Quasar Tomography: Unification of Echo Mapping and Photoionisation Models

Reverberation mapping uses time-delayed variations in photoionised emission lines to map the geometry and kinematics of emission-line gas in active galactic nuclei. In previous work, the light travel time delay tau=R(1+cos(theta))/c and Doppler shift v give a 2-d map Psi(tau,v) for each emission line. Here we combine the velocity-delay information with photoionisation physics in a maximum entropy fit to the full reverberating spectrum F_lam(lam,t) to recover a 5-d map of the differential covering fraction f(R,theta,n,N,v), with n and N the density and column density of the gas clouds. We test the method for a variety of geometries (shells, rings, disks, clouds, jets) by recovering a 3-d map f(R,theta,n) from reverberations in 7 uv emission lines. The best test recovers a hollow shell geometry, defining R to 0.15 dex, n to 0.3 dex, and ionisation parameter U ~ 1/(n R^2) to 0.1 dex. The results are sensitive to the adopted distance and luminosity, suggesting that these parameters may be measurable as well.Comment: Accepted 4 Sep 2002 for publication in MNRA

Functional Education of Monocytes During Infection

Tissue-infiltrating Ly6Chi monocytes play important protective roles during infection, including inflammatory cytokine secretion and pathogen killing. Here we show that during acute gastrointestinal infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, recruited monocytes not only contributed to parasite control, but also regulated pathologic immune responses to commensal microbes via secretion of the lipid mediator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Priming of monocytes for regulatory function preceded systemic inflammation and was initiated prior to bone marrow egress. Natural killer (NK) cell-derived IFN-γ promoted a regulatory program in monocyte progenitors during development. Early bone marrow NK cell activation was controlled by systemic IL-12 produced by Batf3-dependent dendritic cells (DC) in the mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). This work challenges the paradigm that monocyte function is dominantly imposed by local signals following tissue recruitment, and instead proposes a sequential model of differentiation in which monocytes are pre-emptively educated during development in the bone marrow to promote their tissue-specific function

Higher-order quantum entanglement

In quantum mechanics, the general state describing two or more particles is a linear superposition of product states. Such a superposition is called entangled if it cannot be factored into just one product. When only two particles are entangled, the stage is set for Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) discussions and Bell's proof that the EPR viewpoint contradicts quantum mechanics. If more than two particles are involved, new possibilities and phenomena arise. For example, the Greenberger, Horne, and Zeilinger (GHZ) disproof of EPR applies. Furthermore, as we point out, with three or more particles even entanglement itself can be an entangled property

Citation counts and journal impact factors do not capture some indicators of research quality in the behavioural and brain sciences

Citation data and journal impact factors are important components of faculty dossiers and figure prominently in both promotion decisions and assessments of a researcher’s broader societal impact. Although these metrics play a large role in high-stakes decisions, the evidence is mixed about whether they are strongly correlated with indicators of research quality. We use data from a large-scale dataset comprising 45 144 journal articles with 667 208 statistical tests and data from 190 replication attempts to assess whether citation counts and impact factors predict three indicators of research quality: (i) the accuracy of statistical reporting, (ii) the evidential value of the reported data and (iii) the replicability of a given experimental result. Both citation counts and impact factors were weak and inconsistent predictors of research quality, so defined, and sometimes negatively related to quality. Our findings raise the possibility that citation data and impact factors may be of limited utility in evaluating scientists and their research. We discuss the implications of these findings in light of current incentive structures and discuss alternative approaches to evaluating research

Use of entanglement in quantum optics

Several recent demonstrations of two-particle interferometry are reviewed and shown to be examples of either color entanglement or beam entanglement. A device, called a number filter, is described and shown to be of value in preparing beam entanglements. Finally, we note that all three concepts (color and beam entaglement, and number filtering) may be extended to three or more particles

