The coevolution of the velocity and mass functions of galaxies and dark haloes

We employ a bias-corrected abundance matching technique to investigate the coevolution of the LCDM dark halo mass function (HMF), the observationally derived velocity dispersion and stellar mass functions (VDF, SMF) of galaxies between z=1 and 0. We use for the first time the evolution of the VDF constrained through strong lensing statistics by Chae (2010) for galaxy-halo abundance matching studies. As a local benchmark we use a couple of z ~ 0 VDFs (a Monte-Carlo realised VDF based on SDSS DR5 and a directly measured VDF based on SDSS DR6). We then focus on connecting the VDF evolution to the HMF evolution predicted by N-body simulations and the SMF evolution constrained by galaxy surveys. On the VDF-HMF connection, we find that the local dark halo virial mass-central stellar velocity dispersion (Mvir-sigma) relation is in good agreement with the individual properties of well-studied low-redshift dark haloes, and the VDF evolution closely parallels the HMF evolution meaning little evolution in the Mvir-sigma relation. On the VDF-SMF connection, it is also likely that the stellar mass-stellar velocity dispersion (Mstar-sigma) relation evolves little taking the abundance matching results together with other independent observational results and hydrodynamic simulation results. Our results support the simple picture that as the halo grows hierarchically, the stellar mass and the central stellar velocity dispersion grow in parallel. We discuss possible implications of this parallel coevolution for galaxy formation and evolution under the LCDM paradigm.Comment: 15 pages, 12 figures, MNRAS, revised extensively after referee comment

The zCOSMOS Survey. The dependence of clustering on luminosity and stellar mass at z=0.2-1

We study the dependence of galaxy clustering on luminosity and stellar mass at redshifts z ~ [0.2-1] using the first zCOSMOS 10K sample. We measure the redshift-space correlation functions xi(rp,pi) and its projection wp(rp) for sub-samples covering different luminosity, mass and redshift ranges. We quantify in detail the observational selection biases and we check our covariance and error estimate techniques using ensembles of semi-analytic mock catalogues. We finally compare our measurements to the cosmological model predictions from the mock surveys. At odds with other measurements, we find a weak dependence of galaxy clustering on luminosity in all redshift bins explored. A mild dependence on stellar mass is instead observed. At z~0.7, wp(rp) shows strong excess power on large scales. We interpret this as produced by large-scale structure dominating the survey volume and extending preferentially in direction perpendicular to the line-of-sight. We do not see any significant evolution with redshift of the amplitude of clustering for bright and/or massive galaxies. The clustering measured in the zCOSMOS data at 0.5<z<1 for galaxies with log(M/M_\odot)>=10 is only marginally consistent with predictions from the mock surveys. On scales larger than ~2 h^-1 Mpc, the observed clustering amplitude is compatible only with ~1% of the mocks. Thus, if the power spectrum of matter is LCDM with standard normalization and the bias has no unnatural scale-dependence, this result indicates that COSMOS has picked up a particularly rare, ~2-3 sigma positive fluctuation in a volume of ~10^6 h^-1 Mpc^3. These findings underline the need for larger surveys of the z~1 Universe to appropriately characterize the level of structure at this epoch.Comment: 18 pages, 21 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

The BOSS Emission-Line Lens Survey. II. Investigating Mass-Density Profile Evolution in the SLACS+BELLS Strong Gravitational Lens Sample

