Aging and its Distribution in Coarsening Processes

We investigate the age distribution function P(tau,t) in prototypical one-dimensional coarsening processes. Here P(tau,t) is the probability density that in a time interval (0,t) a given site was last crossed by an interface in the coarsening process at time tau. We determine P(tau,t) analytically for two cases, the (deterministic) two-velocity ballistic annihilation process, and the (stochastic) infinite-state Potts model with zero temperature Glauber dynamics. Surprisingly, we find that in the scaling limit, P(tau,t) is identical for these two models. We also show that the average age, i. e., the average time since a site was last visited by an interface, grows linearly with the observation time t. This latter property is also found in the one-dimensional Ising model with zero temperature Glauber dynamics. We also discuss briefly the age distribution in dimension d greater than or equal to 2.Comment: 7 pages, RevTeX, 4 ps files included, to be submitted to Phys. Rev.

Awareness Status of Plant-parasitic Nematodes Occurrence and Damage among Farmers in Benue State, Nigeria

Aim: Benue state is reportedly one of the most agrarian-inclined states in Nigeria. With almost all economic crops cultivated largely in rural communities within the state, the activities of pests and diseases continue to devastate most fields. Among these pests are plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs). Hence the study was conducted to accentuate the prevalence and degree of PPN occurrence in Benue state for the first time. Methodology: Using well-structured questionnaires 120 farmers were interviewed in six Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Benue State covering 12 districts to divulge the level of PPN awareness among rural farmers and in addition, the extent of PPN damage on their fields. Laboratory-based microscopy study was used to identify common PPN genera on farmers’ fields. Results: Among the results obtained, it was shown that of the number of respondents interviewed throughout the twelve districts, only 10% of farmers in 7 LGAs have heard of PPN as soil-borne damage-causing organism. In Tsambe, Mbatian, Mbaityu, Ukpekpe and Ibilla LGAs only 20% of the farmers have heard of nematode. Microscopy studies showed that average extent of nematode damage on plant roots and presence was 4.1 out of a scale of 1.0 to 5.0. A total of 7 families comprising 10 genera of plant-parasitic nematodes were recovered from composite root and soil samples collected from surveyed areas. Conclusion: The level of awareness on plant-parasitic nematode occurrence and damage in Benue State is very low even though devastations on economic crops grown within the State is high. There is an urgent need to increase information dissemination among farmers within the studied state on PPNs with attendant campaigns on their management

Effect of Planting Methods on the Growth and Yield of Carrot (Daucus carota L) in Humid Tropical Zone

The experiment was conducted at the research farm of the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; to study the effect of planting methods on the growth and yield of carrot (Daucus carota L). Two planting methods, direct sowing and transplanting were used as treatments for the experiment, which was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated four times. Data was collected on the growth, yield and root marketability. The collected parameters were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance table and means were separated using Least Significance Difference (LSD) at 5 percent level of significance with the GENSTAT 2014 Edition. The results showed no significant variation between the planting methods on the stem girth and leaf number at some dates, while transplanting significantly varied (P<0.05) from direct sowing at 4, 6, 8 and 10 WAP. Planting methods did not affect some parameters (plant biomass, root length, number of roots harvested, fresh weight of leaves, and fresh weight of roots), rather they were statistically similar. Transplanting influenced significantly the root diameter, while the harvest index showed statistical difference between the planting methods, with direct sowing varying significantly. Direct sowing also significantly influenced the root marketability parameters; root uniformity, marketable yield and total marketable root yield percetage. From the results presented, direct sowing had significant effect on root marketability, which is paramount in commercial carrot production. It is thereby recommended that for optimum carrot production and marketability, carrots should be directly sown. &nbsp

Reporting of prognostic markers: current problems and development of guidelines for evidence-based practice in the future

Prognostic markers help to stratify patients for treatment by identifying patients with different risks of outcome (e.g. recurrence of disease), and are important tools in the management of cancer and many other diseases. Systematic review and meta-analytical approaches to identifying the most valuable prognostic markers are needed because (sometimes conflicting) evidence relating to markers is often published across a number of studies. To investigate the practicality of this approach, an empirical investigation of a systematic review of tumour markers for neuroblastoma was performed; 260 studies of prognostic markers were identified, which considered 130 different markers

Dalitz plot analysis of B- -> D+pi(-)pi(-)

We report on a Dalitz plot analysis of B- -> D+pi(-)pi(-) decays, based on a sample of about 383 x 10(6) Y(4S) -> B (B) over bar decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B Factory at SLAC. We find the total branching fraction of the three-body decay: B(B- -> D+ pi(-)pi(-)) = (1.08 +/- 0.03 +/- 0.05) x 10(-3). We observe the established D-2*(0) and confirm the existence of D-0*(0) in their decays to D+pi(-), where the D-2*(0) and D-0*(0) are the 2(+) and 0(+) c (u) over bar P-wave states, respectively. We measure the masses and widths of D-2*(0) and D-0*(0) to be: m(D2)*(0) = (2460.4 +/- 1.2 +/- 1.2 +/- 1.9) MeV/c(2), Gamma(D2*0) = (41.8 +/- 2.5 +/- 2.1 +/- 2.0) MeV, m(D0*0) = (2297 +/- 8 +/- 5 +/- 19) MeV/c(2), and Gamma(D0*0) = (273 +/- 12 +/- 17 +/- 45) MeV. The stated errors reflect the statistical and systematic uncertainties, and the uncertainty related to the assumed composition of signal events and the theoretical model.We are grateful for the extraordinary contributions of our PEP-II colleagues in achieving the excellent luminosity and machine conditions that have made this work possible. The success of this project also relies critically on the expertise and dedication of the computing organizations that support BABAR. The collaborating institutions wish to thank SLAC for its support and the kind hospitality extended to them. This work is supported by the US Department of Energy and National Science Foundation, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (Canada), the Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique and Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules (France), the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Germany), the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (Italy), the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (The Netherlands), the Research Council of Norway, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (Spain), and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (United Kingdom). Individuals have received support from the Marie-Curie IEF program (European Union) and the A. P. Sloan Foundation.Peer reviewe

Economic Determinants of Nigeria’s Trade with China: A Cointegration Approach

The China-Nigeria trade volume has been increasing over the years with no signs of slowing down any time soon. This work examined the long-and-short run economic catalysts that stimulate this trade relation with focus on Nigeria’s economic factors as well as the Third Country’s Factors. Japan’s REER was adopted as a Third Country’s Factor and Johansen and Juselius cointegration technique was used to determine the result. The outcome revealed that GDP, trade openness and FDI inflow possess significant positive influence on China-Nigeria trade relations while bilateral exchange rate and Third Country’s Factor are negative determinants, suggesting that improvement in domestic prices and increased real exchange rates of Japan could undermine China-Nigeria bilateral trade, howbeit, in the long-run. So, both countries should gear towards improving domestic prices, efficiency and competitiveness relative to the Third Country’s Effect to curtail its excessive influence on bilateral trade and particularly, Nigeria should focus on redefining its business environment politically and otherwise to attract further FDI and ameliorate its trading sector.</jats:p

A Review on Inflammasomes and Immune Checkpoints in Pre-Eclampsia Complicated with Tuberculosis and Human Immune Deficiency Virus

The current review evaluates how inflammasomes and immune checkpoints are regulated in pre-eclampsia (PE) associated with tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV). Studies indicate that inflammasomes such as (NRLP3, NEK7, and AIM2) and immune checkpoints such as (CLT4, PD-1, TIM3, and LAG-3) are dysregulated in TB- and HIV-infected individuals, and also in pre-eclamptic pregnancies, which explains why pregnant women who are either infected with TB or HIV have an increased risk of developing PE. Evidence suggests that inhibition of inflammasomes and immune checkpoints may assist in the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs for the prevention and management of PE in patients with or without TB and HIV infection

Nutritional Value of Brewer’s Spent Grain and Consumer Acceptance of Its Value-Added Food Products

Brewer’s spent grain (BSG), a byproduct of the brewing process, offers a sustainable alternative applicable to human nutrition. The nutritional composition, health advantages, and value-added uses of BSG in diverse food items, including snacks, bread, cookies, and pasta, are examined in this review. Furthermore, consumer acceptance and organoleptic attributes, including texture, taste and appearance, are discussed. BSG is composed of 60% carbohydrates (of which 50% dietary fiber), 10% lipids, and 30% proteins. BSG is also high in minerals such as calcium and phosphorous and bioactive polyphenols such as catechin, p-coumaric, and ferulic acid. BSG holds significant opportunities to be utilized in enhanced food production, biofuel generation, and other industrial applications. The reported therapeutic effects of BSG include anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic and oxidative stress reduction. Based on sensory evaluations, the maximum amount of BSG that can be added to food products to maintain consumer acceptance is 15%. There is a need to convince manufacturers and consumers of the potential of incorporating BSG into food products, the health benefits of this, and the sustainability advantages of the use of BSG. The integration of BSG into food systems will contribute to food waste minimization and the promotion of the circular economy