Showing papers by "University of Portsmouth published in 2016"
University of Pittsburgh1, University of Bologna2, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania3, University of Pisa4, Brigham and Women's Hospital5, Mount Sinai Health System6, Institut Gustave Roussy7, Kindai University8, University of Michigan9, University of São Paulo10, University of California, San Francisco11, University Health Network12, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center13, New York University14, University of Wisconsin-Madison15, Harvard University16, University of Turin17, University of Portsmouth18, Tufts University19, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center20, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary21
TL;DR: Thyroid tumors currently diagnosed as noninvasive EFVPTC have a very low risk of adverse outcome and should be termed NIFTP, and this reclassification will affect a large population of patients worldwide and result in a significant reduction in psychological and clinical consequences associated with the diagnosis of cancer.
Abstract: Importance Although growing evidence points to highly indolent behavior of encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (EFVPTC), most patients with EFVPTC are treated as having conventional thyroid cancer. Objective To evaluate clinical outcomes, refine diagnostic criteria, and develop a nomenclature that appropriately reflects the biological and clinical characteristics of EFVPTC. Design, Setting, and Participants International, multidisciplinary, retrospective study of patients with thyroid nodules diagnosed as EFVPTC, including 109 patients with noninvasive EFVPTC observed for 10 to 26 years and 101 patients with invasive EFVPTC observed for 1 to 18 years. Review of digitized histologic slides collected at 13 sites in 5 countries by 24 thyroid pathologists from 7 countries. A series of teleconferences and a face-to-face conference were used to establish consensus diagnostic criteria and develop new nomenclature. Main Outcomes and Measures Frequency of adverse outcomes, including death from disease, distant or locoregional metastases, and structural or biochemical recurrence, in patients with noninvasive and invasive EFVPTC diagnosed on the basis of a set of reproducible histopathologic criteria. Results Consensus diagnostic criteria for EFVPTC were developed by 24 thyroid pathologists. All of the 109 patients with noninvasive EFVPTC (67 treated with only lobectomy, none received radioactive iodine ablation) were alive with no evidence of disease at final follow-up (median [range], 13 [10-26] years). An adverse event was seen in 12 of 101 (12%) of the cases of invasive EFVPTC, including 5 patients developing distant metastases, 2 of whom died of disease. Based on the outcome information for noninvasive EFVPTC, the name “noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features” (NIFTP) was adopted. A simplified diagnostic nuclear scoring scheme was developed and validated, yielding a sensitivity of 98.6% (95% CI, 96.3%-99.4%), specificity of 90.1% (95% CI, 86.0%-93.1%), and overall classification accuracy of 94.3% (95% CI, 92.1%-96.0%) for NIFTP. Conclusions and Relevance Thyroid tumors currently diagnosed as noninvasive EFVPTC have a very low risk of adverse outcome and should be termed NIFTP. This reclassification will affect a large population of patients worldwide and result in a significant reduction in psychological and clinical consequences associated with the diagnosis of cancer.
1,080 citations
TL;DR: Overall the flux of HOCs bioaccumulated from natural prey overwhelms the flux from ingested microplastics for most habitats, which implies that microplastic ingestion is not likely to increase the exposure to and thus risks of H OCs in the marine environment.
Abstract: The hypothesis that ‘microplastic will transfer hazardous hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOC) to marine animals’ has been central to the perceived hazard and risk of plastic in the marine environment. The hypothesis is often cited and has gained momentum, turning it into paradigm status. We provide a critical evaluation of the scientific literature regarding this hypothesis. Using new calculations based on published studies, we explain the sometimes contrasting views and unify them in one interpretive framework. One explanation for the contrasting views among studies is that they test different hypotheses. When reframed in the context of the above hypothesis, the available data become consistent. We show that HOC microplastic-water partitioning can be assumed to be at equilibrium for most microplastic residing in the oceans. We calculate the fraction of total HOC sorbed by plastics to be small compared to that sorbed by other media in the ocean. We further demonstrate consistency among (a) measured HOC tr...
978 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors exploit the unprecedented statistics provided by the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) Data Release 9 to provide new constraints on the Hubble parameter H(z) using the cosmic chronometers approach.
