Baryons still trace dark matter: probing CMB lensing maps for hidden isocurvature

Compensated isocurvature perturbations (CIPs) are primordial fluctuations that balance baryon and dark-matter isocurvature to leave the total matter density unperturbed. The effects of CIPs on the cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies are similar to those produced by weak lensing of the CMB: smoothing of the power spectrum, and generation of non-Gaussian features. Previous work considered the CIP effects on the CMB power-spectrum but neglected to include the CIP effects on estimates of the lensing potential power spectrum (though its contribution to the non-Gaussian, connected, part of the CMB trispectrum). Here, the CIP contribution to the standard estimator for the lensing potential power-spectrum is derived, and along with the CIP contributions to the CMB power-spectrum, Planck data is used to place limits on the root-mean-square CIP fluctuations on CMB scales, $\Delta_{\rm rms}^2(R_{\rm CMB})$. The resulting constraint of $\Delta_{\rm rms}^2(R_{\rm CMB}) < 4.3 \times 10^{-3}$ using this new technique improves on past work by a factor of $\sim 3$. We find that for Planck data our constraints almost reach the sensitivity of the optimal CIP estimator. The method presented here is currently the most sensitive probe of the amplitude of a scale-invariant CIP power spectrum placing an upper limit of $A_{\rm CIP}< 0.017$ at 95% CL. Future measurements of the large-scale CMB lensing potential power spectrum could probe CIP amplitudes as low as $\Delta_{\rm rms}^2(R_{\rm CMB}) = 8 \times 10^{-5}$ ($A_{\rm CIP} = 3.2 \times 10^{-4}$).Comment: 24 pages, 9 figures; comments welcome; v2 references correcte

Baryons Still Trace Dark Matter: Probing CMB Lensing Maps For Hidden Isocurvature

Compensated isocurvature perturbations (CIPs) are primordial fluctuations that balance baryon and dark-matter isocurvature to leave the total matter density unperturbed. The effects of CIPs on the cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies are similar to those produced by weak lensing of the CMB: smoothing of the power spectrum and generation of non-Gaussian features. Here, an entirely new CIP contribution to the standard estimator for the lensing-potential power spectrum is derived. Planck measurements of the temperature and polarization power spectrum, as well as estimates of CMB lensing, are used to place limits on the variance of the CIP fluctuations on CMB scales, Δ2rms(RCMB). The resulting constraint of Δ2rms(RCMB)\u3c4.3×10−3 at 95% confidence level (CL) using this new technique improves on past work by a factor of ∼3. We find that for Planck data our constraints almost reach the sensitivity of the optimal CIP estimator. The method presented here is currently the most sensitive probe of the amplitude of a scale-invariant CIP power spectrum, ACIP, placing an upper limit of ACIP\u3c0.017 at 95% CL. Future measurements of the large-scale CMB lensing-potential power spectrum could probe CIP amplitudes as low as Δ2rms(RCMB)=8×10−5 at 95% CL (corresponding to ACIP=3.2×10−4)

Familial colloid cyst of the third ventricle

A grant from the One-University Open Access Fund at the University of Kansas was used to defray the author's publication fees in this Open Access journal. The Open Access Fund, administered by librarians from the KU, KU Law, and KUMC libraries, is made possible by contributions from the offices of KU Provost, KU Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies, and KUMC Vice Chancellor for Research. For more information about the Open Access Fund, please see http://library.kumc.edu/authors-fund.xml.Colloid cysts of the third ventricle are rare benign lesions. They can present as incidental finding on imaging or with symptoms of obstructive hydrocephalus. To date, 18 familial cases of colloid cyst have been reported. Due to the extreme rarity of these cysts, it has been suggested that there is a genetic component involved. This report presents a familial colloid cyst in non-twin brothers who both presented in their early twenties. In addition, both of them had congenital inguinal hernia. This may represent a potential association between familial colloid cysts and congenital inguinal hernia that could provide us with insight into the genetic mechanism involved

Comparison of Direct Staffing Costs of Advanced Practice Providers and Residents in a High Acuity Area of a Community Emergency Department

Background: Resident physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) both have roles in providing care within emergency departments (ED). While both bring unique skill sets and capabilities to the health care team, little is known about the comparative financial impact of APPs and residents in a community ED. The objective of this study was to compare direct staffing costs per relative value unit (RVU) generated of emergency medicine (EM) residents and APPs in a community ED setting. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational analysis of RVU productivity of resident physicians and APPs in the high acuity area of a community ED. Billing data was acquired to determine RVUs generated by both APPs and residents when supervised by an attending physician. Direct costs and hours worked were used to calculate RVUs/hour and direct costs/hour. Direct cost/RVU generated were calculated for the four specific groups of providers (PGY1, PGY2, PGY3, and APP). Results: During the study period, APPs generated 2.88 RVUs/hour. Residents generated 2.01, 3.00, and 3.49 RVUs/hour respectively from PGY1 to PGY3. When the RVU data was combined with scheduled hours and direct costs for both groups, APPs were found to cost $22.46 per RVU generated. The average cost of a resident throughout three years of residency training is approximately$12.38 per RVU generated. Conclusion: In a high acuity area of a community ED, EM residents generate more RVUs/hour than APPs after completion of their PGY1 year. Given the lower direct hourly cost of a resident compared with an APP, the direct cost of a resident to assist an attending to generate RVUs is less than that of their APP counterparts during all three years of training. This suggests that community hospitals should consider sponsoring EM residency positions over hiring APPs for use in the high acuity setting

Quantitative evidence for cochlear, non-neuronal norepinephrine

Endogenous norepinephrine was quantitatively measured in cochlear tissues of pigmented and non-pigmented animals by high-performance liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection. Epinephrine, dopamine and serotonin were not detected. The cochlear norepinephrine content of the pigmented animals was found to be more than double that present in corresponding albinos. Cochlear norepinephrine was only minimally depleted 48 h after surgical removal of the superior cervical ganglion. 12 h after administration of reserpine (5 mg/kg), cochlear norepinephrine was partially depleted. These results indicate that the norepinephrine located in the cochlea is probably not confined entirely to noradrenergic nerve terminals.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24265/1/0000530.pd

Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of invasive versus conservative management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax

INTRODUCTION: Current management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is variable, with little evidence from randomised controlled trials to guide treatment. Guidelines emphasise intervention in many patients, which involves chest drain insertion, hospital admission and occasionally surgery. However, there is evidence that conservative management may be effective and safe, and it may also reduce the risk of recurrence. Significant questions remain regarding the optimal initial approach to the management of PSP

Cryo-EM of multiple cage architectures reveals a universal mode of clathrin self assembly

Clathrin forms diverse lattice and cage structures that change size and shape rapidly in response to the needs of eukaryotic cells during clathrin-mediated endocytosis and intracellular trafficking. We present the cryo-EM structure and molecular model of assembled porcine clathrin, providing insights into interactions that stabilize key elements of the clathrin lattice, namely, between adjacent heavy chains, at the light chain–heavy chain interface and within the trimerization domain. Furthermore, we report cryo-EM maps for five different clathrin cage architectures. Fitting structural models to three of these maps shows that their assembly requires only a limited range of triskelion leg conformations, yet inherent flexibility is required to maintain contacts. Analysis of the protein–protein interfaces shows remarkable conservation of contact sites despite architectural variation. These data reveal a universal mode of clathrin assembly that allows variable cage architecture and adaptation of coated vesicle size and shape during clathrin-mediated vesicular trafficking or endocytosis