A Study of Cold Gas and Star Formation in Low-Mass Blue-Sequence E/S0s

We present a study of cold gas and star formation in low-mass blue-sequence E/S0 galaxies — a population that is morphologically early-type, but resides on the blue sequence in color vs. stellar mass space alongside spirals. A subset of these blue-sequence E/S0s may provide an evolutionary link between traditional red and dead early-type galaxies and star-forming spirals via disk (re)growth. In this dissertation, we use data from the Green Bank Telescope (GBT), the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-wave Astronomy (CARMA), the Spitzer Space Telescope, and the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) to examine the potential for morphological transformation of low-mass blue-sequence E/S0s. In considering the HI content of these galaxies, we find that, normalized to stellar mass, the atomic gas masses for 12 of the 14 blue-sequence E/S0s range from 0.1 to ≥1.0. These gas-to-stellar mass ratios are comparable to those of spiral and irregular galaxies, and have a similar dependence on stellar mass. Assuming that the HI is accessible for star formation, we find that 9 of 14 blue-sequence E/S0s can increase in stellar mass by 10–60% in 3 Gyr with current HI reservoirs alone. We present evidence that star formation in these galaxies is bursty and likely involves externally triggered gas inflows. For a sub-sample of eight E/S0s (four blue-, two mid-, and two red-sequence) whose CARMA CO(1–0), Spitzer MIPS 24μm, and GALEX FUV emission distributions are spatially resolved on a 750pc scale, we find roughly linear relationships between molecular-gas and star-formation surface densities within all galaxies, with power law indices N = 0.6–1.9 (median 1.2). Adding 11 more blue-sequence E/S0s whose CO(1–0) emission is not as well resolved, we find that most of our E/S0s have 1–8 kpc aperture-averaged molecular-gas surface densities overlapping the range spanned by the disks and centers of spiral galaxies. While many of our E/S0s fall on the same Schmidt-Kennicutt relation as local spirals, ∼80% are offset towards apparently higher molecular-gas star formation efficiency. We discuss possible interpretations of the apparently elevated efficiencies. We examine star formation in blue- and red-sequence E/S0s as traced by the 8μm PAH emission. We find the 8μm PAH/3.6μm emission ratios for most of our blue-sequence E/S0s to be similar to those of local spirals. Ratio images of the two tracers reveal ring-like and non-axisymmetric structures in some of our E/S0s, suggestive of internally and/or externally triggered gas inflow and centrally concentrated star formation. Comparison between the CO(1–0) and 8μm PAH emission distributions shows good agreement globally, although the 8μm PAH/3.6μm emission ratio appears to better trace non-axisymmetric structures observed in CO. Similar to CO observations of spiral galaxies, we find detectable CO emission in our E/S0s to be centrally concentrated, ranging from 0.1&ndash0.6r25 (median 0.3r25). We also find that the aperture-averaged 8μm PAH to 3.6μm stellar emission ratio correlates with the atomic and molecular gas mass fractions

A Program Review of the Promoting Electoral Reform and Democratic Participation (PERDP) Initiative of the Ford Foundation

As part of its strategic redesign process in 2015, the Ford Foundation sought a systematic review of its Promoting Electoral Reform and Democratic Participation (PERDP) initiative in the United States. The overarching goal of the review was to understand the extent to which a clear theory of change existed in PERDP's work, and whether that theory of change matched broader understandings of what worked in strengthening civic engagement and democracy. Our goal was not to assess particular grants or funding choices. Instead we sought to synthesize learning about strategies for increasing civic participation and improving the functioning of American democracy by looking broadly at both scholarly research and the experiences of PERDP

Women’s facial attractiveness is related to their body mass index, but not their salivary cortisol

Objectives: Although many theories of human facial attractiveness propose positive correlations between facial attractiveness and measures of actual health, evidence for such correlations is somewhat mixed. Here we sought to replicate a recent study reporting that women’s facial attractiveness is independently related to both their adiposity and cortisol. Methods: Ninety-six women provided saliva samples, which were analyzed for cortisol level, and their height and weight, which were used to calculate their body mass index (BMI). A digital face image of each woman was also taken under standardized photographic conditions and rated for attractiveness. Results: There was a significant negative correlation between women’s facial attractiveness and BMI. By contrast, salivary cortisol and facial attractiveness were not significantly correlated. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the types of health information reflected in women's faces include qualities that are indexed by BMI, but do not necessarily include qualities that are indexed by cortisol

Does the interaction between cortisol and testosterone predict men's facial attractiveness?

