Although animal mitochondrial DNA sequences are known to evolve rapidly, their gene arrangements often remain unchanged over long periods of evolutionary time. Therefore, comparisons of mitochondrial ...genomes may result in significant insights into the evolution both of organisms and of genomes. Mammalian mitochondrial genomes recently published in the GenBank database of NCBI show numerous rearrangements in various regions of the genome, from which it may be inferred that the mammalian mitochondrial genome is more dynamic than expected. However, it is alternatively possible that these are errors of annotation and, if so, are misleading our interpretations. In order to verify these possible errors of annotation, we performed a comparative genomic analysis of mammalian mitochondrial genomes available in the NCBI database.
Using a combination of bioinformatics methods to carefully examine the mitochondrial gene arrangements in 304 mammalian species, we determined that there are only two sets of gene arrangements, one that is shared by all of the marsupials and another that is shared by all of the monotremes and eutherians, with these two arrangements differing only by the positions of tRNA genes in the region commonly designated as "WANCY" for the genes it comprises. All of the 68 other cases of reported gene rearrangements are errors. We note that there are also numerous errors of impossibly short, incorrect gene annotations, cases where genomes that are reported as complete are actually missing portions of the sequence, and genes that are clearly present but were not annotated in these records.
We judge that the application of simple bioinformatic tools in the verification of gene annotation, particularly for organelle genomes, would be a very useful enhancement for the curation of genome sequences submitted to GenBank.
Context.
Galaxy clusters are luminous tracers of the most massive dark matter haloes in the Universe. To use them as a cosmological probe, a detailed description of the properties of dark matter ...haloes is required.
Aims.
We characterize how the dynamical state of haloes impacts the dark matter halo mass function at the high-mass end (i.e., for haloes hosting clusters of galaxies).
Methods.
We used the dark matter-only MultiDark suite of simulations and the high-mass objects
M
> 2.7 × 10
13
M
⊙
h
−1
therein. We measured the mean relations of concentration, offset, and spin as a function of dark matter halo mass and redshift. We investigated the distributions around the mean relations. We measured the dark matter halo mass function as a function of offset, spin, and redshift. We formulated a generalized mass function framework that accounts for the dynamical state of the dark matter haloes.
Results.
We confirm the recent discovery of the concentration upturn at high masses and provide a model that predicts the concentration for different values of mass and redshift with one single equation. We model the distributions around the mean values of concentration, offset, and spin with modified Schechter functions. We find that the concentration of low-mass haloes shows a faster redshift evolution compared to high-mass haloes, especially in the high-concentration regime. We find that the offset parameter is systematically smaller at low redshift, in agreement with the relaxation of structures at recent times. The peak of its distribution shifts by a factor of ∼1.5 from
z
= 1.4 to
z
= 0. The individual models are combined into a comprehensive mass function model, which predicts the mass function as a function of spin and offset. Our model recovers the fiducial mass function with ∼3% accuracy at redshift 0 and accounts for redshift evolution up to
z
∼ 1.5.
Results.
This new approach accounts for the dynamical state of the halo when measuring the halo mass function. It offers a connection with dynamical selection effects in galaxy cluster observations. This is key toward precision cosmology using cluster counts as a probe.
The extragalactic background light (EBL) is of fundamental importance both for understanding the entire process of galaxy evolution and for γ-ray astronomy, but the overall spectrum of the EBL ...between 0.1 and 1000 μm has never been determined directly from galaxy spectral energy distribution (SED) observations over a wide redshift range. The evolving, overall spectrum of the EBL is derived here utilizing a novel method based on observations only. This is achieved from the observed evolution of the rest-frame K-band galaxy luminosity function up to redshift 4, combined with a determination of galaxy-SED-type fractions. These are based on fitting Spitzer Wide-Area Infrared Extragalactic Survey (SWIRE) templates to a multiwavelength sample of about 6000 galaxies in the redshift range from 0.2 to 1 from the All-wavelength Extended Groth Strip International Survey (AEGIS). The changing fractions of quiescent galaxies, star-forming galaxies, starburst galaxies and active galactic nucleus (AGN) galaxies in that redshift range are estimated, and two alternative extrapolations of SED types to higher redshifts are considered. This allows calculation of the evolution of the luminosity densities from the ultraviolet (UV) to the infrared (IR), the evolving star formation rate density of the Universe, the evolving contribution to the bolometric EBL from the different galaxy populations including AGN galaxies and the buildup of the EBL. Our EBL calculations are compared with those from a semi-analytic model, another observationally based model and observational data. The EBL uncertainties in our modelling based directly on the data are quantified, and their consequences for attenuation of very-high-energy γ-rays due to pair production on the EBL are discussed. It is concluded that the EBL is well constrained from the UV to the mid-IR, but independent efforts from IR and γ-ray astronomy are needed in order to reduce the uncertainties in the far-IR.
One size does not fit all Prada, María F; Urzua, Sergio
Journal of labor economics,
10/2017, Volume:
35, Issue:
4
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
This paper investigates the role of mechanical ability as a determinant of schooling decisions and labor market outcomes. Using a Roy model with multiple unobserved abilities and longitudinal data ...from NLSY79, we find that this ability has a positive effect on overall earnings. However, in contrast to cognitive and socioemotional abilities, mechanical ability reduces the likelihood of 4-year college attendance. The rationale for this asymmetry comes from its large estimated impact on earnings conditional on not attending a 4-year college. Our findings highlight the importance of moving beyond the one-size-fits-all discourse to offer individuals alternative educational pathways to successful careers.
