503 research outputs found
Morris Water Maze Test for Learning and Memory Deficits in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice
The Morris Water Maze (MWM) was first established by neuroscientist Richard G. Morris in 1981 in order to test hippocampal-dependent learning, including acquisition of spatial memoryand long-term spatial memory 1. The MWM is a relatively simple procedure typically consisting of six day trials, the main advantage being the differentiation between the spatial (hidden-platform) and non-spatial (visible platform) conditions 2-4. In addition, the MWM testing environment reduces odor trail interference 5. This has led the task to be used extensively in the study of the neurobiology and neuropharmacology of spatial learning and memory. The MWM plays an important role in the validation of rodent models for neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease 6, 7. In this protocol we discussed the typical procedure of MWM for testing learning and memory and data analysis commonly used in Alzheimer’s disease transgenic model mice
Hyper Velocity Stars and the Restricted Parabolic 3-body Problem
Motivated by detections of hypervelocity stars that may originate from the
Galactic Center, we revist the problem of a binary disruption by a passage near
a much more massive point mass. The six order of magnitude mass ratio between
the Galactic Center black hole and the binary stars allows us to formulate the
problem in the restricted parabolic three-body approximation. In this
framework, results can be simply rescaled in terms of binary masses, its
initial separation and binary-to-black hole mass ratio. Consequently, an
advantage over the full three-body calculation is that a much smaller set of
simulations is needed to explore the relevant parameter space. Contrary to
previous claims, we show that, upon binary disruption, the lighter star does
not remain preferentially bound to the black hole. In fact, it is ejected
exactly in 50% of the cases. Nonetheless, lighter objects have higher ejection
velocities, since the energy distribution is independent of mass. Focusing on
the planar case, we provide the probability distributions for disruption of
circular binaries and for the ejection energy. We show that even binaries that
penetrate deeply into the tidal sphere of the black hole are not doomed to
disruption, but survive in 20% of the cases. Nor do these deep encounters
produce the highest ejection energies, which are instead obtained for binaries
arriving to 0.1-0.5 of the tidal radius in a prograde orbit. Interestingly,
such deep-reaching binaries separate widely after penetrating the tidal radius,
but always approach each other again on their way out from the black
hole.[shortened]Comment: 10 pages, 10 Figures, Apj submitte
A qualitative document analysis of policies influencing preeclampsia management by midwives in Ghana
Background: Preeclampsia is a global issue that causes significant morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The care women with preeclampsia receive in LMICs is below the standard experienced by women in westernised countries due to multiple interacting factors. A review of policy factors influencing the management of preeclampsia in Ghana is needed. Aim: This study focuses on the midwife\u27s role and scope of practice concerning preeclampsia management. The study aimed to explore the congruence between Ghanaian preeclampsia guidelines and international best practice recommendations for midwifery practice. The study also aimed to describe how recommendations are incorporated into Ghanaian guidelines. Method/design: This study was a qualitative document analysis of national and tertiary hospital policies related to midwives’ scope of practice in Ghana. Altheide\u27s five-step process (sampling, data collection, data coding and organisation, data analysis and report) was used to systematically source and analyse the content of written documents. Results: The findings illustrated several recommendation shortcomings in Ghanaian documents at the national and tertiary hospital levels. The content of Ghanaian preeclampsia management guidelines was not comprehensive, contained conflicting information, and was not backed by research evidence. The standards of practice for midwives were consistent at both the national and tertiary hospital levels. Midwives had limited roles in detection, management, stabilisation, and referral of women with preeclampsia. Conclusion: Uniform guidelines incorporating international recommendations are urgently needed to improve multi-professional collaboration, solidify midwives’ roles, and optimise maternal and fetal outcomes
Pre-eclampsia training needs of midwives in a Ghanaian tertiary hospital: A cross-sectional study
