232 research outputs found
Massive galaxies in cosmological simulations: UV-selected sample at redshift z=2
We study the properties of galaxies at z=2 in a Lambda CDM universe, using
two different types of hydrodynamic simulation methods (Eulerian TVD and SPH)
and a spectrophotometric analysis in the Un, G, R filter set. The simulated
galaxies at z=2 satisfy the color-selection criteria proposed by Adelberger et
al. (2004) when we assume Calzetti extinction with E(B-V)=0.15. We find that
the number density of simulated galaxies brighter than R<25.5 at z=2 is about
2e-2 h^3/Mpc^3, roughly one order of magnitude larger than that of Lyman break
galaxies at z=3. The most massive galaxies at z=2 have stellar masses >~1e11
Msun, and their observed-frame G-R colors lie in the range 0.0<G-R<1.0. They
typically have been continuously forming stars with a rate exceeding 30 Msun/yr
over a few Gyrs from z=10 to z=2, although the TVD simulation indicates a more
sporadic star formation history than the SPH simulations. Of order half of
their stellar mass was already assembled by z~4. The reddest massive galaxies
at z=2 with G-R >= 1.0 and Mstar>1e10 Msun/h finished the build-up of their
stellar mass by z~3. Interestingly, our study suggests that the majority of the
most massive galaxies at z=2 should be detectable at rest-frame UV wavelengths,
contrary to some recent claims made on the basis of near-IR studies of galaxies
at the same epoch, provided the median extinction is less than E(B-V)<0.3.
However, our results also suggest that the fraction of stellar mass contained
in galaxies that pass the color-selection criteria could be as low as 50% of
the total stellar mass in the Universe at z=2. Our simulations suggest that the
missing stellar mass is contained in fainter (R>25.5) and intrinsically redder
galaxies. Our results do not suggest that hierarchical galaxy formation fails
to account for the massive galaxies at z>=1. (abridged)Comment: 35 pages, 11 figures. Submitted to ApJ. Error in AB magnitude
calculation corrected. Higher resolution version available at
http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/~knagamine/redgal.ps.g
Robust, data-driven inference in non-linear cosmostatistics
We discuss two projects in non-linear cosmostatistics applicable to very
large surveys of galaxies. The first is a Bayesian reconstruction of galaxy
redshifts and their number density distribution from approximate, photometric
redshift data. The second focuses on cosmic voids and uses them to construct
cosmic spheres that allow reconstructing the expansion history of the Universe
using the Alcock-Paczynski test. In both cases we find that non-linearities
enable the methods or enhance the results: non-linear gravitational evolution
creates voids and our photo-z reconstruction works best in the highest density
(and hence most non-linear) portions of our simulations.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures. Talk given at "Statistical Challenges in Modern
Astronomy V," held at Penn Stat
Probing dark energy with cluster counts and cosmic shear power spectra: including the full covariance
(Abridged) Combining cosmic shear power spectra and cluster counts is
powerful to improve cosmological parameter constraints and/or test inherent
systematics. However they probe the same cosmic mass density field, if the two
are drawn from the same survey region, and therefore the combination may be
less powerful than first thought. We investigate the cross-covariance between
the cosmic shear power spectra and the cluster counts based on the halo model
approach, where the cross-covariance arises from the three-point correlations
of the underlying mass density field. Fully taking into account the
cross-covariance as well as non-Gaussian errors on the lensing power spectrum
covariance, we find a significant cross-correlation between the lensing power
spectrum signals at multipoles l~10^3 and the cluster counts containing halos
with masses M>10^{14}Msun. Including the cross-covariance for the combined
measurement degrades and in some cases improves the total signal-to-noise
ratios up to plus or minus 20% relative to when the two are independent. For
cosmological parameter determination, the cross-covariance has a smaller effect
as a result of working in a multi-dimensional parameter space, implying that
the two observables can be considered independent to a good approximation. We
also discuss that cluster count experiments using lensing-selected mass peaks
could be more complementary to cosmic shear tomography than mass-selected
cluster counts of the corresponding mass threshold. Using lensing selected
clusters with a realistic usable detection threshold (S/N~6 for a ground-based
survey), the uncertainty on each dark energy parameter may be roughly halved by
the combined experiments, relative to using the power spectra alone.Comment: 32 pages, 15 figures. Revised version, invited original contribution
to gravitational lensing focus issue, New Journal of Physic
Involvement of gut microbial fermentation in the metabolic alterations occurring in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids-depleted mice