Although some researchers have suggested that the interaction between cortisol and testosterone predicts ratings of men’s facial attractiveness, evidence for this pattern of results is equivocal. Consequently, the current study tested for a correlation between men’s facial attractiveness and the interaction between their cortisol and testosterone levels. We also tested for corresponding relationships between the interaction between cortisol and testosterone and ratings of men’s facial health and dominance (perceived traits that are correlated with facial attractiveness in men). We found no evidence that ratings of either facial attractiveness or health were correlated with the interaction between cortisol and testosterone. Some analyses suggested that the interaction between cortisol and testosterone levels may predict ratings of men’s facial dominance, however, with testosterone being more closely related to facial dominance ratings among men with higher cortisol. Our results suggest that the relationship between men’s facial attractiveness and the interaction between cortisol and testosterone is not robust

Swallowing therapy for dysphagia in acute and subacute stroke

Background: Dysphagia (swallowing problems), which is common after stroke, is associated with increased risk of death or dependency, occurrence of pneumonia, poor quality of life, and longer hospital stay. Treatments provided to improve dysphagia are aimed at accelerating recovery of swallowing function and reducing these risks. This is an update of the review first published in 1999 and updated in 2012.Objectives: To assess the effects of swallowing therapy on death or dependency among stroke survivors with dysphagia within six months of stroke onset.Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (26 June 2018), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2018, Issue 6) in the Cochrane Library (searched 26 June 2018), MEDLINE (26 June 2018), Embase (26 June 2018), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (26 June 2018),Web of Science Core Collection (26 June 2018), Speech BITE (28 June 2016), ClinicalTrials.Gov (26 June 2018), and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (26 June 2018). We also searched Google Scholar (7 June 2018) and the reference lists of relevant trials and review articles.Selection criteria: We sought to include randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions for people with dysphagia and recent stroke (within six months).Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently applied the inclusion criteria, extracted data, assessed risk of bias, used the GRADE approach to assess the quality of evidence, and resolved disagreements through discussion with the third review author (PB). We used random effects models to calculate odds ratios (ORs), mean differences (MDs), and standardised mean differences (SMDs), and provided 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each. The primary outcome was functional outcome, defined as death or dependency (or death or disability), at the end of the trial. Secondary outcomes were case fatality at the end of the trial, length of inpatient stay, proportion of participants with dysphagia at the end of the trial, swallowing ability, penetration aspiration score, or pneumonia, pharyngeal transit time, institutionalisation, and nutrition.Main results: We added 27 new studies (1777 participants) to this update to include a total of 41 trials (2660 participants). We assessed the efficacy of swallowing therapy overall and in subgroups by type of intervention: acupuncture (11 studies), behavioural interventions (nine studies), drug therapy (three studies), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES; six studies), pharyngeal electrical stimulation (PES; four studies), physical stimulation (three studies), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS; two studies), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS; nine studies). Swallowing therapy had no effect on the primary outcome (death or dependency/disability at the end of the trial) based on data from one trial (two data sets) (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.75; 306 participants; 2 studies; I² = 0%; P = 0.86; moderate-quality evidence). Swallowing therapy had no effect on case fatality at the end of the trial (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.52; 766 participants; 14 studies; I² = 6%; P = 0.99; moderate-quality evidence). Swallowing therapy probably reduced length of inpatient stay (MD -2.9, 95% CI -5.65 to -0.15; 577 participants; 8 studies; I² = 11%; P = 0.04; moderate-quality evidence). Researchers found no evidence of a subgroup effect based on testing for subgroup differences (P = 0.54). Swallowing therapy may have reduced the proportion of participants with dysphagia at the end of the trial (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.55; 1487 participants; 23 studies; I² = 0%; P = 0.00001; low-quality evidence). Trial results show no evidence of a subgroup effect based on testing for subgroup differences (P = 0.91). Swallowing therapy may improve swallowing ability (SMD -0.66, 95% CI -1.01 to -0.32; 1173 participants; 26 studies; I² = 86%; P = 0.0002; very low quality evidence).We found no evidence of a subgroup effect based on testing for subgroup differences (P = 0.09). We noted moderate to substantial heterogeneity between trials for these interventions. Swallowing therapy did not reduce the penetration aspiration score (i.e. it did not reduce radiological aspiration) (SMD -0.37, 95% CI -0.74 to -0.00; 303 participants; 11 studies; I² = 46%; P = 0.05; low-quality evidence). Swallowing therapy may reduce the incidence of chest infection or pneumonia (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.78; 618 participants; 9 studies; I² = 59%; P = 0.009; very low-quality evidence).Authors’ conclusions: Moderate- and low-quality evidence suggests that swallowing therapy did not have a significant effect on the outcomes of death or dependency/disability, case fatality at the end of the trial, or penetration aspiration score. However, swallowing therapy may have reduced length of hospital stay, dysphagia, and chest infections, and may have improved swallowing ability. However, these results are based on evidence of variable quality, involving a variety of interventions. Further high-quality trials are needed to test whether specific interventions are effective

