The Dynamical Distinction between Elliptical and Lenticular Galaxies in Distant Clusters: Further Evidence for the Recent Origin of S0 Galaxies

We examine resolved spectroscopic data obtained with the Keck II telescope for 44 spheroidal galaxies in the fields of two rich clusters, Cl0024+16 (z=0.40) and MS0451-03 (z=0.54), and contrast this with similar data for 23 galaxies within the redshift interval 0.3<z<0.65 in the GOODS northern field. For each galaxy we examine the case for systemic rotation, derive central stellar velocity dispersions sigma and photometric ellipticities, epsilon. Using morphological classifications obtained via Hubble Space Telescope imaging as the basis, we explore the utility of our kinematic quantities in distinguishing between pressure-supported ellipticals and rotationally-supported lenticulars (S0s). We demonstrate the reliability of using the v/(1-epsilon) vs sigma and v/sigma vs epsilon distributions as discriminators, finding that the two criteria correctly identify 63%+-3% and 80%+-2% of S0s at z~0.5, respectively, along with 76%+8-3% and 79%+-2% of ellipticals. We test these diagnostics using equivalent local data in the Coma cluster, and find that the diagnostics are similarly accurate at z=0. Our measured accuracies are comparable to the accuracy of visual classification of morphologies, but avoid the band-shifting and surface brightness effects that hinder visual classification at high redshifts. As an example application of our kinematic discriminators, we then examine the morphology-density relation for elliptical and S0 galaxies separately at z~0.5. We confirm, from kinematic data alone, the recent growth of rotationally-supported spheroidals. We discuss the feasibility of extending the method to a more comprehensive study of cluster and field galaxies to z~1, in order to verify in detail the recent density-dependent growth of S0 galaxies.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, updated with version accepted to Ap

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours of New Zealand Youth in Surf Beach Environments

New Zealand youth are over-represented in drowning statistics yet little is known about their understanding of water safety, especially in surf beach context. This study aimed to ascertain current youth surf safety knowledge, specifically rip current awareness, explore self-reported competencies and confidence when surf swimming, and examine youth behaviour when at the beach. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among senior high school students (n = 599) in Auckland, New Zealand. Over half (58%) reported they were unable to swim \u3e 100 m in a pool. Males and students of European-New Zealand and Maori (New Zealand’s indigenous population) heritage were most likely to report risky behaviors such as swimming alone, outside of the patrol flags, or at a beach without lifeguards. Females reported lower swimming competency and confidence. Students of non-European-New Zealand heritage consistently reported lower surf safety knowledge. The results suggest that, in spite of frequent surf beach use and confidence in their ability to cope with risk, the surf safety knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of most New Zealand youth leaves them at higher risk of drowning

Structure of androcam supports specialized interactions with myosin VI

Androcam replaces calmodulin as a tissue-specific myosin VI light chain on the actin cones that mediate D. melanogaster spermatid individualization. We show that the androcam structure and its binding to the myosin VI structural (Insert 2) and regulatory (IQ) light chain sites are distinct from those of calmodulin and provide a basis for specialized myosin VI function. The androcam N lobe noncanonically binds a single Ca2þ and is locked in a “closed” conformation, causing androcam to contact the Insert 2 site with its C lobe only. Androcam replacing calmodulin at Insert 2 will increase myosin VI lever arm flexibility, which may favor the compact monomeric form of myosin VI that functions on the actin cones by facilitating the collapse of the C-terminal region onto the motor domain. The tethered androcam N lobe could stabilize the monomer through contacts with C-terminal portions of the motor or recruit other components to the actin cones. Androcam binds the IQ site at all calcium levels, constitutively mimicking a conformation adopted by calmodulin only at intermediate calcium levels. Thus, androcam replacing calmodulin at IQ will abolish a Ca2þ-regulated, calmodulin-mediated myosin VI structural change. We propose that the N lobe prevents androcam from interfering with other calmodulin- mediated Ca2þ signaling events. We discuss how gene duplication and mutations that selectively stabilize one of the many conformations available to calmodulin support the molecular evolution of structurally and functionally distinct calmodulin-like proteins

Latent profile analysis of accelerometer-measured sleep, physical activity, and sedentary time and differences in health characteristics in adult women.

