SHARDS: Constraints on the dust attenuation law of star-forming galaxies at z~2

We make use of SHARDS, an ultra-deep (<26.5AB) galaxy survey that provides optical photo-spectra at resolution R~50, via medium band filters (FWHM~150A). This dataset is combined with ancillary optical and NIR fluxes to constrain the dust attenuation law in the rest-frame NUV region of star-forming galaxies within the redshift window 1.5<z<3. We focus on the NUV bump strength (B) and the total-to-selective extinction ratio (Rv), targeting a sample of 1,753 galaxies. By comparing the data with a set of population synthesis models coupled to a parametric dust attenuation law, we constrain Rv and B, as well as the colour excess, E(B-V). We find a correlation between Rv and B, that can be interpreted either as a result of the grain size distribution, or a variation of the dust geometry among galaxies. According to the former, small dust grains are associated with a stronger NUV bump. The latter would lead to a range of clumpiness in the distribution of dust within the interstellar medium of star-forming galaxies. The observed wide range of NUV bump strengths can lead to a systematic in the interpretation of the UV slope ($\beta$) typically used to characterize the dust content. In this study we quantify these variations, concluding that the effects are $\Delta\beta$~0.4.Comment: 13 pages, 11+2 figures, 3 tables. MNRAS, in pres

Quantitative trait loci of stripe rust resistance in wheat

KEY MESSAGE: Over 140 QTLs for resistance to stripe rust in wheat have been published and through mapping flanking markers on consensus maps, 49 chromosomal regions are identified. ABSTRACT: Over thirty publications during the last 10 years have identified more than 140 QTLs for stripe rust resistance in wheat. It is likely that many of these QTLs are identical genes that have been spread through plant breeding into diverse backgrounds through phenotypic selection under stripe rust epidemics. Allelism testing can be used to differentiate genes in similar locations but in different genetic backgrounds; however, this is problematic for QTL studies where multiple loci segregate from any one parent. This review utilizes consensus maps to illustrate important genomic regions that have had effects against stripe rust in wheat, and although this methodology cannot distinguish alleles from closely linked genes, it does highlight the extent of genetic diversity for this trait and identifies the most valuable loci and the parents possessing them for utilization in breeding programs. With the advent of cheaper, high throughput genotyping technologies, it is envisioned that there will be many more publications in the near future describing ever more QTLs. This review sets the scene for the coming influx of data and will quickly enable researchers to identify new loci in their given populations

Case series of gallstone ileus: only enterolitotomy, one stage or two stage surgery?

Biliary ileus is a rare disease and an infrequent cause of intestinal obstruction, occasionally occurs in frail elderly patients and has a certain predilection for the female sex. The diagnosis is complex and requires a high clinical suspicion and complementary examinations such as abdominal radiography and contrasted abdominal tomography. Treatment should be individualized according to the clinical characteristics of each patient, with the alternatives being resolution only by enterolithotomy, one stage surgery and two stage surgery. We report 3 cases of biliary ileus, each one managed with a different surgical procedure. The decision was aimed at resolving the intestinal obstruction by enterolithotomy, and the definitive management was performed according to the clinical characteristics of each patient; however, there is no consensus or algorithm that recommends the ideal surgical technique. The recommended surgical procedure for the resolution of biliary ileus will be discussed

Small palladium islands embedded in palladium-tungsten bimetallic nanoparticles form catalytic hotspots for oxygen reduction

The sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode side of proton exchange membrane fuel cells is one major technical challenge for realizing sustainable solutions for the transportation sector. Finding efficient yet cheap electrocatalysts to speed up this reaction therefore motivates researchers all over the world. Here we demonstrate an efficient synthesis of palladium-tungsten bimetallic nanoparticles supported on ordered mesoporous carbon. Despite a very low percentage of noble metal (palladium: tungsten = 1:8), the hybrid catalyst material exhibits a performance equal to commercial 60% platinum/Vulcan for the oxygen reduction process. The high catalytic efficiency is explained by the formation of small palladium islands embedded at the surface of the palladium-tungsten bimetallic nanoparticles, generating catalytic hotspots. The palladium islands are similar to 1 nm in diameter, and contain 10-20 palladium atoms that are segregated at the surface. Our results may provide insight into the formation, stabilization and performance of bimetallic nanoparticles for catalytic reactions

Pelletized Forage-Based Rations as Alternative Feeds for Improving Goat Productivity

Goat farming is very popular in the Philippines as it is considered by many to be a viable rural enterprise. Despite this, the goat industry is faced with many challenges, including problems relating to high pre-weaning mortality, poor nutrition and lack of strategic approaches to accelerate genetic improvement. The long term rate of increase of goat numbers is only 0.97% per annum, due to high offtake rates and low productivity. Thus, the Philippine goat population is only expected to reach 4.27million by 2020 (compared with the target of 6.2 million), given the 3.88million population in 2010 (Alo 2012). Interventions are needed to accelerate growth of the goat population. Goats are typically fed on locally available resources which are characterised by low quality and highly variable availability. These characteristics can be overcome through processing techniques such as sun drying and pelleting to ensure year round feed supply. Pelleting offers particular advantages. Feeding animals with pellets provides better feed efficiency, greater starch digestibility, less feed waste, non-selective feeding, better handling and storage, and increased income due to more efficient feeding and higher productivity. While pellets are available for swine, poultry and buffalo in the Philippine market, pellets for goats are not currently available. The aim of this study was to develop pelletized forage-based rations for goats and evaluate them for their technical and financial viability

\b{eta}-delayed three-proton decay of 31Ar

The beta decay of 31Ar, produced by fragmentation of a 36Ar beam at 880 MeV/nucleon, was investigated. Identified ions of 31Ar were stopped in a gaseous time projection chamber with optical readout allowing to record decay events with emission of protons. In addition to \b{eta}-delayed emission of one and two protons we have clearly observed the beta-delayed three-proton branch. The branching ratio for this channel in 31Ar is found to be 0.07(2)%.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Rev.

Social research on neglected diseases of poverty: Continuing and emerging themes

Copyright: © 2009 Manderson et al.Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) exist and persist for social and economic reasons that enable the vectors and pathogens to take advantage of changes in the behavioral and physical environment. Persistent poverty at household, community, and national levels, and inequalities within and between sectors, contribute to the perpetuation and re-emergence of NTDs. Changes in production and habitat affect the physical environment, so that agricultural development, mining and forestry, rapid industrialization, and urbanization all result in changes in human uses of the environment, exposure to vectors, and vulnerability to infection. Concurrently, political instability and lack of resources limit the capacity of governments to manage environments, control disease transmission, and ensure an effective health system. Social, cultural, economic, and political factors interact and influence government capacity and individual willingness to reduce the risks of infection and transmission, and to recognize and treat disease. Understanding the dynamic interaction of diverse factors in varying contexts is a complex task, yet critical for successful health promotion, disease prevention, and disease control. Many of the research techniques and tools needed for this purpose are available in the applied social sciences. In this article we use this term broadly, and so include behavioral, population and economic social sciences, social and cultural epidemiology, and the multiple disciplines of public health, health services, and health policy and planning. These latter fields, informed by foundational social science theory and methods, include health promotion, health communication, and heath education

Nanocomposites with functionalised polysaccharide nanocrystals through aqueous free radical polymerisation promoted by ozonolysis

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and starch nanocrystals (SNC) were grafted by ozone-initiated free-radical polymerisation of styrene in a heterogeneous medium. Surface functionalisation was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, and thermogravimetric and elemental analysis. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy showed that there was no significant change in the morphology or crystallinity of the nanoparticles following ozonolysis. The grafting efficiency, quantified by 13C NMR, was greater for SNC, with a styrene/anhydroglucose ratio of 1.56 compared to 0.25 for CNC. The thermal stability improved by 100 °C. The contact angles were 97° and 78° following the SNC and CNC grafting, respectively, demonstrating the efficiency of the grafting in changing the surface properties even at low levels of surface substitution. The grafting increased the compatibility with the polylactide, and produced nanocomposites with improved water vapour barrier properties. Ozone-mediated grafting is thus a promising approach for surface functionalisation of polysaccharide nanocrystals