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Backround</p> <p>Western diet is characterized by an insufficient n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) consumption which is known to promote the pathogenesis of several diseases. We have previously observed that mice fed with a diet poor in n-3 PUFA for two generations exhibit hepatic steatosis together with a decrease in body weight. The gut microbiota contributes to the regulation of host energy metabolism, due to symbiotic relationship with fermentable nutrients provided in the diet. In this study, we have tested the hypothesis that perturbations of the gut microbiota contribute to the metabolic alterations occurring in mice fed a diet poor in n-3 PUFA for two generations (n-3/- mice).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>C57Bl/6J mice fed with a control or an n-3 PUFA depleted diet for two generations were supplemented with prebiotic (inulin-type Fructooligosaccharides, FOS, 0.20 g/day/mice) during 24 days.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>n-3/-mice exhibited a marked drop in caecum weight, a decrease in lactobacilli and an increase in bifidobacteria in the caecal content as compared to control mice (n-3/+ mice). Dietary supplementation with FOS for 24 days was sufficient to increase caecal weight and bifidobacteria count in both n-3/+ and n-3/-mice. Moreover, FOS increased lactobacilli content in n-3/-mice, whereas it decreased their level in n-3/+ mice. Interestingly, FOS treatment promoted body weight gain in n-3/-mice by increasing energy efficiency. In addition, FOS treatment decreased fasting glycemia and lowered the higher expression of key factors involved in the fatty acid catabolism observed in the liver of n-3/-mice, without lessening steatosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>the changes in the gut microbiota composition induced by FOS are different depending on the type of diet. We show that FOS may promote lactobacilli and counteract the catabolic status induced by n-3 PUFA depletion in mice, thereby contributing to restore efficient fat storage.</p
The human somatostatin receptor type 2 as an imaging and suicide reporter gene for pluripotent stem cell-derived therapy of myocardial infarction
Rationale: Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are being investigated as a cell source for regenerative medicine since they provide an infinitive pool of cells that are able to differentiate towards every cell type of the body. One possible therapeutic application involves the use of these cells to treat myocardial infarction (MI), a condition where billions of cardiomyocytes (CMs) are lost. Although several protocols have been developed to differentiate PSCs towards CMs, none of these provide a completely pure population, thereby still posing a risk for neoplastic teratoma formation. Therefore, we developed a strategy to (i) monitor cell behavior noninvasively via site-specific integration of firefly luciferase (Fluc) and the human positron emission tomography (PET) imaging reporter genes, sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) and somatostatin receptor type 2 (hSSTr2), and (ii) perform hSSTr2-mediated suicide gene therapy via the clinically used radiopharmacon 177Lu-DOTATATE. Methods: Human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were gene-edited via zinc finger nucleases to express Fluc and either hNIS or hSSTr2 in the safe harbor locus, adeno-associated virus integration site 1. Firstly, these cells were exposed to 4.8 MBq 177Lu-DOTATATE in vitro and cell survival was monitored via bioluminescence imaging (BLI). Afterwards, hNIS+ and hSSTr2+ ESCs were transplanted subcutaneously and teratomas were allowed to form. At day 59, baseline 124I and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET and BLI scans were performed. The day after, animals received either saline or 55 MBq 177Lu-DOTATATE. Weekly BLI scans were performed, accompanied by 124I and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET scans at days 87 and 88, respectively. Finally, hSSTr2+ ESCs were differentiated towards CMs and transplanted intramyocardially in the border zone of an infarct that was induced by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. After transplantation, the animals were monitored via BLI and PET, while global cardiac function was evaluated using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Teratoma growth of both hNIS+ and hSSTr2+ ESCs could be followed noninvasively over time by both PET and BLI. After 177Lu-DOTATATE administration, successful cell killing of the hSSTr2+ ESCs was achieved both in vitro and in vivo, indicated by reductions in total tracer lesion uptake, BLI signal and teratoma volume. As undifferentiated hSSTr2+ ESCs are not therapeutically relevant, they were differentiated towards CMs and injected in immune-deficient mice with a MI. Long-term cell survival could be monitored without uncontrolled cell proliferation. However, no improvement in the left ventricular ejection fraction was observed.Conclusion: We developed isogenic hSSTr2-expressing ESCs that allow noninvasive cell monitoring in the context of PSC-derived regenerative therapy. Furthermore, we are the first to use the hSSTr2 not only as an imaging reporter gene, but also as a suicide mechanism for radionuclide therapy in the setting of PSC-derived cell treatment
ZOBOV: a parameter-free void-finding algorithm
ZOBOV (ZOnes Bordering On Voidness) is an algorithm that finds density
depressions in a set of points, without any free parameters, or assumptions
about shape. It uses the Voronoi tessellation to estimate densities, which it
uses to find both voids and subvoids. It also measures probabilities that each
void or subvoid arises from Poisson fluctuations. This paper describes the
ZOBOV algorithm, and the results from its application to the dark-matter
particles in a region of the Millennium Simulation. Additionally, the paper
points out an interesting high-density peak in the probability distribution of
dark-matter particle densities.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, MNRAS, accepted. Added explanatory figures, and
better edge-detection methods. ZOBOV code available at
http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~neyrinck/vobo
Looking the void in the eyes - the kSZ effect in LTB models
As an alternative explanation of the dimming of distant supernovae it has
recently been advocated that we live in a special place in the Universe near
the centre of a large void described by a Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi (LTB) metric.
