Analysis of Gamma Rays and Cosmic Muons with a Single Detector

In this paper, we report on the construction and upgrade of a 2002 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Quanknet Cosmic Muons Detector. By adapting this model, we modify the electronics and mechanics to achieve a highly efficient gamma-ray and cosmic-ray detector. Each detector module uses a one-inch-thick scintillator, attached to a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and mounted on a solid aluminum frame. A mechanical support was designed to allow flexible positioning between the two modules. The detector uses scintillation to transform passing radiation into detectable photons that are guided toward a photocathode surface of the PMT, triggering the release of photoelectrons that are then amplified to yield measurable electronic signals. The modules were connected to an electronics section that compared the signals from the two PMTs and logically determined if they were coincidence events. A data-collection device was added for faster count rates and to enable counts for extended times ranging from a few hours to days as needed. Count rates were taken at a variety of distances from the radioactive source, 60Co (cobalt), which produced two gamma rays and a beta particle. To investigate the isotropic behavior of radiation, two detection modules were adjusted to different angles of rotation with respect to each other, and the coincidence counts were measured. The coincidence counts from the modules set at various angles were consistent throughout the angular spectrum, and only lead shielding visibly reduced the number of counts from the radioactive source. The inverse-square-law behavior of radiation has also been considered. The results were such that the number of counts decreased as a function of increasing distance from the source. Furthermore, positioning the detector to point toward the sky in different orientations, we measured cosmic ray muon flux as the angle from the vertical was decreased. In doing so, we scanned different patches of the atmosphere. For the optimum operation during the detection phase, we plateaued both PMTs to single out their best operating gain voltage while eliminating false background noise signals. The detector is more efficient and adaptable in collecting both gamma rays and cosmic-ray muon-flux information

Uji Daya Hambat Formula Gel Ekstrak Etanol Daun Murbei (Morus Alba L.) Sebagai Anti Acne Terhadap Bakteri Propionibacterium Acne.: Inhibition Test of Ethanol Extract Gel of Mulberry (Morus Alba L.) Leaves as an Anti Acne on Propionibacterium Acne Bacteria

A research on the inhibition of formula gel test ethanol extract of leaves of mulberry (Morus alba L.) as an anti-acne against bacteria Propionibacterium acne. This study uses a gel formulation made using mulberry leaf extract (Morus alba L.), which aims to determine the inhibition of antibacterial gel mulberry leaf extract (Morus alba L.) against the bacteria Propionibacterium acne. Gel made three dosage concentrations of 2%, 4% and 6%. Testing inhibition of antibacterial gel agar diffusion method. Test Antibacterial inhibition obtained by looking at the clear zone in the medium and measured using calipers. The results showed that the inhibition of antibacterial gel formulation with a concentration of 2%, 4% and 6% showing that inhibiting bacterial activity

The Essence of the Correctional System in the Effort of Recovering the Correctional Assisted Resident

The essence of correctional system in the effort of recovering the correctional assisted resident is a rehabilitation and social reintegration in the implementation of correctional system. The nomenclature changes from the prison system to correctional system, is a progressive step that is conducted to make a new image in the correctional agency

Adoption and advantages of eco-friendly technology application at the Shallot farming system in Indonesia

ArticleThis study aimed to evaluate the benefits farmers obtained by adopting eco-friendly technologies on local shallot cultivation in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The technology applied includes; trap crops, biofertilizers (bokashi and mycorrhiza arbuscular) biopesticides (Beauveria bassiana and Trichoderma sp.) and plastic mulch. Ninety-nine shallot farmers were selected, consisting of 35 farmers who applied the technology (adopters) and 64 farmers who did not (non adopters). Characteristics, rates of adoption, and benefits of both groups of farmers were measured and analyzed. The results showed that the level of technology adopted by the farmers was high and supported by farmer characteristics, particularly their age and education. The application of technology increases the production of shallots and the total profits of farmers by 29.5% and 79.1% respectively. In addition, adopters can reduce the costs of chemical inputs by around 69.5%. Therefore, the technology introduced provides multiple benefits for farmers; economically and environmentally

Leptogenesis in Minimal Left-Right Symmetric Models

We analyze lepton asymmetry induced in the decay of right--handed neutrinos in a class of minimal left--right symmetric models. In these models, which assume low energy supersymmetry, the Dirac neutrino mass matrix is proportional to the charged lepton mass matrix. As a result, lepton asymmetry is calculable in terms of 9 parameters, all measurable in low energy neutrino experiments. By solving the Boltzmann equations numerically we show that adequate baryon asymmetry is generated in these models. This however places significant constraints on the light neutrino parameters. We find tan^2\theta_{12} = m_1/m_2 and \theta_{13} = (0.01 - 0.07) for the neutrino oscillation angles, and \beta = \alpha + \pi/2 for the Majorana phases.Comment: 25 pages, 3 eps figures, references adde

Mangrove blue carbon stocks and dynamics are controlled by hydrogeomorphic settings and land-use change.

Globally, carbon-rich mangrove forests are deforested and degraded due to land-use and land-cover change (LULCC). The impact of mangrove deforestation on carbon emissions has been reported on a global scale; however, uncertainty remains at subnational scales due to geographical variability and field data limitations. We present an assessment of blue carbon storage at five mangrove sites across West Papua Province, Indonesia, a region that supports 10% of the world's mangrove area. The sites are representative of contrasting hydrogeomorphic settings and also capture change over a 25-years LULCC chronosequence. Field-based assessments were conducted across 255 plots covering undisturbed and LULCC-affected mangroves (0-, 5-, 10-, 15- and 25-year-old post-harvest or regenerating forests as well as 15-year-old aquaculture ponds). Undisturbed mangroves stored total ecosystem carbon stocks of 182-2,730 (mean ± SD: 1,087 ± 584) Mg C/ha, with the large variation driven by hydrogeomorphic settings. The highest carbon stocks were found in estuarine interior (EI) mangroves, followed by open coast interior, open coast fringe and EI forests. Forest harvesting did not significantly affect soil carbon stocks, despite an elevated dead wood density relative to undisturbed forests, but it did remove nearly all live biomass. Aquaculture conversion removed 60% of soil carbon stock and 85% of live biomass carbon stock, relative to reference sites. By contrast, mangroves left to regenerate for more than 25 years reached the same level of biomass carbon compared to undisturbed forests, with annual biomass accumulation rates of 3.6 ± 1.1 Mg C ha-1  year-1 . This study shows that hydrogeomorphic setting controls natural dynamics of mangrove blue carbon stocks, while long-term land-use changes affect carbon loss and gain to a substantial degree. Therefore, current land-based climate policies must incorporate landscape and land-use characteristics, and their related carbon management consequences, for more effective emissions reduction targets and restoration outcomes

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London