Phenotype and molecular characteriacion of released sweetpotato varieties and pathogen-tested putative ramets in Ghana.

Officially released varieties in Ghana are all selections from exotic introductions. Following release, no effort was made to maintain pathogen-tested foundation seed stocks. Pathogen-tested plants of 4 released varieties were introduced to Ghana and compared with released varieties to confirm a) that they were the same varieties and b) to evaluate whether pathogen-tested planting material of these varieties could be used to increase yield and quality. Planting material of cultivars and introduced pathogen-tested materials of the same genotypes were field multiplied at Fumesua, Ghana, before planting in replicated trials at 2 locations during the 2011 growing season. Standard morphological descriptors and molecular markers were used to assess equality of genotypes, while yield and virus symptoms during growth were used to determine benefits of using pathogen-tested planting material. Morphologically, Otoo and Sauti were more similar to their putative ramets than Faara and Okumkom. Mogamba, the putative ramet of Otoo, recorded the highest yield among the pathogentested clones at the two locations, while also expressing low virus symptoms. Otoo also had the highest yield and lowest virus ratings among the released varieties. Tanzania a pathogen tested ramet of Sauti had the worst virus score across locations. TIS 3017 (CIP 440064), the pathogen-tested putative ramet of Faara did not yield well though it did not express severe virus symptoms

Effects of Longwall Mining on Hydrogeology, Leslie County, Kentucky Part 3: Post-Mining Conditions

The effects of longwall coal mining on hydrology in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field have been investigated since 1991. The study area is in the Edd Fork watershed in southern Leslie County, over Shamrock Coal Company\u27s Beech Fork Mine. Longwall panels approximately 700 ft wide are separated by three-entry gateways that are approximately 200 ft wide. The mine is operated in the Fire Clay (Hazard No. 4) coal; overburden thickness ranges from 300 to 800 ft. Mining began in panel 1 in September 1991 and concluded with panel 8 in September 1994. Long-term monitoring consisting of a network of piezometers and time-domain reflectometry (TDR) cables previously installed over panel 7, in conjunction with a continuously recording rain gage and flume, began after the completion of mining. Two new core holes were drilled over panel 7 approximately 1 year after mining ceased in panel 8 to determine depth of collapse and hydraulic conductivity of strata. Water levels were measured in two new monitoring wells installed after mining to complement the 11 piezometers installed prior to mining that were still functioning. Precipitation was measured through July 1996, and streamflow was measured in Edd Fork on a monthly basis using a cross-section gaging method. Physical failure of piezometers, core drilling, and the movement of air into deeper piezometers after mining indicate that extensive fracturing occurred to a height of 450 ft above the mine, which is approximately 60 times the extracted coal-seam thickness. Hydraulic conductivity values determined from pressure-injection tests were 10 to 100 times greater after mining than before mining; many values were in the range of 10-2 to 10-4 ft/min for all lithologies. At a minimum, a zone of rock approximately 200 ft above the mined coal was dewatered beneath Edd Fork. Ground-water levels in ridgetop piezometers fluctuated slightly more after mining than they did before, which indicates that the upper part of the ridge is more hydraulically connected to surface recharge from precipitation since mining took place. The existence of ground water in the shallow ridgetop piezometers suggests that an underlying aquitard zone developed during mine collapse, which retards the downward movement of shallow ground water to the mined-out area. Water level declined in a sandstone unit approximately 300 ft above the mine after mining, but recovered within a year. This indicates that the underlying regional aquitard still retards downward ground-water movement, despite the hydraulic conductivity of the unit increasing 100 times after mining. Edd Fork, approximately 375 ft above the mine in panel 7, resumed surface flow 2 months after completion of mining; however, flow diminishes downstream at about the centerline of panel 8. Mining is still active in other areas of the mine, and mechanical dewatering activities will most likely keep water levels in the deep zones artificially depressed in the study area until mining is completed and dewatering activities cease

Effects of Longwall Mining on Hydrology, Leslie County, Kentucky Part 2: During-Mining Conditions

The effects of longwall coal mining on hydrology in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field are being investigated. The study area is in the Edd Fork watershed in southern Leslie County, over Shamrock Coal Company\u27s Beech Fork Mine. Longwall panels approximately 700 ft wide are separated by three-entry gateways that are approximately 200 ft wide. The mine is operated in the Fire Clay (Hazard No. 4) coal; overburden thickness ranges from 300 to 800 ft. Mining began in panel 1 in September 1991 and concluded with panel 8 in September 1994. Long-term monitoring consisting of a network of piezometers and time-domain reflectometry (TDR) cables previously installed over panel 7, in conjunction with a continuously recording rain gage and flume, is continuing after the completion of mining. Mining in panel 5 affected water levels in three of 24 piezometers installed over panel 7; the level went down in one piezometer and rose in two. Mining in panel 6 affected 16 of 24 piezometers; the level went down in 11 piezometers and rose in five. Mining in panel 7 affected water levels in 20 of 24 piezometers. Different water-level responses were recorded as the mine approached and passed by the instrumental sites. Thirteen piezometers failed as a result of undermining. These piezometers penetrated the zone of deep fracturing that extends upward approximately 450 ft (or 60 times greater than the mined thickness) above the mine. Only one piezometer showed a net increase in water level as a result of mining. Mining-induced surface fractures, observed along roads in the watershed, were generally parallel to the slope of the land surface or mining direction and probably contributed to ground-water recharge. The surface stream was unaffected until it was undermined by panel 8; then the stream went dry. TDR cables in the Hazard coal zone were deformed as mining passed by on the adjacent panel. Water levels in piezometers in the Hazard coal zone declined at the same time. TDR cables broke completely twice. The deepest complete break was in the Hazard coal zone and occurred when the active mine face was approaching, but still approximately 1,000 ft away from, the affected cable in panel 7. This corresponds to an angle of influence of 60 to 70°. Rock broke in the shallow subsurface (less than 50 ft deep) when the cable was directly undermined. Water-level responses in piezometers adjacent to mining are related to the complex flow system, rather than a defined angle of hydrologic influence. Coal beds and other conductive strata transmit water-level responses as far away as 1,450 ft, whereas nonconductive strata transmit little water-level change at closer distances. The water-level responses observed in this study support existing subsidence models. Piezometers in the zone of intensive fracturing failed as a result of rock breakage. An aquiclude zone developed in the ridge. The integrity of strata and piezometers was generally maintained. The most variable effects were observed in the zone of surface fracturing, within 50 ft of the surface