Abstract: Deriving the expansion history of the Universe is a major goal of modern cosmology. To date, the most accurate measurements have been obtained with Type Ia Supernovae (SNe) and Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO), providing evidence for the existence of a transition epoch at which the expansion rate changes from decelerated to accelerated. However, these results have been obtained within the framework of specific cosmological models that must be implicitly or explicitly assumed in the measurement. It is therefore crucial to obtain measurements of the accelerated expansion of the Universe independently of assumptions on cosmological models. Here we exploit the unprecedented statistics provided by the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS, [1-3]) Data Release 9 to provide new constraints on the Hubble parameter H(z) using the cosmic chronometers approach. We extract a sample of more than 130000 of the most massive and passively evolving galaxies, obtaining five new cosmology-independent H(z) measurements in the redshift range 0.3 < z < 0.5, with an accuracy of ~11–16% incorporating both statistical and systematic errors. Once combined, these measurements yield a 6% accuracy constraint of H(z = 0.4293) = 91.8 ± 5.3 km/s/Mpc. The new data are crucial to provide the first cosmology-independent determination of the transition redshift at high statistical significance, measuring zt = 0.4 ± 0.1, and to significantly disfavor the null hypothesis of no transition between decelerated and accelerated expansion at 99.9% confidence level. This analysis highlights the wide potential of the cosmic chronometers approach: it permits to derive constraints on the expansion history of the Universe with results competitive with standard probes, and most importantly, being the estimates independent of the cosmological model, it can constrain cosmologies beyond—and including—the ΛCDM model.
766 citations
TL;DR: The Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) as mentioned in this paper uses four different tracers of the underlying matter density field to expand the volume covered by BOSS and map the large-scale structures over the relatively unconstrained redshift range 0.6 0.87.
Abstract: In a six-year program started in 2014 July, the Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) will conduct novel cosmological observations using the BOSS spectrograph at Apache Point Observatory. These observations will be conducted simultaneously with the Time Domain Spectroscopic Survey (TDSS) designed for variability studies and the Spectroscopic Identification of eROSITA Sources (SPIDERS) program designed for studies of X-ray sources. In particular, eBOSS will measure with percent-level precision the distance-redshift relation with baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) in the clustering of matter. eBOSS will use four different tracers of the underlying matter density field to vastly expand the volume covered by BOSS and map the large-scale-structures over the relatively unconstrained redshift range 0.6 0.6 sample of BOSS galaxies. With ~195,000 new emission line galaxy redshifts, we expect BAO measurements of d_A(z) to an accuracy of 3.1% and H(z) to 4.7% at an effective redshift of z = 0.87. A sample of more than 500,000 spectroscopically confirmed quasars will provide the first BAO distance measurements over the redshift range 0.9 2.1; these new data will enhance the precision of dA(z) and H(z) at z > 2.1 by a factor of 1.44 relative to BOSS. Furthermore, eBOSS will provide improved tests of General Relativity on cosmological scales through redshift-space distortion measurements, improved tests for non-Gaussianity in the primordial density field, and new constraints on the summed mass of all neutrino species. Here, we provide an overview of the cosmological goals, spectroscopic target sample, demonstration of spectral quality from early data, and projected cosmological constraints from eBOSS.
648 citations
University of Oslo1, Heidelberg University2, University of Geneva3, University of Oxford4, University of Barcelona5, Aix-Marseille University6, National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology7, University of Manchester8, RWTH Aachen University9, King's College London10, Stockholm University11, Imperial College London12, ETH Zurich13, Leiden University14, Durham University15, University of Portsmouth16, Lund University17, Case Western Reserve University18, Universidade Estadual de Londrina19, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro20, University of Stavanger21, University of Szczecin22, University of Pennsylvania23, University of Cambridge24, University of Paris25, University of Lisbon26, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study27, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris28
TL;DR: There is a persistent interest in extending cosmology beyond the standard model, ΛCDM, motivated by a range of apparently serious theoretical issues, involving such questions as the cosmological constant problem, the particle nature of dark matter, the validity of general relativity on large scales, the existence of anomalies in the CMB and on small scales, and the predictivity and testability of the inflationary paradigm as mentioned in this paper.
378 citations
TL;DR: There are over 120 types of brain tumor and approximately 45% of primary brain tumors are gliomas, of which glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive with a median survival rate of 14 months.
Abstract: There are over 120 types of brain tumor and approximately 45% of primary brain tumors are gliomas, of which glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive with a median survival rate of 14 months. Despite progress in our knowledge, current therapies are unable to effectively combat primary brain tumors and patient survival remains poor. Tumor metabolism is important to consider in therapeutic approaches and is the focus of numerous research investigations. Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) is a cytosolic enzyme, predominantly involved in anaerobic and aerobic glycolysis (the Warburg effect); however, it has multiple additional functions in non-neoplastic and neoplastic tissues, which are not commonly known or discussed. This review summarizes what is currently known about the function of LDHA and identifies areas that would benefit from further exploration. The current knowledge of the role of LDHA in the brain and its potential as a therapeutic target for brain tumors will also be highlighted. The Warburg effect appears to be universal in tumors, including primary brain tumors, and LDHA (because of its involvement with this process) has been identified as a potential therapeutic target. Currently, there are, however, no suitable LDHA inhibitors available for tumor therapies in the clinic.
