CLASH-VLT: Substructure in the galaxy cluster MACS J1206.2-0847 from kinematics of galaxy populations

Girardi, M.,Mercurio, A.,Balestra, I.,Nonino, M.,Biviano, A.,Grillo, C.,Rosati, P.,Annunziatella, M.,Demarco, R.,Fritz, A.,Gobat, R.,Lemze, D.,Presotto, V.,Scodeggio, M.,Tozzi, P.,Bartosch Caminha, G. EDP Sciences 2015 Astronomy and astrophysics Vol.579 No.-

<P>Aims. In the effort to understand the link between the structure of galaxy clusters and their galaxy populations, we focus on MACSJ1206.2–0847at z ~ 0.44 and probe its substructure in the projected phase space through the spectrophotometric properties of a large number of galaxies from the CLASH–VLT survey. Methods. Our analysis is mainly based on an extensive spectroscopic dataset of 445 member galaxies, mostly acquired with VIMOS at VLT as part of our ESO Large Programme, sampling the cluster out to a radius ~2R<SUB>200</SUB> (4 h<SUB>70</SUB><SUP>−1</SUP>Mpc). We classify 412 galaxies as passive, with strong Hδ absorption (red and blue galaxies), and with emission lines from weak to very strong. A number of tests for substructure detection are applied to analyze the galaxy distribution in the velocity space, in 2D space, and in 3D projected phase-space. Results. Studied in its entirety, the cluster appears as a large-scale relaxed system with a few secondary, minor overdensities in 2D distribution. We detect no velocity gradients or evidence of deviations in local mean velocities. The main feature is the WNW-ESE elongation. The analysis of galaxy populations per spectral class highlights a more complex scenario. The passive galaxies and red strong Hδ galaxies trace the cluster center and the WNW–ESE elongated structure. The red strong Hδ galaxies also mark a secondary, dense peak ~2h<SUB>70</SUB><SUP>−1</SUP> Mpcat ESE. The emission line galaxies cluster in several loose structures, mostly outside R<SUB>200</SUB>. Two of these structures are also detected through our 3D analysis. The observational scenario agrees with MACS J1206.2–0847 having WNW–ESE as the direction of the main cluster accretion, traced by passive galaxies and red strong Hδ galaxies. The red strong Hδ galaxies, interpreted as poststarburst galaxies, date a likely important event 1–2 Gyr before the epoch of observation. The emission line galaxies trace a secondary, ongoing infall where groups are accreted along several directions.</P>

A numerical tool for thermo-mechanical analysis of multilayer stepped structures

Paolo Emilio Bagnoli,Maria Girardi,Cristina Padovani,Giuseppe Pasquinelli 국제구조공학회 2013 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.48 No.6

An integrated simulation tool for multilayer stepped pyramidal structures is presented. The tool, based on a semi-analytical mathematical strategy, is able to calculate the temperature distributions and thermal stresses at the interfaces between the layers of such structures. The core of the thermal solver is the analytical simulator for power electronic devices, DJOSER, which has been supplemented with a mechanical solver based on the finite-element method. To this end, a new ele-ment is proposed whose geometry is defined by its mean surface and thickness, just as in a plate. The resulting mechanical model is fully three-dimensional, in the sense that the deformability in the direction orthogonal to the mean surface is taken into account. The dedicated finite element code developed for solving the equilibrium problem of structures made up of two or more superimposed plates subjected to thermal loads is applied to some two-layer samples made of silicon and copper. Comparisons performed with the results of standard finite element analyses using a large number of brick elements reveal the soundness of the strategy employed and the accuracy of the tool developed.

A numerical tool for thermo-mechanical analysis of multilayer stepped structures

Bagnoli, Paolo Emilio,Girardi, Maria,Padovani, Cristina,Pasquinelli, Giuseppe Techno-Press 2013 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.48 No.6

An integrated simulation tool for multilayer stepped pyramidal structures is presented. The tool, based on a semi-analytical mathematical strategy, is able to calculate the temperature distributions and thermal stresses at the interfaces between the layers of such structures. The core of the thermal solver is the analytical simulator for power electronic devices, DJOSER, which has been supplemented with a mechanical solver based on the finite-element method. To this end, a new ele-ment is proposed whose geometry is defined by its mean surface and thickness, just as in a plate. The resulting mechanical model is fully three-dimensional, in the sense that the deformability in the direction orthogonal to the mean surface is taken into account. The dedicated finite element code developed for solving the equilibrium problem of structures made up of two or more superimposed plates subjected to thermal loads is applied to some two-layer samples made of silicon and copper. Comparisons performed with the results of standard finite element analyses using a large number of brick elements reveal the soundness of the strategy employed and the accuracy of the tool developed.

Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Abhijit Pawar,Alexander Hughes,Federico Girardi,Andrew Sama,Darren Lebl,Frank Cammisa 대한척추외과학회 2015 Asian Spine Journal Vol.9 No.6

The lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a relatively new technique that allows the surgeon to access the intervertebral space from a direct lateral approach either anterior to or through the psoas muscle. This approach provides an alternative to anterior lumbar interbody fusion with instrumentation, posterior lumbar interbody fusion, and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for anterior column support. LLIF is minimally invasive, safe, better structural support from the apophyseal ring, potential for coronal plane deformity correction, and indirect decompression, which have has made this technique popular. LLIF is currently being utilized for a variety of pathologies including but not limited to adult de novo lumbar scoliosis, central and foraminal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and adjacent segment degeneration. Although early clinical outcomes have been good, the potential for significant neurological and vascular vertebral endplate complications exists. Nevertheless, LLIF is a promising technique with the potential to more effectively treat complex adult de novo scoliosis and achieve predictable fusion while avoiding the complications of traditional anterior surgery and posterior interbody techniques.

A novel inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway prevents antiphospholipid antibody-induced pregnancy loss in mice

Thurman, Joshua M.,Kraus, Damian M.,Girardi, Guillermina,Hourcade, Dennis,Kang, Hee J.,Royer, Pamela A.,Mitchell, Lynne M.,Giclas, Patricia C.,Salmon, Jane,Gilkeson, Gary,Holers, V. Michael Elsevier 2005 Molecular immunology Vol.42 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Studies in gene-targeted mice have demonstrated that factor B of the alternative complement pathway plays an important role in several disease models, but an exogenous inhibitor of factor B has not previously been available. We have developed an inhibitory monoclonal antibody directed against a critical epitope on mouse factor B and have tested it in a model of antiphospholipid (aPL) antibody (Ab)-induced fetal loss. Gene-targeted factor B-deficient mice (fB<SUP>−/−</SUP>) were injected with a fusion protein comprised of the second and third short consensus repeat (SCR) domains of mouse factor B linked to a mouse IgG<SUB>1</SUB> Fc domain. Hybridomas were made from splenocytes of the immunized mouse. One mAb, designated 1379, produced an IgG<SUB>1</SUB> antibody that inhibited alternative pathway activation in vitro and in vivo by preventing formation of the C3bBb complex. Strikingly, this mAb inhibited alternative pathway activation in serum from mice, rats, humans, monkeys, pigs and horses. Fab fragments made from this mAb also inhibited alternative pathway activation. Epitope mapping demonstrated that this antibody binds to factor B within the third SCR domain. When mAb 1379 was administered to mice that also received human IgG containing antiphospholipid antibodies, it provided significant protection from antiphospholipid antibody-induced complement activation and fetal loss. Thus, this mAb to factor B has broad species reactivity and effectively inhibits alternative pathway activation. The mAb protects mice in an in vivo model of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, demonstrating the therapeutic potential for the inhibition of factor B in this disease.</P>

CLASH-VLT: Environment-driven evolution of galaxies in the<i>z</i>= 0.209 cluster Abell 209

Annunziatella, M.,Mercurio, A.,Biviano, A.,Girardi, M.,Nonino, M.,Balestra, I.,Rosati, P.,Bartosch Caminha, G.,Brescia, M.,Gobat, R.,Grillo, C.,Lombardi, M.,Sartoris, B.,De Lucia, G.,Demarco, R.,Frye, EDP Sciences 2016 Astronomy and astrophysics Vol.585 No.-

A Comparative Study of Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis

Abhijit Y. Pawar,Alexander P. Hughes,Andrew A. Sama,Federico P. Girardi,Darren R. Lebl,Frank P. Cammisa 대한척추외과학회 2015 Asian Spine Journal Vol.9 No.5

Study Design: Level 4 retrospective review. Purpose: To compare the radiographic and clinical outcomes between posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) with posterior segmental spinal instrumentation (SSI) for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. Overview of Literature: Both PLIF and LLIF have been performed for degenerative spondylolisthesis with good results, but no study has directly compared these two techniques so far. Methods: The electronic medical and radiographic records of 78 matched patients were analyzed. In one group, 39 patients underwent PLIF with SSI at 41 levels (L3–4/L4–5), while in the other group, 39 patients underwent the LLIF procedure at 48 levels (L3–4/ L4–5). Radiological outcomes such as restoration of disc height and neuroforaminal height, segmental lumbar lordosis, total lumbar lordosis, incidence of endplate fracture, and subsidence were measured. Perioperative parameters were also recorded in each group. Clinical outcome in both groups was assessed by the short form-12, Oswestry disability index and visual analogue scale scores. The average follow-up period was 16.1 months in the LLIF group and 21 months in the PLIF group. Results: The restoration of disc height, foraminal height, and segmental lumbar lordosis was significantly better in the LLIF group (p <0.001). The duration of the operation was similar in both groups, but the average blood loss was significantly lower in the LLIF group (p <0.001). However, clinical outcome scores were similar in both groups. Conclusions: Safe, effective interbody fusion can be achieved at multiple levels with neuromonitoring by the lateral approach. LLIF is a viable treatment option in patients with new onset symptoms due to degenerative spondylolisthesis who have had previous lumbar spine surgery, and it results in improved sagittal alignment and indirect foraminal decompression.

