Comment on Article by Ferreira and Gamerman

A utility-function approach to optimal spatial sampling design is a powerful way to quantify what "optimality" means. The emphasis then should be to capture all possible contributions to utility, including scientific impact and the cost of sampling. The resulting sampling plan should contain a component of designed randomness that would allow for a non-parametric design-based analysis if model-based assumptions were in doubt. [arXiv:1509.03410]Comment: Published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/15-BA944B in the Bayesian Analysis (http://projecteuclid.org/euclid.ba) by the International Society of Bayesian Analysis (http://bayesian.org/

Secular Behavior of Exoplanets: Self-Consistency and Comparisons with the Planet-Planet Scattering Hypothesis

If mutual gravitational scattering among exoplanets occurs, then it may produce unique orbital properties. For example, two-planet systems that lie near the boundary between circulation and libration of their periapses could result if planet-planet scattering ejected a former third planet quickly, leaving one planet on an eccentric orbit and the other on a circular orbit. We first improve upon previous work that examined the apsidal behavior of known multiplanet systems by doubling the sample size and including observational uncertainties. This analysis recovers previous results that demonstrated that many systems lay on the apsidal boundary between libration and circulation. We then performed over 12,000 three-dimensional N-body simulations of hypothetical three-body systems that are unstable, but stabilize to two-body systems after an ejection. Using these synthetic two-planet systems, we test the planet-planet scattering hypothesis by comparing their apsidal behavior, over a range of viewing angles, to that of the observed systems and find that they are statistically consistent regardless of the multiplicity of the observed systems. Finally, we combine our results with previous studies to show that, from the sampled cases, the most likely planetary mass function prior to planet-planet scattering follows a power law with index -1.1. We find that this pre-scattering mass function predicts a mutual inclination frequency distribution that follows an exponential function with an index between -0.06 and -0.1.Comment: 29 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in A

A dynamical perspective on additional planets in 55 Cancri

Five planets are known to orbit the star 55 Cancri. The recently-discovered planet f at 0.78 AU (Fischer et al. 2008) is located at the inner edge of a previously-identified stable zone that separates the three close-in planets from planet d at 5.9 AU. Here we map the stability of the orbital space between planets f and d using a suite of n-body integrations that include an additional, yet-to-be-discovered planet g with a radial velocity amplitude of 5 m/s (planet mass = 0.5-1.2 Saturn masses). We find a large stable zone extending from 0.9 to 3.8 AU at eccentricities below 0.4. For each system we quantify the probability of detecting planets b-f on their current orbits given perturbations from hypothetical planet g, in order to further constrain the mass and orbit of an additional planet. We find that large perturbations are associated with specific mean motion resonances (MMRs) with planets f and d. We show that two MMRs, 3f:1g (the 1:3 MMR between planets g and f) and 4g:1d cannot contain a planet g. The 2f:1g MMR is unlikely to contain a planet more massive than about 20 Earth masses. The 3g:1d and 5g:2d MMRs could contain a resonant planet but the resonant location is strongly confined. The 3f:2g, 2g:1d and 3g:2d MMRs exert a stabilizing influence and could contain a resonant planet. Furthermore, we show that the stable zone may in fact contain 2-3 additional planets, if they are ~50 Earth masses each. Finally, we show that any planets exterior to planet d must reside beyond 10 AU.Comment: ApJ, in pres

Effet des Substrats à Base de Déchets Sylvicoles et Gricoles sur la Croissance et le Développement des Semis de Terminalia Invorensis en Pépinière Forestière à Daloa (Centre Ouest de la Côte D’ivoire)

Cet article présente les résultats d’un essai conduit au niveau de la ferme expérimentale de l’université jean Lorougnon guède de Daloa visant la production et l’évaluation des caractéristiques agronomiques du compost à base de déchets sylvicoles (sciure de bois) et agricoles (coque de café, coque de cacao, bouse de vache et fiente poulet) pour la production de plants de Terminalia ivorensis. A cet effet, après élaboration du compost, quatre substrats à base de compost et un témoin à base de terre local ont été confectionnés, caractérisés du point de vue physique et chimique et mis à l’essai en pépinière. Les plants étaient suivis à travers les mesure des paramètres de croissance végétale (la hauteur et le diamètre des tiges, le nombre de feuilles, la surface foliaire). Les résultats obtenus montrent que les déchets sylvicoles et agricole présente une bonne aptitude au compostage, son compost peut être facilement produit avec ou sans stimulateur. Le comportement des plants des cinq substrats montre par ailleurs, que des améliorations qualitatives significatives ont été enregistrées chez les plants élevés dans les substrats à base de compost par rapport aux plants du témoin. Les plants élevés dans le compost affichent des gains significatifs de croissance allant de 37,57 à 100 % en hauteur, de 16,8 à 100 % en diamètre. Il est donc possible d’améliorer la qualité des plants de Terminalia ivorensis grâce à l’utilisation de compost de déchets sylvicoles et agricoles comme substrat de culture en remplacement de substrat minéral (terre local)

Effet des Substrats à Base de Déchets Sylvicoles et Agricoles Sur la Croissance des Semis de Terminalia ivorensis A. Chev en Pépinière Forestière en Côte d’Ivoire

Cet article présente les résultats d’un essai conduit au niveau de la ferme expérimentale de l’Université Jean Lorougnon guédé de Daloa visant la production et l’évaluation des caractéristiques agronomiques du compost à base de déchets sylvicoles (broyat de branche de pterygota bequaertii) et agricoles (coque de café, coque de cacao, bouse de vache et fiente poulet) pour la production de plants de Terminalia ivorensis. A cet effet, après élaboration du compost, quatre substrats à base de compost et un témoin à base de terre local ont été confectionnés, caractérisés du point de vue physique et chimique et mis à l’essai en pépinière. Les plants étaient suivis à travers les mesures des paramètres de croissance végétale (la hauteur et le diamètre des tiges, le nombre de feuilles, la surface foliaire). Les résultats obtenus montrent que les déchets sylvicoles et agricoles présentent une bonne aptitude au compostage, son compost peut être facilement produit avec ou sans stimulateur. Le comportement des plants des cinq substrats montre par ailleurs, que des améliorations qualitatives significatives ont été enregistrées chez les plants élevés dans les substrats à base de compost par rapport aux plants du témoin. Les plants élevés dans le compost affichent des gains significatifs de croissance allant de 37,57 à 100 % en hauteur, de 16,8 à 100 % en diamètre. Il est donc possible d’améliorer la qualité des plants de Terminalia ivorensis grâce à l’utilisation de compost de déchets sylvicoles et agricoles comme substrat de culture en remplacement de substrat minéral (terre local).   This article presents the results of a trial conducted at the experimental farm of the Jean Lorougnon Guède University of Daloa aimed at the production and evaluation of the agronomic characteristics of compost made forestry (sawdust) and agricultural wast (coffee shell, cocoa shell, cow dung and chicken droppings) for the production of Terminalia ivorensis seedlings. Four composts based growing media and a control made of local soil were made, physically and chemically characterized and used for seedlings production in nursery according to a three block design. Plants were followed through of the plant growth parameters (stem height and diameter, number of leaves, leaf area).  The results obtained show that forestry and agricultural waste has a good ability for composting, its compost can be easily produced with or without stimulator. The behaviour of the plants of the five substrates also shows that significant qualitative improvements were recorded in the plants reared in the compost-based substrates compared to the control plants. Seedlings supplied by compost based growing media showed significant growth gains ranging from 37,57 % to 100 % in height, 16,8 % to 100 % in diameter. It is therefore possible to improve the quality of Terminalia ivorensis plants through the use of compost from forestry and agricultural waste as a growing medium in replacement of mineral substrate (local soil)

Effet des Substrats à Base de Déchets Sylvicoles et Gricoles sur la Croissance et le Développement des Semis de Terminalia Invorensis en Pépinière Forestière à Daloa (Centre Ouest de la Côte D’ivoire)