375 citations
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory1, University of California, Berkeley2, Carnegie Mellon University3, Yale University4, University of Portsmouth5, New York University6, University of St Andrews7, Harvard University8, Ohio State University9, Max Planck Society10, Brookhaven National Laboratory11, Princeton University12, University of Wisconsin-Madison13, Open University14, New Mexico State University15, Moscow State University16, University of Utah17, Autonomous University of Madrid18, Case Western Reserve University19, Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam20, University of Tokyo21, King's College22, Centre national de la recherche scientifique23, Spanish National Research Council24, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich25, Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory26, Kansas State University27, Pennsylvania State University28, National Scientific and Technical Research Council29, National University of La Plata30, National Autonomous University of Mexico31
TL;DR: The Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) as discussed by the authors provides the largest survey of galaxy redshifts available to date, in terms of both the number of galaxies measured by a single survey, and the effective cosmological volume covered.
Abstract: The Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS), part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) III project, has provided the largest survey of galaxy redshifts available to date, in terms of both the number of galaxy redshifts measured by a single survey, and the effective cosmological volume covered. Key to analysing the clustering of these data to provide cosmological measurements is understanding the detailed properties of this sample. Potential issues include variations in the target catalogue caused by changes either in the targeting algorithm or properties of the data used, the pattern of spectroscopic observations, the spatial distribution of targets for which redshifts were not obtained, and variations in the target sky density due to observational systematics. We document here the target selection algorithms used to create the galaxy samples that comprise BOSS. We also present the algorithms used to create large-scale structure catalogues for the final Data Release (DR12) samples and the associated random catalogues that quantify the survey mask. The algorithms are an evolution of those used by the BOSS team to construct catalogues from earlier data, and have been designed to accurately quantify the galaxy sample. The code used, designated MKSAMPLE, is released with this paper.
373 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the relationship between Corporate Social Performance (CSP) and corporate financial performance (CFP), using both accounting-based (Return on Assets and Return on Capital) and market based (Excess Stock Returns) performance indicators.
334 citations
TL;DR: This modelling study suggests that ingestion of microplastic does not provide a quantitatively important additional pathway for the transfer of adsorbed chemicals from seawater to biota via the gut.
325 citations
TL;DR: Many of the desirable outcomes of exercise for people with SMI, such as mood improvement, stress reduction and increased energy, are inversely related to the barriers of depression, stress and fatigue which frequently restrict their participation in exercise.
Abstract: Exercise can improve clinical outcomes in people with severe mental illness (SMI). However, this population typically engages in low levels of physical activity with poor adherence to exercise interventions. Understanding the motivating factors and barriers towards exercise for people with SMI would help to maximize exercise participation. A search of major electronic databases was conducted from inception until May 2016. Quantitative studies providing proportional data on the motivating factors and/or barriers towards exercise among patients with SMI were eligible. Random-effects meta-analyses were undertaken to calculate proportional data and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for motivating factors and barriers toward exercise. From 1468 studies, 12 independent studies of 6431 psychiatric patients were eligible for inclusion. Meta-analyses showed that 91% of people with SMI endorsed ‘improving health’ as a reason for exercise (N = 6, n = 790, 95% CI 80–94). Among specific aspects of health and well-being, the most common motivations were ‘losing weight’ (83% of patients), ‘improving mood’ (81%) and ‘reducing stress’ (78%). However, low mood and stress were also identified as the most prevalent barriers towards exercise (61% of patients), followed by ‘lack of support’ (50%). Many of the desirable outcomes of exercise for people with SMI, such as mood improvement, stress reduction and increased energy, are inversely related to the barriers of depression, stress and fatigue which frequently restrict their participation in exercise. Providing patients with professional support to identify and achieve their exercise goals may enable them to overcome psychological barriers, and maintain motivation towards regular physical activity.
324 citations
TL;DR: The authors of as discussed by the authors suggest that internal rifting and breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent were linked to the initiation of subduction and development of accretionary orogens around its periphery.
TL;DR: In this article, the sky localization of the first observed compact binary merger is presented, where the authors describe the low-latency analysis of the LIGO data and present a sky localization map.
Abstract: A gravitational-wave (GW) transient was identified in data recorded by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors on 2015 September 14. The event, initially designated G184098 and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the low-latency analysis of the GW data and present the sky localization of the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates Network circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities, the GW sky localization coverage, the timeline, and depth of the observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger, there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic (EM) signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the EM data and results of the EM follow-up campaign are being disseminated in papers by the individual teams.
University of Kentucky1, University of Tokyo2, Space Telescope Science Institute3, University of Wisconsin-Madison4, University of Pittsburgh5, Johns Hopkins University6, University of Texas at Austin7, University of Washington8, Open University9, University of St Andrews10, University of Portsmouth11, University of Nottingham12, University of Cambridge13, New Mexico State University14, Moscow State University15, University of Chile16, New York University17, University of Utah18, University of Oxford19, Max Planck Society20, European Southern Observatory21, École normale supérieure de Lyon22, Claude Bernard University Lyon 123, University of Iowa24, Princeton University25, Case Western Reserve University26, Chinese Academy of Sciences27, Tsinghua University28, University of Manchester29, National Autonomous University of Mexico30, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory31, University of Victoria32
TL;DR: The MaNGA Survey (Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory) as discussed by the authors is one of the core programs in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV, which is obtaining integral field spectroscopy for 10,000 nearby galaxies at a spectral resolution of R ∼ 2000 from 3622 to 10354 A.
Abstract: The MaNGA Survey (Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory) is one of three core programs in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV. It is obtaining integral field spectroscopy for 10,000 nearby galaxies at a spectral resolution of R ∼ 2000 from 3622 to 10354 A. The design of the survey is driven by a set of science requirements on the precision of estimates of the following properties: star formation rate surface density, gas metallicity, stellar population age, metallicity, and abundance ratio, and their gradients; stellar and gas kinematics; and enclosed gravitational mass as a function of radius. We describe how these science requirements set the depth of the observations and dictate sample selection. The majority of targeted galaxies are selected to ensure uniform spatial coverage in units of effective radius (Re) while maximizing spatial resolution. About two-thirds of the sample is covered out to 1.5Re (Primary sample), and one-third of the sample is covered to 2.5Re (Secondary sample). We describe the survey execution with details that would be useful in the design of similar future surveys. We also present statistics on the achieved data quality, specifically the point-spread function, sampling uniformity, spectral resolution, sky subtraction, and flux calibration. For our Primary sample, the median r-band signal-to-noise ratio is ∼70 per 1.4 A pixel for spectra stacked between 1Re and 1.5Re. Measurements of various galaxy properties from the first-year data show that we are meeting or exceeding the defined requirements for the majority of our science goals.
Stanford University1, University of Arizona2, University of California, Santa Cruz3, University of Sussex4, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich5, University of Portsmouth6, University College London7, Rhodes University8, Fermilab9, University of Paris10, University of Pennsylvania11, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign12, Australian National University13, Liverpool John Moores University14, University of Southampton15, University of Queensland16, Technische Universität München17, University of Michigan18, Swinburne University of Technology19, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory20, University of California, Berkeley21, University of KwaZulu-Natal22, Ohio State University23, University of Manchester24, Australian Astronomical Observatory25, University of Sydney26, University of São Paulo27, University of Edinburgh28, Texas A&M University29, Princeton University30, Max Planck Society31, California Institute of Technology32, University of Oxford33, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul34, University of Porto35, Argonne National Laboratory36
TL;DR: The redMaPPer algorithm as discussed by the authors was applied to 150 deg(2) of Science Verification (SV) data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES), and to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) DR8 photometric data set.
Abstract: We describe updates to the redMaPPer algorithm, a photometric red-sequence cluster finder specifically designed for large photometric surveys. The updated algorithm is applied to 150 deg(2) of Science Verification (SV) data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES), and to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) DR8 photometric data set. The DES SV catalog is locally volume limited and contains 786 clusters with richness lambda > 20 (roughly equivalent to M500c greater than or similar to 10(14) h(70)(-1)M(circle dot)) and 0.2 < z < 0.9. The DR8 catalog consists of 26,311 clusters with 0.08 < z < 0.6, with a sharply increasing richness threshold as a function of redshift for z greater than or similar to 0.35. The photometric redshift performance of both catalogs is shown to be excellent, with photometric redshift uncertainties controlled at the sigma(z)/(1+ z) similar to 0.01 level for z greater than or similar to 0.7, rising to similar to 0.02 at z similar to 0.9 in DES SV. We make use of Chandra and XMM X-ray and South Pole Telescope Sunyaev-Zeldovich data to show that the centering performance and mass-richness scatter are consistent with expectations based on prior runs of redMaPPer on SDSS data. We also show how the redMaPPer photo-z and richness estimates are relatively insensitive to imperfect star/galaxy separation and small-scale star masks.
