Assessment of the high‐dose concept and level of control provided by MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean against Anticarsia gemmatalis and Pseudoplusia includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil

BACKGROUND: Genetically modified MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean ( Glycine max ), which expresses the Cry1Ac and EPSP‐synthase proteins, has been registered for commercial use in Brazil. To develop an Insect Resistance Management (IRM) program for this event, laboratory and field studies were conducted to assess the high‐dose concept and level of control it provides against Anticarsia gemmatalis and Pseudoplusia includens . RESULTS: The purified Cry1Ac protein was more active against A. gemmatalis [LC 50 (FL 95%) = 0.23 (0.15–0.34) µg Cry1Ac mL −1 diet] than P. includens [LC 50 (FL 95%) = 3.72 (2.65–4.86) µg Cry1Ac mL −1 diet]. In bioassays with freeze‐dried MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean tissue diluted 25 times in an artificial diet, there was 100% mortality of A. gemmatalis and up to 95.79% mortality for P. includens . In leaf‐disc bioassays and under conditions of high artificial infestation in the greenhouse and natural infestation in the field, MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean showed a high level of efficacy against both target pests. CONCLUSIONS: The MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean provides a high level of control against A. gemmatalis and P. includes , but a high‐dose event only to A. gemmatalis . Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

Reliability, Availability and Serviceability of Networks-on-Chip

This book presents an overview of the issues related to the test, diagnosis and fault-tolerance of Network on Chip-based systems. It is the first book dedicated to the quality aspects of NoC-based systems and will serve as an invaluable reference to the problems, challenges, solutions, and trade-offs related to designing and implementing state-of-the-art, on-chip communication architectures.This book presents an overview of the issues related to the test, diagnosis and fault-tolerance of Network on Chip-based systems.  It is the first book dedicated to the quality aspects of NoC-based systems and will serve as an invaluable reference to the problems, challenges, solutions, and trade-offs related to designing and implementing state-of-the-art, on-chip communication architectures.   This book first presents the characteristics of the NoC design (topologies, structures, routers, wrappers, and protocols), as well as a summary of the terms used in the field and an overview of the existing industrial and academic NoCs. Secondly, the main aspects of the test of a NoC-based system are discussed, starting with the test of the embedded cores where the NoC plays an important role. Current test strategies are presented, such as the reuse of the network for core testing, test scheduling for the NoC reuse, test access methods and interface, efficient reuse of the network, and power-aware and thermal aware NoC-based SoC testing. Then, the challenges and solutions for the NoC infrastructure (interconnects, routers, and network interface) test and diagnosis are presented. Finally, fault tolerance techniques for the NoC are discussed, including techniques based on error control coding, retransmission, fault location, and system reconfiguration. Provides state-of-the-art research on the challenges to test, diagnose and tolerate faults in NoC-based systems; Includes numerous, current test strategies, including re-use of the network for core testing, test scheduling for the NoC reuse, test access methods and interface, efficient re-use of the network, and power-aware and thermal-aware NoC-based SoC testing;  Offers a single source reference to the latest research, otherwise available only in disparate journals and conference proceedings.

Human Albumin in the Management of Complications of Liver Cirrhosis

BSense: A Flexible and Open-Source Broadband Mapping Framework

Part 7: Network MappingInternational audienceWe present, BSense, a flexible broadband mapping system for broadband coverage and quality assessment of broadband connections in a given geographic region. For coverage related analysis, it relies on data that is either obtained from ISPs or generated based on technology models and information about infrastructure sites. Broadband quality assessment in BSense is via host-based measurements using our multi-platform and technology-adaptive software client which periodically runs as a background process on users’ computers. The host-based software measurement approach employed in BSense is not only cost-effective but is also flexible and reduces measurement bias. BSense also incorporates a flexible broadband quality index for summarizing the collective effect of various underlying attributes such as download/upload speeds and latency. BSense system has been implemented based on open-source software components. The usefulness of the BSense system is demonstrated using two real world case studies, one on identifying notspots in Scotland and the other on broadband quality assessment in a rural part of Scotland through pilot deployment

Error Analysis of a Subgrid Eddy Viscosity Multi-Scale Discretization of the Navier-Stokes Equations

We propose a finite element discretization of the Navier-Stokes equations that relies on the variational multi-scale approach together with the addition of a Smagorinsky type viscosity, in order to take into account possible subgrid turbulence. We recall that the discrete problem admits a solution and prove a priori error estimates. Next we perform the a posteriori analysis of the discretization. Some numerical experiments justify the interest of this approach.

Mather Measures Associated with a Class of Bloch Wave Functions

In this paper we study the Wigner transform for a class of smooth Bloch wave functions on the flat torus \({\mathbb{T}^n = \mathbb{R}^n /2\pi \mathbb{Z}^n}\) : $$\psi_{\hbar,P} (x) = a (\hbar,P,x) {\rm e}^{ \frac{i}{\hbar} ( P\cdot x + \hat{v}(\hbar,P,x) )}.$$On requiring that \({P \in \mathbb{Z}^n}\) and \({\hbar = 1/N}\) with \({N \in \mathbb{N}}\), we select amplitudes and phase functions through a variational approach in the quantum states space based on a semiclassical version of the classical effective Hamiltonian \({{\bar H}(P)}\) which is the central object of the weak KAM theory. Our main result is that the semiclassical limit of the Wigner transform of \({\psi_{\hbar,P}}\) admits subsequences converging in the weak* sense to Mather probability measures on the phase space. These measures are invariant for the classical dynamics and Action minimizing.

