2,229 research outputs found
The LGM surface climate and atmospheric circulation over East Asia and the North Pacific in the PMIP2 coupled model simulations
International audienceThe surface climate and atmospheric circulation over East Asia and the North Pacific at the last glacial maximum has been investigated using the outputs from several coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model in PMIP2 database. In boreal summer, the weakening of high pressure over the North Pacific and less precipitation over East Asia are analyzed in most models. The reduced moisture transport seems to result in the less precipitation over East Asia. In boreal winter, the intensification of the Aleutian low and southward shift of the upper-level jet are analyzed in most models. Some of these results are consistent with geological records such as pollen, lake status and dust transport
Critical dynamics of phase transition driven by dichotomous Markov noise
An Ising spin system under the critical temperature driven by a dichotomous
Markov noise (magnetic field) with a finite correlation time is studied both
numerically and theoretically. The order parameter exhibits a transition
between two kinds of qualitatively different dynamics, symmetry-restoring and
symmetry-breaking motions, as the noise intensity is changed.
There exist regions called channels where the order parameter stays for a
long time slightly above its critical noise intensity. Developing a
phenomenological analysis of the dynamics, we investigate the distribution of
the passage time through the channels and the power spectrum of the order
parameter evolution. The results based on the phenomenological analysis turn
out to be in quite good agreement with those of the numerical simulation.Comment: 27 pages, 12 figure
Emergence of patterns in driven and in autonomous spatiotemporal systems
The relationship between a driven extended system and an autonomous
spatiotemporal system is investigated in the context of coupled map lattice
models. Specifically, a locally coupled map lattice subjected to an external
drive is compared to a coupled map system with similar local couplings plus a
global interaction. It is shown that, under some conditions, the emergent
patterns in both systems are analogous. Based on the knowledge of the dynamical
responses of the driven lattice, we present a method that allows the prediction
of parameter values for the emergence of ordered spatiotemporal patterns in a
class of coupled map systems having local coupling and general forms of global
interactions.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figs, submitted to PRE (2002
High-Redshift Metals. II. Probing Reionization Galaxies with Low-Ionization Absorption Lines at Redshift Six
We present a survey for low-ionization metal absorption line systems towards
17 QSOs at redshifts z_em=5.8-6.4. Nine of our objects were observed at high
resolution with either Keck/HIRES or Magellan/MIKE, and the remainder at
moderate resolution with Keck/ESI. The survey spans 5.3 < z_abs < 6.4 and has a
pathlength interval \Delta X=39.5, or \Delta z=8.0. In total we detect ten
systems, five of which are new discoveries. The line-of-sight number density is
consistent with the combined number density at z~3 of DLAs and sub-DLAs, which
comprise the main population of low-ionization systems at lower redshifts. This
apparent lack of evolution may occur because low ionization systems are hosted
by lower-mass halos at higher redshifts, or because the mean cross section of
low-ionization gas at a given halo mass increases with redshift due to the
higher densities and lower ionizing background. The roughly constant number
density notably contrasts with the sharp decline at z > 5.3 in the number
density of highly-ionized systems traced by C IV. The low-ionization systems at
z~6 span a similar range of velocity widths as lower-redshift sub-DLAs but have
significantly weaker lines at a given width. This implies that the
mass-metallicity relation of the host galaxies evolves towards lower
metallicities at higher redshifts. These systems lack strong Si IV and C IV,
which are common among lower-redshift DLAs and sub-DLAs. This is consistent,
however, with a similar decrease in the metallicity of the low- and
high-ionization phases, and does not necessarily indicate a lack of nearby,
highly-ionized gas. The high number density of low-ionization systems at z~6
suggests that we may be detecting galaxies below the current limits of
i-dropout and Ly-alpha emission galaxy surveys. These systems may therefore be
