2,121 research outputs found
Impact of Weak Lensing Mass Calibration on eROSITA Galaxy Cluster Cosmological Studies -- a Forecast
We forecast the impact of weak lensing (WL) cluster mass calibration on the
cosmological constraints from the X-ray selected galaxy cluster counts in the
upcoming eROSITA survey. We employ a prototype cosmology pipeline to analyze
mock cluster catalogs. Each cluster is sampled from the mass function in a
fiducial cosmology and given an eROSITA count rate and redshift, where count
rates are modeled using the eROSITA effective area, a typical exposure time,
Poisson noise and the scatter and form of the observed X-ray luminosity-- and
temperature--mass--redshift relations. A subset of clusters have mock shear
profiles to mimic either those from DES and HSC or from the future Euclid and
LSST surveys. Using a count rate selection, we generate a baseline cluster
cosmology catalog that contains 13k clusters over 14,892~deg of
extragalactic sky. Low mass groups are excluded using raised count rate
thresholds at low redshift. Forecast parameter uncertainties for
, and are 0.023 (0.016; 0.014), 0.017 (0.012;
0.010), and 0.085 (0.074; 0.071), respectively, when adopting DES+HSC WL
(Euclid; LSST), while marginalizing over the sum of the neutrino masses. A
degeneracy between the distance--redshift relation and the parameters of the
observable--mass scaling relation limits the impact of the WL calibration on
the constraints, but with BAO measurements from DESI an improved
determination of to 0.043 becomes possible. With Planck CMB priors,
() can be determined to (), and the
summed neutrino mass limited to eV (at 95\%). If
systematics on the group mass scale can be controlled, the eROSITA group and
cluster sample with 43k objects and LSST WL could constrain
and to 0.007 and to 0.050.Comment: 28 pages, 13 figur
The Metallicity of the Redshift 4.16 Quasar BR2248-1242
We estimate the metallicity in the broad emission-line region of the redshift
z=4.16 quasar, BR2248-1242, by comparing line ratios involving nitrogen to
theoretical predictions. BR2248-1242 has unusually narrow emission lines with
large equivalent widths, thus providing a rare opportunity to measure several
line-ratio abundance diagnostics. The combined diagnostics indicate a
metallicity of ~2 times solar. This result suggests that an episode of vigorous
star formation occurred near BR2248-1242 prior to the observed z=4.16 epoch.
The time available for this enrichment episode is only ~1.5 Gyr at z=4.16 (for
H_{0}=65 km s^-1 Mpc^-1, Omega_{m}=0.3 and Omega_Lambda ~< 1). This evidence
for high metallicities and rapid star formation is consistent with the expected
early-epoch evolution of dense galactic nuclei.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures. Prepared in AAStex. Submitted to the
Astrophysical Journal Revised version: added 1 referenc
Expression of Zm13, a pollen specific maize protein, in Escherichia coli reveals IgE-binding capacity and allergenic potential
AbstractPlant proteins belong to the most frequent elicitors of type I allergic symptoms in industrialized countries. Several relevant plant allergens have been found to be either specifically expressed or highly upregulated in mature pollen. The cDNA coding for a pollen specific maize protein, Zm13, shows significant sequence homology with a number of pollen or anther specific proteins from monocot and dicot plants as well as with recently described allergens from olive and rye grass. To test whether the Zm13 protein might possess IgE-binding capacity, Zm13 was expressed in E coli. The coding region of Zm13 was PCR amplified from a genomic clone and expressed as as a glutathione-S-transferase fusion protein. The recombinant Zm13 fusion protein bound a Zm13 specific rabbit antiserum and reacted with serum IgE from grass pollen allergic patients indicating that Zm13 and homologous proteins represent a family of conserved plant allergens
Ultraviolet and optical properties of Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxies
Narrow Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies are remarkable for their extreme
continuum and emission line properties which are not well understood. New
results bearing on the spectroscopic characteristics of these objects are
presented here, with the aim of establishing their typical ultraviolet and
optical spectral behavior. We employ HST observations of 22 NLS1s, which
represent a substantial improvement over previous work in terms of data quality
and sample size. High signal-to-noise NLS1 composite spectra are constructed,
allowing accurate measurements of the continuum shape and the strengths,
ratios, and widths for lines, including weak features which are barely
identifiable in other Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) composites. We find that the
NLS1 sources have redder UV-blue continua than those typically measured in
other quasars and Seyferts. Objects with UV line absorption show redder
spectra, suggesting that dust is important in modifying the continuum shapes.
