Periodic 2-graphs arising from subshifts

Higher-rank graphs were introduced by Kumjian and Pask to provide models for higher-rank Cuntz-Krieger algebras. In a previous paper, we constructed 2-graphs whose path spaces are rank-two subshifts of finite type, and showed that this construction yields aperiodic 2-graphs whose $C^*$-algebras are simple and are not ordinary graph algebras. Here we show that the construction also gives a family of periodic 2-graphs which we call \emph{domino graphs}. We investigate the combinatorial structure of domino graphs, finding interesting points of contact with the existing combinatorial literature, and prove a structure theorem for the $C^*$-algebras of domino graphs.Comment: 17 page

The Participatory Roots of Selective Exposure: Baby Boomers, Political Protest, and Talk Radio

Much political communication research examines the effects of media on political attitudes and behavior. But what of the contributions of political behavior toward selective exposure? This study draws on literature from selective exposure and political socialization to explore whether one’s likelihood of engaging in selective exposure may originate in part during the “crystallization period” of young adulthood. After controlling for demographic and political variables in adolescence and midadulthood, an analysis of data from a four-wave longitudinal panel of “baby boomers” from 1965 to 1997 indicates that selective exposure can be traced to political protest activity during this time and, very marginally, in subsequent years. The implications for the future of selective exposure among emerging generations are discussed

Displaced abomasum

"The abomasum is the fourth or 'true' stomach in the cow. It normally lies low down in the right front quadrant of the abdomen, just inside the seventh through 11th ribs (Fig. 1). Adjacent to the abomasum, on the left side of the abdomen, is the large first stomach or rumen (Fig. 2). The abomasum occasionally may be displaced to the left of the rumen and upwards when its muscular wall loses tone and the stomach becomes filled with gas. This condition is left abomasal displacement."--First page.A. David Weaver and Bonnard Moseley (College of Veterinary Medicine)Revised 9/87/5

A theoretical study of the conversion of gas phase methanediol to formaldehyde

Methanediol, or methylene glycol, is a product of the liquid phase reaction of water and formaldehyde and is a predicted interstellar grain surface species. Detection of this molecule in a hot core environment would advance the understanding of complex organic chemistry in the interstellar medium, but its laboratory spectroscopic characterization is a prerequisite for such observational searches. This theoretical study investigates the unimolecular decomposition of methanediol, specifically the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of the molecule under typical laboratory and interstellar conditions. Methanediol was found to be thermodynamically stable at temperatures of <100 K, which is the characteristic temperature range for interstellar grain mantles. The infinite-pressure RRKM unimolecular decomposition rate was found to be <10^(−18) s^(−1) at 300 K, indicating gas phase kinetic stability for typical laboratory and hot core temperatures. Therefore, both laboratory studies of and observational searches for this molecule should be feasible

Disrupting the circadian clock: Gene-specific effects on aging, cancer, and other phenotypes

The circadian clock imparts 24-hour rhythmicity on gene expression and cellular physiology in virtually all cells. Disruption of the genes necessary for the circadian clock to function has diverse effects, including aging-related phenotypes. Some circadian clock genes have been described as tumor suppressors, while other genes have less clear functions in aging and cancer. In this Review, we highlight a recent study [Dubrovsky et al., Aging 2: 936-944, 2010] and discuss the much larger field examining the relationship between circadian clock genes, circadian rhythmicity, aging-related phenotypes, and cancer

High velocity spikes in Gowdy spacetimes

We study the behavior of spiky features in Gowdy spacetimes. Spikes with velocity initially high are, generally, driven to low velocity. Let n be any integer greater than or equal to 1. If the initial velocity of an upward pointing spike is between 4n-3 and 4n-1 the spike persists with final velocity between 1 and 2, while if the initial velocity is between 4n-1 and 4n+1, the spiky feature eventually disappears. For downward pointing spikes the analogous rule is that spikes with initial velocity between 4n-4 and 4n-2 persist with final velocity between 0 and 1, while spikes with initial velocity between 4n-2 and 4n eventually disappear.Comment: discussion of constraints added. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

A family of 2-graphs arising from two-dimensional subshifts

Higher-rank graphs (or $k$-graphs) were introduced by Kumjian and Pask to provide combinatorial models for the higher-rank Cuntz-Krieger $C^*$-algebras of Robertson and Steger. Here we consider a family of finite 2-graphs whose path spaces are dynamical systems of algebraic origin, as studied by Schmidt and others. We analyse the $C^*$-algebras of these 2-graphs, find criteria under which they are simple and purely infinite, and compute their $K$-theory. We find examples whose $C^*$-algebras satisfy the hypotheses of the classification theorem of Kirchberg and Phillips, but are not isomorphic to the $C^*$-algebras of ordinary directed graphs.Comment: 28 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

Mass growth and mergers: direct observations of the luminosity function of LRG satellite galaxies out to z=0.7 from SDSS and BOSS images

We present a statistical study of the luminosity functions of galaxies surrounding luminous red galaxies (LRGs) at average redshifts =0.34 and =0.65. The luminosity functions are derived by extracting source photometry around more than 40,000 LRGs and subtracting foreground and background contamination using randomly selected control fields. We show that at both studied redshifts the average luminosity functions of the LRGs and their satellite galaxies are poorly fitted by a Schechter function due to a luminosity gap between the centrals and their most luminous satellites. We utilize a two-component fit of a Schechter function plus a log-normal distribution to demonstrate that LRGs are typically brighter than their most luminous satellite by roughly 1.3 magnitudes. This luminosity gap implies that interactions within LRG environments are typically restricted to minor mergers with mass ratios of 1:4 or lower. The luminosity functions further imply that roughly 35% of the mass in the environment is locked in the LRG itself, supporting the idea that mass growth through major mergers within the environment is unlikely. Lastly, we show that the luminosity gap may be at least partially explained by the selection of LRGs as the gap can be reproduced by sparsely sampling a Schechter function. In that case LRGs may represent only a small fraction of central galaxies in similar mass halos.Comment: ApJ accepted versio

Circadian clock proteins regulate neuronal redox homeostasis and neurodegeneration

Brain aging is associated with diminished circadian clock output and decreased expression of the core clock proteins, which regulate many aspects of cellular biochemistry and metabolism. The genes encoding clock proteins are expressed throughout the brain, though it is unknown whether these proteins modulate brain homeostasis. We observed that deletion of circadian clock transcriptional activators aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like (Bmal1) alone, or circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (Clock) in combination with neuronal PAS domain protein 2 (Npas2), induced severe age-dependent astrogliosis in the cortex and hippocampus. Mice lacking the clock gene repressors period circadian clock 1 (Per1) and period circadian clock 2 (Per2) had no observed astrogliosis. Bmal1 deletion caused the degeneration of synaptic terminals and impaired cortical functional connectivity, as well as neuronal oxidative damage and impaired expression of several redox defense genes. Targeted deletion of Bmal1 in neurons and glia caused similar neuropathology, despite the retention of intact circadian behavioral and sleep-wake rhythms. Reduction of Bmal1 expression promoted neuronal death in primary cultures and in mice treated with a chemical inducer of oxidative injury and striatal neurodegeneration. Our findings indicate that BMAL1 in a complex with CLOCK or NPAS2 regulates cerebral redox homeostasis and connects impaired clock gene function to neurodegeneration

Synthesis of Chiral Nonracemic Tertiary α-Thio and α-Sulfonyl Acetic Esters via SN2 Reactions of Tertiary Mesylates

Syntheses of enantioenriched sulfides and sulfones via substitution of tertiary mesylate with thiolate nucleophile were achieved with modest to excellent success