Heating and Cooling Dynamics of Carbon Nanotubes Observed by Temperature-Jump Spectroscopy and Electron Microscopy

Microscopy imaging indicates that in situ carbon nanotubes (CNTs) irradiation with relatively low dosages of infrared radiation results in significant heating of the tubes to temperatures above 1300 K. Ultrafast temperature-jump experiments reveal that CNTs laser-induced heating and subsequent cooling in solution take tens and hundreds of picoseconds, respectively. Given the reported transient behavior, these observations suggest novel ways for a T-jump methodology, unhindered by the requirement for excitation of water in the study of biological structures. They also provide the rate information needed for optimization of photothermal therapy that invokes infrared irradiation to selectively heat and annihilate cancer cells

A Pilot Study of Halal Goat-Meat Consumption in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is a relatively large market for goat meat. As in most metropolitan areas around the U.S., goat-meat consumption has grown steadily in Atlanta over the past decade (Northwest Cooperative Development Center 2005; Nettles and Bukenya 2004). This growth is attributed to the influx of immigrants from goat-meat-eating countries into the U.S. over the same period (Gipson 1999). The increase in demand for goat meat has made the U.S. a net importer of competitively priced goat meat from Australia and New Zealand into major U.S cities such as Atlanta (USDA-FAS 2006). The fact that goat-meat imports from Australia have steadily increased over the years makes markets such as Atlanta of particular interest to both Georgia goat-meat suppliers and meat-goat producers. The goat-meat market, however, is highly segmented (Nelson et al. 2004; Mclean-Meyinsse 2003). Recognition of the diversity among Atlanta goat-meat consumers raises interest in identifying preferences of particular segments. One such segment is the Muslim consumer. However, very limited information is available to help assess the preferences of Muslim consumers in the Atlanta goat-meat market. This study focuses on the Muslim segment of actual goat-meat consumers in the metro Atlanta area. Contrary to earlier assertions, we hypothesize that Muslims eat goat-meat for cultural reasons and not for religious reasons. Furthermore, we assert that Muslims are not a single homogenous niche group and should not be treated as such in marketing. Thus this study examines goat-meat consumption patterns among Muslims in metropolitan Atlanta. Insights gained in this study benefit meat-goat producers and consumers in Georgia.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Livestock Production/Industries,

Linear and Quadratic GUP, Liouville Theorem, Cosmological Constant, and Brick Wall Entropy

Motivated by the works on Equivalence Principle in the context of linear Generalized Uncertainty Principle and, independently, in the context of quadratic Generalized Uncertainty Principle, we expand these endeavors in the context of Generalized Uncertainty Principle when both linear and quadratic terms in momentum are include. We demonstrate how the definitions of equations of motion change upon that expansion. We also show how to obtain an analogue of Liouville theorem in the presence of linear and quadratic Generalized Uncertainty Principle. We employ the corresponding modified invariant unit volume of phase space to discuss the resulting density of states, the problem of cosmological constant, the black body radiation in curved spacetime, the concurrent energy and consequent no Brick Wall entropy.Comment: v1: 10 pages, RevTex, 7 figures; v2: references updated, one footnote added; v3: two footnotes and references added, no change in physics, to appear in EPJ

Investigating the evolution of apoptosis in malaria parasites: the importance of ecology

Apoptosis is a precisely regulated process of cell death which occurs widely in multicellular organisms and is essential for normal development and immune defences. In recent years, interest has grown in the occurrence of apoptosis in unicellular organisms. In particular, as apoptosis has been reported in a wide range of species, including protozoan malaria parasites and trypanosomes, it may provide a novel target for intervention. However, it is important to understand when and why parasites employ an apoptosis strategy before the likely long-and short-term success of such an intervention can be evaluated. The occurrence of apoptosis in unicellular parasites provides a challenge for evolutionary theory to explain as organisms are expected to have evolved to maximise their own proliferation, not death. One possible explanation is that protozoan parasites undergo apoptosis in order to gain a group benefit from controlling their density as this prevents premature vector mortality. However, experimental manipulations to examine the ultimate causes behind apoptosis in parasites are lacking. In this review, we focus on malaria parasites to outline how an evolutionary framework can help make predictions about the ecological circumstances under which apoptosis could evolve. We then highlight the ecological considerations that should be taken into account when designing evolutionary experiments involving markers of cell death, and we call for collaboration between researchers in different fields to identify and develop appropriate markers in reference to parasite ecology and to resolve debates on terminology.Host-parasite interactio

Maternal and fetal outcome of Placenta Previa at a tertiary centre in North Kerala, India

Background: Placenta previa is defined as placenta that is implanted somewhere in the lower uterine segment either over or very near the internal cervical os. Placenta previa and coexistent accrete syndromes contribute substantively to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology during the period from June 2016 to May 2017 including antenatal patients of 24 weeks of gestation regardless of their parity. They would be selected from the same O.P day as that of case in a 1:4 case: control manner. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16.0 for Windows.Results: Age, booking status, Gestational age at delivery and gravidity was comparable between the two groups. The risk for placenta praevia was more among patients with a previous history of CS. Risk for antepartum bleeding was significantly higher among cases of placenta praevia. CS rate and proportion of patients who required blood transfusion was significantly high among cases. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were significantly higher among cases. There was no significant difference in neonatal death rate and NICU admission rate between the two groups.Conclusions: Incidence of placenta previa is 0.78%. There is significant association with placenta previa and maternal morbidity, first trimester and second trimester bleeding increased blood transfusions, need for caesarean section, prolonged hospital stay, previous caesarean section, previous dilatation and curettage, placenta accreta, postoperative complications and NICU admission. Measures to reduce the primary caesarean section rate should be adopted