ObjectivesIndependently, physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep are related to the development and progression of chronic diseases. Less is known about how rest-activity behaviors cluster within individuals and how rest-activity behavior profiles relate to health. In this study we aimed to investigate if adult women cluster into profiles based on how they accumulate rest-activity behavior (including accelerometer-measured PA, SB, and sleep), and if participant characteristics and health outcomes differ by profile membership.MethodsA convenience sample of 372 women (mean age 55.38 + 10.16) were recruited from four US cities. Participants wore ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers on the hip and wrist for a week. Total daily minutes in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and percentage of wear-time spent in SB was estimated from the hip device. Total sleep time (hours/minutes) and sleep efficiency (% of in bed time asleep) were estimated from the wrist device. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed to identify clusters of participants based on accumulation of the four rest-activity variables. Adjusted ANOVAs were conducted to explore differences in demographic characteristics and health outcomes across profiles.ResultsRest-activity variables clustered to form five behavior profiles: Moderately Active Poor Sleepers (7%), Highly Actives (9%), Inactives (41%), Moderately Actives (28%), and Actives (15%). The Moderately Active Poor Sleepers (profile 1) had the lowest proportion of whites (35% vs 78-91%, p &lt; .001) and college graduates (28% vs 68-90%, p = .004). Health outcomes did not vary significantly across all rest-activity profiles.ConclusionsIn this sample, women clustered within daily rest-activity behavior profiles. Identifying 24-hour behavior profiles can inform intervention population targets and innovative behavioral goals of multiple health behavior interventions

Revision of world Sphecomyia Latreille (Diptera, Syrphidae)

The 16 world species of Sphecomyia Latreille are revised, including seven previously undescribed species (S. cryptica Moran, sp. n., S. hoguei Moran, sp. n., S. interrupta Moran, sp. n., S. oraria Moran, sp. n., S. pseudosphecomima Moran, sp. n., S. sexfasciata Moran, sp. n., and S. weismani Moran, sp. n.). Descriptions, redescriptions, male genitalia photographs, distribution maps, and an illustrated key for all Sphecomyia are presented. DNA barcode data are provided for all 16 species with a cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene tree presented and discussed. Sphecomyia stat. rev. is redefined to represent the monophyletic lineage of species within subtribe Criorhinina possessing a bare, medial vitta extending ventrally from the oral margin in both sexes, a bare gena, a bare katepimeron, a scutellum with at least anterior margin densely pruinose, an anterior ventral half of vein C before crossvein h without setae, and a narrow intersection of vein R1 with vein C. Three species groups of Sphecomyia are identified: the S. vittata group which possess pruinose scutellar vittae, the S. pattonii group which lack pruinose scutellar vittae, and S. metallica (Bigot), a hairy bee mimic with a completely pruinose scutum. Criorhina tsherepanovi Violovitsh is resurrected and transferred, along with Criorhina aino Stackelberg, to the genus Sphecomyia: S. tsherepanovi (Violovitsh), comb. n. and S. aino (Stackelberg), comb. n. Criorhina metallica (Bigot) is designated as the senior synonym of C. lupina (Williston), not junior as improperly treated, and transferred to Sphecomyia: S. metallica (Bigot), comb. n. The species Sphecomyia fusca Weisman, S. nasica Osburn, and S. occidentalis Osburn are transferred to Criorhina Meigen: C. fusca (Weisman), comb. n., C. nasica (Osburn), comb. n., and C. occidentalis (Osburn), comb. n

ExoPranayama: a biofeedback-driven actuated environment for supporting yoga breathing practices

Both breathing and internal self-awareness are an integral part of any yoga practice. We describe and discuss the development of ExoPranayama, an actuated environment that physically manifests users’ breathing in yoga. Through a series of trials with yoga practitioners and expert teachers, we explore its role in the practice of yoga. Our interview results reveal that biofeedback through the environment supported teaching and improved self-awareness, but it impacted group cohesion. Two practical uses of the technology emerged for supporting breath control in yoga: (1) biofeedback can provide new information about users’ current internal states; (2) machine-driven feedback provides users with a future state or goal, and leads to improved cohesiveness

The Rise and Fall of Passive Disk Galaxies: Morphological Evolution Along the Red Sequence Revealed by COSMOS

The increasing abundance of passive "red-sequence" galaxies since z=1-2 is mirrored by a coincident rise in the number of galaxies with spheroidal morphologies. In this paper, however, we show that in detail the correspondence between galaxy morphology and color is not perfect, providing insight into the physical origin of this evolution. Using the COSMOS survey, we study a significant population of red sequence galaxies with disk-like morphologies. These passive disks typically have Sa-Sb morphological types with large bulges, but they are not confined to dense environments. They represent nearly one-half of all red-sequence galaxies and dominate at lower masses (log Mstar < 10) where they are increasingly disk-dominated. As a function of time, the abundance of passive disks with log Mstar < 11 increases, but not as fast as red-sequence spheroidals in the same mass range. At higher mass, the passive disk population has declined since z~1, likely because they transform into spheroidals. We estimate that as much as 60% of galaxies transitioning onto the red sequence evolve through a passive disk phase. The origin of passive disks therefore has broad implications for understanding how star formation shuts down. Because passive disks tend to be more bulge-dominated than their star-forming counterparts, a simple fading of blue disks does not fully explain their origin. We explore several more sophisticated explanations, including environmental effects, internal stabilization, and disk regrowth during gas-rich mergers. While previous work has sought to explain color and morphological transformations with a single process, these observations open the way to new insight by highlighting the fact that galaxy evolution may actually proceed through several separate stages.Comment: 16 pages, Accepted version to appear in Ap

