30,004 research outputs found
Web-based Gene Pathogenicity Analysis (WGPA): a web platform to interpret gene pathogenicity from personal genome data
UNLABELLED: As the volume of patient-specific genome sequences increases the focus of biomedical research is switching from the detection of disease-mutations to their interpretation. To this end a number of techniques have been developed that use mutation data collected within a population to predict whether individual genes are likely to be disease-causing or not. As both sequence data and associated analysis tools proliferate, it becomes increasingly difficult for the community to make sense of these data and their implications. Moreover, no single analysis tool is likely to capture all relevant genomic features that contribute to the gene's pathogenicity. Here, we introduce Web-based Gene Pathogenicity Analysis (WGPA), a web-based tool to analyze genes impacted by mutations and rank them through the integration of existing prioritization tools, which assess different aspects of gene pathogenicity using population-level sequence data. Additionally, to explore the polygenic contribution of mutations to disease, WGPA implements gene set enrichment analysis to prioritize disease-causing genes and gene interaction networks, therefore providing a comprehensive annotation of personal genomes data in disease. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: wgpa.systems-genetics.net
History state formalism for Dirac's theory
We propose a history state formalism for a Dirac particle. By introducing a
reference quantum clock system it is first shown that Dirac's equation can be
derived by enforcing a timeless Wheeler-DeWitt-like equation for a global
state. The Hilbert space of the whole system constitutes a unitary
representation of the Lorentz group with respect to a properly defined
invariant product, and the proper normalization of global states directly
ensures standard Dirac's norm. Moreover, by introducing a second quantum clock,
the previous invariant product emerges naturally from a generalized continuity
equation. The invariant parameter associated with this second clock
labels history states for different particles, yielding an observable evolution
in the case of an hypothetical superposition of different masses. Analytical
expressions for both space-time density and electron-time entanglement are
provided for two particular families of electron's states, the former including
Pryce localized particles.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, final versio
The rotation rates of massive stars: How slow are the slow ones?
Context: Rotation plays a key role in the life cycles of stars with masses
above 8 Msun. Hence, accurate knowledge of the rotation rates of such massive
stars is critical for understanding their properties and for constraining
models of their evolution. Aims: This paper investigates the reliability of
current methods used to derive projected rotation speeds v sin i from
line-broadening signatures in the photospheric spectra of massive stars,
focusing on stars that are not rapidly rotating. Methods: We use slowly
rotating magnetic O-stars with well-determined rotation periods to test the
Fourier transform (FT) and goodness-of-fit (GOF) methods typically used to
infer projected rotation rates of massive stars. Results: For our two magnetic
test stars with measured rotation periods longer than one year, i.e., with v
sin i < 1 km/s, we derive v sin i ~ 40-50 km/s from both the FT and GOF
methods. These severe overestimates are most likely caused by an insufficient
treatment of the competing broadening mechanisms referred to as microturbulence
and macroturbulence. Conclusions: These findings warn us not to rely
uncritically on results from current standard techniques to derive projected
rotation speeds of massive stars in the presence of significant additional line
broadening, at least when v sin i <~ 50 km/s. This may, for example, be crucial
for i) determining the statistical distribution of observed rotation rates of
massive stars, ii) interpreting the evolutionary status and spin-down histories
of rotationally braked B-supergiants, and iii) explaining the deficiency of
observed O-stars with spectroscopically inferred v sin i ~ 0 km/s. Further
investigations of potential shortcomings of the above techniques are presently
under way.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in A&A Letter
Internal kinematic and physical properties in a BCD galaxy: Haro 15 in detail
We present a detailed study of the kinematic and physical properties of the
ionized gas in multiple knots of the blue compact dwarf galaxy Haro 15. Using
echelle and long slit spectroscopy data, obtained with different instruments at
Las Campanas Observatory, we study the internal kinematic and physical
conditions (electron density and temperature), ionic and total chemical
abundances of several atoms, reddening and ionization structure. Applying
direct and empirical methods for abundance determination, we perform a
comparative analysis between these regions and in their different components.
On the other hand, our echelle spectra show complex kinematics in several
conspicuous knots within the galaxy. To perform an in-depth 2D spectroscopic
study we complete this work with high spatial and spectral resolution
spectroscopy using the Integral Field Unit mode on the Gemini Multi-Object
Spectrograph instrument at the Gemini South telescope. With these data we are
able to resolve the complex kinematical structure within star forming knots in
Haro 15 galaxy.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, IX Scientific Meeting of the Spanish Astronomical
Society held on September 13-17, 2010, in Madrid, Spai
Book Review: Waiting for Jose: The Minutemen’s Pursuit of America
Book Review: Waiting for Jose: The Minutemen’s Pursuit of America Harel Shapira 2013 Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press 152 pages Hardcover: $25.16 ISBN: 978-0-691-15215-
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