An Empirical Limit on Extremely High Redshift Galaxies

We apply the Lyman absorption signature to search for galaxies at redshifts z \~ 6 - 17 using optical and infrared images of the Hubble Deep Field. The infrared images are sensitive to a point source 5 sigma detection threshold of AB(22,000) = 23.8, which adopting plausible assumptions to relate rest-frame ultraviolet flux densities to unobscured star formation rates is easily sufficient to detect the star formation rates expected for massive elliptical galaxy formation to quite high redshifts. For q_0 = 0.5, the infrared images are sensitive to an unobscured star formation rate of 100 h^-2 solar masses per year to redshifts as large as z = 17, and for q_0 = 0, the infrared images are sensitive to an unobscured star formation rate of 300 h^-2 solar masses per year to redshifts as large as z = 14. The primary result of the analysis is that only one extremely high redshift galaxy candidate is identified at the 5 sigma level of significance (and four at the 4 sigma level). This implies a strict upper limit to the surface density of extremely high redshift galaxies of < 1.5 arcmin^-2 to a limiting magnitude threshold AB(22,000) = 23.8. This also implies a strict upper limit to the volume density of extremely high redshift galaxies if (and only if) such galaxies are not highly obscured by dust.Comment: 14 pages, LaTex, 7 figures, to be published in the Astronomical Journa

Micronutrient Adequacy in Preschool Children Attending Family Child Care Homes

Limited data is available on the micronutrient intake and adequacy in preschool children enrolled in family child care homes (FCCH). The goal of this paper is to describe the micronutrient adequacy relative to age-specific recommendations of preschool-aged children (aged 2–5 years) attending FCCH in Rhode Island (RI). Dietary data among younger preschoolers (aged 2–3 years), n = 245) and older preschoolers (aged 4–5 years), n = 121) in 118 RI FCCH (N = 366 children) were analyzed. Nutrient adequacy was assessed as the amount of nutrient per 1000 kcal of the diet that would meet the Institute of Medicine nutrient requirements (critical nutrient density), and it was compared to the observed nutrient densities of the children. The sodium:potassium ratio was also calculated. For most micronutrients, the observed density met or exceeded the recommendation, meaning the children’s intake was adequate. However, a high proportion of children had nutrient densities under the recommendation for vitamins D, E, K, and potassium (86.1%, 89.1%, 70.8%, and 99.2% of children, respectively). The mean vitamin B12, potassium, and zinc densities were statistically higher in younger vs. older preschoolers (p \u3c 0.05 for all). Low densities in calcium and vitamins K and B5 were more frequent in older children vs. younger children (p \u3c 0.05). In addition, older preschoolers had a higher sodium:potassium ratio than younger children (p \u3c 0.05). The micronutrient intake density was adequate for most nutrients. However, intake of some nutrients was of concern. Further attention to training and compliance in FCCH may improve the diet quality of those cared for in these settings

A molecular line scan in the Hubble Deep Field North

We present a molecular line scan in the Hubble Deep Field North (HDF-N) that covers the entire 3mm window (79-115 GHz) using the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer. Our CO redshift coverage spans z2. We reach a CO detection limit that is deep enough to detect essentially all z>1 CO lines reported in the literature so far. We have developed and applied different line searching algorithms, resulting in the discovery of 17 line candidates. We estimate that the rate of false positive line detections is ~2/17. We identify optical/NIR counterparts from the deep ancillary database of the HDF-N for seven of these candidates and investigate their available SEDs. Two secure CO detections in our scan are identified with star-forming galaxies at z=1.784 and at z=2.047. These galaxies have colors consistent with the `BzK' color selection and they show relatively bright CO emission compared with galaxies of similar dust continuum luminosity. We also detect two spectral lines in the submillimeter galaxy HDF850.1 at z=5.183. We consider an additional 9 line candidates as high quality. Our observations also provide a deep 3mm continuum map (1-sigma noise level = 8.6 μJy/beam). Via a stacking approach, we find that optical/MIR bright galaxies contribute only to <50% of the SFR density at 1<z<3, unless high dust temperatures are invoked. The present study represents a first, fundamental step towards an unbiased census of molecular gas in `normal' galaxies at high-z, a crucial goal of extragalactic astronomy in the ALMA era

