University of Portsmouth

About: University of Portsmouth is a education organization based out in Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 5452 authors who have published 14256 publications receiving 424346 citations. The organization is also known as: Portsmouth and Gosport School of Science and Art & Portsmouth and Gosport School of Science and the Arts.

Structure finding in cosmological simulations: the state of affairs

Abstract: The ever increasing size and complexity of data coming from simulations of cosmic structure formation demand equally sophisticated tools for their analysis. During the past decade, the art of object finding in these simulations has hence developed into an important discipline itself. A multitude of codes based upon a huge variety of methods and techniques have been spawned yet the question remained as to whether or not they will provide the same (physical) information about the structures of interest. Here we summarize and extent previous work of the 'halo finder comparison project': we investigate in detail the (possible) origin of any deviations across finders. To this extent, we decipher and discuss differences in halo-finding methods, clearly separating them from the disparity in definitions of halo properties. We observe that different codes not only find different numbers of objects leading to a scatter of up to 20 per cent in the halo mass and V-max function, but also that the particulars of those objects that are identified by all finders differ. The strength of the variation, however, depends on the property studied, e.g. the scatter in position, bulk velocity, mass and the peak value of the rotation curve is practically below a few per cent, whereas derived quantities such as spin and shape show larger deviations. Our study indicates that the prime contribution to differences in halo properties across codes stems from the distinct particle collection methods and - to a minor extent - the particular aspects of how the procedure for removing unbound particles is implemented. We close with a discussion of the relevance and implications of the scatter across different codes for other fields such as semi-analytical galaxy formation models, gravitational lensing and observables in general.

Defining and Understanding Mental Toughness within Soccer

Abstract: Despite the widespread use of the term “mental toughness” by performers, coaches and sport psychology consultant's alike, it is only recently that researchers (e.g., Jones, Hanton, & Connaughton, 2...

The Sdss-Iv Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey: Quasar Target Selection

Abstract: As part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) IV the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) will improve measurements of the cosmological distance scale by applying the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) method to quasar samples. eBOSS will adopt two approaches to target quasars over 7500 deg^2. First, a "CORE" quasar sample will combine the optical selection in ugriz using a likelihood-based routine called XDQSOz, with a mid-IR-optical color cut. eBOSS CORE selection (to g 2.1 quasars. Second, a selection based on variability in multi-epoch imaging from the Palomar Transient Factory should recover an additional ~3–4 deg^(−2)z > 2.1 quasars to g 2.1 will be used to improve BAO measurements in the Lyα Forest. Beyond its key cosmological goals, eBOSS should be the next-generation quasar survey, comprising >500,000 new quasars and >500,000 uniformly selected spectroscopically confirmed 0.9 < z < 2.2 quasars. At the conclusion of eBOSS, the SDSS will have provided unique spectra for more than 800,000 quasars.

Increased Glucocorticoid Receptor Expression in Human Skeletal Muscle Cells May Contribute to the Pathogenesis of the Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract: Altered glucocorticoid hormone action may contribute to the etiology of the metabolic syndrome, but the molecular mechanisms are poorly defined. Tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoid is regulated by expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-alpha and 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I (11beta-HSD1)-mediated intracellular synthesis of active cortisol from inactive cortisone. We have analyzed GRalpha and 11beta-HSD1 expression in skeletal myoblasts from men (n = 14) with contrasting levels of insulin sensitivity (euglycemic clamp measurements of insulin-dependent glucose disposal rate), blood pressure, and adiposity. Positive associations were evident between myoblast expression of GRalpha under basal conditions and levels of insulin resistance (r(2) = 0.34, P < 0.05), BMI (r(2) = 0.49, P < 0.01), percent body fat (r(2) = 0.34, P < 0.02), and blood pressure (r(2) = 0.86, P < 0.001). Similar associations were evident when myoblasts were incubated with physiological levels of cortisol (P < 0.01 for all). Importantly, GRalpha expression was unaffected by variations in in vivo concentrations of insulin, IGF-1, or glucose concentrations. In common with the GR, 11beta-HSD1 expression in myoblasts incubated with physiological concentrations of cortisol in vitro was positively associated with levels of insulin resistance (r(2) = 0.68, P < 0.001), BMI (r(2) = 0.63, P < 0.005), and blood pressure (r(2) = 0.27, P < 0.05). Regulation of GRalpha and 11beta-HSD1 by cortisol was abolished by the GR antagonist RU38486. In summary, our data suggest that raised skeletal muscle cell expression of GRalpha and 11beta -HSD1-mediated regulation of intracellular cortisol may play a fundamental role in mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome.

Aggregated, Voluntary and Mandatory Risk Disclosure Incentives: Evidence from UK FTSE All Share Companies

Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of corporate risk levels on aggregated, voluntary and mandatory risk disclosures in the annual report narratives of UK non-financial listed companies. We find that firms characterised by higher levels of systematic, financing risks and risk-adjusted returns and those with lower levels of stock return variability are likely to exhibit significantly higher levels of aggregated and voluntary risk disclosures. The results also show that firms of large size, high dividend-yield, high board independence, low (high) insider (outsider) ownership, and effective audit environments are likely to exhibit higher levels of aggregated and voluntary risk disclosures than other firms. Similarly, mandatory risk disclosures are influenced positively by firm size, dividend-yield and board independence and negatively by high leverage. The results suggest that managers of firms exhibiting greater compliance with mandatory regulations have a greater propensity to make voluntary risk disclosures. When we distinguish between high- and low-risk firms, we find that high-risk firms appear to be more sensitive to underlying risk levels, resulting in more disclosure of both voluntary and mandatory risk information than in the case of low-risk firms. The results generally support the present UK emphasis on encouraging rather than mandating risk disclosure. Nevertheless, under this regime, the voluntary risk disclosures of some firms, e.g., those characterised by higher-volatility market returns, do not reflect their underlying risk levels.