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The DEPFET collaboration develops highly granular, ultra-transparent active pixel detectors for high-performance vertex reconstruction at future collider experiments. The characterization of detector prototypes has proven that the key principle, the integration of a first amplification stage in a detector-grade sensor material, can provide a comfortable signal to noise ratio of over 40 for a sensor thickness of 50–75 \mu\ m. ASICs have been designed and produced to operate a DEPFET pixel detector with the required read-out speed. A complete detector concept is being developed, including solutions for mechanical support, cooling, and services. In this paper, the status of the DEPFET R & D project is reviewed in the light of the requirements of the vertex detector at a future linear e^+e^- collider. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Several radiotracers have been used for assessing cell death, whether by necrosis or apoptosis.99mTc glucarate, which has initially been reported to be concentrating/accumulating in myocardial infarction or zones of cerebral injury, has also shown some tumor-seeking properties in a few preliminary studies. Under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s coordinated research program, we report here the standardization, quality control, and clinical evaluation (detection, evaluation of response, and comparison with 18F Fluorodeoxyglucose) of this tracer in well-characterized lung cancer and head neck malignancies in a single-arm prospective observational study. Forty-seven patients (29 inoperable lung carcinoma and 18 head and neck malignancies) were prospectively enrolled and underwent 99mTc glucarate imaging [whole body planar and single-photon emission computed tomography of the region of interest] 4-5 hours after injection of 20 mCi of the radiopharmaceutical. Excellent 99mTc glucarate concentration was noted in the target lesion in lung cancer and head and neck malignancies. The sensitivity was found to be better in lung cancer. Avid concentration of tracer was seen in the metastatic sites. During response evaluation, the glucarate concentration correlated well with the clinical and other radiological indings. 99mTc glucarate showed avid concentration of tracer in the tumor, suggesting it to be a potential tumor imaging agent which can be used for detection and assessment of therapeutic response in malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to define the main functional groups in the insect community present in two areas consisting in the association of Leucaena leucocephala cv. Peru and Panicum maximum cv. Likoni (a silvopastoral system and a seed field, respectively), both located at the Experimental Station of Pastures and Forages "Indio Hatuey", the leaves, inflorescences and pods of the legume and the foliage from the grass were sampled every 15 days, for three years, to collect the insects. The classification of the groups was made from: the identification of each insect species, the information provided by literature about its main feeding habit and the field observations. With these elements the phytophagous and beneficial insects were defined, and as subgroups of the latter: predators, parasitoids, pollinators, organic matter decomposers, coprophagous and mycophagous insects. A total of 113 insect species were identified, 63 with phytophagous habits and the other 50 were beneficial. In the tree stratum 88 species were found, 49 phytophagous (56%) and 39 beneficial (44%); and there were 103 species in the herbaceous stratum, 59 phytophagous insects (57%) and 44 beneficial (43%); 78 species coincided in the two strata. It is outstanding that in both strata predators and parasitoids from the orders Hymenoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera prevailed, such as: Cycloneda sanguinea limbifer Casey, Coccinella maculata (De Geer), Chilocorus cacti Linnaeus, Conura sp., Pimpla marginella (Brullé) and Rogas sp. The structure and function of the insect community were concluded to show a relatively higher number of phytophagous insects as compared to the beneficial ones; however, the predominance of natural enemies, responsible for the regulating activity of phytophagous populations, which they keep below the economic damage threshold in the leucaena crops in the country, was important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Volume size factors and lattice parameters in cubic intermetallics with L12 or B2 structure have been derived from the “Macroscopic Atom” model. In a first step, an equation has been derived to calculate the volume size factor for binary solid solutions of two transition metals. Then, lattice parameters of cubic intermetallics were calculated with equations found in the literature which only make use of volume size factors and partial molar volumes. While large differences can be found between some of the predicted and observed volume size factors, differences between measured and calculated lattice parameters ranged from 0.05 to −5.45%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An equation has been derived to predict unit cell volume of high entropy alloys, HEA's, by two different methods. In the first method, a HEA is considered as a mixture of solid solutions. Based on an equation previously reported to calculate unit cell volume of intermetallic compounds, an expression to calculate unit cell volume of HEA's was obtained. In the second method, a HEA is modeled as a mixture of solute element atoms surrounded by different environments. Using the effective volume of solute atoms in these environments, the unit cell volume of a HEA was derived. Both treatments led to the same equation. For cubic HEA's lattice parameters were calculated. The predicted lattice parameters were compared with those reported for 79 HEA's. Lattice parameters were also calculated using the equivalent of Vegard's law for these alloys. Average errors were 0.64%, and 0.53% when Vegard's law, and the equation derived in this work were used, respectively. Although these average errors seem acceptable, they were as high as 4.27%, and 4.70% when Vegard's law, and the equation proposed are applied, respectively. The roles on error, of method to determine chemical composition, method to measure lattice parameter, and type of elements present on the alloy were examined. • An equation to predict unit cell volume of HEA's (as a mixture of solid solutions). • An equation to predict unit cell volume of HEA's (solute different environments). • Both treatments led to the same equation. • Lattice parameter of cubic HEA's can be predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new report for Cuba of Ithome lassula Hodges (Lepidoptera: Cosmopterigidae), species associated to the forage plant Leucaena leucocephala, was confirmed with the identification of the adults, using a key based on the maculation of the scales in the zone of the insect's head. The adults emerged in the laboratory, from the larvae collected on the inflorescences; they came from the different livestock production systems that were sampled in the Matanzas and Mayabeque provinces, which were integrated by the four commercial varieties of the legume and by pasture grasses. On the other hand, the detection of the lesions caused by the larvae of this cosmet moth in the inflorescences, and their repercussion on the production of leucaena seeds, constituted the most important element that should be considered to evaluate its potential as pest and when estimating the possible losses in the evaluated livestock production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]