4,497 research outputs found
X-ray Insights Into Interpreting CIV Blueshifts and Optical/UV Continua
We present 0.5-8.0 keV Chandra observations of six bright quasars that
represent extrema in quasar emission-line properties -- three quasars each with
small and large blueshifts of the CIV emission line with respect to the
systemic redshift of the quasars. Supplemented with seven archival Chandra
observations of quasars that met our selection criteria, we investigate the
origin of this emission-line phenomenon in the general context of the structure
of quasars. We find that the quasars with the largest CIV blueshifts show
evidence, from joint-spectral fitting, for intrinsic X-ray absorption (N_H ~
10^22 cm^-2). Given the lack of accompanying CIV absorption, this gas is likely
to be highly ionized, and may be identified with the shielding gas in the
disk-wind paradigm. Furthermore, we find evidence for a correlation of
alpha_uv, the ultraviolet spectral index, with the hardness of the X-ray
continuum; an analysis of independent Bright Quasar Survey data from the
literature supports this conclusion. This result points to intrinsically red
quasars having systematically flatter hard X-ray continua without evidence for
X-ray absorption. We speculate on the origins of these correlations of X-ray
properties with both CIV blueshift and alpha_uv and discuss the implications
for models of quasar structure.Comment: 9 figs, 25 pages, AASTeX; accepted for publication in A
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey Reverberation Mapping Project: Ensemble Spectroscopic Variability of Quasar Broad Emission Lines
We explore the variability of quasars in the MgII and Hbeta broad emission
lines and UV/optical continuum emission using the Sloan Digital Sky Survey
Reverberation Mapping project (SDSS-RM). This is the largest spectroscopic
study of quasar variability to date: our study includes 29 spectroscopic epochs
from SDSS-RM over months, containing 357 quasars with MgII and 41 quasars
with Hbeta . On longer timescales, the study is also supplemented with
two-epoch data from SDSS-I/II. The SDSS-I/II data include an additional
quasars with MgII and 572 quasars with Hbeta. The MgII emission line is
significantly variable ( 10% on 100-day timescales), a necessary
prerequisite for its use for reverberation mapping studies. The data also
confirm that continuum variability increases with timescale and decreases with
luminosity, and the continuum light curves are consistent with a damped
random-walk model on rest-frame timescales of days. We compare the
emission-line and continuum variability to investigate the structure of the
broad-line region. Broad-line variability shows a shallower increase with
timescale compared to the continuum emission, demonstrating that the broad-line
transfer function is not a -function. Hbeta is more variable than MgII
(roughly by a factor of ), suggesting different excitation mechanisms,
optical depths and/or geometrical configuration for each emission line. The
ensemble spectroscopic variability measurements enabled by the SDSS-RM project
have important consequences for future studies of reverberation mapping and
black hole mass estimation of quasars.Comment: 20 pages, 25 figures. ApJ accepted: minor revisions following referee
repor
Structure of Tagatose-1,6-bisphosphate Aldolase. Insight into chiral discrimination, mechanism, and specificity of class II aldolases
Tagatose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (TBPA) is a tetrameric class II aldolase that catalyzes the reversible condensation of dihydroxyacetone phosphate with glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate to produce tagatose 1,6-bisphosphate. The high resolution (1.45 Ă
) crystal structure of the Escherichia coli enzyme, encoded by the agaY gene, complexed with phosphoglycolohydroxamate (PGH) has been determined. Two subunits comprise the asymmetric unit, and a crystallographic 2-fold axis generates the functional tetramer. A complex network of hydrogen bonds position side chains in the active site that is occupied by two cations. An unusual Na(+) binding site is created using a interaction with Tyr(183) in addition to five oxygen ligands. The catalytic Zn(2+) is five-coordinate using three histidine nitrogens and two PGH oxygens. Comparisons of TBPA with the related fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBPA) identifies common features with implications for the mechanism. Because the major product of the condensation catalyzed by the enzymes differs in the chirality at a single position, models of FBPA and TBPA with their cognate bisphosphate products provide insight into chiral discrimination by these aldolases. The TBPA active site is more open on one side than FBPA, and this contributes to a less specific enzyme. The availability of more space and a wider range of aldehyde partners used by TBPA together with the highly specific nature of FBPA suggest that TBPA might be a preferred enzyme to modify for use in biotransformation chemistry
Chandra Observations of SDSS J1004+4112: Constraints on the Lensing Cluster and Anomalous X-Ray Flux Ratios of the Quadruply Imaged Quasar
We present results from Chandra observations of SDSS J1004+4112, a strongly
lensed quasar system with a maximum image separation of 15". All four bright
images of the quasar, as well as resolved X-ray emission originating from the
lensing cluster, are clearly detected. The emission from the lensing cluster
extends out to approximately 1.5 arcmin. We measure the bolometric X-ray
luminosity and temperature of the lensing cluster to be 4.7e44 erg s^-1 and 6.4
keV, consistent with the luminosity-temperature relation for distant clusters.
