Molecular astronomy of cool stars and sub-stellar objects

The optical and infrared spectra of a wide variety of `cool' astronomical objects including the Sun, sunspots, K-, M- and S-type stars, carbon stars, brown dwarfs and extrasolar planets are reviewed. The review provides the necessary astronomical background for chemical physicists to understand and appreciate the unique molecular environments found in astronomy. The calculation of molecular opacities needed to simulate the observed spectral energy distributions is discussed

Programmable rate modem utilizing digital signal processing techniques

The engineering development study to follow was written to address the need for a Programmable Rate Digital Satellite Modem capable of supporting both burst and continuous transmission modes with either binary phase shift keying (BPSK) or quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation. The preferred implementation technique is an all digital one which utilizes as much digital signal processing (DSP) as possible. Here design tradeoffs in each portion of the modulator and demodulator subsystem are outlined, and viable circuit approaches which are easily repeatable, have low implementation losses and have low production costs are identified. The research involved for this study was divided into nine technical papers, each addressing a significant region of concern in a variable rate modem design. Trivial portions and basic support logic designs surrounding the nine major modem blocks were omitted. In brief, the nine topic areas were: (1) Transmit Data Filtering; (2) Transmit Clock Generation; (3) Carrier Synthesizer; (4) Receive AGC; (5) Receive Data Filtering; (6) RF Oscillator Phase Noise; (7) Receive Carrier Selectivity; (8) Carrier Recovery; and (9) Timing Recovery

Local cooling for relieving pain from perineal trauma sustained during childbirth

Background: Perineal trauma is common during childbirth and may be painful. Contemporary maternity practice includes offering women numerous forms of pain relief, including the local application of cooling treatments. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of localised cooling treatments compared with no treatment, other forms of cooling treatments and non-cooling treatments. Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (January 2007), CINAHL (1982 to January 2007) and contacted experts in the field. Selection criteria: Published and unpublished randomised and quasi-randomised trials (RCTs) that compared localised cooling treatment applied to the perineum with no treatment or other treatments applied to relieve pain related to perineal trauma sustained during childbirth. Data collection and analysis: At least two independent authors performed data extraction for each study. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis where data allowed. We sought additional information from the authors of three trials. Main results: Seven published RCTs were included, comparing local cooling treatments (ice packs, cold gel pads or cold/iced baths) with no treatment, hamamelis water (witch hazel), pulsed electromagnetic energy (PET), hydrocortisone/pramoxine foam [Epifoam] or warm baths. The RCTs reported on a total of 859 women. Ice packs provided improved pain relief 24 to 72 hours after birth compared with no treatment (risk ratio (RR) 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41 to 0.91). Women preferred the utility of the gel pads compared with ice packs or no treatment, although no differences in pain relief were detected between the treatments. None of our comparisons of treatments resulted in differences detected in perineal oedema or bruising. Women reported more pain (RR 5.60, 95% CI 2.35 to 13.33) and used more additional analgesia (RR 4.00, 95% CI 1.44 to 11.13) following the application of ice packs compared with PET. Authors' conclusions: There is only limited evidence to support the effectiveness of local cooling treatments (ice packs, cold gel pads, cold/iced baths) applied to the perineum following childbirth to relieve pain

Comparison of Post-injection Site Pain Between Technetium Sulfur Colloid and Technetium Tilmanocept in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy.

BackgroundNo prior studies have examined injection pain associated with Technetium-99m Tilmanocept (TcTM).MethodsThis was a randomized, double-blinded study comparing postinjection site pain between filtered Technetium Sulfur Colloid (fTcSC) and TcTM in breast cancer lymphoscintigraphy. Pain was evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS) (0-100 mm) and the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). The primary endpoint was mean difference in VAS scores at 1-min postinjection between fTcSC and TcTM. Secondary endpoints included a comparison of SF-MPQ scores between the groups at 5 min postinjection and construction of a linear mixed effects model to evaluate the changes in pain during the 5-min postinjection period.ResultsFifty-two patients underwent injection (27-fTcSC, 25-TcTM). At 1-min postinjection, patients who received fTcSC experienced a mean change in pain of 16.8 mm (standard deviation (SD) 19.5) compared with 0.2 mm (SD 7.3) in TcTM (p = 0.0002). At 5 min postinjection, the mean total score on the SF-MPQ was 2.8 (SD 3.0) for fTcSC versus 2.1 (SD 2.5) for TcTM (p = 0.36). In the mixed effects model, injection agent (p < 0.001), time (p < 0.001) and their interaction (p < 0.001) were associated with change in pain during the 5-min postinjection period. The model found fTcSC resulted in significantly more pain of 15.2 mm (p < 0.001), 11.3 mm (p = 0.001), and 7.5 mm (p = 0.013) at 1, 2, and 3 min postinjection, respectively.ConclusionsInjection with fTcSC causes significantly more pain during the first 3 min postinjection compared with TcTM in women undergoing lymphoscintigraphy for breast cancer

Two-Band-Type Superconducting Instability in MgB2

Using the tight-binding method for the $\pi$-bands in MgB$_2$, the Hubbard on-site Coulomb interaction on two inequivalent boron $p_z$-orbitals is transformed into expressions in terms of $\pi$-band operators. For scattering processes relevant to the problemin which a wave vector {\bf q} is parallel to $\hat{z}$, it is found to take a relatively simple form consisting of intra-band Coulomb scattering, interband pair scattering etc. with large constant coupling constants. This allows to get a simple expression for the amplitude of interband pair scattering between two $\pi$-bands, which diverges if the interband polarization function in it becomes large enough.The latter was approximately evaluated and found to be largely enhanced in the band structure in MgB$_2$. These results lead to a divergent interband pair scattering, meaning two-band-type superconducting instability with enhanced $T_c$. Adding a subsidiary BCS attractive interaction in each band into consideration, a semi-quantitative gap equation is given, and $T_c$ and isotope exponent $\alpha$ are derived. The present instability is asserted to be the origin of high $T_c$ in MgB$_2$.Comment: 4 pages, to be published in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. vol. 70, No.

