A VLT/FORS2 Multi-Slit Search for Lyman-alpha Emitting Galaxies at z~6.5

We present results from a deep spectroscopic search in the 9150A atmospheric window for z~6.5 Lyman-alpha emitting galaxies using the VLT/FORS2. Our multi-slit+narrow-band filter survey covers a total spatial area of 17.6 sq. arcmin in four different fields and reaches fluxes down to 5x10^(-18) erg/s/cm^2 (7 sigma detection). Our detection limit is significantly fainter than narrow-band searches at this redshift and fainter also than the unlensed brightness of Hu et al.'s HCM6A at z=6.56, and thus provides better overlap with surveys at much lower redshifts. Eighty secure emission line galaxies are detected. However, based on their clear continuum emission shortward of the line or the presence of multiple lines, none of these can be Ly-alpha emission at z~6.5. Our null result of finding no z~6.5 Ly-alpha emitters suggests that the number density of Ly-alpha emitters with L>2x10^(42) erg/s declines by ~2 between z~3 and z~6.5.Comment: accepted by ApJ Letters (originally submitted June 11, 2004

Nonvitamin, Nonmineral Dietary Supplement Use among Adults with Fibromyalgia: United States, 2007–2012

Background. Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a pain condition affecting 2–6% of US adults; effective treatment remains limited. Determinants of nonvitamin, nonmineral dietary supplement (NVNM) use among adults with FMS are not well-studied. We investigated the relation of NVNM use to FMS, and trends, in two nationally representative samples of US adults ≥18 years. Methods. Data were drawn from 2007 and 2012 National Health Interview Surveys (’s = 20127 and 30672, resp.). Logistic regression was used to examine associations of FMS to NVNM use (past 12 months) and evaluate potential modifying influences of gender and comorbidities. Multivariate models adjusted for sampling design, demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors. Results. FMS was significantly higher in 2012 than in 2007 (1.7% versus 1.3%), whereas NVNM use decreased (57% versus 41%; ). Adults reporting diagnosis were more likely to use NVNMs within 12 months, 30 days, or ever relative to adults without; positive associations remained significant after controlling for demographics, lifestyle characteristics, medical history, and other confounders (ranges: 2007 and 2012 AORs = 2.3–2.7; 1.5–1.6, resp.; ’s \u3c 0.0001).Conclusion. In this cross-sectional study of two national samples, NVNM use was strongly and positively associated with FMS, highlighting the need for further study

Potential Mediators between Fibromyalgia and C-Reactive protein: Results from a Large U.S. Community Survey.

Background: Fibromyalgia, a potentially debilitating chronic pain syndrome of unknown etiology, may be characterized by inflammation. In this study, we investigated the relation of FMS to serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in a large population of adults (18+) and investigated the influence of other factors on this relationship, including BMI, comorbidities, as well as mood and sleep disturbance. Methods: Participants were 52,535 Ohio Valley residents (Fibromyalgia n = 1125). All participants completed a comprehensive health survey (2005–2006) part of the C8 Health Project; serum levels of CRP were obtained, as was history of Fibromyalgia physician diagnosis. Logistic and linear regressions were used for this cross-sectional analysis. Results: Mean CRP was higher among participants reporting Fibromyalgia than those without (5.54 ± 9.8 vs.3.75 ± 7. 2 mg/L, p \u3c .0001)). CRP level showed a strong, positive association with FMS (unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for highest vs. lowest quartile = 2.5 (CI 2.1,3.0;p for trend \u3c .0001)); adjustment for demographic and lifestyle factors attenuated but did not eliminate this association (AOR for highest vs. lowest quartile = 1.4 (CI 1.1,1.6;p for trend \u3c .0001)). Further addition of body mass index (BMI) and comorbidities to the model markedly weakened this relationship (AORs, respectively, for highest vs lowest CRP quartile = 1.2 (CI 1.0,1.4) and 1.1 (CI 0.9,1.3). In contrast, inclusion of mood and sleep impairment only modestly reduced the adjusted risk estimate (AORs for highest vs. lowest quartile = 1.3 (CI 1.1,1.5) for each)). Conclusions: Findings from this large cross-sectional study indicate a significant positive cross-sectional association of Fibromyalgia to serum C-reactive protein may be explained, in part, by BMI and comorbidity. Prospective research is needed to confirm this, and clarify the potential mediating influence of obesity and comorbid conditions on this relationship

