2,133 research outputs found
A comparison of the excess mass around CFHTLenS galaxy-pairs to predictions from a semi-analytic model using galaxy-galaxy-galaxy lensing
The matter environment of galaxies is connected to the physics of galaxy
formation and evolution. Utilising galaxy-galaxy-galaxy lensing as a direct
probe, we map out the distribution of correlated surface mass-density around
galaxy pairs for different lens separations in the Canada-France-Hawaii
Telescope Lensing Survey (CFHTLenS). We compare, for the first time, these
so-called excess mass maps to predictions provided by a recent semi-analytic
model, which is implanted within the dark-matter Millennium Simulation. We
analyse galaxies with stellar masses between in
two photometric redshift bins, for lens redshifts , focusing on
pairs inside groups and clusters. To allow us a better interpretation of the
maps, we discuss the impact of chance pairs, i.e., galaxy pairs that appear
close to each other in projection only. Our tests with synthetic data
demonstrate that the patterns observed in the maps are essentially produced by
correlated pairs that are close in redshift ().
We also verify the excellent accuracy of the map estimators. In an application
to the galaxy samples in the CFHTLenS, we obtain a
significant detection of the excess mass and an overall good agreement with the
galaxy model predictions. There are, however, a few localised spots in the maps
where the observational data disagrees with the model predictions on a
confidence level. Although we have no strong indications for
systematic errors in the maps, this disagreement may be related to the residual
B-mode pattern observed in the average of all maps. Alternatively, misaligned
galaxy pairs inside dark matter halos or lensing by a misaligned distribution
of the intra-cluster gas might also cause the unanticipated bulge in the
distribution of the excess mass between lens pairs.Comment: 21 pages, 12 figures; abridged abstract; revised version for A&A
after addressing all comments by the refere
Fat fraction mapping using bSSFP Signal Profile Asymmetries for Robust multi-Compartment Quantification (SPARCQ)
Purpose: To develop a novel quantitative method for detection of different
tissue compartments based on bSSFP signal profile asymmetries (SPARCQ) and to
provide a validation and proof-of-concept for voxel-wise water-fat separation
and fat fraction mapping. Methods: The SPARCQ framework uses phase-cycled bSSFP
acquisitions to obtain bSSFP signal profiles. For each voxel, the profile is
decomposed into a weighted sum of simulated profiles with specific
off-resonance and relaxation time ratios. From the obtained set of weights,
voxel-wise estimations of the fractions of the different components and their
equilibrium magnetization are extracted. For the entire image volume,
component-specific quantitative maps as well as banding-artifact-free images
are generated. A SPARCQ proof-of-concept was provided for water-fat separation
and fat fraction mapping. Noise robustness was assessed using simulations. A
dedicated water-fat phantom was used to validate fat fractions estimated with
SPARCQ against gold-standard 1H MRS. Quantitative maps were obtained in knees
of six healthy volunteers, and SPARCQ repeatability was evaluated in scan
rescan experiments. Results: Simulations showed that fat fraction estimations
are accurate and robust for signal-to-noise ratios above 20. Phantom
experiments showed good agreement between SPARCQ and gold-standard (GS) fat
fractions (fF(SPARCQ) = 1.02*fF(GS) + 0.00235). In volunteers, quantitative
maps and banding-artifact-free water-fat-separated images obtained with SPARCQ
demonstrated the expected contrast between fatty and non-fatty tissues. The
coefficient of repeatability of SPARCQ fat fraction was 0.0512. Conclusion: The
SPARCQ framework was proposed as a novel quantitative mapping technique for
detecting different tissue compartments, and its potential was demonstrated for
quantitative water-fat separation.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Magnetic Resonance in Medicin
Perceptions of Family Preservation Practitioners: A Preliminary Study
This exploratory, qualitative study examined practitioners\u27 perceptions about family preservation practice. Findings reveal a wide range of identified strengths as well as the limitations of such a model. Interestingly, the most frequently identified strengths were value based rather than practice based in perspective whereas limitations were practice based. Keeping families together was the most common perceived strength but concern about children\u27s safety by keeping the family intact was a frequently reported limitation. Further, lack of support and a lack of theoretical clarity were identified as considerable limitations. Implications suggest these practitioners (mostly child welfare/mental health workers) believe in the approach for the sake of keeping families together but are concerned with endangering the child in the process and recognize the need for theoretical guidance
Quantum Kaleidoscopes and Bell's theorem
A quantum kaleidoscope is defined as a set of observables, or states,
consisting of many different subsets that provide closely related proofs of the
Bell-Kochen-Specker (BKS) and Bell nonlocality theorems. The kaleidoscopes
prove the BKS theorem through a simple parity argument, which also doubles as a
proof of Bell's nonlocality theorem if use is made of the right sort of
entanglement. Three closely related kaleidoscopes are introduced and discussed
in this paper: a 15-observable kaleidoscope, a 24-state kaleidoscope and a
60-state kaleidoscope. The close relationship of these kaleidoscopes to a
configuration of 12 points and 16 lines known as Reye's configuration is
pointed out. The "rotations" needed to make each kaleidoscope yield all its
apparitions are laid out. The 60-state kaleidoscope, whose underlying
geometrical structure is that of ten interlinked Reye's configurations
(together with their duals), possesses a total of 1120 apparitions that provide
proofs of the two Bell theorems. Some applications of these kaleidoscopes to