The data also permit a detailed investigation of the previously proposed link
between NLS1s and z >~ 4 quasars. Direct comparison of their composite spectra,
as well as a Principal Component Analysis, suggest that high-z QSOs do not show
a strong preference toward NLS1 behavior.Comment: 23 pages (incl. 9 figures, 4 tables), to appear in The Publications
of the Astronomical Society of the Pacifi
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Effects of confinement and surface enhancement on superconductivity
Within the Ginzburg-Landau approach a theoretical study is performed of the
effects of confinement on the transition to superconductivity for type-I and
type-II materials with surface enhancement. The superconducting order parameter
is characterized by a negative surface extrapolation length . This leads to
an increase of the critical field and to a surface critical
temperature in zero field, , which exceeds the bulk . When the
sample is {\em mesoscopic} of linear size the surface induces
superconductivity in the interior for .
In analogy with adsorbed fluids, superconductivity in thin films of type-I
materials is akin to {\em capillary condensation} and competes with the
interface delocalization or "wetting" transition. The finite-size scaling
properties of capillary condensation in superconductors are scrutinized in the
limit that the ratio of magnetic penetration depth to superconducting coherence
length, , goes to zero, using analytic
calculations. While standard finite-size scaling holds for the transition in
non-zero magnetic field , an anomalous critical-point shift is found for
H=0. The increase of for H=0 is calculated for mesoscopic films,
cylindrical wires, and spherical grains of type-I and type-II materials.
Surface curvature is shown to induce a significant increase of ,
characterized by a shift inversely proportional to the
radius .Comment: 37 pages, 5 figures, accepted for PR
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Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbra Pallas, 1814) plasma biochemistry and hematology reference intervals including blood cell morphology
Plasma biochemistry and hematology reference intervals are integral health assessment tools in all medical fields, including aquatic animal health. As sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) are becoming aquaculturally and economically more important, this manuscript provides essential reference intervals (RI) for their plasma biochemistry and hematology along with reference photomicrographs of blood cells in healthy, fasted sablefish. Blood cell morphology can differ between fish species. In addition, blood cell counts and blood chemistry can vary between fish species, demographics, water conditions, seasons, diets, and culture systems, which precludes the use of RIâs from other fish species. For this study, blood was collected for plasma biochemistry and hematology analysis between June 20 and July 18, 2019, from healthy, yearling sablefish, hatched and reared in captivity on a commercial diet. Overnight fast of 16â18 hours did not sufficiently reduce lipids in the blood, which led to visible lipemia and frequent rupture of blood cells during analysis. Therefore, sablefish should be fasted for 24 to 36 hours before blood is collected to reduce hematology artifacts or possible reagent interference in plasma biochemistry analysis. Lymphocytes were the most dominant leukocytes (98%), while eosinophils were rare, and basophils were not detected in sablefish. Neutrophils were very large cells with Döhle bodies. In mammals and avian species, Döhle bodies are usually signs of toxic change from inflammation, but no such association was found in these fish. In conclusion, lipemia can interfere with sablefish blood analysis, and available removal methods should be evaluated as fasting for up to 36 h might not always be feasible. Also, more studies are required to establish RI for different developmental stages and rearing conditions
Twelve-Week Quadriceps Strength as A Predictor of Quadriceps Strength At Time Of Return To Sport Testing Following Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Autograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
# Background
Restoration of quadriceps strength following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) continues to challenge both patients and clinicians. Failure to adequately restore quadriceps strength has been linked to decreased patientsâ self-reported outcomes and an increased risk for re-injury. Early identification of quadriceps strength deficits may assist in tailoring early interventions to better address impairments.
# Purpose
The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between early (12 weeks following ACL-R) isokinetic peak torque and isokinetic peak torque at time of return to sport (RTS) testing.
# Study Design
Cohort Study
# Methods
A total of 120 participants (males = 55; females =65) were enrolled in the study (age = 16.1±1.4 yrs; height = 1.72±10.5 m; mass = 70.7±16.3 kg). All participants were level 1 or 2 cutting and pivoting sport athletes who underwent a primary bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft ACL-R. Participants were tested at two time points: 12 weeks following surgery and again at time of RTS testing. A linear regression model was carried out to investigate the relationship between age, sex, and isokinetic peak torque at 12 weeks following ACL-R and isokinetic peak torque at time of RTS testing.
