Evolution of galaxy groups in the Illustris simulation

We present the first study of evolution of galaxy groups in the Illustris simulation. We focus on dynamically relaxed and unrelaxed galaxy groups representing dynamically evolved and evolving galaxy systems, respectively. The evolutionary state of a group is probed from its luminosity gap and separation between the brightest group galaxy and the center of mass of the group members. We find that the Illustris simulation, over-produces large luminosity gap galaxy systems, known as fossil systems, in comparison to observations and the probed semi-analytical predictions. However, this simulation is equally successful in recovering the correlation between luminosity gap and luminosity centroid offset, in comparison to the probed semi-analytic model. We find evolutionary tracks based on luminosity gap which indicate that a large luminosity gap group is rooted in a small luminosity gap group, regardless of the position of the brightest group galaxy within the halo. This simulation helps, for the first time, to explore the black hole mass and its accretion rate in galaxy groups. For a given stellar mass of the brightest group galaxies, the black hole mass is larger in dynamically relaxed groups with a lower rate of mass accretion. We find this consistent with the latest observational studies of the radio activities in the brightest group galaxies in fossil groups. We also find that the IGM in dynamically evolved groups is hotter for a given halo mass than that in evolving groups, again consistent with earlier observational studies.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap

Refractory myasthenia gravis: the more we learn, the less we know.

Refractory myasthenia gravis identifies the group of patients that have inadequate symptom control and persistent muscle weakness and fatigability despite the use of multiple immune modulatory therapies. This manuscript highlights what is currently known about refractory myasthenia gravis and underlines major knowledge gaps, drawing attention to the unmet needs in our understanding of this disease subset. This review raises questions about our current understanding of refractory disease and how emerging data as well as therapies may alter our thinking and patients’ disease course

Factors influencing the electronic government adoption among PSM in Oman: A structural equation modeling approach

The dynamic movement of electronic government (e-government) needs a clear pathway on the adoption level of stakeholders within the public sector organization. This research has identified gaps in the movement of the adoption. The respondents comprised 237 public sector managers at the ministry level who conduct e-government services in the Sultanate of Oman. A questionnaire was designed to tap into the manager's perception of the Internet's Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Credibility of technology, Intention to use the technology, and adoption of the Internet itself. Seven hypothesized relationships were tested in the structural model. An advanced quantitative data analysis using multivariate data analysis was employed. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the causal and mediating effects of latent variables. Based on the research, the hypothesized model fit fails to be supported (p<.05). The findings support the TAM theory extremely well, whereby, all the hypothesized paths were asserted. The generated model found three significant direct paths between Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Credibility, and intention as well as between intention and adoption

Optically selected fossil groups; X-ray observations and galaxy properties

We report on the X-ray and optical observations of galaxy groups selected from the 2dfGRS group catalog, to explore the possibility that galaxy groups hosting a giant elliptical galaxy and a large optical luminosity gap present between the two brightest group galaxies, can be associated with an extended X-ray emission, similar to that observed in fossil galaxy groups. The X-ray observations of 4 galaxy groups were carried out with Chandra telescope with 10-20 ksec exposure time. Combining the X-ray and the optical observations we find evidences for the presence of a diffuse extended X-ray emission beyond the optical size of the brightest group galaxy. Taking both the X-ray and the optical criteria, one of the groups is identified as a fossil group and one is ruled out because of the contamination in the earlier optical selection. For the two remaining systems, the X-ay luminosity threshold is close to the convention know for fossil groups. In all cases the X-ray luminosity is below the expected value from the X-ray selected fossils for a given optical luminosity of the group. A rough estimation for the comoving number density of fossil groups is obtained and found to be in broad agreement with the estimations from observations of X-ray selected fossils and predictions of cosmological simulations.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

MULTI-HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT OF QURUMBAR VALLEY, GHIZER, GILGIT BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN

Being located in a seismically active zone, these mountain valleys are exposed to different hydro-meteorological hazards like rockfall, debris flow, landslide, ice avalanches, and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOFs).  The present study is to investigate different multi-hazards and their prevailing risk in the particular area of Qurumbar valley Ishkoman. In the mid-nineteen and twenty centuries at least six devastating glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) has been recorded, initially, only the Qurumbar glacier was considered as the main cause of this outburst flood, later field investigation and interview from local inhabitant revealed that nine more tributary glacier are existing in the area. The recent outburst of flood in the Badswat area of Qurumbar Ishkoman is also considerable, submerging 12 houses and a stretch of roads. Apart from it, the physical vulnerability of the area is increasing, as new areas are being used for housing with the increase in population. The study area is exposed to several other natural hazards like rock fall, debris flows, ice avalanches, and bank erosion. The present study is based on quantitative and qualitative approaches in assistance with GIS/RS an emergent application. The following methodologies were adapted to gather the primary and secondary data for GIS/RS processing. The primary data comprises GIS data and procurement and development and field data. The field data contain ground-truthing /validation. The community-based Hazard Vulnerability Risk Assessment (HVRA) was also carried out to know about human perception. Secondary data has been collected from different literature. Both the data were put into GIS for the processing which gives us our final developmental tools in the form of maps. The hazard and risk map of the Qurumbar Ishkoman depict that flash floods, debris flow, bank erosion, and GLOFs account for major hazards in Qurumbar valley. It is concluded based on our outcomes i.e., hazard and risk maps that earthquake is the main hazard of the area while flash floods, GLOFs, debris flow, bank erosion and the bank collapsed are the main hazards of the area. It is very important to systematically integrate map information into the planning and management process which contributes to a safer environment

Relationship between pulmonary function tests, sputum eosinophilia and total serum IgE levels among asthmatic patients in Duhok, Iraq

Background: Bronchial asthma is a disease characterized by reversible airway obstruction, airway inflammation; and hyper-responsiveness. The prevalence of asthma is high, and both its prevalence and burden have increased over the last several decades. The study of inflammatory markers has implications for the appropriate management of this disease. Inflammatory markers has implications for the appropriate management of this disease. Objective of the study is to determine the correlation between asthma severity using pulmonary function tests with sputum eosinophilia and total serum IgE levels.Methods: This case-control study was conducted from March 2017 to September 2018 in the respiratory unit of Azadi general teaching hospital. It included 42 asthmatic patients and 18 healthy subjects. They underwent pulmonary function tests and measurement of total serum IgE levels. Induced sputum was done for asthmatic patients.Results: The age of asthmatic patients ranged from 16-70 years (mean 42±19 years). The asthmatic patient’s female: male ratio was 1.8. Mild asthma was the most common severity group (N=18, 43%) followed by moderate asthma (N=14, 33%) then severe asthma (N=10, 24%). Abnormal sputum eosinophilia (≥3%) was detected in 90% of severe asthma (N=9) compared to 36% in moderate asthma (N=5) and 5.6% in mild asthma (N=1). There was significant statistical association between asthma severity and sputum eosinophilia (p=0.00004). The association between asthma severity and total serum IgE levels was highly significant (p<0.0000) with levels of total serum IgE increasing as the severity of asthma increases.Conclusions: Severe asthma is the least common severity group in this study. Both abnormal sputum eosinophilia and total serum IgE levels are associated with the severity of asthma

General Closed Form Wave Solutions of Nonlinear Space-Time Fractional Differential Equation in Nonlinear Science

We have enucleated new and further exact general wave solutions, along with multiple exact traveling wave solutions of space-time nonlinear fractional Chan-Hillard equation, by applying a relatively renewed technique two variables -expansion method. Also, based on fractional complex transformation and the properties of the modified Riemann-Liouville fractional order operator, the fractional partial differential equations are transforming into the form of ordinary differential equation. This method can be rumination of as the commutation of well-appointed -expansion method introduced by M. Wang et al.. In this paper, it is mentioned that the two variables - expansion method is more legitimate, modest, sturdy and effective in the sense of theoretical and pragmatical point of view. Lastly, by treating computer symbolic program Mathematica, the uniqueness of our attained wave solutions are represented graphically and reveal a comparison in a submissive manner

