Near- to mid-infrared spectroscopy of the heavily obscured AGN LEDA 1712304 with AKARI/IRC

Context. Although heavily obscured active galactic nuclei (AGNs) have been found by many observational studies, the properties of the surrounding dust are poorly understood. Using AKARI/IRC spectroscopy, we discover a new sample of a heavily obscured AGN in LEDA 1712304 which shows a deep spectral absorption feature due to silicate dust. Aims. We study the infrared (IR) spectral properties of circumnuclear silicate dust in LEDA 1712304. Methods. We perform IR spectral fitting, considering silicate dust properties such as composition, porosity, size and crystallinity. Spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting is also performed to the flux densities in the UV to sub-millimeter range to investigate the global spectral properties. Results. The best-fit model indicates 0.1 $\mu$m-sized porous amorphous olivine (${\rm Mg_{2x}Fe_{2-2x}SiO_4}$; $x=0.4$) with $4\%$ crystalline pyroxene. The optical depth is $\tau_{\rm sil}{\sim}2.3$, while the total IR luminosity and stellar mass are estimated to be $L_{\rm IR}=(5\pm1){\times}10^{10}\,L_{\odot}$ and $M_{\rm star}=(2.7\pm0.8){\times}10^{9}\,M_{\odot}$, respectively. In such low $L_{\rm IR}$ and $M_{\rm star}$ ranges, there are few galaxies which show that large ${\tau}_{\rm sil}$. Conclusions. The silicate dust in the AGN torus of LEDA 1712304 has properties notably similar to those in other AGNs as a whole, but slightly different in the wing shape of the absorption profile. The porosity of the silicate dust suggests dust coagulation or processing in the circumnuclear environments, while the crystallinity suggests that the silicate dust is relatively fresh.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Electromagnetic field in matter. Surface enhanced Raman scattering

The polarization and magnetization degrees of freedom are included in the general treatment of the electromagnetic field in matter, and their governing equations are given. Particular cases of solutions are discussed for polarizable, non-magnetic matter, including quasi-static fields, surface plasmons, propagation, zero-point fluctuations of the eigenmodes, especially for a semi-infinite homogeneous body (half-space). The van der Waals London-Casimir force acting between a neutral nano-particle and a half-space is computed and the response of this electromagnetically coupled system to an external field is given, with relevance for the surface enhanced Raman scattering

AKARI Detections of Hot Dust in Luminous Infrared Galaxies

We present a new sample of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) identified using the catalog of the AKARI Mid-infrared(MIR) All-Sky Survey. Our MIR search has an advantage in detecting AGNs that are obscured at optical wavelengths due to extinction. We first selected AKARI 9micron excess sources with F(9micron)/F(K_S)>2 where K_S magnitudes were taken from the Two Micron All Sky Survey. We then obtained follow-up near-infrared spectroscopy with the AKARI/IRC, to confirm that the excess is caused by hot dust. We also obtained optical spectroscopy with the Kast Double Spectrograph on the Shane 3-m telescope at Lick Observatory. On the basis of on these observations, we detected hot dust with a characteristic temperature of ~500K in two luminous infrared galaxies. The hot dust is suspected to be associated with AGNs that exhibit their nonstellar activity not in the optical, but in the near- and mid-infrared bands, i.e., they harbor buried AGNs. The host galaxy stellar masses of 4-6 x 10^9 M_sun are small compared with the hosts in optically-selected AGN populations. These objects were missed by previous surveys, demonstrating the power of the AKARI MIR All-Sky Survey to widen AGN searches to include more heavily obscured objects. The existence of multiple dusty star clusters with massive stars cannot be completely ruled out with our current data.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, to be published in Astronomy & Astrophysic

A systematic review of the cardiotoxicity of methadone

Methadone is one of the most popular synthetic opioids in the world with some favorable properties making it useful both in the treatment of moderate to severe pain and for opioid addiction. Increased use of methadone has resulted in an increased prevalence of its toxicity, one aspect of which is cardiotoxicity. In this paper, we review the effects of methadone on the heart as well as cardiac concerns in some special situations such as pregnancy and childhood. Methods: We searched for the terms methadone, toxicity, poisoning, cardiotoxicity, heart, dysrhythmia, arrhythmia, QT interval prolongation, torsade de pointes, and Electrocardiogram (ECG) in bibliographical databases including TUMS digital library, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. This review includes relevant articles published between 2000 and 2013. The main cardiac effects of methadone include prolongation of QT interval and torsade de pointes. Other effects include changes in QT dispersion, pathological U waves, Taku-Tsubo syndrome (stress cardiomyopathy), Brugada-like syndrome, and coronary artery diseases. The aim of this paper is to inform physicians and health care staff about these adverse effects. Effectiveness of methadone in the treatment of pain and addiction should be weighed against these adverse effects and physicians should consider the ways to lessen such undesirable effects. This article presents some recommendations to prevent heart toxicity in methadone users

Profile of major and emerging mycotoxins in sesame and soybean grains in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

The spectrum of major and emerging mycotoxins in sesame and soybean grains from the six zones of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria was determined using Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 47 samples (24 sesame and 23 soybean were collected from farmers’ stores. Seven regulated mycotoxins in sesame and five in soybean including aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) were detected. However, concentrations were generally lower than regulatory limits set in the EU for raw grains with the exception of ochratoxin A (OTA) exhibiting a maximum concentration level of 23.1 µg kg-1 in one of the soybean samples. This is the first report concerning the contamination of sesame and soybean in Abuja, FCT-Nigeria with the emerging mycotoxins addressed by recent European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion papers totalling 10 in number. These include beauvericin (BEA), moniliformin (MON), sterigmatocystin (STE), altertoxin-I (ATX-I), alternariol (AOH), alternariol methylether (AME) though at relatively low µg kg-1 range. This preliminary data indicate that sesame and soybean might be relatively safe commodities in view of the profile of mycotoxins. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.130718

Emotional Burnout: Prevalence Rate and Symptoms in Different Socio-Professional Groups

Objective: The relevance of the subject matter is connected with the emotional burnout and its long-lasting negative consequences for both the individual and society becoming commonplace. Background: The paper covers the psychological reconstruction of the concept of "burnout" in terms of its implicit understanding and differentiated diagnosis. Method: The consolidated empirical data on the commonness of burnout among various categories of employees obtained using the MBI questionnaire. The descriptive statistics were presented for nine different professional groups (total of 441 people) of different age, degree of personal responsibility and emotional involvement in their job - the frequency analysis of expressiveness of emotional burnout syndrome performed in the context of the procedural-dynamic model. Results: Results revealed that the symptoms of burnout are quantitatively and qualitatively vary in different occupational settings. Based on the content analysis of the data obtained through face-to-face psychological counselling of clients, a list of manifestations and experiences was developed, accompanying burnout complaints as a component of a difficult life situation: emotional and motivational-semantic sphere, life position, behavioural, and psychological and physiological aspects. Conclusion: Attention was drawn to the necessity of clarification of social-psychological norms and clinical signs, which reliably and differentially diagnose its symptoms (in contrast to fatigue, depression or normative age crises). The conclusions provide suggestions and solutions on the principles of psychological prevention and assistance (self-help) in situations of emotional burnout

Electromagnetic field in matter. Surface enhanced Raman scattering

The polarization and magnetization degrees of freedom are included in the general treatment of the electromagnetic field in matter, and their governing equations are given. Particular cases of solutions are discussed for polarizable, non-magnetic matter, including quasi-static fields, surface plasmons, propagation, zero-point fluctuations of the eigenmodes, especially for a semi-infinite homogeneous body (half-space). The van der Waals London-Casimir force acting between a neutral nano-particle and a half-space is computed and the response of this electromagnetically coupled system to an external field is given, with relevance for the surface enhanced Raman scattering

KUALITAS ORGANOLEPTIK DAGING SAPI YANG DIBERI PASTA LENGKUAS (Alpinia galanga L.) DENGAN LAMA SIMPAN YANG BERBEDA

Daging sapi merupakan pangan hewani yang bernilai gizi yang tinggi yang mudah rusak dan mengalami penurunan kualitas daging. Untuk mencegah hal tersebut diperlukan tindakan pengawetan, dengan cara penggunaan pengawet alami yakni lengkuas (Alpinia galanga L.) dan cara pendinginan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji kualitas organoleptik daging sapi yang diberi pasta lengkuas (Alpinia galanga L.) dengan lama simpan yang berbeda. Materi yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah daging sapi bagian tanjung dan rimpang lengkuas. Metode yang digunakan yaitu Rancangan Acak Lengkap pola faktorial dengan perlakuan 4 x 5 dan 2 kali ulangan. Faktor A adalah konsentrasi penggunaan pasta lengkuas (0%, 10%, 20%, dan 30%) dan faktor B adalah lama simpan daging yang berbeda (0, 2, 4, 6, dan 8 hari). Variabel penelitian meliputi warna, aroma, tekstur, cita rasa, dan keempukan. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis menggunakan SPSS 16.0 dan uji wilayah berganda Duncan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa interaksi antara lama simpan dengan pemberian pasta lengkuas pada daging sapi berpengaruh nyata (p0.05) terhadap warna, tekstur dan cita rasa. Lama simpan daging sapi yang diberi pasta lengkuas secara mandiri  berpengaruh nyata (p0.05) terhadap keempukan daging sapi. Perlakuan terbaik diperoleh pada daging sapi dengan pemberian pasta lengkuas 30% yang disimpan selama 4 hari.Kata Kunci: pasta lengkuas, daging sapi, organoleptik

Climate Change Issues in Nigeria: A Call For A Sustainable Policy in Agricultural Sector

Climate change has been reported to have been caused by human activities and its impacts on global economy and the citizen is devastating in nature. This paper aims to identify various ways through which farmers in the rural community contribute to climate change. This study intends to contribute to environmental sustainability and farmers’ adoption of cleaner agricultural production practices. This research adopted descriptive survey design type. The methodology includes the use of four stage sampling procedure to select 120 farmers from the study area. Interviewed schedule was used to collect data from the respondents, while the data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that majority (92.4%) engaged in bush burning, 96.7% were involved in deforestation,59 % engaged in soil nutrient depletion activitieswhile 92.4% engaged in drainage construction. All these activities contribute to global warming. Therefore, it is recommended that awareness campaign about the cause of climate change should be organized for the farmers in the zone,while policy should be formulated to encourage farmers to use climate smart agriculture in their production process in order to establish environmental sustainability. Key words: Climate change. Bush burning, Deforestation, Sustainability, Farmers activities Global warmin