| 1. |
- Cavieres, Lohengrin A., et al.
(author)
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Facilitative plant interactions and climate simultaneously drive alpine plant diversity
- 2014
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In: Ecology Letters. - : Wiley. - 1461-0248 .- 1461-023X. ; 17:2, s. 193-202
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Interactions among species determine local-scale diversity, but local interactions are thought to have minor effects at larger scales. However, quantitative comparisons of the importance of biotic interactions relative to other drivers are rarely made at larger scales. Using a data set spanning 78 sites and five continents, we assessed the relative importance of biotic interactions and climate in determining plant diversity in alpine ecosystems dominated by nurse-plant cushion species. Climate variables related with water balance showed the highest correlation with richness at the global scale. Strikingly, although the effect of cushion species on diversity was lower than that of climate, its contribution was still substantial. In particular, cushion species enhanced species richness more in systems with inherently impoverished local diversity. Nurse species appear to act as a ‘safety net’ sustaining diversity under harsh conditions, demonstrating that climate and species interactions should be integrated when predicting future biodiversity effects of climate change.
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| 2. |
- Dahlen, Tomas, et al.
(author)
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Evolution of the luminosity function, star formation rate, morphology, and size of star-forming galaxies selected at rest-frame 1500 and 2800 angstrom
- 2007
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 654:1, s. 172-185
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Using the multiwavelength photometric and spectroscopic data covering the Chandra Deep Field South obtained within the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey, we investigate the rest-frame UV properties of galaxies to z similar to 2.2, including the evolution of the luminosity function, the luminosity density, star formation rate (SFR), and galaxy morphology. We find a significant brightening (similar to 1 mag) in the rest-frame 2800 angstrom characteristic magnitude (M*) over the redshift range 0.3 less than or similar to z less than or similar to 1.7 and no evolution at higher redshifts. The rest-frame 2800 angstrom luminosity density shows an increase by a factor of similar to 4 over the redshift range investigated. We estimate the SFR density to z similar to 2.2 from the 1500 and 2800 angstrom luminosities. When no correction for extinction is made, we find that the SFR derived from the 2800 angstrom luminosity density is almost a factor of 2 higher than that derived from the 1500 8 luminosities. Attributing this difference to differential dust extinction, we find that E(B - V) = 0.20 results in the same extinction-corrected SFR from both 1500 and 2800 angstrom luminosities. The extinction-corrected SFR is a factor of similar to 6.5 (similar to 3.7) higher than the uncorrected SFR derived from 1500 8 ( 2800 8) luminosity. We investigate the morphological composition of our sample by fitting Sersic profiles to the HST ACS galaxy images at a fixed rest-frame wavelength of 2800 angstrom at 0.5 less than or similar to z less than or similar to 2.2. We find that the fraction of apparently bulge-dominated galaxies (Sersic index n > 2.5) increases from similar to 10% at z similar to 0.5 to similar to 30% at z similar to 2.2. At the same time, we note that galaxies get bluer at increasing redshift. This suggests a scenario where an increased fraction of the star formation takes place in bulge-dominated systems at high redshift. This could be evidence that the present-day elliptical galaxies are a result of assembly (i.e., mergers) of galaxies at z greater than or similar to 1. Finally, we find that galaxy size for a luminosity-selected sample evolves as r(h) proportional to (1+z)(-1.1) between redshifts z = 2.2 and 1.1. This is consistent with previous measurements and suggests a similar evolution over the redshift range 0 less than or similar to z less than or similar to 6.
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| 3. |
- Flury, Sophia R., et al.
(author)
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The Low-redshift Lyman Continuum Survey. I. New, Diverse Local Lyman Continuum Emitters
- 2022
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In: Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0067-0049 .- 1538-4365. ; 260:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The origins of Lyman continuum (LyC) photons responsible for the reionization of the universe are as of yet unknown and highly contested. Detecting LyC photons from the Epoch of Reionization is not possible due to absorption by the intergalactic medium, which has prompted the development of several indirect diagnostics to infer the rate at which galaxies contribute LyC photons to reionize the universe by studying lower-redshift analogs. We present the Low-redshift Lyman Continuum Survey (LzLCS) comprising measurements made with the Hubble Space Telescope Cosmic Origins Spectrograph for a z = 0.2-0.4 sample of 66 galaxies. After careful processing of the far-UV spectra, we obtain a total of 35 Lyman continuum emitters (LCEs) detected with 97.725% confidence, nearly tripling the number of known local LCEs. We estimate escape fractions from the detected LyC flux and upper limits on the undetected LyC flux, finding a range of LyC escape fractions up to 50%. Of the 35 LzLCS LCEs, 12 have LyC escape fractions greater than 5%, more than doubling the number of known local LCEs with cosmologically relevant LyC escape.
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| 4. |
- Flury, Sophia R., et al.
