Future chlorine-bromine loading and ozone depletion

The prediction of future ozone requires three elements: (1) a scenario for the net emissions of chemically and radiatively active trace gases from the land and oceans; (2) a global atmospheric model that projects the accumulation of these gases; and (3) a chemical transport model that describes the distribution of ozone for a prescribed atmospheric composition and climate. This chapter, of necessity, presents models for all three elements and focuses on the following: (1) atmospheric abundance of chlorine and bromine in the form of halocarbons; and (2) the associated perturbations to stratospheric ozone

The Uighur Riots in China: What do Facebook groups say?

In July  2009, China witnessed its worst ethnic clashes in decades, excluding those in Tibet, when  protests by Uighurs in Urumqi, capital of the western Xinjiang province, turned violent after police intervention. The protest started after two Uighur workers in the southern district of Guangdong had been killed as a result of racial violence. Soon afterwards, individuals belonging to the majority Han ethnicity, who represent about 92% of the Chinese population, but only 40% of the population of Xinjiang, attacked Uighur targets and individuals. The death toll rose to at least 150 individuals, although the racial breakdown of the deceased is still not quite clear. The government moved quickly to round up suspects and threatened to execute those directly involved in the violent incidents. Hundreds of Uighurs were detained by police

IS THE ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP COMMITTMENT PRINCIPLE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TQM PRINCIPLE ON HOSPITAL EFFECTIVENESS?

Total Quality management (TQM) has many principles, and the objective of this study was to determine highest TQM principle which has the greater impact on overall hospital effectiveness as perceived by healthcare professionals working in accredited governmental hospitals in Jordan. A study survey instrument, designed to measure the impact of applying TQM principles on overall hospital effectiveness, then to find out the greater TQM principle which influence more the overall hospital effectiveness, Study questionnaire was administered to the healthcare professionals in the five governmental accredited hospitals in Jordan, The data collection where 1290 questionnaires. The response rate was 83.6% of the total questionnaires distributed. TQM principles were: Leadership commitment to quality, Customer focus, Continuous improvement, Teamwork, Employee involvement, and education and training. Multiple regression analysis using Beta Coefficient conducted, the result shows that the greater TQM principle which affects the overall hospital effectiveness organization leadership commitment to quality and the least was education and training

Impact of grasspea genotypes and sowing dates on seed &#946-ODAP concentration and agronomic traits.

Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus) is an important food legume crop in Ethiopia. However, its nutritional value ishindered by β-ODAP that causes lathyrism in humans. The extent of toxicity is influenced by genetic andagronomic factors.We conducted an experiment to determine the effect of varieties and sowing dates on the β-ODAP content of the seeds and other yield components. Two varieties, Bio-520 and landrace, were planted onJuly 24, August 7 and 21, and September 4 in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 cropping seasons. Grasspea variety andseason, significantly influenced β-ODAP content of the seeds.The highly significant variety x season interactionssuggests that varieties behave differently in different seasons for their β-ODAP content. The main effects andinteractions were highly significant for days-to-flowering and plant height. Although β-ODAP content of thevarieties varied with season, the improved genotype always contained less β-ODAP concentration.Thus, whilethe development of low-toxin grasspea lines is the primary goal, modifying agronomic practices is also importantto mitigate lathyrism.Key Words: Ethiopia, Lathyrus sativus, Lathyrism, neurotoxi

A projection method for statics and dynamics of lattice spin systems

A method based on Monte Carlo sampling of the probability flows projected onto the subspace of one or more slow variables is proposed for investigation of dynamic and static properties of lattice spin systems. We illustrate the method by applying it, with projection onto the order-parameter subspace, to the three-dimensional 3-state Potts model in equilibrium and to metastable decay in a three-dimensional 3-state kinetic Potts model.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, RevTex, final version to appear in Phys. Rev. Let

Host genetic factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C virus infection: a systematic review