We present an analysis of the evolution of the central mass-density profile of massive elliptical galaxies from the SLACS and BELLS strong gravitational lens samples over the redshift interval z ~ 0.1-0.6, based on the combination of strong-lensing aperture mass and stellar velocity-dispersion constraints. We find a significant trend towards steeper mass profiles (parameterized by the power-law density model with rho ~ r^[-gamma]) at later cosmic times, with magnitude d/dz = -0.60 +/- 0.15. We show that the combined lens-galaxy sample is consistent with a non-evolving distribution of stellar velocity dispersions. Considering possible additional dependence of on lens-galaxy stellar mass, effective radius, and Sersic index, we find marginal evidence for shallower mass profiles at higher masses and larger sizes, but with a significance that is sub-dominant to the redshift dependence. Using the results of published Monte Carlo simulations of spectroscopic lens surveys, we verify that our mass-profile evolution result cannot be explained by lensing selection biases as a function of redshift. Interpreted as a true evolutionary signal, our result suggests that major dry mergers involving off-axis trajectories play a significant role in the evolution of the average mass-density structure of massive early-type galaxies over the past 6 Gyr. We also consider an alternative non-evolutionary hypothesis based on variations in the strong-lensing measurement aperture with redshift, which would imply the detection of an "inflection zone" marking the transition between the baryon-dominated and dark-matter halo-dominated regions of the lens galaxies. Further observations of the combined SLACS+BELLS sample can constrain this picture more precisely, and enable a more detailed investigation of the multivariate dependences of galaxy mass structure across cosmic time.Comment: 10 pages emulateapj, revised and expanded, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Feasibility, design and conduct of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial to reduce overweight and obesity in children: The electronic games to aid motivation to exercise (eGAME) study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in developed countries. Sedentary screen-based activities such as video gaming are thought to displace active behaviors and are independently associated with obesity. Active video games, where players physically interact with images onscreen, may have utility as a novel intervention to increase physical activity and improve body composition in children. The aim of the Electronic Games to Aid Motivation to Exercise (eGAME) study is to determine the effects of an active video game intervention over 6 months on: body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, waist circumference, cardio-respiratory fitness, and physical activity levels in overweight children.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Three hundred and thirty participants aged 10–14 years will be randomized to receive either an active video game upgrade package or to a control group (no intervention).</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>An overview of the eGAME study is presented, providing an example of a large, pragmatic randomized controlled trial in a community setting. Reflection is offered on key issues encountered during the course of the study. In particular, investigation into the feasibility of the proposed intervention, as well as robust testing of proposed study procedures is a critical step prior to implementation of a large-scale trial.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12607000632493</p

Baby Business: a randomised controlled trial of a universal parenting program that aims to prevent early infant sleep and cry problems and associated parental depression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Infant crying and sleep problems (e.g. frequent night waking, difficulties settling to sleep) each affect up to 30% of infants and often co-exist. They are costly to manage and associated with adverse outcomes including postnatal depression symptoms, early weaning from breast milk, and later child behaviour problems. Preventing such problems could improve these adverse outcomes and reduce costs to families and the health care system. Anticipatory guidance-i.e. providing parents with information about normal infant sleep and cry patterns, ways to encourage self-settling in infants, and ways to develop feeding and settling routines <it>before </it>the onset of problems-could prevent such problems. This paper outlines the protocol for our study which aims to test an anticipatory guidance approach.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>750 families from four Local Government Areas in Melbourne, Australia have been randomised to receive the <it>Baby Business </it>program (intervention group) or usual care (control group) offered by health services. The <it>Baby Business </it>program provides parents with information about infant sleep and crying via a DVD and booklet (mailed soon after birth), telephone consultation (at infant age 6-8 weeks) and parent group session (at infant age 12 weeks). All English speaking parents of healthy newborn infants born at > 32 weeks gestation and referred by their maternal and child health nurse at their first post partum home visit (day 7-10 postpartum), are eligible. The primary outcome is parent report of infant night time sleep as a problem at four months of age and secondary outcomes include parent report of infant daytime sleep or crying as a problem, mean duration of infant sleep and crying/24 hours, parental depression symptoms, parent sleep quality and quantity and health service use. Data will be collected at two weeks (baseline), four months and six months of age. An economic evaluation using a cost-consequences approach will, from a societal perspective, compare costs and health outcomes between the intervention and control groups.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>To our knowledge this is the first randomised controlled trial of a program which aims to prevent both infant sleeping and crying problems and associated postnatal depression symptoms. If effective, it could offer an important public health prevention approach to these common, distressing problems.</p> <p>Trial registration number</p> <p>ISRCTN: <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN63834603">ISRCTN63834603</a></p

100% RAG: Syracuse School of Architecture, Student Newspaper, Volume 1, Number 2

100% RAG: Syracuse School of Architecture, Student Newspaper, Volume 1, Number 2. Students from Syracuse School of Architecture contribute to the student newsletter in 1975

