The redmapper galaxy cluster catalog from DES Science Verification data

We describe updates to the redMaPPer algorithm, a photometric red-sequence cluster finder specifically designed for large photometric surveys. The updated algorithm is applied to 150 {{deg}}2 of Science Verification (SV) data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES), and to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) DR8 photometric data set. The DES SV catalog is locally volume limited and contains 786 clusters with richness lambda \gt 20 (roughly equivalent to {M}{{500c}}≳ {10}14 {h}70-1 {M}o ) and 0.2\lt z\lt 0.9. The DR8 catalog consists of 26,311 clusters with 0.08\lt z\lt 0.6, with a sharply increasing richness threshold as a function of redshift for z≳ 0.35. The photometric redshift performance of both catalogs is shown to be excellent, with photometric redshift uncertainties controlled at the {sigma }z/(1+z)~ 0.01 level for z≲ 0.7, rising to ~0.02 at z~ 0.9 in DES SV. We make use of Chandra and XMM X-ray and South Pole Telescope Sunyaev--Zeldovich data to show that the centering performance and mass--richness scatter are consistent with expectations based on prior runs of redMaPPer on SDSS data. We also show how the redMaPPer photo-z and richness estimates are relatively insensitive to imperfect star/galaxy separation and small-scale star masks

Large format heterodyne arrays for observing far-infrared lines with SOFIA

In the wavelength regime between 60 and 300 microns there are a number of atomic and molecular emission lines that are key diagnostic probes of the interstellar medium. These include transitions of [CII], [NII], [OI], HD, H2D+, OH, CO, and H2O, some of which are among the brightest global and local far-infrared lines in the Galaxy. In Giant Molecular Clouds (GMCs), evolved star envelopes, and planetary nebulae, these emission lines can be extended over many arc minutes and possess complicated, often self absorbed, line profiles. High spectral resolution (R> 105) observations of these lines at sub-arcminute angular resolution are crucial to understanding the complicated interplay between the interstellar medium and the stars that form from it. This feedback is central to all theories of galactic evolution. Large format heterodyne array receivers can provide the spectral resolution and spatial coverage to probe these lines over extended regions. The advent of large format (~100 pixel) spectroscopic imaging cameras in the far-infrared (FIR) will fundamentally change the way astronomy is performed in this important wavelength regime. While the possibility of such instruments has been discussed for more than two decades, only recently have advances in mixer and local oscillator technology, device fabrication, micromachining, and digital signal processing made the construction of such instruments tractable. These technologies can be implemented to construct a sensitive, flexible, heterodyne array facility instrument for SOFIA. The instrument concept for StratoSTAR: Stratospheric Submm/THz Array Receiver includes a common user mounting, control system, IF processor, spectrometer, and cryogenic system. The cryogenic system will be designed to accept a frontend insert. The frontend insert and associated local oscillator system/relay optics would be provided by individual user groups and reflect their scientific interests. Rapid technology development in this field makes SOFIA the ideal platform to operate such a modular, continuously evolving instrument.QN/Quantum NanoscienceApplied Science

Updates from the SPADnet project (fully digital, scalable and networked photonic component for Time-of-Flight PET applications)

MicroelectronicsElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc

Gal/Xgal U/LDB Spectroscopic/Stratospheric THz Observatory:: GUSTO

Gal/Xgal U/LDB Spectroscopic/ Stratospheric THz Observatory (GUSTO) is a NASA Explorers Mission of Opportunity that will make large scale maps of the Milky Way and Large Magellanic Cloud in three important interstellar lines: [CII], [OI], and [NII] at 158, 63, and 205 μm, respectively. During its ~75 day stratospheric (~36 km) flight, GUSTO’s 0.9-meter balloon-borne telescope and THz heterodyne array receivers will provide the spectral and spatial resolution needed to untangle the complexities of the interstellar medium by probing all phases of its Life Cycle. The GUSTO payload consists of (1) a telescope; (2) three 8-pixel heterodyne array receivers; (3) autocorrelator spectrometers; (4) instrument control electronics; and (5) a cryostat. The GUSTO gondola is derived from successful APL designs. Much of the GUSTO instrument architecture and hardware is based on the experience gained in developing and flying the Stratospheric Terahertz Observatory (STO). GUSTO is currently undergoing integration and test and will launch from the NASA Long Duration Balloon (LDB) Facility near McMurdo, Antarctica in December 2023.Accepted Author ManuscriptImPhys/Optic