An atlas of CO2 storage potential in the nearshore waters of the Texas coast – American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – “Gulf of Mexico Miocene CO2 site characterization mega-transect”

Bureau of Economic Geolog

Weed Control Research in South Dakota

Clean seed, proper seedbed preparation, good crop rotations, and sounds soil management practices are the most reliable procedures for the control of weeds. They will eliminate many annual weeds and prevent infestation by most perennial weeds. Chemicals have proved to be valuable supplements to these practices. However, too many people rely on 2,4-D and, at least partially, neglect the standard practices. Consequently, weeds resistant to 2,4-D are allowed to spread. Once weeds become established, special practices are needed to eliminate them. These practices include the use of special cultivation, competitive crops, and chemicals in addition to the old reliable methods already mentioned. One application of any one of the practices seldom eliminates all perennial weeds. Even though top growth is eliminated, new weeds come from the seeds in the soil. Some of these seeds remain viable for as long as 20 years and many years of diligent work are required to eliminate them. The major portion of this circular is devoted to a discussion of research results obtained in South Dakota and neighboring states. The discussion of special cultural and chemical practices in concerned primarily with the control and elimination of weed infestations. It does not dwell on practices needed to prevent reinfestation of areas on which weeds have been eliminated

Control and Elimination of Thistles

Canada thistle (Ci.rsium arvense L.) and perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis L. or S. ulignosus Bieb.) are deep-rooted perennials that spread by underground parts and by seed. All species emerge later in the spring and are less difficult to control or eliminate than leafy spurge, hoary cress, or Russian knapweed. They emerge about the same time as field bindweed. Prevention of seed production is more important for thistles than for most perennial weeds. Wind currents carry the seeds great distances. Thistles reduce crop yields. The amount of reduction depends on how thick they are. Two plants of Canada thistle per square yard reduced wheat yields 18%, and 19 plants per square yard decreased yields 36%. A heavy infestation of sow thistle caused a 69% reduction of oat yields. To control or eliminate these thistles, use intensive cultivation, soil sterilant chemicals, certain competitive crops, selective herbicides, or several combinations of cultivation, crops, and chemicals

Weed Control in Field Crops

Clean, seed, proper seedbed preparation, good rotations, and sound soil management practices are prime requisites for controlling weeds in crops. They will eliminate many annual weeds and prevent infestation by most perennial weeds. Chemicals are valuable supplements to these practices. However, if we rely on 2,4-D or other chemicals, we at least partially neglect the standard practices. Consequently, weeds resistant to chemicals are allowed to spread. Once weeds become established, special practices are needed to eliminate them. These practices include the use of special cultivation, competitive crops, and chemicals in addition to the old reliable practices already mentioned. One application of any one method seldom eliminates all perennial weeds. Even though they are eliminated, new weeds come from seeds in the soil. Some of these seeds remain viable for as long as 20 years and many years of diligent work are required to eradicate them. Numerous tillage and chemical methods that will control weeds in crops are available. In fact, it is possible to eliminate some of the most persistent perennial noxious weeds while growing crops if the proper combination of crops, cultivation, and chemicals is used. For detailed information on the control or elimination of any of South Dakota\u27s noxious weeds, refer to the circular that discusses the specific weed. If chemicals are to be used in the weed program, it is important to remember that chemicals cause more damage to crops when applied at certain stages than at others. This is particularly true when rates of application required to control perennial weeds are used. If the most tolerant stage of the crop does not occur when the weeds are in the most susceptible stage of growth, there are two choices-risk injuring the crop to get good weed control or get poor weed control with less chance of injuring the crop. Good weed control usually pays off in the long run. The maximum rate of chemical application that can be used on crops without much risk of reducing the yield is discussed on the following pages. Many annual weeds are killed with lower rates; consequently, the rate of application will frequently be lower than the maximums mentioned. On the other hand, many perennials will require higher rates than the safe rates mentioned. As a result one may have to use a more tolerant crop or risk injuring the crop if he wishes to eliminate the weed

Control and Elimination of Field Bindweed

Field bindweed (Convolvu.lus arvensis L.), sometimes called creeping jenny, is a deep-rooted perennial that spreads by underground parts and by seed. One seedling, when not competing with other plants, is able to produce in one season a root system that penetrates 4 feet deep and spreads out about 2 ½ feet in each direction. In three growing seasons, the roots may go down 18 to 20 feet and spread out to form a circle 17 or 18 feet in diameter. The yield of crops is normally reduced 30 to 50% by a bindweed infestation. Yield was reduced an average of 42% in eight South Dakota wheat fields and 33% in 12 South Dakota oats fields. In Kansas, barley yield was reduced 65% and sorghum yield 48%. Field bindweed emerges later in the spring than leafy spurge, Russian knapweed, or hoary cress and is less difficult to eliminate. It emerges about the same time as Canada thistle or perennial sow thistle. To control or eliminate field bindweed, use intensive cultivation, soil sterilant chemicals, certain competitive crops, selective herbicides, or combinations of these