Pb Neurotoxicity: Neuropsychological Effects of Lead Toxicity

Neurotoxicity is a term used to describe neurophysiological changes caused by exposure to toxic agents. Such exposure can result in neurocognitive symptoms and/or psychiatric disturbances. Common toxic agents include heavy metals, drugs, organophosphates, bacterial, and animal neurotoxins. Among heavy metal exposures, lead exposure is one of the most common exposures that can lead to significant neuropsychological and functional decline in humans. In this review, neurotoxic lead exposure\u27s pathophysiology, etiology, and epidemiology are explored. In addition, commonly associated neuropsychological difficulties in intelligence, memory, executive functioning, attention, processing speed, language, visuospatial skills, motor skills, and affect/mood are explored

Identification of deep-rooting crop species in arable subsoil by the minirhizotron technique

Our current understanding of the plant deep root system and its relevance for crop production is limited. A field trial was established in order to monitor the root growth of various deep-rooted crops down to 5 m of soil depth with the minirhizotron technique. Root intensity (RI: intersections m-1) and maximum rooting depth (m) of seven different crop species indicate varying degree of root penetration capacity among the tested crops. Overall, within one season over 89 % of RI was concentrated at 0-1.0 m of soil depth. Sugar beet (1.4 m) as an annual crop showed the most rapid root growth rate (10.6 mm day-1). On average the perennials resulted in 0.7 m of maximum rooting depth (5.6 mm day-1), which indicates their potential to establish deep root systems in coming seasons

Extraction of higher-order nonlinear electronic response to strong field excitation in solids using high harmonic generation

State-of-the-art experiments employ strong ultrafast optical fields to study the nonlinear response of electrons in solids on an attosecond time-scale. Notably, a recent experiment retrieved a 3rd order nonlinear susceptibility by comparing the nonlinear response induced by a strong laser field to a linear response induced by the otherwise identical weak field. In parallel, experiments have demonstrated high harmonic generation (HHG) in solids, a highly nonlinear process that until recently had only been observed in gases. The highly nonlinear nature of HHG has the potential to extract even higher order nonlinear susceptibility terms, and thereby characterize the entire response of the electronic system to strong field excitation. However, up till now, such characterization has been elusive due to a lack of direct correspondence between high harmonics and nonlinear susceptibilities. Here, we demonstrate a regime where such correspondence can be clearly made, extracting nonlinear susceptibilities (7th, 9th, and 11th) from sapphire of the same order as the measured high harmonics. The extracted high order susceptibilities show angular-resolved periodicities arising from variation in the band structure with crystal orientation. Nonlinear susceptibilities are key to ultrafast lightwave driven optoelectronics, allowing petahertz scaling manipulation of the signal. Our results open a door to multi-channel signal processing, controlled by laser polarization

The influence of facial femininity on Chinese and White UK women's jealousy

It is well established that men report greater jealousy when imagining scenarios in which their romantic partner interacts with men displaying masculine physical characteristics. However, few studies have tested for corresponding effects of sexually dimorphic characteristics on women’s jealousy or tested for these effects in non-Western samples. Thus, we investigated the effects of experimentally manipulated sexually dimorphic face-shape cues on Chinese and White UK women’s jealousy perceptions. Chinese and White UK women both reported greater jealousy when imagining scenarios in which their romantic partner interacted with more feminine women. Both groups of women showed large effects of facial femininity on jealousy perceptions for both Chinese and White UK stimuli. Together, these results suggest that sexually dimorphic facial characteristics influence women’s jealousy and that this effect is not unique to women raised in Western cultures