7,220 research outputs found
A flux-ratio anomaly in the CO spectral line emission from gravitationally-lensed quasar MG J0414+0534
We present an analysis of archival observations with the Atacama Large
(sub-)Millimetre Array (ALMA) of the gravitationally lensed quasar MG
J0414+0534, which show four compact images of the quasar and an Einstein ring
from the dust associated with the quasar host galaxy. We confirm that the
flux-ratio anomalies observed in the mid-infrared and radio persists into the
sub-mm for the continuum images of the quasar. We report the detection of CO
(11-10) spectral line emission, which traces a region of compact gas around the
quasar nucleus. This line emission also shows evidence of a flux-ratio anomaly
between the merging lensed images that is consistent with those observed at
other wavelengths, suggesting high-excitation CO can also provide a useful
probe of substructures that is unaffected by microlensing or dust extinction.
However, we do not detect the candidate dusty dwarf galaxy that was previously
reported with this dataset, which we conclude is due to a noise artefact. Thus,
the cause of the flux-ratio anomaly between the merging lensed images is still
unknown. The composite compact and diffuse emission in this system suggest
lensed quasar-starbursts will make excellent targets for detecting dark
sub-haloes and testing models for dark matter.Comment: Accepted as MNRAS Lette
\u3cem\u3eRhizobium japonicum\u3c/em\u3e Mutants Defective in Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation
Rhizobium japonicum strains 3I1b110 and 61A76 were mutagenized to obtain 25 independently derived mutants that produced soybean nodules defective in nitrogen fixation, as assayed by acetylene reduction. The proteins of both the bacterial and the plant portions of the nodules were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. All of the mutants had lower-than-normal levels of the nitrogenase components, and all but four contained a prominent bacteroid protein not observed in wild-type bacteroids. Experiments with bacteria grown ex planta suggested that this protein was derepressed by the absence of ammonia. Nitrogenase component II of one mutant was altered in isoelectric point. The soluble plant fraction of the nodules of seven mutants had very low levels of heme, yet the nodules of five of these seven mutants contained the polypeptide of leghemoglobin. Thus, the synthesis of the globin may not be coupled to the content of available heme in soybean nodules. The nodules of the other two of these seven mutants lacked not only leghemoglobin but most of the other normal plant and bacteroid proteins. Ultrastructural examination of nodules formed by these two mutants indicated normal ramification of infection threads but suggested a problem in subsequent survival of the bacteria and their release from the infection threads
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin: its response to hypoxia and association with acute mountain sickness.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a common clinical challenge at high altitude (HA). A point-of-care biochemical marker for AMS could have widespread utility. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) rises in response to renal injury, inflammation and oxidative stress. We investigated whether NGAL rises with HA and if this rise was related to AMS, hypoxia or exercise. NGAL was assayed in a cohort (n = 22) undertaking 6 hours exercise at near sea-level (SL); a cohort (n = 14) during 3 hours of normobaric hypoxia (FiO2 11.6%) and on two trekking expeditions (n = 52) to over 5000 m. NGAL did not change with exercise at SL or following normobaric hypoxia. During the trekking expeditions NGAL levels (ng/ml, mean ± sd, range) rose significantly (P < 0.001) from 68 ± 14 (60-102) at 1300 m to 183 ± 107 (65-519); 143 ± 66 (60-315) and 150 ± 71 (60-357) at 3400 m, 4270 m and 5150 m respectively. At 5150 m there was a significant difference in NGAL between those with severe AMS (n = 7), mild AMS (n = 16) or no AMS (n = 23): 201 ± 34 versus 171 ± 19 versus 124 ± 12 respectively (P = 0.009 for severe versus no AMS; P = 0.026 for mild versus no AMS). In summary, NGAL rises in response to prolonged hypobaric hypoxia and demonstrates a relationship to the presence and severity of AMS
Asphaltene detection using Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)
Peer reviewedPostprin
Search for correlation effects in linear chains of trapped ions
We report a precise search for correlation effects in linear chains of 2 and
3 trapped Ca+ ions. Unexplained correlations in photon emission times within a
linear chain of trapped ions have been reported, which, if genuine, cast doubt
on the potential of an ion trap to realize quantum information processing. We
observe quantum jumps from the metastable 3d 2D_{5/2} level for several hours,
searching for correlations between the decay times of the different ions. We
find no evidence for correlations: the number of quantum jumps with separations
of less than 10 ms is consistent with statistics to within errors of 0.05%; the
lifetime of the metastable level derived from the data is consistent with that
derived from independent single-ion data at the level of the experimental
errors 1%; and no rank correlations between the decay times were found with
sensitivity to rank correlation coefficients at the level of |R| = 0.024.Comment: With changes to introduction. 5 pages, including 4 figures. Submitted
to Europhys. Let
In Vivo Bio-imaging Using Chlorotoxin-based Conjugates.
Surgical resection remains the primary component of cancer therapy. The precision required to successfully separate cancer tissue from normal tissue relies heavily on the surgeon's ability to delineate the tumor margins. Despite recent advances in surgical guidance and monitoring systems, intra-operative identification of these margins remains imprecise and directly influences patient prognosis. If the surgeon had improved tools to distinguish these margins, tumor progression and unacceptable morbidity could be avoided. In this article, we review the history of chlorotoxin and its tumor specificity and discuss the research currently being generated to target optical imaging agents to cancer tissue
The 158 micron (CII) mapping of galaxies: Probing the atomic medium
Using the MPE/UCB Far-infrared Imaging Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FIFI) on the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO), we have made large scale maps of (CII) in the spiral galaxies NGC 6946, NGC 891, M83 and the peculiar elliptical Cen A, thus allowing for the first time, detailed studies of the spatial distribution of the FIR line emission in external galaxies. We find that the (CII) emission comes from a mixture of components of interstellar gas. The brightest emission is associated with the nuclear regions, a second component traces the spiral arms as seen in the nearly face on spiral galaxies NGC 6946 and M83 and the largest star forming/H2 regions contained within them, and another extended component of low brightness can be detected in all of the galaxies far from the nucleus, beyond the extent of CO emission
âIf I Donât Take Care of Myself, I Canât Take Care of Them:â Exploring Caregiving Grandmothersâ Experiences of a 9-Session Self-Care Curriculum
Abstract
The predominance of research on custodial grandparent caregiving focuses on prevalence, risk factors, and challenges; less attention has been paid to the development of interventions to support this population. In response to a decrease in length of service provision at a local agency, a 9-session self-care curriculum was designed to focus on caregiver health through the empowering, multi-dimensional practice of self-care. The curriculum uses a mind-body approach and was integrated into a pre-existing 9-month support program for grandparents raising grandchildren. Using a basic, interpretive qualitative design, the purpose of this study was to explore how grandparent caregivers: 1) understand and practice self-care in their lives and 2) experienced self-care curriculum introduced within a pre-existing support group. Data were collected though qualitative interviews and analyzed concurrently using basic thematic analysis; techniques used included open and focused coding, cross-checking, and memoing. Study findings reveal self-care was most often understood in terms of physical health, caregiving brought meaning and purpose, and preferred self-care activities focused on introspection, solitude, and spirituality. Participants reported the curriculum was helpful, citing benefits such as present-moment awareness, relaxation, and connection. Implications for practice and future research are included
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