In conventional functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), systemic physiological fluctuations evoked by a body's motion and psychophysiological changes often contaminate fNIRS signals. We ...propose a novel method for separating functional and systemic signals based on their hemodynamic differences. Considering their physiological origins, we assumed a negative and positive linear relationship between oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin changes of functional and systemic signals, respectively. Their coefficients are determined by an empirical procedure. The proposed method was compared to conventional and multi-distance NIRS. The results were as follows: (1) Nonfunctional tasks evoked substantial oxyhemoglobin changes, and comparatively smaller deoxyhemoglobin changes, in the same direction by conventional NIRS. The systemic components estimated by the proposed method were similar to the above finding. The estimated functional components were very small. (2) During finger-tapping tasks, laterality in the functional component was more distinctive using our proposed method than that by conventional fNIRS. The systemic component indicated task-evoked changes, regardless of the finger used to perform the task. (3) For all tasks, the functional components were highly coincident with signals estimated by multi-distance NIRS. These results strongly suggest that the functional component obtained by the proposed method originates in the cerebral cortical layer. We believe that the proposed method could improve the reliability of fNIRS measurements without any modification in commercially available instruments.
Abstract We present the study on the relationship between supermassive black holes (SMBHs) and their host galaxies using our variability-selected active galactic nuclei (AGNs) sample ( i AB ≤ 25.9 ...and z ≤ 4.5) constructed from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program Ultradeep survey in the COSMOS field. We estimated the black hole (BH) mass ( M BH = 10 5.5−10 M ⊙ ) based on the single-epoch virial method and the total stellar mass ( M star = 10 10−12 M ⊙ ) by separating the AGN component with spectral energy distribution fitting. We found that the redshift evolution of the BH–stellar mass ratio ( M BH / M star ) depends on the M BH , which is caused by no significant correlation between M BH and M star . Variable AGNs with massive SMBHs ( M BH > 10 9 M ⊙ ) at 1.5 < z < 3 show considerably higher BH–stellar mass ratios (> ∼1%) than the BH–bulge ratios ( M BH / M bulge ) observed in the local Universe for the same BH range. This implies that there is a typical growth path of massive SMBHs, which is faster than the formation of the bulge component as final products seen in the present day. For the low-mass SMBHs ( M BH < 10 8 M ⊙ ) at 0.5 < z < 3, on the other hand, variable AGNs show similar BH–stellar mass ratios with the local objects (∼0.1%), but smaller than those observed at z > 4. We interpret that host galaxies harboring less massive SMBHs at intermediate redshift have already acquired sufficient stellar mass, although high- z galaxies are still in the early stage of galaxy formation relative to those at the intermediate/local Universe.
Because compensatory changes in brain activity underlie functional recovery after brain damage, monitoring of these changes will help to improve rehabilitation effectiveness. Functional near-infrared ...spectroscopy (fNIRS) has the potential to measure brain activity in freely moving subjects. We recently established a macaque model of internal capsule infarcts and an fNIRS system for use in the monkey brain. Here, we used these systems to study motor recovery in two macaques, for which focal infarcts of different sizes were induced in the posterior limb of the internal capsule. Immediately after the injection, flaccid paralysis was observed in the hand contralateral to the injected hemisphere. Thereafter, dexterous hand movements gradually recovered over months. After movement recovery, task-evoked hemodynamic responses increased in the ventral premotor cortex (PMv). The response in the PMv of the infarcted (i.e., ipsilesional) hemisphere increased in the monkey that had received less damage. In contrast, the PMv of the non-infarcted (contralesional) hemisphere was recruited in the monkey with more damage. A pharmacological inactivation experiment with muscimol suggested the involvement of these areas in dexterous hand movements during recovery. These results indicate that fNIRS can be used to evaluate brain activity changes crucial for functional recovery after brain damage.
Abstract
We searched for massive galaxy population in the known large-scale high-density structure of Ly
α
emitters (LAEs) at
z
= 2.39 near the radio galaxy 53W002 by using imaging data from
B
,
V
,
...i
′
,
J
,
H
,
and
K
s
bands taken with Suprime-Cam and MOIRCS on the Subaru telescope. We selected 62 protocluster member candidates by their
JHK
s
-band colors and spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting analysis (
JHK
s
-selected galaxies) in our survey field of
70.2
arcmin
2
and compared their physical properties estimated from the SED fitting with a comparison sample in the COSMOS field. We found significant number density excesses for the
JHK
s
-selected galaxies in the 53W002 field at
K
s
< 22.25,
J
−
K
s
> 2, or
V
−
K
s
> 4. In particular, the number density of the
JHK
s
-selected galaxies with
K
s
< 22.25 and
J
−
K
s
> 2 in the 53W002 field is nine times higher than the comparison sample. Most of those with
K
s
< 22.25 and
J
−
K
s
> 2 are massive galaxies with
M
s
> 10
11
M
⊙
, and their specific star formation rates (sSFRs) of 10
−11
–10
−10
yr
−1
suggest that the star formation has not yet stopped completely. We also found a density excess of quiescent galaxies with
M
s
= 5 × 10
10
M
⊙
to 10
11
M
⊙
and sSFR < 10
−11
yr
−1
, as well as that of low-mass galaxies with
M
s
= 10
9.75
–10
10
M
⊙
and various sSFRs. The massive galaxies with
M
s
> 10
11
M
⊙
are not located at the density peaks of LAEs but widely distributed along a similar direction to the structure of LAEs over ∼15–20 comoving Mpc. On the other hand, the quiescent galaxies with sSFR < 10
−11
yr
−1
clearly avoid the structure of LAEs. Our results suggest that massive galaxies also exist in this protocluster discovered by the moderate overdensity of LAEs and their star formation activities depend on location in the protocluster.