Aim: This study aimed to assess the specific clinical and non-clinical training needs of midwives and determine their preferred approach to enhancing performance. Background: Pre-eclampsia remains one of the leading causes of maternal deaths in low and middle-income countries. Pre-eclampsia-related deaths may be due to reduced midwifery knowledge and inadequate management. Therefore, a training needs assessment is vital in identifying gaps in practice, especially, in poorly resourced settings for maximal use of training resources. Design: A hospital-based cross-sectional study. Setting: The largest tertiary hospital in Ghana. Methods: An online version of the validated WHO Hennessy-Hicks Training Needs Analysis questionnaire was used to assess midwives’ training needs on the management of pre-eclampsia. The tool has good psychometric properties and was used to assess 1) midwives’ confidence in performing tasks, 2) the importance of the task to their role and 3) their preferred performance improvement approach. Data analysis adhered to the guidelines specified in the Hennessy-Hicks Training Needs Analysis Questionnaire and the priority training requirements of the midwives were assessed through descriptive statistics and a series of independent t-tests. Results: Among the 250 midwives who responded, most possessed 1–5 years of experience (74.7 %). All 28 tasks were viewed by midwives as essential responsibilities in pre-eclampsia management. Midwives had the greatest need for training in research/audit and clinical skills domains respectively (p \u3c 0.001, 95 % confidence interval: 1.08–1.47, Cohen\u27s-D = 1.27; and p \u3c 0.001, 95 % confidence interval: 0.69–1.06, Cohen\u27s-D = 0.87). The foremost primary training necessity, as recognised by midwives, was undertaking health promotion activities, including antenatal health education (MD= 0.43, 95 % confidence interval: 0.29–0.57). Training courses were identified as the preferred approach to address training needs and improve overall proficiency. Conclusion: Midwives in Ghana require comprehensive training covering research and clinical-based competencies to improve pre-eclampsia management. Considering the pivotal role of Ghanaian midwives in safeguarding maternal well-being, there is a compelling need to enhance the calibre of midwifery services. These findings can guide stakeholders in countries with comparable healthcare contexts in creating effective, resource-efficient training programs that avoid counterproductivity, ultimately supporting national initiatives to enhance pre-eclampsia management and the quality of care
Midwives’ experiences of providing pre-eclampsia care in a low- and middle-income country – A qualitative study
Problem: Like other low- and middle-income countries, Ghana has high maternal mortality stemming from pre-eclampsia. Ghanaian midwives are frontline service providers of emergency care in obstetric complications and have the greatest potential to maximise pre-eclampsia outcomes. Little is known about the potential barriers and challenges to midwives\u27 capacity to provide quality care in pre-eclampsia in Ghana. Therefore, we aimed to explore and gain insights into midwives’ experiences of pre-eclampsia care including their knowledge, skills, and psychological aspects such as midwives\u27 resilience. Background: There is a rising global incidence of pre-eclampsia. Quality midwifery care in inter-professional collaborative practice is crucial to reducing pre-eclampsia-related morbidity and mortality. Methods: A qualitative descriptive exploratory study. In-depth semi-structured interviews (n = 35) were performed in 2021 and analysed by thematic analysis. Findings: There were three main themes. 1) Competence and Confidence in care; midwives provided timely and appropriate care based on sound knowledge and skills; they explained how pre-eclampsia care was organised within a multidisciplinary context and described collaborative working amongst midwives for mutual learning and support. 2) Emotional concerns and empathy; midwives’ described fulfillment in achieving positive pre-eclampsia outcomes. In contrast, maternal loss was distressing and traumatic. 3) Call for improved care resources for pre-eclampsia; midwives recommended expansion of continuing professional development opportunities, appropriate infrastructure, resources, tailored public education, and a review of pre-service education to support their participation in pre-eclampsia care. Conclusion: To improve the quality of care in pre-eclampsia, midwives should be capacitated, systems should promptly address barriers, and prioritise midwives’ emotional well-being
The spatial and velocity distributions of hypervelocity stars
Hypervelocity stars (HVSs) found in the Galactic halo are probably the
dynamical products of interactions between (binary) stars and the massive black
hole(s) (MBH) in the Galactic center (GC). It has been shown that the detected
HVSs are spatially consistent with being located on two thin disks (Lu et al.),
one of which has the same orientation as the clockwise-rotating stellar disk in
the GC. Here we perform a large number of three-body experiments of the
interactions between the MBH and binary stars bound to it, and find that the
probability of ejecting HVSs is substantially enhanced by multiple encounters
between the MBH and binary stars at distances substantially larger than the
initial tidal breakup radii. Assuming that the HVS progenitors are originated
from the two disks, the inclination distribution of the HVSs relative to the
disk planes can be reproduced by either the mechanism of tidal breakup of
binary stars or the mechanism of ejecting HVSs by a hypothetical binary black
hole (BBH) in the GC. However, an isotropical origination of HVS progenitors is
inconsistent with the observed inclination distribution. Assuming that the HVSs
were ejected out by the tidal breakup mechanism, its velocity distribution can
be reproduced if their progenitors diffuse onto low angular momentum orbits