Determination of HCV genotypes and viral loads in chronic HCV infected patients of Hazara Pakistan

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genotype and viral load are two significant predictive variables knowledge of which might persuade treatment decisions. The objective of the present study was to identify the distribution of different HCV genotypes circulating in the study area and to estimate viral load in chronically HCV infected patients. Out of total 305 HCV positive patients, 177 (58%) were males and 128 (42%) were females. Frequency breakup of the HCV positive patients was 169, 69, 38 and 29 from Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur and Battagram districts respectively. Out of the total 305 tested serum samples, 255 (83.06%) were successfully genotyped whereas 50 (16.4%) samples were found with unclassified genotypes. Among typable genotypes, 1a accounted for 21 (6.8%) 1b for 14 (4.6%), 2a for 4 (1.31%) 3a for 166 (54.42%) and genotype 3b for (8.19%). Twenty five (8.19%) patients were infected with mixed HCV genotypes. Viral load distribution was classified into three categories based on its viral load levels such as low (< 60, 0000 IU/mL), intermediate (60,0000-80,0000 IU/mL) and high (> 80,0000 IU/mL). The baseline HCV RNA Viral load in HCV genotype 3 infected patients was 50 (26.17%), 46 (24.08%) and 95 (49.73%) for low, intermediate and high categories respectively. For genotypes other than 3, these values for low, intermediate and high viral load categories were 50 (43.85), 35 (30.70) and 29 (25.43) respectively. Pre-treatment viral load in patients with untypable genotype was 19 (38.00%), 5 (20.00%) and 11 (44.00%) for low, intermediate and high viral load categories. Viral load distribution was also categorized sex wise; for males it was 58 (32.76%), 26 (14.68%) and 93 (52.54%) whereas for females it was 40 (31.25%), 34 (26.56%) and 54 (42.18%) for low, intermediate and high viral load respectively. In conclusion HCV genotype 3a is the most prevalent genotype circulating in Hazara Division like other parts of pakistan. Pre-treatment viral load is significantly high (p 0.014) in patients infected with HCV genotype 3 as compared to other genotypes

Immunomodulatory interventions in myocardial infarction and heart failure: a systematic review of clinical trials and meta-analysis of IL-1 inhibition

Following a myocardial infarction (MI), the immune system helps to repair ischaemic damage and restore tissue integrity, but excessive inflammation has been implicated in adverse cardiac remodelling and development towards heart failure (HF). Pre-clinical studies suggest that timely resolution of inflammation may help prevent HF development and progression. Therapeutic attempts to prevent excessive post-MI inflammation in patients have included pharmacological interventions ranging from broad immunosuppression to immunomodulatory approaches targeting specific cell types or factors with the aim to maintain beneficial aspects of the early post-MI immune response. These include the blockade of early initiators of inflammation including reactive oxygen species and complement, inhibition of mast cell degranulation and leucocyte infiltration, blockade of inflammatory cytokines, and inhibition of adaptive B and T-lymphocytes. Herein, we provide a systematic review on post-MI immunomodulation trials and a meta-analysis of studies targeting the inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-1. Despite an enormous effort into a significant number of clinical trials on a variety of targets, a striking heterogeneity in study population, timing and type of treatment, and highly variable endpoints limits the possibility for meaningful meta-analyses. To conclude, we highlight critical considerations for future studies including (i) the therapeutic window of opportunity, (ii) immunological effects of routine post-MI medication, (iii) stratification of the highly diverse post-MI patient population, (iv) the potential benefits of combining immunomodulatory with regenerative therapies, and at last (v) the potential side effects of immunotherapies