Cet article présente les résultats d’un essai conduit au niveau de la ferme expérimentale de l’université jean Lorougnon guède de Daloa visant la production et l’évaluation des caractéristiques agronomiques du compost à base de déchets sylvicoles (sciure de bois) et agricoles (coque de café, coque de cacao, bouse de vache et fiente poulet) pour la production de plants de Terminalia ivorensis. A cet effet, après élaboration du compost, quatre substrats à base de compost et un témoin à base de terre local ont été confectionnés, caractérisés du point de vue physique et chimique et mis à l’essai en pépinière. Les plants étaient suivis à travers les mesure des paramètres de croissance végétale (la hauteur et le diamètre des tiges, le nombre de feuilles, la surface foliaire). Les résultats obtenus montrent que les déchets sylvicoles et agricole présente une bonne aptitude au compostage, son compost peut être facilement produit avec ou sans stimulateur. Le comportement des plants des cinq substrats montre par ailleurs, que des améliorations qualitatives significatives ont été enregistrées chez les plants élevés dans les substrats à base de compost par rapport aux plants du témoin. Les plants élevés dans le compost affichent des gains significatifs de croissance allant de 37,57 à 100 % en hauteur, de 16,8 à 100 % en diamètre. Il est donc possible d’améliorer la qualité des plants de Terminalia ivorensis grâce à l’utilisation de compost de déchets sylvicoles et agricoles comme substrat de culture en remplacement de substrat minéral (terre local)

Shannon Snow, soprano; Paul Feaver, tenor; Leslee Heys, piano; Katie Fang, piano

Shannon Snow, soprano; Paul Feaver, tenor; Leslee Heys, piano; Katie Fang, pianoShannon Snow et al: presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for Music 440B. -- Katie Fang: presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for Music 345B

Whole genome sequencing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis reveals slow growth and low mutation rates during latent infections in humans

Very little is known about the growth and mutation rates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis during latent infection in humans. However, studies in rhesus macaques have suggested that latent infections have mutation rates that are higher than that observed during active tuberculosis disease. Elevated mutation rates are presumed risk factors for the development of drug resistance. Therefore, the investigation of mutation rates during human latency is of high importance. We performed whole genome mutation analysis of M. tuberculosis isolates from a multi-decade tuberculosis outbreak of the New Zealand Rangipo strain. We used epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis to identify four cases of tuberculosis acquired from the same index case. Two of the tuberculosis cases occurred within two years of exposure and were classified as recently transmitted tuberculosis. Two other cases occurred more than 20 years after exposure and were classified as reactivation of latent M. tuberculosis infections. Mutation rates were compared between the two recently transmitted pairs versus the two latent pairs. Mean mutation rates assuming 20 hour generation times were 5.5X10⁻¹⁰ mutations/bp/generation for recently transmitted tuberculosis and 7.3X10⁻¹¹ mutations/bp/generation for latent tuberculosis. Generation time versus mutation rate curves were also significantly higher for recently transmitted tuberculosis across all replication rates (p = 0.006). Assuming identical replication and mutation rates among all isolates in the final two years before disease reactivation, the u20hr mutation rate attributable to the remaining latent period was 1.6×10⁻¹¹ mutations/bp/generation, or approximately 30 fold less than that calculated during the two years immediately before disease. Mutations attributable to oxidative stress as might be caused by bacterial exposure to the host immune system were not increased in latent infections. In conclusion, we did not find any evidence to suggest elevated mutation rates during tuberculosis latency in humans, unlike the situation in rhesus macaques

Vitamin D, innate immunity and outcomes in community acquired pneumonia

We investigated the associations between vitamin D status, the antimicrobial peptides cathelicidin and beta defensin-2 and outcomes in community acquired pneumonia. In hospitalised patients with community acquired pneumonia, vitamin D deficiency but not antimicrobial peptide levels were associated with increased 30-day mortality. Vitamin D was not associated with levels of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin or beta defensin-2

Hispanics and Affirmative Action

A look at the effect of Affirmative Action programs on the advancement of the Hispanic Minority, the views of Hispanics toward the program, and specific Hispanic groups working alongside the cause