Unconventional superconductivity in the cage type compound Sc5_5Rh6_6Sn18_{18}

We have examined the superconducting ground state properties of the caged type compound Sc$_5$Rh$_6$Sn$_{18}$ using magnetization, heat capacity, and muon-spin relaxation or rotation ($\mu$SR) measurements. Magnetization measurements indicate type-II superconductivity with an upper critical field $\mu_0H_{c2}(0)$ = 7.24 T. The zero-field cooled and field cooled susceptibility measurements unveil an onset of diamagnetic signal below $T_{\bf c}$ = 4.4 K. The interpretation of the heat capacity results below $T_{\bf c}$ using the $\alpha-$BCS model unveils the value of $\alpha$ = 2.65, which gives the dimensionless ratio 2$\Delta(0)/k_B T_{\bf c}$ = 5.3, intimating that Sc$_5$Rh$_6$Sn$_{18}$ is a strong-coupling BCS superconductor. The zero-field $\mu$SR measurements in the longitudinal geometry exhibit a signature of a spontaneous appearance of the internal magnetic field below the superconducting transition temperature, indicating that the superconducting state is characterized by the broken time-reversal symmetry (TRS). We have compared the results of broken TRS in Sc$_5$Rh$_6$Sn$_{18}$ with that observed in R$_5$Rh$_6$Sn$_{18}$ (R = Lu and Y).Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1411.687

Broken time-reversal symmetry probed by muon spin relaxation in the caged type superconductor Lu5Rh6Sn18

The superconducting state of the caged type compound Lu5Rh6Sn18 has been investigated by using magnetization, heat capacity, and muon spin relaxation or rotation (?SR) measurements, and the results interpreted on the basis of the group theoretical classifications of the possible pairing symmetries and a simple model of the resulting quasiparticle spectra. Our zero-field ?SR measurements clearly reveal the spontaneous appearance of an internal magnetic field below the transition temperature, which indicates that the superconducting state in this material is characterized by broken time-reversal symmetry. Further, the analysis of the temperature dependence of the magnetic penetration depth measured using the transverse-field ?SR measurements suggests an isotropic s?wave character for the superconducting gap. This is in agreement with the heat capacity behavior, and we show that it can be interpreted in terms of a nonunitary triplet state with point nodes and an open Fermi surface

Occurrence of larval fishes in a rocky shore-associated nursery area in temperate South Africa, with emphasis on temperature-related growth in dominant Sparidae

Larval fishes were studied in Shark Bay on the warm, temperate south-east coast of South Africa. The bay is a small, shallow, subtidal area associated with a rocky shore. Sampling took place fortnightly for a period of one year (September 2004–August 2005) to assess composition, abundance and growth of fishes. The objectives of the study were to assess the extent of use of this habitat type by larvae throughout the year and to ascertain what temperature advantages this relatively warm habitat could have on growth of dominant species. A total of 10 fish families, represented by 16 taxa, was collected using a specially modified beach seine net (mesh aperture 500 μm). Shark Bay was utilised extensively by Diplodus capensis and Sarpa salpa and to a lesser extent by Clinus supercilious, Liza spp. and Mugil cephalus. Mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) of larvae was high (>500 larvae per net haul), peaking at ~7 500 larvae in a single haul that consisted mostly of postflexion-stage Sparidae. There was a weak, negative correlation (−0.24) between temperature and overall CPUE, which reflected either the seasonality or protracted nature of spawning by the species occurring in the bay. There was no significant difference in CPUE between the moon phases sampled on the spring tides in this study. Shark Bay was dominated by postflexionstage larvae, consisting in particular of species common to tide pools during the juvenile stage. Certain species were sampled for only short periods during the year. The year-round occurrence and high abundance of the two dominant species indicate that Shark Bay represents an important nursery habitat for the completion of the larval phase. These species exhibited exponential growth that lagged behind small increases in temperature, highlighting the importance of access to shallow, warm habitat that allows larval growth to increase, leading to earlier settlement into juvenile habitat and thereby reducing the pelagic larval duration

Pharmacological Management of Behavioral and Psychiatric Symptoms in Older Adults with Intellectual Disability

Given medical and social advances, the life expectancy of individuals with intellectual disability (ID) has increased dramatically, leading to a generation of older individuals with such disabilities. This review focuses on the pharmacological treatment of behavioral and psychiatric symptoms and disorders in older adults with ID. Older adults with ID often present with medical co-morbidities and mental health issues. Medication management of behavioral and psychiatric problems is complicated by a higher risk for adverse events, lack of decision-making capacity, and complex care networks. Some studies have shown that individuals with ID and co-morbid mental disorders are undertreated in comparison with those with similar disorders in the general population, resulting in poorer outcomes. However, older adults with ID are also at risk of polypharmacy, and older age is a risk factor for development of side effects. A general principle is that medication treatment for psychiatric disorders in older individuals with ID should be started at low dosages and increased cautiously while monitoring response and side effects. The use of psychotropic drugs for older individuals with ID and behavioral problems remains controversial, particularly in those with dementia

Biological responses to a resumption in river flow in a freshwater-deprived, permanently open Southern African estuary

The Kariega Estuary is a freshwater-deprived system due to numerous impoundments in the catchment. This system has had little or no horizontal salinity gradient over the last 15 years, with hypersaline conditions sometimes predominating in the upper reaches. Following high rainfall events in the catchment during the spring of 2006, including a flood event (approximate 1:10 year) in August 2006, a series of riverine pulses entered the estuary and a horizontal salinity gradient was established. This study examined the influence of this freshwater pulse on four components of the biota within the estuary, namely the zooplankton, and larval, littoral and demersal fishes. The study demonstrated that in three of these components elevated densities were recorded following the riverine input, with only the littoral fishes retaining an almost constant density. In addition, changes in the relative contributions of the estuarine utilisation classes for all three fish groups examined indicated that freshwater input into these systems positively influences the abundances. This has significant implications for water managers as it demonstrates the importance of an Ecological Reserve (defined as ‘the water required to protect the aquatic ecosystems of the water resource’) for this system

Does rare matter? Copy Number Variants at 16p11.2 and the risk of psychosis: A systematic review of literature and metaanalysis.

