Neutron-star Radius from a Population of Binary Neutron Star Mergers

We show how gravitational-wave observations with advanced detectors of tens to several tens of neutron-star binaries can measure the neutron-star radius with an accuracy of several to a few percent, for mass and spatial distributions that are realistic, and with none of the sources located within 100 Mpc. We achieve such an accuracy by combining measurements of the total mass from the inspiral phase with those of the compactness from the postmerger oscillation frequencies. For estimating the measurement errors of these frequencies we utilize analytical fits to postmerger numerical-relativity waveforms in the time domain, obtained here for the first time, for four nuclear-physics equations of state and a couple of values for the mass. We further exploit quasi-universal relations to derive errors in compactness from those frequencies. Measuring the average radius to well within 10% is possible for a sample of 100 binaries distributed uniformly in volume between 100 and 300 Mpc, so long as the equation of state is not too soft or the binaries are not too heavy.Comment: 9 pages and 7 figure

LABORATORY EVALUATION OF EFFICACY OF THREE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FORMULATIONS AGAINST TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM HERBST (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE) IN STORED WHEAT

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate three DE formulations - Protect-It, DiaFil 610 and Celite 209 at dose rates 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg of wheat, against the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum Herbst under ambient laboratory conditions (26 - 32°C and 48 - 65% r.h.). Mortality of exposed adults increased with increase in dose and exposure period; however consistency was notable only after 7days of exposure. With all DE formulations, mortality was low on grains treated at 500 and 750 mg/kg after 3 and 7 days of exposure. Protect-It was highly effectives at 1000 mg/kg causing 100% adult mortality after 3 days of exposure. Similarly, all the three DE formulations caused complete adult mortality on grains treated at 750 and 1000 mg/kg after 14 days of exposure. In addition, at these dose rates complete progeny suppression was recorded except on grain treated with DiaFil 610 at 750 mg/kg. The findings of this study have demonstrated that the efficacy of the three DE formulations to control T. castaneum and as potential alternative to synthetic insecticides

Comparing primary prevention with secondary prevention to explain decreasing Coronary Heart Disease death rates in Ireland, 1985-2000.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether primary prevention might be more favourable than secondary prevention (risk factor reduction in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)). METHODS: The cell-based IMPACT CHD mortality model was used to integrate data for Ireland describing CHD patient numbers, uptake of specific treatments, trends in major cardiovascular risk factors, and the mortality benefits of these specific risk factor changes in CHD patients and in healthy people without recognised CHD. RESULTS: Between 1985 and 2000, approximately 2,530 fewer deaths were attributable to reductions in the three major risk factors in Ireland. Overall smoking prevalence declined by 14% between 1985 and 2000, resulting in about 685 fewer deaths (minimum estimate 330, maximum estimate 1,285) attributable to smoking cessation: about 275 in healthy people and 410 in known CHD patients. Population total cholesterol concentrations fell by 4.6%, resulting in approximately 1,300 (minimum estimate 1,115, maximum estimate 1,660) fewer deaths attributable to dietary changes(1,185 in healthy people and 115 in CHD patients) plus 305 fewer deaths attributable to statin treatment (45 in people without CHD and 260 in CHD patients). Mean population diastolic blood pressure fell by 7.2%, resulting in approximately 170 (minimum estimate 105, maximum estimate 300) fewer deaths attributable to secular falls in blood pressure (140 in healthy people and 30 in CHD patients), plus approximately 70 fewer deaths attributable to antihypertensive treatments in people without CHD. Of all the deaths attributable to risk factor falls, some 1,715 (68%) occurred in people without recognized CHD and 815(32%) in CHD patients. CONCLUSION: Compared with secondary prevention, primary prevention achieved a two-fold larger reduction in CHD deaths. Future national CHD policies should therefore prioritize nationwide interventions to promote healthy diets and reduce smoking

A strategy for labor performance improvement for floor tiling work in single storey buildings in Abuja, Nigeria

This paper examined labor productivity of floor tiling works in selected construction sites. Sixty one (61) sites were visited for the purpose of collecting data. The construction sites chosen for this study were ongoing one storey buildings in Abuja, Nigeria. Data used for the study were obtained using daily method of data collection which has the advantage to capture both quantity and time inputs. A total of 737 data points were collected for the floor tiling activity in all the sites. From these data, the study variables (cumulative productivity, baseline productivity, coefficient of variation and project performance index) were computed using conceptual (site-based) model of labor productivity measurement and the results revealed that many of the projects studied had low performance rating while few of projects performed well. A simple regression and correlation analyses were used to determine relationships of the research variables. The result showed that the coefficient of correlation between coefficient of labor productivity variability and performance index was found to be 0.588 which is significant at 0.01 confidence level. The coefficient of determination (R) was calculated to be 0.44. This showed that 44% variation in crew performance is accounted for by variability in labor productivity. It was suggested that crew performance in tiling work can be improved by moderating or curtailing variability in labor productivity

