Studying the Dynamical Properties of 20 Nearby Galaxy Clusters

Using SDSS-DR7, we construct a sample of 42382 galaxies with redshifts in the region of 20 galaxy clusters. Using two successive iterative methods, the adaptive kernel method and the spherical infall model, we obtained 3396 galaxies as members belonging to the studied sample. The 2D projected map for the distribution of the clusters members is introduced using the 2D adaptive kernel method to get the clusters centers. The cumulative surface number density profile for each cluster is fitted well with the generalized King model. The core radii of the clusters' sample are found to vary from 0.18 Mpc \mbox{h}^{-1} (A1459) to 0.47 Mpc \mbox{h}^{-1} (A2670) with mean value of 0.295 Mpc \mbox{h}^{-1}. The infall velocity profile is determined using two different models, Yahil approximation and Praton model. Yahil approximation is matched with the distribution of galaxies only in the outskirts (infall regions) of many clusters of the sample, while it is not matched with the distribution within the inner core of the clusters. Both Yahil approximation and Praton model are matched together in the infall region for about 9 clusters in the sample but they are completely unmatched for the clusters characterized by high central density. For these cluster, Yahil approximation is not matched with the distribution of galaxies, while Praton model can describe well the infall pattern of such clusters.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figure

Availability analysis of terrestrial free space optical (FSO) link using visibility data measured in tropical region

Haze and rain are the most impairments factors to free space optical (FSO) links. These weather conditions limit the visibility, and thereby causes high attenuation of the optical signal. This high attenuation reduces the availability performance of the FSO link. This study evaluates the performance of a terrestrial FSO link under tropical climate conditions. The performance analysis is evaluate over 5 km link distance. The cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the received signal to noise ratio (SNR) is used to study the outage performance of the FSO link under haze conditions. The performance analysis is based on three years measured visibility data in Malaysia. Based on the statistical analysis, link availability of 99.99% can be achieved for 37.44 dB SNR over 1 km link distance. Carrier class availability “five nine” can be achieved for 20 dBm transmission power using 1550 nm wavelength

Association of ABO Blood Group Antigens and Body Mass Index in Sudanese Students in Faculty Medicine of International University of Africa

Background: Many studies have supported a number of associations between ABO blood type and certain diseases, including pancreatic cancer, venous thromboembolism, and myocardial infarction in the presence of coronary atherosclerosis, sexual maturity, breast cancer, cancer, infections, Diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases ,hypertension, peptic ulcers, intelligence and socioeconomic class ,personality, suicide ,BMI and obesity . The ABO blood group is one such pivotal genetic determinant that can give valuable information for early detection of risk population. The present study aims to investigate and to reveal the relationship between ABO blood groups and body mass index (BMI) among Sudanese medical students Method: by using the cross –sectional study involve 105 medical students ,53 male ,52 female ,in a group of age 16 and 32 International Africa University (IUA),faculty of medicine. Weight, height for BMI and blood groups were determined in order to find any association between ABO blood group and BMI. Result: Blood group O+ was most prevalent 28.6 % followed by A+ 25.7 %, B+ 23.8 %, O- 8.6 %, AB+ 4.8, A- 4.8 %, B- 1.9 % and AB- 1. Obesity was insignificantly (p= 652) as in our study we did not observe any significant difference regarding the ABO blood group in relation to , BMI, and Rhesus blood group. The prevalence of overweight observed in this study is similar to that of a cross-sectional study conducted among sampled students in other studies. Conclusion: This study provides a ground for future research to confirm or refute the hypothesis of ABO type association with BMI V Abstract

Investigation of effect of glycation and denaturation on functional properties of cowpea proteins

There is increasing demand in the European Union for vegetable protein used in animal feed as well as for use in human foods such as preparation of culinary sauces, mayonnaise and baking. Millions of tons of soy proteins are imported into the European Union and the price is increasing annually. A market replacement share by a similar vegetable protein by a few percent represents tens of millions of euros. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is a well-established crop around the world and the production of this grain has been increasing in Africa. Yet the exploitation of the cowpea proteins as alternative to soy protein remains to be investigated. As with other grain legumes, cowpea has high protein quality due to its high levels of lysine which may be significant in balancing the deficiencies of this essential amino acid in cereal-based diets. The primary limitation to the improvement of cowpea proteins is the lack of information on the technology and characterisation of the cowpea protein isolate, in comparison with well-established soy protein isolate. More importantly, data on the evaluation of the functional properties of cowpea protein isolate and modification of the protein structure for enhancing the functional behaviours are lacking. Therefore, the major purpose of this study has been focused on the isolation and characterisation of cowpea proteins, as well as evaluation of the functional properties of the resultant products for appropriate food applications. The feasibility of glycation and/or denaturation in order to improve the functional properties of the proteins is also included. The first phase of the study optimised the extraction conditions of cowpea protein which resulted in 89% yield and 90% protein content reported here for the first time. Its physicochemical and functional properties were compared to that of commercial soy protein isolate (SPI) and whey protein concentrate (WPC 60). Compared to SPI, cowpea protein isolate (CPI) had similar viscosity and solubility, but lower water holding and fat absorption capacity, however the latter were comparable to that of WPC 60. The gelation properties of CPI under different conditions are reported here for the first time. The second phase of the study involved the thermal modification of cowpea protein isolate (CPI) in solution by a) denaturation and b) simultaneous denaturation and glycation with endogenous sugars and carbohydrates via the Maillard reaction. Changes in physicochemical and functional properties were determined and compared to that of SPI. Generally, glycated and denatured cowpea protein isolate (GCPI) exhibited better functional properties than denatured CPI and native CPI. GCPI showed improved solubility, emulsifying activity and stability, viscosity and foam stability whereas denatured cowpea protein isolate (DCPI) exhibited better water holding capacity, oil absorption capacity and gelation properties. The third phase of the project studied the application of cowpea flour, CPI and modified CPI in bread, mayonnaise and cakes. The fortification of bread with 5% cowpea flour produced comparable textural and sensory properties to the control. The protein isolate (CPI) could be incorporated in bread to 2% and GCPI up to 4% without adversely affecting the bread physical properties such as crumb hardness and sensory attributes. CPI could be incorporated in cakes to 20% while both DCPI and GCPI could be incorporated to 40%. In mayonnaise, replacement of egg yolk with 20%GCPI resulted in similar textural properties to the control, however sensory evaluation reported a beany flavour. The effect of cowpea protein on pasting behaviour of rice starch was investigated. The addition of GCPI had greater effect on pasting behaviour of rice starch than CPI

Mothers\u27 Health and Health Behaviors that Influence Childhod Obesity Maternal BMI and Infant Feeding Methods

The rate of childhood obesity in America continues to climb. Many medical experts believe that childhood obesity can develop as early as prenatal development in the uterus, and infancy. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships between mothers\u27 health and health behaviors (maternal BMI and infant feeding methods) and childhood obesity. We conducted and analyzed a sample of 307 mothers and their children (307) to examine each mother\u27s maternal BMI and her child or children\u27s BMI. We also examined mothers\u27 feeding methods (bottle vs. breastfeeding).The result of this research did not match with the review of literature. Due to small sample size and limited age of children (0-6 months) in the sample, results were not significant. This study will be an important educational tool for health professions to encourage mothers in regard to maintain maternal healthy weight and promoting breast-feeding

Clinical studies of oral epithelial dysplasia

This study has investigated a number of aspects of the clinical presentation, aetiology and management of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) in a large number of affected patients. The results reveal that the peak frequency for occurrence of OED is the 6th decade, a predilection for males was confirmed. The tongue, buccal mucosa and floor of mouth are the most common sites of involvement. Most OED is mild; carcinoma-in-situ is rare, the sites likely to have areas of severe dysplasia are the floor of mouth and lateral border of tongue. There is a positive association between heavy tobacco smoking, especially non-filter cigarettes and risk of OED, although the risk may decline following cessation of smoking. In non-smokers, consumption of alcohol is not a significant predictor of OED but there is interaction between alcohol and some aspects of tobacco smoking. The relative risk associated with tobacco smoking appeared to be highest for OED of the labial mucosa and floor of mouth in males and tongue and floor of mouth in females. While alcohol drinking is not a significant predictor of specific OED subsites in both males and females. OED may occur in nonusers of tobacco and alcohol, these patients tend to be older women presenting with erythroleukoplakic type lesions. There is a significant association between reduced serum folate, red blood cell folate and risk of OED. Infectious agents such as Candida albicans may have a slight significance in the aetiology of OED but infection with hepatitis C virus or Helicobacter pylori are not significantly associated with OED. Follow-up of these patients with OED suggest that 5.5% of patients develop oral squamous cell carcinoma while 10.3% develop a second dysplastic lesion and 17.5% develop recurrence. It is evident that dental practitioners have some knowledge and experience of oral malignancy and premalignancy but they may fail to recognise appropriate signs and symptoms of such disease, do not always provide appropriate preventive advice and may delay referral of patients to appropriate centres

Dental caries experience, oral health status and treatment needs of dental patients with autism

OBJECTIVES: Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder. The aims of this study were to investigate whether children with autism have higher caries prevalence, higher periodontal problems, or more treatment needs than children of a control group of non-autistic patients, and to provide baseline data to enable comparison and future planning of dental services to autistic children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 61 patients with autism aged 6-16 years (45 males and 16 females) attending Dubai and Sharjah Autism Centers were selected for the study. The control group consisted of 61 non-autistic patients chosen from relatives or friends of autistic patients in an attempt to have matched age, sex and socioeconomic status. Each patient received a complete oral and periodontal examination, assessment of caries prevalence, and caries severity. Other conditions assessed were dental plaque, gingivitis, restorations and treatment needs. Chi-square and Fisher's exact test of significance were used to compare groups. RESULTS: The autism group had a male-to-female ratio of 2.8:1. Compared to controls, children with autism had significantly higher decayed, missing or filled teeth than unaffected patients and significantly needed more restorative dental treatment. The restorative index (RI) and Met Need Index (MNI) for the autistic children were 0.02 and 0.3, respectively. The majority of the autistic children either having poor 59.0% (36/61) or fair 37.8% (23/61) oral hygiene compared with healthy control subjects. Likewise, 97.0% (59/61) of the autistic children had gingivitis. CONCLUSIONS: Children with autism exhibited a higher caries prevalence, poor oral hygiene and extensive unmet needs for dental treatment than non-autistic healthy control group. Thus oral health program that emphasizes prevention should be considered of particular importance for children and young people with autism