493 research outputs found
The Effect of Environment on Milky Way-mass galaxies in a Constrained Simulation of the Local Group
In this letter we present, for the first time, a study of star formation
rate, gas fraction and galaxy morphology of a constrained simulation of the
Milky Way (MW) and Andromeda (M31) galaxies, compared to other MW-mass
galaxies. By combining with unconstrained simulations we cover a sufficient
volume to compare these galaxies environmental densities ranging from the field
to that of the Local Group (LG). This is particularly relevant as it has been
shown that, quite generally, galaxy properties depend intimately upon their
environment, most prominently when galaxies in clusters are compared to those
in the field. For galaxies in loose groups such as the LG, however,
environmental effects have been less clear. We consider the galaxy's
environmental density in spheres of 1200 kpc (comoving) and find that whilst
environment does not appear to directly affect morphology, there is a positive
trend with star formation rates. This enhancement in star formation occurs
systematically for galaxies in higher density environments, regardless whether
they are part of the LG or in filaments. Our simulations suggest that the
richer environment at Mpc-scales may help replenish the star-forming gas,
allowing higher specific star formation rates in galaxies such as the MW.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, accepted to ApJ
The Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies in a constrained hydrodynamical simulation: morphological evolution
We study the two main constituent galaxies of a constrained simulation of the
Local Group as candidates for the Milky Way (MW) and Andromeda (M31). We focus
on the formation of the stellar discs and its relation to the formation of the
group as a rich system with two massive galaxies, and investigate the effects
of mergers and accretion as drivers of morphological transformations. We use a
state-of-the-art hydrodynamical code which includes star formation, feedback
and chemical enrichment to carry out our study. We run two simulations, where
we include or neglect the effects of radiation pressure from stars, to
investigate the impact of this process on the morphologies and star formation
rates of the simulated galaxies. We find that the simulated M31 and MW have
different formation histories, even though both inhabit, at z=0, the same
environment. These differences directly translate into and explain variations
in their star formation rates, in-situ fractions and final morphologies. The
M31 candidate has an active merger history, as a result of which its stellar
disc is unable to survive unaffected until the present time. In contrast, the
MW candidate has a smoother history with no major mergers at late times, and
forms a disc that grows steadily; at z=0 the simulated MW has an extended,
rotationally-supported disc which is dominant over the bulge. Our two feedback
implementations predict similar evolution of the galaxies and their discs,
although some variations are detected, the most important of which is the
formation time of the discs: in the model with weaker/stronger feedback the
discs form earlier/later. In summary, by comparing the formation histories of
the two galaxies, we conclude that the particular merger/accretion history of a
galaxy rather than its environment at the LG-scales is the main driver of the
formation and subsequent growth or destruction of galaxy discs.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in A&
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Gravity Waves and their Effects on the Mean State and Variability of Mars’ Atmosphere
Data from the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft has revealed the presence of gravity waves in Mars' lower atmosphere and thermosphere. From perturbations in radio occultation temperature profiles of the lower atmosphere, global distributions of gravity wave potential energy density were calculated. The potential energy density distributions served as the basis to compute gravity wave source momentum flux used in a Mars dynamical model, marking the first time that a numerical study of Mars' gravity waves was observationally constrained. The gravity wave source spectrum is believed to include a stationary component from topographic forcing and a non-stationary component from atmospheric tides with large zonal wavenumbers. The model used was a Mars-specific version of the Hybrid Lindzen-Matsuno gravity wave parameterization that was created and integrated into the time-dependent, two-dimensional QNLM model for Mars. Due to the non-stationary waves in the gravity wave spectrum, the effect on predicted zonal wind and temperature fields was profound, particularly in the upper atmosphere above 100 km altitude where Mars' atmosphere is poorly observed. At solstice, the middle atmosphere zonal jets were closed near 80 km, and upper atmosphere zonal winds were significantly diminished from 120-140 m s-1 to near zero. Meridional circulation increased to over 50 m s-1 at altitudes where gravity wave breaking occurred, and adiabatic heating above the winter pole was enhanced. The model results were particularly sensitive to the prescribed phase speed distribution, and multiple phase speed spectra were evaluated to assess sensitivity. The effects of the non-stationary tidal components in the gravity wave spectrum indicate that Mars' GCMs may be underestimating their contribution to middle and upper atmosphere forcing, but open questions remain with respect to the phase speed distribution of non-stationary components and the relative contribution to momentum flux of stationary and non-stationary waves. Direct measurements of wind speed are needed to better constrain the gravity wave spectrum and validate predicted results
The effect of (Ti + Al): V ratio on the structure and oxidation behaviour of TiAlN/VN nano-scale multilayer coatings
Nano-scaled multilayered TiAlN/VN coatings have been grown on stainless steel and M2 high speed steel substrates at U-B = - 85 V in an industrial, four target, Hauzer HTC 1000 coater using combined cathodic steered arc etching/unbalanced magnetron sputtering. X-ray diffraction (XRD) has been used to investigate the effects of process parameters (Target Power) on texture evolution (using texture parameter T*), development of residual stress (sin(2) psi method) and nano-scale multilayer period. The composition of the coating was determined using energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The thermal behaviour of the coatings in air was studied using thermo-gravimetric analysis, XRD and scanning electron microscopy. The bi-layer period varied between 2.8 and 3.1 nm and in all cases a {1 1 0} texture developed with a maximum value T* = 4.9. The residual stress varied between -5.2 and -7.4 GPa. The onset of rapid oxidation occurred between 628 and 645 degreesC depending on the (Ti+Al):V ratio. After oxidation in air at 550 degreesC AlVO4, TiO2 and V2O5 Phases were identified by XRD with the AlVO4, TiO2 being the major phases. The formation of AlVO4 appears to disrupt the formation of Al2O3 which imparts oxidation resistance to TiAlN based coatings. Increasing the temperature to 600 and 640 degreesC led to a dramatic increase in the formation of V2O5 which was highly oriented (0 0 1) with a plate-like morphology. At 640 degreesC there was no evidence of the coating on XRD. Increasing the temperature to 670 degreesC led to further formation of AlVO4 and a dramatic reduction in V2O5. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Antidepressants and Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk: A Review of the Literature and Researchers\u27 Financial Associations with Industry
Background
Antidepressant (AD) use has been purported to increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, although both epidemiological and pre-clinical studies have reported mixed results [1]–[6]. Previous studies in a variety of biomedical fields have found that financial ties to drug companies are associated with favorable study conclusions [7].
Methods and Findings
We searched English-language articles in MEDLINE, PsychINFO, the Science Citations Index and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials (through November 2010). A total of 61 articles that assessed the relationship between breast and ovarian cancer and AD use and articles that examined the effect of ADs on cell growth were included. Multi-modal screening techniques were used to investigate researchers\u27 financial ties with industry. A random effects meta-analysis was used to pool the findings from the epidemiological literature. Thirty-three percent (20/61) of the studies reported a positive association between ADs and cancer. Sixty-seven percent (41/61) of the studies reported no association or antiproliferative effect. The pooled odds ratio for the association between AD use and breast/ovarian cancer in the epidemiologic studies was 1.11 (95% CI, 1.03–1.20). Researchers with industry affiliations were significantly less likely than researchers without those ties to conclude that ADs increase the risk of breast or ovarian cancer. (0/15 [0%] vs 20/46 [43.5%] (Fisher\u27s Exact test P = 0.0012).
Conclusions
Both the pre-clinical and clinical data are mixed in terms of showing an association between AD use and breast and ovarian cancer. The possibility that ADs may exhibit a bi-phasic effect, whereby short-term use and/or low dose antidepressants may increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, warrants further investigation. Industry affiliations were significantly associated with negative conclusions regarding cancer risk. The findings have implications in light of the 2009 USPSTF guidelines for breast cancer screening and for the informed consent process
Safety of tattoos in persons undergoing MRI
In 330 persons who had one to seven tattoos, only one mild tattoo-related adverse reaction was detected during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These results suggest a low risk among persons with tattoos when MRI is performed under these specific study conditions
A 7-year follow-up of sacral anterior root stimulation for bladder control in patients with a spinal cord injury: quality of life and users' experiences\ud
Study design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.\ud
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Objectives: To assess long-term effects and quality of life (QoL) of using sacral anterior root stimulation (SARS) in spinal cord injured patients.\ud
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Setting: Neurosurgical and Urological Departments of a large teaching hospital and a large rehabilitation centre in the Netherlands.\ud
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Methods: In all, 42 patients with complete spinal cord injury (SCI) implanted between 1987 and 2000 were included. A questionnaire was constructed to determine complications, technical failures and personal experiences of the patients. The Qualiveen questionnaire was used and the outcome was compared with data obtained from a reference group of 400 SCI patients with neurogenic bladder problems not using the bladder controller. The Qualiveen questionnaire measures disease-specific aspects in four domains with respect to limitations, constraints, fears and feelings and general QoL aspects, suitable for use in SCI patients with urinary disorders.\ud
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Results: The results of 37 patients are presented. Our results with the bladder controller with respect to medical and technical complications and infection rates are similar to the results presented by others. From users' experiences, the most important advantages reported were a decreased infection rate (68%), improved social life (54%) and continence (54%). Comparison of the obtained results of our patient group with the Qualiveen questionnaire with a reference group not using the bladder controller indicates that the specific impact of urinary disorders in the four domains on QoL is reduced and that general QoL is improved.\ud
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Conclusion: SARS is effective and safe for neurogenic bladder management in patients with complete SCI. Users' experiences are positive. Furthermore, this therapy seems to reduce the effects of urinary-disorder-specific QoL aspects, and to increase the QoL in general\u
The use of information and communication technologies in family support across Europe:A narrative review
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