Powered Wheelchair Platform for Assistive Technology Development

Literature shows that numerous wheelchair platforms, of various complexities, have been developed and evaluated for Assistive Technology purposes. However there has been little consideration to providing researchers with an embedded system which is fully compatible, and communicates seamlessly with current manufacturer's wheelchair systems. We present our powered wheelchair platform which allows researchers to mount various inertial and environment sensors, and run guidance and navigation algorithms which can modify the human desired joystick trajectory, so as to assist users with negotiating obstacles, and moving from room to room. We are also able to directly access other currently manufactured human input devices and integrate new and novel input devices into the powered wheelchair platform for clinical and research assessment

Correlated X-ray/Ultraviolet/Optical Variability in NGC 6814

We present results of a 3-month combined X-ray/UV/optical monitoring campaign of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 6814. The object was monitored by Swift from June through August 2012 in the X-ray and UV bands and by the Liverpool Telescope from May through July 2012 in B and V. The light curves are variable and significantly correlated between wavebands. Using cross-correlation analysis, we compute the time lag between the X-ray and lower energy bands. These lags are thought to be associated with the light travel time between the central X-ray emitting region and areas further out on the accretion disc. The computed lags support a thermal reprocessing scenario in which X-ray photons heat the disc and are reprocessed into lower energy photons. Additionally, we fit the lightcurves using CREAM, a Markov Chain Monte Carlo code for a standard disc. The best-fitting standard disc model yields unreasonably high super-Eddington accretion rates. Assuming more reasonable accretion rates would result in significantly under-predicted lags. If the majority of the reprocessing originates in the disc, then this implies the UV/optical emitting regions of the accretion disc are farther out than predicted by the standard thin disc model. Accounting for contributions from broad emission lines reduces the lags in B and V by approximately 25% (less than the uncertainty in the lag measurements), though additional contamination from the Balmer continuum may also contribute to the larger than expected lags. This discrepancy between the predicted and measured interband delays is now becoming common in AGN where wavelength-dependent lags are measured.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

The Contrast Model of Similarity and Comparative Advertising

Two studies are reported which examine the existence of attribute redundancy as well as consumers\u27 ability to perceive attribute redundancy in consumer information environments. The results of the first study suggest that attribute redundancy varies widely from product category to product category. The results of the second study suggest that consumers\u27 ability to perceive attribute relationships improves with product knowledge. Unexpected was an observed U-shaped relationship between consumers\u27 perceptions of attribute redundancy and attribute knowledge. Together the results suggest a number of policy implications regarding the value of consumer information programs

Global Impacts from Improved Tropical Forages: A Meta-Analysis Revealing Overlooked Benefits and Costs, Evolving Values and New Priorities

The wider use and improved performance of planted tropical forages can substantially change social, economic and environmental landscapes. By reviewing impact-related studies published in the past two decades, this paper shows how evolving development priorities have influenced the types of impacts being documented. A meta-analysis was used to examine 98 studies according to: (1) breadth of reported effects, as related to development goals of social equity, economic growth and environmental sustainability; (2) extent of effects, ranging from intermediate to longer-term impacts; and (3) measurement precision (identification, description and quantification). Impacts have been assessed for fewer than half of the documented 118M ha with improved forages. Although Brazil accounts for 86% of the known planted area, widespread irregular reporting of technology adoption affects accuracy of global estimates. Over 80% of the impact-related studies reported economic effects, while fewer than 20% were quantitative estimates of longer-term economic impacts. Inconsistent valuation methods and assumptions prevented valid summation of total economic impacts. Social effects were reported in fewer than 60% of studies and emphasised household-level outcomes on gender and labour, with most reported effects being non-quantitative. Environmental effects were reported slightly more often than social effects, with recent increases in quantitative estimates of carbon accumulation. Few studies analysed tradeoffs. Independent reviewers conducted approximately 15% of the studies. Newer development priorities of environmental sustainability, system intensification, organisational participation and innovation capacities require broader approaches to assess impacts. Increased marketing and coordination with development and environmental organisations can generate greater demands for improved forages