the first direct probes of the `typical' galaxies responsible for hydrogen
reionization.Comment: 15 pages, 15 figures, submitted to Ap
Lyman-alpha emission galaxies at a redshift of z = 5.7 in the FORS Deep Field
We present the results of a search for Lyman-alpha emission galaxies at z~
5.7 in the FORS Deep Field. The objective of this study is to improve the faint
end of the luminosity function of high-redshift Lyman-alpha emitting galaxies
and to derive properties of intrinsically faint Lyman-alpha emission galaxies
in the young universe. Using FORS2 at the ESO VLT and a set of special
interference filters, we identified candidates for high-redshift Lyman-alpha
galaxies. We then used FORS2 in spectroscopic mode to verify the
identifications and to study their spectral properties. The narrow-band
photometry resulted in the detection of 15 likely Lyman-alpha emission
galaxies. Spectra with an adequate exposure time could be obtained for eight
galaxies. In all these cases the presence of Lyman-alpha emission at z = 5.7
was confirmed spectroscopically. The line fluxes of the 15 candidates range
between 3 and 16 * 10^-21 Wm^-2, which corresponds to star-formation rates not
corrected for dust between 1 and 5 Msun/yr. The luminosity function derived for
our photometrically identified objects extends the published luminosity
functions of intrinsically brighter Lyman-alpha galaxies. With this technique
the study of high-redshift Lyman-alpha emission galaxies can be extended to low
intrinsic luminosities.Comment: 9 pages, 17 figures. Accepted by A&A. PDF version with higher
resolution figures here:
http://www.lsw.uni-heidelberg.de/users/jheidt/fdf/pubs/fdflae5_7_110406.pd
The nature of z ~ 2.3 Lyman-alpha emitters
We study the multi-wavelength properties of a set of 171 Ly-alpha emitting
candidates at redshift z = 2.25 found in the COSMOS field, with the aim of
understanding the underlying stellar populations in the galaxies. We especially
seek to understand what the dust contents, ages and stellar masses of the
galaxies are, and how they relate to similar properties of Ly-alpha emitters at
other redshifts. The candidates here are shown to have different properties
from those of Ly-alpha emitters found at higher redshift, by fitting the
spectral energy distributions (SEDs) using a Monte-Carlo Markov-Chain technique
and including nebular emission in the spectra. The stellar masses, and possibly
the dust contents, are higher, with stellar masses in the range log M_* = 8.5 -
11.0 M_sun and A_V = 0.0 - 2.5 mag. Young population ages are well constrained,
but the ages of older populations are typically unconstrained. In 15% of the
galaxies only a single, young population of stars is observed. We show that the
Ly-alpha fluxes of the best fit galaxies are correlated with their dust
properties, with higher dust extinction in Ly-alpha faint galaxies. Testing for
whether results derived from a light-weighted stack of objects correlate to
those found when fitting individual objects we see that stellar masses are
robust to stacking, but ages and especially dust extinctions are derived
incorrectly from stacks. We conclude that the stellar properties of Ly-alpha
emitters at z = 2.25 are different from those at higher redshift and that they
are diverse. Ly-alpha selection appears to be tracing systematically different
galaxies at different redshifts.Comment: 15 pages, 11 figures, 8 tables, accepted in A&A. Table 6 available in
full from the author
Emergency clinicians\u27 perceptions of communication tools to establish the mental baseline of older adults: A qualitative study
Background Evaluating older adults with altered mental status in emergency settings can be challenging due to the inability to obtain a history from patients directly and limited collateral information about the change from a patient\u27s mental status baseline. Documents and videos establishing a patient\u27s mental baseline could represent useful communication tools to aid emergency clinicians. Methods Qualitative interviews conducted with 22 emergency clinicians (12 physicians and 10 advanced practice providers) identified methods they use to determine baseline mental status of older adults in the ED and the perceived utility of document- and video-based information about an older adult\u27s baseline mental status. Interview transcripts were coded for dominant themes using deductive and inductive approaches. Results Participants determine an older adult\u27s baseline mental status by obtaining information about the patient\u27s baseline cognition (memory and communication) and function (activities of daily living and