Spatially Resolved Spectroscopic Observations of a Possible E+A Progenitor SDSS J160241.00+521426.9

In order to investigate the evolution of E+A galaxies, we observed a galaxy SDSS J160241.00+521426.9, a possible E+A progenitor which shows both emission and strong Balmer absorptions, and its neighbor galaxy. We used the integral field spectroscopic mode of the Kyoto Tridimensional Spectrograph (Kyoto3DII), mounted on the University of Hawaii 88-inch telescope located on Mauna Kea, and the slit-spectroscopic mode of the Faint Object Camera and Spectrograph (FOCAS) on the Subaru Telescope. We found a strong Balmer absorption region in the center of the galaxy and an emission-line region located 2 kpc from the center, in the direction of its neighbor galaxy. The recession velocities of the galaxy and its neighbor galaxy differ only by 100 km s^-1, which suggests that they are a physical pair and would have been interacting. Comparing observed Lick indices of Balmer lines and color indices with those predicted from stellar population synthesis models, we find that a suddenly quenched star-formation scenario is plausible for the star-formation history of the central region. We consider that star formation started in the galaxy due to galaxy interactions and was quenched in the central region, whereas star formation in a region offset from the center still continues or has begun recently. This work is the first study of a possible E+A progenitor using spatially resolved spectroscopy.Comment: 39 pages, 10 figures and 10 tables, accepted to Ap

How to detect fluctuating order in the high-temperature superconductors

We discuss fluctuating order in a quantum disordered phase proximate to a quantum critical point, with particular emphasis on fluctuating stripe order. Optimal strategies for extracting information concerning such local order from experiments are derived with emphasis on neutron scattering and scanning tunneling microscopy. These ideas are tested by application to two model systems - the exactly solvable one dimensional electron gas with an impurity, and a weakly-interacting 2D electron gas. We extensively review experiments on the cuprate high-temperature superconductors which can be analyzed using these strategies. We adduce evidence that stripe correlations are widespread in the cuprates. Finally, we compare and contrast the advantages of two limiting perspectives on the high-temperature superconductor: weak coupling, in which correlation effects are treated as a perturbation on an underlying metallic (although renormalized) Fermi liquid state, and strong coupling, in which the magnetism is associated with well defined localized spins, and stripes are viewed as a form of micro-phase separation. We present quantitative indicators that the latter view better accounts for the observed stripe phenomena in the cuprates.Comment: 43 pages, 11 figures, submitted to RMP; extensively revised and greatly improved text; one new figure, one new section, two new appendices and more reference

Circulating Strains of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Central and South America

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a major cause of viral lower respiratory tract infections among infants and young children. HRSV strains vary genetically and antigenically and have been classified into two broad subgroups, A and B (HRSV-A and HRSV-B, respectively). To date, little is known about the circulating strains of HRSV in Latin America. We have evaluated the genetic diversity of 96 HRSV strains by sequencing a variable region of the G protein gene of isolates collected from 2007 to 2009 in Central and South America. Our results show the presence of the two antigenic subgroups of HRSV during this period with the majority belonging to the genotype HRSV-A2

Phenotypes of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta deficiency: hyperdontia and elongated coronoid process

Objectives:  This investigation aimed to conduct a case-control study of mandibular morphology and dental anomalies to propose a relationship between mandibular/dental phenotypes and deficiency of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (CEBPB). \ud \ud Materials and methods:  Skulls of CEBPB(-/-) , CEBPB(+/-) and CEBPB(+/+) mice were inspected with micro-computed tomography. Mandibular morphology was assessed with a method of Euclidean distance matrix analysis. \ud \ud Results:  Elongation of the coronoid process was identified in CEBPB(+/-) (P ≤ 0.046) and CEBPB(-/-) 12-month-olds (P ≤ 0.028) but not in 14-day-olds (P ≥ 0.217) and 0-day-olds (P ≥ 0.189) of either genotype. Formation of supernumerary teeth in CEBPB(-/-) adult mice was demonstrated (χ(2 ) =( ) 6.00, df = 1, P = 0.014). \ud \ud Conclusions:  CEBPB deficiency was related to elongation of the coronoid process and formation of supernumerary teeth. The mandibular and dental phenotypes of CEBPB deficiency were unseen by the 14th day after birth. Future investigations into the influence of CEBPB on mandibular and dental development are needed