The General Primordial Cosmic Perturbation

We consider the most general primordial cosmological perturbation in a universe filled with photons, baryons, neutrinos, and a hypothetical cold dark matter (CDM) component within the framework of linearized perturbation theory. We give a careful discussion of the different allowed modes, distinguishing modes which are regular at early times, singular at early times, or pure gauge. As well as the familiar growing and decaying adiabatic modes and the baryonic and CDM isocurvature modes we identify two {\it neutrino isocurvature} modes which do not seem to have been discussed before. In the first, the ratio of neutrinos to photons varies spatially but the net density perturbation vanishes. In the second the photon-baryon plasma and the neutrino fluid have a spatially varying relative bulk velocity, balanced so that the net momentum density vanishes. Possible mechanisms which could generate the two neutrino isocurvature modes are discussed. If one allows the most general regular primordial perturbation, all quadratic correlators of observables such as the microwave background anisotropy and matter perturbations are completely determined by a $5\times 5,$ real, symmetric matrix-valued function of co-moving wavenumber. In a companion paper we examine prospects for detecting or constraining the amplitudes of the most general allowed regular perturbations using present and future CMB data.Comment: 18 pages, 2 Postscript figures, uses revtex. Revised 2-2000 Minor errors corrected and some references adde

Constraining Isocurvature Perturbations with CMB Polarization

The role of cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarisation data in constraining the presence of primordial isocurvature modes is examined. While the MAP satellite mission will be unable to simultaneously constrain isocurvature modes and cosmological parameters, the PLANCK mission will be able to set strong limits on the presence of isocurvature modes if it makes a precise measurement of the CMB polarisation sky. We find that if we allow for the possible presence of isocurvature modes, the recently obtained BOOMERANG measurement of the curvature of the universe fails. However, a comparably sensitive polarisation measurement on the same angular scales will permit a determination of the curvature of the universe without the prior assumption of adiabaticity.Comment: 4pages, Latex with four eps figures. (Revised 18 Dec 2000. Minor typos corrected

Screening for cervical cancer

No Abstract

Observing the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect Closer to Home

Hot gas trapped in a dark matter halo will produce a decrement in the surface brightness of the microwave background, the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect. While massive clusters produce the strongest central SZ decrements, we point out that a local galaxy halo, specifically the halo of M31, may be one of the brightest integrated SZ sources in the sky. For various realistic gas distributions consistent with current X-ray limits, we show that the integrated SZ decrement from M31 will be comparable to decrements already detected in more distant sources, provided its halo contains an appreciable quantity of hot gas. A measurement of this decrement would provide direct information on the mass, spatial distribution and thermodynamic state of hot gas in a low-mass halo, and could place important constraints on current models of galaxy formation. Detecting such an extended (~ 10 degree), low-amplitude signal will be challenging, but should be possible with all-sky SZ maps from satellite missions such as the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe or the Planck Surveyor.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures; submitted to MNRA

Inter-dimensional Degeneracies in van der Waals Clusters and Quantum Monte Carlo Computation of Rovibrational States

Quantum Monte Carlo estimates of the spectrum of rotationally invariant states of noble gas clusters suggest inter-dimensional degeneracy in $N-1$ and $N+1$ spacial dimensions. We derive this property by mapping the Schr\"odinger eigenvalue problem onto an eigenvalue equation in which $D$ appears as a continuous variable. We discuss implications for quantum Monte Carlo and dimensional scaling methods

Domestic abuse - an antenatal survey at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban

Objectives. To determine exposure to domestic violence by a partner or spouse among pregnant women attending a public sector hospital in Durban, South Africa.Design. Six hundred and four randomly chosen women from a low-income community were interviewed over a 6-month period using a standardised questionnaire.Results. Thirty-eight per cent had experienced domestic violence at some point in their lives. Physical abuse (52%) was the most common, and 35% had been abused during the current pregnancy.Conclusion. Domestic violence is common in pregnancy among women attending a public sector hospital

Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy of the Thoracic Spine in Combination with Stretch and Strengthening Exercises, in Improving Postural Kyphosis in Woman

