Probing the statistical isotropy of the universe with Planck data of the cosmic microwave background

We study the angular distribution of temperature fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) to probe the statistical isotropy of the universe by using precise full-sky CMB data with a model-independent approach. We investigated the temperature-temperature angular correlations in the four Planck foreground-cleaned CMB maps that were released recently. We performed a directional analysis on the CMB sphere to search directions in which the temperature-temperature angular correlations are extreme. Our analyses confirm a preferred axis in the CMB sphere, pointing in the direction $(l,b) \simeq (260^{\circ}, 130^{\circ})$, at the $98\% -99\%$ confidence level. In this direction, the CMB angular correlations exceed the antipodal direction most strongly. This preferred direction is unexpected in the $\Lambda$CDM cosmological model and represents a significant deviation from results obtained by applying the same procedure to simulated statistically isotropic CMB maps. This result confirms the north-south asymmetry in the most recent Planck data. This phenomenon is one of the previously reported CMB anomalies. We performed a robust detection of the north-south asymmetry in the temperature-temperature angular correlations, with a slightly different statistical significance, in the four Planck foreground-cleaned CMB maps. Moreover, we performed consistency tests by adding foreground and noise, both Planck data products, to the CMB map we studied, and we also investigated and discarded possible bias in our method. After these detailed analyses, we conclude that the north-south asymmetry phenomenon is present with a high statistical significance in the Planck CMB maps we studied. This result confirms previous reports in the literature in the past 20 years.Comment: Discussions enlarged. Matches the accepted version in A&

Effects on L1 During Early Acquisition of L2: Speech Changes in Spanish at First English Contact

Spanish phonological development was examined in six sequential bilingual children at the point of contact with English and eight months later. We explored effects of the English vowel and consonant inventory on Spanish. Children showed a significant increase in consonant cluster accuracy and in vowel errors. These emerging sequential bilingual children showed effects of English on their first language, Spanish. Cross-linguistic transfer did not affect all properties of the phonology equally. Negative transfer may occur in specific areas where the second language is more complex, requiring reorganization of the existing system, as in the transition from the Spanish five-vowel to the English eleven-vowel system

The growth companies puzzle: can growth opportunities measures predict firm growth?

While numerous empirical studies include proxies for growth opportunities in their analyses, there is limited evidence as to the validity of the various growth proxies used. Based on a sample of 1942 firm-years for listed UK companies over the 1990-2004 period, we assess the performance of eight growth opportunities measures. Our results show that while all the growth measures show some ability to predict growth in company sales, total assets, or equity, there are substantial differences between the various models. In particular, Tobin's Q performs poorly while dividend-based measures generally perform best. However, none of the measures has any success in predicting earnings per share growth, even when controlling for mean reversion and other time-series patterns in earnings. We term this the 'growth companies puzzle'. Growth companies do grow, but they do not grow in the key dimension (earnings) theory predicts. Whether the failure of 'growth companies' to deliver superior earnings growth is attributable to increased competition, poor investments, or behavioural biases, it is still a puzzle why growth companies on average fail to deliver superior earnings growth

To Tie or Not to Tie-Over Full-Thickness Skin Grafts in Dermatologic Surgery:A Systematic Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND Tie-over dressings are frequently used for skin grafts. Although a dressing is necessary for split-thickness skin grafts, their use in full-thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) is questionable. OBJECTIVE This review was conducted to investigate the influence of different tie overs and dressings on graft take for FTSGs in cutaneous surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS An electronic database search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library. The following search terms and comparable were used: skin transplantation, tie-over, fixation, sutures, and take. RESULTS Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Eight studies describe no use of a tie-over dressing for FTSGs. Dressing types included antibacterial dressings, foam or sponges, and bolsters. The lowest graft take was 80% (with a tie-over dressing). The highest graft take was 100% (with and without a tie-over dressing). CONCLUSION The results show that, regardless of the technique used, the overall graft success rate is high. Although a definite recommendation could not be made, it seems that a graft without a tie-over dressing can suffice in certain circumstances

Constellations of identity: place-ma(r)king beyond heritage

This paper will critically consider the different ways in which history and belonging have been treated in artworks situated in the Citadel development in Ayr on the West coast of Scotland. It will focus upon one artwork, Constellation by Stephen Hurrel, as an alternative to the more conventional landscapes of heritage which are adjacent, to examine the relationship between personal history and place history and argue the primacy of participatory process in the creation of place and any artwork therein. Through his artwork, Hurrel has attempted to adopt a material process through which place can be created performatively but, in part due to its non-representational form, proves problematic, aesthetically and longitudinally, in wholly engaging the community. The paper will suggest that through variants of ‘new genre public art’ such as this, personal and place histories can be actively re-created through the redevelopment of contemporary urban landscapes but also highlight the complexities and indeterminacies involved in the relationship between artwork, people and place

Investigating situated cultural practices through cross-sectoral digital collaborations: policies, processes, insights

The (Belfast) Good Friday Agreement represents a major milestone in Northern Ireland's recent political history, with complex conditions allowing for formation of a ‘cross-community’ system of government enabling power sharing between parties representing Protestant/loyalist and Catholic/nationalist constituencies. This article examines the apparent flourishing of community-focused digital practices over the subsequent ‘post-conflict’ decade, galvanised by Northern Irish and EU policy initiatives armed with consolidating the peace process. Numerous digital heritage and storytelling projects have been catalysed within programmes aiming to foster social processes, community cohesion and cross-community exchange. The article outlines two projects—‘digital memory boxes’ and ‘interactive galleon’—developed during 2007–2008 within practice-led PhD enquiry conducted in collaboration with the Nerve Centre, a third-sector media education organisation. The article goes on to critically examine the processes involved in practically realising, and creatively and theoretically reconciling, community-engaged digital production in a particular socio-political context of academic-community collaboration

Incomplete Excision of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Systematic Review of the Literature

The treatment of choice for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is complete surgical excision. Incomplete excision of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma has an increased risk of local recurrence, deep subclinical progression, and metastasis. This study aimed to investigate the proportion and risk factors of incomplete excised cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. A systematic review of the literature was performed. Incomplete excision rates for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma ranged from 0.4% to 35.7%. The pooled incomplete excision risk estimate was 13% (95% confidence interval 9-17%). Risk factors noted in more than one study for incomplete excision included tumor depth and size, type of operator, head and neck localization, and former incomplete excision. We found an overall incomplete excision rate of 13% for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Risk factors should be taken into account in the management of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma surgical treatment

The Far-Infrared Properties of Spatially Resolved AKARI Observations

We present the spatially resolved observations of IRAS sources from the Japanese infrared astronomy satellite AKARI All-Sky Survey during the performance verification (PV) phase of the mission. We extracted reliable point sources matched with IRAS point source catalogue. By comparing IRAS and AKARI fluxes, we found that the flux measurements of some IRAS sources could have been over or underestimated and affected by the local background rather than the global background. We also found possible candidates for new AKARI sources and confirmed that AKARI observations resolved IRAS sources into multiple sources. All-Sky Survey observations are expected to verify the accuracies of IRAS flux measurements and to find new extragalactic point sources.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, accepted publication in PASJ AKARI special issu