161 research outputs found
Molecular Gas in the Lensed Lyman Break Galaxy cB58
We have used the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer to map CO(3-2) emission
from the gravitationally lensed Lyman break galaxy MS1512-cB58. This is the
first detection of a molecular emission line in any Lyman break system; its
integrated intensity implies a total molecular gas mass of 6.6e9 Msun, while
its width implies a dynamical mass of 1.0e10 csc^2i Msun (for a flat Lambda=0.7
cosmology). These estimates are in excellent concordance with nearly all
parameters of the system measured at other wavelengths, and yield a consistent
picture of past and future star formation with no obvious discrepancies
requiring explanation by differential lensing. In particular, we find that the
age and remaining lifetime of the current episode of star formation are likely
to be similar; the surface densities of star formation and molecular gas mass
are related by a Schmidt law; and the fraction of baryonic mass already
converted into stars is sufficient to account for the observed enrichment of
the interstellar medium to 0.4 Zsun. Barring substantial gas inflow or a major
merger, the stars forming in the current episode will have mass and coevality
at z=0 similar to those of a spiral bulge. Assuming cB58 is a typical Lyman
break galaxy apart from its magnification, its global parameters suggest that
the prescriptions for star formation used in some semi-analytic models of
galaxy evolution require moderate revision, although the general prediction
that gas mass fraction should increase with redshift is validated. [abridged]Comment: 41 pages, 6 figures, accepted by Ap
Periodic solutions and refractory periods in the soliton theory for nerves and the locust femoral nerve
Close to melting transitions it is possible to propagate solitary
electromechanical pulses which reflect many of the experimental features of the
nerve pulse including mechanical dislocations and reversible heat production.
Here we show that one also obtains the possibility of periodic pulse generation
when the boundary condition for the nerve is the conservation of the overall
length of the nerve. This condition generates an undershoot beneath the
baseline (`hyperpolarization') and a `refractory period', i.e., a minimum
distance between pulses. In this paper, we outline the theory for periodic
solutions to the wave equation and compare these results to action potentials
from the femoral nerve of the locust (locusta migratoria). In particular, we
describe the frequently occurring minimum-distance doublet pulses seen in these
neurons and compare them to the periodic pulse solutions.Comment: 10 pages, 6 Figure
Radial Lattice Quantization of 3D Field Theory
The quantum extension of classical finite elements, referred to as quantum
finite elements ({\bf QFE})~\cite{Brower:2018szu,Brower:2016vsl}, is applied to
the radial quantization of 3d theory on a simplicial lattice for the
manifold. Explicit counter terms to cancel the
one- and two-loop ultraviolet defects are implemented to reach the quantum
continuum theory. Using the Brower-Tamayo~\cite{Brower:1989mt} cluster Monte
Carlo algorithm, numerical results support the QFE ansatz that the critical
conformal field theory (CFT) is reached in the continuum with the full
isometries of restored. The Ricci curvature
term, while technically irrelevant in the quantum theory, is shown to
dramatically improve the convergence opening, the way for high precision Monte
Carlo simulation to determine the CFT data: operator dimensions, trilinear OPE
couplings and the central charge.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure
Innate and adaptive T cells in asthmatic patients: relationship to severity and disease mechanisms
BackgroundAsthma is a chronic inflammatory disease involving diverse cells and mediators whose interconnectivity and relationships to asthma severity are unclear.ObjectiveWe performed a comprehensive assessment of TH17 cells, regulatory T cells, mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, other T-cell subsets, and granulocyte mediators in asthmatic patients.MethodsSixty patients with mild-to-severe asthma and 24 control subjects underwent detailed clinical assessment and provided induced sputum, endobronchial biopsy, bronchoalveolar lavage, and blood samples. Adaptive and invariant T-cell subsets, cytokines, mast cells, and basophil mediators were analyzed.ResultsSignificant heterogeneity of T-cell phenotypes was observed, with levels of IL-13–secreting T cells and type 2 cytokines increased at some, but not all, asthma severities. TH17 cells and ??-17 cells, proposed drivers of neutrophilic inflammation, were not strongly associated with asthma, even in severe neutrophilic forms. MAIT cell frequencies were strikingly reduced in both blood and lung tissue in relation to corticosteroid therapy and vitamin D levels, especially in patients with severe asthma in whom bronchoalveolar lavage regulatory T-cell numbers were also reduced. Bayesian network analysis identified complex relationships between pathobiologic and clinical parameters. Topological data analysis identified 6 novel clusters that are associated with diverse underlying disease mechanisms, with increased mast cell mediator levels in patients with severe asthma both in its atopic (type 2 cytokine–high) and nonatopic forms.ConclusionThe evidence for a role for TH17 cells in patients with severe asthma is limited. Severe asthma is associated with a striking deficiency of MAIT cells and high mast cell mediator levels. This study provides proof of concept for disease mechanistic networks in asthmatic patients with clusters that could inform the development of new therapies
