2,210 research outputs found
Maximizing survey volume for large-area multi-epoch surveys with Voronoi tessellation
The survey volume of a proper motion-limited sample is typically much smaller than a magnitude-limited sample. This is because of the noisy astrometric measurements from detectors that are not dedicated for astrometric missions. In order to apply an empirical completeness correction, existing works limit the survey depth to the shallower parts of the sky that hamper the maximum potential of a survey. The number of epoch of measurement is a discrete quantity that cannot be interpolated across the projected plane of observation, so that the survey properties change in discrete steps across the sky. This work proposes a method to dissect the survey into small parts with Voronoi tessellation using candidate objects as generating points such that each part defines a âmini-surveyâ that has its own properties. Coupling with a maximum volume density estimator, the new method is demonstrated to be unbiased and recovered âŒ20âperâcent more objects than the existing method in a mock catalogue of a white dwarf-only solar neighbourhood with PanâSTARRS 1-like characteristics. Towards the end of this work, we demonstrate one way to increase the tessellation resolution with artificial generating points, which would be useful for analysis of rare objects with small number counts
Ultrafast Spin-To-Charge Conversion at the Surface of Topological Insulator Thin Films
Strong spin-orbit coupling, resulting in the formation of
spin-momentum-locked surface states, endows topological insulators with
superior spin-to-charge conversion characteristics, though the dynamics that
govern it have remained elusive. Here, we present an all-optical method that
enables unprecedented tracking of the ultrafast dynamics of spin-to-charge
conversion in a prototypical topological insulator BiSe/ferromagnetic
Co heterostructure, down to the sub-picosecond timescale. Compared to pure
BiSe or Co, we observe a giant terahertz emission in the
heterostructure than originates from spin-to-charge conversion, in which the
topological surface states play a crucial role. We identify a 0.12-picosecond
timescale that sets a technological speed limit of spin-to-charge conversion
processes in topological insulators. In addition, we show that the
spin-to-charge conversion efficiency is temperature independent in BiSe
as expected from the nature of the surface states, paving the way for designing
next-generation high-speed opto-spintronic devices based on topological
insulators at room temperature.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figure
Leptons in Holographic Composite Higgs Models with Non-Abelian Discrete Symmetries
We study leptons in holographic composite Higgs models, namely in models
possibly admitting a weakly coupled description in terms of five-dimensional
(5D) theories. We introduce two scenarios leading to Majorana or Dirac
neutrinos, based on the non-abelian discrete group which is
responsible for nearly tri-bimaximal lepton mixing. The smallness of neutrino
masses is naturally explained and normal/inverted mass ordering can be
accommodated. We analyze two specific 5D gauge-Higgs unification models in
warped space as concrete examples of our framework. Both models pass the
current bounds on Lepton Flavour Violation (LFV) processes. We pay special
attention to the effect of so called boundary kinetic terms that are the
dominant source of LFV. The model with Majorana neutrinos is compatible with a
Kaluza-Klein vector mass scale TeV, which is roughly the
lowest scale allowed by electroweak considerations. The model with Dirac
neutrinos, although not considerably constrained by LFV processes and data on
lepton mixing, suffers from a too large deviation of the neutrino coupling to
the boson from its Standard Model value, pushing TeV.Comment: 37 pages, 4 figures; v2: Note added in light of recent T2K and MINOS
results, figures updated with new limit from MEG, references added, various
minor improvements, matches JHEP published versio
A network analysis to identify pathophysiological pathways distinguishing ischaemic from non-ischaemic heart failure
Aims
Heart failure (HF) is frequently caused by an ischaemic event (e.g. myocardial infarction) but might also be caused by a primary disease of the myocardium (cardiomyopathy). In order to identify targeted therapies specific for either ischaemic or nonâischaemic HF, it is important to better understand differences in underlying molecular mechanisms.
Methods and results
We performed a biological physical proteinâprotein interaction network analysis to identify pathophysiological pathways distinguishing ischaemic from nonâischaemic HF. First, differentially expressed plasma protein biomarkers were identified in 1160 patients enrolled in the BIOSTATâCHF study, 715 of whom had ischaemic HF and 445 had nonâischaemic HF. Second, we constructed an enriched physical proteinâprotein interaction network, followed by a pathway overârepresentation analysis. Finally, we identified key network proteins. Data were validated in an independent HF cohort comprised of 765 ischaemic and 100 nonâischaemic HF patients. We found 21/92 proteins to be upâregulated and 2/92 downâregulated in ischaemic relative to nonâischaemic HF patients. An enriched network of 18 proteins that were specific for ischaemic heart disease yielded six pathways, which are related to inflammation, endothelial dysfunction superoxide production, coagulation, and atherosclerosis. We identified five key network proteins: acid phosphatase 5, epidermal growth factor receptor, insulinâlike growth factor binding proteinâ1, plasminogen activator urokinase receptor, and secreted phosphoprotein 1. Similar results were observed in the independent validation cohort.
Conclusions
Pathophysiological pathways distinguishing patients with ischaemic HF from those with nonâischaemic HF were related to inflammation, endothelial dysfunction superoxide production, coagulation, and atherosclerosis. The five key pathway proteins identified are potential treatment targets specifically for patients with ischaemic HF
A maximum volume density estimator generalized over a proper motion-limited sample
The traditional Schmidt density estimator has been proven to be unbiased and effective in a magnitude-limited sample. Previously, efforts have been made to generalize it for populations with non-uniform density and proper motion-limited cases. This work shows that the then-good assumptions for a proper motion-limited sample are no longer sufficient to cope with modern data. Populations with larger differences in the kinematics as compared to the local standard of rest are most severely affected. We show that this systematic bias can be removed by treating the discovery fraction inseparable from the generalized maximum volume integrand. The treatment can be applied to any proper motion-limited sample with good knowledge of the kinematics. This work demonstrates the method through application to a mock catalogue of a white dwarf-only solar neighbourhood for various scenarios and compared against the traditional treatment using a survey with Pan-STARRS-like characteristics
General Lepton Mixing in Holographic Composite Higgs Models
We introduce a scenario of lepton mixing in holographic composite Higgs
models based on non-abelian discrete symmetries of the form G_f=X x Z_N, broken
to Z_2 x Z_2 x Z_N in the elementary sector and to Z_N^(D) in the composite
sector with Z_N^(D) being the diagonal subgroup of a Z_N contained in X and the
external Z_N. By choosing X = Delta(96) or Delta(384), a non-vanishing
theta_{13} of order 0.1 is naturally obtained. We apply our considerations to a
5D model in warped space for the particular cases of X = S_4, A_5, Delta(96)
and Delta(384) and N=3 or 5. Lepton flavour violating processes and electric
dipole moments are well below the current bounds, with the exception of mu -> e
gamma that puts a very mild constraint on the parameter space of the model, for
all presented choices of G_f.Comment: 20 pages, 2 figures; v2: clarifications added in section 2 regarding
the form of the flavour group and the size of the flavour violating kinetic
terms, typos corrected, minor improvements, to appear in JHE
Musculoskeletal Strength, Balance Performance, and Self-Efficacy in Elderly Ving Tsun Chinese Martial Art Practitioners: Implications for Fall Prevention
Objectives. To (1) compare the bone strength, lower limb muscular strength, functional balance performance, and balance self-efficacy between Ving Tsun (VT) martial art practitioners and nonpractitioners and (2) identify the associations between lower limb muscular strength, functional balance performance, and balance self-efficacy among the VT-trained participants. Methods. Thirty-five VT practitioners (mean age ± SD = 62.7 ± 13.3 years) and 49 nonpractitioners (mean age ± SD = 65.9 ± 10.5 years) participated in the study. The bone strength of the distal radius, lower limb muscular strength, functional balance performance, and balance self-efficacy were assessed using an ultrasound bone sonometer, the five times sit-to-stand test (FTSTS), the Berg balance scale (BBS), and the Chinese version of the activities-specific balance confidence scale, respectively. A multivariate analysis of covariance was performed to compare all the outcome variables between the two groups. Results. Elderly VT practitioners had higher radial bone strength on the dominant side (P<0.05), greater lower limb muscular strength (P=0.001), better functional balance performance (P=0.003), and greater balance confidence (P<0.001) than the nonpractitioners. Additionally, only the FTSTS time revealed a significant association with the BBS score (r=-0.575,âP=0.013). Conclusions. VT may be a suitable health-maintenance exercise for the elderly. Our findings may inspire the development of VT fall-prevention exercises for the community-dwelling healthy elderly
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