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•Biliary tract cancers are clinically and genetically heterogeneous.•32 significantly mutated genes were identified, some negatively affecting prognosis.•A novel deletion of MUC17 at ...7q22.1 was detected.•Cell-of-origin predictions suggest hepatocyte-origin of hepatitis-related ICCs.•Deleterious germline mutations of cancer-predisposing genes were detected in 11% of patients with BTC.
Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are clinically and pathologically heterogeneous and respond poorly to treatment. Genomic profiling can offer a clearer understanding of their carcinogenesis, classification and treatment strategy. We performed large-scale genome sequencing analyses on BTCs to investigate their somatic and germline driver events and characterize their genomic landscape.
We analyzed 412 BTC samples from Japanese and Italian populations, 107 by whole-exome sequencing (WES), 39 by whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and a further 266 samples by targeted sequencing. The subtypes were 136 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICCs), 101 distal cholangiocarcinomas (DCCs), 109 peri-hilar type cholangiocarcinomas (PHCs), and 66 gallbladder or cystic duct cancers (GBCs/CDCs). We identified somatic alterations and searched for driver genes in BTCs, finding pathogenic germline variants of cancer-predisposing genes. We predicted cell-of-origin for BTCs by combining somatic mutation patterns and epigenetic features.
We identified 32 significantly and commonly mutated genes including TP53, KRAS, SMAD4, NF1, ARID1A, PBRM1, and ATR, some of which negatively affected patient prognosis. A novel deletion of MUC17 at 7q22.1 affected patient prognosis. Cell-of-origin predictions using WGS and epigenetic features suggest hepatocyte-origin of hepatitis-related ICCs. Deleterious germline mutations of cancer-predisposing genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51D, MLH1, or MSH2 were detected in 11% (16/146) of BTC patients.
BTCs have distinct genetic features including somatic events and germline predisposition. These findings could be useful to establish treatment and diagnostic strategies for BTCs based on genetic information.
We here analyzed genomic features of 412 BTC samples from Japanese and Italian populations. A total of 32 significantly and commonly mutated genes were identified, some of which negatively affected patient prognosis, including a novel deletion of MUC17 at 7q22.1. Cell-of-origin predictions using WGS and epigenetic features suggest hepatocyte-origin of hepatitis-related ICCs. Deleterious germline mutations of cancer-predisposing genes were detected in 11% of patients with BTC. BTCs have distinct genetic features including somatic events and germline predisposition.
Abstract
We report a massive quiescent galaxy at
z
spec
=
3.0922
−
0.004
+
0.008
spectroscopically confirmed at a protocluster in the SSA22 field by detecting the Balmer and Ca
ii
absorption features ...with the multi-object spectrometer for infrared exploration on the Keck I telescope. This is the most distant quiescent galaxy confirmed in a protocluster to date. We fit the optical to mid-infrared photometry and spectrum simultaneously with spectral energy distribution (SED) models of parametric and nonparametric star formation histories (SFHs). Both models fit the observed SED well and confirm that this object is a massive quiescent galaxy with a stellar mass of
log
(
M
⋆
/
M
⊙
)
=
11.26
−
0.04
+
0.03
and
11.54
−
0.00
+
0.03
, and a star formation rate of SFR/
M
⊙
yr
−1
< 0.3 and
=
0.01
−
0.01
+
0.03
for parametric and nonparametric models, respectively. The SFH from the former modeling is described as an instantaneous starburst whereas that of the latter modeling is longer-lived, but both models agree with a sudden quenching of the star formation at ∼0.6 Gyr ago. This massive quiescent galaxy is confirmed in an extremely dense group of galaxies predicted as a progenitor of a brightest cluster galaxy formed via multiple mergers in cosmological numerical simulations. We discover three new plausible O
iii
λ
5007 emitters at 3.0791 ≤
z
spec
≤ 3.0833 serendipitously detected around the target. Two of them just between the target and its nearest massive galaxy are possible evidence of their interactions. They suggest the future great size and stellar mass evolution of this massive quiescent galaxy via mergers.
We study variability of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) by using the deep optical multiband photometry data obtained from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program (HSC SSP) survey in the COSMOS ...field. The images analyzed here were taken with 8, 10, 13, and 15 epochs over three years in the g, r, i, and z bands, respectively. We identified 491 robust variable AGN candidates, down to i = 25 mag and with redshift up to 4.26. Ninety percent of the variability-selected AGNs are individually identified with the X-ray sources detected in the Chandra COSMOS Legacy survey. We investigate their properties in variability by using structure function analysis and find that the structure function for low-luminosity AGNs (Lbol 1045 erg s−1) shows a positive correlation with luminosity, which is the opposite trend for the luminous quasars. This trend is likely to be caused by a larger contribution of the host galaxy light for lower-luminosity AGNs. Using the model templates of galaxy spectra, we evaluate the amount of host galaxy contribution to the structure function analysis and find that dominance of the young stellar population is needed to explain the observed luminosity dependence. This suggests that low-luminosity AGNs at 0.8 z 1.8 are predominantly hosted in star-forming galaxies. The X-ray stacking analysis reveals the significant emission from the individually X-ray undetected AGNs in our variability-selected sample. The stacked samples show very large hardness ratios in their stacked X-ray spectrum, which suggests that these optically variable sources have large soft X-ray absorption by dust-free gas.
The CFHT large area U-band deep survey (CLAUDS) Sawicki, Marcin; Arnouts, Stephane; Huang, Jiasheng ...
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society,
11/2019, Volume:
489, Issue:
4
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
ABSTRACT
The Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) Large Area U-band Deep Survey (CLAUDS) uses data taken with the MegaCam mosaic imager on CFHT to produce images of 18.60 deg$^2$ with median seeing ...of FWHM = 0.92 arcsec and to a median depth of $U = 27.1$ AB (5$\sigma$ in 2 arcsec apertures), with selected areas that total 1.36 deg$^2$ reaching a median depth of $U=27.7$ AB. These are the deepest U-band images assembled to date over this large an area. These data are located in four fields also imaged to comparably faint levels in $grizy$ and several narrowband filters as part of the Hyper Suprime–Cam (HSC) Subaru Strategic Program (HSC-SSP). These CFHT and Subaru data sets will remain unmatched in their combination of area and depth until the advent of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. This paper provides an overview of the scientific motivation for CLAUDS and gives details of the observing strategy, observations, data reduction, and data merging with the HSC-SSP. Three early applications of these deep data are used to illustrate the potential of the data set: deep U-band galaxy number counts, z$\sim$ 3 Lyman break galaxy selection, and photometric redshifts improved by adding CLAUDS U to the Subaru HSC $grizy$ photometry.
Significance: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a technique for detecting regional hemodynamic responses associated with neural activation in the cerebral cortex. The absorption ...changes due to hemodynamic changes in the scalp cause considerable signal contamination in the fNIRS measurement. A method for extracting hemodynamic changes in the cerebral tissue is required for reliable fNIRS measurement.
Aim: To exclusively detect cerebral functional hemodynamic changes, we developed an fNIRS technique using reflectance modulation of the scalp surface.
Approach: The theoretical feasibility of the proposed method was proven by a simulation calculation of light propagation. Its practical feasibility was evaluated by a phantom experiment and brain activation simulation mimicking human fNIRS experiments.
Results: The simulation calculation revealed that the partial path length of the scalp was changed by reflectance modulation of the scalp surface. The influence of absorption change in the superficial layer was successfully reduced by the proposed method, using only measurement data, in the phantom experiment. The proposed method was applicable to human experiments of standard designs, achieving statistical significance within an acceptable experimental time-frame.
Conclusions: Removal of the scalp hemodynamic effect by the proposed technique will increase the quality of fNIRS data, particularly in measurements in neonates and infants that typically would require a dense optode arrangement.
Monitoring dramatic changes in intracellular calcium ion levels during cardiac contraction and relaxation, known as calcium transient, in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes ...(hiPSC-CMs) would be an attractive strategy for assessing compounds on cardiac contractility. In addition, as arrhythmogenic compounds are known to induce characteristic waveform changes in hiPSC-CMs, it is expected that calcium transient would allow evaluation of not only compound-induced effects on cardiac contractility, but also compound arrhythmogenic potential. Using a combination of calcium transient in hiPSC-CMs and a fast kinetic fluorescence imaging detection system, we examined in this study changes in calcium transient waveforms induced by a series of 17 compounds that include positive/negative inotropic agents as well as cardiac ion channel activators/inhibitors. We found that all positive inotropic compounds induced an increase in peak frequency and/or peak amplitude. The effects of a negative inotropic compound could clearly be detected in the presence of a β-adrenergic receptor agonist. Furthermore, most arrhythmogenic compounds raised the ratio of peak decay time to peak rise time (D/R ratio) in calcium transient waveforms. Compound concentrations at which these parameters exceeded cutoff values correlated well with systemic exposure levels at which arrhythmias were reported to be evoked. In conclusion, we believe that peak analysis of calcium transient and determination of D/R ratio are reliable methods for assessing compounds’ cardiac contractility and arrhythmogenic potential, respectively. Using these approaches would allow selection of compounds with low cardiotoxic potential at the early stage of drug discovery.
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