Summary of an integrated ERTS-1 project and its results at the Missouri Geological Survey

Use of the ERTS imagery involved the recognition and interpretation of various ground patterns. Analysis and application are tied to ongoing programs. Specific studies utilizing the imagery and NASA aircraft photography are: a statewide lake and dam inventory; assessment of flooding and floodprone areas along the Missouri portion of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers; land-use classification for several counties; structural features in selected areas; and Pleistocene features in northern Missouri. Though it has been suggested that repetitive coverage is not necessary for geologic studies, it is this specific feature along with the synoptic view of large portions of the State that provided the potential for the utilization of the ERTS imagery in Missouri. Other State agencies, Departments of Conservation, Agriculture, and Community Affairs, have expressed interest in the potential application of ERTS data in their respective fields

La gestion des réserves de change et ses conséquences pour les marchés.

Les réserves de change se sont accrues de façon spectaculaire, principalement dans les pays asiatiques. Les modalités de gestion de ces réserves par les banques centrales pourraient avoir un impact sur les marchés financiers.réserves de change, banques centrales asiatiques, diversification, marchés obligataires, gestion de portefeuille.

Valence Instability of YbCu2_2Si2_2 through its quantum critical point

We report Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering measurements (RIXS) in YbCu$_2$Si$_2$ at the Yb L$_{3}$ edge under high pressure (up to 22 GPa) and at low temperatures (down to 7 K) with emphasis on the vicinity of the transition to a magnetic ordered state. We find a continuous valence change towards the trivalent state with increasing pressure but with a pronounced change of slope close to the critical pressure. Even at 22 GPa the Yb$^{+3}$ state is not fully achieved. The pressure where this feature is observed decreases as the temperature is reduced to 9 GPa at 7K, a value close to the critical pressure (\itshape{p\normalfont{$_c$}}\normalfont $\approx$ 7.5 GPa) where magnetic order occurs. The decrease in the valence with decreasing temperature previously reported at ambient pressure is confirmed and is found to be enhanced at higher pressures. We also compare the f electron occupancy between YbCu$_2$Si$_2$ and its Ce-counterpart, CeCu$_2$Si$_2$

Electron-phonon interaction dressed by electronic correlations near charge ordering as the origin for superconductivity in cobaltates

We consider possible routes to superconductivity in hydrated cobaltates Na_xCoO_2.yH_2O on the basis of the t-J-V model plus phonons on the triangular lattice. We studied the stability conditions for the homogeneous Fermi liquid (HFL) phase against different broken symmetry phases. Besides the sqrt(3)xsqrt(3)-CDW phase, triggered by the nearest-neighbour Coulomb interaction V, we have found that the HFL is unstable, at very low doping, against a bond-ordered phase due to J. We also discuss the occurrence of phase separation at low doping and V. The interplay between the electron-phonon interaction and correlations near the sqrt(3)xsqrt(3)-CDW leads to superconductivity in the unconventional next-nearest neighbour f-wave (NNN-f) channel with a dome shape for Tc around x ~ 0.35, and with values of a few Kelvin as seen in experiments. Near the bond-ordered phase at low doping we found tendencies to superconductivity with d-wave symmetry for finite J and x<0.15. Contact with experiments is given along the paper.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figure

Metal-ligand interplay in strongly-correlated oxides: a parametrized phase diagram for pressure induced spin transitions

We investigate the magnetic properties of archetypal transition-metal oxides MnO, FeO, CoO and NiO under very high pressure by x-ray emission spectroscopy at the K\beta line. We observe a strong modification of the magnetism in the megabar range in all the samples except NiO. The results are analyzed within a multiplet approach including charge-transfer effects. The pressure dependence of the emission line is well accounted for by changes of the ligand field acting on the d electrons and allows us to extract parameters like local d-hybridization strength, O-2p bandwidth and ionic crystal field across the magnetic transition. This approach allows a first-hand insight into the mechanism of the pressure induced spin transition.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Fatal anaphylactic sting reaction in a patient with mastocytosis

We report on a 33-year-old female patient with indolent systemic mastocytosis and urticaria pigmentosa who died of an anaphylactic reaction after a yellow jacket sting. As she had no history of previous anaphylactic sting reaction, there was no testing performed in order to detect hymenoptera venom sensitization. But even if a sensitization had been diagnosed, no venom immunotherapy (VIT) would have been recommended. It is almost certain that VIT would have saved her life and it is most likely that VIT is indicated in some patients with mastocytosis with no history of anaphylactic sting reaction. However, no criteria have been established in order to allow a selection of mastocytosis patients eligible for such a `prophylactic' VIT. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

Impact of the economic crisis in the approval of new oncological drugs:the Portuguese paradigm

Background: The European crisis lead to funding restrains in healthcare, already under pressure due to the ageing of the population and the increase of demands from innovation. Portugal is the paradigm of the European crisis since has both an economic and demographic crisis. The researchers aimed to evaluate the impact of economic restrains in Portugal for access and reimbursement of new oncological drugs. Methodology: A qualitative approach was used, supported by 27 formal, tape recorded, semi-structured interviews to representatives of the different healthcare stakeholders and policymakers. The content analysis with semantic associations through co-occurrence analysis were done with the support of Tropes® software. Results: The results of the content analysis showed that economic restrains are leading to a policy of cost control with lower prices and reduced access to innovation; an excessive delay in the approval of new drugs; lack of transparency; serious limitations and inequity between hospitals. Contractual boundaries to national prescription was established and agreements with pharmaceuticals were made. Changes in the reimbursement process are being implemented with an increase of risk sharing mechanisms and implementation of a new system of health technological evaluation (SINATS). Treatment protocols are also being revised and public hospitals are trying to increase the number of clinical trials but there is still much bureaucracy. In this qualitative approach, the following factors with impact on survival were identified: Innovation and technological development, government funding, the price of drugs and type of oncological diseases. Conclusions: The economic crisis is leading to a very serious problem of inequity. However, it is also an opportunity for a structural reform. In Portugal, an attempt of reform is being made with the implementation of SINATS since it is important to distinguish molecules that effectively bring added value. In order to consider the strategic vision in which the patient is the center of all efforts, the process of reimbursement approval for new medicines should be faster, more transparent and interdisciplinary. Moreover, the decisions must be done triangulating evidence based medicine, economics, health policy and ethical and legal issues. For National Health Service sustainability, efficiency and efficacy, clinical and economic reassessments must be done after market introduction of new medicines, with subsequent renegotiations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio