Dark Energy Survey Year 1 Results: Cosmological Constraints from Cluster Abundances, Weak Lensing, and Galaxy Correlations

We present the first joint analysis of cluster abundances and auto or cross-correlations of three cosmic tracer fields: galaxy density, weak gravitational lensing shear, and cluster density split by optical richness. From a joint analysis (4×2pt+N) of cluster abundances, three cluster cross-correlations, and the auto correlations of the galaxy density measured from the first year data of the Dark Energy Survey, we obtain Ω_{m}=0.305_{-0.038}^{+0.055} and σ_{8}=0.783_{-0.054}^{+0.064}. This result is consistent with constraints from the DES-Y1 galaxy clustering and weak lensing two-point correlation functions for the flat νΛCDM model. Consequently, we combine cluster abundances and all two-point correlations from across all three cosmic tracer fields (6×2pt+N) and find improved constraints on cosmological parameters as well as on the cluster observable-mass scaling relation. This analysis is an important advance in both optical cluster cosmology and multiprobe analyses of upcoming wide imaging surveys.

Cosmological Constraints from Multiple Probes in the Dark Energy Survey

The combination of multiple observational probes has long been advocated as a powerful technique to constrain cosmological parameters, in particular dark energy. The Dark Energy Survey has measured 207 spectroscopically confirmed type Ia supernova light curves, the baryon acoustic oscillation feature, weak gravitational lensing, and galaxy clustering. Here we present combined results from these probes, deriving constraints on the equation of state, w, of dark energy and its energy density in the Universe. Independently of other experiments, such as those that measure the cosmic microwave background, the probes from this single photometric survey rule out a Universe with no dark energy, finding w=-0.80_{-0.11}^{+0.09}. The geometry is shown to be consistent with a spatially flat Universe, and we obtain a constraint on the baryon density of Ω_{b}=0.069_{-0.012}^{+0.009} that is independent of early Universe measurements. These results demonstrate the potential power of large multiprobe photometric surveys and pave the way for order of magnitude advances in our constraints on properties of dark energy and cosmology over the next decade.

Expression of human activin C protein in insect larvae infected with a recombinant baculovirus

In order to generate dimeric recombinant transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) proteins, expensive eucaryotic cell systems, such as CHO cells, are usually used. An alternative represents the expression of such proteins in insects using a baculovirus expression system. In this study, recombinant human activin C protein was expressed in Noctuidae larvae. On SDS-PAGE, the expressed protein has a size of about 15 kD under reducing conditions and of about 20 kD under non-reducing conditions. This suggests that activin C is expressed as a dimer and disulfide bridges can be formed. Compared with expression in eucaryotic cell culture systems, expression in insect larvae presents a rapid and low cost method, without the need for expensive tissue culture scale-ups or special equipment.

Recombinant human growth/differentiation factor 5 stimulates mesenchyme aggregation and chondrogenesis responsible for the skeletal development of limbs

We have expressed and biologically characterized recombinant human growth/differentiation factor 5 (huGDF5). This protein is composed of a mature homodimer consisting of 15 kD subunits. Using recombinant expressed protein, we have demonstrated that huGDF5 in vitro stimulated mesenchyme aggregation and chondrogenesis in rat limb bud cells. In vivo, partially purified huGDF5 induced cartilage and bone formation in muscular tissues of rodents. However, in contrast to the effects of other BMPs, as for example BMP-2, the osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells did not respond to huGDF5 as measured by alkaline phosphatase activity. These results suggest that the action of GDF5 may be relatively specific for chondrogenesis during the entire process of the endochondral bone formation. GDF5 may control the morphogenesis of cartilaginous tissue, including joints, in the skeletal development of limbs.

[Comparison of complications after intra- and extracapsular cataract extraction with lens implantation. Results of a prospective, randomized, clinical study]

BACKGROUND

The postoperative complications of ICCE with ACL implantation are compared with those of ECCE and PCL. Our clinical experience with ICCE and ACL implantation can not confirm the widespread rejection of this method.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

A prospective, randomized, clinical study with participation of medical statisticians was performed. A total of 190 patients with ICCE and ACL and 170 patients with ECCE and PCL were followed up for 2 years. The follow-up examinations were performed upon dismission from the hospital, after 6, 12 and 24 months. The data were compiled in a computer program designed for this study and evaluated by the statisticians. The surgical procedures and the surgeons were defined prior to the beginning of patient recruitment.

RESULTS

ICCE with ACL shows much less postoperative complications as usually emphasized. There were only 2 (1.2%) of retinal detachment and no case of corneal decompensation. Cystoid macular edema 8 (4.7%), postoperative vitreous prolaps into the anterior chamber 4 (2.3%) and spontaneous complaints of pain 16 (9.4%) occurred in a low percentage after ICCE with ACL. These complications did not occur after ECCE with PCL. The patients with ECCE and PCL showed capsular fibrosis in 48 (28%) making it the most frequent complication of the whole study. 33% of these patients required YAG-laser capsulotomy. Since retinal detachment occurs in 2.5% after YAG-laser capsulotomy we can not regard capsular fibrosis as a totally harmless complication. It is noteworthy that visual acuity is almost identical 1 year after surgery in both methods.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study show that the evaluation of ICCE with ACL is too negative. The elimination of postoperative complications in this method is more difficult. ECCE with PCL is burdened by frequent capsular fibrosis. Visual acuity is almost the same in both methods 1 years after the operation. ACL-implantation remains our method of choice for secondary implantation in patients with an intact iris diaphragm.

Are the "addiction-related" problems of substance abusers really related?

The "addiction-related" medical, social, and psychological problems of substance abusers are often considered by-products of prolonged alcohol or drug abuse which will be generally improved following achievement of abstinence. As a test of this view, measures of problem severity in six areas commonly related to addiction were intercorrelated in 460 alcoholic and 282 drug addicted male veterans. Both before and after treatment, the low intercorrelations in each sample indicated little relation between the severity of alcohol or drug use and the severity of the other problem areas. Intercorrelations among residualized admission to follow-up change scores were similarly low, also showing the lack of a general relationship between improvement in substance abuse and improvement in other areas. However, there was one exception: improvement in psychological function was clearly related to general improvement in most other areas, including chemical abuse, indicating the potential importance of psychologically oriented therapy in substance abuse treatment. Most of the evidence suggests that addiction may be a common pathway for a variety of specific disorders, rather than a general, progressive disease.

Matching substance abuse patients to appropriate treatments: a conceptual and methodological approach

The paper describes a non-intrusive, computer assisted, program evaluation design for matching sub-types of substance abuse patients to appropriate treatment programs in any multi-modal treatment network. The design incorporates the methodological advantages of an experimental paradigm without the administrative and clinical problems of random patient assignment, and untreated control groups. The specific objectives of this design are: (1) The development of a generalizable evaluation process to efficiently match patients with programs. (2) An overall increase in treatment success through improvement of treatment assignment procedures. (3) A general improvement in cost-effectiveness through reductions in patient drop-out, recidivism, and treatment overlap.