Experimental study on durability of CFRP-concrete bond subjected to temperature, humidity and outdoor environment

© 2013 International Institute for FRP in Construction. This paper presents experimental results and observations to-date of an ongoing research undertaken to investigate the long-term behaviour of bond between externally bonded Carbon Fibre Reinforced polymer (CFRP) and concrete. Carbon FRP strips were externally bonded to concrete prisms and were exposed separately to three different environmental conditions, namely, temperature, humidity and outdoor environment for extended durations. Single-lap-joint shear test (pull-out test) was conducted to investigate bond strengths of control (unexposed) and exposed specimens. Moreover, material characterisation of concrete cylinders and CFRP control and exposed coupons was carried out to observe the changes of mechanical properties with the time of exposure. Finally, experimental results of exposed specimens were compared to those of control specimens in terms of bond strengths and failure modes. Based on the results to-date, the most significant degradation of bond strength was observed in specimens exposed to outdoor environment. Whereas no significant effect of temperature cycles were found provided that the temperature is below the glass transition temperature of epoxy resin

Pull-out Strengths of GFRP-Concrete Bond Exposed to Applied Environmental Conditions

© 2016, The Author(s). This paper presents results of an experimental investigation on the behaviour of bond between external glass fibre reinforced polymer reinforcement and concrete exposed to three different environmental conditions, namely, temperature cycles, wet–dry cycles and outdoor environment separately for extended durations. Single shear tests (pull-out test) were conducted to investigate bond strengths (pull-out strengths) of control (unexposed) and exposed specimens. Effect of the exposure conditions on the compressive strength of concrete were also investigated separately to understand the effect of changing concrete compressive strength on the pull-out strength. Based on the comparison of experimental results of exposed specimens to control specimens in terms of bond strengths, failure modes and strain profiles, the most significant degradation of pull-out strength was observed in specimens exposed to outdoor environment, whereas temperature cycles did not cause any deterioration of strength

Splendide Mendax: False Label Claims about High and Rising Alcohol Content of Wine

Many economists and others are interested in the phenomenon of rising alcohol content of wine and its potential causes. Has the alcohol content of wine risen—and if so, by how much, where, and when? What roles have been played by climate change and other environmental factors compared with evolving consumer preferences and expert ratings? In this paper we explore these questions using international evidence, combining time-series data on the alcohol content of wine from a large number of countries that experienced different patterns of climate change and influences of policy and demand shifts. We also examine the relationship between the actual alcohol content of wine and the alcohol content stated on the label. The systematic patterns here suggest that rising alcohol content of wine may be a nuisance by-product of producer responses to perceived market preferences for wines having riper, more-intense flavors, possibly in conjunction with evolving climate.wine grapes, alcohol percentage, climate change, labeling errors, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Marketing,

Structure, bonding and magnetism in cobalt clusters

The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of Co$_n$ clusters ($n=2-$20) have been investigated using density functional theory within the pseudopotential plane wave method. An unusual hexagonal growth pattern has been observed in the intermediate size range, $n=15-$20. The cobalt atoms are ferromagnetically ordered and the calculated magnetic moments are found to be higher than that of corresponding hcp bulk value, which are in good agreement with the recent Stern-Gerlach experiments. The average coordination number is found to dominate over the average bond length to determine the effective hybridization and consequently the cluster magnetic moment.Comment: 12 pages and 9 figure

Determinant criteria for designing Health benefit package in selected countries

Health benefit package described as primary health interventions that provided with government using general funds for all regardless their financial ability. This study was aimed at determine appropriate pattern for Iran using comparative survey of Health benefit package in various countries. A review exploration was done, scholars was selected population of both developed and developing countries, required information was also extracted by articles, searches and reports of reliable sources and date were analyzed by SPSS, in brief. The vast majority frequencies was respectively allocated to accessibility (40.7%), cost- effectiveness (29.6%), prioritize, efficacy and cost (22.2%). most countries located in WHO African region were selected cost-effectiveness and accessibility, WHO southeast Asia region were selected, coverage, prioritize, efficacy and quality and finally most WHO Europeans region were elected effectiveness and services costs for including services in Health benefit package. According to most Health benefit package designer emphasis on criteria including accessibility and costeffectiveness, to design Health benefit package for Iran, these criteria must be noticed