Galaxy cluster number counts are an important probe with which to constrain cosmological parameters. One of the main ingredients of the analysis, along with accurate estimates of cluster masses, is ...the selection function, and in particular the completeness associated with the cluster sample under consideration. Incorrectly characterising this function can lead to biases in cosmological constraints. In this work, we want to study the completeness of the Planck cluster catalogue, estimating the probability of cluster detection in a realistic setting using hydrodynamical simulations. In particular, we probe the case in which the cluster model assumed in the detection method differs from the shapes and profiles of true galaxy clusters. We created around 9000 images of the Sunyaev–Zel’dovich effect from galaxy clusters from the IllustrisTNG simulation, and used a Monte Carlo injection method to estimate the completeness function. We studied the impact of having different cluster pressure profiles and complex cluster morphologies on the detection process. We find that the cluster profile has a significant effect on completeness, with clusters with steeper profiles producing a higher completeness than ones with flatter profiles. We also show that cluster morphology has a small impact on completeness, finding that elliptical clusters have a slightly lower probability of detection with respect to spherically symmetric ones. Finally, we investigate the impact of a different completeness function on a cosmological analysis with cluster number counts, showing a shift in the constraints on Ω m and σ 8 that lies in the same direction as the shift driven by the mass bias.
To account for the dark-matter content in our Universe, postinflationary scenarios predict for the QCD axion a mass in the range (10–103) μeV. Searches with haloscope experiments in this mass range ...require the monitoring of resonant cavity modes with frequency above 5 GHz, where several experimental limitations occur due to linear amplifiers, small volumes, and low quality factors of copper resonant cavities. In this paper, we deal with the last issue, presenting the result of a search for galactic axions using a haloscope based on a 36 cm3 NbTi superconducting cavity. The cavity worked at T=4 K in a 2 T magnetic field and exhibited a quality factor Q0=4.5×105 for the TM010 mode at 9 GHz. With such values of Q, the axion signal is significantly increased with respect to copper cavity haloscopes. Operating this setup, we set the limit gaγγ<1.03×10−12 GeV−1 on the axion photon coupling for a mass of about 37 μeV. A comprehensive study of the NbTi cavity at different magnetic fields, temperatures, and frequencies is also presented.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of eight known herpesviruses with the potential to infect humans. Globally, it is estimated that between 90-95% of the population has been infected with EBV. EBV is an ...oncogenic virus that has been strongly linked to various epithelial malignancies such as nasopharyngeal and gastric cancer. Recent evidence suggests a link between EBV and breast cancer. Additionally, there are other, rarer cancers with weaker evidence linking them to EBV. In this review, we discuss the currently known epithelial malignancies associated with EBV. Additionally, we discuss and establish which treatments and therapies are most recommended for each cancer associated with EBV.
Phaneromerium troglopterygotum sp. nov. and Moojenodesmus schubarti sp. nov. are described from Bahia state, northeastern Brazil. The former species is a remarkable troglobiont relict endemic to a ...single limestone cave from the Serra do Ramalho karst area; it shows some clear-cut troglomorphic traits, and particular biology and ecology. The latter species occurs close to limestone outcrops of the Serra do Iuiu karst area. Both regions generally support a typical dry tropical climate, but the cave and outcrop habitats represent sites with high humidity, this being essential for the survival of these and other species.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is typically found in a latent, asymptomatic state in immunocompetent individuals. Perturbations of the host immune system can stimulate viral reactivation. Furthermore, ...there are a myriad of EBV-associated illnesses including various cancers, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, and autoimmune conditions. A thorough understanding of this virus, and the interplay between stress and the immune system, is essential to establish effective treatment. This review will provide a summary of the interaction between both psychological and cellular stressors resulting in EBV reactivation. It will examine mechanisms by which EBV establishes and maintains latency and will conclude with a brief overview of treatments targeting EBV.
Low-temperature active-screen plasma nitriding is an effective surface engineering technology to improve the wear and corrosion resistance of austenitic stainless steel through the formation of ...expanded austenite. The material sputtered from the active screen and redeposited on the specimens has been suggested to play an important role in the nitriding mechanism involved. This paper reports a patterned deposition layer, which is in correlation with the grain orientation of polycrystalline specimens. This has provided new insights into the nitriding mechanism.
