Proposal for an experiment to search for Randall-Sundrum type corrections to Newton's law of gravitation

String theory, as well as the string inspired brane-world models such as the Randall-Sundrum (RS) one, suggest a modification of Newton's law of gravitation at small distance scales. Search for modifications of standard gravity is an active field of research in this context. It is well known that short range corrections to gravity would violate the Newton-Birkhoff theorem. Based on calculations of RS type non-Newtonian forces for finite size spherical bodies, we propose a torsion balance based experiment to search for the effects of violation of this celebrated theorem valid in Newtonian gravity as well as the general theory of relativity. We explain the main principle behind the experiment and provide detailed calculations suggesting optimum values of the parameters of the experiment. The projected sensitivity is sufficient to probe the Randall-Sundrum parameter up to 10 microns.Comment: 4 pages and 5 figures, figures improved, minor clarifications and few references added, final version to appear in PRD (rapid communications

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression in adults with mild intellectual disabilities (ID): a pilot randomised controlled trial

Background: Several studies have showed that people with intellectual disabilities (ID) have suitable skills to undergo cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Case studies have reported successful use of cognitive behavioural therapy techniques (with adaptations) in people with ID. Modified cognitive behavioural therapy may be a feasible and effective approach for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders in ID. To date, two studies have reported group-based manaulised cognitive behavioural treatment programs for depression in people with mild ID. However, there is no individual manualised programme for anxiety or depression in people with intellectual disabilities. The aims of the study are to determine the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial for CBT in people with ID. The data will inform the power calculation and other aspects of carrying out a definitive randomised controlled trial.Methods: Thirty participants with mild ID will be allocated randomly to either CBT or treatment as usual (TAU). The CBT group will receive up to 20 hourly individual CBT over a period of 4 months. TAU is the standard treatment which is available to any adult with an intellectual disability who is referred to the intellectual disability service (including care management, community support, medical, nursing or social support). Beck Youth Inventories (Beck Anxiety Inventory & Beck Depression Inventory) will be administered at baseline; end of treatment (4 months) and at six months to evaluate the changes in depression and anxiety. Client satisfaction, quality of life and the health economics will be secondary outcomes.Discussion: The broad outcome of the study will be to produce clear guidance for therapists to apply an established psychological intervention and identify how and whether it works with people with intellectual disabilities

Multimorbidity as an important issue among women: results of gender difference investigation in a large population-based cross-sectional study in West Asia

Objectives: To investigate the impact of gender on multimorbidity in northern Iran. Design: A cross-sectional analysis of the Golestan cohort data. Setting: Golestan Province, Iran. Study population: 49 946 residents (age 40–75 years) of Golestan Province, Iran. Main outcome measures: Researchers collected data related to multimorbidity, defined as co-existence of two or more chronic diseases in an individual, at the beginning of a representative cohort study which recruited its participants from 2004 to 2008. The researchers utilised simple and multiple Poisson regression models with robust variances to examine the simultaneous effects of multiple factors. Results: Women had a 25.0% prevalence of multimorbidity, whereas men had a 13.4% prevalence (p<0.001). Women of all age-groups had a higher prevalence of multimorbidity. Of note, multimorbidity began at a lower age (40–49 years) in women (17.3%) compared with men (8.6%) of the same age (p<0.001). This study identified significant interactions between gender as well as socioeconomic status, ethnicity, physical activity, marital status, education level and smoking (p<0.01). Conclusion: Prevention and control of multimorbidity requires health promotion programmes to increase public awareness about the modifiable risk factors, particularly among women

Acil “Apoteker Cilik”: Upaya Membangkitkan Eksistensi Profesi Apoteker Dan Sistem Interpersonal Education Profesi Kesehatan Sejak Dini

Apoteker Cilik (ACIL) merupakan sebuah gagasan sebagai upaya dalam membangkitkan eksistensi profesi Apoteker secara lebih nyata. Eksistensi tersebut sangat berpengaruh pada masyarakat yang sampai saat ini masih dipandang sebelah mata. Apoteker adalah salah satu profesi kesehatan yang diakui keberadaaannya oleh UU Tenaga Kesehatan dan pemerintah. Brainding profesi apoteker melalui program Usaha Kesehatan Sekolah (UKS) mulai diperkenalkan pada siswa Sekolah Dasar (SD) agar diketahui eksistensinya. Investasi yang dilakukan sejak dini lambat laun akan berkembang dan menjadi besar. Seperti halnya dokter di Sekolah Dasar yang diidentikkan dengan dengan Dokter Kecil, Apoteker Cilik pun kedepannya akan lebih maju dan dapat membesarkan nama profesi apoteker. Praktik pelaksanaan interpersonal education dapat digunakan sebagai media untuk melakukan kerja sama antar profesi dalam skala kecil. Kemampuan inrepersonal tersebut meliputi kemampuan seseorang untuk mendukung orang lain, memberi dan menerima kritik yang membangun, serta kemampuan bernegosiasi. Oleh karena itu, adanya ACIL sebagai upaya membangkitkan eksistensi profesi apoteker dan International education antar profesi kesehatan sejak dini khususnya di kalangan siswa Sekolah Dasar sangat mendukung guna peningkatan derajat kesehatan masyarakat

Mechanisms of microbial carbon sequestration in the ocean – future research directions

This paper reviews progress on understanding biological carbon sequestration in the ocean with special reference to the microbial formation and transformation of recalcitrant dissolved organic carbon (RDOC), the microbial carbon pump (MCP). We propose that RDOC is a concept with a wide continuum of recalcitrance. Most RDOC compounds maintain their levels of recalcitrance only in a specific environmental context (RDOCt). The ocean RDOC pool also contains compounds that may be inaccessible to microbes due to their extremely low concentration (RDOCc). This differentiation allows us to appreciate the linkage between microbial source and RDOC composition on a range of temporal and spatial scales. Analyses of biomarkers and isotopic records show intensive MCP processes in the Proterozoic oceans when the MCP could have played a significant role in regulating climate. Understanding the dynamics of the MCP in conjunction with the better constrained biological pump (BP) over geological timescales could help to predict future climate trends. Integration of the MCP and the BP will require new research approaches and opportunities. Major goals include understanding the interactions between particulate organic carbon (POC) and RDOC that contribute to sequestration efficiency, and the concurrent determination of the chemical composition of organic carbon, microbial community composition and enzymatic activity. Molecular biomarkers and isotopic tracers should be employed to link water column processes to sediment records, as well as to link present-day observations to paleo-evolution. Ecosystem models need to be developed based on empirical relationships derived from bioassay experiments and field investigations in order to predict the dynamics of carbon cycling along the stability continuum of POC and RDOC under potential global change scenarios. We propose that inorganic nutrient input to coastal waters may reduce the capacity for carbon sequestration as RDOC. The nutrient regime enabling maximum carbon storage from combined POC flux and RDOC formation should therefore be sought

Barriers to development and progression of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan

This article would help integration of women entrepreneurs into the mainstream economy in Pakistan.In Pakistan, women entrepreneurs do not enjoy the same opportunities as men due to a number of deep-rooted discriminatory socio-cultural values and traditions. Furthermore, these restrictions can be observed within the support mechanisms that exist to assist such fledgling businesswomen. The economic potential of female entrepreneurs is not being realised as they suffer from a lack of access to capital, land, business premises, information technology, training and agency assistance. Inherent attitudes of a patriarchal society, that men are superior to women and that women are best suited to be homemakers, create formidable challenges. Women also receive little encouragement from some male family members, resulting in limited spatial mobility and a dearth of social capital. The research suggests that in order to foster development, multi-agency cooperation is required. The media, educational policy makers and government agencies could combine to provide women with improved access to business development services and facilitate local, regional and national networks

Fluorescence microscopy on the biocompatibility of gentamicin-coated hydroxyapatite (HA) material on osteoblast

This study was carried out to observe the biocompatibility of gentamicin-coated hydroxyapatite (HA) on osteoblast using fluorescence microscopy. The specific objective was to observe the viability of the osteoblast on the gentamicin-coated hydroxyapatite (HA) and to determine the effect of the biomaterial coated with gentamicin on the osteoblast. Osteoblast cell lines were cultured and maintained in complete medium, 1:1 HAM's F12 Medium Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium without phenol red (DMEM) and incubated at 37°C in a 5% CO 2. The cell lines were treated with different concentration of gentamicin-coated hydroxyapatite and the interactions of the antibiotic beads against osteoblast were tested using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The MTT assay results indicated that varying concentrations of gentamicin coated HA from 0.1 mg/ml to 10 mg/ml did not significantly affect viability of osteoblast. By employing fluorescence microscopy, the morphology of osteoblast observed appeared red in color which indicated that the osteoblast was viable on biomaterial. The pore size of hydroxyapatite is between 150 to 350 nm. This preliminary result suggested that the gentamicin-coated HA had a good biocompatibility towards osteoblast

Comparison of estimates of under-nutrition for pre-school rural Pakistani children based on the WHO standard and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference

Objective: To compare estimates of under-nutrition among pre-school Pakistani children using the WHO growth standard and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference. Design: Prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight as defined by WHO and NCHS standards are calculated and compared. Setting: The data are from two cross-sectional surverys conducted in the early 1990s, the time frame for setting the baseline for the Millennium Development Goals: (i) National Health Survey of Pakistan (NHSP) assessed the health status of a nationally representative sample and (ii) Thatta Health System Research Project (THSRP) was a survey in Thatta, a rural district of Sindh Province. Subejcts: In all, 1533 and 1051 children aged 0-35 months from national and Thatta surveys, respectively. Results: WHO standard gave a significantly higher prevalence of stunting for both national [36.7 (95% CI 33.2, 40.2)] and Thatta surveys [52.9 (95% CI 48.9, 56-9)] compared to the NCHS reference [national 29.1 (95% CI 25.9, 32.2) and Thatta: 44.8 (95% CI 41.1, 48.5), respectively]. It also gave significantly higher prevalence of wasting for the Thatta survey [22.9 (95% CI 20.3, 25.5)] compared to the NCHS reference [15.7 (95% CI 13.5, 17.8)]. Differences due to choice of standard were pronounced during infancy and for severely wasted and severely stunted children. Conclusions: Pakistan should switch to the robustly constructed and up-to-date WHO growth standard for assessing under-nutrition. New growth charts should be introduced along with training for health workers. This has implications for nutritional intervention programmes, for resetting the country\u27s targets for Millennium Development Goal 1 and for monitoring nutritional trends

Energy-Momentum Distribution: Some Examples

In this paper, we elaborate the problem of energy-momentum in General Relativity with the help of some well-known solutions. In this connection, we use the prescriptions of Einstein, Landau-Lifshitz, Papapetrou and M\"{o}ller to compute the energy-momentum densities for four exact solutions of the Einstein field equations. We take the gravitational waves, special class of Ferrari-Ibanez degenerate solution, Senovilla-Vera dust solution and Wainwright-Marshman solution. It turns out that these prescriptions do provide consistent results for special class of Ferrari-Ibanez degenerate solution and Wainwright-Marshman solution but inconsistent results for gravitational waves and Senovilla-Vera dust solution.Comment: 20 pages, accepted for publication in Int. J. Mod. Phys.