Intersection Numbers of Heegner Divisors on Shimura Curves

In foundational papers, Gross, Zagier, and Kohnen established two formulas for arithmetic intersection numbers of certain Heegner divisors on integral models of modular curves. In [GZ1], only one imaginary quadratic discriminant plays a role. In [GZ2] and [GKZ], two quadratic discriminants play a role. In this paper we generalize the two-discriminant formula from the modular curves X0(N) to certain Shimura curves defined over Q. Our intersection formula was stated in [Ro], but the proof was only outlined there. Independently, the general formula was given, in a weaker and less explicit form, in [Ke2]; there it was proved completely. This paper is thus a synthesis of parts of [Ro] and [Ke2]. The intersection multiplicities computed here were used in [Ku] to derive a relation between height pairings and special values of the derivatives of certain Eisenstein series. Two more recent related works are [KR], which concentrates on computing local intersection multiplicities at ramified primes under quite general hypotheses, and [KRY], which relates intersection numbers on Shimura curves to coefficients of modular forms. We note also that Zhang [Zh] has generalized all of [GZ1] from ground field Q to general totally real ground fields F, working with general Shimura curves. We expect that all of [GKZ] should generalize similarly

Loss of SigB in Listeria monocytogenes strains EGD-e and 10403S leads to hypersensitivity to hydrogen peroxide in stationary phase under aerobic conditions

SigB is the main stress gene regulator in L. monocytogenes affecting the expression of more than 150 genes and thus contributing in multiple stress resistance. Despite its clear role in most stresses, its role in oxidative stress is uncertain as results accompanying the loss of sigB range from hyperresistance to hypersensitivity. Previously, these differences have been attributed to strain variation. In this study, we show conclusively that in contrast to all other stresses, loss of sigB results in hyperresistance against H2O2 (more than 8 log CFU ml-1 compared to the wild type) in aerobically-grown stationary phase cultures of 10403S and EGD-e.. Furthermore, growth at 30°C resulted in higher resistance to oxidative stress than at 37°C. Oxidative stress resistance seemed to be higher with higher levels of oxygen. Under anaerobic conditions, loss of SigB in 10403S did not affect survival against H2O2 while in EGD-e it resulted in a sensitive phenotype. During exponential phase, minor differences occurred as expected due to the absence of sigB transcription. Catalase tests were performed under all conditions and stronger catalase results corresponded well with higher survival underpinning the important role of catalase in this phenotype. Furthermore, we assessed the catalase activity in protein lysates which corresponded with the catalase tests and survival. In addition, RT-PCR showed no differences in transcription between the wild type and the ΔsigB in various oxidative stress genes. Further investigation of the molecular mechanism behind this phenotype and its possible consequences for the overall phenotype of L. monocytogenes are underway

word~river literary review (2009)

wordriver is a literary journal dedicated to the poetry, short fiction and creative nonfiction of adjuncts and part-time instructors teaching in our universities, colleges, and community colleges. Our premier issue was published in Spring 2009. We are always looking for work that demonstrates the creativity and craft of adjunct/part-time instructors in English and other disciplines. We reserve first publication rights and onetime anthology publication rights for all work published. We define adjunct instructors as anyone teaching part-time or full-time under a semester or yearly contract, nationwide and in any discipline. Graduate students teaching under part-time contracts during the summer or who have used up their teaching assistant time and are teaching with adjunct contracts for the remainder of their graduate program also are eligible.https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/word_river/1002/thumbnail.jp

Smaller than expected bright-spot offsets in Spitzer phase curves of the hot Jupiter Qatar-1b

We present \textit{Spitzer} full-orbit thermal phase curves of the hot Jupiter Qatar-1b, a planet with the same equilibrium temperature---and intermediate surface gravity and orbital period---as the well-studied planets HD 209458b and WASP-43b. We measure secondary eclipse of $0.21 \pm 0.02 \%$ at $3.6~\mu$m and $0.30 \pm 0.02 \%$ at $4.5~\mu$m, corresponding to dayside brightness temperatures of $1542^{+32}_{-31}$~K and $1557^{+35}_{-36}$~K, respectively, consistent with a vertically isothermal dayside. The respective nightside brightness temperatures are $1117^{+76}_{-71}$~K and $1167^{+69}_{-74}$~K, in line with a trend that hot Jupiters all have similar nightside temperatures. We infer a Bond albedo of $0.12_{-0.16}^{+0.14}$ and a moderate day-night heat recirculation efficiency, similar to HD 209458b. General circulation models for HD 209458b and WASP-43b predict that their bright-spots should be shifted east of the substellar point by tens of degrees, and these predictions were previously confirmed with \textit{Spitzer} full-orbit phase curve observations. The phase curves of Qatar-1b are likewise expected to exhibit eastward offsets. Instead, the observed phase curves are consistent with no offset: $11^{\circ}\pm 7^{\circ}$ at $3.6~\mu$m and $-4^{\circ}\pm 7^{\circ}$ at $4.5~\mu$m. The discrepancy in circulation patterns between these three otherwise similar planets points to the importance of secondary parameters like rotation rate and surface gravity, and the presence or absence of clouds, in determining atmospheric conditions on hot Jupiters.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in A

