GENIE observations of small scale astrophysical processes in star forming regions and quasars

The VLTI/GENIE configuration will operate using at least 4 of the VLTI telescopes (and possibly with one or more of the AT telescopes in the future if adaptive optics become available on them). GENIE effectively can be thought of as a 'smart' coronagraph, enabling high dynamic range imaging to be achieved at moderate spatial resolution, with high rejection of the emission of a central bright point source. However, but this bright source rejection may only provide a rather moderate image quality (due to the few baselines and transfer function on the sky). Operated in this way, only limited image reconstruction is possible since classical radio and millimeter wavelength interferometry techniques are not directly applicable to the outputs of optical interferometers because the absolute phases are generally not measured. However, measurements of visibility and closure phase could lead to situations where image reconstruction becomes possible. This paper addresses the issue of whether there are areas outside of the exoplanet search where it might be able to make a useful impact on astronomy.Comment: Proceedings of the Genie-Darwin Workshop - Hunting for Planet

Mid-infrared sources in the ELAIS Deep X-ray Survey

We present a cross‐correlation of the European Large Area Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) survey (ELAIS) with the ELAIS Deep X‐ray Survey of the N1 and N2 fields. There are seven Chandra point sources with matches in the ELAIS Final Analysis 15‐μm catalogue, out of a total of 28 extragalactic ISO sources present in the Chandra fields. Five of these are consistent with active galactic nuclei (AGN) giving an AGN fraction of ∼19 per cent in the 15‐μm flux range 0.8–6 mJy. We have co‐added the hard X‐ray fluxes of the individually undetected ISO sources and find a low significance detection consistent with star formation in the remaining population. We combine our point source cross‐correlation fraction with the XMM–Newton observations of the Lockman Hole and Chandra observations of the Hubble Deep Field North to constrain source count models of the mid‐infrared galaxy population. The low dust‐enshrouded AGN fraction in ELAIS implied by the number of cross‐identifications between the ELAIS mid‐infrared sample and the Chandra point sources is encouraging for the use of mid‐infrared surveys to constrain the cosmic star formation history, provided there are not further large undetected populations of Compton‐thick AGN

The ELAIS deep X-ray survey - I. Chandra source catalogue and first results

We present an analysis of two deep (75 ks) Chandra observations of the European Large Area Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) Survey (ELAIS) fields N1 and N2 as the first results from the ELAIS deep X-ray survey. This survey is being conducted in well-studied regions with extensive multiwavelength coverage. Here we present the Chandra source catalogues along with an analysis of source counts, hardness ratios and optical classifications. A total of 233 X-ray point sources are detected in addition to two soft extended sources, which are found to be associated with galaxy clusters. An overdensity of sources is found in N1 with 30 per cent more sources than N2, which we attribute to large-scale structure. A similar variance is seen between other deep Chandra surveys. The source count statistics reveal an increasing fraction of hard sources at fainter fluxes. The number of galaxy-like counterparts also increases dramatically towards fainter fluxes, consistent with the emergence of a large population of obscured sources

The SCUBA 8-mJy survey - II: Multiwavelength analysis of bright sub-mm sources

We present the results of a multi-wavelength study of the 19 most significant sub-mm sources detected in the SCUBA 8-mJy survey. As described in Scott et al. (2001), this survey covers ~260 arcmin^2 using the sub-millimetre camera SCUBA, to a limiting source detection limit S(850um) ~ 8 mJy. One advantage of this relatively bright flux-density limit is that accurate astrometric positions are potentially achievable for every source using existing radio and/or mm-wave interferometers. However, an associated advantage is that SED-based redshift constraints should be more powerful than in fainter sub-mm surveys. Here we therefore exploit the parallel SCUBA 450um data, in combination with existing radio and ISO data at longer and shorter wavelengths to set constraints on the redshift of each source. We also analyse new and existing optical and near-infrared imaging of our SCUBA survey fields to select potential identifications consistent with these constraints. Our derived SED-based redshift constraints, and the lack of statistically significant associations with even moderately bright galaxies allow us to conclude that all 19 sources lie at z > 1, and at least half of them apparently lie at z > 2.Comment: 14 pages (including 30 figures and 4 tables) accepted by MNRAS. Figure 1 and 2 and a higher quality version of the full paper are available at http://astro.ic.ac.uk/~mfox