EDEPR of impurity centers embedded in silicon microcavities

We present the first findings of the new electrically-detected EPR (EDEPR) technique which reveal different shallow and deep centers without using the external cavity as well as the hf source and recorder, with measuring the only magnetoresistance of the Si-QW confined by the superconductor delta-barriers.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure

Heavy mass expansion, light-by-light scattering and the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon

Contributions from light-by-light scattering to (g_\mu-2)/2, the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, are mediated by the exchange of charged fermions or scalar bosons. Assuming large masses M for the virtual particles and employing the technique of large mass expansion, analytical results are obtained for virtual fermions and scalars in the form of a series in (m_\mu /M)^2. This series is well convergent even for the case M=m_\mu. For virtual fermions, the expansion confirms published analytical formulae. For virtual scalars, the result can be used to evaluate the contribution from charged pions. In this case our result confirms already available numerical evaluations, however, it is significantly more precise.Comment: revtex4, eps figure

Resilience and HIV: a review of the definition and study of resilience

We use a socioecological model of health to define resilience, review the definition and study of resilience among persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) in the existing peer-reviewed literature, and discuss the strengths and limitations of how resilience is defined and studied in HIV research. We conducted a review of resilience research for HIV-related behaviors/outcomes of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, clinic attendance, CD4 cell count, viral load, viral suppression, and/or immune functioning among PLWH. We performed searches using PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar databases. The initial search generated 14,296 articles across the three databases, but based on our screening of these articles and inclusion criteria, n = 54 articles were included for review. The majority of HIV resilience research defines resilience only at the individual (i.e., psychological) level or studies individual and limited interpersonal resilience (e.g., social support). Furthermore, the preponderance of HIV resilience research uses general measures of resilience; these measures have not been developed with or tailored to the needs of PLWH. Our review suggests that a socioecological model of health approach can more fully represent the construct of resilience. Furthermore, measures specific to PLWH that capture individual, interpersonal, and neighborhood resilience are needed

Development of Long and Short Forms of the Multilevel Resilience Resource Measure for African American/Black Adults Living with HIV

Understanding resilience in relation to HIV-related outcomes may help address racial/ethnic disparities, however, significant gaps in its measurement preclude in-depth study. Thus, this research aims to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of long and short forms of the Multilevel Resilience Resource Measure for African American/Black Adults Living with HIV. To develop the items, we conducted a mixed methods study (N = 48) and reviewed published resilience measures. We completed content validity index analyses to ensure the items reflected the resilience construct. Next, we conducted 20 cognitive interviews and a field survey (N = 400). The long and short forms demonstrated acceptable to excellent psychometric properties based on factorial validity, internal consistency and convergent validity and on measurement invariance (conducted for the short form only). These measures provide a comprehensive framework to examine resilience and HIV-related outcomes and can inform resilience-building interventions to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities

Multilevel Resilience and HIV Virologic Suppression Among African American/Black Adults in the Southeastern United States

Objective: To assess overall and by neighborhood risk environments whether multilevel resilience resources were associated with HIV virologic suppression among African American/Black adults in the Southeastern United States. Setting and Methods: This clinical cohort sub-study included 436 African American/Black participants enrolled in two parent HIV clinical cohorts. Resilience was assessed using the Multilevel Resilience Resource Measure (MRM) for African American/Black adults living with HIV, where endorsement of a MRM statement indicated agreement that a resilience resource helped a participant continue HIV care despite challenges or was present in a participant’s neighborhood. Modified Poisson regression models estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) for virologic suppression as a function of categorical MRM scores, controlling for demographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics at or prior to sub-study enrollment. We assessed for effect measure modification (EMM) by neighborhood risk environments. Results: Compared to participants with lesser endorsement of multilevel resilience resources, aPRs for virologic suppression among those with greater or moderate endorsement were 1.03 (95% confidence interval: 0.96–1.11) and 1.03 (0.96–1.11), respectively. Regarding multilevel resilience resource endorsement, there was no strong evidence for EMM by levels of neighborhood risk environments. Conclusions: Modest positive associations between higher multilevel resilience resource endorsement and virologic suppression were at times most compatible with the data. However, null findings were also compatible. There was no strong evidence for EMM concerning multilevel resilience resource endorsement, which could have been due to random error. Prospective studies assessing EMM by levels of the neighborhood risk environment with larger sample sizes are needed

Measurement of e+e- -> pi+pi- cross section with CMD-2 around rho-meson

The cross section of the process e+e- -> pi+pi- has been measured using about 114000 events collected by the CMD-2 detector at the VEPP-2M e+e- collider in the center-of-mass energy range from 0.61 to 0.96 GeV. Results of the pion form factor determination with a 0.6% systematic uncertainty are presented. Implications for the hadronic contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment are discussed.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures, submitted to PL