Morphological Number Counts and Redshift Distributions to I = 25 from the Hubble Deep Fields: Constraints on Cosmological Models from Early Type Galaxies

We combine magnitude and photometric redshift data on galaxies in the Hubble Deep Fields with morphological classifications in order to separate out the distributions for early type galaxies. The updated morphological galaxy number counts down to I = 25 and the corresponding redshift distributions are used as joint constraints on cosmological models, in particular on the values of the density parameter Omega_{0} and normalised cosmological constant Lambda_{0}. We find that an Einstein - de Sitter universe with simple passive evolution gives an excellent fit to the counts and redshift data at all magnitudes. An open, low Omega_{0}, model with no net evolution (and conservation of the number of ellipticals), which fits the counts equally well, is somewhat less successful, predicting slightly lower mean redshifts and, more significantly, the lack of a high--z tail. A number conserving model with a dominant contribution from Lambda_{0}, on the other hand, is far less successful, predicting a much narrower distribution than seen. More complex models are obviously possible, but we conclude that if large scale transmutation between types does {\it not} occur, then the lambda-dominated models provide a very poor fit to the current data.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

Tissue-Specific Remodeling of the Mitochondrial Proteome in Type 1 Diabetic Akita Mice

ObjectiveTo elucidate the molecular basis for mitochondrial dysfunction, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes complications.Research design and methodsMitochondrial matrix and membrane fractions were generated from liver, brain, heart, and kidney of wild-type and type 1 diabetic Akita mice. Comparative proteomics was performed using label-free proteome expression analysis. Mitochondrial state 3 respirations and ATP synthesis were measured, and mitochondrial morphology was evaluated by electron microscopy. Expression of genes that regulate mitochondrial biogenesis, substrate utilization, and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) were determined.ResultsIn diabetic mice, fatty acid oxidation (FAO) proteins were less abundant in liver mitochondria, whereas FAO protein content was induced in mitochondria from all other tissues. Kidney mitochondria showed coordinate induction of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzymes, whereas TCA cycle proteins were repressed in cardiac mitochondria. Levels of OXPHOS subunits were coordinately increased in liver mitochondria, whereas mitochondria of other tissues were unaffected. Mitochondrial respiration, ATP synthesis, and morphology were unaffected in liver and kidney mitochondria. In contrast, state 3 respirations, ATP synthesis, and mitochondrial cristae density were decreased in cardiac mitochondria and were accompanied by coordinate repression of OXPHOS and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma coactivator (PGC)-1alpha transcripts.ConclusionsType 1 diabetes causes tissue-specific remodeling of the mitochondrial proteome. Preservation of mitochondrial function in kidney, brain, and liver, versus mitochondrial dysfunction in the heart, supports a central role for mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic cardiomyopathy

A vision for incorporating human mobility in the study of human-wildlife interactions

As human activities increasingly shape land- and seascapes, understanding human-wildlife interactions is imperative for preserving biodiversity. Habitats are impacted not only by static modifications, such as roads, buildings and other infrastructure, but also by the dynamic movement of people and their vehicles occurring over shorter time scales. While there is increasing realization that both components of human activity significantly affect wildlife, capturing more dynamic processes in ecological studies has proved challenging. Here, we propose a novel conceptual framework for developing a ‘Dynamic Human Footprint’ that explicitly incorporates human mobility, providing a key link between anthropogenic stressors and ecological impacts across spatiotemporal scales. Specifically, the Dynamic Human Footprint integrates a range of metrics to fully acknowledge the time-varying nature of human activities and to enable scale-appropriate assessments of their impacts on wildlife behavior, demography, and distributions. We review existing terrestrial and marine human mobility data products and provide a roadmap for how these could be integrated and extended to enable more comprehensive analyses of human impacts on biodiversity in the Anthropocene

H-band observations of the Chandra Deep Field South

We report preliminary results of our H-band survey of the Chandra Deep Field South (CDFS). The observations were made using SofI on the NTT, and cover 0.027 square degrees with a 50% completeness limit of H = 20.5, and 0.17 square degrees with a 50% completeness limit of H =19.8. We used SExtractor to extract sources from our fields. In total we have detected 4819 objects. Star-galaxy separation was performed using the SExtractor parameter ``stellarity index''. All objects with an index of 0.5 or lower were classified as galaxies. According to this criterion, 80 % of our detections are galaxies. We then compare our results with previous observations of the CDFS. Our astrometric solutions are in good agreement with the Las Campanas Infrared Survey (LCIRS), the COMBO-17 and the ESO-EIS surveys. The photometry of our catalog compares satisfactorily with the results of the LCIRS, as well as with the GOODS data. Galaxy number counts are presented and compared with the LCIRS results. The present data are intended to complement the recent and future multi-wavelenghth observations of the CDFS and will be used, in conjuction with additional multiband photometry, to find counterparts of the upcoming mid-infrared surveys with SIRTF.Comment: 7 figures, submitted to Astronomy and Astrophysics, catalogue available at http://www.mpe.mpg.de/~dmr/table1.da

Health-related quality of life after myocardial infarction is associated with level of left ventricular ejection fraction

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objective was to explore the relationship between left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessed during hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (MI) and later health-related quality of life (HRQoL).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used multivariable linear regression to assess the relationship between LVEF and HRQoL in 256 MI patients who responded to the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), the EQ-5D Index, and the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) 2.5 years after the index MI.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>167 patients had normal LVEF (>50%), 56 intermediate (40%–50%), and 33 reduced (<40%). The mean (SD) KCCQ clinical summary scores were 85 (18), 75 (22), and 68 (21) (<it>p </it><0.001) in the three groups, respectively. The corresponding EQ-5D Index scores were 0.83 (0.18), 0.72 (0.27), and 0.76 (0.14) (<it>p </it>= 0.005) and EQ-VAS scores were 72 (18), 65 (21), and 57 (20) (<it>p </it>= 0.001). In multivariable linear regression analysis age ≥ 70 years, known chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), subsequent MI, intermediate LVEF, and reduced LVEF were independent determinants for reduced KCCQ clinical summary score. Female sex, medication for angina pectoris at discharge, and intermediate LVEF were independent determinants for reduced EQ-5D Index score. Age ≥ 70 years, COPD, and reduced LVEF were associated with reduced EQ-VAS score.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>LVEF measured during hospitalization for MI was a determinant for HRQoL 2.5 years later.</p

SLI-1 Cbl Inhibits the Engulfment of Apoptotic Cells in C. elegans through a Ligase-Independent Function

The engulfment of apoptotic cells is required for normal metazoan development and tissue remodeling. In Caenorhabditis elegans, two parallel and partially redundant conserved pathways act in cell-corpse engulfment. One pathway, which includes the small GTPase CED-10 Rac and the cytoskeletal regulator ABI-1, acts to rearrange the cytoskeleton of the engulfing cell. The CED-10 Rac pathway is also required for proper migration of the distal tip cells (DTCs) during the development of the C. elegans gonad. The second pathway includes the receptor tyrosine kinase CED-1 and might recruit membranes to extend the surface of the engulfing cell. Cbl, the mammalian homolog of the C. elegans E3 ubiquitin ligase and adaptor protein SLI-1, interacts with Rac and Abi2 and modulates the actin cytoskeleton, suggesting it might act in engulfment. Our genetic studies indicate that SLI-1 inhibits apoptotic cell engulfment and DTC migration independently of the CED-10 Rac and CED-1 pathways. We found that the RING finger domain of SLI-1 is not essential to rescue the effects of SLI-1 deletion on cell migration, suggesting that its role in this process is ubiquitin ligase-independent. We propose that SLI-1 opposes the engulfment of apoptotic cells via a previously unidentified pathway.National Cancer Institute (U.S.) (Award K08CA104890