TL;DR: It is shown that regular nutrient provision stabilizes exponential growth of E. coli, with the stationary phase occurring 20 min after nutrient supply accompanied by bacterial proteome changes, suggesting involvement of bacterial proteins in host satiety.
01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: In this article, the potentialities and limitations of digital image correlation (DIC) as a technique for measuring displacements and strain in biomechanical applications are summarized and compared, whilst open issues are addressed.
Abstract: This paper offers an overview of the potentialities and limitations of digital image correlation (DIC) as a technique for measuring displacements and strain in biomechanical applications. This review is mainly intended for biomechanists who are not yet familiar with DIC. This review includes over 150 papers and covers different dimensional scales, from the microscopic level (tissue level) up to macroscopic one (organ level). As DIC involves a high degree of computation, and of operator-dependent decisions, reliability of displacement and strain measurements by means of DIC cannot be taken for granted. Methodological problems and existing solutions are summarized and compared, whilst open issues are addressed. Topics addressed include: preparation methods for the speckle pattern on different tissues; software settings; systematic and random error associated with DIC measurement. Applications to hard and soft tissues at different dimensional scales are described and analyzed in terms of strengths an...
University of Barcelona1, National Autonomous University of Mexico2, Carnegie Mellon University3, University of California, Berkeley4, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory5, University of Utah6, Harvard University7, University of Portsmouth8, Yale University9, Ohio State University10, University of Edinburgh11, Drexel University12, Max Planck Society13, Pennsylvania State University14, New York University15, University of St Andrews16
TL;DR: AJC and LV are supported by supported by the European Research Council under the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme FP7-IDEAS-Phys.LSS 240117 as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: AJC and LV are supported by supported by the European Research Council under the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme FP7-IDEAS-Phys.LSS 240117. Funding for this work was partially provided by the Spanish MINECO under projects AYA2014-58747-P and MDM-2014-0369 of ICCUB (Unidad de Excelencia ‘Maria de Maeztu’). The Science, Technology and Facilities Council is acknowledged for support through the Survey Cosmology and Astrophysics consolidated grant, ST/I001204/1.
TL;DR: In this article, the reactivity of fly ash (FA) as a precursor for geopolymer concrete has been investigated, including physical and chemical properties of various FA sources, inclusion of ground granulated blast furnace slag (ggbs), chemical activator dosages and curing temperature.
Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe1, University of Oxford2, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris3, University of Tokyo4, Chulalongkorn University5, University of Portsmouth6, University of Kentucky7, University of Wisconsin-Madison8, Princeton University9, Johns Hopkins University10, University of Texas at Austin11, Space Telescope Science Institute12, Open University13, University of St Andrews14, Harvard University15, University of Cambridge16, Nanjing University17, New York University Abu Dhabi18, New Mexico State University19, University of La Serena20, Pennsylvania State University21
TL;DR: Bisymmetric emission features co-aligned with strong ionized-gas velocity gradients are reported from which it is inferred the presence of centrally driven winds in typical quiescent galaxies that host low-luminosity active nuclei.
Abstract: This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the Nature Publishing Group via https://doi.org/10.1038/nature18006
Spanish National Research Council1, Autonomous University of Madrid2, Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam3, Shanghai Astronomical Observatory4, University of Utah5, New Mexico State University6, Space Telescope Science Institute7, New York University8, University of Portsmouth9, Harvard University10, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory11, Pennsylvania State University12
TL;DR: In this paper, the clustering and halo occupation distribution of Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) CMASS galaxies in the redshift range 0.43 < z < 0.7 drawn from the Final SDSS-III Data Release were compared with the predictions of a halo abundance matching (HAM) clustering model.
Abstract: We present a study of the clustering and halo occupation distribution of Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) CMASS galaxies in the redshift range 0.43 < z < 0.7 drawn from the Final SDSS-III Data Release. We compare the BOSS results with the predictions of a halo abundance matching (HAM) clustering model that assigns galaxies to dark matter haloes selected from the large BigMultiDark N-body simulation of a flat Λ cold dark matter Planck cosmology. We compare the observational data with the simulated ones on a light cone constructed from 20 subsequent outputs of the simulation. Observational effects such as incompleteness, geometry, veto masks and fibre collisions are included in the model, which reproduces within 1σ errors the observed monopole of the two-point correlation function at all relevant scales: from the smallest scales, 0.5 h-1 Mpc, up to scales beyond the baryon acoustic oscillation feature. This model also agrees remarkably well with the BOSS galaxy power spectrum (up to k ~ 1 h Mpc-1), and the three-point correlation function. The quadrupole of the correlation function presents some tensions with observations. We discuss possible causes that can explain this disagreement, including target selection effects. Overall, the standard HAM model describes remarkably well the clustering statistics of the CMASS sample. We compare the stellar-to-halo mass relation for the CMASS sample measured using weak lensing in the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Stripe 82 Survey with the prediction of our clustering model, and find a good agreement within 1σ. The BigMD-BOSS light cone including properties of BOSS galaxies and halo properties is made publicly available.
University of Pennsylvania1, Brookhaven National Laboratory2, University of Manchester3, ETH Zurich4, Princeton University5, Stanford University6, Autonomous University of Barcelona7, University of Michigan8, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich9, Fermilab10, California Institute of Technology11, Max Planck Society12, University College London13, Ohio State University14, Argonne National Laboratory15, Rhodes University16, University of Paris17, University of Portsmouth18, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign19, Institut de Ciències de l'Espai20, Texas A&M University21, Australian Astronomical Observatory22, University of São Paulo23, University of Sussex24
TL;DR: In this paper, weak lensing shear catalogues for 139 square degrees of data taken during the Science Verification (SV) time for the new Dark Energy Camera (DECam) being used for the Dark Energy Survey (DES).
Abstract: We present weak lensing shear catalogues for 139 square degrees of data taken during the Science Verification (SV) time for the new Dark Energy Camera (DECam) being used for the Dark Energy Survey (DES). We describe our object selection, point spread function estimation and shear measurement procedures using two independent shear pipelines, IM3SHAPE and NGMIX, which produce catalogues of 2.12 million and 3.44 million galaxies respectively. We detail a set of null tests for the shear measurements and find that they pass the requirements for systematic errors at the level necessary for weak lensing science applications using the SV data. We also discuss some of the planned algorithmic improvements that will be necessary to produce sufficiently accurate shear catalogues for the full 5-year DES, which is expected to cover 5000 square degrees.
University of Arizona1, Stanford University2, Autonomous University of Barcelona3, University of Queensland4, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich5, University College London6, University of Cambridge7, University of Pennsylvania8, University of Paris9, Fermilab10, University of Portsmouth11, University of Notre Dame12, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign13, Australian National University14, Texas A&M University15, California Institute of Technology16, University of Michigan17, Swinburne University of Technology18, Max Planck Society19, Ohio State University20, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory21, Australian Astronomical Observatory22, University of São Paulo23, University of Sussex24, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul25, Argonne National Laboratory26
TL;DR: RedMaGiC as mentioned in this paper is an automated algorithm for selecting luminous red galaxies (LRGs) by self-training the color cuts necessary to produce a luminosity-thresholded LRG sample of constant comoving density.
Abstract: We introduce redMaGiC, an automated algorithm for selecting luminous red galaxies (LRGs). The algorithm was specifically developed to minimize photometric redshift uncertainties in photometric large-scale structure studies. redMaGiC achieves this by self-training the colour cuts necessary to produce a luminosity-thresholded LRG sample of constant comoving density. We demonstrate that redMaGiC photo-zs are very nearly as accurate as the best machine learning-based methods, yet they require minimal spectroscopic training, do not suffer from extrapolation biases, and are very nearly Gaussian. We apply our algorithm to Dark Energy Survey (DES) Science Verification (SV) data to produce a redMaGiC catalogue sampling the redshift range z is an element of [0.2, 0.8]. Our fiducial sample has a comoving space density of 10(-3) (h(-1) Mpc)(-3), and a median photo-z bias (z(spec) - z(photo)) and scatter (sigma(z)/(1 + z)) of 0.005 and 0.017, respectively. The corresponding 5 sigma outlier fraction is 1.4 per cent. We also test our algorithm with Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 8 and Stripe 82 data, and discuss how spectroscopic training can be used to control photo-z biases at the 0.1 per cent level.
University of Portsmouth1, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul2, Chinese Academy of Sciences3, University of Antofagasta4, University of Wisconsin-Madison5, Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe6, University of Texas at Austin7, Space Telescope Science Institute8, University of Kentucky9, Open University10, University of St Andrews11, New Mexico State University12, University of Utah13, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile14, University of Cambridge15, University of Nottingham16, University of La Serena17, Pennsylvania State University18
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors study the internal gradients of stellar population properties within 1.5 Re for a representative sample of 721 galaxies, with stellar masses ranging between 109 M and 1011.5 M.
