Dark Matter Halo Structure in CDM Hydrodynamical Simulations

We have carried out a comparative analysis of the properties of dark matter halos in N-body and hydrodynamical simulations. We analyze their density profiles, shapes and kinematical properties with the aim of assessing the effects that hydrodynamical processes might produce on the evolution of the dark matter component. The simulations performed allow us to reproduce dark matter halos with high resolution, although the range of circular velocities is limited. We find that for halos with circular velocities of $[150-200] km s^{-1}$ at the virial radius, the presence of baryons affects the evolution of the dark matter component in the central region modifying the density profiles, shapes and velocity dispersions. We also analyze the rotation velocity curves of disk-like structures and compare them with observational results.Comment: 28 pages, 15 figures (figures 3ab sent by request), 2 tables. Accepted for publication MNRA

The impact of large core and late treatment trials: An update on the modelled annual thrombectomy eligibility of UK stroke patients

\ua9 European Stroke Organisation 2024.Introduction: To support decisions about thrombectomy provision, we have previously estimated the annual UK population eligible for treatment as ∼10% of stroke admissions. Since then, eight further randomised trials that could alter the eligibility rate have reported in 2021-23. We updated our estimates of the eligible population from these trials and other recent studies. Patients and methods: An updated decision tree describing the EVT eligible population for UK stroke admissions was produced. Decision criteria were derived from the highest level of evidence available. For nodes where no specific RCT data existed, evidence was obtained from the latest systematic review(s) or the highest quality observational data. Results: We estimate that 15,420 (approximately 15%) of admitted UK stroke patients are now eligible for thrombectomy, or 14,930 if advanced brain imaging using MRI/CT perfusion or collateral assessment were used in all patients. This is a 54% increase in our previous estimate in 2021. Over 50% of LAO strokes are now potentially eligible for thrombectomy. The increase in eligibility is principally due to a much larger cohort of later presenting and/or larger ischaemic core patients. Conclusion: Most previously independent LAO stroke patients presenting within 24 h, even in the presence of a large ischaemic core on initial non-contrast CT, should be considered for thrombectomy with use of advanced brain imaging in those presenting beyond 12 h to identify salvageable penumbral brain tissue. Treatment in most patients remains critically time-dependent and our estimates should be interpreted with this in mind

Genome scanning for identification of resistance gene analogs (RGAs) in a highly durable blast resistance rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar, Moroberekan

Disease resistance in plants is a desirable economic trait. Many disease resistance genes from various plants have been cloned so far. The gene products of some of these can be distinguished by the presence of an N terminal nucleotide binding site and a C-terminal stretch of leucine-rich repeats. Oligonucleotides already designed from sequence motifs conserved between resistance N genes of tobacco and RPS2 of Arabidopsis thaliana were used as PCR primers (AS1/S2) to scan the rice blast disease resistant moroberekan genomic DNA. The primer pairs RL, CL and tobacco N gene which were used based on leucine-rich repeat regions of genes RPS2 in Arabidopsis, Cf9 of tomato against Cladosporium fulvum and N gene of tobacco confers resistance to the viral pathogen, tobacco mosaic virus respectively. The fragment amplified by the primer AS1/S2 was cloned and sequenced. The PCR products for the other three primers were sequenced directly. Homology search of the resultant nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences with the reported sequences available in public data bases of NCBI BLASTn and PSI blast indicated the presence of resistance protein-like gene in BRGA-1(blast resistant gene analogue-1), putative retro-elements and putative retro-transposons proteins in BRGA-2, mitochondrial DNA in BRGA-3 and NBS-LRR type resistance protein and NB-ARC domain containing expressed protein of Oryza sativa in BRGA-4.Key words: Disease resistance, Magnaporthe grisea, leucine-rich repeats (LRR), Nucleotide-binding site (NBS), retrotransposon, rice blast disease, Oryza sativa L

Influence of mine drainage on water quality along River Nyaba in Enugu South-Eastern Nigeria

Major and Trace elements concentration were measured in water samples collected in and around Okpara coal mine in Enugu southeastern Nigeria to investigate the influence of mine drainage on the quality of water. The cations and trace elements were determined by ICP- MS while the anions were measured by spectrophotometer and titration methods. Field parameters such as pH, temperature and conductivity were determined in the field using standard equipment. The results show that the water is acidic to moderately acidic (pH 2.84 to 6.69) with pH increasing along the flow direction. The mean values of pH (4.66 (dry), 4.22 (wet), Color (334.34 TCU (dry), 153.11 TCU (wet) and turbidity (53,67 NTU (dry), 17.43 NTU (wet) as well as iron (6.35 mg/L(dry), 5.14 mg/L(wet), aluminum(1.14 mg/L(dry), 4.30 mg/L(wet), manganese (1.43 mg/L(dry), 5.36 mg/L (wet) and nickel, 0.053 mg/L (wet) recorded in the dry and wet seasons are above levels recommended by WHO for drinking water and other domestic purposes. Mean levels of fluoride (5.4 mg/L) with ranged of 0.00 to 45 mg/L, potassium (12 mg/L) with ranged of 1.17 to 27.85 mg/L and nickel (53.10 ìg/L) with ranged of 1.50 to 309.30 ìg/L, as well as maximum levels of chromium (100 ìg/L) with ranged of 0.05 to 100 ìg/L , chloride(400 mg/L) with ranged of 40 to 400 mg/L, nitrate(1012 mg/L) with ranged of 158 to 1012 mg/L and sulphate (517 mg/L) with ranged of 10 to 512 mg/L obtained in the wet season are above the WHO maximum permissible level. Generally, the levels of the elements decrease with distance away from the mine waste except for nitrate and fluoride. Thus the quality of the water is most probably influenced by acidic mine drainage and it impact on human health and the environment could be severe. Microbial assessment and element speciation are recommended for further quality assessment in the study area

