stronger than other current constraints, and so acquiring more detailed data on Draco's density profile becomes one of the most promising avenues for identifying dark matter.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure

Masses of ground and excited-state hadrons

We present the first Dyson-Schwinger equation calculation of the light hadron spectrum that simultaneously correlates the masses of meson and baryon ground- and excited-states within a single framework. At the core of our analysis is a symmetry-preserving treatment of a vector-vector contact interaction. In comparison with relevant quantities the root-mean-square-relative-error/degree-of freedom is 13%. Notable amongst our results is agreement between the computed baryon masses and the bare masses employed in modern dynamical coupled-channels models of pion-nucleon reactions. Our analysis provides insight into numerous aspects of baryon structure; e.g., relationships between the nucleon and Delta masses and those of the dressed-quark and diquark correlations they contain.Comment: 25 pages, 7 figures, 4 table

Evaluation of sugarcane-derived polyphenols on the pre-weaning and post-weaning growth of gilt progeny

Gilt progeny (GP) exhibit poorer growth compared with sow progeny (SP), particularly in the pre-weaning and post-weaning period. Late gestation/lactation sow diets and weaner diets were supplemented with 0.5% Polygain (POL), a sugarcane extract rich in polyphenols, to collectively improve GP growth in these periods. Gilts (n = 60) and sows (n = 68, parities 2 and 3) were fed a control or POL diet. Weaned GP (n = 79) and SP (n = 92) born to these dams were also fed either a CON or POL diet. Gilts litters weighed less than sow litters at birth and 21 days (p < 0.001 for both) and were not improved by POL (p = 0.80 and 0.54, respectively). GP were lighter than SP at day 7 and day 14 post-weaning (p < 0.001 for both) and were not improved by the POL diet at these timepoints (p = 0.61 and 0.97, respectively). Plasma interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was increased at weaning despite POL supplementation (p = 0.022) and GP had reduced IL-1β overall (p = 0.021). Overall, POL was unable to improve growth in GP and the attenuated immune response seen in GP could be contributing to their poor growth performance

ARHGEF12 influences the risk of glaucoma by increasing intraocular pressure

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a blinding disease. Two important risk factors for this disease are a positive family history and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), which is also highly heritable. Genes found to date associated with IOP and POAG are ABCA1, CAV1/CAV2, GAS7 and TMCO1. However, these genes explain only a small part of the heritability of IOP and POAG.We performed a genome-wide association study of IOP in the population-based RotterdamStudy I and Rotterdam Study II using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) imputed to 1000 Genomes. In this discovery cohort (n = 8105), we identified a newlocus associated with IOP. The most significantly associated SNPwas rs58073046 (ß = 0.44, P-value = 1.87 × 10-8, minor allele frequency = 0.12), within the gene ARHGEF12. Independent replication in five population-based studies (n = 7471) resulted in an effect size in the same direction that was significantly associated (ß = 0.16, P-value = 0.04). The SNP was also significantly associated with POAG in two independent case-control studies [n = 1225 cases and n = 4117 controls; odds ratio (OR) = 1.53, P-value = 1.99 × 10-8], especially with high-tension glaucoma (OR = 1.66, P-value = 2.81 × 10-9; for normal-tension glaucoma OR = 1.29, P-value = 4.23 × 10-2). ARHGEF12 plays an important role in the RhoA/RhoA kinase pathway, which has been implicated in IOP regulation. Furthermore, it binds to ABCA1 and links the ABCA1, CAV1/CAV2 and GAS7 pathway to Mendelian POAG genes (MYOC, OPTN, WDR36). In conclusion, this study identified a novel association between IOP and ARHGEF12

Flow of Binary and Tertiary Mixtures of Waxes

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66517/2/10.1177_00220345660450023101.pd

Sintered Hydroxyapatite Ceramic for Wear Studies

A sintered hydroxyapatite (HAP) ceramic for use in wear studies was prepared from a commerical tricalcium phosphate. The sintered HAP had physical properties close to those of human enamel. The coefficient of friction and wear of the sintered HAP ceramic as characterized by tangential force, track width, and surface failure data, approximated those of human enamel.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/67948/2/10.1177_00220345780570070401.pd

Emerald and Aquamarine Mineralization in Canada

This paper reviews the geology, mineralogy, and origin of the gem varieties of beryl, including emerald (green) and aquamarine (blue); it focuses on western Canada, especially the Yukon Territory, because this is where most of the recent discoveries have been made. However, emerald occurrences in Ontario are also considered, including Canada's first reported discovery in 1940. Beryl (B3Al2Si6O18) is relatively common and spatially associated with granites and granitic pegmatites, but emerald is rare because trace amounts of Cr and/or V are required (to replace Al in the crystal structure) and these elements generally do not occur in sufficient concentrations in granitic rocks. The geological conditions needed to bring Be into contact with Cr and/or V are briefly discussed, as are the factors to consider and techniques to use in exploring for gem-quality beryl. SUMMAIRE Le présent article traite de la géologie, de la minéralogie et de l'origine de variétés gemmifères de béryl (vert), dont l'émeraude et l'aigue-marine (bleue). Il traite principalement de l'Ouest canadien, particulièrement du Territoire du Yukon, région où la plupart des découvertes ont eu lieu. Toutefois, des découvertes faites en Ontario sont aussi considérées, incluant la première au Canada, en 1940. Le Béryl (B3Al2Si6O18) est relativement commun et associé aux granites et aux pegmatites granitiques, mais l'émeraude est rare parce qu'elle nécessite le remplacement de l'Al dans la structure cristalline du béryl par du Cr et/ou du V, et ces éléments ne se retrouvent généralement pas dans en concentrations suffisantes dans les roches granitiques. Les facteurs géologiques nécessaires pour que le Be et le Cr et/ou le V soient mis en contact font l'objet de discussion, tout comme les facteurs à considérer et les techniques à employer dans l'exploration de gisements de béryls gemmifères

Social Media and Well-being: A Methodological Perspective

Due to the methodological challenges inherent in studying social media use (SMU), as well as the methodological choices that have shaped research into the effects of SMU on well-being, clear conclusions regarding relationships between SMU and well-being remain elusive. We provide a review of five methodological developments poised to provide increased understanding in this domain: (1) increased use of longitudinal and experimental designs; (2) the adoption of behavioural (rather than self-report) measures of SMU; (3) focusing on more nuanced aspects of SMU; (4) embracing effect heterogeneity; and (5) the use of formal modelling and machine learning. We focus on how these advances stand to bring us closer to understanding relations between SMU and well-being, as well as the challenges associated with these developments