Large Area Crop Inventory Experiment (LACIE). The boundary pixel study in Kansas and North Dakota

The author has identified the following significant results. The statistical mapping approach to handling boundary pixels can be used as a standard for objectively comparing the cluster based technique, the maximum likelihood estimate based technique, and multicategory labeling

From Coherent States In Adjacent Graphene Layers Toward Low-Power Logic Circuits

Colleagues and we recently proposed a new type of transistor, a Bilayer PseudoSpin Field Effect Transistor (BiSFET), based on many-body coherent states in coupled electron and hole layers in graphene. Here we review the basic BiSFET device concept and ongoing efforts to determine how such a device, which would be far from a drop-in replacement for MOSFETs in CMOS logic, could be used for low-power logic operation, and to model the effects of engineerable device parameters on the formation and gating of interlayer coherent state.Electrical and Computer Engineerin

Intrinsic Curie temperature bistability in ferromagnetic semiconductor resonant tunneling diodes

We predict bistability in the Curie temperature-voltage characteristic of double barrier resonant-tunneling structures with dilute ferromagnetic semiconductor quantum wells. Our conclusions are based on simulations of electrostatics and ballistic quantum transport combined with a mean-field theory description of ferromagnetism in dilute magnetic semiconductors.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. B; typo removed in revised version - spurious eq.12 immediately after eq.1

Effect of Edge Roughness on Electronic Transport in Graphene Nanoribbon Channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors

Results of quantum mechanical simulations of the influence of edge disorder on transport in graphene nanoribbon metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) are reported. The addition of edge disorder significantly reduces ON-state currents and increases OFF-state currents, and introduces wide variability across devices. These effects decrease as ribbon widths increase and as edges become smoother. However the bandgap decreases with increasing width, thereby increasing the band-to-band tunneling mediated subthreshold leakage current even with perfect nanoribbons. These results suggest that without atomically precise edge control during fabrication, MOSFET performance gains through use of graphene will be difficult to achieve.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Geographical Analysis of US Green Sector Industry Concentration

This paper analyzes the geographic distribution of “green energy” sector clustering in the lower 48 United States using recent developments in industry concentration analysis. Evidence suggests that the ten green energy subsectors and the aggregate of the firms comprising the green energy sector are regionally concentrated. Positive changes in industry concentration from 2002 to 2006 tended to be greatest in non-metropolitan counties, suggesting comparative advantage with respect to site location for the composite of firms making up these sectors.Agglomeration, Location Quotient, Renewable Energy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Industrial Organization, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

A case of septicaemic anthrax in an intravenous drug user

<p><b>Background:</b> In 2000, Ringertz et al described the first case of systemic anthrax caused by injecting heroin contaminated with anthrax. In 2008, there were 574 drug related deaths in Scotland, of which 336 were associated with heroin and or morphine. We report a rare case of septicaemic anthrax caused by injecting heroin contaminated with anthrax in Scotland.</p> <p><b>Case Presentation:</b> A 32 year old intravenous drug user (IVDU), presented with a 12 hour history of increasing purulent discharge from a chronic sinus in his left groin. He had a tachycardia, pyrexia, leukocytosis and an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). He was treated with Vancomycin, Clindamycin, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin and Metronidazole. Blood cultures grew Bacillus anthracis within 24 hours of presentation. He had a computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) of his abdomen, pelvis and thighs performed. These showed inflammatory change relating to the iliopsoas and an area of necrosis in the adductor magnus.</p> <p>He underwent an exploration of his left thigh. This revealed chronically indurated subcutaneous tissues with no evidence of a collection or necrotic muscle. Treatment with Vancomycin, Ciprofloxacin and Clindamycin continued for 14 days. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) device was applied utilising the Venturi™ wound sealing kit. Following 4 weeks of treatment, the wound dimensions had reduced by 77%.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Although systemic anthrax infection is rare, it should be considered when faced with severe cutaneous infection in IVDU patients. This case shows that patients with significant bacteraemia may present with no signs of haemodynamic compromise. Prompt recognition and treatment with high dose IV antimicrobial therapy increases the likelihood of survival. The use of simple wound therapy adjuncts such as NPWT can give excellent wound healing results.</p&gt

