Search

The number of directionally drilled wells in Sudan is progressively increasing. Directional drilling calculations when done manually or through Microsoft Excel are tedious, susceptible to mistakes and take long time. The software prescribed in this paper is designed to treat these problems. This paper describes Software called CDD which stands for Computerized Directional Drilling. It is employing the minimum curvature method using visual basic (VB.NET) as a programming language to achieve calculations and minimize the uncertainty and risks related to achieve a predetermined target. The Software is capable of calculating the survey data of the well trajectory for all types of directional drilling wells. In addition, the CDD computes the actual coordinates along the planned trajectory at regular or irregular intervals and designs plots to show the well trajectory in 2D charts in top and side views. It also gives 3D graph for more visual representation of the well trajectory. The CDD enables the user to compare different well trajectories and show them in the same chart. The input data could be saved in the database section and the output results could be exported into various formats. Based on applying the CDD on the Case Studies, this Software gives accurate results and can be used in planning of CDD with error of less than 1%.

The vulnerability of adolescents and young adults in South Africa to HIV and sexual violence is well documented. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available for victims of sexual abuse in the country but awareness of this measure is required to maximise its HIV-prevention benefits. This study examined levels of PEP awareness and its correlates and the uptake of PEP among 772 students (16-24 years) in a South African university using stratified random sampling. Overall, we included more females (477) than males (295), reflecting the male-female ratio at the university. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models were used to determine correlates of PEP awareness, which was low (24.1%), particularly among those who experienced sexual violence in the past year (19.8%) compared those who had not (24.8%). Only 2.6% of participants had used PEP, while 7.5% had seen it, and 14.6% knew where to get it. In the adjusted model, adequate family support (AOR: 2.22; CI: 1.54-3.20) and prior HIV testing (AOR: 2.65; CI: 1.59-4.42) were associated with a higher likelihood of PEP awareness. The study concluded that awareness of PEP was low in the study setting and especially among those who need it. Social marketing of PEP is needed in the study settings to realise the maximum benefits of PEP in preventing new HIV infections.

Taraba State is endowed with natural resources; vast lands, water resources, animal resources and human resources. However, amidst plenty, food insecurity and incessant crisis ravage the government efforts to sustainable agricultural and economic development. This paper discusses the nexus between Climate vagaries and skirmish leading to shift in crop yields. It assesses grain yield variation, problems and prospect across the local governments in Taraba State. Apart from personal observation and focus group discussion, the paper relied mainly on secondary data that were generated through the analysis of relevant data from government and non-governmental agencies. Rainfall and agronomic data were collected from Upper Benue River Basin and Ministry of Taraba Agricultural Development Program (TADP) respectively. These were collated and analyzed using standardized anomaly index and linear regression in SPSS environment. The study fails to reject the null hypotheses that no relationship exists between the average annual rainfall and quantity of sorghum produced annually. It recommends application of biotechnology using (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) for animal feeds and food crop diversification to cushion the ever increasing demand for forage that often vortex crisis in the state. SFF can stand heavy grazing reduce roaming encourage ranching eliminate crisis.

Water is very significant in the development of a stable community, but many societies are confronted with the challenges of poor wastes management system with indiscriminate waste disposal and bad land practices, which easily pollute water sources and consequently degrade water quality. This study was to analyze the physicochemical properties of ground water from multiple point sources in Jalingo, Taraba state of Nigeria. Water samples were collected from twenty seven (27) sites from the study area during the raining and dry seasons. The analysis was carried out to determining the physico-chemical properties of the ground water and comparing with the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for drinking water. The physicochemical properties of ground water analyzed include; odor, taste, temperature and electrical conductivity were tested in the field using water meter tester. Whereas pH, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, hardness, salinity, iron, manganese, fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, chloride, sulphate and dissolved oxygen were analyzed in the laboratory using Wagtech potable water testing equipment. The physical properties of water analyzed were temperature, odor, taste, and turbidity. Whereas the chemical properties of water analyzed were pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, hardness, salinity, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), fluoride (F−), nitrate (NO3−), nitrite (NO2−), Chloride (Cl−), sulphate (SO42−), dissolved oxygen (DO).The result shows the range of the mean values of the temperature(26.7–33.1) oC, p H(6.5–8.9), Fe (0.01–0.08 mg/L), NO3−(0.01–38.5 mg/l), NO2−(0.01–0.09 mg/l), Mn (0.01–0.17 mg/l), F(0.01–0.82 mg/l), alkalinity(39-204 mg/l), salinity (42-508 mg/l), SO4(14-93 mg/l), total dissolved solids (6–637) mg/l, turbidity(0.4–10.6 mg/l), hardness(48-187 mg/l), and fecal coliforms(1–4)fcu/100mi, dissolved oxygen(1.1–6.87)mg/l, EC(10.99–1066)ohm/cm, Cl (10-320 mg/l). All except alkalinity and hardness are within the WHO permissible standards of quality drinking water. The highest alkalinity (204 mg/l), hardness (187 mg/l) and low dissolved oxygen (6.87 mg/l) attributed to the high concentration of dissolved salts and basic cations in the water. The methodology applied in the study was effective in analyzing the physicochemical properties of water in the study area. Therefore, it was recommended that there should be frequent water source testing by stakeholder in water resources with the view to treating the water. Policy maker should also enforce the regulation of the use of chemical fertilizers, agro-chemicals and the indiscriminate waste disposal.

As climate change infiltrate and influence every sphere of the globe, the continuous study of the drainage features and assessment of the drainage basin as a fundamental geomorphic unit in water resources development and management cannot be relegated. This work has considered the analytical description of the physical division of RDCA. The three domains of the morphometric parameters (linear, areal, and relief aspects of the basin) were considered for the analysis. Remote sensing and GIS techniques were adopted in the analysis of the data using hydrological and surface tool in ArcGIS 10.2. The acquired SRTM DEM was used to delineate the catchment area and major morphometric parameters were estimated. The results show that the basin is elongated with low leminiscate ratio. RDCA is a 7th order drainage basin, with an area of 11,355 km2, having a length of about 164 km2. Value of drainage density indicates moderate runoff potentials. Stream frequency, bifurcation ratio and constant channel maintenance indicate medium permeability and that the basin produces a flatter peak of direct runoff for a longer duration. Channel encroachment, land use and land cover change seems the cause of perennial flooding in the region than change in drainage features. This study provides scientific database for further comprehensive hydrological investigation of RDCA around which Kashimbilla dam is located.

Sternal osteomyelitis is a rare clinical condition that occasionally develops when there is an adjacent focus of infection. However, primary sternal tubercular osteomyelitis is an extremely rare form. We describe the case of a 52-year-old Indian male who presented with a two-year history of central chest pain. The pain was not related to exercise, meals, or respiration. There was no history of cough, fever, or weight loss. On examination, there was tenderness over the sternum and the patient was diagnosed as having costochondritis. However, the patient's condition did not improve and he developed erythematous skin changes over the sternum. A computed tomography scan of the chest demonstrated destructive sternal lesions. Subsequently, a biopsy was taken which revealed the diagnosis of tuberculosis. The patient was managed by anti-tubercular therapy and had complete resolution of symptoms. Clinicians should keep this condition in the differential diagnosis of chronic chest pain mimicking the diagnosis of costochondritis, particularly in patients from endemic areas.

Morphmetric analysis was conducted for River Taraba Catchments Area in Taraba with an emphasis on its hydrological response to storm events using geospatial techniques. The Study Basin comprises of nine small watersheds. The drainage network is dendritic. RTCA is a 7th order drainage basin, with an area of 15777 km2, having a perimeter of about 959km.The Lo value registered was 1.64 km .This denote gentle slope and stretch paths network on the watershed. The mean Rb varies between 3.0 and 5.14 for the catchment, indicating a transitional zone of geological structure with a less remarkable influence of structural disturbances. Value of drainage density indicates moderate runoff potentials. This depicts geological structures which do not distort the drainage pattern as such. The Basin has long Lb, of 242 km. This is an indication of low flooding susceptibility. The elongated the basin length, the little the effect on the extent to which the surface runoff manipulate the basin and been lowered by agents of denudation. Catchment characterizations of the study area and basin morphometry do not typify high flooding susceptibility. Environmental degradation through proliferation of haphazard and uncontrolled development within and around the flood plain seems the cause of incessant flooding in the catchments. Hazards occur when people place themselves in the path of geophysical and climatological agents. Governments should discourage influx to buffer and exploitation of the drainage basin in the study area.

The ferroelectric domain pattern within lithographically defined PbTiO3/SrTiO3 ferroelectric/dielectric heteroepitaxial superlattice nanostructures is strongly influenced by the edges of the structures. Synchrotron x-ray nanobeam diffraction reveals that the spontaneously formed 180{\deg} ferroelectric stripe domains exhibited by such superlattices adopt a configuration in rectangular nanostructures in which domain walls are aligned with long patterned edges. The angular distribution of x-ray diffuse scattering intensity from nanodomains indicates that domains are aligned within an angular range of approximately 20{\deg} with respect to the edges. Computational studies based on a time-dependent Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire model show that the preferred direction of the alignment results from lowering of the bulk and electrostrictive contributions to the free energy of the system due to the release of the lateral mechanical constraint. This unexpected alignment appears to be intrinsic and not a result of distortions or defects caused by the patterning process. Our work demonstrates how nanostructuring and patterning of heteroepitaxial superlattices allow for pathways to create and control ferroelectric structures that may appear counterintuitive.

The use of biologic therapies has transformed the management of inflammatory arthritis (IA). In contrast to conventional systemic DMARDs (csDMARDs) traditionally used to treat inflammatory disease, these agents offer a targeted approach, and their widespread use has resulted in disease remission becoming an increasingly achievable goal. Biologic therapies are not without potential risk, and hence it is important that clinicians are aware of these risks and ensure that appropriate precautions are taken to minimize them. Information on the safety of biologic therapies continues to be collected through national registries, clinical and cohort studies and case series and reports.NICE has accredited the process used by the BSR to produce its guidance on the safety of biologic DMARDs in inflammatory arthritis. Accreditation is valid for 5 years from 10 June 2013This guideline supersedes the previous BSR/BHPR anti-TNF [1], rituximab (RTX) [2] and tocilizumab (TCZ) [3] guidelines and has been developed in line with the BSR Guidelines Protocol.

