Seasonal and Spatial Dynamics of Alate Aphid Dispersal in Snap Bean Fields in Proximity to Alfalfa and Implications for Virus Management

Alfalfa is a source for viruses that may be acquired by aphids and transmitted to snap bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. Snap bean fields in proximity to alfalfa could have an increased risk of virus infection. Knowledge of the abundance and temporal and spatial dispersal patterns of commonly encountered aphids in commercial snap bean fields, varying in distance from alfalfa, could provide insight into this risk. Alate aphids were monitored using water pan traps in snap bean and alfalfa fields that were adjacent to or >1 km away from each other. The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), was the most common aphid species captured in early-planted snap bean fields in 2002 and 2003 (56 and 23% of total, respectively), whereas the corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), also was common in 2003 (15% of total). In contrast, the yellow clover aphid, Therioaphis trifolii (Monell), and soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, were the most abundant species trapped in late-planted snap bean fields in 2002 (77% of total) and 2003 (64% of total), respectively. These species were prevalent in traps in alfalfa as well. The abundance and temporal dispersal patterns of these species in snap beans adjacent to and >1 km away from alfalfa were similar, suggesting that the risk for virus infection may not be affected by proximity to alfalfa. A similar number of alate aphids also were captured along snap bean field edges and field centers, regardless of their proximity to alfalfa. This suggests that the aphids dispersed into snap bean randomly rather than directionally from the field edge. The implication of these results is that separating snap bean fields from alfalfa or using crop borders/barriers are not likely to be successful virus management strategie

Circuit Quantum Electrodynamics with a Spin Qubit

Circuit quantum electrodynamics allows spatially separated superconducting qubits to interact via a "quantum bus", enabling two-qubit entanglement and the implementation of simple quantum algorithms. We combine the circuit quantum electrodynamics architecture with spin qubits by coupling an InAs nanowire double quantum dot to a superconducting cavity. We drive single spin rotations using electric dipole spin resonance and demonstrate that photons trapped in the cavity are sensitive to single spin dynamics. The hybrid quantum system allows measurements of the spin lifetime and the observation of coherent spin rotations. Our results demonstrate that a spin-cavity coupling strength of 1 MHz is feasible.Comment: Related papers at http://pettagroup.princeton.edu

A multi-centre randomised phase III trial of Dexamethasone vs Dexamethasone and diethylstilbestrol in castration-resistant prostate cancer: immediate vs deferred Diethylstilbestrol

From twelve months after its original publication, this work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.London NHS Trust sponsored this stud

Electoral manipulation and the development of Russia's political system

The allegations of electoral manipulation surrounding Russia's parliamentary election of December 2011 were nothing new. Regional elections in October 2009 resulted in victory for Putin's United Russia, followed by a walkout from the State Duma by the other parliamentary parties, to protest the elections’ conduct. Multi-layered questions surround the role of electoral manipulation for different actors in Russia's political system. Analysis focused on the elections of October 2009 shows that regime, opposition, and regional authorities all have conflicting motivations. For the regime, electoral manipulation helps to secure power and legitimacy, but its uncovering undermines that legitimacy. For the opposition, participation in elections provides an opportunity to both gain electoral representation and to de-legitimise the regime by declaring the ballot flawed. Regional leaders owe their positions to the regime and must balance any obligation to deliver ‘correct’ election results against mixed signals on the nature of that regime and of democracy in Russia

One Europe or None? Monism, Involution and Relations with Russia

The crisis in relations between Russia and the European Union (EU) is part of the broader breakdown of the post-Cold War security order. This commentary focuses on structural interpretation and identifies four interlinked processes shaping the crisis: tension between the logic of the enlargement and transformation; a dynamic of involution and resistance; the problem of monism, whereby the expanding self is unable adequately to engage with the un-integrated other; and the recent emergence of ‘other Europes’ that may potentially overcome involution. The erosion of the Atlantic system provides an opportunity for delayed institutional and ideational innovation

How Do Non-Democratic Regimes Claim Legitimacy? Comparative Insights from Post-Soviet Countries

The analysis using the new Regime Legitimation Expert Survey (RLES) demonstrates that non-democratic rulers in post-Soviet countries use specific combinations of legitimating claims to stay in power. Most notably, rulers claim to be the guardians of citizens' socioeconomic well-being. Second, despite recurrent infringements on political and civil rights, they maintain that their power is rule-based and embodies the will of the people, as they have been given popular electoral mandates. Third, they couple these elements with inputbased legitimation strategies that focus on nationalist ideologies, the personal capabilities and charismatic aura of the rulers, and the regime's foundational myth. Overall, the reliance on these input-based strategies is lower in the western post-Soviet Eurasian countries and very pronounced among the authoritarian rulers of Central Asia

Surgical site infections after emergency hernia repair: substudy from the Management of Acutely Symptomatic Hernia (MASH) study

Introduction Acutely symptomatic abdominal wall and groin hernias (ASH) are a common acute surgical presentation. There are limited data to guide decisions related to surgical repair technique and use of antibiotics, which can be driven by increased risk of surgical site infection (SSI) in this group. This study aims to report rates of SSI following ASH repair and explore the use of patient-reported outcome measure reporting in this setting. Methods An 18-week, UK-based, multicentre prospective cohort study (NCT04197271) recruited adults with ASH. This study reports operatively managed patients. Data on patient characteristics, inpatient management, quality of life, complications, and wound healing (Bluebelle score) were collected. Descriptive analyses were performed to estimate event rates of SSI and regression analysis explored the relationship between Bluebelle scores and SSI. The 30 and 90-day follow-up visits assessed complications and quality of life. Results The MASH study recruited 273 patients, of whom 218 were eligible for this study, 87.2 per cent who underwent open repair. Mesh was used in 123 patients (50.8 per cent). Pre- and postoperative antibiotics were given in 163 (67.4 per cent) and 28 (11.5 per cent) patients respectively. There were 26 reported SSIs (11.9 per cent). Increased BMI, incisional, femoral, and umbilical hernia were associated with higher rates of SSI (P = 0.006). In 238 patients, there was a difference in healthy utility values at 90 days between patients with and without SSI (P = 0.025). Also, when analysing 191 patients with Bluebelle scores, those who developed an SSI had higher Bluebelle values (P < 0.001). Conclusion SSI is frequent in repair of acutely symptomatic hernia and correlates with BMI and site of hernia

Maine Voices piece by Dr. Richard C. McFaul, of Cape Elizabeth, a pediatric ca

Maine Voices piece by Dr. Richard C. McFaul, of Cape Elizabeth, a pediatric cardiologist, on the recent do not rescusitate order given by the Lewiston School Board