Extreme host galaxy growth in powerful early-epoch radio galaxies

During the first half of the universe's age, a heyday of star-formation must have occurred because many massive galaxies are in place after that epoch in cosmic history. Our observations with the revolutionary Herschel Space Observatory reveal vigorous optically obscured star-formation in the ultra-massive hosts of many powerful high-redshift 3C quasars and radio galaxies. This symbiotic occurrence of star-formation and black hole driven activity is in marked contrast to recent results dealing with Herschel observations of X-ray selected active galaxies. Three archetypal radio galaxies, at redshifts 1.132,1.575, and 2.474 are presented here, with inferred star-formation rates of hundreds of solar masses per year. A series of spectacular coeval AGN/starburst events may have formed these ultra-massive galaxies and their massive central black holes during their relatively short lifetimes.Comment: To appear in Astrophysical Journal Letter

On saturation effect for linear shape-preserving approximation in Sobolev spaces

Objectives Little is known about patterns and correlates of Complementary Health Approaches (CHAs) in chronic pain populations, particularly in rural, underserved communities. This article details the development and implementation of a new survey instrument designed to address this gap, the Complementary Health Approaches for Pain Survey (CHAPS). Design Following pilot-testing using pre-specified criteria to assess quality and comprehension in our target population, and after feedback regarding face-validity from content experts and stakeholders, the final cross-sectional self-report survey required 10–12 minutes to complete. It contained 69 demographic, lifestyle and health-related factors, and utilized a Transtheoretical Model (TTM) underpinning to assess short- and long-term use of 12 CHAs for pain management. Twenty additional items on pain severity, feelings, clinical outcomes, and activities were assessed using the Short-Form Global Pain Scale (SF-GPS); Internal reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Settings/location Investigators conducted consecutive sampling in four West Virginia pain management and rheumatology practices. Participants 301 Appalachian adult patients seeking conventional care for pain management. Results Response rates were high (88% ± 4.1%). High quality and comprehension deemed the CHAPS an appropriate measurement tool in a rural population with pain. Missing data were unrelated to patient characteristics. Participants predominantly experienced chronic pain (93%), had five or more health conditions (56%, Mean = 5.4±3.1), were white (92%), female (57%), and middle-aged (Mean = 55.6 (SD = 13.6) years). Over 40% were disabled (43%) and/or obese (44%, Mean BMI = 33.4±31.5). Additionally, 44% used opioids, 31% used other prescription medications, and 66% used at least one CHA for pain, with 48% using CHAs for greater than 6 months. There was high internal reliability of the SF-GPS (alpha = .93) and satisfactory internal reliability for each of the five TTM stages across (all) twelve CHAs: precontemplation (0.89), contemplation (0.72), preparation (0.75), action (0.70), and maintenance (0.70). Conclusions The CHAPS is the first comprehensive measurement tool to assess CHA use specifically for pain management. Ease of administration in a population with pain support further use in population- and clinic-based studies in similar populations

Identifying dynamically young galaxy groups via wide-angle tail galaxies: A case study in the COSMOS field at z=0.53

We present an analysis of a wide-angle tail (WAT) radio galaxy located in a galaxy group in the COSMOS field at a redshift of z=0.53 (hereafter CWAT-02). We find that the host galaxy of CWAT-02 is the brightest galaxy in the group, although it does not coincide with the center of mass of the system. Estimating a) the velocity of CWAT-02, relative to the intra-cluster medium (ICM), and b) the line-of-sight peculiar velocity of CWAT-02's host galaxy, relative to the average velocity of the group, we find that both values are higher than those expected for a dominant galaxy in a relaxed system. This suggests that CWAT-02's host group is dynamically young and likely in the process of an ongoing group merger. Our results are consistent with previous findings showing that the presence of a wide-angle tail galaxy in a galaxy group or cluster can be used as an indicator of dynamically young non-relaxed systems. Taking the unrelaxed state of CWAT-02's host group into account, we discuss the impact of radio-AGN heating from CWAT-02 onto its environment, in the context of the missing baryon problem in galaxy groups. Our analysis strengthens recent results suggesting that radio-AGN heating may be powerful enough to expel baryons from galaxy groups.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in Ap