The spontaneously formed striped polarization nanodomain configuration of a PbTiO${_3}$/SrTiO${_3}$ superlattice transforms to a uniform polarization state under above-bandgap illumination with a time dependence varying with the intensity of optical illumination and a well-defined threshold intensity. Recovery after the end of illumination occurs over a temperature-dependent period of tens of seconds at room temperature and shorter times at elevated temperatures. A model in which the screening of the depolarization field depends on the population of trapped electrons correctly predicts the observed temperature and optical intensity dependence., Comment: This article has been accepted by Applied Physics Letter

Typhoid Fever occurs worldwide primarily in developing nations where sanitary conditions are poor. The absence of specific symptoms and signs makes the clinical diagnosis difficult. Definitive diagnosis requires the isolation of S. typhi from blood or other body fluid. But in developing countries culture facilities often not available & diagnosis rely upon clinical features and the detection of antibodies by the Widal test. Numerous studies however have cast serious doubts on the value of the test. The aim of the study was to reassess the utility of a single Widal test in the diagnosis of typhoid fever. The descriptive study was carried out on 100 adult patients with suspected cases of typhoid fever, in the Department of Medicine, Chittagong Medical College Hospital for a period of one year from January to December 2009. Blood samples were collected to perform culture and Widal test. TO titre ?1:160 were considered as significant. AO or BO?1:160 was also considered as significant. The results showed 24 among 100 clinically suspected typhoid fever cases yielded growth of S. typhi. Widal test was found significant in 20(83.33%) out of 24 cultured confirmed cases. Results revealed significant difference in Widal test results between culture positive and negative cases, X2 value 5.601, P value 0.018(

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is paroxysms of vertigo occurring with certain head movements, typically looking up or turning over in bed comprising about 20% of Dizziness cases. This study was carried out to evaluate the Efficacy of canalith repositioning procedure(CRP) in BPPV. A randomized clinical trial including 80 patients with BPPV was performed Medicine & Neurology Outpatient Department, Chittagong Medical College Hospital. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A treated by anti-vertigo drug and CRP, Group B treated by anti-vertigo drug alone. All patients were followed up in hospital at one week after & 4 weeks. The rates of effectiveness of CRP treatment and the control treatment for were 86.8% and 59.4%, respectively. There was a significant difference (27.4%) in the outcomes of the CRP & control groups (P

Malaysia located in tropical climate which have a typical temperature range between 21 °C to 36 °C. Due to this, air-conditioning system for buildings become a necessity to provide comfort to occupants. In order to reduce the energy consumption of the air-conditioning system, the transmission of heat from outdoor to indoor space should be kept as minimum as possible. This article discuss about a technology to resist heat transfer through concrete wall panel using a hybrid method. In this research, PVC pipe was embedded at the center of concrete wall panel while the EPS foam beads were added about 1% of the cement content in the concrete mix forming the outer layer of the wall panel. Water is regulated in the PVC pipe from the rainwater harvesting system. The aim of this study is to minimize heat transfer from the external environment into the building. Internal building temperature which indicated in BS EN ISO 7730 or ASHRAE Standard 55 where the comfort indoor thermal is below 25°C during the daytime. Study observed that the internal surface temperature of heat resistance wall panel is up to 3°C lower than control wall panel. Therefore, we can conclude that application of heat resistance wall panel can lead to lower interior building temperature.

Ferroelectric-dielectric superlattices consisting of alternating layers of ferroelectric ${\mathrm{PbTiO}}_{3}$ and dielectric ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ exhibit a disordered striped nanodomain pattern, with characteristic length scales of 6 nm for the domain periodicity and 30 nm for the in-plane coherence of the domain pattern. Spatial disorder in the domain pattern gives rise to coherent hard $x$-ray scattering patterns exhibiting intensity speckles. We show here using variable-temperature Bragg-geometry $x$-ray photon correlation spectroscopy that $x$-ray scattering patterns from the disordered domains exhibit a continuous temporal decorrelation due to spontaneous domain fluctuations. The temporal decorrelation can be described using a compressed exponential function, consistent with what has been observed in other systems with arrested dynamics. The fluctuation speeds up at higher temperatures and the thermal activation energy estimated from the Arrhenius model is $0.35\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.21\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}$. The magnitude of the energy barrier implies that the complicated energy landscape of the domain structures is induced by pinning mechanisms and domain patterns fluctuate via the generation and annihilation of topological defects similar to soft materials such as block copolymers.

The nanodomain pattern in ferroelectric-dielectric superlattices transforms to a uniform polarization state under above-band-gap optical excitation. $X$-ray scattering reveals a disappearance of domain diffuse scattering and an expansion of the lattice. The reappearance of the domain pattern occurs over a period of seconds at room temperature, suggesting a transformation mechanism in which charge carriers in long-lived trap states screen the depolarization field. A Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire model predicts changes in lattice parameter and a critical carrier concentration for the transformation.

South Africa has adopted pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a preventive strategy for populations at-risk for HIV, though uptake is low among adolescents and young adults. We examined the awareness and use of PrEP among adolescents and young adults in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This cross-sectional study was conducted between June and November 2018 among 772 adolescents and young adults (aged 16–24 years) selected using stratified random sampling in a South African university. An electronic self-administered questionnaire was used to elicit demographic information, behavioral, family-related characteristics, awareness and use of PrEP. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models were used to examine the predictors of PrEP awareness. The overall level of PrEP awareness was 18.8%; however, only 1.7% of participants had used PrEP, 7.5% of had seen it, 4.8% knew how much it cost, and 14.8% knew where and how to get it. In the adjusted regression analysis, only adequate family support (AOR: 2.11; CI: 1.47–3.04) and discussions of HIV and sexually transmitted infections with sexual partners (AOR: 1.78; CI: 1.19–2.67) were associated with a higher likelihood of being aware of PrEP. The level of awareness and use of PrEP is still very low among adolescents and young adults who may need it to prevent HIV infection. Poor awareness of PrEP among adolescents and young adults in high HIV risk settings may limit its use. Thus, concerted efforts are needed to promote awareness and access to PrEP among young South African adults.

The behavior of adolescent have gained attention worldwide because of the negative impact on the perpetrators, the victims, their families and significant others; it has also been found that children who are aggressive may grow up to become adults who engage in criminal activities. In school setting, high level of aggressive behavior among the students shows failing responsibility of molding the children to become responsible members of the society. Many factors have been investigated for being responsible for this behavior among the adolescents, among which is the family structure. This study therefore aims to find out the relationship between family structure and aggressive behaviors of Nigerian adolescents. The sample for the study comprised one hundred and twenty students randomly selected from three schools in Azare Metropolis in Bauchi state of Nigeria. Findings of the study revealed that there is a relationship between family structure and aggressive behaviour. Children from polygamous family without their biological mothers tend to be more aggressive while those from polygamous family which include biological father and mother, and those from monogamous family are less aggressive. It can therefore be concluded that it is not polygamy itself that is detrimental to child outcome, but the absence of the biological parents in the family.

Background: Echocardiography is a non-invasive, on-injurious, relatively cheap and useful imaging technique for the evaluation of cardiac diseases. The procedure has reliable levels of accuracy. Echocardiography commenced at the Cardiology Department of Khawja Yunus Ali Medical College Hospital,Enayetpur Sirajgonj,Bangladesh since 2004.The aim of this study is to report our experience with the procedure, and to define the clinical cases seen in our setting. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected data. Echocardiography was performed using Aloka Prosound-SSD 5500 SV echocardiograph equipped with 2.5-5.0 MHz transducer. Results: During the period of 6 months under review (July 2011-December 2011), 1883 procedures were performed. Those reports were reviewed for demographic parameter, indications for the procedure and the main echocardiographic diagnoses. The mean age of the 1883 individuals studied was 50 +/- 18.67 years (10-90). There were 1221 men and 662 women. Four hundred ninety eight(498) (26.45%) had Ischemic Heart Disease, 229(12.16%) subjects were Hypertensive Heart disease,160 subjects (8.5%) had rheumatic heart disease while 62,(3.3%) had cardiomyopathy. Pericardial diseases, corpulmonale, congenital heart diseases, were present in 36(1.92%), 35 (1.85%), 88(4.67%), respectively. Seven hundred and Seventy Five (41.1%) subjects had normal study. Conclusion: Ischemic heart disease was found to be the most prevalent cardiac condition in this study. The relatively frequent diagnoses of Hypertensive heart Disease, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies and pericardial diseases reflect the impact of infections on the cardiovascular health of adult Bangladeshis. We suggest that prevention and treatment of cardiac diseases in our setting should among other things focus on life style modification, Ceasation of smoking,regular exercise, blood pressure and blood glucose control and early treatment of infections causing heart diseases. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/kyamcj.v3i1.13657 KYAMC Journal Vol. 3, No.-1, June 2012 p.223-224

Problem statement: Students’ placement into courses of study in most (if not all) tertiary institutions in Nigeria had long been a problematic exercise. Most students get placed into courses of study they are ill suited to and then for which they are ill prepared. Approach: This research focused on the polytechnic, taking the newest federal polytechnic as a case study, that is, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu. The research tries to design a predictive model for the purpose of placing incoming students from the Pre-National Diploma (Pre-ND) programme, into courses of study based on the students’ performance at the Pre-ND level. The classification model sought to assign a student into a course of study, through the analysis of subjects scores at the Pre-ND level. Results: Discriminate analysis technique was applied and results obtained indicated different subjects in the different courses as the strongest contributors for the placement of students into different courses of study. The science courses have similar subjects as strong contributors, while the management courses share the same subjects mix as contributors to a student’s placement into a course. Conclusion: The natures of the models constitute discriminate factors and the potential for its improvement in future are also discussed in the research.

Mossbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements were performed on commercial iron rich cereal and on an iron supplement at room temperature. X-ray diffraction patterns of the raw cereal showed it to be more of an amorphous compound while the iron supplement was found to be in a crystalline form. Mossbauer spectra of the raw cereal showed about 81% of the iron in the ferric phase (Fe+3), 18% in the metal form (Fe), and less than 1% in the ferrous phase (Fe+2). Mossbauer spectra of the extracted iron from the raw cereal showed about 29% in the ferric phase, 70% in the metal phase, and less than 1% in the ferrous phase. Mossbauer measurements of the iron supplement showed 100% of the iron to be in the ferrous phase. The bioavailability of iron is generally attributed to the solubility of iron that is dependent on the oxidation state of iron in food and iron supplements. This study suggested that iron-rich cereal might not be the optimum source of iron for humans.

Introduction Pakistan has a population exceeding 160 million. Communicable diseases remain the most important health problem in Pakistan, with non-communicable diseases and injuries comprising a quarter of all deaths. National policy and health service model The government provides a multi-tiered healthcare system, from the Basic Health Unit at the village level, ranging up to the tertiary care teaching hospitals in the larger cities. These facilities are accessible to all, and are usually free or highly subsidised. Patients have the choice to see a private or government GP, a specialist, or an alternative medicine healer. The current National Health Policy focusses mainly on prevention of communicable diseases, as well as improving primary and secondary health care services. Epidemiology Only 6% of 13 to 14 year olds are medically diagnosed as having asthma, and more than half report symptoms of rhinitis. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis in patients over 65 is 14% and 6% in rural females and males, respectively, and 9% (with no sex difference) in urban areas. The higher rates of chronic bronchitis observed in females in rural areas may be attributed to high levels of indoor air pollution due to cooking over smoking fires. It is estimated that 36% of adult males, and 9% of females, smoke, and the cigarette consumption per person per year in Pakistan is among the highest in South Asia. Pakistan is ranked 7th among the 22 highest tuberculosis disease burden countries in the world. In 2006 the number of all TB cases was 76,668 compared to 97,245 in 2004. It is estimated that 70-80,000 people are infected with HIV, but only 3,000 AIDS cases have been reported so far. The incidence of acute respiratory infections in children varies, and is a common cause of morbidity. In adults, it is estimated that pneumonia may affect as many as 2.8 million Pakistanis. Access to care Patients usually can access their local GPs or alternative medical practitioners with relative ease. In villages in remote areas, access to government-run health care facilities can sometimes be quite difficult. Facilities available Respiratory illnesses like asthma, allergy and COPD, are still a relatively low priority area, and even simple equipment--e.g. a peak flow meter--is not commonly available. Specialised equipment like spirometers and allergy testing facilities are only available in a few larger cities and hospitals. Future developments The WHO's Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD) is expected to be launched in 2008. This will be a platform for strengthening primary care respiratory activities with the involvement of the International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG). Various non-governmental organisations have plans to promote awareness regarding all aspects of allergy, asthma, COPD, and other chronic respiratory diseases, in the future.

Increasing market integration appears to be an unavoidable process for most pastoral societies. Raising substitution rates between direct utilisation of animal products and consumption of cereals exchanged through markets is the most important reason for consistent population growth on rangelands (Helland 2000). To some extent, market exchanges are therefore a determinant of pastoral livelihoods, especially during the dry season when internal food production does not always satisfy households' energy requirements. While offering potential for development, market integration of pastoral economies also presents critical risk factors. Increasing interdependence on regional and global political and economic environments compound pastoral vulnerability to climatic extremes. The Milking Drylands research initiative (1) addresses these issues in one particular area of the world, Somalia. In this paper, mechanisms regulating the marketing of camel milk in north-eastern Somalia (Region of Puntland) are analysed in order to provide relevant insights into a society that continues to experience a lack of central government and institutional capacities. Our preliminary research findings provide some indications that pastoral dairy marketing serves a number of economic as well as social functions, through the exchange of a number of commodities, non-commodity services and information, which aims to satisfy the needs of both pastoral and urban communities. Keywords: Somalia, pastoralism, dairy marketing, drylands, gender. Study Rationale Pastoral communities inhabit areas where constraining soil, rainfall and temperature conditions provide limited effective and sustainable options for land use other than mobile livestock rearing. Food security in these areas is of increasing concern as political and socio-economic changes are reshaping rural livelihoods in many parts of the world. Pastoral societies face more threats to their way of life now than at any previous time, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. These areas are beset by recurrent drought and other severe climatic extremes. Trends of population growth, climate change and globalisation are placing growing pressures upon rangelands and the complex socio-political systems that govern them, and are increasing the vulnerability of pastoral communities. This article introduces the Milking Drylands research initiative, which aims to understand the shifting livelihood patterns of pastoral communities in the Horn of Africa. More specifically, it focuses on Somali pastoralism. Somali pastoralism extensively relies upon mobility, information networks and market integration, and has a high exposure to the processes of globalisation. A comprehensive analysis of pastoral market dynamics in the Somali region holds great potential to contribute towards the sustainable development of drylands. Preliminary research findings and methodological elements are described in the article. Data presented here were collected directly during fieldwork, or gathered from a number of agencies operating in the research area and verified during field missions. This research further aims to provide useful indications of the ways in which pastoral societies could contribute to debates relating to globalisation. Concepts such as mobility, risk management, decentralised authority, insecurity, transnationalism, information systems, public goods, and network society are being increasingly acknowledged in current societal debates. While much is still to be learned about these concepts from pastoral cultures themselves, most policies and investments in pastoral areas still aim to sedentarise and 'domesticate' herders and convert them to the 'civilised' lifestyle of settled farmers and urban inhabitants. Introduction While the demise of pastoral livelihoods has been frequently pointed out, in many areas of the world pastoralism represents the most important livelihood strategy of a growing number of households (Blench 2001; Swift 2004). …

We exploit nanoscale mechanically induced switching of an artificially layered ferroelectric material, used as an active substrate, to achieve the local manipulation of the electrical transport properties of graphene. In Graphene Ferroelectric Field Effect Transistors (GFeFETs), the graphene channel's charge state is controlled by an underlying ferroelectric layer. The tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM) can be used to mechanically 'write' nanoscale regions of the graphene channel and 'read' off the modulation in the transport behavior. The written features associated with the switching of ferroelectric domains remain polarized until an electrical reset operation is carried out. Our result provides a method for flexible and reversible nano-scale manipulation of the transport properties of a broad class of 2D materials.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a global public health problem. Although curable, it is the most common cause of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) related illness and death. Globally it was estimated that about 12 million people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) are co.infected with tuberculosis (TB). The low immune system resulting from HIV confers the risk known for re.activation of latent or recent TB infection to active TB and increase the rate of recurrence of TB.Materials and Methods: New patients registered with the DOTS clinic meeting TB case definition, diagnosed based on findings suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) on clinical and radiological examination (chest X.ray), and sputum testing for AFB (acid fast bacilli) were offered provider initiated HIV counseling and testing (PICT) using HIV Uni.Gold and Determine test kits.Results: A total of 2, 456 of adult pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients were enrolled for 2 years (2007.2009). 462 (18.8%) out of 2,456 were HIV sero.positive. HIV prevalence is higher in female patients (15.9%) than male patients (10.5%) with a statistical difference (P < 0.05). HIV sero-prevalence also varied among the different age group. The peak age prevalence was in the age group 25.34 years accounting for 43.9% and the least with 1.5% in the group 65 and above years old.Conclusion: Diagnosing HIV infection among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) should be an offortunity for referrals for measure of the prevention and treatment of common HIV related illness, ongoing provision of social and psychological support and anti-retroviral therapy.

