Structure and properties of neutron stars in the Relativistic Mean - Field Theory

Properties of rotating neutron stars with the use of relativistic mean-field theory are considered. The performed analysis of neutron star matter is based on the nonlinear Lgrangian density. The presence of nonlinear interaction of vector mesons modifies the density dependence of the rho field and influences bulk parameters of neutron stars. The observed quasi-periodic X-ray oscillations of low mass X-ray binaries can be used in order to constrain the equation of state of neutron star matter. Having assumed that the maximum frequency of the quasi periodic oscillations originates at the circular orbit it is possible to estimate masses and radii of neutron stars.Comment: 18 pages, latex2e, 10 colour eps figures, submitted to International Journal of Modern Physic

Molecular dynamics simulations of the evaporation of particle-laden droplets

We use molecular dynamics simulations to study the evaporation of particle-laden droplets on a heated surface. The droplets are composed of a Lennard-Jones fluid containing rigid particles which are spherical sections of an atomic lattice, and heating is controlled through the temperature of an atomistic substrate. We observe that sufficiently large (but still nano-sized) particle-laden drops exhibit contact line pinning, measure the outward fluid flow field which advects particle to the drop rim, and find that the structure of the resulting aggregate varies with inter-particle interactions. In addition, the profile of the evaporative fluid flux is measured with and without particles present, and is also found to be in qualitative agreement with earlier theory. The compatibility of simple nanoscale calculations and micron-scale experiments indicates that molecular simulation may be used to predict aggregate structure in evaporative growth processes

From cradle to grave: tracking socioeconomic inequalities in mortality in a cohort of 11 868 men and women born in Uppsala, Sweden, 1915-1929.

BACKGROUND: Ample evidence has shown that early-life social conditions are associated with mortality later in life. However, little attention has been given to the strength of these effects across specific age intervals from birth to old age. In this paper, we study the effect of the family's socioeconomic position and mother's marital status at birth on all-cause mortality at different age intervals in a Swedish cohort of 11 868 individuals followed across their lifespan. METHODS: Using the Uppsala Birth Cohort Multigenerational Study, we fitted Cox regression models to estimate age-varying HRs of all-cause mortality according to mother's marital status and family's socioeconomic position. RESULTS: Mother's marital status and family's socioeconomic position at birth were associated with higher mortality rates throughout life (HR 1.18 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.26) for unmarried mothers; 1.19 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.25) for low socioeconomic position). While the effect of family's socioeconomic position showed little variation across different age groups, the effect of marital status was stronger for infant mortality (HR 1.47 (95% CI 1.23 to 1.76); p=0.04 for heterogeneity). The results remained robust when early life and adult mediator variables were included. CONCLUSIONS: Family's socioeconomic position and mother's marital status involve different dimensions of social stratification with independent effects on mortality throughout life. Our findings support the importance of improving early-life conditions in order to enhance healthy ageing

Revitalization of selected brownfields in urban space of Skierniewice with particular emphasis on environmentally friendly elements.

Transformation of urban space is a result of constant changes, which can also lead to a deterioration of the state of such space. City revitalization programs allow for the release of brownfields from crisis situations and adapting them to the needs of local communities, with particular emphasis on environmentally friendly elements. The aim of the article was to present the concept of revitalization activities, proposed for introduction in the brownfield site, in the city of Skierniewice, currently used by Stal-Car. These activities include treatments that can result in the creation of urban public spaces with environmentally friendly elements.Przekształcenie przestrzeni miejskiej to efekt ciągłych przemian, które mogą prowadzić również do pogorszenia jej stanu. Programy rewitalizacji miast pozwalają na wyprowadzenie ze stanu kryzysowego m.in. terenów poprzemysłowych i dostosowanie ich do wymogów lokalnych społeczności, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem elementów przyjaznych środowisku. W artykule za cel przyjęto stworzenie koncepcji działań rewitalizacyjnych proponowanych do wprowadzenia na terenie poprzemysłowym w Skierniewicach, obecnie użytkowanym przez firmę Stal-Car. Działania te obejmują zabiegi, których następstwem może być powstanie miejskiej przestrzeni publicznej z elementami przyjaznymi środowisku

Vitamin A cassava in Nigeria: crop development and delivery

Biofortified vitamin A “yellow” cassava can help address the adverse health effects of vitamin A deficiency. By 2016, HarvestPlus and its partners had successfully developed and delivered vitamin A cassava varieties to more than one million farming households in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). HarvestPlus has established the proof of concept that vitamin A cassava varieties can be developed without compromising yield levels and that these varieties are widely accepted. The delivery program has shown that farmers are willing to grow vitamin A cassava varieties and consumers are willing to buy and eat vitamin A cassava products. This paper summarizes the country, nutritional and consumer background, the crop development and release of biofortified vitamin A cassava varieties in Nigeria, progress in monitoring and evaluation of results, and synthesizes lessons learned and future challenges.Keywords: Biofortification, Vitamin A Deficiency, Cassava, Vitamin A Cassava, Yellow Cassav

Development of university teachers’ professional vision of students’ prior knowledge during a short pedagogical training

To support university students’ learning, teaching should build on students’ prior knowledge. Therefore, teachers need skills to pay attention to students’ knowledge in teaching-learning situations. Teachers’ underlying conceptual knowledge affects the way they see and interpret situations in classrooms, which is called professional vision. This study examined university teachers’ (N = 53 from different faculties, current and future faculty) professional vision and misconceptions from the perspective of the role of prior knowledge in learning, when watching and interpreting short videos of teaching-learning situations at the start of and after a short pedagogical training. Additionally, participants’ conceptions, beliefs and approaches to teaching and learning were investigated with a questionnaire. The results show that before the training, there were differences between the teachers from different faculties, but after the training all the teachers scored better in their professional vision concerning prior knowledge. Prospective teachers’ professional vision developed even more than those of current faculty. Furthermore, more developed professional vision was related to more constructivist beliefs of learning. The results show that even short pedagogical interventions can improve teachers’ pedagogical vision. Pedagogical implications of the results are discussed.Peer reviewe

Evaluation of minimal fracture liaison service resource : costs and survival in secondary fracture prevention-a prospective one-year study in South-Finland

Background Fracture liaison service (FLS) is a secondary prevention model for identification of patients at risk for fragility fractures. Aims This study was conducted to evaluate the number and costs of secondary prevention of low-energy fractures in the city of Kouvola in Finland. Methods Women aged >= 45 years and men >= 60 years treated in the emergency department with a low-energy fracture were identified. Laboratory testing, BMI, and DXA scans were performed. Fracture Risk Assessment Tool was used. The direct FLS costs were calculated. Survival was analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis and the life-table method. Results 525 patients with 570 fractures were identified. The mean age of women was 73.8 years and of men 75.9 years. Most patients sustained wrist (31%), hip (21%) or proximal humerus (12%) fractures. 41.5% of the patients had osteoporosis according to DXA scans. 62% of patients used calcium and vitamin D daily and 38% started anti-osteoporotic medication. Protective factors for survival were: age <80 years, female sex, and S-25OHD concentration of 50-119 nmol/L. Excess mortality was highest among patients with a fracture of the femur. The total annual direct costs of FLS were 1.3% of the costs of all fractures. Discussion Many low-energy fracture types were associated with excess mortality. The use of anti-osteoporotic medication was not optimal. Conclusions FLS increased the catchment of low-energy fracture patients and was inexpensive. However, identification, evaluation and post-fracture assessment of patients should be expedited. Rehabilitation of hip fracture patients needs to be improved.Peer reviewe