5,239 research outputs found
binny:an automated binning algorithm to recover high-quality genomes from complex metagenomic datasets
binny:an automated binning algorithm to recover high-quality genomes from complex metagenomic datasets
New high-sensitivity, milliarcsecond resolution results from routine observations of lunar occultations at the ESO VLT
(Abridged) Lunar occultations (LO) are a very efficient and powerful
technique, that achieves the best combination of high angular resolution and
sensitivity possible today at near-infrared wavelengths. Given that the events
are fixed in time, that the sources are occulted randomly, and that the
telescope use is minimal, the technique is very well suited for service mode
observations. We have established a program of routine LO observations at the
VLT observatory, especially designed to take advantage of short breaks
available in-between other programs. We have used the ISAAC instrument in burst
mode, capable of producing continuous read-outs at millisecond rates on a
suitable subwindow. Given the random nature of the source selection, our aim
has been primarily the investigation of a large number of stellar sources at
the highest angular resolution in order to detect new binaries. Serendipitous
results such as resolved sources and detection of circumstellar components were
also anticipated. We have recorded the signal from background stars for a few
seconds, around the predicted time of occultation by the Moon's dark limb. At
millisecond time resolution, a characteristic diffraction pattern can be
observed. Patterns for two or more sources superimpose linearly, and this
property is used for the detection of binary stars. The detailed analysis of
the diffraction fringes can be used to measure specific properties such as the
stellar angular size and the presence of extended light sources such as a
circumstellar shell. We present a list of 191 stars for which LO data could be
recorded and analyzed. Results include the detection of 16 binary and 2 triple
stars, all but one of which were previously unknown. The projected angular
separations are as small as 4 milliarcseconds and magnitude differences as high
as ?K=5.8 mag...Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, to be published in A&
Epistemic Vigilance
Humans massively depend on communication with others, but this leaves them open to the risk of being accidentally or intentionally misinformed. To ensure that, despite this risk, communication remains advantageous, humans have, we claim, a suite of cognitive mechanisms for epistemic vigilance. Here we outline this claim and consider some of the ways in which epistemic vigilance works in mental and social life by surveying issues, research and theories in different domains of philosophy, linguistics, cognitive psychology and the social sciences
Sample preservation and storage significantly impact taxonomic and functional profiles in metaproteomics studies of the human gut microbiome
With the technological advances of the last decade, it is now feasible to analyze microbiome samples, such as human stool specimens, using multi-omic techniques. Given the inherent sample complexity, there exists a need for sample methods which preserve as much information as possible about the biological system at the time of sampling. Here, we analyzed human stool samples preserved and stored using different methods, applying metagenomics as well as metaproteomics. Our results demonstrate that sample preservation and storage have a significant effect on the taxonomic composition of identified proteins. The overall identification rates, as well as the proportion of proteins from were much higher when samples were flash frozen. Preservation in RNAlater overall led to fewer protein identifications and a considerable increase in the share of , as well as . Additionally, a decrease in the share of metabolism-related proteins and an increase of the relative amount of proteins involved in the processing of genetic information was observed for RNAlater-stored samples. This suggests that great care should be taken in choosing methods for the preservation and storage of microbiome samples, as well as in comparing the results of analyses using different sampling and storage methods. Flash freezing and subsequent storage at -80 °C should be chosen wherever possible
Collection and use of EQ-5D for follow-up, decision-making, and quality improvement in health care - the case of the Swedish National Quality Registries
Background: The Swedish National Quality Registries (NQRs) contain individual-level health care data for specific
patient populations, or patients receiving specific interventions. Approximately 90% of the 105 Swedish NQRs
include any patient-reported outcome measure, with EQ-5D being the most common. As there has been no
general overview of EQ-5D data within the NQRs, this study fills a knowledge gap by reporting how the data are
collected, presented, and used at different levels of the Swedish health care system.
Methods: All 46 NQRs with a license for the use of EQ-5D were included. Information was retrieved from the
registries’ annual reports or from websites, using a template that was subsequently sent to eac
Speckle observations with PISCO in Merate - V. Astrometric measurements of visual binaries in 2006
International audienceWe present relative astrometric measurements of visual binaries made during the first semester of 2006, with the Pupil Interferometry Speckle camera and COronagraph at the 102-cm Zeiss telescope of the Brera Astronomical Observatory, in Merate. Our sample contains orbital couples as well as binaries whose motion is still uncertain. We obtained 217 new measurements of 194 objects, with angular separations in the range 0.1-4.2arcsec, and an average accuracy of 0.01arcsec. The mean error on the position angles is 0.5°. About half of those angles could be determined without the usual 180° ambiguity by the application of triple-correlation techniques. We also present a revised orbit for ADS 277 for which the previously published orbit resulted in a large residual from our measurements
Constraints on a Massive Dirac Neutrino Model
We examine constraints on a simple neutrino model in which there are three
massless and three massive Dirac neutrinos and in which the left handed
neutrinos are linear combinations of doublet and singlet neutrinos. We examine
constraints from direct decays into heavy neutrinos, indirect effects on
electroweak parameters, and flavor changing processes. We combine these
constraints to examine the allowed mass range for the heavy neutrinos of each
of the three generations.Comment: latex, 29 pages, 7 figures (not included), MIT-CTP-221
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