8,891 research outputs found
Plausible fluorescent Ly-alpha emitters around the z=3.1 QSO0420-388
We report the results of a survey for fluorescent Ly-alpha emission carried
out in the field surrounding the z=3.1 quasar QSO0420-388 using the FORS2
instrument on the VLT. We first review the properties expected for fluorescent
Ly-alpha emitters, compared with those of other non-fluorescent Ly-alpha
emitters. Our observational search detected 13 Ly-alpha sources sparsely
sampling a volume of ~14000 comoving Mpc^3 around the quasar. The properties of
these in terms of i) the line equivalent width, ii) the line profile and iii)
the value of the surface brightness related to the distance from the quasar,
all suggest that several of these may be plausibly fluorescent. Moreover, their
number is in good agreement with the expectation from theoretical models. One
of the best candidates for fluorescence is sufficiently far behind QSO0420-388
that it would imply that the quasar has been active for (at least) ~60 Myrs.
Further studies on such objects will give information about proto-galactic
clouds and on the radiative history (and beaming) of the high-redshift quasars.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures.Update to match the version published on ApJ 657,
135, 2007 March
Fluorescent Ly-alpha emission from the high-redshift intergalactic medium
We combine a high-resolution hydro-simulation of the LambdaCDM cosmology with
two radiative transfer schemes (for continuum and line radiation) to predict
the properties, spectra and spatial distribution of fluorescent Ly-alpha
emission at z~3. We focus on line radiation produced by recombinations in the
dense intergalactic medium ionized by UV photons. In particular, we consider
both a uniform background and the case where gas clouds are illuminated by a
nearby quasar. We find that the emission from optically thick regions is
substantially less than predicted from the widely used static, plane-parallel
model. The effects induced by a realistic velocity field and by the complex
geometric structure of the emitting regions are discussed in detail. We make
predictions for the expected brightness and size distributions of the
fluorescent sources.Our results account for recent null detections and can be
used to plan new observational campaigns both in the field (to measure the
intensity of the diffuse UV background) and in the proximity of bright quasars
(to understand the origin of high colum-density absorbers).Comment: 15 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
A comprehensive resource for induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with primary tauopathies
Primary tauopathies are characterized neuropathologically by inclusions containing abnormal forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) and clinically by diverse neuropsychiatric, cognitive, and motor impairments. Autosomal dominant mutations in the MAPT gene cause heterogeneous forms of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tauopathy (FTLD-Tau). Common and rare variants in the MAPT gene increase the risk for sporadic FTLD-Tau, including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). We generated a collection of fibroblasts from 140 MAPT mutation/risk variant carriers, PSP, CBD, and cognitively normal controls; 31 induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from MAPT mutation carriers, non-carrier family members, and autopsy-confirmed PSP patients; 33 genome engineered iPSCs that were corrected or mutagenized; and forebrain neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Here, we present a resource of fibroblasts, iPSCs, and NPCs with comprehensive clinical histories that can be accessed by the scientific community for disease modeling and development of novel therapeutics for tauopathies
Incidencia económica de la contratación electrónica
Incidencia económica de la contratación electrónic
Charge and Current in the Quantum Hall Matrix Model
We extend the quantum Hall matrix model to include couplings to external
electric and magnetic fields. The associated current suffers from matrix
ordering ambiguities even at the classical level. We calculate the linear
response at low momenta -- this is unambigously defined. In particular, we
obtain the correct fractional quantum Hall conductivity, and the expected
density modulations in response to a weak and slowly varying magnetic field.
