Electric field response of strongly correlated one-dimensional metals: a Bethe-Ansatz density functional theory study

We present a theoretical study on the response properties to an external electric field of strongly correlated one-dimensional metals. Our investigation is based on the recently developed Bethe-Ansatz local density approximation (BALDA) to the density functional theory formulation of the Hubbard model. This is capable of describing both Luttinger liquid and Mott-insulator correlations. The BALDA calculated values for the static linear polarizability are compared with those obtained by numerically accurate methods, such as exact (Lanczos) diagonalization and the density matrix renormalization group, over a broad range of parameters. In general BALDA linear polarizabilities are in good agreement with the exact results. The response of the exact exchange and correlation potential is found to point in the same direction of the perturbing potential. This is well reproduced by the BALDA approach, although the fine details depend on the specific parameterization for the local approximation. Finally we provide a numerical proof for the non-locality of the exact exchange and correlation functional.Comment: 8 pages and 8 figure

Analysis of ill-health and technical efficiency of maize farmers in selected local government areas of Osun state, Nigeria

Several farmers have died or incapacitated as a result of preventable and curable health challenges. These challenges no doubt have had negative impact on farmers’ welfare, agricultural production, efficiency of the farmers and the economy of developing countries like Nigeria. Though it is a known fact that ill-health is devastating but the extent of the devastation may not be known with certainty until it is scientifically proven through research. The study therefore investigated the effect of ill-health on the technical efficiency of maize farmers in Osun, State, Nigeria. 220 farmers were interviewed while the tools of analysis included descriptive statistics, stochastic production frontier and cost of illness procedure. The results revealed that aches (34.32%) and malaria (22.53%) were the most prevalent illness in the area while the perceived causes of illness included stress, poor financial base and, inadequate medical facilities. Meanwhile, the main sources of treatment included consultation with herbalists, local/self medication and hospitals. The main challenges in seeking for good health comprised inadequate medical personnel, inadequate finance and, long distance of the clinics/hospitals from their farm/residence. Time cost accounted for the largest proportion of the economic cost of illness. In addition, access to health care services, number of days absent from farm due to illness and amount spent on drugs all had significant effect on the technical efficiency of the farmers. With a mean of 0.64, none of the farmers operated at the frontier level of technical efficiency. Based on the results, it is therefore recommended that extension personnel should educate the farmers on the need for adequate rest always and use of treated mosquito nets at night.Keywords: Efficiency, ill-health, self-medicatio

Effects of sewage effluents on some reproductive parameters in adult Zebra fish (Danio rerio)

Abstract Sewage treatment plants are sources of anthropogenic substances in the environment. Sewage effluents elicit adverse effects on the reproductive abilities of aquatic organisms. The aim of the project was to assess the efficiency of the treatment processes at a sewage treatment plant in Sweden with zebra fish as test models for aquatic organisms. The project entailed the exposure of adult male and female zebra fish to the sewage effluents (A1-A7) for 21 days. The reproductive parameters monitored were spawning ability, fertilization, fecundity and vitellogenin concentration. Fish exposed to effluent A2 (after sedimentation treatment) had a higher number of successful spawning compared to the controls (A1 and A8). Fish in groups A3 (outlet L1), A4 (biofilter) and A5 (ozone) exhibited a decrease in spawning ability. Adult female fish exposed to effluent A4 exhibited low fecundity compared to the controls. The processes at the sewage treatment plant need to be optimized to forestall adverse effects on the reproductive abilities of aquatic organisms

Biological control of aflatoxins in Africa: current status and potential challenges in the face of climate change

Article purchased; in PressAflatoxin contamination of crops is frequent in warm regions across the globe, including large areas in sub-Saharan Africa. Crop contamination with these dangerous toxins transcends health, food security, and trade sectors. It cuts across the value chain, affecting farmers, traders, markets, and finally consumers. Diverse fungi within Aspergillus section Flavi contaminate crops with aflatoxins. Within these Aspergillus communities, several genotypes are not capable of producing aflatoxins (atoxigenic). Carefully selected atoxigenic genotypes in biological control (biocontrol) formulations efficiently reduce aflatoxin contamination of crops when applied prior to flowering in the field. This safe and environmentally friendly, effective technology was pioneered in the US, where well over a million acres of susceptible crops are treated annually. The technology has been improved for use in sub-Saharan Africa, where efforts are under way to develop biocontrol products, under the trade name Aflasafe, for 11 African nations. The number of participating nations is expected to increase. In parallel, state of the art technology has been developed for large-scale inexpensive manufacture of Aflasafe products under the conditions present in many African nations. Results to date indicate that all Aflasafe products, registered and under experimental use, reduce aflatoxin concentrations in treated crops by >80% in comparison to untreated crops in both field and storage conditions. Benefits of aflatoxin biocontrol technologies are discussed along with potential challenges, including climate change, likely to be faced during the scaling-up of Aflasafe products. Lastly, we respond to several apprehensions expressed in the literature about the use of atoxigenic genotypes in biocontrol formulations. These responses relate to the following apprehensions: sorghum as carrier, distribution costs, aflatoxin-conscious markets, efficacy during drought, post-harvest benefits, risk of allergies and/or aspergillosis, influence of Aflasafe on other mycotoxins and on soil microenvironment, dynamics of Aspergillus genotypes, and recombination between atoxigenic and toxigenic genotypes in natural conditions