problems in quantum tomography and quantum state estimation are discussed.Comment: Two new references (No. 21 and 22) to related work have been adde
Pre-Power-Stroke Cross-Bridges Contribute to Force Transients during Imposed Shortening in Isolated Muscle Fibers
When skeletal muscles are activated and mechanically shortened, the force that is produced by the muscle fibers decreases in two phases, marked by two changes in slope (P1 and P2) that happen at specific lengths (L1 and L2). We tested the hypothesis that these force transients are determined by the amount of myosin cross-bridges attached to actin and by changes in cross-bridge strain due to a changing fraction of cross-bridges in the pre-power-stroke state. Three separate experiments were performed, using skinned muscle fibers that were isolated and subsequently (i) activated at different Ca2+ concentrations (pCa2+ 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0) (n = 13), (ii) activated in the presence of blebbistatin (n = 16), and (iii) activated in the presence of blebbistatin at varying velocities (n = 5). In all experiments, a ramp shortening was imposed (amplitude 10%Lo, velocity 1 Lo•sarcomere length (SL)•s−1), from an initial SL of 2.5 µm (except by the third group, in which velocities ranged from 0.125 to 2.0 Lo•s−1). The values of P1, P2, L1, and L2 did not change with Ca2+ concentrations. Blebbistatin decreased P1, and it did not alter P2, L1, and L2. We developed a mathematical cross-bridge model comprising a load-dependent power-stroke transition and a pre-power-stroke cross-bridge state. The P1 and P2 critical points as well as the critical lengths L1 and L2 were explained qualitatively by the model, and the effects of blebbistatin inhibition on P1 were also predicted. Furthermore, the results of the model suggest that the mechanism by which blebbistatin inhibits force is by interfering with the closing of the myosin upper binding cleft, biasing cross-bridges into a pre-power-stroke state
Wide area detection system: Conceptual design study
An integrated sensor for traffic surveillance on mainline sections of urban freeways is described. Applicable imaging and processor technology is surveyed and the functional requirements for the sensors and the conceptual design of the breadboard sensors are given. Parameters measured by the sensors include lane density, speed, and volume. The freeway image is also used for incident diagnosis
A Deeper Look at Faint Hα Emission in Nearby Dwarf Galaxies
We present deep Hα imaging of three nearby dwarf galaxies, carefully selected to optimize observations with the Maryland-Magellan Tunable Filter (MMTF) on the Magellan 6.5 m telescope. An effective bandpass of ~13 Å is used, and the images reach 3σ flux limits of ~8 × 10^(−18) erg s^(−1) cm^(−2), which is about an order of magnitude lower than standard narrowband observations obtained by the most recent generation of local Hα galaxy surveys. The observations were originally motivated by the finding that the Hα/FUV flux ratio of galaxies systematically declines as global galactic properties such as the star formation rate (SFR) and stellar mass decrease. The three dwarf galaxies selected for study have SFRs that, when calculated from their Hα luminosities using standard conversion recipes, are ~50% of those based on the FUV. Follow-up studies of many of the potential causes for the trends in the Hα/FUV flux ratio have been performed, but the possibility that previous observations have missed a non-negligible fraction of faint ionized emission in dwarf galaxies has not been investigated. The MMTF observations reveal both diffuse and structured Hα emission (filaments, shells, possible single-star H ii regions) spanning extents up to 2.5 times larger relative to previous observations. However, only up to an additional ~5% of Hα flux is captured, which does not account for the trends in the Hα/FUV ratio. Beyond investigation of the Hα/FUV ratio, the impact of the newly detected extended flux on our understanding of star formation, the properties of H ii regions, and the propagation of ionizing photons warrant further investigation
Defects and boundary layers in non-Euclidean plates
We investigate the behavior of non-Euclidean plates with constant negative
Gaussian curvature using the F\"oppl-von K\'arm\'an reduced theory of
elasticity. Motivated by recent experimental results, we focus on annuli with a
periodic profile. We prove rigorous upper and lower bounds for the elastic
energy that scales like the thickness squared. In particular we show that are
only two types of global minimizers -- deformations that remain flat and saddle
shaped deformations with isolated regions of stretching near the edge of the
annulus. We also show that there exist local minimizers with a periodic profile
that have additional boundary layers near their lines of inflection. These
additional boundary layers are a new phenomenon in thin elastic sheets and are
necessary to regularize jump discontinuities in the azimuthal curvature across
lines of inflection. We rigorously derive scaling laws for the width of these
boundary layers as a function of the thickness of the sheet
Inter-species variation in colour perception
Inter-species variation in colour perception poses a serious problem for the view that colours are mind-independent properties. Given that colour perception varies so drastically across species, which species perceives colours as they really are? In this paper, I argue that all do. Specifically, I argue that members of different species perceive properties that are determinates of different, mutually compatible, determinables. This is an instance of a general selectionist strategy for dealing with cases of perceptual variation. According to selectionist views, objects simultaneously instantiate a plurality of colours, all of them genuinely mind-independent, and subjects select from amongst this plurality which colours they perceive. I contrast selectionist views with relationalist views that deny the mind-independence of colour, and consider some general objections to this strategy
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