Timescape cosmology with radiation fluid

The timescape cosmology represents a potentially viable alternative to the standard homogeneous cosmology, without the need for dark energy. Although average cosmic evolution in the timescape scenario only differs substantially from that of Friedmann-Lemaitre model at relatively late epochs when the contribution from the energy density of radiation is negligible, a full solution of the Buchert equations to incorporate radiation is necessary to smoothly match parameters to the epoch of photon decoupling and to obtain constraints from cosmic microwave background data. Here we extend the matter-dominated solution found in earlier work to include radiation, providing series solutions at early times and an efficient numerical integration strategy for generating the complete solution. The numerical solution is used to directly calculate the scale of the sound horizon at decoupling, and at the baryon drag epoch. The constraints on these scales from the Planck satellite data yield bounds on the timescape cosmological parameters, which are found to also agree with the best-fit values from a recent analysis of SDSS-II supernova data, while avoiding the problem of a primordial lithium-7 abundance anomaly.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figures; v2: small additions, accepted by Class. Quantum Gra

Analisis Konsumsi Energi Rumah Tangga Perkotaan Di Indonesia: Periode Tahun 2008 Dan 2011

Urban Household Energy Consumption Analysis in Indonesia: Period of 2008 and 2011The goal of the study is to analyze the pattern and the change of urban household energy consumption and their determinant factors in Indonesia period of 2008 and 2011 using SUSENAS data of household budget survey. The concept of energy ladder and fuel stacking (multi fuel) are used to make a model of household energy consumption. The result of study shows that total energy consumption was increase in the period of 2008 and 2011. Coefficient of income elasticity toward both of modern and traditional energy consumption are positive, it means that there is rising consumption of energy along with the rising income. Household income is the main determinant factor of energy used by household besides other non-economic factors

Collapsing dynamics of relativistic fluid in modified gravity admitting a conformal Killing vector

The collapsing dynamics of relativistic fluid are explored in $f(R)$ gravity in a detailed systematic manner for the non-static spherically symmetric spacetime satisfying the equation of the conformal Killing vector. With quasi-homologous condition and diminishing complexity factor condition, exact solutions for dissipative as well as for non-dissipative systems are found and the astrophysical applications of these exact solutions are discussed. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that $f(R)=R$, which is the extensive restriction of $f(R)$ gravity, prior solutions of the collapsing fluid in general relativity, can be retrieved.Comment: 26 pages, version accepted for publication in the European Physical Journal

Effectiveness of low to moderate physical exercise training on the level of low-density lipoproteins: a systematic review

Background. Regular exercise reduces risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) contributes to atherosclerosis formation, which is associated with an increased risk of CVD. The relationship between exercise therapy and lipid levels has been widely studied, but it is established that high-intensity exercise improves lipid profile. However, the effectiveness of low- to moderate-intensity exercise in altering LDL levels is controversial. This review aims to identify the current evidence and existing gaps in literature in this area. Methods. We searched and reviewed various randomized controlled clinical trials in the electronic databases EMBASE, CINAHL, the Web of Science, Cochrane, Pedro, Medline (PubMed), and Google Scholar using the keywords “low and moderate aerobic training,” “exercise”, “low-density lipoproteins,” “cholesterol,” “atherosclerosis,” and “coronary artery diseases markers.” We included studies that involved low- and/or moderate-intensity exercise training in apparently healthy adults over a period of 8 weeks and its effect on LDL levels. We selected a total of 11 studies from 469; nine were randomized controlled trials and two were systematic reviews. Results. Aerobic exercise of both low and moderate intensity resulted in a significant reduction of total cholesterol. Effects on low-density lipoprotein levels were significant, and most of the studies showed changes in the level without significant relation to the type of exercise. At the same time, exercise improved the health status and physical fitness of all the participants in the included studies. Conclusion. This study found that low- and moderate-intensity exercise and low-density lipoprotein levels were not proven to be significantly related, except in a few studies that were limited to dyslipidemia population

Antibacterial effect of Jordanian propolis and isolated flavonoids against human pathogenic bacteria