Hartree-Fock Theory of Hole Stripe States

We report on Hartree-Fock theory results for stripe states of two-dimensional hole systems in quantum wells grown on GaAs (311)A substrates. We find that the stripe orientation energy has a rich dependence on hole density, and on in-plane field magnitude and orientation. Unlike the electron case, the orientation energy is non-zero for zero in-plane field, and the ground state orientation can be either parallel or perpendicular to a finite in-plane field. We predict an orientation reversal transition in in-plane fields applied along the $\lbrack\bar{2}33\rbrack$ direction.Comment: 5 pages including 4 figure

Nonvitamin, Nonmineral Dietary Supplement Use among Adults with Fibromyalgia: United States, 2007–2012

Background. Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a pain condition affecting 2–6% of US adults; effective treatment remains limited. Determinants of nonvitamin, nonmineral dietary supplement (NVNM) use among adults with FMS are not well-studied. We investigated the relation of NVNM use to FMS, and trends, in two nationally representative samples of US adults ≥18 years. Methods. Data were drawn from 2007 and 2012 National Health Interview Surveys (N’s = 20127 and 30672, resp.). Logistic regression was used to examine associations of FMS to NVNM use (past 12 months) and evaluate potential modifying influences of gender and comorbidities. Multivariate models adjusted for sampling design, demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors. Results. FMS was significantly higher in 2012 than in 2007 (1.7% versus 1.3%), whereas NVNM use decreased (57% versus 41%; p<0.0001). Adults reporting diagnosis were more likely to use NVNMs within 12 months, 30 days, or ever relative to adults without; positive associations remained significant after controlling for demographics, lifestyle characteristics, medical history, and other confounders (ranges: 2007 and 2012 AORs = 2.3–2.7; 1.5–1.6, resp.; p’s < 0.0001). Conclusion. In this cross-sectional study of two national samples, NVNM use was strongly and positively associated with FMS, highlighting the need for further study

The Luminosity-Metallicity Relation of distant luminous infrared galaxies

One hundred and five 15mu selected objects in three ISO deep survey fields (CFRS 3h, UDSR and UDSF) are studied on the basis of the high quality optical spectra with resolution R>1000 from VLT/FORS2. Ninety two objects (88%) have secure redshifts, ranging from 0 to 1.16 with a median value of 0.587. Considerable care is taken in estimating the extinction property of individual galaxy, which can seriously affect diagnostic diagrams and estimates of star formation rates and of metal abundances. Two independent methods have been adopted to estimate extinction, e.g. Balmer line ratio (A_V(Balmer)) and energy balance between IR and Hbeta luminosities (A_V(IR)). For most of the z>0.4 luminous IR galaxies (LIRGs), the two extinction coefficients are consistent well, with median values of A_V(IR) = 2.36. These distant LIRGs show many properties strikingly in common with those of local (IRAS) LIRGs studied by Veilleux et al. (1995). Our sample can provide a good representation of LIRGs in the distant Universe. Most (>77%) ISO 15mu selected sample galaxies are dominated by star formation. Oxygen abundances (12+log(O/H), derived from R23 and O32) in ISM in the distant LIRGs range from 8.36 to 8.93 with a median value of 8.67. Distant LIRGs present a metal content less than half of that of the local bright disks (i.e. L*). The Pegase2 models predict that total masses (gas + stars) of the distant LIRGs are from 10^{11} Msun to <=10^{12} Msun. A significant fraction of distant large disks are indeed LIRGs. Such massive disks could have formed ~50% of their metals and stellar masses since z~1.Comment: 20 pages, 9 PS figures, Accepted for publication in A&