# Results
When 12-week isokinetic peak torque was entered first for the hierarchy regression analysis, this factor was predictive of the peak torque at the time of RTS testing, *F*(1, 118) = 105.6, *p* < 0.001, *R*^2^ = 0.472, indicating that the 12-week quadriceps strength accounted for 47% of the variance in the quadriceps strength at the time of RTS testing. When age and sex were added in the regression analysis, both factors only added 0.8% of variance for the quadriceps strength at the time of RTS testing.
# Conclusion
Isokinetic peak torque at 12 weeks following surgery was shown to be a significantly strong predictor (47%) for isokinetic quadriceps strength recovery at time of RTS. This finding underscores the importance of early restoration of quadriceps strength and that while non-modifiable factors such as sex and age are important, early restoration of quadriceps strength most strongly influences late stage quadriceps strength.
# Level of Evidence
Association of Environmental Toxicants and Conduct Disorder in U.S. Children: NHANES 2001â2004
ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the association of tobacco smoke and environmental lead exposure with conduct disorder (CD).MethodsThe National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001â2004 is a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of the noninstitutionalized U.S. population. We examined the association of prenatal tobacco, postnatal tobacco, and environmental lead exposure with CD in children 8â15 years of age (n = 3,081). We measured prenatal tobacco exposure by parent report of cigarette use during pregnancy, and postnatal tobacco using serum cotinine levels. We assessed lead exposure using current blood lead concentration. Parents completed the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children to determine whether their children met criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV ) for CD.ResultsOverall, 2.06% of children met DSM-IV criteria for CD in the past year, equivalent to 560,000 U.S. children 8â15 years of age. After adjustment, prenatal tobacco exposure was associated with increased odds for CD [odds ratio (OR) = 3.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.36â6.63]. Increased blood lead levels (fourth vs. first quartile) and serum cotinine levels (fifth vs. first quintile) were associated with an 8.64-fold (95% CI, 1.87â40.04) and 9.15-fold (95% CI, 1.47â6.90) increased odds of meeting DSM-IV CD criteria. Increasing serum cotinine levels and blood lead levels were also associated with increased prevalence of CD symptoms (symptom count ratio, lead: 1.73; 95% CI, 1.23â2.43; symptom count ratio, cotinine: 1.97; 95% CI, 1.15â3.40).ConclusionsThese results suggest that prenatal tobacco exposure and environmental lead exposure contribute substantially to CD in U.S. children
Hypotension due to Kir6.1 gainâofâfunction in vascular smooth muscle
BACKGROUND: K(ATP) channels, assembled from poreâforming (Kir6.1 or Kir6.2) and regulatory (SUR1 or SUR2) subunits, link metabolism to excitability. Loss of Kir6.2 results in hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, whereas loss of Kir6.1 causes Prinzmetal anginaâlike symptoms in mice. Conversely, overactivity of Kir6.2 induces neonatal diabetes in mice and humans, but consequences of Kir6.1 overactivity are unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We generated transgenic mice expressing wildâtype (WT), ATPâinsensitive Kir6.1 [Gly343Asp] (GD), and ATPâinsensitive Kir6.1 [Gly343Asp,Gln53Arg] (GDâQR) subunits, under Creârecombinase control. Expression was induced in smooth muscle cells by crossing with smooth muscle myosin heavy chain promoterâdriven tamoxifenâinducible Creârecombinase (SMMHCâCreâER) mice. Three weeks after tamoxifen induction, we assessed blood pressure in anesthetized and conscious animals, as well as contractility of mesenteric artery smooth muscle and K(ATP) currents in isolated mesenteric artery myocytes. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced in GD and GDâQR mice but normal in mice expressing the WT transgene and elevated in Kir6.1 knockout mice as well as in mice expressing dominantânegative Kir6.1 [AAA] in smooth muscle. Contractile response of isolated GDâQR mesenteric arteries was blunted relative to WT controls, but nitroprusside relaxation was unaffected. Basal K(ATP) conductance and pinacidilâactivated conductance were elevated in GD but not in WT myocytes. CONCLUSIONS: K(ATP) overactivity in vascular muscle can lead directly to reduced vascular contractility and lower blood pressure. We predict that gain of vascular K(ATP) function in humans would lead to a chronic vasodilatory phenotype, as indeed has recently been demonstrated in Cantu syndrome
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