2,203 research outputs found
Interview with Dan J. Wilson, SuDan Farms, 2007 (audio)
Interview of Dan J. Wilson by Jason Keaton at Canby, Oregon on August 10th, 2007.
The interview index is available for download
The Phase Space and Stellar Populations of Cluster Galaxies at z ~ 1: Simultaneous Constraints on the Location and Timescale of Satellite Quenching
We investigate the velocity vs. position phase space of z ~ 1 cluster
galaxies using a set of 424 spectroscopic redshifts in 9 clusters drawn from
the GCLASS survey. Dividing the galaxy population into three categories:
quiescent, star-forming, and poststarburst, we find that these populations have
distinct distributions in phase space. Most striking are the poststarburst
galaxies, which are commonly found at small clustercentric radii with high
clustercentric velocities, and appear to trace a coherent ``ring" in phase
space. Using several zoom simulations of clusters we show that the coherent
distribution of the poststarbursts can be reasonably well-reproduced using a
simple quenching scenario. Specifically, the phase space is best reproduced if
satellite quenching occurs on a rapid timescale (0.1 < tau_{Q} < 0.5 Gyr) after
galaxies make their first passage of R ~ 0.5R_{200}, a process that takes a
total time of ~ 1 Gyr after first infall. We compare this quenching timescale
to the timescale implied by the stellar populations of the poststarburst
galaxies and find that the poststarburst spectra are well-fit by a rapid
quenching (tau_{Q} = 0.4^{+0.3}_{-0.4} Gyr) of a typical star-forming galaxy.
The similarity between the quenching timescales derived from these independent
indicators is a strong consistency check of the quenching model. Given that the
model implies satellite quenching is rapid, and occurs well within R_{200},
this would suggest that ram-pressure stripping of either the hot or cold gas
component of galaxies are the most plausible candidates for the physical
mechanism. The high cold gas consumption rates at z ~ 1 make it difficult to
determine if hot or cold gas stripping is dominant; however, measurements of
the redshift evolution of the satellite quenching timescale and location may be
capable of distinguishing between the two.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, submitted to the Ap
HOPS 383: An Outbursting Class 0 Protostar in Orion
We report the dramatic mid-infrared brightening between 2004 and 2006 of HOPS
383, a deeply embedded protostar adjacent to NGC 1977 in Orion. By 2008, the
source became a factor of 35 brighter at 24 microns with a brightness increase
also apparent at 4.5 microns. The outburst is also detected in the
submillimeter by comparing APEX/SABOCA to SCUBA data, and a scattered-light
nebula appeared in NEWFIRM K_s imaging. The post-outburst spectral energy
distribution indicates a Class 0 source with a dense envelope and a luminosity
between 6 and 14 L_sun. Post-outburst time-series mid- and far-infrared
photometry shows no long-term fading and variability at the 18% level between
2009 and 2012. HOPS 383 is the first outbursting Class 0 object discovered,
pointing to the importance of episodic accretion at early stages in the star
formation process. Its dramatic rise and lack of fading over a six-year period
hint that it may be similar to FU Ori outbursts, although the luminosity
appears to be significantly smaller than the canonical luminosities of such
objects.Comment: Accepted by ApJ Letters, 6 pages, 4 figures; v2 has an updated email
address for the lead autho
Developing a pressure ulcer risk factor minimum data set and risk assessment framework
AIM: To agree a draft pressure ulcer risk factor Minimum Data Set to underpin the development of a new evidenced-based Risk Assessment Framework.BACKGROUND: A recent systematic review identified the need for a pressure ulcer risk factor Minimum Data Set and development and validation of an evidenced-based pressure ulcer Risk Assessment Framework. This was undertaken through the Pressure UlceR Programme Of reSEarch (RP-PG-0407-10056), funded by the National Institute for Health Research and incorporates five phases. This article reports phase two, a consensus study.DESIGN: Consensus study.METHOD: A modified nominal group technique based on the Research and Development/University of California at Los Angeles appropriateness method. This incorporated an expert group, review of the evidence and the views of a Patient and Public Involvement service user group. Data were collected December 2010-December 2011.FINDINGS: The risk factors and assessment items of the Minimum Data Set (including immobility, pressure ulcer and skin status, perfusion, diabetes, skin moisture, sensory perception and nutrition) were agreed. In addition, a draft Risk Assessment Framework incorporating all Minimum Data Set items was developed, comprising a two stage assessment process (screening and detailed full assessment) and decision pathways.CONCLUSION: The draft Risk Assessment Framework will undergo further design and pre-testing with clinical nurses to assess and improve its usability. It will then be evaluated in clinical practice to assess its validity and reliability. The Minimum Data Set could be used in future for large scale risk factor studies informing refinement of the Risk Assessment Framework
