Extremal Black Attractors in 8D Maximal Supergravity

Motivated by the new higher D-supergravity solutions on intersecting attractors obtained by Ferrara et al. in [Phys.Rev.D79:065031-2009], we focus in this paper on 8D maximal supergravity with moduli space [SL(3,R)/SO(3)]x[SL(2,R)/SO(2)] and study explicitly the attractor mechanism for various configurations of extremal black p- branes (anti-branes) with the typical near horizon geometries AdS_{p+2}xS^{m}xT^{6-p-m} and p=0,1,2,3,4; 2<=m<=6. Interpretations in terms of wrapped M2 and M5 branes of the 11D M-theory on 3-torus are also given. Keywords: 8D supergravity, black p-branes, attractor mechanism, M-theory.Comment: 37 page

The Dynamic Relationships Between Balance of Trade and Economic growth in Tanzania

This paper analysed the dynamic relationships and causal effects between balance of trade and the Gross Domestic Product (GDPT). In regard of time series data used in this study, Tanzania has been in trade balance deficit for 23 years. On the other hand the Gross Domestic Product has been substantially increasing annually.  The developed GDPT model was stationary at level and at first difference. Likewise, the system of three equations was formulated with the variables GDPT, Exports and Imports and the system was found to have combination of both I(1) and I(0). It was found from this study that the coefficient for Error Correction Term (ECT) for GDPT Model was insignificant which mean that the explanatory variables Exports and Imports were weak enabler or no effect over GDPT convergence in the long run equilibrium. However, the coefficient for ECT has negative sign which mean that the GDPT model is capable of converging in the long run normally in the current year, after having random shocks in the previous year. One of the reasons for no convergence is the speed of adjustment or annual correction rate of 2.77 percent is very low and would take 36 years to converge in the long run equilibrium. Moreover, only the Exports variable at L2D was significant and has causal relationships contributing 27.92 percent over GDPT in the short run, nevertheless, this contribution did not endure in the long run. On the other hand Imports variable was not significant and no causal effects over GDPT in the long run and short run which is quite good as imports have no direct relationship to GDPT. Either failure of Exports to endure in the long run, means that the economic policies on Imports had been little strategic in boosting local industrial productions in the short run which could enhance export demand-Led growth for International markets and local demand-Led growth for local markets and hence reduce unnecessary imports. Nevertheless, Tanzania of current is geared towards industrialized economy which in turn will reverse the situations found in this study in the near future.The researcher recommends that research and development in what to be imported, exported, strategic policies, promotions and motivations to local producers and consumers be made. Keywords: Exports(X), Imports (M) and Gross Domestic Product (GDPT) DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-10-08 Publication date:May 31st 202

SRF role as a mechano-transductor in response to exercise in cancer cachexia

Introduction: Recent studies showed that physical activity increased survival in cancer patient and animal models of cancer cachexia. The underlying mechanisms, however, are still largely unknown. Methods: To identify signalling pathways involved in exercise-dependent maintenance of muscle mass and function in cachexia, we investigated the role of serum response factor (SRF)—a transcription factor playing a pivotal a role in muscular growth, differentiation and regeneration—in C26-bearing mice in the absence or presence of voluntary exercise (wheel running). Results: SRF levels are decreased at protein level in cachexia. Consistently, a decrease in the expression of SRF target genes such as MyoD and SK-actin occurs in C26-bearing mice, suggesting a decrease of SRF transcriptional activity. These tumour effects were counteracted by wheel running and associated to the rescue of muscle mass and function. However, a minimum amount of exercise (2 km/day) is necessary to keep SRF levels elevated in cachexia over a threshold which is necessary to exert beneficial effects. SRF levels inversely correlate with wasting in mice, suggesting that SRF play a role in maintaining body mass (mostly accounted for by muscle mass). We also observe the recruitment of nuclei within the muscle fibres in response to exercise, which could contribute to muscle homeostasis and is consistent with the previously observed opposite effects of tumour and exercise on MyoD and Pax7 expression. Conclusions: Our results suggest that physical activity rescues SRF expression as well as its transcriptional activity, highlighting the importance of genetic activation induced by skeletal muscle activity for muscle rescue and homeostasis. These effects could be extended to the fibre microenvironment, including myogenic stem cell activity

Myelodysplastic syndrome and extracapillary glomerulonephritis: is there a link?