(author)
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The Low-redshift Lyman Continuum Survey. II. New Insights into LyC Diagnostics
- 2022
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 930:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Lyman continuum (LyC) cannot be observed at the epoch of reionization (z greater than or similar to 6) owing to intergalactic H i absorption. To identify LyC emitters (LCEs) and infer the fraction of escaping LyC, astronomers have developed various indirect diagnostics of LyC escape. Using measurements of the LyC from the Low-redshift Lyman Continuum Survey (LzLCS), we present the first statistical test of these diagnostics. While optical depth indicators based on Ly alpha, such as peak velocity separation and equivalent width, perform well, we also find that other diagnostics, such as the [O iii]/[O ii] flux ratio and star formation rate surface density, predict whether a galaxy is an LCE. The relationship between these galaxy properties and the fraction of escaping LyC flux suggests that LyC escape depends strongly on H i column density, ionization parameter, and stellar feedback. We find that LCEs occupy a range of stellar masses, metallicities, star formation histories, and ionization parameters, which may indicate episodic and/or different physical causes of LyC escape.
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| 5. |
- Kuschel, Maxwell, et al.
(author)
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Investigating the Dominant Environmental Quenching Process in UVCANDELS/COSMOS Groups
- 2023
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 947:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We explore how the fraction of quenched galaxies changes in groups of galaxies with respect to the distance to the center of the group, redshift, and stellar mass to determine the dominant process of environmental quenching in 0.2 < z < 0.8 groups. We use new UV data from the UVCANDELS project in addition to existing multiband photometry to derive new galaxy physical properties of the group galaxies from the zCOSMOS 20 k group catalog. Limiting our analysis to a complete sample of log (M*/M⊙) > 10.56 group galaxies, we find that the probability of being quenched increases slowly with decreasing redshift, diverging from the stagnant field galaxy population. A corresponding analysis on how the probability of being quenched increases with time within groups suggests that the dominant environmental quenching process is characterized by slow (∼Gyr) timescales. We find a quenching time of approximately Gyr, consistent with the slow processes of strangulation and delayed-then-rapid quenching although more data are needed to confirm this result.
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| 6. |
- McAllister, Mark, et al.
(author)
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Developing Clinically Relevant Dissolution Specifications (CRDSs) for Oral Drug Products: Virtual Webinar Series
- 2022
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In: Pharmaceutics. - : MDPI AG. - 1999-4923. ; 14:5, s. 1010-1010
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A webinar series that was organised by the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences Biopharmaceutics focus group in 2021 focused on the challenges of developing clinically relevant dissolution specifications (CRDSs) for oral drug products. Industrial scientists, together with regulatory and academic scientists, came together through a series of six webinars, to discuss progress in the field, emerging trends, and areas for continued collaboration and harmonisation. Each webinar also hosted a Q&A session where participants could discuss the shared topic and information. Although it was clear from the presentations and Q&A sessions that we continue to make progress in the field of CRDSs and the utility/success of PBBM, there is also a need to continue the momentum and dialogue between the industry and regulators. Five key areas were identified which require further discussion and harmonisation.
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| 7. |
- Middleton, Matthew J., et al.
(author)
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Bright radio emission from an ultraluminous stellar-mass microquasar in M 31
- 2013
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 493:7431, s. 187-190
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A subset of ultraluminous X-ray sources (those with luminosities of less than 10(40) erg s(-1); ref. 1) are thought to be powered by the accretion of gas onto black holes with masses of similar to 5-20M(circle dot), probably by means of an accretion disk(2,3). The X-ray and radio emission are coupled in such Galactic sources; the radio emission originates in a relativistic jet thought to be launched from the innermost regions near the black hole(4,5), with the most powerful emission occurring when the rate of infalling matter approaches a theoretical maximum (the Eddington limit). Only four such maximal sources are known in the Milky Way(6), and the absorption of soft X-rays in the interstellar medium hinders the determination of the causal sequence of events that leads to the ejection of the jet. Here we report radio and X-ray observations of a bright new X-ray source in the nearby galaxy M 31, whose peak luminosity exceeded 10(39) erg s(-1). The radio luminosity is extremely high and shows variability on a timescale of tens of minutes, arguing that the source is highly compact and powered by accretion close to the Eddington limit onto a black hole of stellar mass. Continued radio and X-ray monitoring of such sources should reveal the causal relationship between the accretion flow and the powerful jet emission.
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| 8. |
- Oldfrey, Ben M., et al.
(author)
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A scoping review of digital fabrication techniques applied to prosthetics and orthotics : Part 1 of 2-Prosthetics
- 2024
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In: Prosthetics and Orthotics International. - 0309-3646 .- 1746-1553.