Viral pathogens often exploit host cell regulatory and signaling pathways to ensure an optimal environment for growth and survival. Several studies have suggested that 5′-adenosine ...monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an intracellular serine/threonine kinase, plays a significant role in the modulation of infection. Traditionally, AMPK is a key energy regulator of cell growth and proliferation, host autophagy, stress responses, metabolic reprogramming, mitochondrial homeostasis, fatty acid β-oxidation and host immune function. In this review, we highlight the modulation of host AMPK by various viruses under physiological conditions. These intracellular pathogens trigger metabolic changes altering AMPK signaling activity that then facilitates or inhibits viral replication. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the regulation of AMPK signaling following infection can shed light on the development of more effective therapeutic strategies against viral infectious diseases.
Soluble factors and cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial tissue repair mediators in cell-based therapy. In the present study, we investigate the therapeutic impact of EVs released by ...adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) recovered from obese subjects' visceral and subcutaneous tissues.
ASCs were recovered from 10 obese (oASCs) and 6 non-obese (nASCs) participants and characterized. In selected experiments, nASCs and oASCs were cultured with palmitic acid (PA) or high glucose (HG), respectively. EVs from obese (oEVs) and non-obese (nEVs) subjects' visceral and subcutaneous ASCs were collected after ultracentrifugation and analyzed for their cargo: microRNA-126 (miR-126), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and for their biological effects on endothelial cells (ECs). Western blotting analysis and loss- and gain-of function experiments were performed.
oEVs show impaired angiogenic potential compared with nEVs. This effect depends on EV cargo: reduced content of VEGF, MMP-2 and, more importantly, miR-126. We demonstrate, using gain- and loss-of-function experiments, that this reduced miR-126 content leads to Spred1 upregulation and the inhibition of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in ECs. We also show that PA treatment of nASCs translates into the release of EVs that recapitulate oEV cargo. Moreover, HG treatment of oASCs further reduces miR-126 EV content and EV-mediated in vitro angiogenesis. Finally, impaired pro-angiogenic potential is also detected in EVs released from obese subcutaneous adipose tissue-derived ASCs.
These results indicate that obesity impacts on EV pro-angiogenic potential and may raise concerns about the use of adipose tissue-derived EVs in cell-based therapy in the obese setting.
Let $(X_k)_{k\geq 0}$ be a stationary and ergodic process with joint distribution $\mu$ where the random variables $X_k$ take values in a finite set $\mathcal{A}$. Let $R_n$ be the first time this ...process repeats its first $n$ symbols of output. It is well-known that $\frac{1}{n}\log R_n$ converges almost surely to the entropy of the process. Refined properties of $R_n$ (large deviations, multifractality, etc) are encoded in the return-time $L^q$-spectrum defined as\\EuScript{R}(q)=\lim_n\frac{1}{n}\log\int R_n^q \dd\mu\quad (q\in\R)\provided the limit exists.We consider the case where $(X_k)_{k\geq 0}$ is distributed according to the equilibrium state of a potential $\varphi:\mathcal{A}^{\N}\to\R$ with summable variation,and we prove that \\EuScript{R}(q)=\begin{cases}P((1-q)\varphi) & \text{for}\;\; q\geq q_\varphi^*\\\sup_\eta \int \varphi \dd\eta & \text{for}\;\; q<q_\varphi^{*}\end{cases}\where $P((1-q)\varphi)$ is the topological pressure of $(1-q)\varphi$, the supremum is taken over all shift-invariant measures, and $q_\varphi^*$ is the unique solution of $P((1-q)\varphi) =\sup_\eta \int \varphi \dd\eta$.Unexpectedly, this spectrum does not coincide with the $L^q$-spectrum of $\mu_\varphi$, which is $P((1-q)\varphi)$,and does not coincide with the waiting-time $L^q$-spectrum in general.In fact, the return-time $L^q$-spectrum coincides with the waiting-time $L^q$-spectrum if and only if the equilibrium state of $\varphi$ is the measure of maximal entropy.As a by-product, we also improve the large deviation asymptotics of $\frac{1}{n}\log R_n$.
PDF