The SCUBA 8-mJy survey - I: Sub-millimetre maps, sources and number counts

We present maps, source lists, and number counts from the largest, unbiassed, extragalactic sub-mm survey so far undertaken with the SCUBA camera on the JCMT. Our maps cover 260 sq. arcmin, to a noise level S(850)=2.5 mJy/beam. We have reduced the data using both SURF, and our own pipeline which produces zero-footprint maps and noise images. The uncorrelated noise maps produced by the latter approach have allowed application of a maximum-likelihood method to measure the statistical significance of each peak, leading to properly quantified flux-density errors for all potential sources. We detect 19 sources with S/N > 4, 38 with S/N > 3.5, and 72 with S/N > 3. To assess completeness and the impact of source confusion we have applied our source extraction algorithm to a series of simulated images. The result is a new estimate of the sub-mm source counts in the flux-density range S(850)=5-15mJy, which we compare with other estimates, and with model predictions. Our estimate of the cumulative source count at S(850) > 8 mJy is 320 (+80,-100) per square degree. Assuming that the majority of sources have z > 1.5, the co-moving number density of high-z galaxies forming stars at a rate >1000 solar masses per year is 10^-5 per Mpc^3, with only a weak dependence on the precise redshift distribution. This number density corresponds to that of massive ellipticals with L > 3-4 L* at low redshift and is also the same as the co-moving number density of comparably massive, passively-evolving objects in the redshift band 1<z<2 inferred from recent surveys of extremely red objects. Thus the bright sub-mm sources can plausibly account for the formation of all present-day massive ellipticals. Improved z constraints, and a proper measurement of sub-mm clustering can refine or refute this picture.Comment: Minor revisions. 27 pages, 13 figures. Higher resolution versions of Figs 5,6,7 and 8 are available from the autho

The mechano-response of murine annulus fibrosus cells to cyclic tensile strain is frequency dependent

The intervertebral disk (IVD) is a composite structure essential for spine stabilization, load bearing, and movement. Biomechanical factors are important contributors to the IVD microenvironment regulating joint homeostasis; however, the cell type-specific effectors of mechanotransduction in the IVD are not fully understood. The current study aimed to determine the effects of cyclic tensile strain (CTS) on annulus fibrosus (AF) cells and identify mechano-sensitive pathways. Using a cell-type specific reporter mouse to differentiation NP and AF cells from the murine IVD, we characterized AF cells in dynamic culture exposed to CTS (6% strain) at specific frequencies (0.1 Hz, 1.0 Hz, or 2.0 Hz). We demonstrate that our culture model maintains the phenotype of primary AF cells and that the bioreactor system delivers uniform biaxial strain across the cell culture surface. We show that exposure of AF cells to CTS induces cytoskeleton reorganization resulting in stress fiber formation, with acute exposure to CTS at 2.0 Hz inducing a significant yet transient increase ERK1/2 pathway activation. Using SYBPR-based qPCR to assess the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) genes, ECM-remodeling genes, candidate mechano-sensitive genes, inflammatory cytokines and cell surface receptors, we demonstrated that exposure of AF cells to CTS at 0.1 Hz increased Acan, Prg4, Col1a1 and Mmp3 expression. AF cells exposed to CTS at 1.0 Hz showed a significant increase in the expression of Acan, Myc, and Tnfα. Exposure of AF cells to CTS at 2.0 Hz induced a significant increase in Acan, Prg4, Cox2, Myc, Fos, and Tnfα expression. Among the cell surface receptors assessed, AF cells exposed to CTS at 2.0 Hz showed a significant increase in Itgβ1, Itgα5, and Trpv4 expression. Our findings demonstrate that the response of AF cells to CTS is frequency dependent and suggest that mechanical loading may directly contribute to matrix remodeling and the onset of local tissue inflammation in the murine IVD

Sporulation in soil as an over-winter survival strategy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Due to its commercial value and status as a research model there is an extensive body of knowledge concerning Saccharomyces cerevisiae’s cell biology and genetics. Investigations into S. cerevisiae’s ecology are comparatively lacking, and are mostly focussed on the behaviour of this species in high sugar, fruit-based environments; however, fruit is ephemeral and presumably S. cerevisiae has evolved a strategy to survive when this niche is not available. Among other places, S. cerevisiae has been isolated from soil which, in contrast to fruit, is a permanent habitat. We hypothesise that S. cerevisiae employs a life history strategy targeted at self-preservation rather than growth outside of the fruit niche, and resides in forest niches, such as soil, in a dormant and resistant sporulated state, returning to fruit via vectors such as insects. One crucial aspect of this hypothesis is that S. cerevisiae must be able to sporulate in the ‘forest’ environment. Here we provide the first evidence for a natural environment (soil) where S. cerevisiae sporulates. While there are further aspects of this hypothesis that require experimental verification, this is the first step towards an inclusive understanding of the more cryptic aspects of S. cerevisiae’s ecology

The coincidence and angular clustering of Chandra and SCUBA sources

NRC publication: N

The Radio-Optical Correlation in Steep-Spectrum Quasars

Using complete samples of steep-spectrum quasars, we present evidence for a correlation between radio and optical luminosity which is not caused by selection effects, nor caused by an orientation dependence (such as relativistic beaming), nor a byproduct of cosmic evolution. We argue that this rules out models of jet formation in which there are no parameters in common with the production of the optical continuum. This is arguably the most direct evidence to date for a close link between accretion onto a black hole and the fuelling of relativistic jets. The correlation also provides a natural explanation for the presence of aligned optical/radio structures in only the most radio luminous high-redshift galaxies.Comment: MNRAS in press. Uses BoxedEPS (included