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PubMed1994

Life in the universe: foundation for exciting multidisciplinary science activities for middle and elementary school classes.

Young students find extra-terrestrial life one of the most intriguing of all topics. A project funded by the National Science Foundation and NASA, and administered by the SETI Institute, is underway to devise science lessons for grades 3-9 that draw upon this fascination. The lessons are designed by teachers and persons with long experience at curriculum design, tested in classrooms, revised and retested. Six guides, each containing some 6-10 science lessons, will be finished by summer, 1994. The theme Life in the Universe lends itself naturally to integrated treatment of facts and concepts from many scientific disciplines. The lessons for two completed guides span the origin of planet systems, evolution of complex life, chemical makeup of life, astronomy, spectroscopy, continental drift, mathematics and SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence). All lessons are hands-on, interesting, and successful.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Population genetic structure of the schistosome-vector snail Bulinus globosus: examining the role of genetic drift, migration and human activities.

Bulinus globosus, one of the intermediate hosts of the genus Schistosoma, is an hermaphrodite freshwater snail species. This species occupies different kinds of environments in Africa, which are generally subjected to large variations in water availability. The mating system of this species is outcrossing, although selfing has been suggested for one population. Here we investigate the genetic structure of populations of B. globosus in natural and human-modified environments from Niger and Ivory Coast using protein electrophoresis. Our goal is to analyse the respective role of the environment (genetic drift and gene flow), the mating system and human activities. Our results indicate a low intrapopulation polymorphism. A large differentiation among populations occurs on the scale of the whole study area whereas neighbouring populations can show little differentiation. These results point to the role of genetic drift and gene flow as the main factors shaping the genetic structure, with human activities playing a role occasionally.

Alleles↗
PubMed2006

Quality assessment of confocal microscopy slide-based systems: instability.

BACKGROUND: All slide-based fluorescence cytometry detections systems basically include an excitation light source, intermediate optics, and a detection device (CCD or PMT). Occasionally, this equipment becomes unstable, generating unreliable and inferior data. METHODS: A number of tests have been devised to evaluate equipment performance and instability. The following four instability tests are described: galvanometer scanning, stage drift, correct wavelength spectral detection, and long-term laser power. RESULTS: Quality assurance tests revealed that a confocal microscope can become unstable in the following parameters, yielding inaccurate data: laser power, PMTs functionality, spectrophotometer accuracy, galvanometer scanning and laser stability, and stage drift. Long-term laser power stability has been observed to vary greatly. CONCLUSIONS: Confocal systems can become unstable in the following parameters: long-term laser power, galvanometer scanning, spectrophotometer accuracy, and stage stability. Instability in any of these parameters will affect image quality. Laser power fluctuations result from either a defective Acousto-optic tunable filter or improper heat dissipation. Spectrophotometer instability will generate unreliable spectra data, extra light reflections, and poor image quality. Galvanometer scanning instability yields poor image quality while microscope stage drift results in a sample going out of the plane of focus. With minor modifications, these tests may be applicable to other slide-based systems.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Self-referencing, non-invasive, ion selective electrode for single cell detection of trans-plasma membrane calcium flux.

Biological systems have very different internal ion compositions in comparison with their surrounding media. The difference is maintained by transport mechanisms across the plasma membrane and by internal stores. On the plasma membrane, we can classify these mechanisms into three types, pumps, porters, and channels. Channels have been extensively studied, particularly since the advent of the patch clamp technique, which opened new windows into ion channel selectivity and dynamics. Pumps, particularly the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase, and porters are more illusive. The technique described in this paper, the self-referencing, ion-selective (or Seris) probe, has the ability to monitor the behavior of membrane transport mechanisms, such as the pumps and porters, in near to real-time by non-invasively measuring local extracellular ion gradients with high sensitivity and square micron spatial resolution. The principles behind the self-referencing technique are described with an overview of systems utilizing ion, electrochemical and voltage sensors. Each of these sensors employs the simple expedient of increasing the system resolution by self-referencing and, thereby, removing the drift component inherent to all electrodes. The approach is described in detail, as is the manner in which differential voltage measurements can be converted into a flux value. For the calcium selective probes, we can resolve flux values in the low to sub pmol.cm(-2)s(-1) range. Complications in the use of the liquid ion exchange cocktail are discussed. Applications of the calcium selective probe are given, drawing on examples from the plant sciences, developmental biology, muscle physiology, and the neurosciences.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Concerted evolution and RAPping in mitochondrial VNTRs and the molecular geography of cricket populations.

In recent years, many animal species have been shown to exhibit a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in the control region of their mitochondrial DNA. To characterize the nucleotide polymorphism of a VNTR system, this region was sequenced in individuals from two species of crickets (genus Gryllus) collected at a mainland locality and an island locality within each species. The data reveal a clear pattern of concerted evolution: homogeneity among repeats within individuals and populations, but heterogeneity among the tandem arrays from divergent populations, and between species. The patterns of nucleotide polymorphisms within the arrays show several instances of partial homogenization where derived nucleotides have not swept through all the repeats in the array. These serve as examples of concerted evolution "caught in the act". Additional repeat associated polymorphisms (RAPs) shed light on the molecular basis of the insertion and deletion of repeat units and, with the concerted evolution of VNTRs, provide phylogeographic resolution of island and mainland populations within and between species. The polymorphisms within VNTRs also provide a simple system in which to examine the balance of mutation and drift and offer a unique view of the histories of genomic and organismal phenomena in the patterns and processes of molecular evolution.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Complete interocular transfer of motion aftereffect with flickering test.

It has been suggested that motion aftereffect with static test patterns (static MAE) reflects activities at a lower level system that dominantly processes first-order motion, while MAE with a directionally ambiguous test (flicker MAE) reveals a higher level system where second-order motion signals as well as first-order signals are available. To test this hypothesis, we examined interocular transfer of static and flicker MAE. Flicker MAE should transfer more efficiently than static MAE if it occurs at a higher level system. In the first experiment, the adaptation stimulus was a drifting luminance grating (first-order motion), or a drifting grating defined by flicker or texture difference (second-order motion). The test stimulus was a luminance grating, either static or counterphasing. The results indicated that static MAE, which was induced only by first-order motion, transferred partially, as has been reported in previous studies, but the transfer of flicker MAE was nearly perfect with either first- or second-order adaptation stimuli. The second experiment with varied adaptation contrast indicated that this complete transfer was not due to a ceiling effect. These results supported the hypothesis that the underlying mechanism for flicker MAE is located at a level higher than the mechanism for static MAE.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2004

Fate and effects of the insecticide-miticide chlorfenapyr in outdoor aquatic microcosms.

The concentrations of chlorfenapyr in water and sediment in a lentic pond following early and late applications in a Florida crop treatment program were predicted using PRZM and EXAMS modeling and incorporating 30 years of actual rainfall data. An outdoor microcosm study was also conducted to determine the fate of chlorfenapyr and its effects on zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, phytoplankton, and fish in a freshwater system under exposure conditions representing simulated surface runoff and/or spray drift. The microcosm design used a regression model with five treatments (i.e., 300 microg/L spray, 30 microg/L spray, 15 microg/L spray and 30 microg/L runoff, 1.2 microg/L spray and 2.5 microg/L runoff, 30 microg/L runoff) plus a control. Chlorfenapyr was applied as an aqueous suspension concentrate (36% a.i.) to six microcosm tanks (30.9 m3). The no-observed-effect-concentration (NOEC) for zooplankton was the water concentration produced from the combination 1.2 microg/L spray and 2.5 microg/L runoff treatment. The NOEC for bluegill sunfish was the water concentration produced from the 30 microg/L runoff, which was significantly higher than the exposure concentrations from the lowest combination treatment. Chlorfenapyr was more toxic via spray to the water than via an exposure simulating surface runoff. The 96-h time weighted average concentrations (TWAs) from the lowest joint treatment and the 30 microg/L runoff treatment in the microcosm study were similar to model-predicted water 96-h TWA concentrations from early and late applications. The toxicity data from laboratory and microcosm studies along with water exposure data indicate low hazard to zooplankton species in the water column. Although chlorfenapyr remained in sediment, TWAs concentrations from the microcosm study along with model-predicted concentrations indicate low hazard to benthic invertebrate species based on acute toxicity to amphipods in the laboratory. Results from this assessment indicate that with appropriate measures to mitigate spray drift to shallow water bodies, applications of chlorfenapyr do not present a hazard to aquatic organisms during labeled uses.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Optimal resolution of a time-dependent aberrationless magnetic lens.

We analyse the optimal conditions for operation of a time-dependent magnetic field lens recently proposed. The lens consists of an axially symmetric ellipsoidal coil producing a spatially homogeneous but time-pulsating magnetic field. This system is capable of focusing a beam of charged particles drifting parallel to the coil axis as well as forming images of an object emitting electrons. This lens has no spherical aberration and, consequently, opens the possibility of surpassing the resolving power of conventional round static field lenses. The cardinal elements of this lens are functions of time and thereby the image position, its magnification factor and orientation change in time. We show how by a suitable choice of the magnetic field pulse parameters and the introduction of screens with circular apertures, it is possible to render all the image characteristics stationary. The effect of diffraction is also discussed in the context of transfer function theory.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

A comparison of different ways to approximate time-to-line crossing (TLC) during car driving.

Three experiments are presented in which the accuracy of different methods to approximate time-to-line crossing is assessed the first experiment TLC was computed, using a trigonometric method, during normal driving while the vehicle stayed in lane. The minima of TLC were compared with two approximations and it was found computing TLC as lateral distance divided by lateral velocity gave poor results. It was concluded that this simple approximation is not suitable for measuring TLC minima in studies of driver behaviour. A way of computing TLC that takes account of the curved path of the vehicle resulted in a good fit of TLC minima. In two other experiments the vehicle exceeded the lane boundary, either intentionally as a result of a lane change manoeuvre, or unintentionally as a result of impaired driving. In these cases no TLC minima exists since these only occur as a result of correcting steering actions to stay within the lane. In contrast to normal lane keeping, it was found that prior to crossing the lane boundary, the simple approximation resulted in more accurate estimation of available time before the lane boundary is exceeded compared to the more complex approximation. This indicates that for lane keeping support systems and systems that detect when the driver has fallen asleep and drifts out of lane, a simple algorithm for TLC estimation may give reliable results, while this algorithm is not accurate enough for more fundamental studies of driver behaviour. However, the reliability of the approximation is only satisfactory over a very short time range before the lane boundary is actual exceeded. This may result in warnings that come too late and result in too little time to respond for the driver.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1988

Free fitness that always increases in evolution.

I here introduce a free fitness function in population biology, which monotonically increases with time and takes its maximum at the evolutionary equilibrium. By suitably defining an "index" for each state, the free fitness is expressed as the average index plus an entropy term. In many cases, the index has a biologically clear meaning, such as the logarithmic population mean fitness. The technique is applicable to any Markov process model (either continuous or discrete) with a positive steady state. I discuss four examples from various branches of population biology: (1) one-locus-two-allele system of population genetics with mutation, selection, and random genetic drift; (2) evolutionary dynamics of quantitative characters; (3) a molecular evolution model; and (4) an ecological succession model. Introducing free fitness clarifies the balance between systematic forces (e.g. natural selection or successional trend toward the climax) and disturbing processes (e.g. random drift).

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Apparent transducer non-reciprocity in an ultrasonic flow meter.

