853 research outputs found
The XMM-LSS survey: the Class 1 cluster sample over the extended 11 deg and its spatial distribution
This paper presents 52 X-ray bright galaxy clusters selected within the 11
deg XMM-LSS survey. 51 of them have spectroscopic redshifts
(), one is identified at , and all together make
the high-purity "Class 1" (C1) cluster sample of the XMM-LSS, the highest
density sample of X-ray selected clusters with a monitored selection function.
Their X-ray fluxes, averaged gas temperatures (median keV),
luminosities (median ergs/s) and total mass
estimates (median ) are measured, adapting to
the specific signal-to-noise regime of XMM-LSS observations. The redshift
distribution of clusters shows a deficit of sources when compared to the
cosmological expectations, regardless of whether WMAP-9 or Planck-2013 CMB
parameters are assumed. This lack of sources is particularly noticeable at . However, after quantifying uncertainties due to small
number statistics and sample variance we are not able to put firm (i.e. ) constraints on the presence of a large void in the cluster
distribution. We work out alternative hypotheses and demonstrate that a
negative redshift evolution in the normalization of the relation
(with respect to a self-similar evolution) is a plausible explanation for the
observed deficit. We confirm this evolutionary trend by directly studying how
C1 clusters populate the space, properly accounting for selection
biases. We point out that a systematically evolving, unresolved, central
component in clusters and groups (AGN contamination or cool core) can impact
the classification as extended sources and be partly responsible for the
observed redshift distribution.[abridged]Comment: 33 pages, 21 figures, 3 tables ; accepted for publication in MNRA
A comprehensive picture of baryons in groups and clusters of galaxies
(Abridged) Based on XMM-Newton, Chandra and SDSS data, we investigate the
baryon distribution in groups and clusters and its use as a cosmological
constraint. For this, we considered a sample of 123 systems, with total masses
in the mass range M500 = ~ 10^13 - 4 x 10^15 h_70^-1 Msun.
The gas masses and total masses are derived from X-ray data under the
assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium and spherical symmetry. The stellar
masses are based on SDSS-DR8 data. For the 37 systems out of 123 that had both
optical and X-ray data available, we investigated the gas, stellar and total
baryon mass fractions inside r2500 and r500, and the differential gas mass
fraction within the spherical annulus between r2500 and r500, as a function of
total mass. For the other objects, we investigated the gas mass fraction only.
We find that the gas mass fraction inside r2500 and r500 depends on the total
mass.
However, the differential gas mass fraction does not show any dependence on
total mass for systems with M500 > 10^14 Msun. We find that the total baryonic
content increases with cluster mass. This led us to investigate the
contribution of the ICL to the total baryon budget for lower mass systems, but
we find that it cannot account for the difference observed. The gas mass
fraction dependence on total mass observed for groups and clusters could be due
to the difficulty of low-mass systems to retain gas inside the inner region.
Due to their shallower potential well, non-thermal processes are more effective
in expelling the gas from their central regions outwards. Since the
differential gas mass fraction is nearly constant it provides better
constraints for cosmology.
Using our total f_b estimates, our results imply 0.17 < Omega_m < 0.55.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A; 16 pages, 9 figures, 1 tabl
X-MAS2: Study Systematics on the ICM Metallicity Measurements
(Abridged)The X-ray measurements of the ICM metallicity are becoming more
frequent due to the availability of powerful X-ray telescope with excellent
spatial and spectral resolutions. The information which can be extracted from
the measurements of the alpha-elements, like Oxygen, Magnesium and Silicon with
respect to the Iron abundance is extremely important to better understand the
stellar formation and its evolutionary history. In this paper we investigate
possible source of bias connected to the plasma physics when recovering metal
abundances from X-ray spectra. To do this we analyze 6 simulated galaxy
clusters processed through the new version of our X-ray MAp Simulator, which
allows to create mock XMM-Newton EPIC MOS1 and MOS2 observations. By comparing
the spectroscopic results to the input values we find that: i) Fe is recovered
with high accuracy for both hot (T>3 keV) and cold (T<2 keV) systems; at
intermediate temperatures, however, we find a systematic overestimate which
depends on the number counts; ii) O is well recovered in cold clusters, while
in hot systems its measure may overestimate by a factor up to 2-3; iii) Being a
weak line, the measurement of Mg is always difficult; despite of this, for cold
systems (T<2 keV) we do not find any systematic behavior, while for very hot
systems (T>5 keV) the spectroscopic measurement may be strongly overestimated
up to a factor of 4; iv) Si is well recovered for all the clusters in our
sample. We investigate in detail the nature of the systematic effects and
biases found. We conclude that they are mainly connected with the
multi-temperature nature of the projected observed spectra and to the intrinsic
limitation of the XMM-Newton EPIC spectral resolution that does not always
allow to disentangle among the emission lines produced by different elements.Comment: (e.g.: 17 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in the
Astrophysical Journal, updated discussion to match published version-new
section:6.3
The XXL Survey X: K-band luminosity - weak-lensing mass relation for groups and clusters of galaxies
We present the K-band luminosity-halo mass relation, ,
for a subsample of 20 of the 100 brightest clusters in the XXL Survey observed
with WIRCam at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT). For the first time,
we have measured this relation via weak-lensing analysis down to . This allows us to investigate whether the slope
of the relation is different for groups and clusters, as seen in other
works. The clusters in our sample span a wide range in mass, , at . The K-band luminosity
scales as with and an
intrinsic scatter of . Combining our
sample with some clusters in the Local Cluster Substructure Survey (LoCuSS)
present in the literature, we obtain a slope of and an
intrinsic scatter of . The flattening in the seen
in previous works is not seen here and might be a result of a bias in the mass
measurement due to assumptions on the dynamical state of the systems. We also
study the richness-mass relation and find that group-sized halos have more
galaxies per unit halo mass than massive clusters. However, the brightest
cluster galaxy (BCG) in low-mass systems contributes a greater fraction to the
total cluster light than BCGs do in massive clusters; the luminosity gap
between the two brightest galaxies is more prominent for group-sized halos.