The Borana rangelands in southern Ethiopia are facing deterioration caused by intensification of grazing and woody plant encroachment, resulting in marked reductions in pastoral production. This process affects the food security and livelihoods of the Borana pastoral people negatively. Woody plant encroachment might result in an increase in carbon (C) storage in these rangelands, which represents an important aspect for climate change mitigation potentials. However, it is unclear how much C is currently stored in the above-and belowground vegetation biomass and in the soils of these rangeland ecosystems and how grazing intensity and woody cover influence soil or ecosystem C-stocks. The research work presented in this thesis aimed at developing tools to estimate the aboveground woody biomass C stocks. It describes the structure of semiarid savanna vegetation in different grazing regimes at various levels of woody encroachment, examines changes in woody plant encroachment, and provides field-based quantification methods and tools to derive site-based estimates of above- and belowground C pools. The thesis also aimed at assessing the influence of grazing on herbaceous above- and belowground biomass C stocks, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total soil nitrogen (TSN) to estimate possible increases in ecosystem C stocks by long term reduction of grazing intensity (e.g., low livestock density and seasonal grazing) at various levels of woody plant encroachment. A long-term temporal satellite imagery over the last 37 years and GIS mapping aided by ground truthing was used to investigate vegetation cover changes. In the field, data was collected to analyze vegetation attributes such as composition and structure under different grazing regimes and woody encroachment sites. Herbaceous species were destructively harvested to quantify the biomass and C stocks in the herbaceous vegetation community. Allometric tree biomass models were developed by destructively harvesting eight woody species to indirectly quantify the woody biomass and C stocks. Total soil nitrogen and SOC stocks in the different grazing management systems and woody encroachment levels were assessed from soil cores collected within 0- 40 cm soil depth. The performance of allometric biomass models as expressed as a goodness of fit (adj r2) depended on the species and biomass components estimated. The allometric models were highly accurate for large woody species such as A. mellifera, A. bussei, and A. etabaica. The most important single models predictor variable identified was stem basal circumference for tall shrubs with more or less open canopy structure. Meanwhile, for tall shrubs with closed and umbrella-like canopy structures, pairs of canopy volume and stem basal circumferences were more reliable predictors. It was further shown that, by using canopy volume as a standalone predictor variable, biomass can still be accurately predicted for shrubs whose growth form comprise discrete canopy clumps with multiple stems (e.g., A. oerfota). Vegetation cover analysis using temporal Landsat imageries from 1976 to 2012 revealed that areas covered by shrub and tree savanna (open savanna types) in the 1970s declined from 45% to 9%, while heavily encroached areas (bushland thickets and bushed savanna) increased from 22% to 61% during this time interval. The abundance of total and the regenerative woody plants (< 1 m height) were high in lower woody encroachment sites but significantly reduced at heavily woody encroachment sites. At all levels of woody encroachment enclosures significantly increased total woody plant density, especially the proportion of woody plants in < 1 m height size class compared to the open rangelands. Estimated total aboveground biomass C stocks varied significantly between woody encroachments levels, with total aboveground biomass C stocks ranging from 2 Mg ha-1 in the low encroachment site to 9 Mg ha-1 in heavy encroachment sites. Enclosures significantly raised the herbaceous biomass C stocks, with enclosures containing 50% more herbaceous aboveground biomass C stocks than openly grazed land. However, the response of herbaceous aboveground biomass C stocks to grazing was also strongly influenced by the woody encroachment characteristics including woody density, canopy cover, species composition and other specific traits of woody species. Mean total SOC stock in the 0 - 40 cm soil depth ranged from 30 Mg ha-1 in the openly grazed soils at the high woody encroachment site to 81 Mg ha-1 in the enclosure soils at the low encroachment site ha-1. Soil OC and TSN did not differ in the enclosure at heavily encroached sites but were two times as high in enclosures compared to openly grazed soils at low encroached sites. Soil OC was positively related to TSN and soil cation exchange capacity (CEC), but negatively to sand content. Contrary to expectations, SOC stocks did not uniformly follow the pattern of increasing aboveground biomass C stocks with increasing woody encroachment. Rather, it seemed to be influenced by variations in soil characteristics across the Borana rangelands. The study highlights the influence of woody encroachment and reduction of grazing pressure on ecosystem C stocks. The allometric models developed by this study can serve as a tool for future biomass and C sequestration studies in semiarid regions of east Africa. The information presented on the ecosystem C stocks by this thesis could help integrate the effects of grazing and vegetation cover dynamics on the rangeland C storage. An understanding of these interactions are deemed necessary to develop a sound rangeland management policy that can link the C storage potential of the rangelands to global climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies through establishing a viable mechanism of payment for ecosystem services. Das Borana Weideland in Südäthiopien steht vor einer Veschlechterung, die durch intensivierte Beweidung und die Ausbreitung von Gehölzpflanzen verursacht wird. Dies führt zu einer deutlichen Abnahme der pastoralen Produktion und hat auch einen negativen Einfluss auf die Nahrungssicherheit und den Lebensunterhalt der Borana Bevölkerung. Auf der anderen Seite resultiert die Ausbreitung von Gehölzpflanzen möglicherweise in einer erhöhten Kohlenstoffspeicherung, ein wichtiger Aspekt bezüglich des Potentials zur Abmilderung des Klimawandels. Jedoch ist unklar wie viel Kohlenstoff (C) tatsächlich in der ober- und unterirdischen Biomasse und im Boden dieses Weidelandes gespeichert ist und wie Beweidungsintensität und die zunehmende Bedeckung von Gehölzpflanzen die Kohlenstoffvorräte des Ökosystems beeinflussen. Die vorliegende Arbeit hat zum Ziel, Methoden zur Schätzung der oberirdischen Gehölzbiomasse bzw. der C-Vorräte zu entwickeln. Sie beschreibt die Struktur der semiariden Savannenvegetation unter verschiedenen Beweidungsformen, unter zunehmendem Deckungsgrad an Gehölzpflanzen und präsentiert feldbasierte Methoden zur Quantifizierung und standort-basierten Schätzung der ober-und unterirdischen C-Vorräte. Außerdem bezweckt diese Arbeit, den Einfluss von Beweidung auf die ober-und unterirdischen Biomasse bzw. C-Vorräte des Unterwuchses (Krautschicht) zu bewerten sowie den Effekt auf Bodenkohlenstoff (Soil organic carbon – SOC) und Gesamtstickstoff (total soil nitrogen – TSN) abzuschätzen. So kann eine mögliche Zunahme des Ökosystemkohlenstoffvorrats durch langfristige Reduktion der Beweidung (z.B. niedrigere Viehdichte und saisonale Beweidung) unter variierender Gehölzbedeckung eingeschätzt werden. Mittels Satellitenbildern der letzen 37 Jahre, eines Geoinformationssystems (GIS) und Kartierung wurden langfristige und groß-skalige Änderungen der Vegetationsbedeckung untersucht. Im Feld wurden Daten gesammelt, um Vegetationseigenschaften wie Artzusammensetzung und -struktur in Abhängigkeit von Beweidung und Bedeckung zu analysieren. Krautige Arten wurden destruktiv geerntet, um die Biomasse und C-Vorräte zu quantifizieren. Durch destruktives Ernten von acht Baumarten wurden allometrische Modelle entwickelt, um indirekt die hölzerne Biomasse und C-Vorräte zu quantifizieren. Gesamtstickstoff des Bodens und organischer Kohlenstoff (SOC) wurden mittels Bohrkernen von 0-40 cm Tiefe untersucht. Die Güte der allometrischen Biomassemodelle (adj r2) hing von der geschätzen Baumart und Biomassekomponente ab. Bei Baumarten mit hoher Gesamtbiomasse, z.B. A. mellifera, A. bussei und A. etabaica, trafen die allometrischen Modelle sehr akkurat zu. Die wichtigste Prädiktorvariable der Modelle bei hohen Stäuchern mit mehr oder weniger offener Krone war der Basalumfang, während Kronenvolumen und Basalumfang des Stammes die zuverlässigsten Prädiktoren bei Arten mit geschlossener schirmförmiger Kronenstruktur waren. Weiterhin wurde gezeigt, dass die Biomasse von Sträuchern mit büschelartiger Kronenstrukur und mehreren Stämmen (e.g. A. oerfota) auch mittels des Kronenvolumens als alleinigem Prädiktor akkurat bestimmt werden konnte. Die Analyse der Vegetationsbedeckung mittels Landsat Bildern von 1976 bis 2012 zeigte, dass die mit Sträuchern und Baumsavanne bedeckte Fläche seit 1970 von 45% auf 9% abgenommen hat, während die Fläche mit hoher Dichte an Gehölzpflanzen von 22% auf 61% zunahm. Die Häufigkeit von regenerativen Gehölzpflanzen (

