Emission of neutrino-antineutrino pairs by hadronic bremsstrahlung processes

We review our recent calculations of neutrino-antineutrino pair production from bremsstrahlung processes in hadronic collisions at temperature and densities relevant for core-collapse supernovae. We focus on neutron-neutron and neutron-alpha collisions.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, proceedings of the NN2015 conference, Catania, 21-26 June, 201

A STUDY ON EFFECT OF HYPOTHYROIDISM ON LIPID PROFILE

Design: Observational study design.Background: Hypothyroidism is the clinical syndrome and associated with slowing down the metabolic process in the body. Thyroid function significantly affects lipoprotein metabolism as well as some cardiovascular disease.Objectives: To assess the correlation between of thyroid functions and lipid abnormalities. .Methods: 20 Hypothyroidism patients were selected through convenience random sampling for the study. Blood sample was withdrawn from patients of hypothyroidism after overnight fasting and used for biochemical analysis.Results: Results of the study revealed that there was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum TSH, LDL, statistically significant negative correlation between serum TSH, and HDL.Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction can have an important effect on lipid profile. Therefore, patients presenting with dyslipidemia are recommended to be investigated for hypothyroidism.  Article visualizations

An Efficient and Robust Tuple Timestamp Hybrid Historical Relational Data Model

This paper proposes a novel, efficient and robust tuple time stamped hybrid historical relational model for dealing with temporal data. The primary goal of developing this model is to make it easier to manage historical data robustly with minimal space requirements and retrieve it more quickly and efficiently. The model's efficiency and results were revealed when it was applied to an employee database. The proposed model's performance in terms of query execution time and space requirements is compared to a single relational data model. The obtained results show that the proposed model is approximately 20% faster than the conventional single relational data model. Memory consumption results also show that the proposed model's memory cost at different frequencies is significantly reduced, which is approximately 30% less than the single relational data model for a set of queries. Because net cost is strongly related to query execution time and memory cost, the suggested model's net cost is also significantly reduced. The proposed tuple timestamp hybrid historical model acts as generic, accurate and robust model. It provides the same functionality as previous versions, as well as hybrid functionality of previously proposed models, with a significant improvement in query execution speed and memory usage. This model is effective and reliable for the use in a wide range of temporal database fields, including insurance, geographic information systems, stocks and finance (e.g. Finacle in Banking), data warehousing, scientific databases, legal case histories, and medical records

Razvoj tableta hidralazina s kontroliranim oslobađanjem za oralnu uporabu: Optimizacija oslobađanja ljekovite tvari i bioadhezivnih svojstava

The current study involves development of oral bioadhesive hydrophilic matrices of hydralazine hydrochloride, and optimization of their in vitro drug release profile and ex vivo bioadhesion against porcine gastric mucosa. A 32 central composite design was employed to systematically optimize the drug delivery formulations containing two polymers, viz., carbomer and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. Response surface plots were drawn and optimum formulations were selected by brute force searches. Validation of the formulation optimization study indicated a very high degree of prognostic ability. The study successfully undertook the development of an optimized once-a-day formulation of hydralazine with excellent bioadhesive and controlled release characteristics.Istraživanje uključuje razvoj bioadhezivnih hidrofilnih matriksa hidralazin hidroklorida za oralnu uporabu, optimizaciju oslobađanja ljekovite tvari in vitro i bioadhezivnih svojstava ex vivo na sluznici želuca svinje. 32 dizajniranje korišteno je za sistematsko optimiranje formulacija koje u sastavu imaju dva polimera, karbomer i hidroksipropilmetilcelulozu. Nacrtane su krivulje ovisnosti i grubo odabrane optimalne formulacije. Validacija optimiranih formulacija ukazuje vrlo visoki stupanj predvidljivosti. Razvijena je optimirana formulacija hidralazina koja se dozira jednom dnevno, a ima izvrsnu bioadhezivnost i sposobnosti kontroliranog oslobađanja

Expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, p-hydroxybenzoate-m-geranyltransferase and genes of phenylpropanoid pathway exhibits positive correlation with shikonins content in arnebia [Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnston]

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP) and <it>p</it>-hydroxybenzoate (PHB) are the basic precursors involved in shikonins biosynthesis. GPP is derived from mevalonate (MVA) and/or 2-<it>C</it>-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway(s), depending upon the metabolite and the plant system under consideration. PHB, however, is synthesized by only phenylpropanoid (PP) pathway. GPP and PHB are central moieties to yield shikonins through the synthesis of <it>m</it>-geranyl-<it>p</it>-hydroxybenzoate (GHB). Enzyme <it>p</it>-hydroxybenzoate-<it>m</it>-geranyltransferase (PGT) catalyses the coupling of GPP and PHB to yield GHB.</p> <p>The present research was carried out in shikonins yielding plant arnebia [<it>Arnebia euchroma </it>(Royle) Johnston], wherein no molecular work has been reported so far. The objective of the work was to identify the preferred GPP synthesizing pathway for shikonins biosynthesis, and to determine the regulatory genes involved in the biosynthesis of GPP, PHB and GHB.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A cell suspension culture-based, low and high shikonins production systems were developed to facilitate pathway identification and finding the regulatory gene. Studies with mevinolin and fosmidomycin, inhibitors of MVA and MEP pathway, respectively suggested MVA as a preferred route of GPP supply for shikonins biosynthesis in arnebia. Accordingly, genes of MVA pathway (eight genes), PP pathway (three genes), and GHB biosynthesis were cloned. Expression studies showed down-regulation of all the genes in response to mevinolin treatment, whereas gene expression was not influenced by fosmidomycin. Expression of all the twelve genes vis-à-vis shikonins content in low and high shikonins production system, over a period of twelve days at frequent intervals, identified critical genes of shikonins biosynthesis in arnebia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A positive correlation between shikonins content and expression of <it>3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase </it>(<it>AeHMGR</it>) and <it>AePGT </it>suggested critical role played by these genes in shikonins biosynthesis. Higher expression of genes of PP pathway was a general feature for higher shikonins biosynthesis.</p

Dual Action Additives for Jet A-1: Fuel Dehydrating Icing Inhibitors

© 2016 American Chemical Society. A novel approach for protecting jet fuel against the effects of water contamination based upon Fuel Dehydrating Icing Inhibitors (FDII) is presented. This dual-action strategy is predicated on the addition of a fuel-soluble water scavenger that undergoes a kinetically fast hydrolysis reaction with free water to produce a hydrophilic ice inhibitor, thereby further militating against the effects of water crystallization. Criteria for an optimum FDII were identified and then used to screen a range of potential water-scavenging agents, which led to a closer examination of systems based upon exo/endo-cyclic ketals and both endo- and exo-cyclic ortho esters. The ice inhibition properties of the subsequent products of the hydrolysis reaction in Jet A-1 were screened by differential scanning calorimetry. The hydrolysis products of 2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane demonstrate similar ice inhibition performance to DiEGME over a range of blend levels. The calorific values for the products of hydrolysis were also investigated, and it is clear that there would be a significant fuel saving on use of the additive over current fuel system icing inhibitors. Finally, three promising candidates, 2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, 2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxane, and 2-methoxy-2,4,5-trimethyl-1,3-dioxolane, were shown to effectively dehydrate Jet A-1 at room temperature over a 2 h period

Exposure to prescription opioid analgesics in utero and risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome: population based cohort study

