Dynamical properties of z ∼4.5 dusty star-forming galaxies and their connection with local early-type galaxies

There is a large consensus that gas in high-z galaxies is highly turbulent, because of a combination of stellar feedback processes and gravitational instabilities driven by mergers and gas accretion. In this paper, we present the analysis of a sample of five Dusty Star Forming Galaxies (DSFGs) at 4 ≲ z ≲ 5. Taking advantage of the magnifying power of strong gravitational lensing, we quantified their kinematic and dynamical properties from ALMA observations of their [C ii] emission line. We combined the dynamical measurements obtained for these galaxies with those obtained from previous studies to build the largest sample of z ∼ 4.5 galaxies with high-quality data and sub-kpc spatial resolutions, so far. We found that all galaxies in the sample are dynamically cold, with rotation-to-random motion ratios, V/σ, between 7 and 15. The relation between their velocity dispersions and their star formation rates indicates that stellar feedback is sufficient to sustain the turbulence within these galaxies and no further mechanisms are needed. In addition, we performed a rotation curve decomposition to infer the relative contribution of the baryonic (gas, stars) and dark matter components to the total gravitational potentials. This analysis allowed us to compare the structural properties of the studied DSFGs with those of their descendants, the local early type galaxies. In particular, we found that five out of six galaxies of the sample show the dynamical signature of a bulge, indicating that the spheroidal component is already in place at z ∼ 4.5

A novel approach to visibility-space modelling of interferometric gravitational lens observations at high angular resolution

We present a new gravitational lens modelling technique designed to model high-resolution interferometric observations with large numbers of visibilities without the need to pre-average the data in time or frequency. We demonstrate the accuracy of the method using validation tests on mock observations. Using small data sets with $\sim 10^3$ visibilities, we first compare our approach with the more traditional direct Fourier transform (DFT) implementation and direct linear solver. Our tests indicate that our source inversion is indistinguishable from that of the DFT. Our method also infers lens parameters to within 1 to 2 per cent of both the ground truth and DFT, given sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). When the SNR is as low as 5, both approaches lead to errors of several tens of per cent in the lens parameters and a severely disrupted source structure, indicating that this is an issue related to the data quality rather than the modelling technique of choice. We then analyze a large data set with $\sim 10^8$ visibilities and a SNR matching real global Very Long Baseline Interferometry observations of the gravitational lens system MG J0751+2716. The size of the data is such that it cannot be modelled with traditional implementations. Using our novel technique, we find that we can infer the lens parameters and the source brightness distribution, respectively, with an RMS error of 0.25 and 0.97 per cent relative to the ground truth.Comment: Submitted to MNRA

Role of the Placental Vitamin D Receptor in Modulating Feto-Placental Growth in Fetal Growth Restriction and Preeclampsia-Affected Pregnancies

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a common pregnancy complication that affects up to 5% of pregnancies worldwide. Recent studies demonstrate that Vitamin D deficiency is implicated in reduced fetal growth, which may be rescued by supplementation of Vitamin D. Despite this, the pathway(s) by which Vitamin D modulate fetal growth remains to be investigated. Our own studies demonstrate that the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is significantly decreased in placentae from human pregnancies complicated by FGR and contributes to abnormal placental trophoblast apoptosis and differentiation and regulation of cell-cycle genes in vitro. Thus, Vitamin D signaling is important for normal placental function and fetal growth. This review discusses the association of Vitamin D with fetal growth, the function of Vitamin D and its receptor in pregnancy, as well as the functional significance of a placental source of Vitamin D in FGR. Additionally, we propose that for Vitamin D to be clinically effective to prevent and manage FGR, the molecular mechanisms of Vitamin D and its receptor in modulating fetal growth requires further investigation

Trans-cerebral HCO3- and PCO2 exchange during acute respiratory acidosis and exercise-induced metabolic acidosis in humans

This study investigated trans-cerebral internal jugular venous-arterial bicarbonate ([HCO(3)(−)]) and carbon dioxide tension (PCO(2)) exchange utilizing two separate interventions to induce acidosis: 1) acute respiratory acidosis via elevations in arterial PCO(2) (PaCO(2)) (n = 39); and 2) metabolic acidosis via incremental cycling exercise to exhaustion (n = 24). During respiratory acidosis, arterial [HCO(3)(−)] increased by 0.15 ± 0.05 mmol ⋅ l(−1) per mmHg elevation in PaCO(2) across a wide physiological range (35 to 60 mmHg PaCO(2); P < 0.001). The narrowing of the venous-arterial [HCO(3)(−)] and PCO(2) differences with respiratory acidosis were both related to the hypercapnia-induced elevations in cerebral blood flow (CBF) (both P < 0.001; subset n = 27); thus, trans-cerebral [HCO(3)(−)] exchange (CBF × venous-arterial [HCO(3)(−)] difference) was reduced indicating a shift from net release toward net uptake of [HCO(3)(−)] (P = 0.004). Arterial [HCO(3)(−)] was reduced by −0.48 ± 0.15 mmol ⋅ l(−1) per nmol ⋅ l(−1) increase in arterial [H(+)] with exercise-induced acidosis (P < 0.001). There was no relationship between the venous-arterial [HCO(3)(−)] difference and arterial [H(+)] with exercise-induced acidosis or CBF; therefore, trans-cerebral [HCO(3)(−)] exchange was unaltered throughout exercise when indexed against arterial [H(+)] or pH (P = 0.933 and P = 0.896, respectively). These results indicate that increases and decreases in systemic [HCO(3)(−)] – during acute respiratory/exercise-induced metabolic acidosis, respectively – differentially affect cerebrovascular acid-base balance (via trans-cerebral [HCO(3)(−)] exchange)