Seasonal presence and potential influence of humpback whales on wintering Pacific herring populations in the Gulf of Alaska

This study addressed the lack of recovery of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) in Prince William Sound, Alaska, in relation to humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) predation.This study addressed the lack of recovery of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) in Prince William Sound, Alaska, in relation to humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) predation. As humpback whales rebound from commercial whaling, their ability to influence their prey through top-down forcing increases. We compared the potential influence of foraging humpback whales on three herring populations in the coastal Gulf of Alaska: Prince William Sound, Lynn Canal, and Sitka Sound (133–147°W; 57–61°N) from 2007 to 2009. Information on whale distribution, abundance, diet and the availability of herring as potential prey were used to correlate populations of overwintering herring and humpback whales. In Prince William Sound, the presence of whales coincided with the peak of herring abundance, allowing whales to maximize the consumption of overwintering herring prior to their southern migration. In Lynn Canal and Sitka Sound peak attendance of whales occurred earlier, in the fall, before the herring had completely moved into the areas, hence, there was less opportunity for predation to influence herring populations. North Pacific humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska may be experiencing nutritional stress from reaching or exceeding carrying capacity, or oceanic conditions may have changed sufficiently to alter the prey base. Intraspecific competition for food may make it harder for humpback whales to meet their annual energetic needs. To meet their energetic demands whales may need to lengthen their time feeding in the northern latitudes or by skipping the annual migration altogether. If humpback whales extended their time feeding in Alaskan waters during the winter months, the result would likely be an increase in herring predationAll humpback whale photographic data collected was authorized under scientific research permits 473-1700-01 and 782-1719 issued to Janice M. Straley and the National Marine Mammal Lab, respectively, from NOAA, Office of Protected Resources, WA, DC. In addition, this research was conducted with the authorization 08-07 of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), University of Alaska Fairbanks. Special thanks to D. Janka, and his knowledge of Prince William Sound and all the crew that joined us on our surveys. Also, thanks to Jennifer Cedarleaf, Ellen Chenoweth, Keith Cox, Suzie Teerlink, Fletcher Sewall, and others that assisted on surveys in Sitka Sound and Lynn Canal. Thanks to the Captains and crews of the NOAA Vessel John N Cobb, M/V Auklet, M/V Steller, and M/V Alaskan Adventurer, Heather Riley, Neil Dawson, Jennifer Cedarleaf, Ellen Chenoweth, Kate McLaughlin, Andy McLaughlin, Craig Matkin, Olga von Ziegesar, Fletcher Sewall, John Hudson, Keith Cox, Prince William Sound Science Center and Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Cordova. Reference to trade names does not imply endorsement by the National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA. The findings and conclusions of this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Marine Fisheries Service. The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council (award NA17NMF4720027) supported the research described in this paper. However, the findings and conclusions presented by the author(s) are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or position the Trustee Council. The authors disclose there was no actual or potential conflict of interest including any financial, personal, or other relationships with other people or organizations within three years of beginning the submitted work that could inappropriately influence, or be perceived to influence, their work.Ye

A multigene phylogeny of the eristaline flower flies (Diptera : Syrphidae), with emphasis on the subtribe Criorhinina

We present the first multigene phylogeny focused on Eristalinae (Diptera: Syrphidae) utilizing a dataset containing 120 flower fly species from across all four subfamilies and representing 13 out of 16 tribes. Eight genes were used in the construction of the phylogeny: mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and the nuclear genes 28S ribosomal DNA, Alanylt RNA Synthetase, the carbamoyl phosphate synthase domain of CAD, Period, RNA-binding Protein 15 (RBP-15, 5'), Casein Kinase 1 and TULP for a total of similar to 6.7 kB of data. Eristalinae is recovered as paraphyletic with strong support for the elevation of Cerioidini, Merodontini and Volucellini to subfamilial status. Deineches, Flukea and Malometasternum render Criorhinina paraphyletic with respect to the type genus Criorhina. A clade with Criorhina, Matsumyia and Sphecomyia is strongly supported. The generic concept of Criorhina is paraphyletic, while Sphecomyia is monophyletic and Matsumyia is monophyletic but requires expansion. Evidence supports the resurrection of Romaleosyrphus and the creation of new genera. Criorhinina (stat. rev.) is restricted to contain Criorhina, Matsumyia, Romaleosyrphus and Sphecomyia. Thirteen changes to the higher classification of Syrphidae are proposed.Peer reviewe