slowly and most of the progenitors were broken up at relatively large distances
due to multiple encounters. Assuming that the HVSs were ejected out by a BBH
within the allowed parameter space in the GC, our simulations produce
relatively flatter velocity spectra compared to the observed ones; however, the
BBH mechanism cannot be statistically ruled out, yet. Future surveys of HVSs
and better statistics of their spatial and velocity distributions should enable
to distinguish the ejection mechanisms of HVSs and shed new light on the
dynamical environment of the MBH.(abridged)Comment: 19 pages, 16 figure
Elastic positron-cadmium scattering at low energies
The elastic and annihilation cross sections for positron-cadmium scattering are reported up to the positronium-formation threshold (at 2.2 eV). The low-energy phase shifts for the elastic scattering of positrons from cadmium were derived from the bound and pseudostate energies of a very large basis configuration-interaction calculation of the e+-Cd system. The s-wave binding energy is estimated to be 126±42 meV, with a scattering length of Ascat=(14.2±2.1)a0, while the threshold annihilation parameter, Zeff, was 93.9±26.5. The p-wave phase shift exhibits a weak shape resonance that results in a peak Zeff of 91±17 at a collision energy of about 490±50 meV
The properties of dynamically ejected runaway and hyper-runaway stars
Runaway stars are stars observed to have large peculiar velocities. Two
mechanisms are thought to contribute to the ejection of runaway stars, both
involve binarity (or higher multiplicity). In the binary supernova scenario a
runaway star receives its velocity when its binary massive companion explodes
as a supernova (SN). In the alternative dynamical ejection scenario, runaway
stars are formed through gravitational interactions between stars and binaries
in dense, compact clusters or cluster cores. Here we study the ejection
scenario. We make use of extensive N-body simulations of massive clusters, as
well as analytic arguments, in order to to characterize the expected ejection
velocity distribution of runaways stars. We find the ejection velocity
distribution of the fastest runaways (>~80 km s^-1) depends on the binary
distribution in the cluster, consistent with our analytic toy model, whereas
the distribution of lower velocity runaways appears independent of the binaries
properties. For a realistic log constant distribution of binary separations, we
find the velocity distribution to follow a simple power law; Gamma(v) goes like
v^(-8/3) for the high velocity runaways and v^(-3/2) for the low velocity ones.
We calculate the total expected ejection rates of runaway stars from our
simulated massive clusters and explore their mass function and their binarity.
The mass function of runaway stars is biased towards high masses, and depends
strongly on their velocity. The binarity of runaways is a decreasing function
of their ejection velocity, with no binaries expected to be ejected with v>150
km s^-1. We also find that hyper-runaways with velocities of hundreds of km
s^-1 can be dynamically ejected from stellar clusters, but only at very low
rates, which cannot account for a significant fraction of the observed
population of hyper-velocity stars in the Galactic halo.Comment: Now matching published ApJ versio
Metal-poor hypervelocity star candidates from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey
Hypervelocity stars are believed to be ejected out from the Galactic center
through dynamical interactions of (binary) stars with the central massive black
hole(s). In this letter, we report 13 metal-poor F-type hypervelocity star
candidates selected from 370,000 stars of the data release 7 of the Sloan
Digital Sky Survey. With a detailed analysis of the kinematics of these stars,
we find that seven of them were likely ejected from the Galactic center (GC) or
the Galactic disk, four neither originated from the GC nor the Galactic disk,
and the other two were possibly ejected from either the Galactic disk or other
regions. Those candidates which unlikely originated from the GC or the Galactic
disk, may be explained by other mechanisms, like the tidal disruption of the
Milky Way's dwarf galaxies in the Galactic potential, or the gravitational
interactions with a massive black hole at the center of M31 or M32
Hypervelocity Collisions of Binary Stars at the Galactic Centre
Recent surveys have identified seven hypervelocity stars (HVSs) in the halo
of the Milky Way. Most of these stars may have originated from the breakup of
binary star systems by the nuclear black hole SgrA*. In some instances, the
breakup of the binary may lead to a collision between its member stars. We
examine the dynamical properties of these collisions by simulating thousands of
different binary orbits around SgrA* with a direct N-body integration code. For
some orbital parameters, the two stars collide with an impact velocity lower
than their escape velocity and may therefore coalesce. It is possible for a
coalescing binary to have sufficient velocity to escape the galaxy.
Furthermore, some of the massive S-stars near Sgr A* might be the merger
remnants of binary systems, however this production method can not account for
most of the S-stars.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
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