43 research outputs found
Flashlights: Properties of Highly Magnified Images Near Cluster Critical Curves in the Presence of Dark Matter Subhalos
Dark matter subhalos with extended profiles and density cores, and globular
stars clusters of mass , that live near the critical curves
in galaxy cluster lenses can potentially be detected through their lensing
magnification of stars in background galaxies. In this work we study the effect
such subhalos have on lensed images, and compare to the case of more well
studied microlensing by stars and black holes near critical curves. We find
that the cluster density gradient and the extended mass distribution of
subhalos are important in determining image properties. Both lead to an
asymmetry between the image properties on the positive and negative parity
sides of the cluster that is more pronounced than in the case of microlensing.
For example, on the negative parity side, subhalos with cores larger than about
pc do not generate any images with magnification above outside
of the immediate vicinity of the cluster critical curve. We discuss these
factors using analytical and numerical analysis, and exploit them to identify
observable signatures of subhalos: subhalos create pixel-to-pixel flux
variations of magnitudes, on the positive parity side of
clusters. These pixels tend to cluster around (otherwise invisible) subhalos.
Unlike in the case of microlensing, signatures of subhalo lensing can be found
up to away from the critical curves of massive clusters.Comment: ApJ, submitted, 21 pages, 17 figure
Flashlights: An Off-Caustic Lensed Star at Redshift = 1.26 in Abell 370
We report the discovery of a transient seen in a strongly lensed arc at
redshift in \emph{Hubble Space Telescope} imaging of the
Abell 370 galaxy cluster. The transient is detected at AB mag in
a WFC3/UVIS F200LP difference image made using observations from two different
epochs, obtained in the framework of the \emph{Flashlights} program, and is
also visible in the F350LP band ( AB). The transient
is observed on the negative-parity side of the critical curve at a distance of
from it, greater than previous examples of lensed stars. The large
distance from the critical curve yields a significantly smaller
macro-magnification, but our simulations show that bright, O/B-type supergiants
can reach sufficiently high magnifications to be seen at the observed position
and magnitude. In addition, the observed transient image is a trailing image
with an observer-frame time delay of days from its expected
counterpart, so that any transient lasting for longer than that should have
also been seen on the minima side and is thus excluded. This, together with the
blue color we measure for the transient ( AB mag), rules out most other transient candidates such as
(kilo)novae, for example, and makes a lensed star the prime candidate. Assuming
the transient is indeed a lensed star as suggested, many more such events
should be detected in the near future in cluster surveys with the \emph{Hubble
Space Telescope} and \emph{James Webb Space Telescope}.Comment: 11 pages. 5 figures. Comments are welcom
Cluster of SARS among Medical Students Exposed to Single Patient, Hong Kong
We studied transmission patterns of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) among medical students exposed exclusively to the first SARS patient in the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong, before his illness was recognized. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 66 medical students who visited the index patient’s ward, including 16 students with SARS and 50 healthy students. The risk of contracting SARS was sevenfold greater among students who definitely visited the index case’s cubicle than in those who did not (10/27 [41%] versus 1/20 [5%], relative risk [RR] 7.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0 to 53.3). Illness rates increased directly with proximity of exposure to the index case. However, four of eight students who were in the same cubicle, but were not within 1 m of the index case-patient, contracted SARS. Proximity to the index case-patient was associated with transmission, which is consistent with droplet spread. Transmission through fomites or small aerosols cannot be ruled out
Flashlights: More than A Dozen High-Significance Microlensing Events of Extremely Magnified Stars in Galaxies at Redshifts z=0.7-1.5
Once only accessible in nearby galaxies, we can now study individual stars
across much of the observable universe aided by galaxy-cluster gravitational
lenses. When a star, compact object, or multiple such objects in the foreground
galaxy-cluster lens become aligned, they can magnify a background individual
star, and the timescale of a magnification peak can limit its size to tens of
AU. The number and frequency of microlensing events therefore opens a window