Introduction: The association of myelodysplastic syndrome and extracapillary glomerulonephritis is exceptional. Only two other cases have been reported.Reported case: A 52-year-old patient with a history of myelodysplastic syndrome developed rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Renal biopsy identified extracapillary glomerulonephritis.Discussion: The association of myelodysplastic syndrome with glomerulopathy is rare and often regarded as fortuitous. Only a few cases are described in literature on the subject. A relationship between the two diseases is possible but the causal link between these two diseases remains unknown.Conclusion: The notion that myelodysplastic syndrome may be associated with various glomerular nephropathies involves looking for renal disease in this haematologic disorder

The effect of thermal stresses on the immune system of the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The hemocytes of insects are one of important components of immune system of insects against various stresses such as pathogens attack, parasitoids, starvation period and temperature changes. Hemocytes characteristics recognition and frequency in cellular immune studies will help us in order to better pest control. In this study hemocytes of fourth instar larvae of potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller)were identified after staining with Giemsa and by light microscopy at 40x magnification. Five types of identified hemocytes were prohemocytes (PRs), plasmatocytes (PLs), granulocytes (GRs), oenocytoids (OEs) and spherulocytes (SPs). The effect of different thermal stresses was also investigated for 24 hours on cellular defense of fourth instar larvae. In addition number of various hemocytes and total number of blood cells were investigated. At 35 °C, total hemocyte count (THC) and PLs of larvae was increased significantly compared to the control (25±1 °C). Also, chill stress (4 °C) showed a significant decrease in THC, PLs and OEs compared to the control. These findings could be used as a base for further investigation on the immunology studies of potato tuber moth

Parameters to Assess Nutritional Status in a Moroccan Hemodialysis Cohort

Introduction: Malnutrition is common in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in affected patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and correlate the methods of nutritional assessment.Methods: We evaluated the nutritional status of 40 prevalent HD patients by subjective global assessment (SGA) score, anthropometrics [body mass index (BMI), arm circumference (AC), triceps skin-fold thicknesses (TSF), arm muscle circumference (AMC)], biochemical tests [normalized protein equivalent to total nitrogen appearance (nPNA), and pre-dialysis serum albumin and serum prealbumin levels] and bio-electrical impedance (BEI) analysis to estimate body composition [lean tissue index (LTI) and fat tissue index (FTI)].Results: The study assessed 40 patients (20 males and 20 females) with a mean age of 50.7±16.5 years. The prevalence of malnutrition according to the different methods ranged from 5 % to 65%. There were highly significant gender-specific differences in AMC (p &lt; 0.001) and TSF (p &lt; 0.001). The BEI revealed a highly significant difference in LTI (p &lt; 0.001) but no difference in FTI (p = 0.14) according to gender. There was a positive correlation between LTI and both serum albumin (r = 0.37; p = 0.018) and serum prealbumin (r = 0.53; p &lt; 0.001). Also, there was a significant positive correlation between FTI and BMI (r = 0.59; p &lt; 0.001), AC (r = 0.44; p = 0.004) and TSF (r = 0.61; p &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: Our data suggest that BEI analysis provides a useful means of assessing nutritional status and was correlated with anthropometrics and biochemical findings.Keywords: Anthropometric Measurements; Bioelectrical Impedance; Hemodialysis; Malnutrition; Subjective Global Assessmen

Profiling of major fatty acids in different raw and roasted sesame seeds cultivars

The aim of this study was to investigate the fatty acids profile of five sesame cultivars including Branching Naz, Darab, Karaj, Dezful and Black sesame and the effect of time and temperature roasting procedure. The seeds oil content varied from 43±0.28 to 47±0.41% with the average content of 44.4±1.87%. Darab and Black sesame cultivar had the highest and lowest oil content respectively. Oleic and linoleic acids were the two-dominant fatty acids in the sesame seed oil about 80 to 85% of the total amount, whereas palmitic and stearic acids were present at 12 to 15%. Moreover, Dazful and Black sesame had the maximum and minimum content of oxidizability value respectively. The results of the present study showed that the fatty acid contents in studied cultivars were steady during different roasting conditions and fatty acid behavior of samples was good fitted with the high temperatures.Key words: Gas chromatography (GC), fatty acid, roasting procedure, sesame seed, stability

Forecasting with auxiliary information in forecasts using multivariate singular spectrum analysis

The internet gives us free access to a variety of published forecasts. Motivated by this increasing availability of data, we seek to determine whether there is a possibility of exploiting auxiliary information contained within a given forecast to generate a new and more accurate forecast. The proposed theoretical concept requires a multivariate model which can consider data with different series lengths as forecasts are predictions into the future. Following applications which consider published forecasts generated via unknown time series models and forecasts from univariate models, we achieve promising results whereby the proposed multivariate approach succeeds in extracting the auxiliary information in a given forecast for generating a new and more accurate forecast, along with statistically significant accuracy gains in certain cases. In addition, the impact of filtering and the use of Google Trends within the proposed methodology is also considered. Overall, we find conclusive evidence which suggests a sound opportunity to exploit the forecastability of auxiliary information contained within existing forecasts