746 research outputs found
The Distribution of High Redshift Galaxy Colors: Line of Sight Variations in Neutral Hydrogen Absorption
We model, via Monte Carlo simulations, the distribution of observed U-B, B-V,
V-I galaxy colors in the range 1.75<z<5 caused by variations in the
line-of-sight opacity due to neutral hydrogen (HI). We also include HI internal
to the source galaxies. Even without internal HI absorption, comparison of the
distribution of simulated colors to the analytic approximations of Madau (1995)
and Madau et al (1996) reveals systematically different mean colors and
scatter. Differences arise in part because we use more realistic distributions
of column densities and Doppler parameters. However, there are also
mathematical problems of applying mean and standard deviation opacities, and
such application yields unphysical results. These problems are corrected using
our Monte Carlo approach. Including HI absorption internal to the galaxies
generaly diminishes the scatter in the observed colors at a given redshift, but
for redshifts of interest this diminution only occurs in the colors using the
bluest band-pass. Internal column densities < 10^17 cm^2 do not effect the
observed colors, while column densities > 10^18 cm^2 yield a limiting
distribution of high redshift galaxy colors. As one application of our
analysis, we consider the sample completeness as a function of redshift for a
single spectral energy distribution (SED) given the multi-color selection
boundaries for the Hubble Deep Field proposed by Madau et al (1996). We argue
that the only correct procedure for estimating the z>3 galaxy luminosity
function from color-selected samples is to measure the (observed) distribution
of redshifts and intrinsic SED types, and then consider the variation in color
for each SED and redshift. A similar argument applies to the estimation of the
luminosity function of color-selected, high redshift QSOs.Comment: accepted for publication in ApJ; 25 pages text, 14 embedded figure
Plasmon channels in the electronic relaxation of diamond under high-order harmonics femtosecond irradiation
We used high order harmonics of a femtosecond titanium-doped sapphire system
(pulse duration 25 fs) to realise Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS)
measurements on diamond. The UPS spectra were measured for harmonics in the
range 13 to 27. We also made ab initio calculations of the electronic lifetime
of conduction electrons in the energy range produced in the UPS experiment.
Such calculations show that the lifetime suddenly diminishes when the
conduction electron energy reaches the plasmon energy, whereas the UPS spectra
show evidence in this range of a strong relaxation mechanism with an increased
production of low energy secondary electrons. We propose that in this case the
electronic relaxation proceeds in two steps : excitation of a plasmon by the
high energy electron, the latter decaying into individual electron-hole pairs,
as in the case of metals. This process is observed for the first time in an
insulator and, on account of its high efficiency, should be introduced in the
models of laser breakdown under high intensity
H_c_3 for a thin-film superconductor with a ferromagnetic dot
We investigate the effect of a ferromagnetic dot on a thin-film
superconductor. We use a real-space method to solve the linearized
Ginzburg-Landau equation in order to find the upper critical field, H_c_3. We
show that H_c_3 is crucially dependent on dot composition and geometry, and may
be significantly greater than H_c_2. H_c_3 is maximally enhanced when (1) the
dot saturation magnetization is large, (2) the ratio of dot thickness to dot
diameter is of order one, and (3) the dot thickness is large
Magnetic properties of submicron Co islands and their use as artificial pinning centers
We report on the magnetic properties of elongated submicron magnetic islands
and their influence on a superconducting film. The magnetic properties were
studied by magnetization hysteresis loop measurements and scanning-force
microscopy. In the as-grown state, the islands have a magnetic structure
consisting of two antiparallel domains. This stable domain configuration has
been directly visualized as a 2x2-checkerboard pattern by magnetic-force
microscopy. In the remanent state, after magnetic saturation along the easy
axis, all islands have a single-domain structure with the magnetic moment
oriented along the magnetizing field direction. Periodic lattices of these Co
islands act as efficient artificial pinning arrays for the flux lines in a
superconducting Pb film deposited on top of the Co islands. The influence of
the magnetic state of the dots on their pinning efficiency is investigated in
these films, before and after the Co dots are magnetized.Comment: 6 pages including figure
International Expert Opinions and Recommendations on the Use of Melatonin in the Treatment of Insomnia and Circadian Sleep Disturbances in Adult Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Introduction: Insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders, such as the delayed sleep phase syndrome, are frequent in psychiatric disorders and their evaluation and management in early stages should be a priority. The aim of this paper was to express recommendations on the use of exogenous melatonin, which exhibits both chronobiotic and sleep-promoting actions, for the treatment of these sleep disturbances in psychiatric disorders. Methods: To this aim, we conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA on the use of melatonin for the treatment of insomnia and circadian sleep disorders in neuropsychiatry. We expressed recommendations for the use of melatonin in psychiatric clinical practice for each disorder using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method. Results: We selected 41 studies, which included mood disorders, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, autism spectrum disorders, neurocognitive disorders, and delirium; no studies were found for both anxiety and eating disorders. Conclusion: The administration of prolonged release melatonin at 2–10 mg, 1–2 h before bedtime, might be used in the treatment of insomnia symptoms or comorbid insomnia in mood disorders, schizophrenia, in adults with autism spectrum disorders, neurocognitive disorders and during sedative-hypnotics discontinuation. Immediate release melatonin at <1 mg might be useful in the treatment of circadian sleep disturbances of neuropsychiatric disorders
Internal states of model isotropic granular packings. III. Elastic properties
In this third and final paper of a series, elastic properties of numerically
simulated isotropic packings of spherical beads assembled by different
procedures and subjected to a varying confining pressure P are investigated. In
addition P, which determines the stiffness of contacts by Hertz's law, elastic
moduli are chiefly sensitive to the coordination number, the possible values of
which are not necessarily correlated with the density. Comparisons of numerical
and experimental results for glass beads in the 10kPa-10MPa range reveal
similar differences between dry samples compacted by vibrations and lubricated
packings. The greater stiffness of the latter, in spite of their lower density,
can hence be attributed to a larger coordination number. Voigt and Reuss bounds
bracket bulk modulus B accurately, but simple estimation schemes fail for shear
modulus G, especially in poorly coordinated configurations under low P.