Tibial stress during running following a repeated calf‐raise protocol

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available on open access from Wiley via the DOI in this recordTibial stress fractures are a problematic injury amongst runners. Increased loading of the tibia has been observed following prolonged weight‐bearing activity and is suggested to be the result of reduced activity of the plantar flexor muscles. The musculature that spans the tibia contributes to bending of the bone and influences the magnitude of stress on the tibia during running. Participant‐specific models of the tibia can be used as a non‐invasive estimate of tibial stress. This study aimed to quantify tibial stress during running using participant‐specific bone geometry and to compare tibial stress before and after a protocol of repeated muscular contractions of the plantar flexor muscle group. Fourteen participants who run recreationally were included in the final analysis of the study. Synchronised force and kinematic data were collected during overground running before and after an exhaustive, weighted calf‐raise protocol. Bending moments and stress at the distal third of the tibia were estimated using beam theory combined with inverse dynamics and musculoskeletal modelling. Bone geometry was obtained from magnetic resonance images. There was no difference in stress at the anterior, posterior, medial or lateral peripheries of the tibia after the calf‐raise protocol compared with before. These findings suggest that an exhaustive, repeated calf‐raise protocol did not alter tibial stress during running

Transportation Statistics Annual Report 2022

Recognizing the importance of transportation and the importance of objective statistics for transportation decision-making, Congress requires the Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to provide the Transportation Statistics Annual Report (TSAR) each year to Congress and the President.1 BTS published the first TSAR in 1994. This 28th TSAR edition documents the conduct of the duties of BTS as called out in the statute. This edition also includes new content focusing on "Passenger Travel and Equity," and the safety of automated vehicles; e-scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards; and, harassment of passengers and operators

The state of the Martian climate

60°N was +2.0°C, relative to the 1981–2010 average value (Fig. 5.1). This marks a new high for the record. The average annual surface air temperature (SAT) anomaly for 2016 for land stations north of starting in 1900, and is a significant increase over the previous highest value of +1.2°C, which was observed in 2007, 2011, and 2015. Average global annual temperatures also showed record values in 2015 and 2016. Currently, the Arctic is warming at more than twice the rate of lower latitudes

UK consensus guidelines for the delivery of unexpected news in obstetric ultrasound: The ASCKS framework

Background: Studies indicate there is a need to improve the delivery of unexpected news via obstetric ultrasound, but there have been few advances in this area. One factor preventing improvement has been a lack of consensus regarding the appropriate phrases and behaviours which sonographers and ultrasound practitioners should use in these situations. Aims: To develop consensus guidelines for unexpected news delivery in Early Pregnancy Unit and Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme NHS settings. Methods: A workshop was conducted to identify priorities and reach consensus on areas of contention. Contributors included interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, policy experts, representatives from third-sector organisations, lay experts and academic researchers (n = 28). Written and verbal feedback was used to draft initial guidance which was then circulated amongst the wider writing group (n = 39). Revisions were undertaken until consensus was reached. Results: Consensus guidelines were developed outlining the behaviours and phrases which should be used during scans where unexpected findings are identified. Specific recommendations included that: honest and clear communication should be prioritised, even with uncertain findings; technical terms should be used, but these should be written down together with their lay interpretations; unless expectant parents use other terminology (e.g. ‘foetus’), the term ‘baby’ should be used as a default, even in early pregnancy; at the initial news disclosure, communication should focus on information provision. Expectant parents should not be asked to make decisions during the scan. Conclusions: These recommendations can be used to develop and improve news delivery interventions in obstetric ultrasound settings. The full guidelines can be accessed online as supplemental material and at https://doi.org/10.5518/100/24

Exome-Wide Association Study of Endometrial Cancer in a Multiethnic Population

Endometrial cancer (EC) contributes substantially to total burden of cancer morbidity and mortality in the United States. Family history is a known risk factor for EC, thus genetic factors may play a role in EC pathogenesis. Three previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have found only one locus associated with EC, suggesting that common variants with large effects may not contribute greatly to EC risk. Alternatively, we hypothesize that rare variants may contribute to EC risk. We conducted an exome-wide association study (EXWAS) of EC using the Infinium HumanExome BeadChip in order to identify rare variants associated with EC risk. We successfully genotyped 177,139 variants in a multiethnic population of 1,055 cases and 1,778 controls from four studies that were part of the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium (E2C2). No variants reached global significance in the study, suggesting that more power is needed to detect modest associations between rare genetic variants and risk of EC