Early phases of different types of isolated neutron star

Two Galactic isolated strong X-ray pulsars seem to be in the densest environments compared to other types of Galactic pulsar. X-ray pulsar J1846-0258 can be in an early phase of anomalous X-ray pulsars and soft gamma repeaters if its average braking index is ~1.8-2.0. X-ray pulsar J1811-1925 must have a very large average braking index (n~11) if this pulsar was formed by SN 386AD. This X-ray pulsar can be in an early phase of evolution of the radio pulsars located in the region P~50-150 ms and \.{P}~10$^{-14}-10^{-16}$ s/s of the P-\.{P} diagram. X-ray/radio pulsar J0540-69 seems to be evolving in the direction to the dim isolated thermal neutron star region on the P-\.{P} diagram. Possible progenitors of different types of neutron star are also discussed.Comment: to appear in the International Journal of Modern Physics

Alpha-induced cross sections of 106Cd for the astrophysical p-process

The 106Cd(alpha,gamma)110Sn reaction cross section has been measured in the energy range of the Gamow window for the astrophysical p-process scenario. The cross sections for 106Cd(alpha,n)109Sn and for 106Cd(alpha,p)109In below the (alpha,n) threshold have also been determined. The results are compared with predictions of the statistical model code NON-SMOKER using different input parameters. The comparison shows that a discrepancy for 106Cd(alpha,gamma)110Sn when using the standard optical potentials can be removed with a different alpha+106Cd potential. Some astrophysical implications are discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev

Assessment of the wintering area of Red Knots in Maranhão, northern Brazil, in February 2005

To assess population size and the conservation status of the Red Knot Calidris canutus rufa population in Maranhão, N Brazil, an aerial census and field studies were conducted in February 2005. The aerial count showed a population of 7,575 Knots, which is down about 600 from a previous census in the 1980s. However, the count for all shorebird species combined was only 24,000 compared to 198,600 in the 1980s, paralleling a world-wide trend of population decline in shorebirds. Resightings of colour-banded knots confirmed that this is a separate population from the larger wintering population in Tierra del Fuego. All species of shorebirds captured in Maranhão were found to be infested with feather lice and mites. Body masses of knots in Maranhão were significantly lower than in Tierra del Fuego, and about half the birds were below the hypothesized fat-free mass of the species. Blood and feather samples were taken from 38 Knots for subsequent assessment of virus loads, and for detecting sites where primary feather moult had occurred. This will enable us to establish whether significant mortality is associated with pathogen loads and the energetic demands of delayed moulting. The small size of the Maranhão population and the loss of another 13,000 knots this winter from the Tierra del Fuego population means that both are now endangered. Brochures on the need for Red Knot conservation were designed and printed, and have been circulated among fishing communities and school classes in Maranhão.Fil: Baker,Allan J.. Royal Ontario Museum; CanadáFil: González, Patricia M.. Fundación Inalafquen; ArgentinaFil: Serrano, Ines L.. CEMAVE, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa para Conservação das Aves Silvestres; BrasilFil: Júnior, Wallace R. T.. CEMAVE, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa para Conservação das Aves Silvestres; BrasilFil: Efe, Marcio A.. Universidade Federal de Alagoas; BrasilFil: Rice, Susan. Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge; Estados UnidosFil: D'amico, Veronica Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Rocha, Marcia C.. Belém, Pará; BrasilFil: Echave, María Eugenia. Fundación Inalafquen; Argentin

In vitro Inhibitory Studies and Effect of Selected Plant Extracts and Cations on Elastase (EC 3.4.21.11) Activity produced by Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus

Elastase is a member of the serine protease enzyme family that hydrolytically degrades elastin, a connective tissue component leading to aging and wrinkling of the skin. In this report, we investigated the in-vitro inhibitory effects of some cations and n-hexane extract of Hibiscus cannabinus, Vernonia amygdalina, Murraya koenigii, and Telfairia occidentalis on the activity of Elastase isolated from Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Elastase was extracted, isolated and partially purified from Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. The data obtained in this study demonstrated that the activity of elastase in Aspergillus flavus was higher compared to that of Aspergillus niger after salting out. The elastase inhibition activities of Hibiscus cannabinus, Vernonia amygdalina, Murraya koenigii, and Telfairia occidentalis reveal that the leaf extract from Murraya koenigii, in Aspergillus flavus had more significant inhibition was obtained compared to that of Aspergillus niger, with inhibitory effect from 40µg/ml. While that of Hibiscus cannabinus showed similar inhibition characteristics to Murraya koenigii. Both Hibiscus cannabinus and Vernonia amygdalina had an effect at 80µg/ml; all the extracts appeared to have more effects on the enzyme obtained from Aspergillus flavus than from the Aspergillus niger. The potential of exploring these plant extract as an anti-aging recipe was discussed. Keywords: Inhibitory studies, Elastase, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Hibiscus cannabinus, Vernonia amygdalina, Murraya koenigii, and Telfairia occidentali

Measurement of the t(t)over-bar production cross section in the dilepton channel in pp collisions at √s=8 TeV

The top-antitop quark (t (t) over bar) production cross section is measured in proton-proton collisions at root s = 8 TeV with the CMS experiment at the LHC, using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.3 fb(-1). The measurement is performed by analysing events with a pair of electrons or muons, or one electron and one muon, and at least two jets, one of which is identified as originating from hadronisation of a bottom quark. The measured cross section is 239 +/- 2 (stat.) +/- 11 (syst.) +/- 6 (lum.) pb, for an assumed top-quark mass of 172.5 GeV, in agreement with the prediction of the standard model

Anti-diabetic Properties and Phytochemical Studies of Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Murraya Koenigii and Telfairia Occidentalis on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

The antidiabetic properties and phytochemical studies of fractions of ethanolic leaf extract (400mg/Kgb.w) of Murraya koenigii (M. koenigii) and Telfairia occidentalis (T. occidentalis) was carried out on alloxan induced diabetic albino rats. Four and three fractions were obtained from M. koenigii and T. occidentalis extract respectively using column chromatography. Phytochemical screening of each fraction, indicate the presence of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and cardiac glycosides. The alloxan induced diabetic rats were treated with fractions of the extract, and fraction 1 and 2 of M. koenigii and T. occidentalis respectively which decreased blood glucose level significantly (p<0.05) by 72% and 78% respectively when compared within the group and showed no significant different when compared to normal control group. All treated groups showed no significant changes (p<0.05) in their body weight with the exception of groups treated with 3rd fractions of M. koenigii and T. occidentalis. Spectroscopic studies indicated the presence of  biological active compound in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd fractions of M. koenigii that absorbed maximally at 200-350nm and the 4th fraction showed absorption maximally at 270nm and 290nm; while the 1st fraction of T. occidentalis absorbed maximally at 320nm, 2nd fraction at 290nm and 340nm and 3rd fraction at 320nm and 350nm.  The 1st fraction of M. koenigii and 2nd fraction of T. occidentalis showed high antidiabetic properties at  λ max 320nm and 340nm respectively. Our findings certainly suggest among others the use of plants as a source of  potentially useful antidiabetic therapy for diabetics. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Antidiabetic components, Telfairia occidentalis and Murraya koenigi

Autoimmune gastrointestinal complications in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: case series and literature review

The association of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases is rare, but has been described in the literature, mostly as case reports. However, some of these diseases may be very severe, thus a correct and early diagnosis with appropriate management are fundamental. We have analysed our data from the SLE patient cohort at University College Hospital London, established in 1978, identifying those patients with an associated autoimmune gastrointestinal disease. We have also undertaken a review of the literature describing the major autoimmune gastrointestinal pathologies which may be coincident with SLE, focusing on the incidence, clinical and laboratory (particularly antibody) findings, common aetiopathogenesis and complications

Mechanisms and models of somatic cell reprogramming

Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research (Jerome and Florence Brill Graduate Student Fellowship)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (US NIH grant RO1-CA087869)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (US NIH grant R37-CA084198)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (NSF Graduate Research Fellowship)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ((NIH) Kirschstein National Research Service Award,1 F32 GM099153-01A1)Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Vertex Scholar

Distributed Operating Systems

Distributed operating systems have many aspects in common with centralized ones, but they also differ in certain ways. This paper is intended as an introduction to distributed operating systems, and especially to current university research about them. After a discussion of what constitutes a distributed operating system and how it is distinguished from a computer network, various key design issues are discussed. Then several examples of current research projects are examined in some detail, namely, the Cambridge Distributed Computing System, Amoeba, V, and Eden. © 1985, ACM. All rights reserved