Flavor oscillations experiments are suggesting the existence of a sterile, fourth neutrino generation with a mass of an eV order. This would mean an additional relativistic degree of freedom in the ...cosmic inventory, in contradiction with recent results from the Planck satellite, that have confirmed the standard value Neff≈3 for the effective number of relativistic species. On the other hand, the Planck best-fit for the Hubble-Lemaître parameter is in tension with the local value determined with the Hubble Space Telescope, and adjusting Neff is a possible way to overcome such a tension. In this paper we perform a joint analysis of three complementary cosmological distance rulers, namely the cosmic microwave backgroune acoustic scale measured by Planck, the baryonic acoustic oscillation scale model-independently determined by Verde et al., and luminosity distances measured with Joint Light-curves Analysis and Pantheon SNe Ia surveys. Two Gaussian priors were imposed to the analysis, the local expansion rate measured by Riess et al. and the baryon density parameter fixed from primordial nucleosynthesis by Cooke et al.. For the sake of generality and robustness, two different models are used in the tests, the standard ΛCDM model and a generalized Chaplygin gas. The best-fit gives Neff≈4 in both models, with a Chaplygin gas parameter slightly negative, α≈−0.04. The standard value Neff≈3 is ruled out with ≈3σ.
The Dark Energy Survey Image Processing Pipeline Morganson, E.; Gruendl, R. A.; Menanteau, F. ...
Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific,
07/2018, Letnik:
130, Številka:
989
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The Dark Energy Survey (DES) is a five-year optical imaging campaign with the goal of understanding the origin of cosmic acceleration. DES performs a ∼5000 deg2 survey of the southern sky in five ...optical bands (g, r, i, z, Y) to a depth of ∼24th magnitude. Contemporaneously, DES performs a deep, time-domain survey in four optical bands (g, r, i, z) over ∼27 deg2. DES exposures are processed nightly with an evolving data reduction pipeline and evaluated for image quality to determine if they need to be retaken. Difference imaging and transient source detection are also performed in the time domain component nightly. On a bi-annual basis, DES exposures are reprocessed with a refined pipeline and coadded to maximize imaging depth. Here we describe the DES image processing pipeline in support of DES science, as a reference for users of archival DES data, and as a guide for future astronomical surveys.
The gold standard for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) genetic diagnostic procedures was published in 2012. With the increasing complexity of the genetics of FSHD1 and 2, the increase of ...genetic testing centers, and the start of clinical trials for FSHD, it is crucial to provide an update on our knowledge of the genetic features of the FSHD loci and renew the international consensus on the molecular testing recommendations. To this end, members of the FSHD European Trial Network summarized the evidence presented during the 2022 ENMC meeting on Genetic diagnosis, clinical outcome measures, and biomarkers. The working group additionally invited genetic and clinical experts from the USA, India, Japan, Australia, South‐Africa, and Brazil to provide a global perspective. Six virtual meetings were organized to reach consensus on the minimal requirements for genetic confirmation of FSHD1 and FSHD2. Here, we present the clinical and genetic features of FSHD, specific features of FSHD1 and FSHD2, pros and cons of established and new technologies (Southern blot in combination with either linear or pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis, molecular combing, optical genome mapping, FSHD2 methylation analysis and FSHD2 genotyping), the possibilities and challenges of prenatal testing, including pre‐implantation genetic testing, and the minimal requirements and recommendations for genetic confirmation of FSHD1 and FSHD2. This consensus is expected to contribute to current clinical management and trial‐readiness for FSHD.
Minimal criteria for genetic confirmation of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.
Pompe disease (PD) is a potentially lethal illness involving irreversible muscle damage resulting from glycogen storage in muscle fiber and activation of autophagic pathways. A promising therapeutic ...perspective for PD is enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with the human recombinant enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (Myozyme®). The need to organize a diagnostic flowchart, systematize clinical follow-up, and establish new therapeutic recommendations has become vital, as ERT ensures greater patient longevity. A task force of experienced clinicians outlined a protocol for diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, genetic counseling, and rehabilitation for PD patients. The study was conducted under the coordination of REBREPOM, the Brazilian Network for Studies of PD. The meeting of these experts took place in October 2013, at L'Hotel Port Bay in São Paulo, Brazil. In August 2014, the text was reassessed and updated. Given the rarity of PD and limited high-impact publications, experts submitted their views.
The rupture of the Fundão mine dam in Mariana municipality, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, spilled the tailings across the Doce River basin. These tailings, composed of residues discarded from the ...beneficiation of iron ore, are rich in SiO2 and Al2O3, as well as some ether amine compounds and NaOH. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of these sediments, as well as their effect on the riparian zones reached, as compared with preserved sites. Sediment deposition in the river resulted in a morphological change from a meandering profile to a braided aspect. The nutrient and mineral content (P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and NO3−) and soil organic matter of the sediments were depleted, whereas NH4+, Na, and pH increased. A random presence of ether amines in the sediments was confirmed by quantitative and chromatographic analyses, with concentrations ranging from 0 to 57.8 mg kg−1; Na reached values as high as 150 mg kg−1. The impact of the dam tailings on biota was assessed by estimating total microbial biomass (phospholipid fatty acids), which were depleted in sediments relative to soils from preserved sites. Overall plant mortality, as well as a low resilience capacity, were also observed. Ether amines and Na present in the sediments had a strong toxic effect in the environment. Identification of these substances as the main impact factors will help guide future remediation efforts.
Core Ideas
Dam disruption caused changes in the fluvial profile and nutrient depletion in the sediment.
Depletion of microbial biomass in the sediment and plant mortality occurred.
Despite the low organic matter and NO3− in the sediment, NH4+, Na, and pH increased.
The environmental impact was attributed to the increase in NH4+, pH, and Na.
Ether amine and Na from the dam are the main toxic factors.
Abstract
We describe a multicomponent matched filter (MCMF) cluster confirmation tool designed for the study of large X-ray source catalogues produced by the upcoming X-ray all-sky survey mission ...eROSITA. We apply the method to confirm a sample of 88 clusters with redshifts 0.05 < z < 0.8 in the recently published 2RXS catalogue from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey (RASS) over the 208 deg2 region overlapped by the Dark Energy Survey (DES) Science Verification (DES-SV) data set. In our pilot study, we examine all X-ray sources, regardless of their extent. Our method employs a multicolour red sequence (RS) algorithm that incorporates the X-ray count rate and peak position in determining the region of interest for follow-up and extracts the positionally and colour-weighted optical richness λMCMF as a function of redshift for each source. Peaks in the λMCMF–redshift distribution are identified and used to extract photometric redshifts, richness and uncertainties. The significances of all optical counterparts are characterized using the distribution of richnesses defined along random lines of sight. These significances are used to extract cluster catalogues and to estimate the contamination by random superpositions of unassociated optical systems. The delivered photometric redshift accuracy is δz/(1 + z) = 0.010. We find a well-defined X-ray luminosity–λMCMF relation with an intrinsic scatter of δln (λMCMF|Lx) = 0.21. Matching our catalogue with the DES-SV redMaPPer catalogue yields good agreement in redshift and richness estimates; comparing our catalogue with the South Pole Telescope (SPT) selected clusters shows no inconsistencies. SPT clusters in our data set are consistent with the high-mass extension of the RASS-based λMCMF–mass relation.
ABSTRACT
In this paper we present a catalogue of 11 745 brown dwarfs with spectral types ranging from L0 to T9, photometrically classified using data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES) year 3 release ...matched to the Vista Hemisphere Survey (VHS) DR3 and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) data, covering ≈2400 deg2 up to iAB = 22. The classification method follows the same phototype method previously applied to SDSS-UKIDSS-WISE data. The most significant difference comes from the use of DES data instead of SDSS, which allow us to classify almost an order of magnitude more brown dwarfs than any previous search and reaching distances beyond 400 pc for the earliest types. Next, we also present and validate the GalmodBD simulation, which produces brown dwarf number counts as a function of structural parameters with realistic photometric properties of a given survey. We use this simulation to estimate the completeness and purity of our photometric LT catalogue down to iAB = 22, as well as to compare to the observed number of LT types. We put constraints on the thin disc scale height for the early L (L0–L3) population to be around 450 pc, in agreement with previous findings. For completeness, we also publish in a separate table a catalogue of 20 863 M dwarfs that passed our colour cut with spectral types greater than M6. Both the LT and the late M catalogues are found at DES release page https://des.ncsa.illinois.edu/releases/other/y3-mlt.
Acoustic call sequences are important components of vocal repertoires for many animal species. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) produce a wide variety of vocalizations, in different ...behavioural contexts, including some conspicuous vocal sequences - the 'bray series'. The occurrence of brays is still insufficiently documented, contextually and geographically, and the specific functions of these multi-unit emissions are yet to be understood. Here, acoustic emissions produced by bottlenose dolphins in the Sado estuary, Portugal, were used to provide a structural characterization of the discrete elements that compose the bray series. Information theory techniques were applied to analyse bray sequences and explore the complexity of these calls. Log-frequency analysis, based on bout criterion interval, confirmed the bout structure of the bray series. A first-order Markov model revealed a distinct pattern of emission for the bray series' elements, with uneven transitions between elements. The order in these sequential emissions was not random and consecutive decreases in higher order entropy values support the notion of a well-defined structure in the bray series. The key features of animal signal sequences here portrayed suggest the presence of relevant information content and highlight the complexity of the bottlenose dolphin's acoustic repertoire.
The study of the interaction of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) with quantum emitters has become very important in the last few years. The ability to design optical devices as well as investigate ...the physics of strongly interacting systems is some of its useful applications. In this paper, we will show some results on the decay of excitons confined in a InAs/GaAs quantum dot into SPP modes confined in a metallic thin film made of Au, an important step toward the investigation of the basic features of the SPP–exciton interaction. The lifetime of the ground state level was investigated and shown to decrease with the presence of the metallic film.
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