Abstract: Purpose: This study serves to determine the effectiveness of either chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to the thoracic spine or stretch and strengthening exercises (stretching the pectoralis major muscle and strengthening the rhomboid, middle and inferior trapezius muscles) versus the combined treatment of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to the thoracic spine in conjunction with stretch and strengthening exercises. Method: A randomised study design with thirty female participants between the ages of twenty and thirty nine was selected. Group 1 (n= 10) received chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to the thoracic spine. Group 2 (n = 10) received chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to the thoracic spine as well as stretch and strengthening exercises i.e. stretching the pectoralis major muscles and strengthening the rhomboid, middle and inferior trapezius muscles. Group 3 (n = 10) received stretch and strengthening exercises. The stretch and strengthening exercises were performed in the consultation rooms to ensure that the participants were complying with the treatment and doing the exercises properly. The study consisted of seven consultations for group 1 (they received treatment once a week for six weeks) and for groups 2 and 3 there were nineteen consultations (they received three treatments a week for six weeks). Objective data was recorded at the beginning of the first, fourth and seventh consultations for group 1, and the first, tenth and nineteenth consultations for groups 2 and 3. On the seventh consultation (for group 1) and nineteenth consultation for groups 2 and 3, only data collection was done. Objective data were obtained by using the Flexicurve® Ruler measurements for the angle of kyphosis. Visual analysis was done by taking lateral (sagittal) view photographs at the beginning of the initial and final consultations..

The association between preoperative clinical risk factors and in-hospital strokes and death following carotid endarterectomy in South African patients

Background: Current surgical management of carotid artery disease includes carotid endarterectomy (CEA). In-hospital strokes and death following CEA might be associated with preinduction blood pressure (BP) measurements and other clinical risk factors.Method: The aim of our study was to determine whether or not there is an association between preinduction BP, other clinical risk factors, and in-hospital strokes or death following CEA in a cohort of South African patients. We collected data from medical records relating to clinical risk factors in patients, preinduction BP measurements, and in-hospital strokes and death, following CEA. The association between preinduction BP and clinical risk factors, and postoperative neurological morbidity and mortality, was analysed using univariate statistical methods.Results: Our cohort consisted of 76 patients who underwent CEA. Eight of these patients had in-hospital strokes or death following their surgery. An association between a history of hypertension or other clinical risk factors and an in-hospital stroke and death was not identified in these 76 CEA patients following univariate analysis. However, patients with preinduction BP within the lowest or highest quartile for preinduction BP were at a significantly increased risk of an in-hospital stroke and death following their surgery (p-value = 0.003). A subanalysis of patients who were hypertensive also showed this univariate association (p-value = 0.003).Conclusion: It is possible that extremes of preinduction BP might be associated with in-hospital strokes and death in CEA patients following their surgery, although further research is required to confirm this.Keywords: carotid endarterectomy, carotid stenosis, mortality, strokes, surger

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of adolescents in the South African private health sector: Lessons from the HPV demonstration project in KwaZulu-Natal

In South Africa (SA), >4 000 women die annually of cervical cancer, a disease caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Infections caused by certain genotypes of HPV increase the risk of cervical cancer. HIV-infected women in particular are more likely to have persistent HPV infection, with higher-risk genotypes. In SA, two vaccines (HPV quadrivalent (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) vaccine, recombinant (Gardasil) and HPV bivalent (types 16 and 18) vaccine, recombinant (Cervarix)) are currently registered for the prevention of HPV-related disease. In the past, there have been significant challenges to achieving high coverage and uptake of vaccination – contributory factors include cost and lack of awareness. An HPV demonstration project among schoolgirls in rural KwaZulu-Natal showed that high vaccine uptake is achievable. In 2014, the National Department of Health launched the national HPV vaccination programme among female learners attending public schools. Awareness of HPV vaccination among healthcare providers, education of parents, teachers and learners, and avoidance of missed opportunities for vaccination are vital to the success of the programme. Primary healthcare practitioners may play an important role in cervical cancer prevention by identifying and offering vaccination to girls who miss the opportunity to be vaccinated at school. HPV vaccination should be considered as one arm of a comprehensive programme of cervical cancer prevention and control