University of Saint Mary

About: University of Saint Mary is a education organization based out in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 2276 authors who have published 2399 publications receiving 58990 citations. The organization is also known as: University of St. Mary & University of St Mary.

BDNF in the Aged Brain: Translational Implications for Parkinson's Disease.

Abstract: Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family of secreted growth factors. BDNF signaling is known to exert both chronic, pro-survival effects related to gene expression and protein synthesis ("canonical signaling"), and acute effects as a modulator of neurotransmission ("non-canonical signaling"). BDNF has received a great deal of attention for its role in neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington's Disease (HD), Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and Parkinson's Disease (PD) and has been extensively reviewed elsewhere in this regard (e.g., [1-6]). However aging-related changes in BDNF function and expression have been studied only rarely, with the majority of studies characterizing changes in structures such as the hippocampus and neocortex. In this review, we attempt to briefly summarize the extent of the existing literature on age-related BDNF changes, and discuss the relevance of these changes as a factor potentially impacting therapeutics in aged parkinsonian subjects.

Using the 1.6 μm Bump to Study Rest-frame Near-infrared-selected Galaxies at Redshift 2

Abstract: We explore the feasibility and limitations of using the 1.6 {mu}m bump as a photometric redshift indicator and selection technique, and use it to study the rest-frame H-band galaxy luminosity and stellar mass functions (SMFs) at redshift z {approx} 2. We use publicly available Spitzer/IRAC images in the GOODS fields and find that color selection in the IRAC bandpasses alone is comparable in completeness and contamination to BzK selection. We find that the shape of the 1.6 {mu}m bump is robust, and photometric redshifts are not greatly affected by choice of model parameters. Comparison with spectroscopic redshifts shows photometric redshifts to be reliable. We create a rest-frame NIR-selected catalog of galaxies at z {approx} 2 and construct a galaxy SMF. Comparisons with other SMFs at approximately the same redshift but determined using shorter wavelengths show good agreement. This agreement suggests that selection at bluer wavelengths does not miss a significant amount of stellar mass in passive galaxies. Comparison with SMFs at other redshifts shows evidence for the downsizing scenario of galaxy evolution. We conclude by pointing out the potential for using the 1.6 {mu}m bump technique to select high-redshift galaxies with the JWST, whose {lambda}>0.6 {mu}m coverage will not bemore » well suited to selecting galaxies using techniques that require imaging at shorter wavelengths.« less

PHL 1092 as a transient extreme X-ray weak quasar

Abstract: We report a dramatic variability event in the X-ray history of the narrow-line quasar PHL 1092 (z = 0396) Our latest 2008 XMM-Newton observation reveals a flux drop of ∼200 with respect to the previous observation performed about 45 yr earlier, and a drop of ∼135 with respect to its historical flux Despite the huge X-ray variation, the UV flux remains constant producing a very significant steepening of the optical to X-ray slope αox from −156 to −244, making PHL 1092 one of the most extreme X-ray weak quasars The similarity in the soft X-ray spectral shape between the present and previous observations, together with the persistent UV flux and the lack of any dramatic change in the optical spectrum, suggests that an absorption event is not likely to be the origin of the observed variation If absorption is ruled out, the sudden X-ray weakness of PHL 1092 must be produced by a transient significant weakening or disruption of the X-ray emitting corona

Fadis: A Measure of the Fear of Accidental Death and Injury

Abstract: A 25-item scale (FADIS), measuring accidental death and injury anxiety, is explored with a sample of 177 high school seniors and college students. FADIS was found to be internally consistent and related to several predictors. Significantly higher FADIS scores were obtained for non-Caucasians than Caucasians and for women than men. Religiosity and religious preference were also strongly related to FADIS for women. The results for race and gender are discussed in terms of the social status of minority groups, and it is suggested that locus of control may play an important role in the development of accidental death anxiety.