University of California, Santa Cruz

About: University of California, Santa Cruz is a education organization based out in Santa Cruz, California, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Galaxy & Population. The organization has 15541 authors who have published 44120 publications receiving 2759983 citations. The organization is also known as: UCSC & UC, Santa Cruz.

The UCSC Xena platform for public and private cancer genomics data visualization and interpretation

Abstract: UCSC Xena is a visual exploration resource for both public and private omics data, supported through the web-based Xena Browser and multiple turn-key Xena Hubs. This unique archecture allows researchers to view their own data securely, using private Xena Hubs, simultaneously visualizing large public cancer genomics datasets, including TCGA and the GDC. Data integration occurs only within the Xena Browser, keeping private data private. Xena supports virtually any functional genomics data, including SNVs, INDELs, large structural variants, CNV, expression, DNA methylation, ATAC-seq signals, and phenotypic annotations. Browser features include the Visual Spreadsheet, survival analyses, powerful filtering and subgrouping, statistical analyses, genomic signatures, and bookmarks. Xena differentiates itself from other genomics tools, including its predecessor, the UCSC Cancer Genomics Browser, by its ability to easily and securely view public and private data, its high performance, its broad data type support, and many unique features.

The black hole mass in m87 from gemini/nifs adaptive optics observations

Abstract: We present the stellar kinematics in the central 2'' of the luminous elliptical galaxy M87 (NGC 4486), using laser adaptive optics to feed the Gemini telescope integral-field spectrograph, Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS). The velocity dispersion rises to 480 km s–1 at 02. We combine these data with extensive stellar kinematics out to large radii to derive a black hole mass equal to (6.6 ± 0.4) × 109 M ☉, using orbit-based axisymmetric models and including only the NIFS data in the central region. Including previously reported ground-based data in the central region drops the uncertainty to 0.25 × 109 M ☉ with no change in the best-fit mass; however, we rely on the values derived from the NIFS-only data in the central region in order to limit systematic differences. The best-fit model shows a significant increase in the tangential velocity anisotropy of stars orbiting in the central region with decreasing radius, similar to that seen at the centers of other core galaxies. The black hole mass is insensitive to the inclusion of a dark halo in the models—the high angular resolution provided by the adaptive optics breaks the degeneracy between black hole mass and stellar mass-to-light ratio. The present black hole mass is in excellent agreement with the Gebhardt & Thomas value, implying that the dark halo must be included when the kinematic influence of the black hole is poorly resolved. This degeneracy implies that the black hole masses of luminous core galaxies, where this effect is important, may need to be re-evaluated. The present value exceeds the prediction of the black hole-dispersion and black hole-luminosity relations, both of which predict about 1 × 109 M ☉ for M87, by close to twice the intrinsic scatter in the relations. The high end of the black hole correlations may be poorly determined at present.

Kepler-36: A Pair of Planets with Neighboring Orbits and Dissimilar Densities

Abstract: In the solar system, the planets’ compositions vary with orbital distance, with rocky planets in close orbits and lower-density gas giants in wider orbits. The detection of close-in giant planets around other stars was the first clue that this pattern is not universal and that planets’ orbits can change substantially after their formation. Here, we report another violation of the orbit-composition pattern: two planets orbiting the same star with orbital distances differing by only 10% and densities differing by a factor of 8. One planet is likely a rocky “super-Earth,” whereas the other is more akin to Neptune. These planets are 20 times more closely spaced and have a larger density contrast than any adjacent pair of planets in the solar system.

The role of efficacy and identity in science career commitment among underrepresented minority students

Abstract: A web-based survey of members of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science tested a model that proposed that the effects of science support experiences on commitment to science careers would be mediated by science self-efficacy and identity as a scientist. A sample of 327 undergraduates and 338 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows described their science support experiences (research experience, mentoring, and community involvement); psychological variables (science self-efficacy, leadership/teamwork self-efficacy, and identity as a scientist); and commitment to pursue a career in scientific research. Structural equation model analyses supported our predictions. Among the undergraduates, science (but not leadership/teamwork), self-efficacy, and identity as a scientist fully mediated the effects of science support experiences and were strong predictors of commitment. Results for the graduate/postdoctoral sample revealed a very similar pattern of results, with the added finding that all three psychological mediators, including leadership/teamwork self-efficacy, predicted commitment.

Complexation of zinc by natural organic ligands in the central North Pacific

Abstract: The complexation of Cd by natural organic ligands in the upper 600 m of the central North Pacific was determined with differential pulse anodic stripping voltametry at a thin mercury film, rotating glassy-carbon disk electrode. About 70% of the dissolved Cd in surface waters was bound in strong complexes (K’,,, ,‘,, c.,2, = 10’2.0 M-‘) by relatively Cd-specific organic ligands existing at low concentrations (0.1 nM). This ligand class is only observed within the surface 175 m and exhibits a concentration maximum at depths between 40 and 100 m. Due to the complexation of dissolved Cd in surface waters by this class of organic ligands, together with the vertical distribution of total dissolved Cd (ranging from 2 to 800 PM), the concentration of inorganic forms of Cd varies from o-O.7 pM in surface waters to 800 pM at 600 m. The concentration of free Cd ion ranges from 20 fM (- lo- 13.7 M) in surface waters to 22 pM at 600 m-a 1 ,OOO-fold variation! Although complexation with inorganic chloride ligands dominates the speciation of Cd in intermediate and deep waters, these results demonstrate that complexation with natural organic ligands is important in influencing Cd speciation in oceanic surface waters.