Two-Pion Decay Widths of Excited Charm Mesons

The widths for $\pi\pi$ decay of the L=1 charm mesons are calculated by describing the pion coupling to light constituents quarks by the lowest order chiral interaction. The wavefunctions of the charm mesons are obtained as solutions to the covariant Blankenbecler-Sugar equation. These solutions correspond to an interaction Hamiltonian modeled as the sum of a linear scalar confining and a screened one-gluon exchange (OGE) interaction. This interaction induces a two-quark contribution to the amplitude for two-pion decay, which is found to interfere destructively with the single quark amplitude. For the currently known L=1 $D$ mesons, the total $\pi\pi$ decay widths are found to be $\sim 1$ MeV for the $D_1(2420)$ and $\sim 3$ MeV for the $D^*_2(2460)$ if the axial coupling of the constituent quark is taken to be $g_A^q=1$. The as yet undiscovered spin singlet $D_1^*$ state is predicted to have a larger width of 7 - 10 MeV for $\pi\pi$ decay.Comment: 20 pages, uses Feynmf Submitted to Nuclear Physics A, published versio

Exploring the association between adverse maternal circumstances and low birth weight in neonates: a nationwide population-based study in Bangladesh

Objective: This study is concerned with helping to improve the health and care of newborn babies in Bangladesh by exploring adverse maternal circumstances and assessing whether these are contributing towards low birth weight (LBW) in neonates. Study designs and settings: Data were drawn and analysed from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, 2014. Any association between LBW and adverse maternal circumstances were assessed using a Chisquare test with determinants of LBW identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Participants: The study is based on 4728 children aged below 5 years and born to women from selected households. Results: The rate of LBW was around 19.9% (199 per 1000 live births) with the highest level found in the Sylhet region (26.2%). The rate was even higher in rural areas (20.8%) and among illiterate mothers (26.6%). Several adverse maternal circumstances of the women included in the survey were found to be significant for increasing the likelihood of giving birth to LBW babies. These circumstances included the women being underweight (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.26, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.49); having unwanted births (AOR 1.22, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.44); had previous pregnancies terminated (AOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.57); were victims of intimate partner violence (AOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.45) and taking antenatal care 3 with interval <24 months (AOR 1.68, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.37), then the risk of having LBW babies significantly increased. Conclusion: This study finds that adverse maternal circumstances combined with high-risk fertility behaviours are significantly associated with LBW in neonates. This situation could severely impede progress in Bangladesh towards achieving the sustainable development goal concerned with the healthcare of newborns

Quality of Life of elderly retired people in the Region of Taif City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

Introduction/Purpose: Life of older people after retirement is an important area of research in social gerontology. Very little is know about retirement life of people in the context of Middle East particularly on Saudi Arabia. People who have permanently lived and retired in Taif may find it easy to integrate in social activities than those who were away in other cities for employment purposes. Participation in social activities within a community helps people to integrate easily which is obviously linked with their health and wellbeing. It is worthwhile to know the key challenges being faced by two groups of elderly. One group people who have retired in Taif, and another group who have returned to Taif after retirement in other cities of Saudi Arabia. Method: A semi-structured interview was adopted in the study during 15 -31 October 2022. Questionnaire was distributed to 20 retired people aged 60 years and over in Taif City targeting two equal groups (one who lived and retired in city, and the other those who retired elsewhere but now live in Taif). Data have been collected from 6 people who permanently live in Taif and remain there after retired. Unfortunately, no response has been received from people who have retired outside Taif. The survey has asked a battery of questions to collect data on their daily activities after retirement, health and wellbeing. Results: Interesting findings are emerged on activities of elderly after retirement in Taif. The results are reached by summarising information available on the survey. Here results are based on sample of people who permanently live in Taif area. It appears that most people are happily integrated with their community after retirement. They are less likely to face challenges for integration in the community. No result is found for other group of respondents as they did not take part in the survey. This can be explored in any future study. Conclusion: The findings will help policy-makers to understand the challenges that the elderly face after their retirement. It is anticipated that the results will help policy-makers to take proper actions for improving health and wellbeing of elderly after their retirement