Shedding Light on the Galaxy Luminosity Function

From as early as the 1930s, astronomers have tried to quantify the statistical nature of the evolution and large-scale structure of galaxies by studying their luminosity distribution as a function of redshift - known as the galaxy luminosity function (LF). Accurately constructing the LF remains a popular and yet tricky pursuit in modern observational cosmology where the presence of observational selection effects due to e.g. detection thresholds in apparent magnitude, colour, surface brightness or some combination thereof can render any given galaxy survey incomplete and thus introduce bias into the LF. Over the last seventy years there have been numerous sophisticated statistical approaches devised to tackle these issues; all have advantages -- but not one is perfect. This review takes a broad historical look at the key statistical tools that have been developed over this period, discussing their relative merits and highlighting any significant extensions and modifications. In addition, the more generalised methods that have emerged within the last few years are examined. These methods propose a more rigorous statistical framework within which to determine the LF compared to some of the more traditional methods. I also look at how photometric redshift estimations are being incorporated into the LF methodology as well as considering the construction of bivariate LFs. Finally, I review the ongoing development of completeness estimators which test some of the fundamental assumptions going into LF estimators and can be powerful probes of any residual systematic effects inherent magnitude-redshift data.Comment: 95 pages, 23 figures, 3 tables. Now published in The Astronomy & Astrophysics Review. This version: bring in line with A&AR format requirements, also minor typo corrections made, additional citations and higher rez images adde

Uma visão da produção científica internacional sobre a classificação internacional para a prática de enfermagem

A Classificação Internacional para a Prática de Enfermagem (CIPE®) é um sistema classificatório que visa padronizaruma linguagem universal para Enfermagem. Este artigo propõe identificar os estudos desenvolvidos noâmbito mundial abordando a CIPE®, categorizando-os segundo suas finalidades. Trata-se de uma revisão de literatura,em base de dados da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, pelo o termo “ICNP”, com abrangência até 2009. Foramencontrados 124 artigos; 65 analisados, cujo conteúdo foi agrupado em nove categorias: abordagens gerais;aplicabilidade à prática; avaliação de classificações; experiências com recursos computacionais; desenvolvimento einclusão de termos; abordagem sobre sistemas classificatórios; uso para ancorar a construção de declarações deenfermagem; traduções; e outros. Verificou-se que poucos trabalhos apresentam projetos ou avaliam resultados deaplicações práticas da CIPE®; a maioria aborda aspectos conceituais ou realiza comparações com outras classificações.Diversos trabalhos concluem sobre a adequação e relevância da CIPE®, mas apontam a necessidade de aperfeiçoamento

Tocilizumab in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of tocilizumab in adult patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 with both hypoxia and systemic inflammation. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. Those trial participants with hypoxia (oxygen saturation &lt;92% on air or requiring oxygen therapy) and evidence of systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein ≥75 mg/L) were eligible for random assignment in a 1:1 ratio to usual standard of care alone versus usual standard of care plus tocilizumab at a dose of 400 mg–800 mg (depending on weight) given intravenously. A second dose could be given 12–24 h later if the patient's condition had not improved. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. The trial is registered with ISRCTN (50189673) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04381936). Findings: Between April 23, 2020, and Jan 24, 2021, 4116 adults of 21 550 patients enrolled into the RECOVERY trial were included in the assessment of tocilizumab, including 3385 (82%) patients receiving systemic corticosteroids. Overall, 621 (31%) of the 2022 patients allocated tocilizumab and 729 (35%) of the 2094 patients allocated to usual care died within 28 days (rate ratio 0·85; 95% CI 0·76–0·94; p=0·0028). Consistent results were seen in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including those receiving systemic corticosteroids. Patients allocated to tocilizumab were more likely to be discharged from hospital within 28 days (57% vs 50%; rate ratio 1·22; 1·12–1·33; p&lt;0·0001). Among those not receiving invasive mechanical ventilation at baseline, patients allocated tocilizumab were less likely to reach the composite endpoint of invasive mechanical ventilation or death (35% vs 42%; risk ratio 0·84; 95% CI 0·77–0·92; p&lt;0·0001). Interpretation: In hospitalised COVID-19 patients with hypoxia and systemic inflammation, tocilizumab improved survival and other clinical outcomes. These benefits were seen regardless of the amount of respiratory support and were additional to the benefits of systemic corticosteroids. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research