BACKGROUND: In the last 5 years an increasing number of studies have found that individuals who have micro-duplications at 16p11.2 may have an increased risk of mental disorders including psychotic syndromes. OBJECTIVE: Our main aim was to review all the evidence in the literature for the association between copy number variants (CNVs) at 16p11.2 and psychosis. METHODS: We have conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis utilising the PRISMA statement criteria. We included all original studies (published in English) which presented data on CNVs at 16p11.2 in patients affected by schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder. RESULTS: We retrieved 15 articles which fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Eleven articles were subsequently selected for a meta-analysis that showed a 10 fold increased risk of psychosis in patients with proximal 16p11.2 duplications. We conducted a second meta-analysis of those studies with low risk of overlap in order to obtain the largest possible sample with the lowest risk of repeated results: 5 studies were selected and we found an odds ratio (OR) of 14.4 (CI=5.2-39.8; p<0.001) for psychosis with proximal 16p11.2 duplications. The results were not significant for micro-deletions in the same region. Finally extracting only those studies that included patients with schizophrenia we found an OR=16.0 (CI=5.4-47.3: p<0.001) CONCLUSIONS: There is a fourteen fold-increased risk of psychosis and a sixteen fold increased risk of schizophrenia in individuals with micro-duplication at proximal 16p11.2

The Physiological Effects Of a Mid-shift feed of sucrose

When men work continuously at a moderate (1'0 litres/ min oxygen consumption) or hard rate (1'5 litres/ min oxygen consumption) for 6 hours, the respiratory quotient falls from 0·94 to 0·80. In classical concepts this ind:cates that 68% of the caloric requirement comes from carbohydrate initially and that only 30% comes from that source at the end of the work period. This change in metabolism is associated with an increase in oxygen consumption and heart rate, indicating that the men were being less effective mechanically towards the end of the work period when they were using predominantly fat metabolism. A mid-shift feed of 100 and of 200 g of sucrose in water .caused an immediate rise in RQ and a higher level of RQ than in the fasting men which persisted for the rest of the work period. This was associated with a lower rate of oxygen consumption than in the fasting state. Whife there may be some doubt about the immediate increase in RO being due to a shift towards carbohydrate metabolism after' the ingestion of sucrose, there can be little doubt that this is the case from the end of the first hour onwards, after the ingestion of sucrose. The doubt about whether the rapid increase in RQ after the ingestion of sucrose is due to a change from fat to carbohydrate metabolism or whether it is due to an alteration in blood insulin level following the ingestion of sucrose could be resolved by ingesting HC sucrose and studying the output of HC CO, in expired air. In view of the practical importance to industry of showing whether or not carbohydrate given during a mid-shift feed is actually metabo'ized during the remainder of the shift, a study with HC sucrose appears to be fully justified; its scientific value in solving the above problems is not in doubt

Performance evaluation of three commercial molecular assays for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from clinical specimens in a high TB-HIV-burden setting

BACKGROUND : A major challenge faced by countries with a high burden of tuberculosis (TB) is early detection especially in individuals with paucibacillary disease which is common in HIV endemic settings. Remarkable efforts have been made globally to accelerate the development and expansion of new diagnostic technologies that allow better and earlier diagnosis of active tuberculosis particularly directly from clinical specimens with a few commercial options available. These include GenoType MTBDRplus Version 2.0 (Hain Lifescience), Xpert® MTB/RIF (Cepheid) and Anyplex™ plus MTB/NTM/DR-TB Real-time detection (Seegene). We evaluated the diagnostic performance of these three commercial molecular assays for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex from clinical specimens in a high TB-HIV-burden setting. METHODS : This was a retrospective laboratory-based study using stored remnant sediments from clinical specimens of presumptive pulmonary TB cases. A stratified sample of smear positive TB, smear negative TB and TB culture negatives was included. All the samples were tested on the three molecular assays following the manufacturers’ instructions; except for Anyplex™plus, for which DNA extraction was performed using the NucliSENS® easyMAG® platform (bioMerieux). Samples were also processed for liquid TB culture and time-to-culture positivity was recorded. RESULTS : Of the 90 sediments processed, 81 were analyzable across all three systems. The overall sensitivity was highest for Xpert® MTB/RIF (89.1 %) followed by GenoType MTBDRplus (70.9 %) and Anyplex™ plus (65.5 %). The specificity and sensitivity in smear positive cases was comparable across all systems. There was a significant difference in sensitivity between Xpert® MTB/RIF and the other two assays for smear-negative cases (P < 0.05). The performance in cases where the time-to-culture positivity was ≥20 days was also significantly poorer for both Anyplex™ plus and GenoType MTBDRplus compared to Xpert® MTB/RIF (P < 0.05). Xpert® MTB/RIF achieved 100 % specificity, while Anyplex™ plus and GenoType MTBDRplus achieved 96.2 and 92.3 % respectively. CONCLUSION : The Xpert® MTB/RIF was superior to the other two assays for the detection of TB in smear negative specimens notably when bacterial loads are very low in sputum. It is important that studies reporting on test performance stratify their results by time-to-culture positivity to accurately assess clinical performance especially in high HIV settings.RESCOM Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria and the NHLS.http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdisam201