How and Why lslamophobia is tied to English Nationalism but not to Scottish Nationalism

Muslim minorities throughout Europe are under threat of collateral damage from the Blair/Bush \u27War on Terror.\u27 In Scotland they also have to cope with the added possibility that Scottish nationalism might develop an \u27ethnic\u27 as well as a \u27civic\u27 dimension. But is Scottish nationalism part of the problem or part of the solution? Paradoxically, Muslims are under less pressure in Scotland than in England, despite Scotland\u27s move over recent decades--psychologically as well as institutionally--towards nationalism

The Dynamics of Abell 2125

We present 371 galaxy velocities in the field of the very rich cluster Abell 2125 (z~0.25). These were determined using optical spectroscopy collected over several years from both the WIYN 3.5m telescope and NOAO Mayall 4m telescope. Prior studies at a variety of wavelengths (radio, optical, and X-ray) have indicated that A2125 is a likely cluster-cluster merger, a scenario which we are able to test using our large velocity database. We identified 224 cluster galaxies, which were subjected to a broad range of statistical tests using both positional and velocity information to evaluate the cluster dynamics and substructure. The tests confirmed the presence of substructures within the Abell 2125 system at high significance, demonstrating that A2125 is a complex dynamical system. Comparison of the test results with existing simulations strengthens the merger hypothesis, and provides clues about the merger geometry and stage. The merger model for the system can reconcile A2125's low X-ray temperature and luminosity with its apparently high richness, and might also explain A2125's high fraction of active galaxies identified in prior radio and optical studies.Comment: 34 pages, including tables and 3 color figures; to appear in Ap

Level density and level-spacing distributions of random, self-adjoint, non-Hermitian matrices

We investigate the level-density $\sigma(x)$ and level-spacing distribution $p(s)$ of random matrices $M=AF\neq M^{\dagger}$ where $F$ is a (diagonal) inner-product and $A$ is a random, real symmetric or complex Hermitian matrix with independent entries drawn from a probability distribution $q(x)$ with zero mean and finite higher moments. Although not Hermitian, the matrix $M$ is self-adjoint with respect to $F$ and thus has purely real eigenvalues. We find that the level density $\sigma_F(x)$ is independent of the underlying distribution $q(x)$, is solely characterized by $F$, and therefore generalizes Wigner's semicircle distribution $\sigma_W(x)$. We find that the level-spacing distributions $p(s)$ are independent of $q(x)$, are dependent upon the inner-product $F$ and whether $A$ is real or complex, and therefore generalize the Wigner's surmise for level spacing. Our results suggest $F$-dependent generalizations of the well-known Gaussian Orthogonal Ensemble (GOE) and Gaussian Unitary Ensemble (GUE) classes.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, revised tex

Relationship of soil dispersibility to infiltration and erosion of southeastern soils

Fifteen agricultural topsoils from Georgia were subjected to simulated rainfall at high intensity in runoff pan studies. Infiltration over time and total soil loss were not related to soil texture, but were correlated with each other. Both infiltration and soil loss were highly correlated with several measures of soil dispersibility. Dispersible clay measured after 36 h of shaking at an 8:1 water:soil ratio and a dispersible clay index weighting clay dispersion by time were significantly related to both soil loss (r = 0.88 to 0.89) and infiltration (r = -0.5 to -0.6). Dispersion expressions derived from plots of log (undispersed clay) versus time had lower correlation coefficients, as did dispersion variables that included both silt and clay. The high percentage of clay that is dispersible in these soils appears to seal water transmission pores and reduce infiltration, as observed in sodic soils. Therefore, dispersion may be a fundamental soil property to be considered in erosion prediction and control

Enabling large-scale ex vivo production of megakaryocytes and platelets from CD34+ cells using gas-permeable surfaces and microfluidic bioreactors

