A New Measurement of the Temperature Density Relation of the IGM From Voigt Profile Fitting

We decompose the Lyman-{\alpha} (Ly{\alpha}) forest of an extensive sample of 74 high signal-to-noise ratio and high-resolution quasar spectra into a collection of Voigt profiles. Absorbers located near caustics in the peculiar velocity field have the smallest Doppler parameters, resulting in a low-$b$ cutoff in the $b$-$N_{\text{HI}}$ set by the thermal state of intergalactic medium (IGM). We fit this cutoff as a function of redshift over the range $2.0\leq z \leq 3.4$, which allows us to measure the evolution of the IGM temperature-density ($T= T_0 (\rho/ \rho_0)^{\gamma-1}$) relation parameters $T_0$ and $\gamma$. We calibrate our measurements against Ly$\alpha$ forest simulations, using 21 different thermal models of the IGM at each redshift, also allowing for different values of the IGM pressure smoothing scale. We adopt a forward-modeling approach and self-consistently apply the same algorithms to both data and simulations, propagating both statistical and modeling uncertainties via Monte Carlo. The redshift evolution of $T_0$ shows a suggestive peak at $z=2.8$, while our evolution of $\gamma$ is consistent with $\gamma\simeq 1.4$ and disfavors inverted temperature-density relations. Our measured evolution of $T_0$ and $\gamma$ are generally in good agreement with previous determinations in the literature. Both the peak in the evolution of $T_0$ at $z = 2.8$, as well as the high temperatures $T_0\simeq 15000-20000\,$K that we observe at $2.4 < z < 3.4$, strongly suggest that a significant episode of heating occurred after the end of HI reionization, which was most likely the cosmic reionization of HeII.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ, 23 pages, 26 figures, machine readable tables available onlin

On two theorems for flat, affine group schemes over a discrete valuation ring

We include short and elementary proofs of two theorems characterizing reductive group schemes over a discrete valuation ring, in a slightly more general context.Comment: 10 pages. To appear in C. E. J.

The structure of blocks with a Klein four defect group

We prove Erdmann’s conjecture [16] stating that every block with a Klein four defect group has a simple module with trivial source, and deduce from this that Puig’s finiteness conjecture holds for source algebras of blocks with a Klein four defect group. The proof uses the classification of finite simple groups

The renal arterial resistance index and renal allograft survival

BACKGROUND: Most renal transplants fail because of chronic allograft nephropathy or because the recipient dies, but no reliable factor predicting long-term outcome has been identified. We tested whether a renal arterial resistance index of less than 80 was predictive of long-term allograft survival. METHODS: The renal segmental arterial resistance index (the percentage reduction of the end-diastolic flow as compared with the systolic flow) was measured by Doppler ultrasonography in 601 patients at least three months after transplantation between August 1997 and November 1998. All patients were followed for three or more years. The combined end point was a decrease of 50 percent or more in the creatinine clearance rate, allograft failure (indicated by the need for dialysis), or death. RESULTS: A total of 122 patients (20 percent) had a resistance index of 80 or higher. Eighty-four of these patients (69 percent) had a decrease of 50 percent or more in creatinine clearance, as compared with 56 of the 479 patients with a resistance index of less than 80 (12 percent); 57 patients with a higher resistance index (47 percent) required dialysis, as compared with 43 patients with a lower resistance index (9 percent); and 36 patients with a higher resistance index (30 percent) died, as compared with 33 patients with a lower resistance index (7 percent) (P<0.001 for all comparisons). A total of 107 patients with a higher resistance index (88 percent) reached the combined end point, as compared with 83 of those with a lower resistance index (17 percent, P<0.001). The multivariate relative risk of graft loss among patients with a higher resistance index was 9.1 (95 percent confidence interval, 6.6 to 12.7). Proteinuria (protein excretion, 1 g per day or more), symptomatic cytomegalovirus infection, and a creatinine clearance rate of less than 30 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area after transplantation also increased the risk. CONCLUSIONS: A renal arterial resistance index of 80 or higher measured at least three months after transplantation is associated with poor subsequent allograft performance and death

Improving IGM temperature constraints using wavelet analysis on high-redshift quasars

Large scale structure and cosmolog

The interaction between a sexually transferred steroid hormone and a female protein regulates oogenesis in the malaria mosquito anopheles gambiae

