An X-ray Survey of Galaxies in Pairs

Results are reported from the first survey of X-ray emission from galaxies in pairs. The sample consists of fifty-two pairs of galaxies from the Catalog of Paired Galaxies Karachentsev (1972) whose coordinates overlap ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter pointed observations. The mean observed log l_x for early-type pairs is 41.35 +/-0.21 while the mean log l_x predicted using the l_x-l_b relationship for isolated early-type galaxies is 42.10 +/-0.19. With 95% confidence, the galaxies in pairs are underluminous in the X-ray, compared to isolated galaxies, for the same l_b. A significant fraction of the mixed pair sample also appear similarly underluminous. A spatial analysis shows that the X-ray emission from pairs of both types typically has an extent of ~10 - 50 kpc, much smaller than group intergalactic medium and thus likely originates from the galaxies. CPG 564, the most X-ray luminous early-type pair, 4.7x10^42 ergs/sec, is an exception. The extent of it's X-ray emission, >169 kpc, and HWHM, ~80 kpc, is comparable to that expected from an intergalactic medium. The sample shows only a weak correlation, ~81% confidence, between l_x and l_b, presumably due to variations in gas content within the galaxies. No correlation between l_x and the pair velocity difference, separation, or far-infrared luminosity is found though the detection rate is low, 22%.Comment: 40 pages, 6 jpg figures, ApJ (in press

The Effect of Electronic Cigarette User Modifications and E-liquid Adulteration on the Particle Size Profile of an Aerosolized Product

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are an alternate nicotine delivery system that generate a condensation aerosol to be inhaled by the user. The size of the droplets formed in the aerosol can vary and contributes to drug deposition and ultimate bioavailability in the lung. The growing popularity of e-cigarette products has caused an increase in internet sources promoting the use of drugs other than nicotine (DOTNs) in e-cigarettes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of various e-cigarette and e-liquid modifications, such as coil resistance, battery voltage, and glycol and drug formulation, on the aerosol particle size. E-liquids containing 12 mg/mL nicotine prepared in glycol compositions of 100% propylene glycol (PG), 100% vegetable glycerin (VG), or 50:50 PG:VG were aerosolized at three voltages and three coil resistances. Methamphetamine and methadone e-liquids were prepared at 60 mg/mL in 50:50 PG:VG and all e-liquids were aerosolized onto a 10 stage Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor. Glycol deposition correlated with drug deposition, and the majority of particles centered between 0.172–0.5 μm in diameter, representing pulmonary deposition. The 100% PG e-liquid produced the largest aerosol particles and the 100% VG and 50:50 PG:VG e-liquids produced ultra-fine particles \u3c0.3 μm. The presence of ultrafine particles indicates that drugs can be aerosolized and reach the pulmonary alveolar regions, highlighting a potential for abuse and risk of overdose with DOTNs aerosolized in an e-cigarette system

Partial Purification and Kinetic Properties of Polygalacturonase from Solanum macrocarpum L. Fruit

Background and Objective: Polygalacturonase [Poly (1, 4-"-D-galacturonide) glucanohydrolase, E.C 3.2.1.15] is a subclass of pectinase that hydrolyzes the glycosidic linkages between galacturonic acid residues in polygalacturonans. Solanum macrocarpum ripening prompts pectinase production. The objective of this study was to examine the kinetic properties of polygalacturonase from Solanum macrocarpum L. fruit. Methodology: The enzyme was partially purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation and gel filtration. Protein content, polygalacturonase activity and kinetic parameters were determined. Results: The protein content and polygalacturonase activity of the fruit juice extracts were 0.63±0.02 mg mLG1 and 45.96±6.31 U mgG1 protein, respectively. A 1.7 and 108.3 fold increase in enzyme activity was achieved by ammonium sulphate precipitation and gel filtration, respectively. The enzyme had a Vmax of 76.92 unit mgG1 protein and Km of 0.92 mg mLG1. The pH profile of the enzyme showed three activity peaks at 3.0, 5.5 and 7.0. The enzyme was most active at pH 3.0 and showed optimal activity at 30EC. Rapid release of product was observed within the first 20 min of enzyme incubation. The Zn2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Pb2+, Fe2+, Cu2+ and EDTA exhibited inhibitory effect on polygalacturonase activity whereas Mg2+ had stimulatory effect on the enzyme. Conclusion: It was concluded that the fruit of Solanum macrocarpum is a rich source of polygalacturonase. The enzyme is favourably comparable with that of a fungi source and could be further exploited for commercial production of the enzym

Biodiversity defrosted : unveiling non-compliant fish trade in ethnic food stores

Out of nearly 30,000 teleosts dwelling in our planet’s water bodies, only hundreds of them are commercially exploited and prevail on the global food market. Yet, our estimates of the species actually underpinning global trade is severely hampered by inaccuracy and non-compliance in labelling and reporting. Here, we target ethnic food stores in two British cities (Liverpool and Manchester metropolitan areas), whose numbers are increasing throughout Europe, to examine accuracy of traceability information available to consumers. Despite the existence of thorough EU labelling regulations, we unveil a high level of non-compliance, with a diverse range of poorly-known fish species, often sold without any label, or with erroneous information, as demonstrated by DNA barcoding. Results indicate that about 41% of the samples were mislabelled, in stark contrast with a recent study that, in 2015, found less than 5% mislabelling in EU supermarkets and fishmongers. These results highlight that inspectors and governments might not be fully aware of the wide diversity of fish species traded, indicating the need for a stronger enforcement of the EU labelling legislations. Compliance with regulations is required not only to protect consumers, but also fish stocks, as for many of the species identified in this survey, population assessment is poor or lacking altogether

The languages of peace during the French religious wars

The desirability of peace was a common topos in sixteenth-century political rhetoric, and the duty of the king to uphold the peace for the benefit of his subjects was also a long-established tradition. However, the peculiar circumstances of the French religious wars, and the preferred royal policy of pacification, galvanized impassioned debate among both those who supported and those who opposed confessional coexistence. This article looks at the diverse ways in which peace was viewed during the religious wars through an exploration of language and context. It draws not only on the pronouncements of the crown and its officials, and of poets and jurists, but also on those of local communities and confessional groups. Opinion was not just divided along religious lines; political imperatives, philosophical positions and local conditions all came into play in the arguments deployed. The variegated languages of peace provide a social and cultural dimension for the contested nature of sixteenth-century French politics. However, they could not restore harmony to a war-torn and divided kingdom

Design of a Morphing Wing-tip

An initial design of a morphing wing-tip for a Regional Jet aircraft is developed and evaluated. The adaptive wing-tip concept is based upon a chiral type internal structure, enabling controlled cant angle orientation, camber and twist throughout the flight envelope. A baseline Turbo-Fan Aircraft configuration model is used as the benchmark to assess the device. CFD based aerodynamics are used to evaluate the required design configurations for the device at different points across the flight envelope in terms of lift/drag and bending moment distribution along the span, complemented by panel method based gust load computations. Detailed studies are performed to show how the chiral structure can facilitate the required shape changes in twist, camber and cant. Actuator requirements and limitations are assessed, along with an evaluation of the aerodynamic gains from the inclusion of the device versus power and weight penalties. For a typical mission it was found that savings of around 2% in fuel weight are possible using the morphing wing-tip device. A similar reduction in weight due to passive gust loads alleviation is also possible with a slight change of configuration

Stress associated with law enforcement work and its effect on conjugal relationships

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in stress from associated with the occupation of law enforcement exists across the officers\u27 relationship domains. The sample consisted of 51 participants that was comprised of both law enforcement officers and their significant others. Unlike past studies, this study included those that were married, divorced, in a civil union, single, or cohabitating. Based on past research it was hypothesized that the stress placed on officers and their significant other would be higher than that of other relationships. An anonymous survey was sent out to a several departments. Separate one-way between subjects Analysis of Variances (ANOVAs) were conducted to compare the effects of stress on law enforcements officers and their relationships. There was no significant effect of stress found in regards to the occupation itself as it pertained to the relationship (F(1, 48) = 0.99, p = 0.32). There was no significance of stress felt in regards to the individuals relationship on its own (F(1, 48) = 1.62, p =0.21)

The level of origin firing inversely affects the rate of replication fork progression

DNA damage slows DNA synthesis at replication forks; however, the mechanisms remain unclear. Cdc7 kinase is required for replication origin activation, is a target of the intra-S checkpoint, and is implicated in the response to replication fork stress. Remarkably, we found that replication forks proceed more rapidly in cells lacking Cdc7 function than in wild-type cells. We traced this effect to reduced origin firing, which results in fewer replication forks and a consequent decrease in Rad53 checkpoint signaling. Depletion of Orc1, which acts in origin firing differently than Cdc7, had similar effects as Cdc7 depletion, consistent with decreased origin firing being the source of these defects. In contrast, mec1-100 cells, which initiate excess origins and also are deficient in checkpoint activation, showed slower fork progression, suggesting the number of active forks influences their rate, perhaps as a result of competition for limiting factors