Dipole magnets above 20 tesla: Research needs for a path via high-temperature superconducting rebco conductors

To enable the physics research that continues to deepen our understanding of the Universe, future circular colliders will require a critical and unique instrument—magnets that can generate a dipole field of 20 T and above. However, today’s maturing magnet technology for low-temperature superconductors (Nb-Ti and Nb3 Sn) can lead to a maximum dipole field of around 16 T. High-temperature superconductors such as REBCO can, in principle, generate higher dipole fields but significant challenges exist for both conductor and magnet technology. To address these challenges, several critical research needs, including direct needs on instrumentation and measurements, are identified to push for the maximum dipole fields a REBCO accelerator magnet can generate. We discuss the research needs by reviewing the current results and outlining the perspectives for future technology development, followed by a brief update on the status of the technology development at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. We present a roadmap for the next decade to develop 20 T-class REBCO accelerator magnets as an enabling instrument for future energy-frontier accelerator complex

Prevalence of Antibiotic-Resistant Strains of Escherichia coli in Drinking Water Samples from Mowe Metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria

A measured Escherichia coli level in drinking water is perhaps the most popular means of determining human health risks globally. Water samples from wells, boreholes and sachet water, the 3 predominant sources of drinking water in the study area were evaluated for the presence of bacteria, particularly E coli. Bacteria isolation was done using standard microbiological procedures while identification of isolates was done using cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Enumeration of standard plate count was done by spread plate method on serially diluted water samples. The prevalence of E coli in the water samples and the activities of cefoxitin, fusidic acid, meticillin, penicillin and vancomycin against the E coli isolates and the susceptibility testing data were obtained using Kirby Bauer method. A total of six bacteria species Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes were isolated from water samples obtained from borehole, well and sachet water samples in the study area. The mean bacteria counts ranged between 3.74 x 104 to 1.65 x 102 CFU/ml for well and borehole water and 0.81 to 5.1 x 102 CFU/ml for sachet water samples. Out of the 6 E coli strains representing 27.2% of the isolated bacteria species; two, representing 33.3% of the strainsshowed moderate to high resistance against meticillin. These findings are expected to motivate public health stakeholders in the study location to attempt reducing the growing resistance of pathogenic bacteria in the environment, and their ecotoxic effects.Key words: antibiotic resistance, meticillin, water quality, E. coli Un niveau d'Escherichia coli mesurées dans l'eau potable est peut-être le moyen le plus populaire de la détermination des risques pour la santé humaine à l'échelle mondiale. Des échantillons d'eau de puits, de forages et de l'eau de sachet, les trois principales sources d’eau potable dans la zone d'étude ont été évalués pour la présence de bactéries, en particulier E. coli. L'isolement de bactéries a été effectué en utilisant des procédures microbiologiques standard tandis que l'identification des isolats a été effectuée à l'aide des caractéristiques culturelles, morphologiques et biochimiques. Énumération de nombre de plaque standard a été effectuée par la méthode de la plaque de propagation sur des échantillons d'eau dilués en série. La prévalence de E. coli dans les échantillons d'eau et les activités de la céfoxitine, l'acide fusidique, la méticilline, la pénicilline etde la vancomycine contre les isolats de E. coli et les données de tests de sensibilité ont été obtenus en utilisant la méthode de Kirby Bauer. Un total de six espèces de bactéries :Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus,  Enterobacter aerogenes ont été isolés à partir d'échantillons d'eau provenant de puits, de forage et des échantillons d'eau de sachet dans la zone d'étude. Les bactéries, les valeurs moyennes se situaient entre 3,74 x 104 à 1,65 x 102 UFC / ml pour le bien et l'eau de forage et de 0,81 à 5,1 x 102 UFC / ml pour les échantillons d'eau de sachet. Sur les 6 souches d'E.coli représentant 27,2% des espèces de bactéries isolées ; deux (33,3 %) des souches ont montré une résistance modéré à haute à la pénicilline. Ces résultats devraient inciter les intervenants en santé publique dans le lieu de l'étude de tenter de réduire la résistance croissante des bactéries  pathogènes dans l'environnement et leurs effets écotoxiques.Mots clés: Résistance aux antibiotiques, pénicilline, qualité l’eau, E. coli

Factors associated with adoption of indigenous biscuit processing technology by mothers of school-going children in Ogun State, Nigeria