into the population of stars and compact objects, as well as high-redshift
stars. To assemble the first statistical sample of stars in order to constrain
the initial mass function (IMF) of massive stars at redshift z=0.7-1.5, the
abundance of primordial black holes in galaxy-cluster dark matter, and the IMF
of the stars making up the intracluster light, we are carrying out a 192-orbit
program with the Hubble Space Telescope called "Flashlights," which is now
two-thirds complete owing to scheduling challenges. We use the ultrawide F200LP
and F350LP long-pass WFC3 UVIS filters and conduct two 16-orbit visits
separated by one year. Having an identical roll angle during both visits, while
difficult to schedule, yields extremely clean subtraction. Here we report the
discovery of more than a dozen bright microlensing events, including multiple
examples in the famous "Dragon Arc" discovered in the 1980s, as well as the
"Spocks" and "Warhol" arcs that have hosted already known supergiants. The
ultradeep observer-frame ultraviolet-through-optical imaging is sensitive to
hot stars, which will complement deep James Webb Space Telescope infrared
imaging. We are also acquiring Large Binocular Telescope LUCI and Keck-I
MOSFIRE near-infrared spectra of the highly magnified arcs to constrain their
recent star-formation histories
BUFFALO/Flashlights: Constraints on the abundance of lensed supergiant stars in the Spock galaxy at redshift 1
In this work, we present a constraint on the abundance of supergiant (SG) stars at redshift z ≈ 1, based on recent observations of astrongly lensed arc at this redshift. First we derived a free-form model of MACS J0416.1-2403 using data from the Beyond Ultradeep Frontier Fields and Legacy Observations (BUFFALO) program. The new lens model is based on 72 multiply lensed galaxies thatproduce 214 multiple images, making it the largest sample of spectroscopically confirmed lensed galaxies on this cluster. The largercoverage in BUFFALO allowed us to measure the shear up to the outskirts of the cluster, and extend the range of lensing constraintsup to ∼1 Mpc from the central region, providing a mass estimate up to this radius. As an application, we make predictions for thenumber of high-redshift multiply lensed galaxies detected in future observations with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).Then we focus on a previously known lensed galaxy at z = 1.0054, nicknamed Spock, which contains four previously reportedtransients. We interpret these transients as microcaustic crossings of SG stars and explain how we computed the probability of suchevents. Based on simplifications regarding the stellar evolution, we find that microlensing (by stars in the intracluster medium) ofSG stars at z = 1.0054 can fully explain these events. The inferred abundance of SG stars is consistent with either (1) a numberdensity of stars with bolometric luminosities beyond the Humphreys-Davidson (HD) limit (Lmax ≈ 6 × 105 L for red stars), whichis below ∼400 stars kpc−2, or (2) the absence of stars beyond the HD limit but with a SG number density of ∼9000 kpc−2 for starswith luminosities between 105 L and 6 × 105 L. This is equivalent to one SG star per 10 × 10 pc2. Finally, we make predictions forfuture observations with JWST’s NIRcam. We find that in observations made with the F200W filter that reach 29 mag AB, if cool red SG stars exist at z ≈ 1 beyond the HD limit, they should be easily detected in this arc
BUFFALO/Flashlights: Constraints on the abundance of lensed supergiant stars in the Spock galaxy at redshift 1
We present a constraint on the abundance of supergiant (SG) stars at redshift
z approx. 1, based on recent observations of a strongly lensed arc at this
redshift. First we derive a free-form model of MACS J0416.1-2403 using data
from the BUFFALO program. The new lens model is based on 72 multiply lensed
galaxies that produce 214 multiple images, making it the largest sample of
spectroscopically confirmed lensed galaxies on this cluster. The larger
coverage in BUFFALO allows us to measure the shear up to the outskirts of the
cluster, and extend the range of lensing constraints up to ~ 1 Mpc from the
central region, providing a mass estimate up to this radius. As an application,
we make predictions for the number of high-redshift multiply-lensed galaxies
detected in future observations with JWST. Then we focus on a previously known
lensed galaxy at z=1.0054, nicknamed Spock, which contains four previously
reported transients. We interpret these transients as microcaustic crossings of
SG stars and compute the probability of such events. Based on simplifications
regarding the stellar evolution, we find that microlensing (by stars in the
intracluster medium) of SG stars at z=1.0054 can fully explain these events.
The inferred abundance of SG stars is consistent with either (1) a number
density of stars with bolometric luminosities beyond the Humphreys-Davidson
(HD) limit (L ~ ) that is below 400 stars per sq. kpc,
or (2) the absence of stars beyond the HD limit but with a SG number density of
~ 9000 per sq. kpc for stars with luminosities between and
. This is equivalent to one SG star per 10x10 pc. We finally
make predictions for future observations with JWST's NIRcam. We find that in
observations made with the F200W filter that reach 29 mag AB, if cool red SG
stars exist at z~1 beyond the HD limit, they should be easily detected in this
arcComment: 24 pages & 18 figure
Report from Working Group 3: Beyond the standard model physics at the HL-LHC and HE-LHC
This is the third out of five chapters of the final report [1] of the Workshop on Physics at HL-LHC, and perspectives on HE-LHC [2]. It is devoted to the study of the potential, in the search for Beyond the Standard Model (BSM) physics, of the High Luminosity (HL) phase of the LHC, defined as ab of data taken at a centre-of-mass energy of 14 TeV, and of a possible future upgrade, the High Energy (HE) LHC, defined as ab of data at a centre-of-mass energy of 27 TeV. We consider a large variety of new physics models, both in a simplified model fashion and in a more model-dependent one. A long list of contributions from the theory and experimental (ATLAS, CMS, LHCb) communities have been collected and merged together to give a complete, wide, and consistent view of future prospects for BSM physics at the considered colliders. On top of the usual standard candles, such as supersymmetric simplified models and resonances, considered for the evaluation of future collider potentials, this report contains results on dark matter and dark sectors, long lived particles, leptoquarks, sterile neutrinos, axion-like particles, heavy scalars, vector-like quarks, and more. Particular attention is placed, especially in the study of the HL-LHC prospects, to the detector upgrades, the assessment of the future systematic uncertainties, and new experimental techniques. The general conclusion is that the HL-LHC, on top of allowing to extend the present LHC mass and coupling reach by on most new physics scenarios, will also be able to constrain, and potentially discover, new physics that is presently unconstrained. Moreover, compared to the HL-LHC, the reach in most observables will, generally more than double at the HE-LHC, which may represent a good candidate future facility for a final test of TeV-scale new physics
Anomalies in Gravitational-Lensed Images Revealing Einstein Rings Modulated by Wavelike Dark Matter
International audienceElucidating the nature of Dark Matter (DM), which does not interact with light and which interacts with known matter primarily or only through gravity, is one of the principal quests in physics. Leading candidates for DM are weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) or ultralight bosons (axions), at opposite extremes in mass scales, that have been postulated by competing theories to solve deficiencies in the Standard Model of particle physics. Whereas DM WIMPs behave like discrete particles (DM), quantum interference between DM axions is manifested as waves (DM). Here, we show that gravitational lensing leaves signatures in multiply-lensed images of background galaxies that reveal whether the foreground lensing galaxy inhabits a DM or DM halo. Whereas DM lens models leave well documented anomalies between the predicted and observed brightnesses and positions of multiply-lensed images, DM lens models correctly predict the level of anomalies left over by DM lens models. More challengingly, when subjected to a battery of tests for reproducing the quadruply-lensed triplet images in the system HS 0810+2554, DM is able to reproduce all aspects of this system whereas DM often fails. The growing success of DM in reproducing astrophysical observations tilt the balance toward new physics invoking axions
Epigenetic inactivation of T-box transcription factor 5, a novel tumor suppressor gene, is associated with colon cancer
T-box transcription factor 5 (TBX5) is a member of a phylogenetically conserved family of genes involved in the regulation of developmental processes. The function of TBX5 in cancer development is largely unclear. We identified that TBX5 was preferentially methylated in cancer using methylation-sensitive arbitrarily primed PCR. We aim to clarify the epigenetic inactivation, biological function and clinical significance of TBX5 in colon cancer. Promoter methylation was evaluated by combined bisulfite restriction analysis and bisulfite genomic sequencing. Cell proliferation was examined by cell viability assay and colony formation assay, apoptosis by flow cytometry and cell migration by wound-healing assay. TBX5 target genes were identified by cDNA microarray analysis. Cox regression model and log-rank test were used to identify independent predictors of prognosis. TBX5 was silenced or downregulated in 88% (7/8) colon cancer cell lines, but was expressed in normal colon tissues. Loss of gene expression was associated with promoter methylation. The biological function of TBX5 in human colon cancer cells was examined. Re-expression of TBX5 in silenced colon cancer cell lines suppressed colony formation (P<0.001), proliferation (P<0.001), migration and induced apoptosis (P<0.01). Induction of apoptosis was mediated through cross-talk of extrinsic apoptosis pathway, apoptotic BCL2-associated X protein and Granzyme A signaling cascades. TBX5 suppressed tumor cell proliferation and metastasis through the upregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A, metastasis suppressor 1 and downregulation of synuclein gamma and metastasis-associated protein 1 family member 2. TBX5 methylation was detected in 68% (71/105) of primary colon tumors. Multivariate analysis showed that patients with TBX5 methylation had a significantly poor overall survival (P=0.0007). In conclusion, we identified a novel functional tumor suppressor gene TBX5 inactivated by promoter methylation in colon cancer. Detection of methylated TBX5 may serve as a potential biomarker for the prognosis of this malignancy. © 2010 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex