Preliminary results of a study of magnetic properties in the Foum-Zguid dyke (Morocco)

This work focuses on the study of flow and propagation of magma using rock magnetic analyses along sections across the thick Jurassic dyke of Foum-Zguid (Southern Morocco). Thermomagnetic data show that Ti-poor titanomagnetite is the main magnetic carrier. Petrographic analysis shows that the main Ti phase (ilmenite) occurs either as lamellae within spinel (center of the dyke) or as isolated grains (dyke margin). Bulk magnetic properties display distinct behavior according to the distance to the dyke margin; grain size of the main magnetic carrier decreases towards the center of the dyke, while the natural remanent magnetization and the bulk magnetic susceptibility increase. Only the magnetic susceptibility ellipsoid close to the dyke margin corresponds to that usually found in thin dykes, with the magnetic foliation sub parallel to dyke margins. Maximum principal axis is in most cases either parallel or perpendicular to the intersection between the planes of magnetic foliation and dyke wall. Moreover, when this axis is perpendicular to the intersection it is associated with a more oblate magnetic susceptibility ellipsoid shape, indicating the presence of complex magnetic fabrics. The studied magnetic properties show that, in this 100 m wide thick dyke, flow structures related with dyke propagation are only preserved close to the quickly cooled dyke margins. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Induced Upper Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage And Bleeding

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are very widely used in our community. There has been much concern recently about the risks of NSAIDs-induced upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage and perforation. Many patients taking these drugs have become concerned about these matters and confused by contradictory statements appearing in the media. This paper seeks to address those issues

A spectroscopic and proper motion search of Sloan Digital Sky Survey : red subdwarfs in binary systems

Red subdwarfs in binary systems are crucial for both model calibration and spectral classification. We search for red subdwarfs in binary systems from a sample of high proper motion objects with Sloan Digital Sky Survey spectroscopy. We present here discoveries from this search, as well as highlight several additional objects of interest. We find 30 red subdwarfs in wide binary systems including: two with spectral type of esdM5.5, 6 companions to white dwarfs and 3 carbon-enhanced red subdwarfs with normal red subdwarf companions. 15 red subdwarfs in our sample are partially resolved close binary systems. With this binary sample, we estimate the low limit of the red subdwarf binary fraction of similar to 10 per cent. We find that the binary fraction goes down with decreasing masses and metallicities of red subdwarfs. A spectroscopic esdK7 subdwarf + white dwarf binary candidate is also reported. 30 new M subdwarfs have spectral type of >= M6 in our sample. We also derive relationships between spectral types and absolute magnitudes in the optical and near-infrared for M and L subdwarfs, and we present an M subdwarf sample with measured U, V, W space velocities.Peer reviewe

Fabrication and verification of conjugated AuNP-antibody nanoprobe for sensitivity improvement in electrochemical biosensors

Abstract This study was designed to obtain covalently coupled conjugates as means for achieving higher stability and better coverage of the AuNPs by antibodies on the particle surface suitable for sensor performance enhancement. Starting by using a modified protocol, colloid gold solution, with mean AuNP core size of ~6 nm was synthesized. The protocol used for conjugation of AuNPs to osteocalcin antibody in this study relies on covalent and electrostatic attractions between constituents. Varieties of conjugates with varying combinations of crosslinkers and different concentrations were successfully synthesized. The obtained products were characterized and their properties were studied to determine the best candidate in sense of antibody - antigen reactivity. Using AuNP-GSH-NHS-Ab combination (1:1:1), the tertiary structure of the protein was maintained and thus the antibody remained functional in the future steps. This one-pot method provided a simple method for covalently coupling antibodies on the particle surface while keeping their functionality intact. The AuNP content of the solution also accelerated electron transfer rate and thus amplifies the detection signal. With the developed and discussed technique herein, a simple solution is modeled to be used for measuring serum levels of biomarkers in single and/or multiplexed sensor systems

Properties of the intracluster medium in an ensemble of nearby galaxy clusters

We present a systematic analysis of the intracluster medium (ICM) in an X-ray flux limited sample of 45 galaxy clusters. Using archival ROSAT Position-Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) data and published ICM temperatures, we present best-fit double and single beta model profiles, and extract ICM central densities and radial distributions. We use the data and an ensemble of numerical cluster simulations to quantify sources of uncertainty for all reported parameters. We examine the ensemble properties within the context of models of structure formation and feedback from galactic winds. We present best-fit ICM mass-temperature M-ICM-[T-X] relations for M-ICM calculated within r(500) and 1 h(50)(-1) Mpc. These relations exhibit small scatter (17%), providing evidence of regularity in large, X-ray flux limited cluster ensembles. Interestingly, the slope of the M-ICM-[T-X] relation (at limiting radius r(500)) is steeper than the self-similar expectation by 4.3 sigma. We show that there is a mild dependence of ICM mass fraction f(ICM) on [T-X]; the clusters with ICM temperatures below 5 keV have a mean ICM mass fraction [f(ICM)] = 0.160 +/- 0.008, which is significantly lower than that of the hotter clusters [f(ICM)] = 0.212 +/- 0.006 (90% confidence intervals). In apparent contradiction with previously published analyses, our large, X-ray flux limited cluster sample provides no evidence for a more extended radial ICM distribution in low-[T-X] clusters down to the sample limit of 2.4 keV. By analyzing simulated clusters we find that density variations enhance the cluster X-ray emission and cause M-ICM and f(ICM) to be overestimated by similar to 12%. Additionally, we use the simulations to estimate an f(ICM) depletion factor at r(500). We use the bias corrected mean f(ICM) within the hotter cluster subsample as a lower limit on the cluster baryon fraction. In combination with nucleosynthesis constraints this measure provides a firm upper limit on the cosmological density parameter for clustered matter Omega(M) less than or equal to (0.36 +/- 0.01) h(50)(-1/2).Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/60582/1/Mohr1999Properties.pd

Parent-of-origin-specific allelic associations among 106 genomic loci for age at menarche.

Age at menarche is a marker of timing of puberty in females. It varies widely between individuals, is a heritable trait and is associated with risks for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and all-cause mortality. Studies of rare human disorders of puberty and animal models point to a complex hypothalamic-pituitary-hormonal regulation, but the mechanisms that determine pubertal timing and underlie its links to disease risk remain unclear. Here, using genome-wide and custom-genotyping arrays in up to 182,416 women of European descent from 57 studies, we found robust evidence (P < 5 × 10(-8)) for 123 signals at 106 genomic loci associated with age at menarche. Many loci were associated with other pubertal traits in both sexes, and there was substantial overlap with genes implicated in body mass index and various diseases, including rare disorders of puberty. Menarche signals were enriched in imprinted regions, with three loci (DLK1-WDR25, MKRN3-MAGEL2 and KCNK9) demonstrating parent-of-origin-specific associations concordant with known parental expression patterns. Pathway analyses implicated nuclear hormone receptors, particularly retinoic acid and γ-aminobutyric acid-B2 receptor signalling, among novel mechanisms that regulate pubertal timing in humans. Our findings suggest a genetic architecture involving at least hundreds of common variants in the coordinated timing of the pubertal transition

Expression of osterix Is Regulated by FGF and Wnt/β-Catenin Signalling during Osteoblast Differentiation

Osteoblast differentiation from mesenchymal cells is regulated by multiple signalling pathways. Here we have analysed the roles of Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and canonical Wingless-type MMTV integration site (Wnt/β-Catenin) signalling pathways on zebrafish osteogenesis. We have used transgenic and chemical interference approaches to manipulate these pathways and have found that both pathways are required for osteoblast differentiation in vivo. Our analysis of bone markers suggests that these pathways act at the same stage of differentiation to initiate expression of the osteoblast master regulatory gene osterix (osx). We use two independent approaches that suggest that osx is a direct target of these pathways. Firstly, we manipulate signalling and show that osx gene expression responds with similar kinetics to that of known transcriptional targets of the FGF and Wnt pathways. Secondly, we have performed ChIP with transcription factors for both pathways and our data suggest that a genomic region in the first intron of osx mediates transcriptional activation. Based upon these data, we propose that FGF and Wnt/β-Catenin pathways act in part by directing transcription of osx to promote osteoblast differentiation at sites of bone formation

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy