General CMB and Primordial Bispectrum Estimation I: Mode Expansion, Map-Making and Measures of f_NL

We present a detailed implementation of two bispectrum estimation methods which can be applied to general non-separable primordial and CMB bispectra. The method exploits bispectrum mode decompositions on the domain of allowed wavenumber or multipole values. Concrete mode examples constructed from symmetrised tetrahedral polynomials are given, demonstrating rapid convergence for known bispectra. We use these modes to generate simulated CMB maps of high resolution (l > 2000) given an arbitrary primordial power spectrum and bispectrum or an arbitrary late-time CMB angular power spectrum and bispectrum. By extracting coefficients for the same separable basis functions from an observational map, we are able to present an efficient and general f_NL estimator for a given theoretical model. The estimator has two versions comparing theoretical and observed coefficients at either primordial or late times, thus encompassing a wider range of models, including secondary anisotropies, lensing and cosmic strings. We provide examples and validation of both f_NL estimation methods by direct comparison with simulations in a WMAP-realistic context. In addition, we show how the full bispectrum can be extracted from observational maps using these mode expansions, irrespective of the theoretical model under study. We also propose a universal definition of the bispectrum parameter F_NL for more consistent comparison between theoretical models. We obtain WMAP5 estimates of f_NL for the equilateral model from both our primordial and late-time estimators which are consistent with each other, as well as with results already published in the literature. These general bispectrum estimation methods should prove useful for the analysis of nonGaussianity in the Planck satellite data, as well as in other contexts.Comment: 41 pages, 17 figure

Constraining Variations in the Fine Structure Constant in the presence of Early Dark Energy

We discuss present and future cosmological constraints on variations of the fine structure constant $\alpha$ induced by an early dark energy component having the simplest allowed (linear) coupling to electromagnetism. We find that current cosmological data show no variation of the fine structure constant at recombination respect to the present-day value, with $\alpha$ / $\alpha_0$ = 0.975 \pm 0.020 at 95 % c.l., constraining the energy density in early dark energy to $\Omega_e$ < 0.060 at 95 % c.l.. Moreover, we consider constraints on the parameter quantifying the strength of the coupling by the scalar field. We find that current cosmological constraints on the coupling are about 20 times weaker than those obtainable locally (which come from Equivalence Principle tests). However forthcoming or future missions, such as Planck Surveyor and CMBPol, can match and possibly even surpass the sensitivity of current local tests.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Building Energy Certification System: Application to a Building in Lisbon and Paths to a Future Enhanced Scheme

Energy efficiency in buildings is of particular importance in the pursuit of international objectives in the area of climate and energy, as it is a sector that represents approximately 40% of the total primary energy demand [1], with strong growth prospects in absolute consumption. In Portugal, the implementation of the Energy Certification System and Indoor Air Quality (SCE) [2] [3] [4] is an important step in the promotion of energy efficiency and achievement of the national targets regarding the emission of greenhouse gases. This work presents the application of the SCE system to a large office building, the Lisbon City Hall. In the context of the energy audit that was performed, different energy optimization scenarios were defined and analyzed in a cost-benefit perspective. Emphasis is placed on the calibration of the building thermal simulation model (EnergyPlus [5]) and its results. Based on this application of an energy certification code, an examination of the principles that underlie these systems is performed, resulting in a qualitative reflection on the limitations of the SCE system and opportunities for its improvement

Identification of Regulatory T Cells in Tolerated Allografts

Induction of transplantation tolerance with certain therapeutic nondepleting monoclonal antibodies can lead to a robust state of peripheral “dominant” tolerance. Regulatory CD4+ T cells, which mediate this form of “dominant” tolerance, can be isolated from spleens of tolerant animals. To determine whether there were any extra-lymphoid sites that might harbor regulatory T cells we sought their presence in tolerated skin allografts and in normal skin. When tolerated skin grafts are retransplanted onto T cell–depleted hosts, graft-infiltrating T cells exit the graft and recolonize the new host. These colonizing T cells can be shown to contain members with regulatory function, as they can prevent nontolerant lymphocytes from rejecting fresh skin allografts, without hindrance of rejection of third party skin. Our results suggest that T cell suppression of graft rejection is an active process that operates beyond secondary lymphoid tissue, and involves the persistent presence of regulatory T cells at the site of the tolerated transplant

Co-receptor and co-stimulation blockade for mixed chimerism and tolerance without myelosuppressive conditioning

BACKGROUND: A major challenge in the application of marrow transplantation as a route to immunological tolerance of a transplanted organ is to achieve hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) engraftment with minimal myelosuppressive treatments. RESULTS: We here describe a combined antibody protocol which can achieve long-term engraftment with clinically relevant doses of MHC-mismatched bone marrow, without the need for myelosuppressive drugs. Although not universally applicable in all strains, we achieved reliable engraftment in permissive strains with a two-stage strategy: involving first, treatment with anti-CD8 and anti-CD4 in advance of transplantation; and second, treatment with antibodies targeting CD4, CD8 and CD40L (CD154) at the time of marrow transplantation. Long-term mixed chimerism through co-receptor and co-stimulation blockade facilitated tolerance to donor-type skin grafts, without any evidence of donor-antigen driven regulatory T cells. CONCLUSION: We conclude that antibodies targeting co-receptor and co-stimulatory molecules synergise to enable mixed hematopoietic chimerism and central tolerance, showing that neither cytoreductive conditioning nor 'megadoses' of donor bone marrow are required for donor HSC to engraft in permissive strains

Building Energy Certification System: Application to a Building in Lisbon and Paths to a Future Enhanced Scheme

Energy efficiency in buildings is of particular importance in the pursuit of international objectives in the area of climate and energy, as it is a sector that represents approximately 40% of the total primary energy demand [1], with strong growth prospects in absolute consumption. In Portugal, the implementation of the Energy Certification System and Indoor Air Quality (SCE) [2] [3] [4] is an important step in the promotion of energy efficiency and achievement of the national targets regarding the emission of greenhouse gases. This work presents the application of the SCE system to a large office building, the Lisbon City Hall. In the context of the energy audit that was performed, different energy optimization scenarios were defined and analyzed in a cost-benefit perspective. Emphasis is placed on the calibration of the building thermal simulation model (EnergyPlus [5]) and its results. Based on this application of an energy certification code, an examination of the principles that underlie these systems is performed, resulting in a qualitative reflection on the limitations of the SCE system and opportunities for its improvement