Tenuous, fragile networks respond differently to changes in load direction, as
compared to load intensity. The shear modulus, in poorly coordinated packings,
tends to vary proportionally to the degree of force indeterminacy per unit
volume. The elastic range extends to small strain intervals, in agreement with
experimental observations. The origins of nonelastic response are discussed. We
conclude that elastic moduli provide access to mechanically important
information about coordination numbers, which escape direct measurement
techniques, and indicate further perspectives.Comment: Published in Physical Review E 25 page
Desynchronization of Diurnal Rhythms in Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder
It has long been proposed that diurnal rhythms are disturbed in bipolar disorder (BD). Such changes are obvious in episodes of mania or depression. However, detailed study of patients between episodes has been rare and comparison with other psychiatric disorders rarer still. Our hypothesis was that evidence for desynchronization of diurnal rhythms would be evident in BD and that we could test the specificity of any effect by studying borderline personality disorder (BPD). Individuals with BD (n = 36), BPD (n = 22) and healthy volunteers (HC, n = 25) wore a portable heart rate and actigraphy device and used a smart-phone to record self-assessed mood scores 10 times per day for 1 week. Average diurnal patterns of heart rate (HR), activity and sleep were compared within and across groups. Desynchronization in the phase of diurnal rhythms of HR compared with activity were found in BPD (+3 h) and BD (+1 h), but not in HC. A clear diurnal pattern for positive mood was found in all subject groups. The coherence between negative and irritable mood and HR showed a four-cycle per day component in BD and BPD, which was not present in HC. The findings highlight marked de-synchronisation of measured diurnal function in both BD but particularly BPD and suggest an increased association with negative and irritable mood at ultradian frequencies. These findings enhance our understanding of the underlying physiological changes associated with BPD and BD, and suggest objective markers for monitoring and potential treatment targets. Improved mood stabilisation is a translational objective for management of both patient groups
An International Partnership of 12 Anatomy Departments - Improving Global Health through Internationalization of Medical Education
Background: At a time of global interconnectedness, the internationalization of medical education has become important. Anatomy as an academic discipline, with its close connections to the basic sciences and to medical education, can easily be connected with global health and internationalization of medical education. Here the authors present an international program based on a partnership between twelve anatomy departments in ten countries, on four continents. Details of a proposed plan for the future direction of the program are also discussed. Objective: The aim is to improve global healthcare by preparing future global healthcare leaders via early international networking, international collaboration and exchange, intercultural experience, and connecting two seemingly distant academic disciplines - anatomy and global health - via internationalization of medical education. Methods: Based in the anatomy course, the program involved early international collaboration between preclinical medical and dental students. The program provided a stepwise progression for learning about healthcare and intercultural topics beyond pure anatomy education - starting with virtual small groups of international students, who subsequently presented their work to a larger international audience during group videoconferences. The above progressed to in-person visits for research internships in the basic sciences within industrialized countries. Findings: Students appreciated the international and intercultural interaction, learned about areas outside the scope of anatomy (e.g., differences in healthcare education and delivery systems, Public and Global Health challenges, health ethics, and cultural enrichment), and valued the exchange travel for basic sciences research internships and cultural experience. Conclusions: This unique collaboration of international anatomy departments can represent a new role for the medical anatomy course beyond pure anatomy teaching - involving areas of global health and internationalization of medical education - and could mark a new era of international collaboration among anatomists.Peer reviewe
Slx8 removes Pli1-dependent protein-SUMO conjugates including SUMOylated Topoisomerase I to promote genome stability
Peer reviewedPublisher PD
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