Wheat is the conventional flour in biscuit manufacture. However, the use of wheat is not economical due to the fact that huge foreign reserve is used in its importation in Nigeria. In addition, wheat-based foods are associated with celiac disease, hence the use of non-wheat crops like tubers and legumes in biscuit processing is desirable. A previous study had developed a nutritionally improved biscuit from underutilized crops, such as sweet potato, cooking banana and pigeon pea. The present study examined factors associated with adoption of the indigenous biscuit processing technology using non-wheat flours by mothers of school going children in Ogun State, Nigeria. Amultistage sampling procedure was utilized to select 120 respondents from the list of 1,123 registered farmers in 10 extension blocks in Ogun State. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the socioeconomic characteristics of respondents. Respondents were taught the various stages of biscuit processing through demonstration. Knowledge about the various stages of biscuit processing was measured on a 5-point Likert Scale. The five points used were: extremely understood, moderately understood, somewhat understood, slightly understood and not understood. Level of adoption indicates the psychological stages that an individual passes through before making a final decision to use a particular innovation. Adoption Level was thus measured on Knowledge, Persuasions, Decision, Confirmation and Continuation decision. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance, Chi square, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Results revealed the mean age of respondents to be 40.35 } 10.33 years. Most respondents were traders, and the highest educational qualification was National Diploma (2.5%). The main sources of agricultural information were radio (64.2%) and extension agents (60%). There were high adoption rates in baking/production (87.7%) and flour blending (85.5%). Reasons for technology adoption were affordability (80.8%), availability of ingredients (81.7%) and relative advantage (80.8%). Adoption of technology was associated with age (r = 0.284, p < 0.05), quality of technology delivery (r = 0.267, p < 0.05), marital status (χ2 = 1.081, p < 0.05) and membership of association (χ2 = 12.055, p < 0.05). In conclusion, effective adoption of technology could be achieved among young married mothers

EFFECT OF ALUMINUM DROSS AND RICE HUSK ASH ON THERMAL AND MOULDING PROPERTIES OF SILICA SAND

Moulding properties of foundry sand should be controlled so as to minimize casting defects. Its thermal characteristics are vital in defining the solidification kinetics of a cast part,  evolving microstructure and mechanical properties. Modification of the thermal properties of the moulding sand mix is important in achieving desired structure and mechanical properties in the cast component. This study investigates the incorporation of 2-12 wt. % aluminium dross (AlDr) and 1-6 wt. % rice husk ash (RHA) in silica sand on moulding and thermal properties of the resulting sand mix. Results show that RHA significantly reduced thermal conductivity of the moulding sand from 1.631-1.141 W/m. K (a 30% reduction).However, AlDr increased its thermal conductivity from 1.631-1.787 W/m.K for 1-6 wt. % AlDr, which later dropped progressively from 1.753-1.540 W/m.K for 8-12 wt. %. The moisture content increased abruptly from 4.0-4.2 % for 6-8 wt. % AlDr addition but decreased from 4.0-2.8% for0-6 wt. % RHA addition in the moulding sand mix. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i3.1

Intruder Localization and Tracking Using Two Pyroelectric Infrared Sensors

In this paper, we introduce a method to estimate the range of an intruder and track its trajectory by utilizing the received signal strength of the heat flux for pyroelectric infrared (PIR) sensors. To this end, we first develop a mathematical model of the received heat flux signal strength and the corresponding PIR signal for a moving intruder. The algorithm uses only two PIR sensors and the geometry of the field of views (FOVs) to perform the estimation and tracking process without any knowledge of the intruder's parameters. The tracking algorithm shows remarkable performance in estimating the intruder's parameters. The intruder heat flux was accurately estimated even at large separation distances as was the intruder path angle. Finally, the intruder's location was also very accurately estimated with sub-meter error for large separation distances

Oxytocic and anti-implantation activities of the leaf extracts of Graptophyllum pictum (Linn.) Griff. (Acanthaceae)

This study was aimed at evaluating Graptophyllum pictum aqueous extract (GPAE) and ethanol extract (GPEE) in vitro for oxytocic and in vivo for anti-implantation activities. The oxytocic screening of the extracts was carried out on the isolated strip of gravid rat uterus in mid pregnancy and was compared with the activity of an agonist drug, oxytocin. GPEE exhibited oxytocic activity which is comparable to oxytocin while GPAE was found to reduce the normal contraction of the uterine strip. The antiimplantationinvestigation was done using three groups of eight week old virgin female Sprague-Dawley albino rats (eight rats/group). A selected dose (400 mg/kg) of GPEE was orally administered to a group of the rats. The same dose of GPAE was similarly administered to another group while the vehicle of administration (distilled water) was similarly administered to the third group as control. All administrations started on day one of pregnancy and were given daily for seven days. The rats were sacrificed on day 10 of pregnancy. Presence of foetus, implantation sites and number of corporal lutea in the autopsied rats were recorded and used to calculate the percentage anti-implantation effect. GPEE, GPAE and distilled water have percentage anti-implantation value of 93.8 ± 9.1, 16.8 ± 8.5 and 3.9± 5.4, respectively. The results support the use of this plant in folkloric medicine as a delivery aid and also suggest that the plant can be used very early in pregnancy as a contraceptive