Abstract: We study the internal gradients of stellar population properties within 1.5 Re for a representative sample of 721 galaxies, with stellar masses ranging between 109 M⊙ and 1011.5 M⊙ from the SDSS-IV MaNGA Integral-Field-Unit survey. Through the use of our full spectral fitting code FIREFLY, we derive light- and mass-weighted stellar population properties and their radial gradients, as well as full star formation and metal enrichment histories. We also quantify the impact that different stellar population models and full spectral fitting routines have on the derived stellar population properties and the radial gradient measurements. In our analysis, we find that age gradients tend to be shallow for both early-type and late-type galaxies. Mass-weighted age gradients of early-types arepositive [sic] (∼0.09 dex/Re) pointing to ‘outside–in’ progression of star formation, while late-type galaxies have negative light-weighted age gradients (∼−0.11 dex/Re), suggesting an ‘inside–out’ formation of discs.We detect negative metallicity gradients in both early- and late-type galaxies, but these are significantly steeper in late-types, suggesting that the radial dependence of chemical enrichment processes and the effect of gas inflow and metal transport are far more pronounced in discs. Metallicity gradients of both morphological classes correlate with galaxy mass, with negative metallicity gradients becoming steeper with increasing galaxy mass. The correlation with mass is stronger for late-type galaxies, with a slope of d(∇[Z/H])/d(log M) ∼ −0.2 ± 0.05 , compared to d(∇[Z/H])/d(log M) ∼ −0.05 ± 0.05 for early-types. This result suggests that the merger history plays a relatively small role in shaping metallicity gradients of galaxies.
Stanford University1, University of Arizona2, University of California, Santa Cruz3, University of Sussex4, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich5, University of Portsmouth6, University College London7, Rhodes University8, Fermilab9, University of Paris10, University of Pennsylvania11, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign12, Australian National University13, Liverpool John Moores University14, University of Southampton15, University of Queensland16, Technische Universität München17, University of Michigan18, Swinburne University of Technology19, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory20, University of California, Berkeley21, University of KwaZulu-Natal22, Ohio State University23, University of Manchester24, Australian Astronomical Observatory25, University of Sydney26, University of São Paulo27, University of Edinburgh28, Texas A&M University29, Princeton University30, Max Planck Society31, California Institute of Technology32, University of Oxford33, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul34, University of Porto35, Argonne National Laboratory36
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe updates to the Redmapper{} algorithm, a photometric red-sequence cluster finder specifically designed for large photometric surveys, applied to data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES), and to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) DR8 photometric data set.
Abstract: We describe updates to the \redmapper{} algorithm, a photometric red-sequence cluster finder specifically designed for large photometric surveys. The updated algorithm is applied to $150\,\mathrm{deg}^2$ of Science Verification (SV) data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES), and to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) DR8 photometric data set. The DES SV catalog is locally volume limited, and contains 786 clusters with richness $\lambda>20$ (roughly equivalent to $M_{\rm{500c}}\gtrsim10^{14}\,h_{70}^{-1}\,M_{\odot}$) and $0.2
TL;DR: The areas identified as being significantly advanced following Chernobyl were: the importance of semi-natural ecosystems in human dose formation; the characterisation and environmental behaviour of 'hot particles'; the development and application of countermeasures; the "fixation" and long term bioavailability of radiocaesium and; the effects of radiation on plants and animals.
14 May 2016
TL;DR: A bi-objective effort estimation algorithm that combines Confidence Interval Analysis and assessment of Mean Absolute Error is introduced that outperforms the baseline, state-of-the-art and all three alternative formulations, statistically significantly.
Abstract: We introduce a bi-objective effort estimation algorithm that combines Confidence Interval Analysis and assessment of Mean Absolute Error. We evaluate our proposed algorithm on three different alternative formulations, baseline comparators and current state-of-the-art effort estimators applied to five real-world datasets from the PROMISE repository, involving 724 different software projects in total. The results reveal that our algorithm outperforms the baseline, state-of-the-art and all three alternative formulations, statistically significantly (p Â12 ≥ 0.9) over all five datasets. We also provide evidence that our algorithm creates a new state-of-the-art, which lies within currently claimed industrial human-expert-based thresholds, thereby demonstrating that our findings have actionable conclusions for practicing software engineers.
TL;DR: In this paper, the cosmological implications of generalized Proca theories are investigated for both the background and the linear perturbation by taking into account the Lagrangian up to quintic order.
