1,057 research outputs found
Rates of vertical mixing, gas exchange and new production: Estimates from seasonal gas cycles in the upper ocean near Bermuda
Argon measurements, obtained from one year of monthly detailed vertical profiles near Bermuda (32N 64W), show a maximum in argon supersaturation of about 4% in the seasonal thermocline in late summer. Since the argon supersaturation is 3–4 times smaller than that of oxygen, most of the oxygen supersaturation is not of physical origin and hence must result from biological production. In the winter mixed layer, air injection produces argon supersaturation in spite of high gas exchange rates. During spring and summer, radiative heating, air injection, and an upward argon flux create an even larger supersaturation in the mixed layer. In the seasonal thermocline, radiative heating maintains argon concentrations above solubility equilibrium in spite of vertical mixing. The observed seasonal cycles of temperature, argon, helium, and oxygen are simulated with an upper ocean model. We linearized the model\u27s response to variations in vertical diffusivity, air injection, gas exchange rate, and new production and then used an inverse technique (singular value decomposition) to determine the values of these parameters that best fit the data. A vertical turbulent diffusivity of 0.9 ± 0.1 × 10–4 m2 s–1 is consistent with both the thermal history and subsurface argon distribution. The rate of air injection, determined to ±25%, is similar to previous estimates. The seasonally-averaged gas exchange rate is 17 ± 12% lower than predicted by Liss and Merlivat (1986). We estimate a lower limit to depth-integrated new production below the mixed layer of 4.3 ± 1.7 moles O2 m–2 yr–1 during 1985, and obtain an estimate of 5.6 ± 1.5 moles O2 m–1 yr–1 if new production in the mixed layer is fixed at zero
Calculation of the heavy-hadron axial couplings g_1, g_2, and g_3 using lattice QCD
In a recent letter [Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 172003 (2012), arXiv:1109.2480] we
have reported on a lattice QCD calculation of the heavy-hadron axial couplings
, , and . These quantities are low-energy constants of
heavy-hadron chiral perturbation theory (HHPT) and are related to the
, , and couplings.
In the following, we discuss important details of the calculation and give
further results. To determine the axial couplings, we explicitly match the
matrix elements of the axial current in QCD with the corresponding matrix
elements in HHPT. We construct the ratios of correlation functions used
to calculate the matrix elements in lattice QCD, and study the contributions
from excited states. We present the complete numerical results and discuss the
data analysis in depth. In particular, we demonstrate the convergence of
HHPT for the axial-current matrix elements at pion masses up to
about 400 MeV and show the impact of the nonanalytic loop contributions.
Finally, we present additional predictions for strong and radiative decay
widths of charm and bottom baryons.Comment: 42 pages, 20 figures, updated calculation of Xi_b^{*0} width using
mass measurement from CMS, published versio
Study of the impact of the post-MS evolution of the host star on the orbits of close-in planets. I. Sample definition and physical properties
Context: To date, more than 30 planets have been discovered around giant
stars, but only one of them has been found to be orbiting within 0.6 AU from
the host star, in direct contrast to what is observed for FGK dwarfs. This
result suggests that evolved stars destroy/engulf close-in planets during the
red giant phase.
Aims: We are conducting a radial velocity survey of 164 bright G and K giant
stars in the southern hemisphere with the aim of studying the effect of the
host star evolution on the inner structure of planetary systems. In this paper
we present the spectroscopic atmospheric parameters (\Teff, \logg, ,
[Fe/H]) and the physical properties (mass, radius, evolutionary status) of the
program stars. In addition, rotational velocities for all of our targets were
derived.
Methods: We used high resolution and high S/N spectra to measure the
equivalent widths of many Fe{\sc\,i} and Fe{\sc\,ii} lines, which were used to
derive the atmospheric parameters by imposing local thermodynamic and
ionization equilibrium. The effective temperatures and metallicities were used,
along with stellar evolutionary tracks to determine the physical properties and
evolutionary status of each star.
Results: We found that our targets are on average metal rich and they have
masses between \,1.0\,M and 3.5\,M. In addition, we found
that 122 of our targets are ascending the RGB, while 42 of them are on the HB
phase.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&
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Srs2 promotes synthesis-dependent strand annealing by disrupting DNA polymerase δ-extending D-loops.
Synthesis-dependent strand annealing (SDSA) is the preferred mode of homologous recombination in somatic cells leading to an obligatory non-crossover outcome, thus avoiding the potential for chromosomal rearrangements and loss of heterozygosity. Genetic analysis identified the Srs2 helicase as a prime candidate to promote SDSA. Here, we demonstrate that Srs2 disrupts D-loops in an ATP-dependent fashion and with a distinct polarity. Specifically, we partly reconstitute the SDSA pathway using Rad51, Rad54, RPA, RFC, DNA Polymerase δ with different forms of PCNA. Consistent with genetic data showing the requirement for SUMO and PCNA binding for the SDSA role of Srs2, Srs2 displays a slight but significant preference to disrupt extending D-loops over unextended D-loops when SUMOylated PCNA is present, compared to unmodified PCNA or monoubiquitinated PCNA. Our data establish a biochemical mechanism for the role of Srs2 in crossover suppression by promoting SDSA through disruption of extended D-loops
Kepler Mission Stellar and Instrument Noise Properties
Kepler Mission results are rapidly contributing to fundamentally new
discoveries in both the exoplanet and asteroseismology fields. The data
returned from Kepler are unique in terms of the number of stars observed,
precision of photometry for time series observations, and the temporal extent
of high duty cycle observations. As the first mission to provide extensive time
series measurements on thousands of stars over months to years at a level
hitherto possible only for the Sun, the results from Kepler will vastly
increase our knowledge of stellar variability for quiet solar-type stars. Here
we report on the stellar noise inferred on the timescale of a few hours of most
interest for detection of exoplanets via transits. By design the data from
moderately bright Kepler stars are expected to have roughly comparable levels
of noise intrinsic to the stars and arising from a combination of fundamental
limitations such as Poisson statistics and any instrument noise. The noise
levels attained by Kepler on-orbit exceed by some 50% the target levels for
solar-type, quiet stars. We provide a decomposition of observed noise for an
ensemble of 12th magnitude stars arising from fundamental terms (Poisson and
readout noise), added noise due to the instrument and that intrinsic to the
stars. The largest factor in the modestly higher than anticipated noise follows
from intrinsic stellar noise. We show that using stellar parameters from
galactic stellar synthesis models, and projections to stellar rotation,
activity and hence noise levels reproduces the primary intrinsic stellar noise
features.Comment: Accepted by ApJ; 26 pages, 20 figure
Integrated seawater sampler and data acquisition system prototype : final report
This report documents the work performed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the Battelle Memorial
Institute from August 1988 to December 1992 in the NSF sponsored development of an Integrated Seawater Sampler and Data
Acquisition Prototype. After a 6-month initial design study, a prototype underwater profiing unit was designed and constructed,
containing the water acquisition subsystem, CTD and altimeter, control circuitry and batteries. A standard WHOI CTD was adapted
for use in the underwater unit and was interfaced to the underwater controller which had a telemetry module connecting ít with a deck
control unit. This enabled CTD data to be logged in normal fashion on shipboard while additional commands and diagnostics were
sent over the telemetry link to command the underwater unit's water sampling process and receive diagnostic information on system
performance.
The water sampling subsystem consisted of 36 trays, each containing a plastic sample bag, the pump and control circuitry. The
sample bags, initially sealed in a chemically clean environment, were opened by pumping the water out of the tray, thus forcing
water into the bag by ambient pressure. The command system could select any bag, and control the water sampling procss from the
surface with diagnostic information on system altitude, depth, orientation and cable tension displayed in real time for operator information.
At sea tests confirmed the operation of the electrical and control system. Problems were encountered with the bags and seals which
were partially solved by further post cruise efforts. However, the bag closing mechanism requires further development, and numerous
small system improvements identified during the cruises need to be implemented to produce an operational water sampler. Finally,
initial design tor a water sampler handling and storage unit and water extraction system were developed but not implemented. The
detailed discussion of the prototype water sampler design, testing and evaluation, and new bag testing result are presented.Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation through
Grant No. OCE8821977
Viscous regularization and r-adaptive remeshing for finite element analysis of lipid membrane mechanics
As two-dimensional fluid shells, lipid bilayer membranes resist bending and
stretching but are unable to sustain shear stresses. This property gives
membranes the ability to adopt dramatic shape changes. In this paper, a finite
element model is developed to study static equilibrium mechanics of membranes.