Informing UK governance of resilience to climate risks: improving the local evidence-base
International assessments of evidence on climate change (e.g. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC) or national climate change risk assessments (e.g. UK Climate Change Risk Assessment, CCRA) do not offer a sufficiently granular perspective on climate impacts to adequately inform governance of resilience to climate risks at the local level. Using an analysis of UK decision-makers managing and responding to heatwaves and flood risks, this paper argues how more robust local evidence is needed to inform decision-making regarding adaptation options for enhancing local resilience. We identify evidence gaps and issues relating to local climate change impacts, including sources and quality of evidence used, adequacy and accessibility of evidence available, ill-communicated evidence and conflicting or misused evidence. A lack of appreciation regarding how scientific evidence and personal judgement can mutually enhance the quality of decision-making underpins all of these gaps. Additionally, we find that the majority of evidence currently used is reductively based upon socio-economic and physical characteristics of climate risks. We argue that a step change is needed in local climate resilience that moves beyond current physical and socio-economic risk characterisation to a more inclusive co-constitution of social and politically defined climate risks at the local scale that are better aligned with the local impacts felt and needs of stakeholders
4D strain analysis within non-infarcted myocardium of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy: potential marker for the prediction of adverse cardiac events
British Idealist Monadologies and the Reality of Time: Hilda Oakeley Against McTaggart, Leibniz, and Others
Insights into the ecological impact of trout introduction in an oligotrophic lake using sedimentary environmental DNA
Introduced trout can induce trophic cascades, however, a lack of pre-introduction data limits knowledge on their impact in many lakes. Traditional paleolimnological approaches have been used to study historic species changes, but until recently these have been restricted to taxa with preservable body-parts. To explore the ecosystem effects of Salmo trutta (brown trout) introduction on an oligotrophic lake in Aotearoa-New Zealand, we used a multi-marker sedimentary environmental DNA (sedDNA) approach coupled with pigments to detect changes across multiple trophic levels. DNA was extracted from core depths capturing approximately 100 years before and after the expected arrival of S. trutta, and metabarcoding was undertaken with four primer sets targeting the 12S rRNA (fish), 18S rRNA (eukaryotes) and cytochrome c oxidase (COI; eukaryotes) genes. The earliest detection of S. trutta eDNA was 1906 (1892–1919 CE with 95% high probability density function) suggesting their introduction was shortly before this. Native fish diversity (12S and 18S rRNA) decreased after the detection of S. trutta, albeit the data was patchy. A shift in overall eukaryotic and algal communities (18S rRNA and COI) was observed around 1856 (1841–1871 CE) to 1891 (1877–1904 CE), which aligns with the expected S. trutta introduction. However, taxonomy could not be assigned to many of the 18S rRNA and COI sequences. Pigment concentrations did not change markedly after S. trutta introduction. SedDNA provides a new tool for understanding the impact of disturbances such as the introduction of non-native species; however, there are still several methodological challenges to overcome
Post-democracy and institutionalized austerity in France:budgetary politics during François Hollande’s presidency
This paper applies the concept of post-democracy coined by Crouch to shed light on the emerging political dynamics of macro-economic policy coordination in the Eurozone as they applied to France during Hollande’s presidency. Firstly, the paper explains the nature of EMU reform, characterized here as post-democratic by institutional design, before analysing its impact on France’s budgetary politics. Finally, the French case involving Hollande’s balancing act between supranational rules and domestic spending preferences is used as a way to reflect on the stability of this post-democratic arrangement for rescuing the Euro. The 2017 presidential election pitting Macron against Le Pen showed that post-democracy by design is sustainable only if the supply side of politics remains supportive of EMU – a condition undermined by the institutionalization of austerity, at least in France
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