mobility). The techniques they use include 1) reviewing the electronic medical record, 2) speaking with family members or caregivers by phone or in person, and 3) obtaining verbal or phone reports from emergency medical services personnel or health care providers from short- or long-term care facilities. The majority of participants thought that a document or video with information about a patient\u27s baseline mental status would be useful (n=15, 68%), qualifying that content ought to be brief, clearly dated, and periodically updated. Conclusions Documents or videos could assist emergency clinicians in establishing baseline cognitive function when evaluating geriatric patients and may have implications for improving the detection of delirium
Comparing Ultraviolet and Infrared-Selected Starburst Galaxies in Dust Obscuration and Luminosity
We present samples of starburst galaxies that represent the extremes
discovered with infrared and ultraviolet observations, including 25 Markarian
galaxies, 23 ultraviolet luminous galaxies discovered with GALEX, and the 50
starburst galaxies having the largest infrared/ultraviolet ratios. These
sources have z < 0.5 and cover a luminosity range of ~ 10^4. Comparisons
between infrared luminosities determined with the 7.7 um PAH feature and
ultraviolet luminosities from the stellar continuum at 153 nm are used to
determine obscuration in starbursts and dependence of this obscuration on
infrared or ultraviolet luminosity. A strong selection effect arises for the
ultraviolet-selected samples: the brightest sources appear bright because they
have the least obscuration. Obscuration correction for the ultraviolet-selected
Markarian+GALEX sample has the form log[UV(intrinsic)/UV(observed)] =
0.07(+-0.04)M(UV)+2.09+-0.69 but for the full infrared-selected Spitzer sample
is log[UV(intrinsic)/UV(observed)] = 0.17(+-0.02)M(UV)+4.55+-0.4. The relation
of total bolometric luminosity L_{ir} to M(UV) is also determined for
infrared-selected and ultraviolet-selected samples. For ultraviolet-selected
galaxies, log L_{ir} = -(0.33+-0.04)M(UV)+4.52+-0.69. For the full
infrared-selected sample, log L_{ir} = -(0.23+-0.02)M(UV)+6.99+-0.41, all for
L_{ir} in solar luminosities and M(UV) the AB magnitude at rest frame 153 nm.
These results imply that obscuration corrections by factors of two to three
determined from reddening of the ultraviolet continuum for Lyman Break Galaxies
with z > 2 are insufficient, and should be at least a factor of 10 for M(UV)
about -17, with decreasing correction for more luminous sources.Comment: accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa
Transforming Growth Factor-β1 and Incident Type 2 Diabetes: Results from the MONICA/KORA case-cohort study, 1984–2002
Subclinical inflammation leads to insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction. This study aimed to assess whether levels of circulating transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1)-a central, mainly immunosuppressive, and anti-inflammatory cytokine-were associated with incident type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We measured serum levels of TGF-beta1 from 460 individuals with and 1,474 individuals without incident type 2 diabetes in a prospective case-cohort study within the population-based MONICA (MONItoring of Trends and Determinants in CArdiovascular Disease)/KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg) cohort. RESULTS: Elevated TGF-beta1 concentrations were associated with higher, not lower, risk for type 2 diabetes (age-, sex-, and survey-adjusted hazard ratios [95% CI] for increasing TGF-beta1 tertiles: 1.0, 1.08 [0.83-1.42], and 1.41 [1.08-1.83]; P(for) (trend) = 0.012). Adjustment for BMI and metabolic and lifestyle factors had virtually no impact on the effect size. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum concentrations of the cytokine TGF-beta1 indicate an increased risk for type 2 diabetes. TGF-beta1 may be upregulated to counterbalance metabolic and immunological disturbances preceding type 2 diabetes
Nonlinear Dynamics of Aeolian Sand Ripples
We study the initial instability of flat sand surface and further nonlinear
dynamics of wind ripples. The proposed continuous model of ripple formation
allowed us to simulate the development of a typical asymmetric ripple shape and
the evolution of sand ripple pattern. We suggest that this evolution occurs via
ripple merger preceded by several soliton-like interaction of ripples.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, corrected 2 typo
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