An Interacting Dark Energy Model for the Expansion History of the Universe

We explore a model of interacting dark energy where the dark energy density is related by the holographic principle to the Hubble parameter, and the decay of the dark energy into matter occurs at a rate comparable to the current value of the Hubble parameter. We find this gives a good fit to the observational data supporting an accelerating Universe, and the model represents a possible alternative interpretation of the expansion history of the Universe.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, Phys. Rev. D versio

Signals for Low Scale Gravity in the Process γγ→ZZ\gamma \gamma \to ZZ

We investigate the sensitivity of future photon-photon colliders to low scale gravity scenarios via the process $\gamma\gamma \to ZZ$ where the Kaluza-Klein boson exchange contributes only when the initial state photons have opposite helicity. We contrast this with the situation for the process $\gamma \gamma \to \gamma \gamma$ where the $t$ and $u$ channel also contribute. We include the one-loop Standard Model background whose interference with the graviton exchange determines the experimental reach in measuring any deviation from the Standard Model expectations and explore how polarization can be exploited to enhance the signal over background. We find that a 1 TeV linear collider has an experimental reach to mass scale of about 4 TeV in this channel.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figure

World views, joking and liberated women - some reflections on the application of kinship theory : inaugural lecture delivered at Rhodes University

Inaugural lecture delivered at Rhodes UniversityRhodes University Libraries (Digitisation

A Differential Overview of Self-Directed Low Back Exercise Programs

Patients with low back pain represent a large percentage of the population frequenting today\u27s clinics. Despite the high prevalence of low back pain in today\u27s clinical setting, it is considered one of the most difficult diagnoses to treat. While practitioners in the field of physical therapy employ a diversity of evaluation and treatment techniques, they all share one common denominator, the goal of limiting pain while improving function and quality of life. Many therapists subscribe to a treatment approach which involves the patient in active individualized self-treatment exercises. Controversy exists as to which treatment approach is most effective and whether an individual or eclectic approach to low back pain is most advantageous. The purpose of this study is to provide a differential overview of the principles, techniques and approach of three low back exercise programs most often used in today\u27s clinical setting. These include Dynamic Muscular Lumbar Stabilization, the McKenzie Method and Williams Exercises. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, a discussion of the intervetebral disk and lumbopelvic anatomy is presented followed by an in depth description of the clinical usefulness and rationale of each treatment approach. A conclusion as to the significant role that each respective program plays in today\u27s clinical environment is also made

Plant growth regulator herbicide symptoms in soybean

During the past few weeks, reports have been numerous of soybean plants with symptoms mimicking plant growth regulator (PGR) herbicide damage. Leaf cupping and malformation in soybean are not well understood; however, it seems that there are at least three circumstances that may lead to these symptoms: soybean plants are exposed to a plant PGR herbicide (e.g., 2,4-D and dicamba); application of a postemergence herbicide to soybean induces the response, and environmental conditions stimulate the symptoms

New products and significant label changes

The following is a brief description of new herbicide products or significant label changes. Failure to mention specific products is not intentional and does not imply that Iowa State University (ISU) does not recommend these products. Accent Gold is a four-active-ingredient (a.i.) product, containing nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron, flumetsulam, and clopyralid. The rates of nicosulfuron and rimsulfuron are the same as found in Basis Gold, but flumetsulam and clopyralid (the same active ingredients and ratio as found in Hornet) have been substituted for atrazine. The product is targeted for producers who like the concept of Basis Gold, but do not want to use atrazine

Effective management of postemergence programs

Total postemergence weed management programs are not new, but the introduction of herbicide- resistant crops has increased the interest in this strategy. The broad-spectrum activity and ability to kill large weeds with products such as Liberty, Lightning, Roundup, and others provide growers with greater flexibility in application timing than was previously available. This flexibility has raised questions whether one-pass, total postemergence programs are a reasonable weed management goal for corn and soybean production

Realistic expectations for herbicides

Black cutworm is a pest of corn in Iowa, occasionally causing economic loss. Cooperators around Iowa assist Iowa State University integrated pest management staff in determining when black cutworm adults arrive from overwintering sites near the Gulf Coast. A network of pheromone traps shows that two major black cutworm flights occurred in Iowa this spring, the first on April 14 and the second on April 18-20. Both flights were reported across the entire state

Impaction of swallowed dentures in the sigmoid colon requiring sigmoid colectomy

INTRODUCTION: Foreign body (FB) ingestion results in perforation in 1% of cases and is associated with significant morbidity and rarely mortality. Clinical presentation is variable and can present a diagnostic challenge. We report our experience and management of a patient with a delayed presentation of a sigmoid colon foreign body as a result of ingestion of a dental plate. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 67 year old female attended the colorectal outpatient clinic following an incidental finding of a sigmoid mass on computed tomography (CT) abdomen. Further investigation identified a dental plate impacted in a thickened sigmoid colon. On further questioning the patient recalled losing her dentures three years previously. At surgery the dental plate had partially eroded through the sigmoid colon into the pelvic side wall. A sigmoid colectomy and hand sewn end-to-end colo-colic anastomosis was performed. DISCUSSION: Localised perforation following ingestion of a foreign body may result in significant morbidity. Extra luminal migration and local inflammatory response resulted in the formation of a walled off collection. Delayed complications of perforation include abscess and fistula formation. CONCLUSION: Clinicians need to exhibit a high index of suspicion when treating edentulous patients and alcohol and drug abusers who present with an acute abdomen or a sub-acute presentation with associated atypical imaging and endoscopic findings. The decision regarding intervention and management strategy in cases of perforation by foreign body depends on chronicity of the case, extent of localised or diffuse peritonitis, and size of the lesion or area of bowel involved. (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of IJS Publishing Group Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license