The Formation of Cosmic Structures in a Light Gravitino Dominated Universe

We analyse the formation of cosmic structures in models where the dark matter is dominated by light gravitinos with mass of $100$ eV -- 1 keV, as predicted by gauge-mediated supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking models. After evaluating the number of degrees of freedom at the gravitinos decoupling ($g_*$), we compute the transfer function for matter fluctuations and show that gravitinos behave like warm dark matter (WDM) with free-streaming scale comparable to the galaxy mass scale. We consider different low-density variants of the WDM model, both with and without cosmological constant, and compare the predictions on the abundances of neutral hydrogen within high-redshift damped Ly--$\alpha$ systems and on the number density of local galaxy clusters with the corresponding observational constraints. We find that none of the models satisfies both constraints at the same time, unless a rather small $\Omega_0$ value (\mincir 0.4) and a rather large Hubble parameter (\magcir 0.9) is assumed. Furthermore, in a model with warm + hot dark matter, with hot component provided by massive neutrinos, the strong suppression of fluctuation on scales of \sim 1\hm precludes the formation of high-redshift objects, when the low--$z$ cluster abundance is required. We conclude that all different variants of a light gravitino DM dominated model show strong difficulties for what concerns cosmic structure formation. This gives a severe cosmological constraint on the gauge-mediated SUSY breaking scheme.Comment: 28 pages,Latex, submitted for publication to Phys.Rev.

Therapeutic strategies to slow chronic kidney disease progression

Childhood chronic kidney disease commonly progresses toward end-stage renal failure, largely independent of the underlying disorder, once a critical impairment of renal function has occurred. Hypertension and proteinuria are the most important independent risk factors for renal disease progression. Therefore, current therapeutic strategies to prevent progression aim at controlling blood pressure and reducing urinary protein excretion. Renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) antagonists preserve kidney function not only by lowering blood pressure but also by their antiproteinuric, antifibrotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Intensified blood pressure control, probably aiming for a target blood pressure below the 75th percentile, may exert additional renoprotective effects. Other factors contributing in a multifactorial manner to renal disease progression include dyslipidemia, anemia, and disorders of mineral metabolism. Measures to preserve renal function should therefore also comprise the maintenance of hemoglobin, serum lipid, and calcium-phosphorus ion product levels in the normal range

Nurses' perceptions of aids and obstacles to the provision of optimal end of life care in ICU

Contains fulltext : 172380.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access

Performance of a small-scale modular aquaponic system

Aquaponic systems aim to exploit the advantages of aquaculture and hydroponic systems. A reasonable fish production can be sustained and at the same time a wide range of green plants and vegetables will be beneffited from the nutrient-rich outflow of the fish tanks, providing nitrification services to reduce the ammonia and nitrite loads. In this paper, the performance of a small-scale modular aquaponic system was assessed for the critical initial running period of 14 days during September 2011, using lettuce, basil and Nile tilapia. It was evident from the results that mid-range fish stocking densities and accordingly nutrient loads are able to support a plant harvest at a ratio of 1:4 to 1:5 (amount of fish feed provided: harvestable biomass) in both species, depending on the initial size of the plants. Very small plants with sensitive root system should be avoided, as well as increased ammonia loads. Further improvements could be achieved by fine-tunning of the flow characteristics of the system, the standardization of water quality profile, the appropriate selection of substrate and the addition of extra biofiltration compartment

Investigating perceptions and beliefs of roma about healthcare services in a provincial general hospital

Introduction: According to estimates, about 7 to 9 million Roma live in Europe, nowadays, out of whom two thirds are living in Central and Eastern Europe. Available studies in various countries show that Roma are experiencing racist behavior by representatives of health system because of their cultural diversity. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to explore perceptions, feelings and beliefs of Greek Roma about public health structures and their satisfaction with health care services. Material and Μethod: The study sample consisted of 80 Greek Roma hospitalized in the General Hospital of Larisa. The present study was a cross sectional one and data was collected by the completion of the “Scale of attitudes, emotions and satisfaction of Roma health services”. Data analysis was conducted by the Statistical Package fSPSS-22 while Pearson correlation, t-test and anova were used. Results: 31.3% of Roma were men and 68.8% women with a mean age 46.23 years. Moreover, 71.3% reported to be dissatisfied (mostly by doctors and nurses), 67.5% claimed to receive discrimination in hospital, and 60% reported that none of health care services do really care about them. Low total score in the scale of attitudes and satisfaction of Roma about health services, had participants using health services (p=0.040), those having a family member with health problem (p=0.022) as well as their hospitalization (p=0.004). Furthermore, more positive scored in the scale of attitudes, feelings, and satisfaction with health services, participants whose income come from their own work (p=0.004), who had health insurance, (p=0.008) and their monthly income was over than 200€. Conclusions: Roma in the present sample expressed openly negative feelings about public health services and care provided by healthcare professionals. Their attitude depends on several social factors while also is noticed a lack of knowledge about access to health services and how it can be provided appropriately. Continuous education of health professionals regarding provided care to individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds, is essential. © 2019, Hellenic Nurses Association. All rights reserved

New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (December 2012)

This paper presents records extending or confirming the distribution of Mediterranean species. Three alien algae are included, namely Codium taylorii reported for the first time from the Aegean and Turkey (Izmir Gulf), Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea (Karpathos and Chalki Isl., Aegean Sea) and Ganonema farinosum (Karpathos Isl., Aegean Sea). As far as animals are concerned, Litarachna divergens (Acari: Hydrachnidia) was recorded (Side, Eastern Mediterranean) and represents a new amendment at genus level for Turkish fauna. Other invertebrates include alien species such as the crabs Dyspanopeus sayi (Lago Fusaro, SW Italy), Percnon gibbesi (Larnaca, Cyprus; Karpathos and Chalki Isl., Aegean Sea) and Callinectes sapidus (Voda estuary, NW Greece), the nudibranch Aplysia dactylomela (Boka Kotorska Bay, Montenegro), the gastropod Conomurex persicus (Karpathos and Chalki Isl., Aegean Sea) and the bryozoan Electra tenella (Livorno harbour and Messina Straits area). The alien fish Siganus luridus, Siganus rivulatus, Fistularia commersonii, Sphyraena chrysotaenia and Sargocentron rubrum are also reported from the islands of Karpathos and Chalki, and Pteragogus pelycus from Heraklion Bay, Crete. In addition, new localities for four rare Mediterranean inhabitants are given: the cephalopod Thysanoteuthis rhombus (NW Sardinia) and the fish: Lampris guttatus (Calabria, S Italy), Petromyzon marinus (Gokova Bay) and Remora australis (Saronikos Gulf), while the opisthobranch gastropod Cerberilla bernadettae is reported for the first time from the E Mediterranean (Cyprus). Finally, three species of the Aegean ascidiofauna are recorded for the first time: Lissoclinum perforatum, Ciona roulei and Ecteinascidia turbinata. Furthermore, it was established that Phallusia nigra has extended its distributional range to the north of the Aegean Sea