A Survey of Research Productivity in Respiratory Therapy Educational Programs

ABSTRACT RESEARCH PRODUCTIVITY IN RESPIRATORY THERAPY DEPARTMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES Issue: There is a need to standardize faculty evaluations across departments, particularly at research intensive universities. To date, there is no such standard to measure research productivity of respiratory therapy (RT) professors and programs in the U.S. This study asked: How is research productivity described in RT? What is the research productivity ranking of researchers? and What is the research productivity ranking of departments? Methods: After IRB approval, 56 B.S./M.S. degree RT programs were surveyed by email. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics and correlations. Outcomes: Response rate was 52%. Research productivity in RT is best described using H-Index and M quotient. Range of H-Index for professors was 0 to 44 with a mean of 2.37. Outcome variables found to have positive correlation with H-Index were highest degree earned, academic rank, accreditation role, and Carnegie Classification. Mean program H-Index ranged from 0 to 10.17 with a mean of 1.99. Conclusion: A positive relationship exists between H-Index of RT professors and several outcome variables. Faculty and program directors seeking to increase research productivity can by way of changes in hiring practice and furthering faculty development

Cholesterol and the risk of grade-specific prostate cancer incidence: evidence from two large prospective cohort studies with up to 37 years' follow up

<b>Background</b> High cholesterol may be a modifiable risk factor for prostate cancer but results have been inconsistent and subject to potential "reverse causality" where undetected disease modifies cholesterol prior to diagnosis.<p></p> <b>Methods</b> We conducted a prospective cohort study of 12,926 men who were enrolled in the Midspan studies between 1970 and 1976 and followed up to 31st December 2007. We used Cox-Proportional Hazards Models to evaluate the association between baseline plasma cholesterol and Gleason grade-specific prostate cancer incidence. We excluded cancers detected within at least 5 years of cholesterol assay.<p></p> <b>Results</b> 650 men developed prostate cancer in up to 37 years' follow-up. Baseline plasma cholesterol was positively associated with hazard of high grade (Gleason score[greater than or equal to]8) prostate cancer incidence (n=119). The association was greatest among men in the 4th highest quintile for cholesterol, 6.1 to <6.69 mmol/l, Hazard Ratio 2.28, 95% CI 1.27 to 4.10, compared with the baseline of <5.05 mmol/l. This association remained significant after adjustment for body mass index, smoking and socioeconomic status.<p></p> <b>Conclusions</b> Men with higher cholesterol are at greater risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer but not overall risk of prostate cancer. Interventions to minimise metabolic risk factors may have a role in reducing incidence of aggressive prostate cancer

Effects of Heavy Metal Pollution on the Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Historically, heavy metal research on sea turtles has been focused on deceased specimens, limiting the ability to determine if the concentrations of heavy metals affected the health of the individuals. More recently, the collection and analysis of blood samples from live turtles has enabled the researcher to investigate the potential health implications of observed metal concentrations. In this thesis, I present two original studies on the blood concentrations of essential and non-essential heavy metals and their potential physiological correlates on the endangered loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). This work reflects analysis of archived samples collected in 2008 off the southeastern coast of the United States by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Research was funded in part by the Office of Protected Resources and NOAA Fisheries. Samples were obtained through the generous support of Rusty D. Day, MSc. The first study examined the relationships between body size, sex, geographic location, water depth, and blood concentration of 17 essential and non-essential heavy metals and metalloids. Statistical analysis of these parameters indicated that measures of body size were correlated with several of the metals, whereas sex had no significant relationship with any of the metals examined. Several metal concentrations also varied with geographic location and depth of water in which the turtles were captured. The second study examined the potential health effects of these pollutants in C. caretta. Regression analyses were used to compare physiological (blood) parameters to metal concentrations. The significant associations between several physiological parameters and several nonessential toxic metals suggest that heavy metal pollution may influence the physiology and, potentially, the health of sea turtles. However, this study is limited in that it can only identify associations and cannot discern causal relationships. Therefore, further research is needed to clarify the effects heavy metal pollution may have on sea turtle health. A better understanding of the effects of heavy metal pollution on health in this endangered species will facilitate more effective monitoring and protection in the future, enabling us to more effectively conserve these fascinating creatures