Propolis is a natural product widely consumed in folk medicine. The present study was carried out to investigate the antibacterial activity of Jordanian propolis, collected from two locations with two different dominant floras (Type1; Pine trees and Type ll; Oak trees). Zones of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined on methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), multidrug resistant Escherichia coli and standard strains of both bacteria. Propolis Type I and Type II showed antibacterial activity against MRSA (MIC 4.69 and 18.75 μg ml-1, respectively). Crude propolis from Type I showed higher antibacterial activity than Type II against the tested bacteria. Three pure phenolic compounds (three flavonoids) namely, pinobanksin-3-O-acetate, pinocemberin and chrysin, were isolated from fractions I-2 and I-4, and screened in vitro for antibacterial activity. Pinobanksin-3-O-acetate and pinocembrin exhibited antibacterial activity especially against MRSA, while chrysin was only active against standard S. aureus. This is the first report that shows in vitro antibacterial activity of isolated flavonoids from Jordanian propolis against standard and resistant strains of E. coli and MRSA. Overall, results of this study highlight the important role of propolis botanical source on the antibacterial activity of such natural material which might affect its medical applications.Keywords: Antibacterial activity, human pathogens, flavonoids, propolis, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coliAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(36), pp. 5966-5974, 6 September, 201

Effects of Yucca schidigera extract on the growth performance, feed efficiency, body composition of common carp (Cyprinus carpio, Linnaeus 1758) and culture water quality

One of the important goals in the aquaculture industry is to increase fish production with the least stress from ammonia secretion. Yucca plant (Yucca schidigera) was composed of steroidal saponins, polysaccharides, and polyphenols, which have increase the intestinal flora activity to improving the digestive process, also great absorption capacity for harmful volatile compounds, such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different Yucca schidigera extract levels on the Cyprinus carpio growth, feed performance, body composition and culture water quality for 60 days. Experimental treatments were designed which include: T1 (control without extracts), T2, T3 and T4 treatments (containing 0.5, 1 and 1.5% Yucca extract respectively). In a completely randomized design, 360 Common carp fish with weight of 2.40±0.04 g and length of 5.47±0.05 cm were reared in twelve 40-L plastic tanks. Different levels of extract were sprayed on commercial food and consumed at 4 times daily. There was significantly higher final body weights in T4 (p<0.05) compared with control (T1) and other experimental treatments (T2 and T3). Similarly, significantly better (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR), 2.01±0.37 and protein efficiency ratio (PER), 0.17±0.01 was noticed in T4 compared to control (FCR 2.71±0.31 and PER 0.14±0.01). The biochemical composition of carcass had a significant difference between treatments (p<0.05). The body chemical composition analysis showed that the low levels of crude protein and the high levels of crude lipids in T4 treatment were 62.87±2.63% and 26.29±1.55%, respectively. The physical and chemical parameters were within the recommended range for C.carpio. The experiment treatments had the lowest amount of ammonia and the highest amount of nitrate compared to the control treatment in culture water. The results of this experiment showed that the use of Yucca extract can improve the growth, feed performance, body composition and the water quality of the common carp culture system

High dose intravenous immunoglobulin in Rh and ABO hemolytic disease of Egyptian neonates

Background: Despite advances made in the use of phototherapy, and in order to avoid sequelae of kernicterus, the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia may require one or several exchange transfusions, an invasive therapy which is not without risk. Intravenous immune globulin treatment in isoimmune hyperbilirubinemia has been shown to be effective, but the response to treatment is variable. Objective: To evaluate effectiveness of high dose Intravenous immune globulin (HD-IVIG) in reducing the need for exchange transfusion, duration of phototherapy and/or hospitalization in neonates with isoimmune hemolytic disease due to Rh or ABO incompatibility. Methods: The study included 116 direct Coombs' test positive neonates delivered at Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital of Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. They were randomly assigned to receive phototherapy with HD-IVIG in a single dose of 1 gm/kg (60 neonates, intervention group) or phototherapy (56 neonates, control group). Results: Nine neonates in the intervention group (15%) and 23 (41%) in the control group required single exchange transfusion (p&lt; 0.001). Multiple exchange transfusion was indicated in 15 neonates (26.8%) in the control group versus none in the intervention group (p&lt; 0.001). Compared with control group, neonates in the intervention group had shorter mean duration of intensive phototherapy (9.97 versus 35.5 hours, p&lt;0.001) and hospital stay (27.9 versus 103.5 hours, p&lt; 0.001). No adverse effects of HD-IVIG administration were noted. Conclusion: HD-IVIG effectively reduced the requirement for exchange transfusion and duration of phototherapy and hospitalization in isoimmune hemolytic disease of the newborn.Keywords: Hemolytic disease of newborn; hyperbilirubinemia; exchange transfusion; high dose intravenous immunoglobulin