Community awareness of bird flu and the practice of backyard poultry in a North-Central State of Nigeria

Introduction. The practice of backyard poultry is a very common practice in many homes in Nigeria. Birds raised at home are usually free ranged, which increases close contact between man and birds, thus increasing the risk of transmission of avian influenza virus to man. This study investigated the awareness of bird flu infection and identifies risk factors associated with the practice of backyard/free ranged poultry among the residents of a state in Northern Nigeria. Methods. This cross-sectional study was carried out in Kwara State using 130 wards selected through cluster sampling technique. Households in each ward were sampled through systematic random sampling technique using the primary health care house numbering register. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to generate relevant information through interview and 650 participants consented and were used for the study. Results. Most of the respondents 604 (92.9%) kept birds in their homes and one-third 204 (33.8%) of this group knew that infection from birds can be transmitted to man. However, less than a third186 (30.8%) of those who keep birds were aware of avian influenza (AI) infection. Out of the 186 respondents, 78 (41.9%) had experienced massive bird deaths in the preceding year prior to the interview. Less than half 81 (43.5%) were willing to report AI or massive deaths occurring in flocks of their birds to designated officers / authority. During outbreaks with massive deaths in birds some of the respondents sold infected live birds 45 (57.7%), few slaughtered and dressed the birds before sale 11 (14.1%), while some slaughtered and consumed the birds in their families 19 (24.4%). Conclusion. The practice of backyard poultry is very high with little knowledge and awareness of mechanism and risk of infection associated with it. This was also reflected in their attitude towards reporting of outbreaks in birds. Public awareness campaign and home visit by environmental and veterinary officers are important strategies that can prevent AI infection transmission among domestic birds and man

Oxidative stress among subjects with metabolic syndrome in Sokoto, North.Western Nigeria

Background: Oxidative stress is known to play a role in the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome and its components. Racial differences may exist in the level of markers of oxidative stress and antioxidants in patients with metabolic syndrome.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the oxidative stress and antioxidants status in subjects with metabolic syndrome in Sokoto, North.Western Nigeria.Methods: A cross.sectional community.based study was carried out. Two hundred subjects (96 males and 104 females) were recruited for the study using a multi.stage sampling technique. Demographic data were obtained from the participants. Evaluation of anthropometric variables, blood pressure, blood  glucose levels, lipid profiles, plasma insulin levels, total antioxidant status, and oxidative stress markers was performed.Results: The subjects with metabolic syndrome had significantly higher malondialdehyde as compared to those without metabolic syndrome (236.4 [92.2] vs. 184 [63.2] nmol/l). The antioxidant enzymes  (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) were significantly lower in subjects with metabolic syndrome than in those without metabolic syndrome (11.3 [4.2] vs. 13.9 [4.1] U/ml, 160[42] vs. 220[32] U/ml, and 2.12 [0.2] vs. 2.42 [0.2] U/ml, respectively). Similarly, the antioxidant Vitamins (A, C, and E) levels were significantly lower in subjects with metabolic syndrome than in those withoutmetabolic syndrome (7.1 [4.1] vs. 7.7 [4.2] µmol/L, 225 [55.3] vs. 227.6 [62.3] µmol/L, and 75.9 [13.9] vs. 82.8 [18.6] mg/dl, respectively). There was a positive correlation between components of metabolic syndrome and free radicals.Conclusion: Significantly increased oxidative stress and diminished antioxidant defenses were found among Nigerians with metabolic syndrome.Key words: Antioxidants, metabolic syndrome, oxidative stres

Is the Utility of the GLIM Criteria Used to Diagnose Malnutrition Suitable for Bicultural Populations? Findings from Life and Living in Advanced Age Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ).

OBJECTIVES: To investigate associations between nutrition risk (determined by SCREEN-II) and malnutrition (diagnosed by the GLIM criteria) with five-year mortality in Māori and non-Māori of advanced age. DESIGN: A longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Bay of Plenty and Lakes regions of New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: 255 Māori; 400 non-Māori octogenarians. MEASUREMENTS: All participants were screened for nutrition risk using the Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition (SCREEN-II). Those at high nutrition risk (SCREEN-II score 0.05) but was for non-Māori. This association remained significant after adjustment for other predictors of death (OR (95% CI); 0.50 (0.29, 0.86), P< 0.05). Reduced food intake was the only GLIM criterion predictive of five-year mortality for Māori (HR (95% CI); 10.77 (4.76, 24.38), P <0.001). For non-Māori, both aetiologic and phenotypic GLIM criteria were associated with five-year mortality. CONCLUSION: Nutrition risk, but not malnutrition diagnosed by the GLIM criteria was significantly associated with mortality for Māori. Conversely, both nutrition risk and malnutrition were significantly associated with mortality for non-Māori. Appropriate phenotypic criteria for diverse populations are needed within the GLIM framework.Publishe