Effective dispersion of fullerene with methacrylate copolymer in organic solvent and poly(methyl methacrylate)

Dispersion of fullerene, C 60, by addition of polymethacrylate dispersant in methyl methacrylate (MMA) and incorporation of C 60 into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were investigated. Copolymers synthesized by radical copolymerization of MMA and 2-naphthyl methacrylate (NMA), poly(MMA-co-NMA), effectively dispersed C 60 in MMA to form clusters of 20 nm. In these cases, addition of minimal 110 naphthyl groups per unit C 60 molecule afforded to give clusters with minimum of 20 nm sizes. Furthermore, block copolymers, poly(MMA-b-NMA) with MMA/NMA mole ratio from 12:1 to 20:1, also efficiently dispersed C 60 to give formation of clusters of 20 nm size by addition of minimal 40 naphthyl groups per unit C 60 molecule, which was corresponding to approximate nine layers of naphthyl group in block copolymer adsorbed on the surface of the cluster. Hybrid films of C 60/PMMA, prepared by casting of C 60-dispersed solution containing PMMA, exhibited absorbance at 400 nm linearly increased with C 60 content

Improved methods for detection of β-galactosidase (lacZ) activity in hard tissue

The β-galactosidase gene (lacZ) of Escherichia coli is widely used as a reporter gene. The expression of lacZ can be detected by enzyme-based histochemical staining using chromogenic substrates such as 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D: -galactoside (X-gal). Because the enzymatic activity of lacZ is vulnerable to high temperatures and acid treatment for demineralization, detection of lacZ on paraffinized sections is difficult, especially for hard tissues, which require demineralization before sectioning in paraffin. To circumvent this problem, whole-mount X-gal staining before sectioning is performed. However, detection of lacZ activity in the center of larger portions of hard whole adult tissues is challenging. In this study, focusing on fixation procedures, we determined the conditions conducive to improved detection of lacZ activity in deeper areas of whole tissues. We used an annexin a5 (Anxa5)-lacZ reporter mouse model in which the Anxa5 expression in hard tissue is indicated by lacZ activity. We found that lacZ activity could be detected throughout the periodontal ligament of adult mice when fixed in 100% acetone, whereas it was not detected in the periodontal ligament around the root apex fixed in glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde. This staining could not be detected in wild-type mice. Acetone maintains the lacZ activity within 48 h of fixation at both 4°C and at room temperature. In conclusion, acetone is the optimal fixative to improve permeability for staining of lacZ activity in large volumes of adult hard tissues.

Effects of drought on the microtranscriptome of field-grown sugarcane plants

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is the most promising crop for renewable energy. Among the diverse stresses that affect plant productivity, drought stress frequently causes losses in sugarcane fields. Although several studies have addressed plant responses to drought using controlled environments, plant responses under field conditions are largely unknown. Recently, microRNA (miRNA)-mediated post-transcriptional regulation has been described as an important and decisive component in vegetal development and stress resistance modulation. The role of miRNAs in sugarcane responses to drought under field conditions is currently not known. Two sugarcane cultivars differing in drought tolerance were grown in the field with and without irrigation (rainfed) for 7 months. By using small RNA deep sequencing, we were able to identify 18 miRNA families comprising 30 mature miRNA sequences. Among these families, we found 13 mature miRNAs that were differentially expressed in drought-stressed plants. Seven miRNAs were differentially expressed in both cultivars. The target genes for many of the differentially expressed mature miRNAs were predicted, and some of them were validated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Among the targets, we found transcription factors, transporters, proteins associated with senescence, and proteins involved with flower development. All of these data increase our understanding of the role of miRNAs in the complex regulation of drought stress in field-grown sugarcane, providing valuable tools to develop new sugarcane cultivars tolerant to drought stress.

Branched‐chain amino acid‐enriched nutrients improve nutritional and metabolic abnormalities in the early post‐transplant period after living donor liver transplantation

Background/purpose Malnutrition and metabolic disorder of patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can affect post‐transplant prognosis. The aim of this study was to establish whether perioperative usage of branched‐chain amino‐acid (BCAA)‐enriched nutrients improve metabolic abnormalities of patients undergoing LDLT. Methods We designed a randomized pilot study (UMIN registration number; 4323). Twenty‐five consecutive adult elective LDLT recipients were enroled and divided into two groups: the BCAA group (BCAA‐enriched nutrients, n = 12) and the control group (standard diet, n = 13). Metabolic and nutritional parameters, including BCAA‐to‐tyrosine ratio (BTR), retinol binding protein (RBP), and prealbumin were regularly measured from 1 week before to 4 weeks after LDLT. Non‐protein respiratory quotient (npRQ) was measured before and 4 weeks after LDLT. Results BTR and RBP improved considerably in the BCAA group compared with the controls. npRQ significantly increased from 1 week before LDLT to 4 weeks after LDLT in the BCAA group (0.77 ± 0.05 to 0.84 ± 0.06, P = 0.002), but not in the control group (0.78 ± 0.04 to 0.81 ± 0.05). Conclusions Supplementation with BCAA‐enriched nutrients might improve persistent nutritional and metabolic disorders associated with end‐stage liver disease in the early post‐transplant period, and consequently shorten the post‐transplant catabolic phase after LDLT. A larger multicenter trial is needed to confirm these findings.