625 research outputs found
The Accelerated Recombination, and the ACBAR and WMAP data
We have investigated the deviation from the standard recombination process,
using the ACBAR 2008 and the WMAP 3 year data. In this investigation, we have
considered the possibility of the accelerated recombination as well as the
delayed recombination. We find that the accelerated recombination is as likely
as the delayed recombination, and there is some degeneracy between
and \{, , \}.Comment: v2: matched with the accepted version (minor change) v3: typo
corrections v4: a duplicated pdf file fixe
New insights into foreground analysis of the WMAP five-year data using FASTICA
In this paper, we present a foreground analysis of the WMAP 5-year data using
the FASTICA algorithm, improving on the treatment of the WMAP 3-year data in
Bottino et al 2008. We revisit the nature of the free-free spectrum with the
emphasis on attempting to confirm or otherwise the spectral feature claimed in
Dobbler et al 2008b and explained in terms of spinning dust emission in the
warm ionised medium. With the application of different Galactic cuts, the index
is always flatter than the canonical value of 2.14 except for the Kp0 mask
which is steeper. Irrespective of this, we can not confirm the presence of any
feature in the free-free spectrum. We experiment with a more extensive approach
to the cleaning of the data, introduced in connection with the iterative
application of FASTICA. We confirm the presence of a residual foreground whose
spatial distribution is concentrated along the Galactic plane, with pronounced
emission near the Galactic center. This is consistent with the WMAP haze
detected in Finkbeiner 2004. Finally, we attempted to perform the same analysis
on full-sky maps. The code returns good results even for those regions where
the cross-talk among the components is high. However, slightly better results
in terms of the possibility of reconstructing a full-sky CMB map, are achieved
with a simultaneous analysis of both the five WMAP maps and foreground
templates. Nonetheless, some residuals are still present and detected in terms
of an excess in the CMB power spectrum, on small angular scales. Therefore, a
minimal mask for the brightest regions of the plane is necessary, and has been
defined.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 25 pages, 17 figures, 4 tables.
Version with full resolution figures available at:
http://www.mpa-garching.mpg.de/~bottino/downloads/bottino_etal.pd
CMB E/B decomposition of incomplete sky: a pixel space approach
CMB polarization signal may be decomposed into gradient-like (E) and
curl-like (B) mode. We have investigated E/B decomposition in pixel space. We
find E/B mixing due to incomplete sky is localized in pixel-space, and
negligible in the regions far away from the masked area. By estimating the
expected local leakage power, we have diagnosed ambiguous pixels. Our criteria
for ambiguous pixels (i.e. r_c) is associated with the tensor-to-scalar ratio
of B mode power spectrum, which the leakage power is comparable to. By setting
r_c to a lower value, we may reduce leakage level, but reduce sky fraction at
the same time. Therefore, we have solved \partial \Delta C_l/\partial r_c=0,
and obtained the optimal r_c, which minimizes the estimation uncertainty, given
a foreground mask and noise level. We have applied our method to a simulated
map blocked by a foreground (diffuse + point source) mask. Our simulation shows
leakage power is smaller than primordial (i.e. unlensed) B mode power spectrum
of tensor-to-scalar ratio r\sim 10^{-3} at wide range of multipoles (50\lesssim
l \lesssim 2000), while allowing us to retain sky fraction ~ 0.48.Comment: v2: the point of the method strengthened, v3: criteria for ambiguous
pixels rigorously derived, v4: matched with the accepted version in A&A
(minor change), v5: typos correcte
Laparoscopic simulation training in gynaecology:Current provision and staff attitudes - a cross-sectional survey
<p>The objectives of this study were to explore current provision of laparoscopic simulation training, and to determine attitudes of trainers and trainees to the role of simulators in surgical training across the UK. An anonymous cross-sectional survey with cluster sampling was developed and circulated. All Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) Training Programme Directors (TPD), College Tutors (RCT) and Trainee representatives (TR) across the UK were invited to participate. One hundred and ninety-six obstetricians and gynaecologists participated. Sixty-three percent of hospitals had at least one box trainer, and 14.6% had least one virtual-reality simulator. Only 9.3% and 3.6% stated that trainees used a structured curriculum on box and virtual-reality simulators, respectively. Respondents working in a Large/Teaching hospital (<i>p</i> = 0.008) were more likely to agree that simulators enhance surgical training. Eighty-nine percent agreed that simulators improve the quality of training, and should be mandatory or desirable for junior trainees. Consultants (<i>p</i> = 0.003) and respondents over 40 years (<i>p</i> = 0.011) were more likely to hold that a simulation test should be undertaken before live operation. Our data demonstrated, therefore, that availability of laparoscopic simulators is inconsistent, with limited use of mandatory structured curricula. In contrast, both trainers and trainees recognise a need for greater use of laparoscopic simulation for surgical training.</p
Ultraviolet irradiation accelerates apoptosis in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes: protection by LPS and GM‐CSF
Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) play a central role in host response to injury and infection. Understanding factors that regulate PMN survival may therefore have a major influence on the development of novel treatment strategies for controlling life‐threatening infections, as well as local and systemic inflammatory responses. Unfortunately, the presently utilized in vitro culture model of PMN apoptosis makes the examination of early biochemical events surrounding PMN apoptosis very difficult. This study demonstrates that a short course of UV irradiation (15 min) can be used to induce rapid progression of PMN through the apoptotic process with 70–90% of PMN displaying features of apoptosis by 4 h after UV exposure. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, which are known to prolong PMN survival during in vitro culture, also protected PMN from UV‐accelerated apoptosis. The UV‐accelerated model of PMN apoptosis provides another valuable tool for the investigation of early signaling pathways associated with inducing or delaying PMN apoptosis. J. Leukoc. Biol. 62: 517–523; 1997.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142305/1/jlb0517.pd
Intrapartum antibiotics for prolonged rupture of membranes at term to prevent Group B Streptococcal sepsis
Background: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the most common cause of neonatal sepsis in United Kingdom (UK). Early onset sepsis (EOS), but not late onset sepsis (LOS) can be prevented by providing intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP). In spite of national guidelines since 2003, the incidence of neonatal GBS infections is increasing in UK.
Aim: To assess the incidence of culture proven GBS infections before and after a change of practice on antepartum management of GBS in babies <3 months of age, born at Sunderland Royal Hospital between 1st Jan 2008 and 31st December 2017.
Setting: Tertiary neonatal unit
Study design: Retrospective cohort study
Methods: Babies presenting with signs of sepsis from birth up to 3 months of age were included. Data regarding risk factors, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis and outcome of babies were collected.
Results: 29 cases were identified and presented in two epochs – before and after changing guidelines for antepartum and intrapartum management. There was a statistically significant reduction in EOS rates and no difference in LOS rates
Reconceptualising medical curriculum design in strategic clinical leadership training for the 21st century physician
This chapter provides an insight into the value of tacit knowledge and how this contributes directly to the concept of human factors in the context of multi-disciplinary teamwork. In considering the notion of implicit or intuitive knowledge and how this can be taught in practice, the authors draw on the field of creative praxis as a means of harnessing knowledge from other (often under-acknowledged) signature pedagogies of direct relevance to medical practice. The authors focus on the significance of situational awareness and context of medical and healthcare provision as a means of driving debate around the value of affective domain learning and its role in 21st century physician practice. These are bracketed under the category of non-technical skill acquisition, which is linked heavily, in the published literature to date, with holistically positive patient outcomes
Anomalous parity asymmetry of the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe power spectrum data at low multipoles
We have investigated non-Gaussianity of our early Universe by comparing the
parity asymmetry of the WMAP power spectrum with simulations. We find that
odd-parity preference of the WMAP data (2<= l <=18) is anomalous at 4-in-1000
level. We find it likely that low quadrupole power is part of this parity
asymmetry rather than an isolated anomaly. Futher investigation is required to
find out whether the origin of this anomaly is cosmological or systematic
effect. The data from Planck surveyor, which has systematics distinct from the
WMAP, will help us to resolve the origin of the anomalous odd-parity
preference.Comment: v5: the title updated to match with the ApJL publicatio
Faraday Rotation as a diagnostic of Galactic foreground contamination of CMB maps
The contribution from the residuals of the foreground can have a significant
impact on the temperature maps of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB).
Mostly, the focus has been on the galactic plane, when foreground cleaning has
taken place. However, in this paper, we will investigate the possible
foreground contamination, from sources outside the galactic plane in the CMB
maps. We will analyze the correlation between the Faraday rotation map and the
CMB temperature map. The Faraday rotation map is dependent on the galactic
magnetic field, as well as the thermal electron density, and both may
contribute to the CMB temperature. We find that the standard deviation for the
mean cross correlation deviate from that of simulations at the 99.9% level.
Additionally, a comparison between the CMB temperature extrema and the extremum
points of the Faraday rotation is also performed, showing a general overlap
between the two. Also we find that the CMB Cold Spot is located at an area of
strong negative cross correlation, meaning that it may be explained by a
galactic origin. Further, we investigate nearby supernova remnants in the
galaxy, traced by the galactic radio loops. These super nova remnants are
located at high and low galactic latitude, and thus well outside the galactic
plane. We find some correlation between the Faraday Rotation and the CMB
temperature, at select radio loops. This indicate, that the galactic
foregrounds may affect the CMB, at high galactic latitudesComment: 13 pages, 22 figures, 6 table
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