Accuracy of prognosis estimates by four palliative care teams: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Prognosis estimates are used to access services, but are often inaccurate. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of giving a prognosis range. METHODS AND MEASUREMENTS: A prospective cohort study in four multi-professional palliative care teams in England collected data on 275 consecutive cancer referrals who died. Prognosis estimates (minimum – maximum) at referral, patient characteristics, were recorded by staff, and later compared with actual survival. RESULTS: Minimum survival estimates ranged <1 to 364 days, maximum 7 – 686 days. Mean patient survival was 71 days (range 1 – 734). In 42% the estimate was accurate, in 36% it was over optimistic and in 22% over pessimistic. When the minimum estimate was less than 14 days accuracy increased to 70%. Accuracy was related, in multivariate analysis, to palliative care team and (of borderline significance) patient age. CONCLUSIONS: Offering a prognosis range has higher levels of accuracy (about double) than traditional estimates, but is still very often inaccurate, except very close to death. Where possible clinicians should discuss scenarios with patients, rather than giving a prognosis range

The landscape model: a model for exploring trade-offs between agricultural production and the environment

We describe a model framework that simulates spatial and temporal interactions in agricultural landscapes and that can be used to explore trade-offs between production and environment so helping to determine solutions to the problems of sustainable food production. Here we focus on models of agricultural production, water movement and nutrient flow in a landscape. We validate these models against data from two long-term experiments, (the first a continuous wheat experiment and the other a permanent grass-land experiment) and an experiment where water and nutrient flow are measured from isolated catchments. The model simulated wheat yield (RMSE 20.3–28.6%), grain N (RMSE 21.3–42.5%) and P (RMSE 20.2–29% excluding the nil N plots), and total soil organic carbon particularly well (RMSE 3.1 − 13.8 %), the simulations of water flow were also reasonable (RMSE 180.36 and 226.02%). We illustrate the use of our model framework to explore trade-offs between production and nutrient losses

Genome-Wide Association Study of Coronary Heart Disease and Its Risk Factors in 8,090 African Americans: The NHLBI CARe Project

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality in African Americans. To identify common genetic polymorphisms associated with CHD and its risk factors (LDL- and HDL-cholesterol (LDL-C and HDL-C), hypertension, smoking, and type-2 diabetes) in individuals of African ancestry, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 8,090 African Americans from five population-based cohorts. We replicated 17 loci previously associated with CHD or its risk factors in Caucasians. For five of these regions (CHD: CDKN2A/CDKN2B; HDL-C: FADS1-3, PLTP, LPL, and ABCA1), we could leverage the distinct linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns in African Americans to identify DNA polymorphisms more strongly associated with the phenotypes than the previously reported index SNPs found in Caucasian populations. We also developed a new approach for association testing in admixed populations that uses allelic and local ancestry variation. Using this method, we discovered several loci that would have been missed using the basic allelic and global ancestry information only. Our conclusions suggest that no major loci uniquely explain the high prevalence of CHD in African Americans. Our project has developed resources and methods that address both admixture- and SNP-association to maximize power for genetic discovery in even larger African-American consortia

word~river literary review (2012)

wordriver is a literary journal dedicated to the poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction of adjunct, part-time and fulltime instructors teaching under a semester or yearly contract in our universities, colleges, and community colleges worldwide. Graduate student teachers who have used up their teaching assistant time and are teaching with adjunct contracts for the remainder of their graduate program are also eligible. We’re looking for work that demonstrates the creativity and craft of adjunct/part-time instructors in English and other disciplines. We reserve first publication rights and onetime anthology publication rights for all work published. We do not accept simultaneous submissions.https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/word_river/1003/thumbnail.jp