This result is a natural outcome of the hierarchical growth of structures,
where massive galaxies form and gain mass within low-mass groups and are
ultimately accreted into more massive clusters to become either part of the BCG
or one of the brighter galaxies. [Abridged]Comment: A&A, in pres
Improved ventricular function during inhalation of PGI(2) aerosol partly relies on enhanced myocardial contractility
Inhaled prostacyclin (PGI(2)) aerosol induces selective pulmonary vasodilation. Further, it improves right ventricular ( RV) function, which may largely rely on pulmonary vasodilation, but also on enhanced myocardial contractility. We investigated the effects of the inhaled PGI(2) analogs epoprostenol (EPO) and iloprost (ILO) on RV function and myocardial contractility in 9 anesthetized pigs receiving aerosolized EPO (25 and 50 ng center dot kg(-1) center dot min(-1)) and, consecutively, ILO (60 ng center dot kg(-1) center dot min(-1)) for 20 min each. We measured pulmonary artery pressure ( PAP), RV ejection fraction (RVEF) and RV end-diastolic-volume (RV-EDV), and left ventricular end-systolic pressure-volume-relation (end-systolic elastance, E-es). EPO and ILO reduced PAP, increased RVEF and reduced RVEDV. E-es was enhanced during all doses tested, which reached statistical significance during EPO25ng and ILO, but not during EPO50ng. PGI(2) aerosol enhances myocardial contractility in healthy pigs, contributing to improve RV function. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel
Pathways between childhood victimization and psychosis-like symptoms in the ALSPAC Birth Cohort
Background: Several large population-based studies have demonstrated associations between adverse childhood experiences and later development of psychotic symptoms. However, little attention has been paid to the mechanisms involved in this pathway and the few existing studies have relied on cross-sectional assessments. Methods: Prospective data on 6692 children from the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were used to address this issue. Mothers reported on children’s exposure to harsh parenting and domestic violence in early childhood, and children self-reported on bullying victimization prior to 8.5 years. Presence of children’s anxiety at 10 years and their depressive symptoms at 9 and 11 years were ascertained from mothers, and children completed assessments of self-esteem and locus of control at 8.5 years. Children were interviewed regarding psychotic symptoms at a mean age of 12.9 years. Multiple mediation analysis was performed to examine direct and indirect effects of each childhood adversity on psychotic symptoms. Results: The association between harsh parenting and psychotic symptoms was fully mediated by anxiety, depressive symptoms, external locus of control, and low self-esteem. Bullying victimization and exposure to domestic violence had their associations with psychotic symptoms partially mediated by anxiety, depression, locus of control, and self-esteem. Similar results were obtained following adjustment for a range of confounders and when analyses were conducted for boys and girls separately. Conclusions: These findings tentatively suggest that specific cognitive and affective difficulties in childhood could be targeted to minimize the likelihood of adolescents exposed to early trauma from developing psychotic symptoms
Adjuvant treatment in colorectal cancer
British Journal of Cancer (2002) 86, 1525–1526. DOI: 10.1038/sj/bjc/6600280 www.bjcancer.co
Nutrition Strategies for Triathlon
Contemporary sports nutrition guidelines recommend that each athlete develop a personalised, periodised and practical approach to eating that allows him or her to train hard, recover and adapt optimally, stay free of illness and injury and compete at their best at peak races. Competitive triathletes undertake a heavy training programme to prepare for three different sports while undertaking races varying in duration from 20 min to 10 h. The everyday diet should be adequate in energy availability, provide CHO in varying amounts and timing around workouts according to the benefits of training with low or high CHO availability and spread high-quality protein over the day to maximise the adaptive response to each session. Race nutrition requires a targeted and well-practised plan that maintains fuel and hydration goals over the duration of the specific event, according to the opportunities provided by the race and other challenges, such as a hot environment. Supplements and sports foods can make a small contribution to a sports nutrition plan, when medical supplements are used under supervision to prevent/treat nutrient deficiencies (e.g. iron or vitamin D) or when sports foods provide a convenient source of nutrients when it is impractical to eat whole foods. Finally, a few evidence-based performance supplements may contribute to optimal race performance when used according to best practice protocols to suit the triathlete’s goals and individual responsiveness
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