Strange Particle Production Via The Weak Interaction

The differential cross sections for the neutrino-induced weak charged current production of strange particles in the threshold energy region are presented. The general representation of the weak hadronic current is newly developed in terms of eighteen unknown invariant amplitudes to parametrize the hadron vertex. The Born term approximation is used for the numerical calculations in the framework of the Cabibbo theory and SU(3) symmetry. For unpolarized octet baryons four processes are investigated, whereas in the case of polarized baryons only one process is chosen to study the sensitivity of the differential cross section to the various polarizations of the initial state nucleon and the final state hyperon.Comment: This paper was originally submitted to Physical Review C and published on 30 August, 201

Screening for childhood anaemia using copper sulphate densitometry

Objective. To evaluate copper sulphate densitometry to screen for childhood anaemia in a primary care setting, with a view to identifying children requiring definitive diagnostic testing and treatment. Design. A cross-sectional screening study. Results of densitometry with a copper sulphate solution of specific gravity (SG) 1.048, corresponding to a haemoglobin (Hb) concentration of 10 g/dl, were compared with laboratory Hb determination. Setting. Outpatient department of Pretoria Academic Hospital (73 children) and a local cr_che (27 children). Subjects. One hundred consecutive children, aged between 6 months and 6 years, with informed written consent by parents. Outcome measure(s). Accuracy of copper sulphate densitometry in screening for Hb concentration below 10 g/dl in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, as well as likelihood ratio. Results. The prevalence of anaemia (Hb < 10 g/dl) was 17% (95% confidence interval (CI) 10.2; 25.8). Copper sulphate densitometry had a sensitivity of 88.2% (95% CI 62.3; 97.9), a specificity of 89.2% (95% CI 79.9; 94.6), a positive predictive value of 62.5% (95% CI 40.8; 80.5) and a negative predictive value of 97.4% (95%CI 90.0; 99.5) in screening for anaemia. The likelihood ratio of a positive screening test was 8.17. Conclusions. Copper sulphate densitometry was accurate in screening for childhood anaemia. (South African Medical Journal: 2002 92(12): 978-981

Long-stay medical-surgical intensive care unit patients in South Africa : quality of life and mortality 1 year after discharge

BACKGROUND. Although mortality is the primary measure of critical care outcome, the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of survivors is often diminished. There is a paucity of South African research on HRQOL in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors. OBJECTIVES. To evaluate the 1-year post-discharge data of long-stay ICU patients, a group known to consume 20 - 40% of ICU resources. METHODS. A 1-year prospective observational study was conducted in a multidisciplinary medical-surgical ICU. Adult patients who were mechanically ventilated beyond 6 days were included. Clinical and mortality data were collected. Pre-admission and 6- and 12-month HRQOL were measured with the Short Form-36 questionnaire. Physical and mental component summary scores (PCS and MCS) were calculated. Associations between 12-month mortality and poor HRQOL scores were determined. RESULTS. Of 119 patients enrolled, 40.3% had sustained trauma, 19.3% were post-surgical and 40.3% had medical conditions; 29.2% were HIV-positive (HIV status was known for 74.8% of the cohort). The hospital and 12-month mortality rates were 42.9% and 57.4% (n=66/115), respectively. Age, longer ICU stay, higher disease severity scores and vasopressor use were associated with 12-month mortality. The survivors’ median PCS and MCS at 6 and 12 months were significantly lower compared with pre-admission scores (both p<0.001). At 12 months, 53.1% of survivors demonstrated a poor PCS and 42.9% a poor MCS. Associations with poor 12-month PCS included longer ICU stay, male gender and trauma, while trauma and sepsis were associated with a poor 12-month MCS. Among the 19 trauma survivors, 78.9% had a poor MCS and/or PCS. Of previously employed patients, 54.8% were unemployed at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS. Patients ventilated beyond 6 days in a multidisciplinary ICU had a high mortality. Poor HRQOL at 12 months post discharge was frequently observed among survivors. Trauma was associated with poor 12-month outcomes. These findings highlight the need to further explore the outcomes of long-stay ICU patients in Africa.South African Critical Care Society research grant.http://www.samj.org.zadm2022Critical Car

TarO : a target optimisation system for structural biology

This work was funded by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Structural Proteomics of Rational Targets (SPoRT) initiative, (Grant BBS/B/14434). Funding to pay the Open Access publication charges for this article was provided by BBSRC.TarO (http://www.compbio.dundee.ac.uk/taro) offers a single point of reference for key bioinformatics analyses relevant to selecting proteins or domains for study by structural biology techniques. The protein sequence is analysed by 17 algorithms and compared to 8 databases. TarO gathers putative homologues, including orthologues, and then obtains predictions of properties for these sequences including crystallisation propensity, protein disorder and post-translational modifications. Analyses are run on a high-performance computing cluster, the results integrated, stored in a database and accessed through a web-based user interface. Output is in tabulated format and in the form of an annotated multiple sequence alignment (MSA) that may be edited interactively in the program Jalview. TarO also simplifies the gathering of additional annotations via the Distributed Annotation System, both from the MSA in Jalview and through links to Dasty2. Routes to other information gateways are included, for example to relevant pages from UniProt, COG and the Conserved Domains Database. Open access to TarO is available from a guest account with private accounts for academic use available on request. Future development of TarO will include further analysis steps and integration with the Protein Information Management System (PIMS), a sister project in the BBSRC Structural Proteomics of Rational Targets initiative.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Control methods for Dermanyssus gallinae in systems for laying hens: results of an international seminar

This paper reports the results of a seminar on poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae. Eighteen researchers from eight European countries discussed life cycle issues of the mite, effects of mites on hens and egg production, and monitoring and control methods for PRM in poultry facilities. It was determined that PRM probably causes more damage than envisaged, with the cost in The Netherlands alone reaching 11 million euro per annum. However a great deal is still unknown about PRM (e.g. reproduction, survival methods, etc.) and that PRM monitoring is an important instrument in recognising and admitting the problem and in taking timely measures. Currently, the most promising control method combines heating the hen house in combination with chemical treatments. Future areas of development which show promise include the use of entomopathogenic fungi, vaccination and predatory mites. The final aim is to solve the problem of D. gallinae in housing systems for laying hens

Characterization of the lithological contact in the shergottite EETA79001 A record of igneous differentiation processes on Mars

Elephant Moraine (EET) A79001 is the only Martian meteorite that consists of both an olivine-phyric shergottite (lithology A) and a basaltic shergottite (lithology B). The presence of these lithologies in one rock has previously been ascribed to mixing processes (either magmatic or impactinduced). Here we present data regarding phase changes across the contact between the lithologies. These data show that the contact is gradational and suggest that it is a primary igneous feature consistent with crystallization of a single cooling magma. We present a model to establish a petrogenetic connection between an olivine-phyric and a basaltic shergottite through differentiation. The model involves the shallow or surface emplacement of a magma that contained pre-eruptive solids (phenocrysts and minor xenocrysts). Subsequent differentiation via crystal settling and in situ crystallization (Langmuir 1989) resulted in a layered sequence of lithology A overlain by lithology B, with gradations in modal abundance of maskelynite (increasing from A to B) and pigeonite/ maskelynite (decreasing from A to B), and a gradational change in pattern of pyroxene zonation (zones of magnesian augite separating magnesian and ferroan pigeonite appear and thicken into B) across the contact. A pigeonite phenocryst-bearing zone near the contact in lithology B appears to be intermediate between lithology A and the bulk of lithology B (which resembles basaltic shergottite Queen Alexandra Range [QUE] 94201). Re-examination of Sr isotopic compositions in lithology A and across the contact is required to test and constrain the model.The Meteoritics & Planetary Science archives are made available by the Meteoritical Society and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform February 202

Control methods for Dermanyssus gallinae in systems for laying hens: results of an international seminar

This paper reports the results of a seminar on poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae. Eighteen researchers from eight European countries discussed life cycle issues of the mite, effects of mites on hens and egg production, and monitoring and control methods for PRM in poultry facilities. It was determined that PRM probably causes more damage than envisaged, with the cost in The Netherlands alone reaching 11 million euro per annum. However a great deal is still unknown about PRM (e.g. reproduction, survival methods, etc.) and that PRM monitoring is an important instrument in recognising and admitting the problem and in taking timely measures. Currently, the most promising control method combines heating the hen house in combination with chemical treatments. Future areas of development which show promise include the use of entomopathogenic fungi, vaccination and predatory mites. The final aim is to solve the problem of D. gallinae in housing systems for laying hen

Being well, being musical: Music composition as a resource and occupation for older people

Introduction: Participatory music making for older people has tended to focus on singing and performance. In a community music project undertaken by Manchester Camerata (a chamber orchestra), Blacon Community Trust and a small group of older adults, participants were given the opportunity to compose individual pieces of music interactively with professional musicians. This paper reports the findings of the research project. Method: An arts-based research method was adopted and incorporated action research and interpretive interactionism to articulate the experiences and perceptions of participants. Participants and Manchester Camerata musicians also worked together to represent the thematic findings of the research in a group composition. Findings: The findings demonstrate that individual and group music composition contributed to a sense of wellbeing through control over musical materials, opportunities for creativity and identity making, validation of life experience and social engagement with other participants and professional musicians. Conclusion; The results emphasised occupation as essential to health and wellbeing in the later stages of life. The findings also highlight the particularly innovative aspects of this research: (i) the use of music composition as a viable arts-in-health occupation for older people and (ii) the arts-based research method of group composition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved

The quiet editor: Ivan Vladislavić and South African cultural production

This article examines the literary and sociological significance of Ivan Vladislavić’s "double life” (Lahire, 2010: n.p.) as both editor and writer. With reference to a number of his editorial roles as well as the joint projects he has worked on with writers and visual artists, the article considers how Vladislavić’s work with others spreads symbolic value. Described by one of his clients as the “quiet editor”, Vladislavić can be read as a new kind of author; what he terms “creative editing” (Steyn, 2012: n.p.) as a new kind of writing, through which more traditional models of authorship and literary production are thrown into question — less Bourdieu’s (1984) “field of literary production” or Casanova’s (2004: 82) “world literary space”, red in tooth and claw, amd more Howard Becker’s “art world”: a convivial “network of cooperating people, all of whose work is essential to the final outcome” (1982: 25)