Continued Development of the Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC)
The Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) is being developed under contract with the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) and is supported by NASA s Science Mission Directorate for potential use in future radioisotope power systems having significantly increased efficiency and higher specific power compared to the current thermoelectric systems. An ASC with a lower temperature (approx.650 C) Inconel heater head is currently being substituted into the DOE/Lockheed Martin Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) program with a predicted convertor efficiency of 34 percent (AC electrical out to heat input ) at a temperature ratio of 2.7 and is expected to deliver approximately 75 W(sub ac). Continued development of the higher temperature (approx.850 C) version using existing materials and fabrication techniques in the hot portions is reported on here. The higher temperature ASC is expected to have 38 percent efficiency (AC electrical out to heat input) at a temperature ratio of 3.1 and is expected to deliver approximately 88 W(sub ac). The high temperature ASC also has approximately 30 C higher rejection temperature, which allows for further reduced system mass because of the reduced radiator size. Six higher temperature and hermetically sealed convertors are being built under this effort for extended life testing at GRC
Examining impulsivity as an endophenotype using a behavioral approach: a DRD2 TaqI A and DRD4 48-bp VNTR association study
BACKGROUND: Research on the genetic basis for impulsivity has revealed an array of ambiguous findings. This may be a result of limitations to self-report assessments of impulsivity. Behavioral measures that assess more narrowly defined aspects of impulsivity may clarify genetic influences. This study examined the relationship between possession of the DRD2 TaqI A and DRD4 48 bp VNTR genetic polymorphisms and performance on a behavioral measure of impulsivity, the delay discounting task (DDT), and three traditional self-report measures. METHODS: 195 individuals (42% male) were recruited from a university campus and were assessed in small group sessions using personal computers. Genotyping was conducted using previously established protocols. For the DRD2 TaqI A locus, individuals were designated as possessing at least one copy of the A1 allele (A1+) or not (A1-), and for the DRD4 48-bp VNTR locus, individuals were designated as having at least one long allele (7 repeats or longer, L+) or not (L-). Principal analyses used multiple univariate factorial 2 (A1+/A1-) × 2 (L+/L-) analyses of variance. RESULTS: A significant main effect of A1+ status on DDT performance was evident (p = .006) as well as a significant interaction effect (p = .006) between both genes. No other significant effects were evident on the self-report measures, with the exception of a trend toward an interaction effect on the Sensation Seeking Scale. Exploratory analyses suggested that the significant effects were not a function of population stratification or gender. DISCUSSION: These data suggest that the DRD2 TaqI A and DRD4 VNTR polymorphisms influence impulsivity as measured with a delay discounting task. Specifically, these findings suggest that an interaction between the functional effects of the two unlinked genotypes results in significant difference in the balance of mesolimbic dopaminergic activation relative to frontal-parietal activation. However, these findings are also the first in this area and must be replicated. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a meaningful interaction between the DRD2 TaqI A and DRD4 VNTR polymorphisms in the expression of impulsivity and provide initial support for the utility of using behavioral measures for clarifying genetic influences on impulsivity
Sequencing and analysis of an Irish human genome
BACKGROUND: Recent studies generating complete human sequences from Asian, African and European subgroups have revealed population-specific variation and disease susceptibility loci. Here, choosing a DNA sample from a population of interest due to its relative geographical isolation and genetic impact on further populations, we extend the above studies through the generation of 11-fold coverage of the first Irish human genome sequence. RESULTS: Using sequence data from a branch of the European ancestral tree as yet unsequenced, we identify variants that may be specific to this population. Through comparisons with HapMap and previous genetic association studies, we identified novel disease-associated variants, including a novel nonsense variant putatively associated with inflammatory bowel disease. We describe a novel method for improving SNP calling accuracy at low genome coverage using haplotype information. This analysis has implications for future re-sequencing studies and validates the imputation of Irish haplotypes using data from the current Human Genome Diversity Cell Line Panel (HGDP-CEPH). Finally, we identify gene duplication events as constituting significant targets of recent positive selection in the human lineage. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that there remains utility in generating whole genome sequences to illustrate both general principles and reveal specific instances of human biology. With increasing access to low cost sequencing we would predict that even armed with the resources of a small research group a number of similar initiatives geared towards answering specific biological questions will emerge
Renormalization group approach to matrix models via noncommutative space
We develop a new renormalization group approach to the large-N limit of
matrix models. It has been proposed that a procedure, in which a matrix model
of size (N-1) \times (N-1) is obtained by integrating out one row and column of
an N \times N matrix model, can be regarded as a renormalization group and that
its fixed point reveals critical behavior in the large-N limit. We instead
utilize the fuzzy sphere structure based on which we construct a new map
(renormalization group) from N \times N matrix model to that of rank N-1. Our
renormalization group has great advantage of being a nice analog of the
standard renormalization group in field theory. It is naturally endowed with
the concept of high/low energy, and consequently it is in a sense local and
admits derivative expansions in the space of matrices. In construction we also
find that our renormalization in general generates multi-trace operators, and
that nonplanar diagrams yield a nonlocal operation on a matrix, whose action is
to transport the matrix to the antipode on the sphere. Furthermore the
noncommutativity of the fuzzy sphere is renormalized in our formalism. We then
analyze our renormalization group equation, and Gaussian and nontrivial fixed
points are found. We further clarify how to read off scaling dimensions from
our renormalization group equation. Finally the critical exponent of the model
of two-dimensional gravity based on our formalism is examined.Comment: 1+42 pages, 4 figure
The Herschel Orion Protostar Survey: Far-Infrared Photometry and Colors of Protostars and Their Variations across Orion A and B
The degree to which the properties of protostars are affected by environment
remains an open question. To investigate this, we look at the Orion A and B
molecular clouds, home to most of the protostars within 500 pc. At ~400 pc,
Orion is close enough to distinguish individual protostars across a range of
environments in terms of both the stellar and gas projected densities. As part
of the Herschel Orion Protostar Survey (HOPS), we used the Photodetector Array
Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) to map 108 partially overlapping square fields
with edge lengths of 5 arcmin or 8 arcmin and measure the 70 micron and 160
micron flux densities of 338 protostars within them. In this paper we examine
how these flux densities and their ratio depend on evolutionary state and
environment within the Orion complex. We show that Class 0 protostars occupy a
region of the 70 micron flux density versus 160 micron to 70 micron flux
density ratio diagram that is distinct from their more evolved counterparts. We
then present evidence that the Integral-Shaped Filament (ISF) and Orion B
contain protostars with more massive envelopes than those in the more sparsely
populated LDN 1641 region. This can be interpreted as evidence for increasing
star formation rates in the ISF and Orion B or as a tendency for more massive
envelopes to be inherited from denser birth environments. We also provide
technical details about the map-making and photometric procedures used in the
HOPS program.Comment: Accepted by Ap
The Herschel Orion Protostar Survey: Luminosity and Envelope Evolution
The Herschel Orion Protostar Survey obtained well-sampled 1.2–870 μm spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of over 300 protostars in the Orion molecular clouds, home to most of the young stellar objects (YSOs) in the nearest 500 pc. We plot the bolometric luminosities and temperatures for 330 Orion YSOs, 315 of which have bolometric temperatures characteristic of protostars. The histogram of the bolometric temperature is roughly flat; 29% of the protostars are in Class 0. The median luminosity decreases by a factor of four with increasing bolometric temperature; consequently, the Class 0 protostars are systematically brighter than the Class I protostars, with a median luminosity of 2.3 L_☉ as opposed to 0.87 L_☉. At a given bolometric temperature, the scatter in luminosities is three orders of magnitude. Using fits to the SEDs, we analyze how the luminosities corrected for inclination and foreground reddening relate to the mass in the inner 2500 au of the best-fit model envelopes. The histogram of the envelope mass is roughly flat, while the median-corrected luminosity peaks at 15 L_☉ for young envelopes and falls to 1.7 L_☉ for late-stage protostars with remnant envelopes. The spread in luminosity at each envelope mass is three orders of magnitude. Envelope masses that decline exponentially with time explain the flat mass histogram and the decrease in luminosity, while the formation of a range of stellar masses explains the dispersion in luminosity
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