Cosmological parameters from the comparison of peculiar velocities with predictions from the 2M++ density field

Peculiar velocity measurements are the only tool available in the low-redshift Universe for mapping the large-scale distribution of matter and can thus be used to constrain cosmology. Using redshifts from the 2M++ redshift compilation, we reconstruct the density of galaxies within 200 Mpc/h, allowing for the first time good sampling of important superclusters such as the Shapley Concentration. We compare the predicted peculiar velocities from 2M++ to Tully-Fisher and SNe peculiar velocities. We find a value of $\beta^* \equiv \Omega_{\rm{m}}^{0.55}/b^* = 0.431 \pm 0.021$, suggesting $\Omega_{\rm{m}}^{0.55}\sigma_{\rm{8,lin}} = 0.401 \pm 0.024$, in good agreement with other probes. The predicted peculiar velocity of the Local Group arising from the 2M++ volume alone is $540 \pm 40$ km/s, towards $l = 268 \pm 4, b= 38 \pm 6$, only $10^\circ$ out of alignment with the Cosmic Microwave Background dipole. To account for velocity contributions arising from sources outside the 2M++ volume, we fit simultaneously for $\beta^*$ and an external bulk flow in our analysis. We find that an external bulk flow is preferred at the 5.1$\sigma$ level, and the best fit has a velocity of $159\pm23$ km/s towards $l=304 \pm 11, b = 6 \pm 13$. Finally, the predicted bulk flow of a 50 Mpc/h Gaussian-weighted volume centred on the Local Group is $230 \pm 30$ km/s, in the direction $l=293\pm 8, b = 14 \pm 10$, in agreement with predictions from $\Lambda$CDM.Comment: 17 pages. MNRAS, in press. Density and peculiar velocity grids available at http://cosmicflows.uwaterloo.ca or http://cosmicflows.iap.f

A Method For Cleavage Fracture Testing Of Hardwood Laminated Veneer Lumber

Blackbutt (Eucalyptus Pilularis) is a common plantation hardwood in New South Wales which is highly regarded for its strength and durability but is difficult to laminate. A method was developed to test Blackbutt Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) glue-lines for mode I fracture toughness - comparisons were made to similar work in the USA and Australia. The cleavage test method is demonstrated to be more suitable for assessing LVL bond quality than the currently-used Australian Standard chisel test. The test shows that Blackbutt veneer is capable of being glued for application as a durable structural material

The importance of zooplankton‐protozoan trophic couplings in Lake Michigan

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109824/1/lno19913671335.pd

AP’s Corner

Crossword and bridge problem

Effects of physical disturbance on phosphorus uptake in temperate stream biofilms

Microbial biofilm nutrient uptake kinetics can provide insight into assimilative mechanisms that regulate stream primary productivity. While kinetic experiments are often performed, little work has estimated uptake in connection with disturbance (removal) or detailed the effects that common scour events may have on benthic microbes; therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate physical disturbances on benthic stream biofilms to determine effects on phosphorus (P) uptake rate, physiological capability, and abiotic sorption. Artificial substrata were collected from 2 reaches along a temperate stream; resident biofilms were either removed via abrasion (disturbed) or left intact. A series of short-term radiotracer (H333PO4) experiments were then conducted to measure P uptake. In vivo autofluorescence was measured as a proxy of algal physiological condition. The experiments showed no difference in P-uptake rates (μgP/μgChl/d) between disturbed (x̄ = 0.77 ± 0.11 [SE] μgP/μgChl/d) and intact (x̄ = 0.91 ± 0.17 μgP/μgChl/d) biofilms (t = 0.69, p = 0.492, df = 33). Further, microbial physiology was not depressed by physical disturbance. While killed samples yielded significantly lower uptake compared to live biota (F = 17.51, p = 0.001), abiotic sorption still accounted for a moderate fraction (range = 0.021–0.038 μgP/μgChl/d) of total uptake and thus warrants estimation in metabolic studies. Overall, these findings lend credence to numerous experiments that investigate benthic microbial physiologic responses post-disturbance and highlight the importance of uptake following common physical disturbances that occur in turbulent environments. In addition, our work measured several kinetic constants across both disturbance and temporal gradients, and we discuss their significance within a physiological framework

Long-Term Observation of the Adirondack Ecosystem - Data from the SUNY ESF Newcomb Campus

The Adirondack Ecological Center (AEC) at ESF’s Newcomb Campus has one of the oldest and broadest records of scientific field research in North America. Located on the Anna and Archer Huntington Wildlife Forest, AEC is a biological field station and multi-disciplinary platform for research, education and outreach where the most pressing environmental challenges facing our society can be directly examined and understood. The Newcomb Campus (www.esf.edu/newcomb) includes the AEC, Northern Forest Institute, public Adirondack Interpretive Center and Forest Operations Adirondack Properties unit. The campus’ professional staff and scientists collectively maintain extensive data archives from a century of observation. This paper provides a “road map” for researchers, students, historians and others on what resources exist and how to access them

Infarct size and left ventricular remodelling after preventive percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective: We hypothesised that, compared with culprit-only primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), additional preventive PCI in selected patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction with multivessel disease would not be associated with iatrogenic myocardial infarction, and would be associated with reductions in left ventricular (LV) volumes in the longer term. Methods: In the preventive angioplasty in myocardial infarction trial (PRAMI; ISRCTN73028481), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was prespecified in two centres and performed (median, IQR) 3 (1, 5) and 209 (189, 957) days after primary PCI. Results: From 219 enrolled patients in two sites, 84% underwent CMR. 42 (50%) were randomised to culprit-artery-only PCI and 42 (50%) were randomised to preventive PCI. Follow-up CMR scans were available in 72 (86%) patients. There were two (4.8%) cases of procedure-related myocardial infarction in the preventive PCI group. The culprit-artery-only group had a higher proportion of anterior myocardial infarctions (MIs) (55% vs 24%). Infarct sizes (% LV mass) at baseline and follow-up were similar. At follow-up, there was no difference in LV ejection fraction (%, median (IQR), (culprit-artery-only PCI vs preventive PCI) 51.7 (42.9, 60.2) vs 54.4 (49.3, 62.8), p=0.23), LV end-diastolic volume (mL/m2, 69.3 (59.4, 79.9) vs 66.1 (54.7, 73.7), p=0.48) and LV end-systolic volume (mL/m2, 31.8 (24.4, 43.0) vs 30.7 (23.0, 36.3), p=0.20). Non-culprit angiographic lesions had low-risk Syntax scores and 47% had non-complex characteristics. Conclusions: Compared with culprit-only PCI, non-infarct-artery MI in the preventive PCI strategy was uncommon and LV volumes and ejection fraction were similar