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ti-Mo-Zr-Cr Biomedical Alloys by Powder Metallurgy

[EN] Titanium and its alloys have been widely used as biometals due to their excellent biocompatibility, corrosion resistance and moderate mechanical properties. Ti-15Mo-6Zr-based alloys and a series of Ti-15Mo-6Zr-xCr (x = 1, 2, 3, 4 wt.%) alloys were designed and fabricated by powder metallurgy for the first time to develop novel biomedical materials. The microstructure, internal porosity and mechanical properties of the sintered Ti-15Mo-6Zr and Ti-15Mo-6Zr-xCr alloys were investigated using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and bending and compression tests. The experimental results indicated that the microstructure and mechanical properties of these alloys changed as different Cr levels were added. The addition of small Cr levels further increased the &#946;-phase stability, improving the properties of the Ti-15Mo-6Zr-xCr alloy. However, all of the alloys had good ductility, and the Ti-15Mo-6Zr-2Cr alloy had lower bending and compression moduli (31 and 23 GPa, respectively) than the Ti-15Mo-6Zr-based alloys (40 and 36 GPa, respectively). Moreover, the Ti-15Mo-6Zr-2Cr alloys exhibited higher bending and compression strength/modulus ratios, which were as large as 48.4 and 52.2, respectively; these were higher than those of the Ti-15Mo-6Zr-based alloy (41.3 and 33.6, respectively). In the search for a better implant material, &#946; phase Ti-15Mo-6Zr-2Cr, with its low modulus, ductile properties and reasonably high strength, is a promising candidate.The authors thank the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for financially supporting the research project MAT2014-53764-C3-1-R and the European Commission through the Erasmus Mundus scholarship program WELCOME. The European Commission via FEDER funds allowed for the purchase of equipment for research and Microscopy Service of the Polytechnic University of Valencia.Elshalakany, AB.; Ali, S.; Amigó Mata, A.; Eessaa, AK.; Mohan, P.; Osman, T.; Amigó, V. (2017). Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ti-Mo-Zr-Cr Biomedical Alloys by Powder Metallurgy. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance. 26(3):1262-1271. doi:10.1007/s11665-017-2531-zS12621271263M. Geetha, A.K. Singh, R. Asokamani, and A.K. Gogia, Ti Based Biomaterials, the Ultimate Choice for Orthopaedic Implants—A Review, Prog. Mater Sci., 2009, 54, p 397–425M. Ahmed, D.G. Savvakin, O.M. Ivasishin, and E.V. Pereloma, The Effect of Ageing on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Powder Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-1Cr-1Fe Alloy, Mater. Sci. Eng., 2014, A605, p 89–97M. Niinomi, Mechanical Biocompatibilities of Titanium Alloys for Biomedical Applications, J. Mech. Behav. Biomed. Mater., 2008, 1(30–4), p 2M.P. Licausi, A. IgualMun, and V.A. Borrás, Influence of the Fabrication Process and Fluoride Content on the Tribocorrosion Behaviour of Ti6Al4V Biomedical Alloy in Artificial Saliva, J. Mech. Behav. Biomed. Mater., 2013, 20(2013), p 137–148I. Cvijovic-Alagic, N. Gubeljak, M. Rakin, Z. Cvijovic, and K. Geric, Microstructural Morphology Effects on Fracture Resistance and Crack Tip Strain Distribution in Ti-6Al-4V Alloy for Orthopedic Implants, Mater. Des., 2014, 53, p 870–880Y.C. Chen, J.H. Chern Lin, and C.P. Ju, Effects of Post-aging Cooling Condition on Structure and Tensile Properties of Aged Ti-7.5Mo Alloy, Mater. Des., 2014, 54, p 515–519E.P. Lautenschlager and P. Monaghan, Titanium and Titanium Alloys as Dental Materials, Int. Dent. J., 1993, 43, p 245–253M. Long and H.J. Rack, Titanium Alloys in Total Joint Replacement—A Materials Science Perspective, Biomaterials, 1998, 19, p 1621–1639M. Long and H.J. Rack, Titanium Alloys in Total Joint Replacement a Materials Science Perspective, Biomaterials, 1998, 19, p 1621–1639M. Niinomi, Mechanical Properties of Biomedical Titanium Alloys, Mater. Sci. Eng., A, 1998, 243, p 231–236E. Cheal, M. Spector, and W. Hayes, Role of Loads and Prosthesis Material Properties on the Mechanics of the Proximal Femur After Total Hip Arthroplasty, J. Orthop. Res., 1992, 10, p 405–422J. Fan, M. Lu, H. Cheng, J. Tian, and B. Huang, Effect of Alloying Elements Ti, Zr on the Property and Microstructure of Molybdenum, Int. J. Refract. Met. Hard Mater., 2009, 27, p 78–82W.F. Ho, S.C. Wu, S.K. Hsu, Y.C. Li, and H.C. Hsu, Effects of Molybdenum Content on the Structure and Mechanical Properties of as-Cast Ti-10Zr-Based Alloys for Biomedical Applications, Mater. Sci. Eng., C, 2012, 32, p 517–522W.F.A. Ho, Comparison of Tensile Properties and Corrosion Behavior of Cast Ti-7.5Mo with c.p. Ti, Ti-15Mo and Ti-6Al-4V Alloys, J. Alloys Compd., 2008, 464, p 580–583Y.L. Zhou and D.M. Luo, Corrosion Behavior of Ti-Mo Alloys Cold Rolled and Heat Treated, J. Alloys Compd., 2011, 509, p 6267–6272N.T.C. Oliveira and A.C. Guastaldi, Electrochemical Stability and Corrosion Resistance of Ti-Mo Alloys for Biomedical Applications, Acta Biomater., 2009, 5, p 339–405Y. Chen, L. Xu, Z. Liu, F. Kong, and Z. Chen, Microstructures and Properties of Titanium Alloys Ti-Mo for Dental Use, Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China, 2006, 16, p 824–828W.-F. Ho, S.-C. Wu, H.-W. Wanga, and H.-C. Hsu, Effects of Cr Addition on Grindability of Cast Ti-10Zr Based Alloys, Mater. Chem. Phys., 2010, 121, p 465–471M.J. Donachie, Titanium: A Technical Guide, 2nd ed., ASM International, Metals Park, 2000R.G. Craig, Restorative Dental Materials, 9th ed., CV Mosby, St. Louis, 1993H.C. Hsu, S.C. Wu, S.K. Hsu, T.F. Lin, and W.F. Ho, Structure and Mechanical Properties Of as-Cast Ti-5Nb-xCr Alloys, Mater. Des., 2013, 51, p 268–273H.-C. Hsu, S.-C. Wu, S.-K. Hsu, C.-T. Li, and W.-F. Ho, Effects of Chromium Addition on Structure and Mechanical Properties of Ti-5Mo Alloy, Mater. Des., 2015, 65, p 700–706J. Syarif, T.N. Rohmannudin, M.Z. Omar, Z. Sajuri, and S. Harjanto, Stability of the Beta Phase in Ti-Mo-Cr Alloy Fabricated by Powder Metallurgy, J. Min. Metall. Sect. B Metall., 2013, 49(3), p 285–292J. Syarif, E. Kurniawan, M.R. Rasani, Z. Sajuri, M.Z. Omar, and S. Harjanto, Influence of Oxygen on Microstructures of Ti-Mo-Cr Alloy, Adv. Mater. Res., 2014, 896, p 613–616E. Delvat, D.M. Gordin, T. Gloriant, J.L. Duval, and M.D. Nagel, Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Cytocompatibility of Stable Beta Ti-Mo-Ta Sintered Alloys, J. Mech. Behav. Biomed. Mater., 2008, 1, p 345–351P. Wang, Y. Feng, F. Liu, and L.S. Guan, Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ti-Zr-Cr Biomedical Alloys, Mater. Sci. Eng., C, 2015, 51, p 148–152W.-F. Ho, S.-C. Wu, H.-H. Chang, and H.-C. Hsu, Structure and Mechanical Properties of Ti-5Cr Based Alloy with Mo Addition, Mater. Sci. Eng., C, 2010, 30, p 904–90

Isgur-Wise Functions from the Mit Bag Model

The Isgur-Wise functions for the ground state to ground state semileptonic decays involving $b \rightarrow c$ transitions are calculated from the (modified) MIT bag model. It is checked that the results for the decays $\overline{B} \rightarrow D l \overline\nu$ and $\overline{B} \rightarrow D^* l \overline\nu$ agree well with experiment. Predictions for the decays $\Lambda_b \rightarrow \Lambda_c l \overline\nu$, $\overline{B}_s \rightarrow D_s l \overline\nu$ and $\overline{B}_s \rightarrow D^*_s l \overline\nu$ are given and discussed.Comment: 12 pages (3 figures available upon request), LaTeX, TPJU - 9/9

Preparation of a Combined Inactivated Vaccine against Riemerella anatipestifer and Duck Viral Hepatitis

Riemerella anatipestifer (R. anatipestifer) infection and duck virus hepatitis (DVH) are enormous dangers for the duck industry and its investment. So, in the current study, a combined inactivated vaccine against both of them was prepared to combat their adverse effect. One hundred and thirty-three ducks of one-day-old of age were used and grouped randomly into four groups. Group (1) was vaccinated with R. anatipestifer vaccine, group (2) was vaccinated with DHV vaccine, group (3) was vaccinated with the prepared combined vaccine of both and finally, group (4) was kept as a negative control. Vaccination was at one day old of age. The vaccinated groups with Riemerella vaccine had 72.7% protection against challenges with the virulent strain with the highest antibody titers in 6th week as measured by the indirect Hemagglutination test. The control group had 90.9% mortality when challenged against R. anatipestifer, with no detectable antibody titers. DVH-vaccinated groups exhibited their highest serum-neutralizing antibody titers by the 5th and 6th weeks post-vaccination. The Control group had no detectable antibody titers against DVH. Statistically, it was clear that there were no significant differences between the results of different groups vaccinated with combined or single vaccines of the same agent. Briefly, combined vaccines of R. Anatipestifer and duck viral hepatitis have harmonized effects with the priority to decrease the stress on birds and workers. Besides its efficiency, the economic side as providing one-shot vaccines instead of each one separately

Интерференционная холоэллипсометрия «in situ» прозрачного двумерного одноосного кристалла при нормальном отражении лазерного излучения

The following issues are considered in the paper: a) method of the in situ interference holoellipsometry (ellipsometry with the complete set of measured parameters: modules and phases of complex amplitude reflection coefficients for linear p- and s-polarizations) of a transparent two-dimensional uniaxial crystal at normal reflection angle of the laser radiation under the condition that the crystal optical axis belongs to the reflecting surface; b) schematic of the holoellipsometer realizing the method and employing the Michelson interferometer with phase modulation of the radiation.В работе представлены: а) метод интерференционной холоэллипсометрии in situ (эллипсометрия полного набора измеряемых параметров: модулей и фаз комплексных амплитудных коэффициентов отражения света с линейными p- и s-поляризациями) при нормальном отражении лазерного излучения от прозрачного двумерного одноосного кристалла с оптической осью в плоскости отражающей поверхности; б) реализующий предложенный метод холоэллипсометр на основе интерферометра Майкельсона с фазовой модуляцией лазерного излучения

Charmless Three-Body Baryonic B Decays

Motivated by recent data on B-> p pbar K decay, we study various charmless three-body baryonic B decay modes, including Lambda pbar pi, Sigma0 pbar pi, p pbar pi, p pbar Kbar0, in a factorization approach. These modes have rates of order 10^{-6}. There are two mechanisms for the baryon pair production, current-produced and transition. The behavior of decay spectra from these baryon production mechanisms can be understood by using QCD counting rules. Predictions on rates and decay spectra can be checked in the near future.Comment: 26 pages, 9 figures; version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Bangladesh: do eating habits and physical activity have a gender differential effect?

The aim of the study is to examine the gender differential outcomes of food habits and physical activities on obesity among school-aged adolescents in Bangladesh. In this study, a nationally representative data extracted from the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) 2014 was utilized. The information related to physical and mental health was collected from 2989 school-aged adolescents in Bangladesh. To fulfill the aim, an exploratory data analysis and multivariate logistic regression model were employed in this study. The female adolescents’ were at lower risk of overweight/obesity (AOR = 0.573) with a prevalence of 7.4% than males (9.9%) in Bangladesh. The results showed that high consumption of vegetables (both: AOR = 0.454; males: AOR = 0.504; and females: AOR = 0.432), high soft drink consumption (both: AOR=2.357; males: AOR = 2.929; and females: AOR = 1.677), high fast food eating (both: AOR = 2.777; males: AOR = 6.064; and females: AOR = 1.695), sleep disturbance (both: AOR = 0.675; males: AOR = 0.590; and females: AOR = 0.555), and regular walk or bike to school (both: AOR = 0.472; males: AOR = 0.430; and females: AOR = 0.557) was the vital influencing factors of overweight/obesity among adolescents of both sexes in Bangladesh. Besides, fruit eating, vigorous physical activity, physical education attendance, sitting activities were also identified as significant predictors of overweight and obesity for males in Bangladesh. The high practice of fruit and vegetable consumption regularly, avoiding soft drinks and fast food, increasing the vigorous intensity of physical activity, regular attendance in physical education and abating higher sitting activity in leisure time can reduce the risk of overweight/obesity among adolescents of both sexes in Bangladesh

Greensporone A, a fungal secondary metabolite suppressed constitutively activated AKT via ROS generation and induced apoptosis in leukemic cell lines

Greensporone A is a fungal secondary metabolite that has exhibited potential in vitro for anti-proliferative activity in vitro. We studied the anticancer activity of greensporone A in a panel of leukemic cell lines. Greensporone A-mediated inhibition of proliferation is found to be associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death. Greensporone A treatment of leukemic cells causes inactivation of constitutively activated AKT and its downstream targets, including members GSK3 and FOXO1, and causes downregulation of antiapoptotic genes such as Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAPs) and Bcl-2. Furthermore, Bax, a proapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, was found to be upregulated in leukemic cell lines treated with greensporone A. Interestingly, gene silencing of AKT using AKT specific siRNA suppressed the expression of Bcl-2 with enhanced expression of Bax. Greensporone A-mediated increase in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio causes permeabilization of the mitochondrial membrane leading to the accumulation of cytochrome c in the cytoplasm. Greensporone A-induced cytochrome c accumulation causes the activation of caspase cascade and cleavage of its effector, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), leading to apoptosis. Greensporone A-mediated apoptosis in leukemic cells occurs through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to depletion of glutathione (GSH) levels. Finally, greensporone A potentiated the anticancer activity of imatinib in leukemic cells. In summary, our study showed that greensporone A suppressed the growth of leukemic cells via induction of apoptotic cell death. The apoptotic cell death occurs by inhibition of AKT signaling and activation of the intrinsic apoptotic/caspase pathways. These results raise the possibility that greensporone A could be developed as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of leukemia and other hematological malignancies.Qatar University , University of North Carolina, National Palliative Care Research Center, Jordan University of Science and Technolog