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients are at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Individuals at heightened riskcould be targeted by intensive follow-up surveillance. We have conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify host genetic predisposition to HCC in HCV-infected patients. A comprehensive search of Medline and Embase databases was performed and the strength of evidence of associations for each gene on development of HCC was evaluated. We identified 166 relevant studies, relating to 137 different genes, or combinations thereof. 17 genes were classified as having “good” evidence of an association, a significant association was observed for 37 genes but this finding had not yet been replicated, 56 genes had mixed or limited evidence of an association, and 27 genes showed no association. IFNL3/4, TNF-α and PNPLA3 genes had the most evidence of an association. There was, however, considerable heterogeneity in study design and data quality. In conclusion, we identified a number of genes with evidence of association with HCC, but also a need for more standardised approaches to address this clinically critical question. It is important to consider the underlying mechanism of these relationships and which are confounded by the presence of other HCC risk factors and response to therapy. We also identified many genes where the evidence of association is contradictory or requires replication, as well as a number where associations have been studied but no evidence found. These findings should help to direct future studies on host genetic predisposition to HCC in patients with HCV infection

IMPACT OF GRASSPEA GENOTYPES AND SOWING DATES ON SEED \u3b2-ODAP CONCENTRATION AND AGRONOMIC TRAITS

Grasspea ( Lathyrus sativus ) is an important food legume crop in Ethiopia. However, its nutritional value is hindered by \u3b2-ODAP that causes lathyrism in humans. The extent of toxicity is influenced by genetic and agronomic factors.We conducted an experiment to determine the effect of varieties and sowing dates on the \u3b2- ODAP content of the seeds and other yield components.Two varieties, Bio-520 and landrace, were planted on July 24, August 7 and 21, and September 4 in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 cropping seasons. Grasspea variety and season, significantly influenced \u3b2-ODAP content of the seeds.The highly significant variety x season interactions suggests that varieties behave differently in different seasons for their \u3b2-ODAP content. The main effects and interactions were highly significant for days-to-flowering and plant height. Although \u3b2-ODAP content of the varieties varied with season, the improved genotype always contained less \u3b2-ODAP concentration.Thus, while the development of low-toxin grasspea lines is the primary goal, modifying agronomic practices is also important to mitigate lathyrism.Le pois carr\ue9 ( Lathyrus sativus ) est une importante l\ue9gumineuse pour l\u2019alimentation humaine en Ethiopie. Cependant, sa valeur nutritionnelle est handicap\ue9e par le \u3b2-ODAP qui cause le lathyrisme chez les humains. Le degr\ue9 de toxicit\ue9 est influenc\ue9 par des facteurs g\ue9n\ue9tiques et agronomiques. Un essai \ue9tait conduit pour d\ue9terminer l\u2019effet de vari\ue9t\ue9s et de dates de plantation sur la teneur en \u3b2-ODAP dans les graines et autres composantes du rendement. Deux vari\ue9t\ue9s notamment la Bio-520 et le landrace, \ue9taient plant\ue9es pendant les saisons culturales 2001-02 et 2002-03 en Juillet 24, le 7 et le 21 Ao\ufbt ainsi que le 4 Septembre. Les vari\ue9t\ue9s du pois carr\ue9 et la saison ont significativement influenc\ue9 la teneur du \u3b2-ODAP dans les graines. Les interactions hautement significatives entre vari\ue9t\ue9 x saison sugg\ue8rent que les vari\ue9t\ue9s se comportent diff\ue9remment pendant des saisons diff\ue9rentes en termes de la teneur en \u3b2-ODAP. Les effets principaux et interactions \ue9taient hautement significatifs \ue0 la floraison et en fonction de la hauteur des plants. Bien que la teneur en \u3b2-ODAP variait avec la saison, les g\ue9notypes am\ue9lior\ue9s contenaient une basse concentration en \u3b2-ODAP. Ainsi, pendant que le d\ue9veloppement du pois carr\ue9 est un objectif prioritaire, la modification des pratiques agronomiques est aussi importante pour la mitigation du lathyrisme

Estimation of stature from the foot and its segments in a sub-adult female population of North India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Establishing personal identity is one of the main concerns in forensic investigations. Estimation of stature forms a basic domain of the investigation process in unknown and co-mingled human remains in forensic anthropology case work. The objective of the present study was to set up standards for estimation of stature from the foot and its segments in a sub-adult female population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The sample for the study constituted 149 young females from the Northern part of India. The participants were aged between 13 and 18 years. Besides stature, seven anthropometric measurements that included length of the foot from each toe (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 respectively), foot breadth at ball (BBAL) and foot breadth at heel (BHEL) were measured on both feet in each participant using standard methods and techniques.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results indicated that statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between left and right feet occur in both the foot breadth measurements (BBAL and BHEL). Foot length measurements (T1 to T5 lengths) did not show any statistically significant bilateral asymmetry. The correlation between stature and all the foot measurements was found to be positive and statistically significant (<it>p-value </it>< 0.001). Linear regression models and multiple regression models were derived for estimation of stature from the measurements of the foot. The present study indicates that anthropometric measurements of foot and its segments are valuable in the estimation of stature. Foot length measurements estimate stature with greater accuracy when compared to foot breadth measurements.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The present study concluded that foot measurements have a strong relationship with stature in the sub-adult female population of North India. Hence, the stature of an individual can be successfully estimated from the foot and its segments using different regression models derived in the study. The regression models derived in the study may be applied successfully for the estimation of stature in sub-adult females, whenever foot remains are brought for forensic examination. Stepwise multiple regression models tend to estimate stature more accurately than linear regression models in female sub-adults.</p

A new multiplex SARS-CoV-2 antigen microarray showed correlation of IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies from patients with COVID-19 disease severity and maintenance of relative IgA and IgM antigen binding over time

Zoonotic spillover of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to humans in December 2019 caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Serological monitoring is critical for detailed understanding of individual immune responses to infection and protection to guide clinical therapeutic and vaccine strategies. We developed a high throughput multiplexed SARS-CoV-2 antigen microarray incorporating spike (S) and nucleocapsid protein (NP) and fragments expressed in various hosts which allowed simultaneous assessment of serum IgG, IgA, and IgM responses. Antigen glycosylation influenced antibody binding, with S glycosylation generally increasing and NP glycosylation decreasing binding. Purified antibody isotypes demonstrated a binding pattern and intensity different from the same isotype in whole serum, probably due to competition from the other isotypes present. Using purified antibody isotypes from naïve Irish COVID-19 patients, we correlated antibody isotype binding to different panels of antigens with disease severity, with binding to the S region S1 expressed in insect cells (S1 Sf21) significant for IgG, IgA, and IgM. Assessing longitudinal response for constant concentrations of purified antibody isotypes for a patient subset demonstrated that the relative proportion of antigen-specific IgGs decreased over time for severe disease, but the relative proportion of antigen-specific IgA binding remained at the same magnitude at 5 and 9 months post-first symptom onset. Further, the relative proportion of IgM binding decreased for S antigens but remained the same for NP antigens. This may support antigen-specific serum IgA and IgM playing a role in maintaining longer-term protection, important for developing and assessing vaccine strategies. Overall, these data demonstrate the multiplexed platform as a sensitive and useful platform for expanded humoral immunity studies, allowing detailed elucidation of antibody isotypes response against multiple antigens. This approach will be useful for monoclonal antibody therapeutic studies and screening of donor polyclonal antibodies for patient infusions

HCV Infection among Saudi Population: High Prevalence of Genotype 4 and Increased Viral Clearance Rate

HCV is a major etiological agent of liver disease with a high rate of chronic evolution. The virus possesses 6 genotypes with many subtypes. The rate of spontaneous clearance among HCV infected individuals denotes a genetic determinant factor. The current study was designed in order to estimate the rate of HCV infection and ratio of virus clearance among a group of infected patients in Saudi Arabia from 2008 to 2011. It was additionally designed to determine the genotypes of the HCV in persistently infected patients. HCV seroprevalence was conducted on a total of 15,323 individuals. Seropositive individuals were tested by Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HCV assay to determine the ratio of persistently infected patients to those who showed spontaneous viral clearance. HCV genotyping on random samples from persistently infected patients were conducted based on the differences in the 5′untranslated region (5′UTR). Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 7.3% of the totally examined sera. A high percentage of the HCV infected individuals experienced virus clearance (48.4%). HCV genotyping revealed the presence of genotypes 1 and 4, the latter represented 97.6% of the tested strains. Evidences of the widespread of the HCV genotype 4 and a high rate of HCV virus clearance were found in Saudi Arabia