Cosmology with the submillimetre galaxies magnification bias: Proof of concept

Context. As recently demonstrated, high-z submillimetre galaxies (SMGs) are the perfect background sample for tracing the mass density profiles of galaxies and clusters (baryonic and dark matter) and their time-evolution through gravitational lensing. Their magnification bias, a weak gravitational lensing effect, is a powerful tool for constraining the free parameters of a halo occupation distribution (HOD) model and potentially also some of the main cosmological parameters. Aims. The aim of this work is to test the capability of the magnification bias produced on high-z SMGs as a cosmological probe. We exploit cross-correlation data to constrain not only astrophysical parameters (Mmin, M1, and α), but also some of the cosmological ones (Ωm, σ8, and H0) for this proof of concept. Methods. The measured cross-correlation function between a foreground sample of GAMA galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts in the range 0.2 < z < 0.8 and a background sample of H-ATLAS galaxies with photometric redshifts > 1.2 is modelled using the traditional halo model description that depends on HOD and cosmological parameters. These parameters are then estimated by performing a Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis using different sets of priors to test the robustness of the results and to study the performance of this novel observable with the current set of data. Results. With our current results, Ωm and H0 cannot be well constrained. However, we can set a lower limit of > 0.24 at 95% confidence level (CL) on Ωm and we see a slight trend towards H0 > 70 values. For our constraints on σ8 we obtain only a tentative peak around 0.75, but an interesting upper limit of σ8 ≲ 1 at 95% CL. We also study the possibility to derive better constraints by imposing more restrictive priors on the astrophysical parameters.

The bisoprolol efficiency predictors in patients with stable angina after myocardial infarction

Objective: to identify the of bisoprolol effectiveness predictors in patients with stable angina after myocardial infarction.Materials and methods: 107 patients with stable angina who underwent myocardial infarction aged 35–65 years (mean age 54,7 ± 6,2 years) were examined in an open, comparative, register study, of which groups were generated: with the achieved and unreached target heart rate (60 or less in 1 minute). Additionally, the respondents were stratified into subsamples by the presence of ADRB1 gene Arg389Gly polymorphism. All patients underwent a 5-minute study of heart rate variability (HRV) in the background sample and in active orthostasis and the determination of the ADRB1 gene polymorphism (Arg389Gly, rs1801253) by PCR. All patients received bisoprolol in the selected optimal maximum-tolerated dose.The main results: respondents who did not reach the target heart rate significantly more often complained about heartbeat and heart rhythm interruptions (p = 0,003), increased incidence of cardiac pain episodes (p = 0,02), noted a high demand for nitrates (p = 0,03) and significantly more often sought medical help. In respondents with the achieved target heart rate, sympathetic influences were less expressed in the background HRV sample with significantly higher parasympathetic influences expression by contrast. The number of sympathicotonics in terms of HRV at rest was significantly higher among respondents with unreached heart rate. When comparing the frequencies of alleles in respondents with the achieved target heart rate, a significant (p = 0.0001) prevalence of carriers of the Gly allele of the ADRB1 gene Arg389Gly polymorphism was revealed. The heart rate in carriers of the Gly allele in homo-or heterozygous form was significantly lower than in carriers of the homozygous genotype Arg389Arg.Conclusion: The predictors of the bisoprolol effectiveness in achieving the target heart rate in patients with stable angina after MI are: a stress index less than 104.5 cu. in the background sample of a 5-minute HRV, the presence of the polymorphic Gly allele of the ADRB1 gene Arg389Gly polymorphism, the age of less than 46 years, and the total spectrum power in the background HRV sample of more than 1309 ms.

China Labor-force Dynamics Survey

The China Labor-force Dynamics Survey (CLDS), launched by Sun Yat-Sen University, is the first national longitudinal social survey targeted at the labor force in China. Using a rotating panel design, the survey is conducted every two years and has accumulated three waves of data now. In this article, we introduce the theoretical background, sample design, and implementation of the survey. We also summarize some scholarly themes which CLDS can be applied to by presenting descriptive statistical results.

Comparative metagenomics reveals a diverse range of antimicrobial resistance genes in effluents entering a river catchment

The aquatic environment has been implicated as a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). In order to identify sources that are contributing to these gene reservoirs, it is crucial to assess effluents that are entering the aquatic environment. Here we describe a metagenomic assessment for two types of effluent entering a river catchment. We investigated the diversity and abundance of resistance genes, mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and pathogenic bacteria. Findings were normalised to a background sample of river source water. Our results show that effluent contributed an array of genes to the river catchment, the most abundant being tetracycline resistance genes tetC and tetW from farm effluents and the sulfonamide resistance gene sul2 from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. In nine separate samples taken across 3 years, we found 53 different genes conferring resistance to seven classes of antimicrobial. Compared to the background sample taken up river from effluent entry, the average abundance of genes was three times greater in the farm effluent and two times greater in the WWTP effluent. We conclude that effluents disperse ARGs, MGEs and pathogenic bacteria within a river catchment, thereby contributing to environmental reservoirs of ARGs.

Enrichment diagram (ED)

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to validate and apply enrichment diagrams (EDs) to determine metal and as enrichment and contamination in the sediments of Sepetiba Bay. Design/methodology/approach – Through inducted coupled plasma – optical emission spectrophotometry, total element (As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) concentrations were assessed for the construction of EDs and comparison with enrichment factors (EFs) in 65 samples collected in Sepetiba Bay. Findings – Based on the EDs, it was observed that the sediments around the urban area of Sepetiba and ItaguaíHarbor were contaminated with Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. These contaminants were expected due to the urban and industrial discharges into the bay and the activities at ItaguaíHarbor. Originality/value – The ED was successful regarding its ability to evaluate inorganic contamination in Sepetiba Bay. In addition, this method was able to define a proper background sample for calculating EFs.

University of Kiel Radiocarbon Measurements VII

This list contains data obtained during 1971. Unless otherwise stated, all organic samples or organic fractions are carefully washed with dil. HCl and dil. NaOH to remove all carbonates. Age calculations are based on 95% of NBS oxalic acid standard activity with modern value A.D. 1950. Results are calculated using the Libby half-life and are given in the B.P. scale. Also ages of shells are calculated with the NBS oxalic acid standard. Ages are not corrected for δC13 variations. Errors correspond to Iσ variation of sample net counting rate including statistics of modern standard and background. Sample activities, if given in per cent refer to 0.95 NBS oxalic acid standard activity.