These results show that the classical quantum Hall matrix models describe
important aspects of the dynamics of electrons in the lowest Landau level. In
the quantum theory the ordering ambiguities are more severe; we discuss
possible strategies, but we have not been able to construct a good density
operator, satisfying the pertinent lowest Landau level commutator algebra.Comment: 12 pages, no figures; a logical error below the proposed density
operator (46) in version 1 is corrected, and the claim that this density
operator satisfy the magnetic algebra (2) is withdrawn. Some formulations
have been changed and a few misprints correcte
Regional climate information for risk management: capabilities
A comprehensive review of regional capabilities to produce climate information for risk management around the world is done. Data access, quality control and the potential use of regional reanalyses is explained. Progress on seasonal forecast techniques, the increasing skill of statistical and dynamical methods and the challenges on dynamical downscaling and spatial resolution is presented. A comprehensive review of the progress of Regional Climate Outlook Forums around the world is done explaining the mutual learning process among providers and sectoral users, the opportunities created to develop better climate services for the disaster prevention and planning sectors, the lessons learnt and best practices. The potential of Regional Climate Centres (RCCs) to improve climate services is revised considering the experience of the formal RCCs and other centres working in different regions although not formally recognized as RCCs. Finally a detailed set of recommendations to enhance regional capabilities is listed
Localization of fixed dipoles at high precision by accounting for sample drift during illumination
Single molecule localization microscopy relies on the precise quantification
of the position of single dye emitters in a sample. This precision is improved
by the number of photons that can be detected from each molecule. It is
therefore recommendable to increase illumination times for the recording
process. Particularly recording at cryogenic temperatures dramatically reduces
photobleaching and thereby allows a massive increase in illumination times to
several seconds. As a downside, microscope instabilities may well introduce
jitter during such long illuminations, deteriorating the localization
precision. In this paper, we theoretically demonstrate that a parallel
recording of fiducial marker beads together with a novel fitting approach
accounting for the full drift trajectory allows for largely eliminating drift
effects for drift magnitudes of several hundred nanometers per frame.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure
Critical care procedure logging using handheld computers
INTRODUCTION: We conducted this study to evaluate the feasibility of implementing an internet-linked handheld computer procedure logging system in a critical care training program. METHODS: Subspecialty trainees in the Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care at the University of Toronto received and were trained in the use of Palm handheld computers loaded with a customized program for logging critical care procedures. The procedures were entered into the handheld device using checkboxes and drop-down lists, and data were uploaded to a central database via the internet. To evaluate the feasibility of this system, we tracked the utilization of this data collection system. Benefits and disadvantages were assessed through surveys. RESULTS: All 11 trainees successfully uploaded data to the central database, but only six (55%) continued to upload data on a regular basis. The most common reason cited for not using the system pertained to initial technical problems with data uploading. From 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003, a total of 914 procedures were logged. Significant variability was noted in the number of procedures logged by individual trainees (range 13–242). The database generated by regular users provided potentially useful information to the training program director regarding the scope and location of procedural training among the different rotations and hospitals. CONCLUSION: A handheld computer procedure logging system can be effectively used in a critical care training program. However, user acceptance was not uniform, and continued training and support are required to increase user acceptance. Such a procedure database may provide valuable information that may be used to optimize trainees' educational experience and to document clinical training experience for licensing and accreditation
Self-organization of traffic jams in cities: effects of stochastic dynamics and signal periods
We propose a cellular automata model for vehicular traffic in cities by
combining (and appropriately modifying) ideas borrowed from the
Biham-Middleton-Levine (BML) model of city traffic and the Nagel-Schreckenberg
(NS) model of highway traffic. We demonstrate a phase transition from the
"free-flowing" dynamical phase to the completely "jammed" phase at a vehicle
density which depends on the time periods of the synchronized signals and the
separation between them. The intrinsic stochasticity of the dynamics, which
triggers the onset of jamming, is similar to that in the NS model, while the
phenomenon of complete jamming through self-organization as well as the final
jammed configurations are similar to those in the BML model. Using our new
model, we have made an investigation of the time-dependence of the average
speeds of the cars in the "free-flowing" phase as well as the dependence of
flux and jamming on the time period of the signals.Comment: 4 pages, REVTEX, 4 eps figures include
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