The Universe is no longer homogeneous and isotropic and the apparent late time
acceleration is actually a consequence of spatial gradients in the metric. If
we did not live close to the centre of the void, we would have observed a
Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) dipole much larger than that allowed by
observations. Hence, until now it has been argued, for the model to be
consistent with observations, that by coincidence we happen to live very close
to the centre of the void or we are moving towards it. However, even if we are
at the centre of the void, we can observe distant galaxy clusters, which are
off-centre. In their frame of reference there should be a large CMB dipole,
which manifests itself observationally for us as a kinematic Sunyaev-Zeldovich
(kSZ) effect. kSZ observations give far stronger constraints on the LTB model
compared to other observational probes such as Type Ia Supernovae, the CMB, and
baryon acoustic oscillations. We show that current observations of only 9
clusters with large error bars already rule out LTB models with void sizes
greater than approximately 1.5 Gpc and a significant underdensity, and that
near future kSZ surveys like the Atacama Cosmology Telescope, South Pole
Telescope, APEX telescope, or the Planck satellite will be able to strongly
rule out or confirm LTB models with giga parsec sized voids. On the other hand,
if the LTB model is confirmed by observations, a kSZ survey gives a unique
possibility of directly reconstructing the expansion rate and underdensity
profile of the void.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figures, submitted to JCA
Phase-space structures II: Hierarchical Structure Finder
A new multi-dimensional Hierarchical Structure Finder (HSF) to study the
phase-space structure of dark matter in N-body cosmological simulations is
presented. The algorithm depends mainly on two parameters, which control the
level of connectivity of the detected structures and their significance
compared to Poisson noise. By working in 6D phase-space, where contrasts are
much more pronounced than in 3D position space, our HSF algorithm is capable of
detecting subhaloes including their tidal tails, and can recognise other
phase-space structures such as pure streams and candidate caustics. If an
additional unbinding criterion is added, the algorithm can be used as a
self-consistent halo and subhalo finder. As a test, we apply it to a large halo
of the Millennium Simulation, where 19 % of the halo mass are found to belong
to bound substructures, which is more than what is detected with conventional
3D substructure finders, and an additional 23-36 % of the total mass belongs to
unbound HSF structures. The distribution of identified phase-space density
peaks is clearly bimodal: high peaks are dominated by the bound structures and
low peaks belong mostly to tidal streams. In order to better understand what
HSF provides, we examine the time evolution of structures, based on the merger
tree history. Bound structures typically make only up to 6 orbits inside the
main halo. Still, HSF can identify at the present time at least 80 % of the
original content of structures with a redshift of infall as high as z <= 0.3,
which illustrates the significant power of this tool to perform dynamical
analyses in phase-space.Comment: Submitted to MNRAS, 24 pages, 18 figure
Gut microbiota-derived propionate reduces cancer cell proliferation in the liver
Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Prebiotic Effects of Wheat Arabinoxylan Related to the Increase in Bifidobacteria, Roseburia and Bacteroides/Prevotella in Diet-Induced Obese Mice
BACKGROUND: Alterations in the composition of gut microbiota--known as dysbiosis--has been proposed to contribute to the development of obesity, thereby supporting the potential interest of nutrients targeting the gut with beneficial effect for host adiposity. We test the ability of a specific concentrate of water-extractable high molecular weight arabinoxylans (AX) from wheat to modulate both the gut microbiota and lipid metabolism in high-fat (HF) diet-induced obese mice. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Mice were fed either a control diet (CT) or a HF diet, or a HF diet supplemented with AX (10% w/w) during 4 weeks. AX supplementation restored the number of bacteria that were decreased upon HF feeding, i.e. Bacteroides-Prevotella spp. and Roseburia spp. Importantly, AX treatment markedly increased caecal bifidobacteria content, in particular Bifidobacterium animalis lactis. This effect was accompanied by improvement of gut barrier function and by a lower circulating inflammatory marker. Interestingly, rumenic acid (C18:2 c9,t11) was increased in white adipose tissue due to AX treatment, suggesting the influence of gut bacterial metabolism on host tissue. In parallel, AX treatment decreased adipocyte size and HF diet-induced expression of genes mediating differentiation, fatty acid uptake, fatty acid oxidation and inflammation, and decreased a key lipogenic enzyme activity in the subcutaneous adipose tissue. Furthermore, AX treatment significantly decreased HF-induced adiposity, body weight gain, serum and hepatic cholesterol accumulation and insulin resistance. Correlation analysis reveals that Roseburia spp. and Bacteroides/Prevotella levels inversely correlate with these host metabolic parameters. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Supplementation of a concentrate of water-extractable high molecular weight AX in the diet counteracted HF-induced gut dysbiosis together with an improvement of obesity and lipid-lowering effects. We postulate that hypocholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity effects are related to changes in gut microbiota. These data support a role for wheat AX as interesting nutrients with prebiotic properties related to obesity prevention
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