The Hubble constant H0 and matter density m of the universe are measured using the latest γ-ray attenuation results from Fermi-LAT and Cerenkov telescopes. This methodology is based upon the fact ...that the extragalactic background light supplies opacity for very high energy photons via photon-photon interaction. The amount of γ-ray attenuation along the line of sight depends on the expansion rate and matter content of the universe. This novel strategy results in a value of km s−1 Mpc−1 and . These estimates are independent and complementary to those based on the distance ladder, cosmic microwave background (CMB), clustering with weak lensing, and strong lensing data. We also produce a joint likelihood analysis of our results from γ-rays and those from more mature methodologies, excluding the CMB, yielding a combined value of H0 = 66.6 1.6 km s−1 Mpc−1 and m = 0.29 0.02.
Abstract
We describe the algorithm used to select the emission line galaxy (ELG) sample at z ∼ 0.85 for the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV, using ...photometric data from the DECam Legacy Survey. Our selection is based on a selection box in the g − r versus r − z colour–colour space and a cut on the g-band magnitude, to favour galaxies in the desired redshift range with strong
${{\rm O}\,\small {II}}$
emission. It provides a target density of 200 deg−2 on the North Galactic Cap and of 240 deg−2 on the South Galactic Cap (SGC), where we use a larger selection box because of deeper imaging. We demonstrate that this selection passes the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey requirements in terms of homogeneity. About 50 000 ELGs have been observed since the observations have started in 2016, September. These roughly match the expected redshift distribution, though the measured efficiency is slightly lower than expected. The efficiency can be increased by enlarging the redshift range and with incoming pipeline improvement. The cosmological forecast based on these first data predict
$\sigma _{D_V}/D_V = 0.023$
, in agreement with previous forecasts. Lastly, we present the stellar population properties of the ELG SGC sample. Once observations are completed, this sample will be suited to provide a cosmological analysis at z ∼ 0.85, and will pave the way for the next decade of massive spectroscopic cosmological surveys, which heavily rely on ELGs. The target catalogue over the SGC will be released along with DR14.
Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are a group of monogenic diseases characterized by mutations in genes coding for proteins associated with the lysosomal function. Despite the monogenic nature, LSDs ...patients exhibit variable and heterogeneous clinical manifestations, prompting investigations into epigenetic factors underlying this phenotypic diversity. In this study, we focused on the potential role of epigenetic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB (MPS IIIB) and mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA). We analyzed DNA methylation (5mC) and histone modifications (H3K14 acetylation and H3K9 trimethylation) in MPS IIIB and MPS IVA patients' fibroblasts and healthy controls. The findings revealed that global DNA hypomethylation is present in cell lines for both diseases. At the same time, histone acetylation was increased in MPS IIIB and MPS IVA cells in a donor-dependent way, further indicating a shift towards relaxed open chromatin in these MPS. Finally, the constitutive heterochromatin marker, histone H3K9 trimethylation, only showed reduced clustering in MPS IIIB cells, suggesting limited alterations in heterochromatin organization. These findings collectively emphasize the significance of epigenetic mechanisms in modulating the phenotypic variations observed in LSDs. While global DNA hypomethylation could contribute to the MPS pathogenesis, the study also highlights individual-specific epigenetic responses that might contribute to phenotypic heterogeneity. Further research into the specific genes and pathways affected by these epigenetic changes could provide insights into potential therapeutic interventions for these MPS and other LSDs.
Organisms that accumulate calcium carbonate structures are particularly vulnerable to ocean warming (OW) and ocean acidification (OA), potentially reducing the socioeconomic benefits of ecosystems ...reliant on these taxa. Since rising atmospheric CO
is responsible for global warming and increasing ocean acidity, to correctly predict how OW and OA will affect marine organisms, their possible interactive effects must be assessed. Here we investigate, in the field, the combined temperature (range: 16-26 °C) and acidification (range: pH
8.1-7.4) effects on mortality and growth of Mediterranean coral species transplanted, in different seasonal periods, along a natural pH gradient generated by a CO
vent. We show a synergistic adverse effect on mortality rates (up to 60%), for solitary and colonial, symbiotic and asymbiotic corals, suggesting that high seawater temperatures may have increased their metabolic rates which, in conjunction with decreasing pH, could have led to rapid deterioration of cellular processes and performance. The net calcification rate of the symbiotic species was not affected by decreasing pH, regardless of temperature, while in the two asymbiotic species it was negatively affected by increasing acidification and temperature, suggesting that symbiotic corals may be more tolerant to increasing warming and acidifying conditions compared to asymbiotic ones.
A series of laboratory experiments was conducted to better understand the behavior of grass carp eggs and larvae in moving water in order to develop and implement new strategies for control and ...prediction of their dispersal and drift at early life stages. Settling velocity and density of a representative sample of eggs were estimated, and three trials of flume experiments with different flow conditions were conducted with live eggs in a temperature-controlled setting with a mobile sediment bed. In these trials, egg and larval stages were continuously analyzed over periods of 80 hours; and eggs and larvae interactions with the flow and sediment bed were monitored and characterized qualitatively and quantitatively. Survival rates were quantified after each trial, highlighting physical causes for increased mortality. Detailed flow analysis was correlated to the observed drifting and swimming behavior of eggs and larvae, to estimate distributions across the water depth, as well as traveling and swimming speeds. Evidence of the influence of mean and turbulent flow in the suspension and transport of eggs are reported, and swimming patterns of larvae at different developmental stages are described. These findings support the development of new strategies for monitoring the spread of grass carp eggs and larvae in rivers, and provide new inputs to predict conditions favorable for spawning and hatching, allowing for mitigation measures at early life stages, which are critical to control their dispersal.
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