In particular, a viscous regularization method is proposed to stabilize
tangential mesh deformations and improve the convergence rate of nonlinear
solvers. The Augmented Lagrangian method is used to enforce global constraints
on area and volume during membrane deformations. As a validation of the method,
equilibrium shapes for a shape-phase diagram of lipid bilayer vesicle are
calculated. These numerical techniques are also shown to be useful for
simulations of three-dimensional large-deformation problems: the formation of
tethers (long tube-like exetensions); and Ginzburg-Landau phase separation of a
two-lipid-component vesicle. To deal with the large mesh distortions of the
two-phase model, modification of vicous regularization is explored to achieve
r-adaptive mesh optimization
Study protocol for an evaluation of the effectiveness of ‘care bundles’ as a means of improving hospital care and reducing hospital readmission for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
BACKGROUND: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is one of the commonest respiratory diseases in the United Kingdom, accounting for 10 % of unplanned hospital admissions each year. Nearly a third of these admitted patients are re-admitted to hospital within 28 days of discharge. Whilst there is a move within the NHS to ensure that people with long-term conditions receive more co-ordinated care, there is little research evidence to support an optimum approach to this in COPD. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of introducing standardised packages of care i.e. care bundles, for patients with acute exacerbations of COPD as a means of improving hospital care and reducing re-admissions. METHODS / DESIGN: This mixed-methods evaluation will use a controlled before-and-after design to examine the effect of, and costs associated with, implementing care bundles for patients admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of COPD, compared with usual care. It will quantitatively measure a range of patient and organisational outcomes for two groups of hospitals - those who deliver care using COPD care bundles, and those who deliver care without the use of COPD care bundles. These care bundles may be provided for patients with COPD following admission, prior to discharge or at both points in the care pathway. The primary outcome will be re-admission to hospital within 28 days of discharge, although the study will additionally investigate a number of secondary outcomes including length of stay, total bed days, in-hospital mortality, costs of care and patient / carer experience. A series of nested qualitative case studies will explore in detail the context and process of care as well as the impact of COPD bundles on staff, patients and carers. DISCUSSION: The results of the study will provide information about the effectiveness of care bundles as a way of managing in-hospital care for patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD. Given the number of unplanned hospital admissions for this patient group and their rate of subsequent re-admission, it is hoped that this evaluation will make a timely contribution to the evidence on care provision, to the benefit of patients, clinicians, managers and policy-makers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials – ISRCTN13022442 - 11 February 201
Colorectal cancer linkage on chromosomes 4q21, 8q13, 12q24, and 15q22
A substantial proportion of familial colorectal cancer (CRC) is not a consequence of known susceptibility loci, such as mismatch repair (MMR) genes, supporting the existence of additional loci. To identify novel CRC loci, we conducted a genome-wide linkage scan in 356 white families with no evidence of defective MMR (i.e., no loss of tumor expression of MMR proteins, no microsatellite instability (MSI)-high tumors, or no evidence of linkage to MMR genes). Families were ascertained via the Colon Cancer Family Registry multi-site NCI-supported consortium (Colon CFR), the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Memorial University of Newfoundland. A total of 1,612 individuals (average 5.0 per family including 2.2 affected) were genotyped using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism linkage arrays; parametric and non-parametric linkage analysis used MERLIN in a priori-defined family groups. Five lod scores greater than 3.0 were observed assuming heterogeneity. The greatest were among families with mean age of diagnosis less than 50 years at 4q21.1 (dominant HLOD = 4.51, α = 0.84, 145.40 cM, rs10518142) and among all families at 12q24.32 (dominant HLOD = 3.60, α = 0.48, 285.15 cM, rs952093). Among families with four or more affected individuals and among clinic-based families, a common peak was observed at 15q22.31 (101.40 cM, rs1477798; dominant HLOD = 3.07, α = 0.29; dominant HLOD = 3.03, α = 0.32, respectively). Analysis of families with only two affected individuals yielded a peak at 8q13.2 (recessive HLOD = 3.02, α = 0.51, 132.52 cM, rs1319036). These previously unreported linkage peaks demonstrate the continued utility of family-based data in complex traits and suggest that new CRC risk alleles remain to be elucidated. © 2012 Cicek et al
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