The mass estimated from the X-ray observation shows excellent agreement with
the mass derived from gravitational lensing. The X-ray flux ratios of the
quasar images differ markedly from the optical flux ratios, and the combined
X-ray spectrum of the images possesses an unusually strong Fe Kalpha emission
line, both of which are indicative of microlensing.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ. Version with
high-quality color figures at
http://cosmic.riken.jp/ota/publications/index.htm
Compact Hyperbolic Extra Dimensions: Branes, Kaluza-Klein Modes and Cosmology
We reconsider theories with low gravitational (or string) scale M_* where
Newton's constant is generated via new large-volume spatial dimensions, while
Standard Model states are localized to a 3-brane. Utilizing compact hyperbolic
manifolds (CHM's) we show that the spectrum of Kaluza-Klein (KK) modes is
radically altered. This allows an early universe cosmology with normal
evolution up to substantial temperatures, and completely negates the
constraints on M_* arising from astrophysics. Furthermore, an exponential
hierarchy between the usual Planck scale and the true fundamental scale of
physics can emerge with only order unity coefficients. The linear size of the
internal space remains small. The proposal has striking testable signatures.Comment: 4 pages, no figure
Update to the Vitamin C, Thiamine and Steroids in Sepsis (VICTAS) protocol: statistical analysis plan for a prospective, multicenter, double-blind, adaptive sample size, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.
BACKGROUND: Observational research suggests that combined therapy with Vitamin C, thiamine and hydrocortisone may reduce mortality in patients with septic shock.
METHODS AND DESIGN: The Vitamin C, Thiamine and Steroids in Sepsis (VICTAS) trial is a multicenter, double-blind, adaptive sample size, randomized, placebo-controlled trial designed to test the efficacy of combination therapy with vitamin C (1.5âg), thiamine (100âmg), and hydrocortisone (50âmg) given every 6âh for up to 16 doses in patients with respiratory or circulatory dysfunction (or both) resulting from sepsis. The primary outcome is ventilator- and vasopressor-free days with mortality as the key secondary outcome. Recruitment began in August 2018 and is ongoing; 501 participants have been enrolled to date, with a planned maximum sample size of 2000. The Data and Safety Monitoring Board reviewed interim results at N =â200, 300, 400 and 500, and has recommended continuing recruitment. The next interim analysis will occur when N =â1000. This update presents the statistical analysis plan. Specifically, we provide definitions for key treatment and outcome variables, and for intent-to-treat, per-protocol, and safety analysis datasets. We describe the planned descriptive analyses, the main analysis of the primary end point, our approach to secondary and exploratory analyses, and handling of missing data. Our goal is to provide enough detail that our approach could be replicated by an independent study group, thereby enhancing the transparency of the study.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03509350. Registered on 26 April 2018
Learning through social spaces: migrant women and lifelong learning in post-colonial London
This article shows how migrant women engage in learning through social spaces. It argues that such spaces are little recognised, and that there are multiple ways in which migrant women construct and negotiate their informal learning through socialising with other women in different informal modes. Additionally, the article shows how learning is shaped by the socio-political, geographical and multicultural context of living in London, outlining ways in which gendered and racialised identities shape, construct and constrain participation in lifelong learning. The article shows that one way in which migrant women resist (post)colonial constructions of difference is by engaging in informal and non-formal lifelong learning, arguing that the benefits are (at least) two-fold. The women develop skills (including language skills) but also use their informal learning to develop what is referred to in this article as 'relational capital'. The article concludes that informal lifelong learning developed through social spaces can enhance a sense of belonging for migrant women
Non-Minimal Warm Inflation and Perturbations on the Warped DGP Brane with Modified Induced Gravity
We construct a warm inflation model with inflaton field non-minimally coupled
to induced gravity on a warped DGP brane. We incorporate possible modification
of the induced gravity on the brane in the spirit of -gravity. We study
cosmological perturbations in this setup. In the case of two field inflation
such as warm inflation, usually entropy perturbations are generated. While it
is expected that in the case of one field inflation these perturbations to be
removed, we show that even in the absence of the radiation field, entropy
perturbations are generated in our setup due to non-minimal coupling and
modification of the induced gravity.Comment: 29 pages, 7 figures, Accepted by Gen. Rel Gravi
Labour market experiences of young UK Bangladeshi men: Identity, inclusion and exclusion in inner-city London
Detailed qualitative data are used to explore the processes perpetuatinglabour market disadvantage among young UK-Bangladeshi men living in central London. Strong forces of inclusion within the Bangladeshi community are found to interact with forces of exclusion from âmainstreamâ
society to constrain aspirations and limit opportunities. Though diverse forms of young Bangladeshi masculinity are found, a common pattern is heavy dependency on intra-ethnic networks. Negative experiences of and isolation from âmainstreamâ society further reinforce reliance
on âour own peopleâ. However, acute ambivalence towards belonging to a dense Bangladeshi community exists, exemplified in the widespread denigration of the restaurant trade. Many respondents express the desire to âbreak outâ and access new experiences. The findings support current
policy emphasis on âconnecting people to workâ but highlight the more fundamental need to connect people across ethnic boundaries. The paper urges researchers to âunpackâ ethnicity to consider carefully what ethnic
identity implies in terms of access to resources and opportunities for different individuals in different contexts in order better to understand the diversity of labour market outcomes and the persistence of disadvantage
Spectroscopic Target Selection in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey: The Quasar Sample
We describe the algorithm for selecting quasar candidates for optical
spectroscopy in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Quasar candidates are selected
via their non-stellar colors in "ugriz" broad-band photometry, and by matching
unresolved sources to the FIRST radio catalogs. The automated algorithm is
sensitive to quasars at all redshifts lower than z=5.8. Extended sources are
also targeted as low-redshift quasar candidates in order to investigate the
evolution of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) at the faint end of the luminosity
function. Nearly 95% of previously known quasars are recovered (based on 1540
quasars in 446 square degrees). The overall completeness, estimated from
simulated quasars, is expected to be over 90%, whereas the overall efficiency
(quasars:quasar candidates) is better than 65%. The selection algorithm targets
ultraviolet excess quasars to i^*=19.1 and higher-redshift (z>3) quasars to
i^*=20.2, yielding approximately 18 candidates per square degree. In addition
to selecting ``normal'' quasars, the design of the algorithm makes it sensitive
to atypical AGN such as Broad Absorption Line quasars and heavily reddened
quasars.Comment: 62 pages, 15 figures (8 color), 8 tables. Accepted by AJ. For a
version with higher quality color figures, see
http://archive.stsci.edu/sdss/quasartarget/RichardsGT_qsotarget.preprint.p
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