Applications of Polynomial Algebras to Deformed Oscillator

The polynomial algebra is a deformed SU(2) algebra. Here, we use polynomial algebra as a method to solve a series of deformed oscillators. Meanwhile, we find a series of physics systems corresponding with polynomial algebra with different maximal order.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure

A Retrospective Study of Rabies Cases Reported at Vom Christian Hospital, Plateau State, Nigeria, 2006 – 2010

Rabies is a zoonosis of public health importance in Nigeria. Exposure to bites of rabid dogs is the cause of over 99% of human cases of rabies worldwide. Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a vital aspect of clinical rabies prevention in humans The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of rabies disclosure among dogbite victims (DBVs) and their compliance with a PEP regimen. We reviewed patient records of DBVs who were treated at the Vom Christian Hospital, Plateau State, from 2006 – 2010, obtained information on patient demographics and rabies status of implicated dogs from patients' hospital records. A trend of reported rabid dog bites in children was determined. We assessed compliance of DBVs with the recommended dosage regimen for PEP which is local wound treatment followed by vaccine therapy on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 30. Over the five-year period, 713 DBVs were reported; 377(52.9%) were children <15 years, 404(56.7%) were males and 299 (41.9%) were bitten by laboratory-confirmed rabid dogs.Rabid dog-bites among children increased exponentially from 2007(6/1,000,000) to 2009(41/1,000,000) with a steep decline in 2010 (24/1,000,000). Of all DBVs, 677 (95%) first sought veterinary care. Of all implicated dogs, 305(42.8%) were tested and 299 (98.0%) were positive for rabies. Nearly all (99.6%) DBVs were treated using human diploidcell rabies vaccine, while only 49.1% completed the recommended doses. Of the 299 DBVs bitten by rabies-positive dogs, 59.2% completed the regimen and were likely to be PEP compliant than those bitten by untested dogs (p<0.01). No mortalities among DBVs were reported to the hospital. Rabies in dogs is a serious public health problem in Plateau State, in which children constitute the highest proportion of rabid DBVs reported. We recommend joint sensitization of physicians and veterinarians about the need for detailed DBV and animal information for rabies management.Keywords: Rabies, Dog bite victims, Post Exposure Prophylaxis, NigeriaNigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:32 (4) 366-37

Influences of the bark economics spectrum and positive termite feedback on bark and xylem decomposition

The plant economics spectrum integrates trade-offs and covariation in resource economic traits of different plant organs and their consequences for pivotal ecosystem processes, such as decomposition. However, in this concept stems are often considered as one unit ignoring the important functional differences between wood (xylem) and bark. These differences may not only affect the performance of woody plants during their lifetime, but may also have important “afterlife effects.” Specifically, bark quality may strongly affect deadwood decomposition of different woody species. We hypothesized that (1) bark quality strongly influences bark decomposability to microbial decomposers, and possibly amplifies the interspecific variation in decomposition by invertebrate consumption, especially termites; and (2) bark decomposition has secondary effects on xylem mass loss by providing access to decomposers including invertebrates such as termites. We tested these hypotheses across 34 subtropical woody species representing five common plant functional types, by conducting an in situ deadwood decomposition experiment over 12-month in two sites in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in China. We employed visual examination and surface density measurement to quantify termite consumption to both bark and the underlying xylem, respectively. Using principal component analysis, we synthesized seven bark traits to provide the first empirical evidence for a bark economics spectrum (BES), with high BES values (i.e., bark thickness, nitrogen, phosphorus, and cellulose contents) indicating a resource acquisitive strategy and low BES values (i.e., carbon, lignin, and dry matter contents) indicating a resource conservative strategy. The BES affected interspecific variation in bark mass loss and this relationship was strongly amplified by termites. The BES also explained nearly half of the interspecific variation in termite consumption to xylem, making it an important contributor to deadwood decomposition overall. Moreover, the above across-species relationships manifested also within plant functional types, highlighting the value of using continuous variation in bark traits rather than categorical plant functional types in carbon cycle modeling. Our findings demonstrate the potent role of the BES in influencing deadwood decomposition including positive invertebrate feedback thereon in warm-climate forests, with implications for the role of bark quality in carbon cycling in other woody biomes

Electronic Properties of Boron and Nitrogen doped graphene: A first principles study

Effect of doping of graphene either by Boron (B), Nitrogen (N) or co-doped by B and N is studied using density functional theory. Our extensive band structure and density of states calculations indicate that upon doping by N (electron doping), the Dirac point in the graphene band structure shifts below the Fermi level and an energy gap appears at the high symmetric K-point. On the other hand, by B (hole doping), the Dirac point shifts above the Fermi level and a gap appears. Upon co-doping of graphene by B and N, the energy gap between valence and conduction bands appears at Fermi level and the system behaves as narrow gap semiconductor. Obtained results are found to be in well agreement with available experimental findings.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, submitted to J. Nanopart. Re

Is the biology of breast cancer changing? A study of hormone receptor status 1984-1986 and 1996-1997

Using archived tumours, those from 1984-1986 and 1996-1997 underwent immunohistochemistry for hormone receptors and grade analysis. A significant shift towards more ER-positive and low-grade disease was found; this appears to reflect screening practices, but could still influence survival