Study of unstable particle through the spectral function in O(4) ϕ4\phi^4 theory

We test application of the maximum entropy method to decompose the states contributing to the unstable $\sigma$ correlation function through the spectral function in the four dimensional O(4) $\phi^4$ theory. Reliable results are obtained for the $\sigma$ mass and two-particle $\pi\pi$ state energy using only the $\sigma$ correlation function. We also find that the property of the $\sigma$ particle is different between the unstable ($m_{\sigma}/m_{\pi}>2$) and stable ($m_{\sigma}/m_{\pi}<2$) cases.Comment: Lattice2002(spectrum), 3 page

Focusing and alignment of erythrocytes in a viscoelastic medium

118Ysciescopu

A non-perturbative determination of Z_V and b_V for O(a) improved quenched and unquenched Wilson fermions

By considering the local vector current between nucleon states and imposing charge conservation we determine, for $O(a)$ improved Wilson fermions, its renormalisation constant and quark mass improvement coefficient. The computation is performed for both quenched and two flavour unquenched fermions.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figures, Lattice(2002)(improve

Utilization of Peace Education in Adult Literacy Programmes in Anambra State for Conflict Resolution and National Security

This study focused on utilization of peace education in adult literacy programmes in Anambra State for promoting peace, conflict resolution and national security. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. The proportionate random sampling technique was used in selection of 50% of 1, 222 facilitators in 481 basic and post literacy education programmes within the six education zones in the State. The sample size of the study was 611. A questionnaire titled: Utilization of Peace Education in Adult Literacy Programmes for Promotion of Peace, Conflict Resolution and National Security Questionnaire (UPEALPPPCRNSQ), designed on a Likert type scale was used in the study. Validity of this research instrument was determined and reliability determined through a pilot-testing and measured using the Conbach alpha formula which yielded coefficient value of r = 0.88. Data was analyzed using frequency distribution, mean score (), grand mean and standard deviation (SD). The results revealed that effective utilization of peace education inculcated in the learners skills and abilities for peace promotion, conflict resolutions and national security. Therefore, the study recommended that there should be effective financial support of adult literacy programmes from the tiers of government through making provision for sufficient budgetary allocations for this sector of education; professionals of adult education should be employed to teach peace education subjects in adult literacy programmes and they should be supported through adequate remunerations, constant and continuous staff training and retraining; peace education should effectively be integrated and embedded into all adult literacy programmes; government should utilize and implement policies (through adequate consultations) on peace education in adult literacy programmes and effective mass campaign carried out on the subject area for public enlightenment

Update on the management of constipation in the elderly: new treatment options

Constipation disproportionately affects older adults, with a prevalences of 50% in community-dwelling elderly and 74% in nursing-home residents. Loss of mobility, medications, underlying diseases, impaired anorectal sensation, and ignoring calls to defecate are as important as dyssynergic defecation or irritable bowel syndrome in causing constipation. Detailed medical history on medications and co-morbid problems, and meticulous digital rectal examination may help identify causes of constipation. Likewise, blood tests and colonoscopy may identify organic causes such as colon cancer. Physiological tests such as colonic transit study with radio-opaque markers or wireless motility capsule, anorectal manometry, and balloon expulsion tests can identify disorders of colonic and anorectal function. However, in the elderly, there is usually more than one mechanism, requiring an individualized but multifactorial treatment approach. The management of constipation continues to evolve. Although osmotic laxatives such as polyethylene glycol remain mainstay, several new agents that target different mechanisms appear promising such as chloride-channel activator (lubiprostone), guanylate cyclase agonist (linaclotide), 5HT4 agonist (prucalopride), and peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonists (alvimopan and methylnaltrexone) for opioid-induced constipation. Biofeedback therapy is efficacious for treating dyssynergic defecation and fecal impaction with soiling. However, data on efficacy and safety of drugs in elderly are limited and urgently needed

Graded Expectations: Betti numbers and anti-lecture hall compositions of random threshold graphs

This paper examines the one-to-one-to-one correspondence between threshold graphs, Betti numbers of quotients of polynomial rings by $2$-linear ideals, and anti-lecture hall compositions. In particular, we establish new explicit combinatorial mappings between each of these classes of objects and calculate the expected values of the Betti numbers and anti-lecture hall composition corresponding to a random threshold graph.Comment: 24 pages, 3 figures, and 4 table

Halophilanema prolata n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Allantonematidae), a parasite of the intertidal bug, Saldula laticollis (Reuter)(Hemiptera: Saldidae) on the Oregon coast

This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by BioMed Central and can be found at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/.Background: It is rare to find terrestrial nematode lineages parasitizing arthropods inhabiting the intertidal or\ud littoral zone of the oceans. During an ecological study along the Oregon dunes, an allantonematid nematode\ud (Tylenchomorpha: Allantonematidae) was discovered parasitizing the intertidal shore bug, Saldula laticollis (Reuter)\ud (Hemiptera: Saldidae). This shore bug is adapted to an intertidal environment and can survive short periods of\ud submergence during high tides. The present study describes the nematode parasite and discusses aspects of its\ud development, ecology and evolution.\ud Methods: Adults and last instar nymphs of S. laticollis (Hemiptera: Saldidae) were collected from the high intertidal\ud zone among clumps of Juncus L. (Juncaceae) plants at Waldport, Oregon on October 3, 2011. The bugs were\ud dissected in 1% saline solution and the nematodes killed in 1% Ringers solution and immediately fixed in 5%\ud formalin (at 20°C). Third stage juveniles removed from infected hosts were maintained in 1% saline solution until\ud they matured to the adult stage, molted and mated.\ud Results: Halophilanema prolata n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Allantonematidae) is described from last instar nymphs\ud and adults of the intertidal bug, Saldula laticollis on the Oregon coast. The new genus can be distinguished from\ud other genera in the Allantonematidae by a stylet lacking basal knobs in both sexes, an excretory pore located\ud behind the nerve ring, ribbed spicules, a gubernaculum, the absence of a bursa and the elongate-tubular shape of\ud the ovoviviparous parasitic females. Studies of the organogenesis of Halophilanema showed development to third\ud stage juveniles in the uterus of parasitic females. Maturation to the free-living adults and mating occurred in the\ud environment. The incidence of infection of S. laticollis ranged from 0% to 85% depending on the microhabitat in\ud the intertidal zone.\ud Conclusions: Based on the habitat and morphological characters, it is proposed that Halophilanema adapted a\ud parasitic existence fairly recently, evolutionarily speaking. It was probably a free-living intertidal or shore nematode\ud that fed on microorganisms, especially fungi, in the intertidal habitat and became parasitic after saldids entered the\ud environment. Halophilanema represents the first described nematode parasite of an intertidal insect

A method for sensitivity analysis to assess the effects of measurement error in multiple exposure variables using external validation data

Measurement error in self-reported dietary intakes is known to bias the association between dietary intake and a health outcome of interest such as risk of a disease. The association can be distorted further by mismeasured confounders, leading to invalid results and conclusions. It is, however, difficult to adjust for the bias in the association when there is no internal validation data

International Lattice Data Grid

We propose the co-ordination of lattice QCD grid developments in different countries to allow transparent exchange of gauge configurations in future, should participants wish to do so. We describe briefly UKQCD's XML schema for labelling and cataloguing the data. A meeting to further develop these ideas will be held in Edinburgh on 19/20 December 2002, and will be available over AccessGrid.Comment: Lattice2002(plenary