Patients suffering from acute or sustained thrombocytopenia require platelet transfusions, which are entirely donor-based and limited by challenges related to storage and fluctuating supply. Developing cell-culture technologies enables ex vivo and donor-independent platelet production. However, the ability to generate large numbers of platelets is limited by the challenges of (1) producing many megakaryocytes (Mks) from each input CD34+ cell and (2) efficiently generating platelet-like-particles (PLPs) from Mks. To address the first challenge, we evaluated Mk production from mobilized peripheral blood CD34+ cells cultured on a commercially available gas-permeable silicone membrane, which provides efficient gas exchange, and investigated the use of fed-batch media dilution schemes. Starting with a cell surface density of 4 x 104 CD34+ cells/cm2 (G4), culturing cells on the membrane for the first 5 days and employing media dilutions yielded 38 ± 25 Mks per input CD34+ cell by day 11 – a 2.2-fold increase compared to using standard tissue culture surfaces with full media exchanges. By day 7, G4 conditions generated 1.5-fold more CD34+ cells due to greater CD34 retention. Media dilution schemes for G4 and standard tissue culture surfaces improved culture viability, leading to a 3.6-fold increase in Mks produced per mL of media for G4 and 2.8-fold for tissue culture compared to controls. G4-Mks exhibited lower mean ploidy yet the number of high-ploidy Mks was equal to or greater than controls. Finally, G4-Mks produced proplatelets and PLPs that activated and aggregated upon stimulation. Further optimization is required to take full advantage of the gas-permeable system for Mk production. Additional studies would include refining surface densities, adjusting cytokine concentrations and initial media volumes and evaluating cord blood CD34+ cells. To address the second challenge, we applied computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to assess published microfluidic platelet bioreactors and used those results to develop an improved 7-μm slit bioreactor with well-defined flow patterns and uniform shear profiles (USRB-7µm). The slits mimic fenestrations in endothelial cells lining sinuses in the bone marrow through which Mks extend cytoplasmic projections, called proplatelets (proPLTs), that are sheared off (50-200 s-1) into platelets. In the USRB-7µm, a center channel flow pushes Mks into 7-μm slits, with shear rates of 5000 s-1. Two outside flows converge at the slits exerting near uniform shear rates (250-350 s-1) to fragment extending proPLTs, similar to the in vivo process. The USRB-7µm permits real-time visualization of proPLT formation and the rapid-release of individual platelet-like-particles (PLPs), which has been observed in vivo, but not previously reported for bioreactors. Collected PLPs exhibited characteristics similar to fresh blood platelets. Surprisingly, using only the center flow without the outside flows led to a 6-fold increase in PLP production. Based on this, we scaled-up the USRB-7µm using only a single flow to carry Mks into high-shear slit regions, mimicking in vivo observations of Mks being processed directly into platelets within the lung capillary bed (\u3e2600 s-1). The new lung-USRB retained uniform shear rates with a 93-fold capture area increase to allow more Mks to be processed into PLPs. The USRB-7µm and lung-USRB will be useful tools for the analysis of proPLT/PLP formation to further understanding of how to increase ex vivo platelet production. These results highlight distinct improvements in Mk cell-culture and demonstrate how new technologies and techniques are needed to enable clinically-relevant production of Mks for platelet generation and cell-based therapies

Consumer attitudes towards sustainability attributes on food labels

With current concerns about climate change and the general status of the environment, there is an increasing expectation that products have sustainability credentials, and that these can be verified. Labelling is a common method of communicating certain product attributes to consumers that may influence their choices. There are different types of labels with several functions. The aim of this study is to investigate consumers‟ purchase decisions towards certain sustainability claims on food products, particularly by displaying the reduction of carbon emissions. Choice outcomes will be evaluated using Discrete Choice Modelling (DCM). Data for the study is obtained by a web-based consumer survey undertaken in the United Kingdom (UK). Results provide information on different attributes effects on consumers‟ purchase decisions, particularly their willingness to pay. This study provides information on consumers‟ attitudes that will assist industries and firms to benefit from market opportunities, in particular assessing the methods by which carbon footprinting measures can be incorporated alongside information on other sustainability criteria in product marketing.food labeling, carbon footprint, discrete choice modeling, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Security and Poverty, Health Economics and Policy,