CMB lensing extraction and primordial non-Gaussianity

The next generation of CMB experiments should get a better handle on cosmological parameters by mapping the weak lensing deflection field, which is separable from primary anisotropies thanks to the non-Gaussianity induced by lensing. However, the generation of perturbations in the Early Universe also produces a level of non-Gaussianity which is known to be small, but can contribute to the anisotropy trispectrum at the same level as lensing. In this work, we study whether the primordial non-Gaussianity can mask the lensing statistics. We concentrate only on the ``temperature quadratic estimator'' of lensing, which will be nearly optimal for the Planck satellite, and work in the flat-sky approximation. We find that primordial non-Gaussianity contaminates the deflection field estimator by roughly (0.1 f_NL)% at large angular scales, which represents at most a 10% contribution, not sufficient to threaten lensing extraction, but enough to be taken into account.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figur

Calculating the local-type fNL for slow-roll inflation with a non-vacuum initial state

Single-field slow-roll inflation with a non-vacuum initial state has an enhanced bispectrum in the local limit. We numerically calculate the local-type fNL signal in the CMB that would be measured for such models (including the full transfer function and 2D projection). The nature of the result depends on several parameters, including the occupation number N_k, the phase angle \theta_k between the Bogoliubov parameters, and the slow-roll parameter \epsilon. In the most conservative case, where one takes \theta_k \approx \eta_0 k (justified by physical reasons discussed within) and \epsilon\lesssim 0.01, we find that 0 < fNL < 1.52 (\epsilon/0.01), which is likely too small to be detected in the CMB. However, if one is willing to allow a constant value for the phase angle \theta_k and N_k=O(1), fNL can be much larger and/or negative (depending on the choice of \theta_k), e.g. fNL \approx 28 (\epsilon/0.01) or -6.4 (\epsilon/0.01); depending on \epsilon, these scenarios could be detected by Planck or a future satellite. While we show that these results are not actually a violation of the single-field consistency relation, they do produce a value for fNL that is considerably larger than that usually predicted from single-field inflation.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure. v2: Version accepted for publication in PRD. Added greatly expanded discussion of the phase angle \theta_k; this allows the possibility of enhanced fNL, as mentioned in abstract. More explicit comparisons with earlier wor

Advanced radar-interpretation of InSAR time series for mapping and characterization of geological processes

We present a new post-processing methodology for the analysis of InSAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry) multi-temporal measures, based on the temporal under-sampling of displacement time series, the identification of potential changes occurring during the monitoring period and, eventually, the classification of different deformation behaviours. The potentials of this approach for the analysis of geological processes were tested on the case study of Naro (Italy), specifically selected due to its geological setting and related ground instability of unknown causes that occurred in February 2005. The time series analysis of past (ERS1/2 descending data; 1992–2000) and current (RADARSAT-1 ascending data; 2003–2007) ground movements highlighted significant displacement rates (up to 6 mm yr&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt;) in 2003–2007, followed by a post-event stabilization. The deformational behaviours of instable areas involved in the 2005 event were also detected, clarifying typology and kinematics of ground instability. The urban sectors affected and unaffected by the event were finally mapped, consequently re-defining and enlarging the influenced area previously detected by field observations. Through the integration of InSAR data and conventional field surveys (i.e. geological, geomorphologic and geostructural campaigns), the causes of instability were finally attributed to tectonics

Cellular distribution of aquaporins in testes of normal and cryptorchid dogs: A preliminary study on dynamic roles

Fluid regulation within the male gonad is an important process for promoting sperm differentiation and maturation. Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of thirteen integral membrane proteins involved in these processes. The expression of several genes of AQPs occurs in the male reproductive tract of humans and other animal species, although there are few studies on domestic animals. In this study, the localization of AQP7, AQP8, and AQP9 as well as the abundances of protein and mRNA transcripts were examined in normal and cryptorchid dog testes. There was immunohistochemical localization of AQP7, AQP8, and AQP9 in both the tubular and interstitial compartments of the normal and retained testes and crytorchid dogs, albeit there was an obvious difference in cellular localization with the testes from the cryptorchid dogs. These results were supported by western blotting and real-time RT-PCR analyses, there was a lesser AQP7 and greater AQP9 abundance of protein and mRNA transcripts in the cryptorchid testis. These findings indicate combined testicular functions of AQPs in cell volume regulation. In addition, with the cryptorchid condition characterized there was a different cellular distribution of AQPs supporting the thought that early detection is important for controlling possible side effects of cyptorchidism, such as pre-neoplastic and carcinogenic outcomes. © 2019 Elsevier B.V

Leptin, Ghrelin and TNF-α before and after Hypo-caloric Traditional Chinese Diet and Auricular Acupuncture

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Aquaporins Are Differentially Regulated in Canine Cryptorchid Efferent Ductules and Epididymis

The efferent ductules and the epididymis are parts of the male reproductive system where spermatozoa mature. Specialized epithelial cells in these ducts contribute to the transport of fluids produced by spermatozoa's metabolic activity. Aquaporins (AQPs) have been demonstrated to be expressed in the spermatozoan membrane and testis epithelial cells, where they contribute to regulating spermatozoan volume and transit through environments of differing osmolality. Due to the lack of detailed literature regarding AQP expression in the canine male genital tract, the aim of this study was to investigate both the distribution and expression of AQP7, AQP8, and AQP9 in the efferent ductules and epididymal regions (caput, corpus, and cauda) from normal and cryptorchid dogs by using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our results show different patterns for the distribution and expression of the examined AQPs, with particular evidence of their upregulation in the caput and downregulation in the cauda region of the canine cryptorchid epididymis. These findings are associated with a modulation of Hsp70 and caspase-3 expression, suggesting the participation of AQPs in the luminal microenvironment modifications that are peculiar characteristics of this pathophysiological condition

Differential abundances of AQP3 and AQP5 in reproductive tissues from dogs with and without cryptorchidism

quaporins (AQPs) are integral transmembrane proteins facilitating transport of water and small solutes, such as glycerol and urea, between cells. In male reproductive tracts, AQPs maintain a milieu conducive for sperm formation, maturation, and storage. The aim of this study was to clarify effects of testicular and epidydimal function on male fertility by investigating localisation and abundances of AQP3 and AQP5 in testes and epididymal segments from dogs with and without unilateral cryptorchidism. Immunohistochemistry results indicated AQP3 and AQP5 have different distribution patterns in reproductive tissues of dogs with and without unilateral cryptorchidism. The AQP3, an aquaglyceroprotein, is present in different germ and Sertoli cells in testis of dogs without cryptorchidism. The AQP5 protein was not detected in germ cells but was present in Sertoli and Leydig cells and in endothelia of blood vessels. In cryptorchid dogs, AQP3 was detected in early-developing germ and Sertoli cells, and AQP5 had a distribution pattern similar to testes of dogs without cryptorchidism. In the epididymis, AQP3 and AQP5 were localised in epithelial cells of dogs with and without cryptorchidism in a cell-specific manner. The AQP3 and AQP5 protein was in larger abundance in the gonads from dogs with and without cryptorchidism. In contrast, AQP3 and AQP5 abundance increased in each segment of the cryptorchid epididymis, likely as a compensatory mechanism associated with the pathologic condition. These results indicate involvement of AQP3 and AQP5 in spermatogenesis and sperm maturation. Results from the present study indicate dogs are a useful for comparative reproductive biology studie

Effects of orexins on 17β-estradiol synthesis and P450 aromatase modulation in the testis of alpaca (Vicugna pacos).

The steroidogenic enzyme P450 aromatase (ARO) has a key role in the conversion of testosterone (T) into estrogens (E), expressed as 17β-estradiol. The presence and localization of this key enzyme have not been described before in the South American camelid alpaca (Vicugna pacos). In our previous studies of the expression and biological effects of orexin A (OxA) and OxB on the alpaca testis demonstrated that OxA, via its specific receptor 1 (OX1R), stimulated T synthesis. In order to extend these findings, we presently explored the presence and localization of ARO in the alpaca male gonad, and the possible correlation between ARO and the orexinergic complex. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry demonstrated the presence of ARO in tissue homogenates and its localization in the tubular and interstitial compartments of the alpaca testis, respectively. The addition of OxA to fresh testicular slices decreased the 17β-estradiol E levels. This effect was annulled by the sequential addition of the selective OX1R antagonist, SB-408124. OxB incubation did not have any effect on the biosynthesis of E. Furthermore, the OxA-mediated down-regulation of E secretion could be ascribed to ARO inhibition by exogenous OxA, as indicated by measurement of ARO activity in tissue slices incubated with OxA. Overall, our findings suggest that locally secreted OxA interacting with OX1R could indirectly inhibit ARO activity, disabling the conversion of T to E, and consequently lowering E biosynthesis and increasing the production of T in mammalian testis

Gauge-Invariant Quasi-Free States on the Algebra of the Anyon Commutation Relations

Let $X=\mathbb R^2$ and let $q\in\mathbb C$, $|q|=1$. For $x=(x^1,x^2)$ and $y=(y^1,y^2)$ from $X^2$, we define a function $Q(x,y)$ to be equal to $q$ if $x^1y^1$, and to $\Re q$ if $x^1=y^1$. Let $\partial_x^+$, $\partial_x^-$ ($x\in X$) be operator-valued distributions such that $\partial_x^+$ is the adjoint of $\partial_x^-$. We say that $\partial_x^+$, $\partial_x^-$ satisfy the anyon commutation relations (ACR) if $\partial^+_x\partial_y^+=Q(y,x)\partial_y^+\partial_x^+$ for $x\ne y$ and $\partial^-_x\partial_y^+=\delta(x-y)+Q(x,y)\partial_y^+\partial^-_x$ for $(x,y)\in X^2$. In particular, for $q=1$, the ACR become the canonical commutation relations and for $q=-1$, the ACR become the canonical anticommutation relations. We define the ACR algebra as the algebra generated by operator-valued integrals of $\partial_x^+$, $\partial_x^-$. We construct a class of gauge-invariant quasi-free states on the ACR algebra. Each state from this class is completely determined by a positive self-adjoint operator $T$ on the real space $L^2(X,dx)$ which commutes with any operator of multiplication by a bounded function $\psi(x^1)$. In the case $\Re q0$), we discuss the corresponding particle density $\rho(x):=\partial_x^+\partial_x^-$. For $\Re q\in(0,1]$, using a renormalization, we rigorously define a vacuum state on the commutative algebra generated by operator-valued integrals of $\rho(x)$. This state is given by a negative binomial point process. A scaling limit of these states as $\kappa\to\infty$ gives the gamma random measure, depending on parameter $\Re q$