568 research outputs found
Multiple lenses of aesthetic response: José Sanchis Sinisterra's El lector por horas
José Sanchis Sinisterra's play El lector por horas takes the traditional concept of the reader-text relationship within a drama beyond its conventional boundaries through the use of fragmentation and escritura del hueco, or the practice of incorporating only small fragments of another author's text within his own play in order to mold the other text to fit his own devices. By doing so he is refracting the customarily accepted notion that the reader-text relationship is one-on-one. Instead, he filters his borrowed texts through a series of lenses, thereby redirecting them and assigning new meaning. Thus he allows them to appropriately work within his drama. The result is to endow his audience with multiple refractions of the original texts used within the play, thereby redefining the relationship between a text and its receptor. Sanchis has created a fresh perception of the conventional process of reading
A Survey of z>5.7 Quasars in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey II: Discovery of Three Additional Quasars at z>6
We present the discovery of three new quasars at z>6 in 1300 deg^2 of SDSS
imaging data, J114816.64+525150.3 (z=6.43), J104845.05+463718.3 (z=6.23) and
J163033.90+401209.6 (z=6.05). The first two objects have weak Ly alpha emission
lines; their redshifts are determined from the positions of the Lyman break.
They are only accurate to 0.05 and could be affected by the presence of broad
absorption line systems. The last object has a Ly alpha strength more typical
of lower redshift quasars. Based on a sample of six quasars at z>5.7 that cover
2870 deg^2 presented in this paper and in Paper I, we estimate the comoving
density of luminous quasars at z 6 and M_{1450} < -26.8 to be (8 +/-
3)x10^{-10} Mpc^{-3} (for H_0 = 50 km/s/Mpc, Omega = 1). HST imaging of two
z>5.7 quasars and high-resolution ground-based images (seeing 0.4'') of three
additional z>5.7 quasars show that none of them is gravitationally lensed. The
luminosity distribution of the high-redshfit quasar sample suggests the bright
end slope of the quasar luminosity function at z 6 is shallower than Psi
L^{-3.5} (2-sigma), consistent with the absence of strongly lensed objects.Comment: AJ in press (Apr 2003), 26 pages, 9 figure
The Masses of the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies
We present a family of robust tracer mass estimators to compute the enclosed
mass of galaxy haloes from samples of discrete positional and kinematical data
of tracers, such as halo stars, globular clusters and dwarf satellites. The
data may be projected positions, distances, line of sight velocities or proper
motions. Forms of the estimator tailored for the Milky Way galaxy and for M31
are given. Monte Carlo simulations are used to quantify the uncertainty as a
function of sample size. For the Milky Way, the satellite sample consists of 26
galaxies with line-of-sight velocities. We find that the mass of the Milky Way
within 300 kpc is ~ 0.9 x 10^12 solar masses assuming velocity isotropy.
However, the mass estimate is sensitive to the anisotropy and could plausibly
lie between 0.7 - 3.4 x 10^12 solar masses. Incorporating the proper motions of
6 Milky Way satellites into the dataset, we find ~ 1.4 x 10^12 solar masses.
The range here if plausible anisotropies are used is still broader, from 1.2 -
2.7 x 10^12 solar masses. For M31, there are 23 satellite galaxies with
measured line-of-sight velocities, but only M33 and IC 10 have proper motions.
We use the line of sight velocities and distances of the satellite galaxies to
estimate the mass of M31 within 300 kpc as ~ 1.4 x 10^12 solar masses assuming
isotropy. There is only a modest dependence on anisotropy, with the mass
varying between 1.3 -1.6 x 10^12 solar masses. Given the uncertainties, we
conclude that the satellite data by themselves yield no reliable insights into
which of the two galaxies is actually the more massive.Comment: 15 pages, submitted to MNRA
Prevention Conference VII - Obesity, a Worldwide Epidemic Related to Heart Disease and Stroke: Executive Summary
A picture tells a thousand words: A content analysis of concussion-related images online.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Recently image-sharing social media platforms have become a popular medium for sharing health-related images and associated information. However within the field of sports medicine, and more specifically sports related concussion, the content of images and meta-data shared through these popular platforms have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to analyse the content of concussion-related images and its accompanying meta-data on image-sharing social media platforms. METHODS: We retrieved 300 images from Pinterest, Instagram and Flickr by using a standardised search strategy. All images were screened and duplicate images were removed. We excluded images if they were: non-static images; illustrations; animations; or screenshots. The content and characteristics of each image was evaluated using a customised coding scheme to determine major content themes, and images were referenced to the current international concussion management guidelines. RESULTS: From 300 potentially relevant images, 176 images were included for analysis; 70 from Pinterest, 63 from Flickr, and 43 from Instagram. Most images were of another person or a scene (64%), with the primary content depicting injured individuals (39%). The primary purposes of the images were to share a concussion-related incident (33%) and to dispense education (19%). For those images where it could be evaluated, the majority (91%) were found to reflect the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 3 (SCAT3) guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to rapidly disseminate rich information though photos, images, and infographics to a wide-reaching audience suggests that image-sharing social media platforms could be used as an effective communication tool for sports concussion. Public health strategies could direct educative content to targeted populations via the use of image-sharing platforms. Further research is required to understand how image-sharing platforms can be used to effectively relay evidence-based information to patients and sports medicine clinicians
Testing gravitational-wave searches with numerical relativity waveforms: Results from the first Numerical INJection Analysis (NINJA) project
The Numerical INJection Analysis (NINJA) project is a collaborative effort
between members of the numerical relativity and gravitational-wave data
analysis communities. The purpose of NINJA is to study the sensitivity of
existing gravitational-wave search algorithms using numerically generated
waveforms and to foster closer collaboration between the numerical relativity
and data analysis communities. We describe the results of the first NINJA
analysis which focused on gravitational waveforms from binary black hole
coalescence. Ten numerical relativity groups contributed numerical data which
were used to generate a set of gravitational-wave signals. These signals were
injected into a simulated data set, designed to mimic the response of the
Initial LIGO and Virgo gravitational-wave detectors. Nine groups analysed this
data using search and parameter-estimation pipelines. Matched filter
algorithms, un-modelled-burst searches and Bayesian parameter-estimation and
model-selection algorithms were applied to the data. We report the efficiency
of these search methods in detecting the numerical waveforms and measuring
their parameters. We describe preliminary comparisons between the different
search methods and suggest improvements for future NINJA analyses.Comment: 56 pages, 25 figures; various clarifications; accepted to CQ
A Survey of z>5.8 Quasars in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey I: Discovery of Three New Quasars and the Spatial Density of Luminous Quasars at z~6
We present the results from a survey of i-dropout objects selected from ~1550
deg^2 of multicolor imaging data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, to search
for luminous quasars at z>5.8. Objects with i*-z*>2.2 and z*<20.2 are selected,
and follow-up J band photometry is used to separate L and T type cool dwarfs
from high-redshift quasars. We describe the discovery of three new quasars, at
z=5.82, 5.99 and 6.28, respectively. Their spectra show strong and broad Ly
alpha+NV emission lines, and very strong Ly alpha absorption, with a mean
continuum decrement D_A > 0.90. The ARC 3.5m spectrum of the z=6.28 quasar
shows that over a range of 300 A immediately blueward of the Ly alpha emission,
the average transmitted flux is only 0.003 +/-0.020 times that of the continuum
level, consistent with zero flux, and suggesting a tentative detection of the
complete Gunn-Peterson trough. The existence of strong metal lines suggests
early chemical enrichment in the quasar enviornment. The three new objects,
together with the previously published z=5.8 quasar form a complete
color-selected flux-limited sample at z>5.8. We estimate that at , the
comoving density of luminous quasars at M_1450 < -26.89 (h=0.5, Omega=1)is
1.1x10^-9 Mpc^-3. This is a factor of ~2 lower than that at z~5, and is
consistent with an extrapolation of the observed quasar evolution at low-z. We
discuss the contribution of quasars to the ionizing background at z~6. The
luminous quasars discussed in the paper have central black hole masses of
several times 10^9 M_sun by the Eddington argument. Their observed space
density provides a sensitive test of models of quasar and galaxy formation at
high redshift. (Abridged)Comment: AJ in press (Dec 2001), 40 pages, 10 figures. Updated following
referee report; minor change
Genetic Detection and Characterization of Lujo Virus, a New Hemorrhagic Fever–Associated Arenavirus from Southern Africa
Lujo virus (LUJV), a new member of the family Arenaviridae and the first hemorrhagic fever–associated arenavirus from the Old World discovered in three decades, was isolated in South Africa during an outbreak of human disease characterized by nosocomial transmission and an unprecedented high case fatality rate of 80% (4/5 cases). Unbiased pyrosequencing of RNA extracts from serum and tissues of outbreak victims enabled identification and detailed phylogenetic characterization within 72 hours of sample receipt. Full genome analyses of LUJV showed it to be unique and branching off the ancestral node of the Old World arenaviruses. The virus G1 glycoprotein sequence was highly diverse and almost equidistant from that of other Old World and New World arenaviruses, consistent with a potential distinctive receptor tropism. LUJV is a novel, genetically distinct, highly pathogenic arenavirus
Optimization of growth media components for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production from organic acids by Ralstonia eutropha
We employed systematic mixture analysis to determine optimal levels of acetate, propionate, and butyrate for cell growth and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production by Ralstonia eutropha H16. Butyrate was the preferred acid for robust cell growth and high PHA production. The 3-hydroxyvalerate content in the resulting PHA depended on the proportion of propionate initially present in the growth medium. The proportion of acetate dramatically affected the final pH of the growth medium. A model was constructed using our data that predicts the effects of these acids, individually and in combination, on cell dry weight (CDW), PHA content (%CDW), PHA production, 3HV in the polymer, and final culture pH. Cell growth and PHA production improved approximately 1.5-fold over initial conditions when the proportion of butyrate was increased. Optimization of the phosphate buffer content in medium containing higher amounts of butyrate improved cell growth and PHA production more than 4-fold. The validated organic acid mixture analysis model can be used to optimize R. eutropha culture conditions, in order to meet targets for PHA production and/or polymer HV content. By modifying the growth medium made from treated industrial waste, such as palm oil mill effluent, more PHA can be produced.Malaysia. Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI
Addressing disparities in maternal health care in Pakistan: gender, class and exclusion
Background: After more than two decades of the Safe Motherhood Initiative and Millennium Development Goals aimed at reducing maternal mortality, women continue to die in childbirth at unacceptably high rates in Pakistan. While an extensive literature describes various programmatic strategies, it neglects the rigorous analysis of the reasons these strategies have been unsuccessful, especially for women living at the economic and social margins of society. A critical gap in current knowledge is a detailed understanding of the root causes of disparities in maternal health care, and in particular, how gender and class influence policy formulation and the design and delivery of maternal health care services. Taking Pakistan as a case study, this research builds upon two distinct yet interlinked conceptual approaches to understanding the phenomenon of inequity in access to maternal health care: social exclusion and health systems as social institutions.
Methods/Design: This four year project consists of two interrelated modules that focus on two distinct groups of participants: (1) poor, disadvantaged women and men and (2) policy makers, program managers and health service providers. Module one will employ critical ethnography to understand the key axes of social exclusion as related to gender, class and zaat and how they affect women’s experiences of using maternal health care. Through health care setting observations, interviews and document review, Module two will assess policy design and delivery of maternal health services.
Discussion: This research will provide theoretical advances to enhance understanding of the power dynamics of gender and class that may underlie poor women’s marginalization from health care systems in Pakistan. It will also provide empirical evidence to support formulation of maternal health care policies and health care system practices aimed at reducing disparities in maternal health care in Pakistan. Lastly, it will enhance inter-disciplinary research capacity in the emerging field of social exclusion and maternal health and help reduce social inequities and achieve the Millennium Development Goal No. 5
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