Architecture as a craft: Architecture, drawing, model and position

Fifteen essays in 'Architecture as a craft' present a vision of the architectural discipline in which the essence is sought in craft itself. The book is based on the eponymous symposium that the Delft University of Technology held at the Faculty of Architecture from May 13 to June 4, 2009. The texts can be divided into three main groups: 1. this group examines the architect's position; 2. the second group looks at architectural composition and the resources that architects use to produce a design, such as models and drawings; 3. the last group discusses the meaning of materialisation in architectural thinking

American national government

Mode of access: Internet

Homogeneous reactor for ship propulsion : reactor design and feasibility problem /

"August 1954."Includes bibliographic references.Mode of access: Internet

The evaluation of auditory warning signals for aircraft /

Report prepared by University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland."June 1949."Includes bibliographic references (page 25).Mode of access: Internet

Minor physical anomalies: potentially informative vestiges of fetal developmental disruptions in schizophrenia

Minor physical anomalies (MPAs) are subtle signs of developmental deviation that are observed at anelevated frequency among patients with schizophrenia. These minor morphological abnormalities of the craniofacial region and limbs arise during fetal development and represent a set of risk markers for schizophrenia. Although MPAs are not specific to schizophrenia, established findings about MPAs vis-a-vis schizophrenia include the replicated findings that MPAs are more prevalent among individuals with schizophrenia than healthy controls, MPAs are more prevalent among individuals with schizophrenia than unaffected relatives, and MPAs are not consistently associated with symptom domains or other risk markers, such as neurological soft signs. Unresolved questions include whether or not MPAs are more prevalent among unaffected relatives than healthy controls, and which specific MPAs are most associated with schizophrenia. This overview presents three promising avenues of further research on MPAs, including: (1) studies relying on traditional summary scores that combine multiple MPAs, which may have a role in prospective risk stratification in conjunction with other risk markers and endophenotypes; (2) research on specific, quantitatively assessed MPAs (especially in specific craniofacial structures) that may inform neurodevelopmental understandings of schizophrenia; and (3) genetic studies aimed at identifying the heritable and nonheritable determinants of specific MPAs, which may increase the field's understanding of the origins of MPAs and the nature of their association with schizophrenia. (C) 2010 ISDN. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Evaluation of ZAP-70 expression by flow cytometry in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A multicentric international harmonization process

Evaluation of ZAP-70 expression by flow cytometry in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a multicentric international harmonization process The clinical course of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is heterogeneous with some patients requiring early therapy whereas others will not be treated for years. The evaluation of an individual CLL patient's prognosis remains a problematic issue. The presence or absence of somatic mutations in the IgVH genes is currently the gold-standard prognostic factor, but this technique is labor intensive and costly. Genomic studies uncovered that 70 kDa zeta-associated protein (ZAP-70) expression was associated with unmutated IgVH genes and ZAP-70 protein expression was proposed as a surrogate for somatic mutational status. Among the available techniques for ZAP-70 detection, flow cytometry is most preferable as it allows the simultaneous quantification of ZAP-70 protein expression levels in CLL cells and residual normal lymphocyte subsets. However, several factors introduce variability in the results reported from different laboratories; these factors include the anti-ZAP-70 antibody clone and conjugate, the staining procedure, the gating strategy, and the method of reporting the results. The need for standardization of the approach led to the organization of an international working group focused on harmonizing all aspects of the technique. During this workshop, a technical consensus was reached on the methods for cell permeabilization and immunophenotyping procedures. An assay was then designed that allowed comparison of two clones of anti-ZAP-70 antibody and the identification of the expression of this molecule in B, T, and NK cells identified in a four multicolor analysis. This procedure was applied to three stabilized blood samples, provided by the UK NEQAS group to all participating members of this study, in order to minimize variability caused by sample storage and shipment. Analysis was performed in 20 laboratories providing interpretable data from 14 centers. Various gating strategies were used and the ZAP-70 levels were expressed as percentage positive (POS) relative to isotype control or normal B-cells or normal T-cells; in addition the levels were reported as a ratio of expression in CLL cells relative to T-cells. The reported level of ZAP-70 expression varied greatly depending on the antibody and the method used to express the results. The CLL/T-cell ZAP-70 expression ratio showed a much lower inter-laboratory variation than other reporting strategies and is recommended for multicenter studies. Stabilization results in decreased expression of CD19 making gating more difficult and therefore stabilized samples are not optimal for multicentric analysis of ZAP-70 expression. We assessed the variation of ZAP-70 expression levels in fresh cells according to storage time, which demonstrated that ZAP-70 is labile but sufficiently stable to allow comparison using fresh samples distributed between labs in Europe. These studies have demonstrated progress toward a consensus reporting procedure, and further work is underway to harmonize the preparation and analysis procedures. (c) 2006 international Society for Analytical Cytology