ECO and RESOLVE: Galaxy Disk Growth in Environmental Context

We study the relationships between galaxy environments and galaxy properties related to disk (re)growth, considering two highly complete samples that are approximately baryonic mass limited into the high-mass dwarf galaxy regime, the Environmental COntext (ECO) catalog (data release herein) and the B-semester region of the REsolved Spectroscopy Of a Local VolumE (RESOLVE) survey. We quantify galaxy environments using both group identification and smoothed galaxy density field methods. We use by-eye and quantitative morphological classifications plus atomic gas content measurements and estimates. We find that blue early-type (E/S0) galaxies, gas-dominated galaxies, and UV-bright disk host galaxies all become distinctly more common below group halo mass ~10^11.5 Msun, implying that this low group halo mass regime may be a preferred regime for significant disk growth activity. We also find that blue early-type and blue late-type galaxies inhabit environments of similar group halo mass at fixed baryonic mass, consistent with a scenario in which blue early types can regrow late-type disks. In fact, we find that the only significant difference in the typical group halo mass inhabited by different galaxy classes is for satellite galaxies with different colors, where at fixed baryonic mass red early and late types have higher typical group halo masses than blue early and late types. More generally, we argue that the traditional morphology-environment relation (i.e., that denser environments tend to have more early types) can be largely attributed to the morphology-galaxy mass relation for centrals and the color-environment relation for satellites.Comment: 26 pages and 28 figures; v2 contains minor figure and text updates to match final published version in ApJ; ECO data table release now available at http://resolve.astro.unc.edu/pages/data.ph

Natural feed additives as alternative to in-feed medication

The use of antibiotics in livestock production is very common and widespread. The reason for their use can be very diverse. Examples are the treatment of clinically sick animals, the improvement of growth performance, as well as the prevention of common bacterial infections. However, the extensive use of such antimicrobials raised concerns of increasing the incidence of resistant pathogenic bacteria, which has a negative impact not only on livestock production, but also on human health. In the last years, many different substances have been investigated as suitable alternatives to the use of antibiotics as growth promoting agents and as prophylactic substances

The cell line A-to-I RNA editing catalogue

Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing is a common post transcriptional modification. It has a critical role in protecting against false activation of innate immunity by endogenous double stranded RNAs and has been associated with various regulatory processes and diseases such as autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer. In addition, the endogenous A-to-I editing machinery has been recently harnessed for RNA engineering. The study of RNA editing in humans relies heavily on the usage of cell lines as an important and commonly-used research tool. In particular, manipulations of the editing enzymes and their targets are often developed using cell line platforms. However, RNA editing in cell lines behaves very differently than in normal and diseased tissues, and most cell lines exhibit low editing levels, requiring over-expression of the enzymes. Here, we explore the A-to-I RNA editing landscape across over 1000 human cell lines types and show that for almost every editing target of interest a suitable cell line that mimics normal tissue condition may be found. We provide CLAIRE, a searchable catalogue of RNA editing levels across cell lines available at http://srv00.recas.ba.infn.it/atlas/claire.html, to facilitate rational choice of appropriate cell lines for future work on A-to-I RNA editing

Nonlinear pricing of storable goods

This paper develops a model of nonlinear pricing of storable goods. We show that storability imposes novel constraints on a monopolist’s ability to extract surplus. We then show that the attempt to relax these constraints can generate cyclical patterns in pricing and sales, even when consumers are homogeneous. Thus, the model provides a novel explanation for sales that does not rely on discrimination motives. Enriching the model to allow for buyer heterogeneity in storage technology, delivers the prediction that larger containers are more likely to be on sale. This prediction is consistent with observed patterns in scanner data

Mode-coupling and nonlinear Landau damping effects in auroral Farley-Buneman turbulence

The fundamental problem of Farley-Buneman turbulence in the auroral $E$-region has been discussed and debated extensively in the past two decades. In the present paper we intend to clarify the different steps that the auroral $E$-region plasma has to undergo before reaching a steady state. The mode-coupling calculation, for Farley-Buneman turbulence, is developed in order to place it in perspective and to estimate its magnitude relative to the anomalous effects which arise through the nonlinear wave-particle interaction. This nonlinear effect, known as nonlinear ``Landau damping'' is due to the coupling of waves which produces other waves which in turn lose energy to the bulk of the particles by Landau damping. This leads to a decay of the wave energy and consequently a heating of the plasma. An equation governing the evolution of the field spectrum is derived and a physical interpration for each of its terms is provided

2015 Update on Acute Adverse Reactions to Gadolinium based Contrast Agents in Cardiovascular MR. Large Multi-National and Multi-Ethnical Population Experience With 37788 Patients From the EuroCMR Registry

Objectives: Specifically we aim to demonstrate that the results of our earlier safety data hold true in this much larger multi-national and multi-ethnical population. Background: We sought to re-evaluate the frequency, manifestations, and severity of acute adverse reactions associated with administration of several gadolinium- based contrast agents during routine CMR on a European level. Methods: Multi-centre, multi-national, and multi-ethnical registry with consecutive enrolment of patients in 57 European centres. Results: During the current observation 37788 doses of Gadolinium based contrast agent were administered to 37788 patients. The mean dose was 24.7 ml (range 5–80 ml), which is equivalent to 0.123 mmol/kg (range 0.01 - 0.3 mmol/kg). Forty-five acute adverse reactions due to contrast administration occurred (0.12 %). Most reactions were classified as mild (43 of 45) according to the American College of Radiology definition. The most frequent complaints following contrast administration were rashes and hives (15 of 45), followed by nausea (10 of 45) and flushes (10 of 45). The event rate ranged from 0.05 % (linear non-ionic agent gadodiamide) to 0.42 % (linear ionic agent gadobenate dimeglumine). Interestingly, we also found different event rates between the three main indications for CMR ranging from 0.05 % (risk stratification in suspected CAD) to 0.22 % (viability in known CAD). Conclusions: The current data indicate that the results of the earlier safety data hold true in this much larger multi-national and multi-ethnical population. Thus, the “off-label” use of Gadolinium based contrast in cardiovascular MR should be regarded as safe concerning the frequency, manifestation and severity of acute events

Measurement of the Cooling Efficiency of Pavement-watering as an Urban Heat Island Mitigation Technique

The Paris region (Île-de-France) was amongst the hardest hit by the August 2003 heat wave, due in part to subsequent amplification of its urban heat island. This has created high heat-wave awareness in climate change adaptation studies for the city of Paris. Over the summer of 2013, pavement watering was studied experimentally in two locations as a climate change adaptation method. Pavement watering was found to lower pavement surface temperatures by several degrees for several hours after watering, while also strongly reducing its cooling rate a few hours before and after sunset. Heat flux and storage at a depth of 5 cm in the pavement were also found to have been significantly reduced, especially during direct sunlight exposure, but also when the pavement was in the shade. Uninterrupted watering appears necessary during direct sunlight exposure of the pavement to maximize efficiency