Objective: To provide absolute and relative risk estimates of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) based on duration and timing of prescription opioid use during pregnancy in the presence or absence of additional NAS risk factors of history of opioid misuse or dependence, misuse of other substances, non-opioid psychotropic drug use, and smoking. Design: Observational cohort study. Setting: Medicaid data from 46 US states. Participants: Pregnant women filling at least one prescription for an opioid analgesic at any time during pregnancy for whom opioid exposure characteristics including duration of therapy: short term (<30 days) or long term (≥30 days); timing of use: early use (only in the first two trimesters) or late use (extending into the third trimester); and cumulative dose (in morphine equivalent milligrams) were assessed. Main outcome measure Diagnosis of NAS in liveborn infants. Results: 1705 cases of NAS were identified among 290 605 pregnant women filling opioid prescriptions, corresponding to an absolute risk of 5.9 per 1000 deliveries (95% confidence interval 5.6 to 6.2). Long term opioid use during pregnancy resulted in higher absolute risk of NAS per 1000 deliveries in the presence of additional risk factors of known opioid misuse (220.2 (200.8 to 241.0)), alcohol or other drug misuse (30.8 (26.1 to 36.0)), exposure to other psychotropic medications (13.1 (10.6 to 16.1)), and smoking (6.6 (4.3 to 9.6)) than in the absence of any of these risk factors (4.2 (3.3 to 5.4)). The corresponding risk estimates for short term use were 192.0 (175.8 to 209.3), 7.0 (6.0 to 8.2), 2.0 (1.5 to 2.6), 1.5 (1.0 to 2.0), and 0.7 (0.6 to 0.8) per 1000 deliveries, respectively. In propensity score matched analyses, long term prescription opioid use compared with short term use and late use compared with early use in pregnancy demonstrated greater risk of NAS (risk ratios 2.05 (95% confidence interval 1.81 to 2.33) and 1.24 (1.12 to 1.38), respectively). Conclusions: Use of prescription opioids during pregnancy is associated with a low absolute risk of NAS in the absence of additional risk factors. Long term use compared with short term use and late use compared with early use of prescription opioids are associated with increased NAS risk independent of additional risk factors

City Know-How

Human health and planetary health are influenced by city lifestyles, city leadership, and city development. For both, worrying trends are leading to increasing concern and it is imperative that human health and environmental impacts become core foci in urban policy. Changing trajectory will require concerted action; the journal Cities & Health is dedicated to supporting the flow of knowledge, in all directions, to help make this happen. We wish to foster communication between researchers, practitioners, policy-makers, communities, and decision-makers in cities. This is the purpose of the City Know-how section of the journal. ‘Research for city practice’ disseminates lessons from research by explaining key messages for city leaders, communities, and the professions involved in city policy and practice. ‘City shorts’ provide glimpses of what is being attempted or achieved ‘on the ground’ and ’case studies’ are where you will find evaluations of interventions. Last, ‘Commentary and debate’ extends conversations we are having to develop and mobilize much needed new thinking. Join in these conversations. In order to strengthen the community of interest, we would like to include many and varied voices, including those from younger practitioners and researchers who are supporting health and health equity in everyday urban lives

The development of HISPEC for Keck and MODHIS for TMT: science cases and predicted sensitivities

HISPEC is a new, high-resolution near-infrared spectrograph being designed for the W.M. Keck II telescope. By offering single-shot, R=100,000 between 0.98 - 2.5 um, HISPEC will enable spectroscopy of transiting and non-transiting exoplanets in close orbits, direct high-contrast detection and spectroscopy of spatially separated substellar companions, and exoplanet dynamical mass and orbit measurements using precision radial velocity monitoring calibrated with a suite of state-of-the-art absolute and relative wavelength references. MODHIS is the counterpart to HISPEC for the Thirty Meter Telescope and is being developed in parallel with similar scientific goals. In this proceeding, we provide a brief overview of the current design of both instruments, and the requirements for the two spectrographs as guided by the scientific goals for each. We then outline the current science case for HISPEC and MODHIS, with focuses on the science enabled for exoplanet discovery and characterization. We also provide updated sensitivity curves for both instruments, in terms of both signal-to-noise ratio and predicted radial velocity precision.Comment: 25 pages, 9 figures. To appear in the Proceedings of SPIE: Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets XI, vol. 12680 (2023