In the present work, we study the evolution of magnetic helicity in the solar corona. We compare the rate of change of a quantity related to the magnetic helicity in the corona to the flux of magnetic helicity through the photosphere and find that the two rates are similar. This gives observational evidence that helicity flux across the photosphere is indeed what drives helicity changes in the solar corona during emergence. For the purposes of estimating coronal helicity, we neither assume a strictly linear force-free field nor attempt to construct a nonlinear force-free field. For each coronal loop evident in extreme ultraviolet, we find a best-matching line of a linear force-free field and allow the twist parameter {alpha} to be different for each line. This method was introduced and its applicability discussed in Malanushenko et al. The object of this study is emerging and rapidly rotating AR 9004 over about 80 hr. As a proxy for coronal helicity, we use the quantity ({alpha}{sub i} L{sub i} /2) averaged over many reconstructed lines of magnetic field. We argue that it is approximately proportional to the 'flux-normalized' helicity H/{Phi}{sup 2}, where H is the helicity and {Phi} is the total enclosed magneticmore » flux of the active region. The time rate of change of such a quantity in the corona is found to be about 0.021 rad hr{sup -1}, which is comparable with the estimates for the same region obtained using other methods, which estimated the flux of normalized helicity to be about 0.016 rad hr{sup -1}.« less

The DNA repair protein MGMT (O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) is overexpressed in human brain cancers and its ability to reverse the O6-guanine alkylation damage induced by many alkylating agents is a major reason for resistance development and therapy failure. Studies in our laboratory have shown that phosphorylation is a negative regulatory mechanism for MGMT (Cancer Res 60, 282, 2000) and that Tyr114 is a major site for this modification (Proc AACR 46, Abst. 5426, 2005). Phosphorylated MGMT is inactive and therefore, the net content of the inactive phospho-MGMT in gliomas and other cancers has the potential to determine patient response to alkylating agents. To determine the (i) functional inactivation of MGMT due to Tyr114 phosphorylation, (ii) the consequent increases in the tumor sensitivity to alkylating agents and (iii) to assess the cellular significance of this event, we developed phospho-specific polyclonal antibodies against the peptide 106-120 (CKFGEVIS-pY-QQLAAL) encompassing the modified tyr114 site. The rabbit antibodies were affinity-purified by chromatography on phospho- and non-phospho peptide columns and further characterized. Specificity studies involving ELISA and western blotting of phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated protein fractions revealed that the antibody recognized only the phosphorylated MGMT, but not the recombinant or unmodified proteins. Immunoblot, immunocytochemical and flow cytometric analyses showed the presence of varied but significant amounts of phosphorylated MGMT (10-20% of cellular MGMT in phosphorylated state) in human tumor cell lines. Other experiments showed that phosphorylated MGMT was incapable of binding the DNA substrate or the biotinylated O6-benzylguanine. Molecular modeling showed that phospho-tyr114 fills up the substrate binding pocket, makes new salt bridges and prevents the flipping of O6-alkylated guanine from the base stack into the MGMT active site. Studies are ongoing to determine (i) the cell cycle phase-dependent phosphorylation of MGMT and its relationship with protein turnover, (ii) whether the abundance of phospho-MGMT in human cancers will predict improved drug-efficacy and (iii) the disposition of phospho vs. unphosphorylated MGMT. In conclusion, just similar to the silencing of MGMT expression through promoter methylation, the phosphorylated MGMT content (determined by the balance of kinase and phosphatase activities) in tumors may increase the alkylator efficacy and predict improved responses to therapy. The antibodies described here should aid efforts in this direction (supported by CPRIT RP130266 and NIH RO3CA125872 grants to KSS). Citation Format: Amit Rawat, Upendra Gumaste, Mohammed A. Yusuf, Suryakant K. Niture, Kalkunte S. Srivenugopal. Generation and characterization of phospho-specific antibodies against human O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) DNA repair protein. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3627. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3627