Molecular interactions between male and female factors during mating profoundly affect the reproductive behavior and physiology of female insects. In natural populations of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae, blood-fed females direct nutritional resources towards oogenesis only when inseminated. Here we show that the mating-dependent pathway of egg development in these mosquitoes is regulated by the interaction between the steroid hormone 20-hydroxy-ecdysone (20E) transferred by males during copulation and a female Mating-Induced Stimulator of Oogenesis (MISO) protein. RNAi silencing of MISO abolishes the increase in oogenesis caused by mating in blood-fed females, causes a delay in oocyte development, and impairs the function of male-transferred 20E. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments show that MISO and 20E interact in the female reproductive tract. Moreover MISO expression after mating is induced by 20E via the Ecdysone Receptor, demonstrating a close cooperation between the two factors. Male-transferred 20E therefore acts as a mating signal that females translate into an increased investment in egg development via a MISO-dependent pathway. The identification of this male–female reproductive interaction offers novel opportunities for the control of mosquito populations that transmit malaria

Acute phase response in two consecutive experimentally induced E. coli intramammary infections in dairy cows

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Acute phase proteins haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA) and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) have suggested to be suitable inflammatory markers for bovine mastitis. The aim of the study was to investigate acute phase markers along with clinical parameters in two consecutive intramammary challenges with <it>Escherichia coli </it>and to evaluate the possible carry-over effect when same animals are used in an experimental model.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Mastitis was induced with a dose of 1500 cfu of <it>E. coli </it>in one quarter of six cows and inoculation repeated in another quarter after an interval of 14 days. Concentrations of acute phase proteins haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA) and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) were determined in serum and milk.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In both challenges all cows became infected and developed clinical mastitis within 12 hours of inoculation. Clinical disease and acute phase response was generally milder in the second challenge. Concentrations of SAA in milk started to increase 12 hours after inoculation and peaked at 60 hours after the first challenge and at 44 hours after the second challenge. Concentrations of SAA in serum increased more slowly and peaked at the same times as in milk; concentrations in serum were about one third of those in milk. Hp started to increase in milk similarly and peaked at 36–44 hours. In serum, the concentration of Hp peaked at 60–68 hours and was twice as high as in milk. LBP concentrations in milk and serum started to increase after 12 hours and peaked at 36 hours, being higher in milk. The concentrations of acute phase proteins in serum and milk in the <it>E. coli </it>infection model were much higher than those recorded in experiments using Gram-positive pathogens, indicating the severe inflammation induced by <it>E. coli</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Acute phase proteins would be useful parameters as mastitis indicators and to assess the severity of mastitis. If repeated experimental intramammary induction of the same animals with <it>E. coli </it>is used in cross-over studies, the interval between challenges should be longer than 2 weeks, due to the carry-over effect from the first infection.</p

Cellular glycosylation affects Herceptin binding and sensitivity of breast cancer cells to doxorubicin and growth factors

Alterations in protein glycosylation are a key feature of oncogenesis and have been shown to affect cancer cell behaviour perturbing cell adhesion, favouring cell migration and metastasis. This study investigated the effect of N-linked glycosylation on the binding of Herceptin to HER2 protein in breast cancer and on the sensitivity of cancer cells to the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DXR) and growth factors (EGF and IGF-1). The interaction between Herceptin and recombinant HER2 protein and cancer cell surfaces (on-rate/off-rate) was assessed using a quartz crystal microbalance biosensor revealing an increase in the accessibility of HER2 to Herceptin following deglycosylation of cell membrane proteins (deglycosylated cells Bmax: 6.83 Hz; glycosylated cells Bmax: 7.35 Hz). The sensitivity of cells to DXR and to growth factors was evaluated using an MTT assay. Maintenance of SKBR-3 cells in tunicamycin (an inhibitor of N-linked glycosylation) resulted in an increase in sensitivity to DXR (0.1 µM DXR P<0.001) and a decrease in sensitivity to IGF-1 alone and to IGF-1 supplemented with EGF (P<0.001). This report illustrates the importance of N-linked glycosylation in modulating the response of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic and biological treatments and highlights the potential of glycosylation inhibitors as future combination treatments for breast cancer