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Traditionally, the manufacture of prostheses is time-consuming and labor-intensive. One possible route to improving access and quality of these devices is the digitalizing of the fabrication process, which may reduce the burden of manual labor and bring the potential for automation that could help unblock access to assistive technologies globally.OBJECTIVES: To identify where there are gaps in the literature that are creating barriers to decision-making on either appropriate uptake by clinical teams or on the needed next steps in research that mean these technologies can continue on a pathway to maturity.STUDY DESIGN: Scoping literature review.METHODS: A comprehensive search was completed in the following databases: Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health Archive, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Association for Computing Machinery, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and Engineering Village, resulting in 3487 articles to be screened.RESULTS: After screening, 130 lower limb prosthetic articles and 117 upper limb prosthetic articles were included in this review. Multiple limitations in the literature were identified, particularly a lack of long-term, larger-scale studies; research into the training requirements for these technologies and the necessary rectification processes; and a high range of variance of production workflows and materials which makes drawing conclusions difficult.CONCLUSIONS: These limitations create a barrier to adequate evidence-based decision-making for clinicians, technology developers, and wider policymakers. Increased collaboration between academia, industry, and clinical teams across more of the pathway to market for new technologies could be a route to addressing these gaps.
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| 9. |
- Pearce, Kim F., et al.
(author)
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Regulation of advanced therapy medicinal products in Europe and the role of academia
- 2014
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In: Cytotherapy. - : Elsevier BV. - 1477-2566 .- 1465-3249. ; 16:3, s. 289-297
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background aims. Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP) are gene therapy, somatic cell therapy or tissue-engineered products regulated under (EC) No. 1394/2007 to ensure their free movement within the European Union while guaranteeing the highest level of health protection for patients. Academic good manufacturing practice (GMP) centers are major contributors in the development of ATMPs and this study assessed the impact of regulations on them. Methods. European academic and non-industrial facilities (n = 747) were contacted, and a representative sample of 50 replied to a detailed questionnaire. Experienced centres were further selected in every Member State (MS) for semi-structured interviews. Indicators of ATMP production and development success were statistically assessed, and opinions about directive implementation were documented. Results. Facilities experienced in manufacturing cell therapy transplant products are the most successful in developing ATMPs. New centres lacking this background struggle to enter the field, and there remains a shortage of facilities in academia participating in translational research. This is compounded by heterogeneous implementation of the regulations across MS. Conclusions. GMP facilities successfully developing ATMPs are present in all MS. However, the implementation of regulations is heterogeneous between MS, with substantial differences in the definition of ATMPs and in the approved manufacturing environment. The cost of GMP compliance is underestimated by research funding bodies. This is detrimental to development of new ATMPs and commercialization of any that are successful in early clinical trials. Academic GMP practitioners should strengthen their political visibility and contribute to the development of functional and effective European Union legislation in this field.
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| 10. |
- Smith, Brent M., et al.
(author)
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Lyman Continuum Emission from Active Galactic Nuclei at 2.3 ≲ z ≲ 3.7 in the UVCANDELS Fields
- 2024
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 964:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present the results of our search for Lyman continuum (LyC)-emitting (weak) active galactic nuclei (AGN) at redshifts 2.3 ≲ z ≲ 4.9 from Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) F275W observations in the Ultraviolet Imaging of the Cosmic Assembly Near-infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey (UVCANDELS) fields. We also include LyC emission from AGN using HST WFC3 F225W, F275W, and F336W imaging found in Early Release Science (ERS) and Hubble Deep UV Legacy Survey data. We performed exhaustive queries of the Vizier database to locate AGN with high-quality spectroscopic redshifts. In total, we found 51 AGN that met our criteria within the UVCANDELS and ERS footprints. Out of these 51, we find 12 AGN that had ≥4σ detected LyC flux in the WFC3/UVIS images. Using a wide variety of space-based plus ground-based data, ranging from X-ray to radio wavelengths, we fit the multiwavelength photometric data of each AGN to a CIGALE spectral energy distribution (SED) using AGN models and correlate various SED parameters to the LyC flux. Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests of the SED parameter distributions for the LyC-detected and nondetected AGN showed they are likely not distinct samples. However, we find that the X-ray luminosity, star formation onset age, and disk luminosity show strong correlations relative to their emitted LyC flux. We also find strong correlations of the LyC flux to several dust parameters, i.e., polar and toroidal dust emission and 6 μm luminosity, and anticorrelations with metallicity and AFUV. We simulate the LyC escape fraction (fesc) using the CIGALE and intergalactic medium transmission models for the LyC-detected AGN and find an average fesc ≃ 18%, weighted by uncertainties. We stack the LyC fluxes of subsamples of AGN according to the wavelength continuum region in which they are detected and find no significant distinctions in their LyC emission, although our submillimeter-detected F336W sample (3.15 < z < 3.71) shows the brightest stacked LyC flux. These findings indicate that LyC production and escape in AGN are more complicated than the simple assumption of thermal emission and a 100% escape fraction. Further testing of AGN models with larger samples than presented here is needed.
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