The pressure-volume-temperature relationship of cellulose

Pressure–volume–temperature (PVT) mea- surements of a-cellulose with different water contents, were performed at temperatures from 25 to 180 °C and pressures from 19.6 to 196 MPa. PVT measurements allowed observation of the combined effects of pressure and temperature on the specific volume during cellulose thermo-compression. All isobars showed a decrease in cellulose specific volume with temperature. This densification is associated with a transition process of the cellulose, occurring at a temperature defined by the inflection point Tt of the isobar curve. Tt decreases from 110 to 40 °C with pressure and is lower as moisture content increases. For isobars obtained at high pressures and high moisture contents, after attaining a minimum, an increase in volume is observed with temperature that may be related to free water evaporation. PVT a-cellulose experimental data was compared with predicted values from a regression analysis of the Tait equations of state, usually applied to synthetic polymers. Good correla- tions were observed at low temperatures and low pressures. The densification observed from the PVT experimental data, at a temperature that decreases with pressure, could result from a sintering phenomenon, but more research is needed to actually understand the cohesion mechanism under these conditions

Anthropometric Studies of Inner Canthal Distance, Outer Canthal Distance and Canthal Index of Adult Ibibios

Abstract: Outer canthal distance, Inner canthal distance and canthal index are important component of craniofacial anthropometry. Craniofacial anthropometry is vital in making a precise and systematic measurement of the human skull. Eight hundred (800) adults comprising 400 males and 400 females were used for this study. The subjects were measured for inner and outer canthal distances using a non-stretchable plastic ruler and the canthal index was obtained as the ratio of inner canthal distance and the outer canthal distance multiplying the resultant fraction by 100. The results showed that Ibibio males and females had inner canthal distances of 3.52 and 3.36 cm, respectively, outer canthal distances of 11.15cm for male Ibibios and 10.73 cm for the females. Mean canthal index for both males and females was 31.64 and 31.47, respectively. The canthal index of Ibibio males is higher than that of females (p<0.05) using Z-test. This study will be useful in anthropology and medicine most especially in craniofacial surgery

Beyond Prejudice as Simple Antipathy: Hostile and Benevolent Sexism Across Cultures

The authors argue that complementary hostile and benevolent componen:s of sexism exist ac ro.ss cultures. Male dominance creates hostile sexism (HS). but men's dependence on women fosters benevolent sexism (BS)-subjectively positive attitudes that put women on a pedestal but reinforce their subordination. Research with 15,000 men and women in 19 nations showed that (a) HS and BS are coherenl constructs th at correlate positively across nations, but (b) HS predicts the ascription of negative and BS the ascription of positive traits to women, (c) relative to men, women are more likely to reject HS than BS. especially when overall levels of sexism in a culture are high, and (d) national averages on BS and HS predict gender inequal ity across nations. These results challenge prevailing notions of prejudice as an antipathy in that BS (an affectionate, patronizing ideology) reflects inequality and is a cross-culturally pervasive complement to HS

Otologic and audiological evaluation among HIV patients in Ilorin, Nigeria

This study is to determine these manifestations among HIV/AIDS patients in Ilorin to update on previous study. Method: This was a prospective study of all consecutive new patients confirmed to be HIV positive attending the HIV clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria between January and July, 2009. These patients were on HAART anti retroviral drug treatment. The information retrieved included the biodata, clinical presentation, otolaryngologic clinical findings, as well as their hearing assessment with Pure tone audiometry. Results: 74 out of the 89 HIV patients(82.8%) had otorhinolaryngological manifestations with the age range of 3 to 62 years (Mean of 36.4 yrs, SD=2.45±0.02). The modal age range was 21-40 years (59.6%) 51males (57.3%) and 38 females (42.7%) and a sex ratio of 1.3:1. Commonest otorhinolaryngological features included nasal in 45.6% (chronic rhinosinusitis), oral/oropharyngeal in 23.9% (oral candidiasis), otological in 21.5% (Serous otitis media) and cervical adenopathy in 9%. Conclusion: Otorhinolaryngological manifestations were found in 74 patients (82.8%) and commonest features included chronic sinusitis, oral/pharyngeal candidiasis, serous otitis media with cervical adeopathy in that order. It is important for otolaryngologists to be aware of otolaryngological manifestations, so early diagnosis and timely intervention alongside appropriate anti-retroviral therapy be instituted to improve survival rates. Keywords: sinusitis, otitis media with effusion, candidiasis oral, HIV

Perception of Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases Worldwide

In this comprehensive review study, we addressed the challenge posed by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) with growing incidence affecting human and animal health worldwide. Data and perspectives were collected from different countries and regions worldwide, including America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The results updated the current situation with ticks and TBD and how it is perceived by society with information bias and gaps. The study reinforces the importance of multidisciplinary and international collaborations to advance in the surveillance, communication and proposed future directions to address these challenges