Abstract: We consider a massive vector field with derivative interactions that propagates only the 3 desired polarizations (besides two tensor polarizations from gravity) with second-order equations of motion in curved space-time. The cosmological implications of such generalized Proca theories are investigated for both the background and the linear perturbation by taking into account the Lagrangian up to quintic order. In the presence of a matter fluid with a temporal component of the vector field, we derive the background equations of motion and show the existence of de Sitter solutions relevant to the late-time cosmic acceleration. We also obtain conditions for the absence of ghosts and Laplacian instabilities of tensor, vector, and scalar perturbations in the small-scale limit. Our results are applied to concrete examples of the general functions in the theory, which encompass vector Galileons as a specific case. In such examples, we show that the de Sitter fixed point is always a stable attractor and study viable parameter spaces in which the no-ghost and stability conditions are satisfied during the cosmic expansion history.
Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam1, Autonomous University of Madrid2, Spanish National Research Council3, University of La Laguna4, University of Portsmouth5, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory6, University of Barcelona7, Harvard University8, Aix-Marseille University9, Carnegie Mellon University10, University of California, Berkeley11, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne12, University College London13, Ohio State University14, Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory15, Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, University of Portsmouth16, Kansas State University17, Pennsylvania State University18, Chinese Academy of Sciences19, New York University20, University of Utah21, University of Cambridge22
TL;DR: Chuang et al. as mentioned in this paper presented the clustering of galaxies in the SDSS-III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey: single-probe measurements from CMASS anisotropic galaxy clustering.
Abstract: Citation: Chuang, C. H., Prada, F., Pellejero-Ibanez, M., Beutler, F., Cuesta, A. J., Eisenstein, D. J., . . . Thomas, D. (2016). The clustering of galaxies in the SDSS-III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey: Single-probe measurements from CMASS anisotropic galaxy clustering. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 461(4), 3781-3793. doi:10.1093/mnras/stw1535
TL;DR: In this article, the authors considered the finite interactions of the generalized Proca theory including the sixth-order Lagrangian and derived the full linear perturbation equations of motion on the flat Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker background in the presence of a matter perfect fluid.
Abstract: We consider the finite interactions of the generalized Proca theory including the sixth-order Lagrangian and derive the full linear perturbation equations of motion on the flat Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker background in the presence of a matter perfect fluid By construction, the propagating degrees of freedom (besides the matter perfect fluid) are two transverse vector perturbations, one longitudinal scalar, and two tensor polarizations The Lagrangians associated with intrinsic vector modes neither affect the background equations of motion nor the second-order action of tensor perturbations, but they do give rise to non-trivial modifications to the no-ghost condition of vector perturbations and to the propagation speeds of vector and scalar perturbations We derive the effective gravitational coupling $G_{\rm eff}$ with matter density perturbations under a quasi-static approximation on scales deep inside the sound horizon We find that the existence of intrinsic vector modes allows a possibility for reducing $G_{\rm eff}$ In fact, within the parameter space, $G_{\rm eff}$ can be even smaller than the Newton gravitational constant $G$ at the late cosmological epoch, with a peculiar phantom dark energy equation of state (without ghosts) The modifications to the slip parameter $\eta$ and the evolution of growth rate $f\sigma_8$ are discussed as well Thus, dark energy models in the framework of generalized Proca theories can be observationally distinguished from the $\Lambda$CDM model according to both cosmic growth and expansion history Furthermore, we study the evolution of vector perturbations and show that outside the vector sound horizon the perturbations are nearly frozen and start to decay with oscillations after the horizon entry
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TL;DR: DESI (Dark Energy Spectropic Instrument) as mentioned in this paper is a ground-based dark energy experiment that will study baryon acoustic oscillations and the growth of structure through redshift-space distortions with a wide-area galaxy and quasar redshift survey.
Abstract: DESI (Dark Energy Spectropic Instrument) is a Stage IV ground-based dark energy experiment that will study baryon acoustic oscillations and the growth of structure through redshift-space distortions with a wide-area galaxy and quasar redshift survey. The DESI instrument is a robotically-actuated, fiber-fed spectrograph capable of taking up to 5,000 simultaneous spectra over a wavelength range from 360 nm to 980 nm. The fibers feed ten three-arm spectrographs with resolution $R= \lambda/\Delta\lambda$ between 2000 and 5500, depending on wavelength. The DESI instrument will be used to conduct a five-year survey designed to cover 14,000 deg$^2$. This powerful instrument will be installed at prime focus on the 4-m Mayall telescope in Kitt Peak, Arizona, along with a new optical corrector, which will provide a three-degree diameter field of view. The DESI collaboration will also deliver a spectroscopic pipeline and data management system to reduce and archive all data for eventual public use.