ULF power fluctuations in the solar-wind parameters and their relationship with the relativistic electron flux at the geosynchronous orbit

We focused the attention on the Pc5 geomagnetic pulsations in response to the solar wind forcing and their relationship with the relativistic electron flux at geostationary orbit. We present here the results of a correlation analysis between the Pc5 power in the magnetosphere and on the ground, at low and high latitude, and the solar-wind speed and fluctuation power of the interplanetary magnetic field and solar-wind dynamic pressure through the years 2006 to 2010, also showing the relative timing between pulsations and solar-wind parameters. The Pc5 power appears significantly correlated with simultaneous solar-wind pressure fluctuations and with the solar-wind speed lagged by several hours. The relative amplitude of the two correlation peaks depends on the solar cycle phase and on the latitude. We also show a strong relationship between the Pc5 power and the > 600 keV and > 2MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit. Clear evidence emerges that the electron flux follows the Pc5 power by about 2 days; the time delay is a bit longer for the higher-energy electrons

A statistical analysis of Pc1–2 waves at a near-cusp station in Antarctica

Abstract A statistical study of Pc1–2 waves at southern polar latitudes is presented. Ultra-low frequency geomagnetic field measurements collected at the Italian station Mario Zucchelli (Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica, altitude-adjusted corrected geomagnetic latitude 80°S, MLT = UT − 8) from 2003 to 2010 corresponding with the declining phase of solar cycle 23 and the onset of the solar cycle 24 are used. The long data series allows us to analyze the solar cycle, seasonal and magnetic local time dependence and investigate the possible generation processes related to the solar wind–magnetosphere interaction. We found that during the day, Pc1–2 waves occur around local magnetic noon and midnight. Polarized waves show an almost linear polarization, suggesting a wave propagation along a meridional ionospheric waveguide, from the injection region up to the latitude of Terra Nova Bay. The origin of the waves appears to be due to substorm/stormrelated instabilities and, in the dayside, to solar wind compressions of the magnetopause. Based on these results, we propose a simple model to estimate Pc1–2 power variations depending on geomagnetic activity and solar wind density

Biochemical characterization of pink husked coconut types

Coconuts with various traits are available in different coconut growing countries. The pink husk is one such trait that has already been reported in coconut. There is a demand for tender nut water from pink husked types of coconut to treat hepatitis by traditional medicinal practitioners. Present studies were carried out to characterize pink husked types identified in Guam Tall variety of coconut. There were no morphological differences with respect to the nut characters between pink and non-pink husked types. Biochemical characterization of pink husked types revealed significantly higher total phenol content in the tender nut water of pink husked types than normal husked types. A significantly higher protein content of 86 mg 100 mL-1 was noted in pink husked type, compared to normal husked type with 58.7 mg 100 mL-1. Higher free radical scavenging activity based on DPPH assay with pink husked type was recorded with an IC50 value of 266.7 compared to normal type with an IC50 value of 358. Similarly, phosphomolybdate assay also revealed higher scavenging activity of pink husked type based on the IC50 value of 415.2 compared to 637.9 observed in normal husked type. Anthocyanin content of 25.98 mg 100g-1 fresh weight was noted in the exocarp of pink husked types, and it was negligible in normal husked type. These results justify the use of pink husked coconuts in various traditional medicines. There is tremendous potential for exploiting pink husked types of coconut in the pharmaceutical industry

Achievements in Mesoporous Bioactive Glasses for Biomedical Applications

Nowadays, mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) are envisaged as promising candidates in the field of bioceramics for bone tissue regeneration. This is ascribed to their singular chemical composition, structural and textural properties and easy-to-functionalize surface, giving rise to accelerated bioactive responses and capacity for local drug delivery. Since their discovery at the beginning of the 21st century, pioneering research efforts focused on the design and fabrication of MBGs with optimal compositional, textural and structural properties to elicit superior bioactive behavior. The current trends conceive MBGs as multitherapy systems for the treatment of bone-related pathologies, emphasizing the need of fine-tuning surface functionalization. Herein, we focus on the recent developments in MBGs for biomedical applications. First, the role of MBGs in the design and fabrication of three-dimensional scaffolds that fulfil the highly demanding requirements for bone tissue engineering is outlined. The different approaches for developing multifunctional MBGs are overviewed, including the incorporation of therapeutic ions in the glass composition and the surface functionalization with zwitterionic moieties to prevent bacterial adhesion. The bourgeoning scientific literature on MBGs as local delivery systems of diverse therapeutic cargoes (osteogenic/antiosteoporotic, angiogenic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antitumor agents) is addressed. Finally, the current challenges and future directions for the clinical translation of MBGs are discussed

Lead Modulates trans- and cis-Expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTLs) in Drosophila melanogaster Heads

Lead exposure has long been one of the most important topics in global public health because it is a potent developmental neurotoxin. Here, an eQTL analysis, which is the genome-wide association analysis of genetic variants with gene expression, was performed. In this analysis, the male heads of 79 Drosophila melanogaster inbred lines from Drosophila Synthetic Population Resource (DSPR) were treated with or without developmental exposure, from hatching to adults, to 250 μM lead acetate [Pb(C2H3O2)2]. The goal was to identify genomic intervals that influence the gene-expression response to lead. After detecting 1798 cis-eQTLs and performing an initial trans-eQTL analysis, we focused our analysis on lead-sensitive “trans-eQTL hotspots,” defined as genomic regions that are associated with a cluster of genes in a lead-dependent manner. We noticed that the genes associated with one of the 14 detected trans-eQTL hotspots, Chr 2L: 6,250,000 could be roughly divided into two groups based on their differential expression profile patterns and different categories of function. This trans-eQTL hotspot validates one identified in a previous study using different recombinant inbred lines. The expression of all the associated genes in the trans-eQTL hotspot was visualized with hierarchical clustering analysis. Besides the overall expression profile patterns, the heatmap displayed the segregation of differential parental genetic contributions. This suggested that trans-regulatory regions with different genetic contributions from the parental lines have significantly different expression changes after lead exposure. We believe this study confirms our earlier study, and provides important insights to unravel the genetic variation in lead susceptibility in Drosophila model

Comparison of Health Service Quality and Patient Satisfaction Based on Health Centers Accreditation Status in Jayapura Regency, Papua Province

Background: Enhancing community services provided by first-level health facilities, including health centers, through accrediting standards is aimed at enhancing service quality and patient safety while also protecting health resources, the community, and the environment. Nonetheless, it is believed that the unaccredited Health Centers would improve their accreditation status, and patient satisfaction is another determining factor that is measured. Objectives: The aim of the study was to find out the comparison of the quality of health services and patient satisfaction based on the accreditation status of the health center in Jayapura Regency, Papua Province. Methods: This type of research is descriptive quantitative with a cross sectional study approach. The population is patients in 2 accredited health centers and 2 non-accredited health centers with a total of 175 samples. Data obtained using a questionnaire and analyzed using chi square. This research was conducted at Harapan Health Center, Dosay Health Center, Waibhu Health Center, and Airu Health Center, Jayapura Regency. Result: The results of the study showed that there was a significant difference in the dimensions of service quality between accredited and non-accredited Health Centers based on reliability (p=0.012; RP 1.117 (95%CI: 1.032–1.209)), responsiveness (p=0.007; RP 1.132 (95%CI: 1.042–1.230)), and physical evidence (p=0.4; RP 1.165 (95%CI: 1.057–1284)). Meanwhile, factors that have no significant difference in the dimensions of service quality between accredited Health Centers and non-accredited Health Centers are based on empathy (p=0.059; RP 1.090 (95%CI: 1.008–1.179)), assurance (p=0.059 > 0.05), and patient satisfaction (p=0.497 > 0.05). &nbsp