We report nine new transit epochs of the extrasolar planet WASP-5b, observed in the Bessell I band with the Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope at the Cerro Pachon Observatory and with the ...SMARTS 1 m Telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, between 2008 August and 2009 October. The new transits have been combined with all previously published transit data for this planet to provide a new Transit Timing Variation (TTV) analysis of its orbit. We find no evidence of TTV rms variations larger than 1 minute over a 3 year time span. This result discards the presence of planets more massive than about 5 M sub(+ in circle), 1 M sub(+ in circle), and 2 M sub(+ in circle) around the 1:2, 5:3, and 2:1 orbital resonances, respectively. These new detection limits exceed by ~5-30 times the limits imposed by current radial velocity observations in the mean motion resonances of this system. Our search for the variation of other parameters, such as orbital inclination and transit depth, also yields negative results over the total time span of the transit observations. This result supports formation theories that predict a paucity of planetary companions to hot Jupiters.
In this work, we use long-slit spectroscopy observations of a transit event of the close-in orbiting planet WASP-43b (Msubp=2.034 Msub Jup, Rsubp=1.036 RsubJup in an effort to detect its atmosphere. ...We used the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) instrument OSIRIS to obtain long-slit spectra in the optical range 520-1040 nm of the planetary host star WASP-43 and of a reference star during a full primary transit event and four partial transit observations. We measure a mean planet-to-star radius ratio in the white light curve of 0.15988sub -0 .00145sup +0 .00133. Using broadband filters, we detect the color signature of WASP-43. We present a tentative detection in the planet-to-star radius ratio around the Na I doublet (lambda 588.9, 589.5 nm) when compared to the nearby continuum at the 2.9sigma level. As previous results, this hints to the orbital decay of this planet although a timing analysis over several years needs to be made to confirm this.
Buried tunnel valleys are common features in formerly glaciated areas, and where present, they are very important for the groundwater recharge and flow. Delineation of the structures and modelling of ...the infill is therefore very important in relation to groundwater mapping. Typically, borehole information is too sparse to enable a detailed delineation of the structures, whereas densely covering airborne electromagnetic data have proven to be very useful for this. In the last decades, the mapping approach has been studied carefully, but the 3D modelling of the valley structures has not been described to the same degree yet. In this study, we create a 3D geological model of an area that is characterised by a complex network of buried valleys mapped with a spatially dense airborne electromagnetic survey. Due to the comprehensive dataset, the modelling requires formulation of an advanced strategy. This contains a number of steps, where the AEM-derived resistivity data are initially interpreted based on the geological background knowledge to identify the buried valleys and build a conceptual geological model. Secondly, the age relationships between the valleys are established from the valley orientations and their internal cross-cut relationships. Thirdly, the deep erosional surfaces are modelled. Subsequently, the interpreted age relationships are utilised to trim the valley floor surfaces, such that younger valleys cut older. Finally, a voxel model is built and populated with lithofacies and stratigraphical units. The model is constructed as a combined layer-based and voxel model in order to map both the overall structures as well as the lithological variations within the 3D model domain. The final model contains 20 buried valleys that show a complex cross-cut setting that indicate the presence of at least eight valley generations. Most of the valley infills show lithological variations, and the final voxel model thus contains 42 different geological units.
•We interpret buried valleys from AEM and borehole data.•We formulate an advanced strategy for knowledge-based modelling of buried valleys.•We combine layer-based and voxel modelling to resolve the structures optimally.•We identify and model a network consisting of 20 buried valley structures.•At least 8 different valley generations have been interpreted.
Aging of the brain has been demonstrated to be the main risk factor for late-onset sporadic AD what is in contrast to early-onset familial AD in which mutations predominate the pathology. Aging of ...the brain was found to be associated with a multitude of aberrancies from normal in morphological, cellular and molecular terms. Recent findings provide clear evidence that the function of the neuronal insulin/insulin receptor signal transduction cascade is of pivotal significance to maintain normal cerebral blood flow and oxidative energy metabolism, work of the endoplasmatic reticulum/Golgi apparatus and the cell cycle in terminally differentiated neurons no longer in the cell cycle. It has become evident that normal metabolism of both amyloid precursor protein and tau-protein is part of interactive processes controlled by the neuronal I/IR signal transduction cascade. In normal brain aging, the function of this cascade starts to fail compared to normal resulting in adverse effects in CBF/oxidative energy metabolism, work of the endoplasmatic reticulum/Golgi apparatus and cell cycle. The aberrancies may not be drastic, but multifold and permanently existing, inclusive the metabolism of APP and tau-protein. The amount of intraneuronally formed betaA4 may increase, and tau-protein may become hyperphosphorylated. These processes as a whole may increase the vulnerability of the aging brain and may facilitate the generation of late-onset sporadic AD.
The hypothesis is forwarded that sporadic late-onset Alzheimer disease is caused by non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus which is confined to the brain. This hypothesis is based on the findings of ...Frölich and coworkers (this volume) who clearly demonstrate a perturbation of the neuronal insulin/ insulin receptor signal transduction pathway which is considered to be the pathobiochemical basis for the drastic reduction in glucose/energy metabolism in Alzheimer brain. As a consequence of this abnormality, advanced glycation end products are formed. Münch et al. (this volume) evaluate the impacts of the latter related to oxidative stress and the formation of beta-amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles.
ABSTRACT
We homogeneously reanalyse 124 transit light curves for the WASP-4 b hot Jupiter. This set involved new observations secured in 2019 and nearly all observations mentioned in the literature, ...including high-accuracy GEMINI/GMOS transmission spectroscopy of 2011–2014 and TESS observations of 2018. The analysis confirmed a non-linear transit timing variation (TTV) trend with $P/|\dot{P}|\sim \hbox{17-30}$ Myr (1σ range), implying only half of the initial decay rate estimation. The trend significance is at least 3.4σ in the aggressively conservative treatment. Possible radial acceleration due to unseen companions is not revealed in Doppler data covering seven years 2007–2014, and radial acceleration of −15 m s−1 yr−1 reported in a recent preprint by another team is not confirmed. If present, it is a very non-linear radial velocity variation. Assuming that the entire TTV is tidal in nature, the tidal quality factor $Q_\star ^{\prime }\sim \hbox{(4.5-8.5)}\times 10^4$ does not reveal a convincing disagreement with available theory predictions.
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION
Does male alcohol consumption affect fecundability?
SUMMARY ANSWER
In data pooled across Danish and North American preconception cohort studies, we found little evidence of an ...association between male alcohol consumption and reduced fecundability.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Experimental and clinical studies have shown that alcohol affects male reproductive physiology, mainly by altering male reproductive hormones and spermatogenesis. However, few epidemiologic studies have examined the association between alcohol consumption and male fertility.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
Data were collected from two ongoing prospective preconception cohort studies: the Danish ‘SnartForaeldre’ (SF) study (662 couples) and the North American ‘Pregnancy Study Online’ (PRESTO) (2017 couples). Participants included in the current analysis were enrolled from August 2011 through June 2019 (SF) and from June 2013 through June 2019 (PRESTO).
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Eligible men were aged ≥18 years in SF and ≥21 years in PRESTO, in a stable relationship with a female partner and not using contraception or receiving fertility treatment. In both cohorts, alcohol consumption/serving size was self-reported as number of beers (330 mL/12 oz.), glasses of white or red wine (120 mL/4 oz. each), dessert wine (50 mL/2 oz.) and spirits (20 mL/1.5 oz.). Overall alcohol consumption was categorized as none, 1–5, 6–13 and ≥14 standard servings per week. Total menstrual cycles at risk were calculated using data from female partners’ follow-up questionnaires, which were completed every 8 weeks until self-reported pregnancy or 12 menstrual cycles, whichever came first. Analyses were restricted to couples that had been trying to conceive for ≤6 cycles at study entry. Proportional probability regression models were used to compute fecundability ratios (FRs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs). We adjusted for male and female age, female partner’s alcohol consumption, intercourse frequency, previous history of fathering a child, race/ethnicity, education, BMI, smoking and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and caffeine.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
The cumulative proportion of couples who conceived during 12 cycles of follow-up were 1727 (64.5%). The median (interquartile range) of total male alcohol consumption was 4.5 (2.0–7.8) and 4.1 (1.0–8.6) standard servings per week in the SF and PRESTO cohorts, respectively. In pooled analyses, adjusted FRs for male alcohol consumption of 1–5, 6–13 and ≥14 standard servings per week compared with no alcohol consumption were 1.02 (95% CI: 0.90–1.17), 1.10 (95% CI: 0.96–1.27) and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.81–1.18), respectively. For SF, adjusted FRs of 1–5, 6–13 and ≥14 standard servings per week compared with no alcohol consumption were 0.97 (95% CI: 0.73–1.28), 0.81 (95% CI: 0.60–1.10) and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.51–1.30), respectively. For PRESTO, adjusted FRs of 1–5, 6–13 and ≥14 standard servings per week compared with no alcohol consumption were 1.02 (95% CI: 0.88–1.18), 1.20 (95% CI: 1.03–1.40) and 1.03 (95% CI: 0.84–1.26), respectively.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
Male alcohol consumption was ascertained at baseline only, and we did not distinguish between regular and binge drinking. In addition, we had insufficient numbers to study the effects of specific types of alcoholic beverages. As always, residual confounding by unmeasured factors, such as dietary factors and mental health, cannot be ruled out. Comorbidities thought to play a role in the reproductive setting (i.e. cancer, metabolic syndrome) were not considered in this study; however, the prevalence of cancer and diabetes was low in this age group. Findings for the highest categories of alcohol consumption (6–13 and ≥14 servings/week) were not consistent across the two cohorts.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Despite little evidence of an association between male alcohol consumption and reduced fecundability in the pooled analysis, data from the Danish cohort might indicate a weak association between reduced fecundability and consumption of six or more servings per week.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health (R01-HD060680, R01-HD086742, R21-HD050264, R21-HD072326, R03-HD090315), the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Oticon Fonden, Politimester J.P.N. Colind og hustru Asmine Colinds mindelegat and Erna og Peter Houtveds studielegat. PRESTO receives in-kind donations from FertilityFriend.com, Kindara.com, Swiss Precision Diagnostics and Sandstone Diagnostics for the collection of data pertaining to fertility. Dr Wise serves as a consultant on uterine leiomyomata for AbbVie.com. All other authors declare no conflict of interest.
Groundwater protection and risk assessment of contaminated sites (e.g. abandoned landfills, industrial waste facilities, gasoline stations, and dry cleaners) situated in complex glacial landscapes ...are extremely challenging. A common method to assess the risks for leakage and contamination of groundwater and surface water is to develop hydraulic models. However, reliable models need to contain information about both the three-dimensional (3D) distribution of the deposits and their hydraulic properties. Environmental risk assessments therefore require highly detailed digital 3D geological models. In order to construct models with this degree of detail, dense data coverage with high-quality data is necessary. Many studies rely of few data sources, resulting in relatively sparse data.
In this study we demonstrate how 6 different data sources can be combined to gain new insight on the geological history, which is central to the subsequent 3D geological modelling. The analyses in this study include (i) geomorphology, (ii) spear-auger mapping and near-surface electromagnetic induction data, (iii) borehole analyses, (iv) geoelectrical profiling, and (v) transient electromagnetic measurements.
The study area is located on the island of Samsø, in the central part of Denmark, where a digital 3D geological model is constructed. The model consists of combined layer and voxel models and covers a small area (~1 km2) surrounding a former landfill (Pillemark). The near-surface geology is characterized by a dead-ice landscape formed by glaciers during the Weichselian ice-age. By interpreting the new data it has been possible to update and revise the geological history, which was used during the development of a highly detailed 3D geological model. This model was constructed combining layers and voxels in order to better represent the complex geology and incorporate all the details provided by the different data sources.
The novel geological understanding was used to update the risk assessment of the Pillemark landfill, where a remedial pumping today is on-going. The immediate risk is related to the migration of landfill leachate downgradient through a lacustrine sandy aquifer and wetlands. Groundwater used for drinking water purposes is abstracted from an underlying sand and gravel aquifer (Tebbestrup formation), which is protected by a clay till (mid Danish till) found in the entire Pillemark area. A vertical hydraulic gradient from the upper to the lower aquifer indicates groundwater flow. However, the actual impact of landfill on the deeper aquifer has to be assessed by a detailed evaluation of the drainage system, pumping schemes and groundwater quality in the area. The 3D geological model is an important step toward the development of a groundwater flow model, required in order to establish a water balance for the hydrogeological system and estimate the vertical transport.
A growing body of evidence implicates impairments in brain insulin signaling in early sporadic Alzheimer disease (sAD) pathology. However, the most widely accepted hypothesis for AD aetiology ...stipulates that pathological aggregations of the amyloid β (Aβ) peptide are the cause of all forms of Alzheimer’s disease. Streptozotocin-intracerebroventricularly (STZ-icv) treated rats are proposed as a probable experimental model of sAD. The current work reviews evidence obtained from this model indicating that central STZ administration induces brain pathology and behavioural alterations resembling those in sAD patients. Recently, alterations of the brain insulin system resembling those in sAD have been found in the STZicv rat model and are associated with tau protein hyperphosphorylation and Aβ-like aggregations in meningeal vessels. In line with these findings the hypothesis has been proposed that insulin resistance in the brain might be the primary event which precedes the Aβ pathology in sAD.
PDF