Serotonergic Antidepressants Are Associated with Increased Blood Loss and Risk for Transfusion in Single-Level Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Paul Schadler,Jennifer Shue,Mohamed Moawad,Federico P. Girardi,Frank P. Cammisa,Andrew A. Sama,Russel C. Huang,Darren R. Lebl,Chad M. Craig,Alexander P. Hughes 대한척추외과학회 2017 Asian Spine Journal Vol.11 No.4

Study Design: Retrospective case-control study. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of antidepressants on blood loss and transfusion requirements in spinal surgery patients. Overview of Literature: Several studies have shown an increase in perioperative bleeding in orthopedic surgery patients on antidepressant drug therapy, yet no study has examined the impact of these agents on spinal surgery patients. Methods: Charts of patients who underwent single-level spinal fusion (posterior lumbar interbody fusion with posterior instrumentation) performed by five fellowship-trained surgeons at a tertiary spine center between 2008 and 2013, were retrospectively reviewed. Exclusion criteria included select medical comorbidities, select drug therapy, and Amercian Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification score of greater than 2. Serotonergic antidepressants were examined in multivariate analysis to assess their predictive value on estimated blood loss and risk of transfusion. Results: A total of 235 patients, of which 52% were female, were included. Allogeneic blood was transfused in 7% of patients. The average estimated blood loss was 682±463 mL. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were taken by 10% of all patients. Multivariable regression analysis showed that intake of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors was a significant predictor for blood loss (average increase of 34%, p =0.015) and for the need of allogeneic blood transfusion (odds ratio, 4.550; p =0.029). Conclusions: There was a statistically significant association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and both increased blood loss and risk of allogeneic red blood cell transfusion. Surgeons and perioperative providers should take these findings into account when assessing patients’ preoperative risk for blood loss and transfusion.

Spectro-photometric distances to stars: A general purpose Bayesian approach

Santiago, Basí,lio X.,Brauer, Dorothé,e E.,Anders, Friedrich,Chiappini, Cristina,Queiroz, Anna B.,Girardi, Lé,o,Rocha-Pinto, Helio J.,Balbinot, Eduardo,da Costa, Luiz N.,Maia, Marcio EDP Sciences 2016 Astronomy and astrophysics Vol.585 No.-

Mass Profile Decomposition of the Frontier Fields Cluster MACS J0416-2403: Insights on the Dark-matter Inner Profile

Annunziatella, M.,Bonamigo, M.,Grillo, C.,Mercurio, A.,Rosati, P.,Caminha, G.,Biviano, A.,Girardi, M.,Gobat, R.,Lombardi, M.,Munari, E. American Astronomical Society 2017 The Astrophysical journal Vol.851 No.2

<P>We present a high-resolution dissection of the two-dimensional total mass distribution in the core of the Hubble Frontier Fields galaxy cluster MACS J0416.1-2403, at z = 0.396. We exploit HST/WFC3 near-IR (F160W) imaging, VLT/Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer spectroscopy, and Chandra data to separate the stellar, hot gas, and dark-matter mass components in the inner 300 kpc of the cluster. We combine the recent results of our refined strong lensing analysis, which includes the contribution of the intracluster gas, with the modeling of the surface brightness and stellar mass distributions of 193 cluster members, of which 144 are spectroscopically confirmed. We find that, moving from 10 to 300 kpc from the cluster center, the stellar to total mass fraction decreases from 12% to 1% and the hot gas to total mass fraction increases from 3% to 9%, resulting in a baryon fraction of approximatively 10% at the outermost radius. We measure that the stellar component represents similar to 30%, near the cluster center, and 15%, at larger clustercentric distances, of the total mass in the cluster substructures. We subtract the baryonic mass component from the total mass distribution and conclude that within 30 kpc (similar to 3 times the effective radius of the brightest cluster galaxy) from the cluster center the surface mass density profile of the total mass and global (cluster plus substructures) dark-matter are steeper and that of the diffuse (cluster) dark-matter is shallower than an NFW profile. Our current analysis does not point to a significant offset between the cluster stellar and dark-matter components. This detailed and robust reconstruction of the inner dark-matter distribution in a larger sample of galaxy clusters will set a new benchmark for different structure formation scenarios.</P>