This paper investigates the effects of non-identical ultrasonic transducers on reciprocity and zero-flow calibration in transit time flow meters. According to the theorem of reciprocity, there should not be any difference between the up- and downstream acoustic times of flight in a zero-flow situation. This would thus eliminate zero-flow estimation drifts. The flow meter is modeled as a one dimensional system with equivalent electrical circuits and simulated with simulation program with integrated circuits emphasis. The work shows that variations between the two transducers cause false estimates of flow and indicate which parameters have the largest influence. It indicates that reciprocity holds only for identical transducers.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Heterogeneous oxidation of carbonyl sulfide on atmospheric particles and alumina.

Heterogeneous oxidation of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) on atmospheric particles and alumina (Al2O3) was investigated in a closed system and a flowed system using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). At room temperature, OCS could be catalytically oxidized on the surface of atmospheric particles and Al2O3 to form gas-phase CO2 and surface sulfate (SO4(2-)), sulfite (HSO3-), and hydrogen carbonate (HCO3-) species. The real atmospheric particles were characterized using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. As a simplified model, Al2O3 was used to study the reaction mechanism of heterogeneous oxidation of OCS. The hydrogen thiocarbonate surface (HSCO2-) species, an intermediate formed in the reaction of OCS with surface hydroxyl (OH), could only be observed on the prereduced Al2O3 sample. The experimental results also indicate that surface oxygen containing species on the atmospheric particle sample and the Al2O3 sample might be the key reactant for OCS oxidation. A reaction mechanism of heterogeneous oxidation of OCS on Al2O3 surface is discussed.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2006

Mechanism of heterogeneous oxidation of carbonyl sulfide on Al2O3: an in situ diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform spectroscopy investigation.

Heterogeneous reaction of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) on the surface of different types of alumina (Al(2)O(3)) at 298 K was investigated in a closed system and a flowed system using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). The effects of calcination temperature of the Al(2)O(3) on its catalyzed reactivity were studied. The crystal structure and surface area of the Al(2)O(3) were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. This paper revealed that adsorbed OCS could be catalytically oxidized on the surface of Al(2)O(3) to form gas-phase CO(2) and surface hydrogen carbonate (HCO(3)(-)) and sulfate (SO(4)(2-)) species at 298 K. The surface hydroxyl (OH) species on the Al(2)O(3) had been found to be the key reactant for the heterogeneous oxidation of OCS. Furthermore, the surface hydrogen thiocarbonate (HSCO(2)(-)) species, an intermediate formed in the reaction of OCS with OH, can be observed on the thermal-treated Al(2)O(3). On the basis of these results, the reaction mechanism of heterogeneous oxidation of OCS on Al(2)O(3) is discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1975

Patterns and bilateral coordination of scaphognathite rhythms in the lobster Homarus americanus.

The bilateral patterns of forward and reversed scaphognathite (SG) pumping are described for the American lobster. During forward pumping the two SGs usually function synchronously, but may also function independently. The nine muscles of one SG are arranged into four functional groups which are sequentially active during forward pumping. During reversed beats, motor neurones to one group of muscles are inactive while bursts to another are either delayed or missing. Reversal beats do not appear to alter the phasing of the central oscillators that generate the basic SG rhythm. Phase analysis of bilateral SG beating demonstrates two types of relationship: phase coupling or phase drifting with a tendency to couple. An animal may remain in one state for long periods of time or may alternate between states. Coupling can occur at more than one phase indicating phase multistability. The coupled state may remain constant at markedly different frequencies of beating, indicating phase rather than latency coupling between SGs. During the drifting state each SG tends to assume its "intrinsic" rate of oscillation. The drift state reflects the inherent asymmetry of the two SG systems. The influence of several parameters of sensory stimulation on phase and frequency of SG beating are analyzed.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2003

A real-time gyroscopic system for three-dimensional measurement of lumbar spine motion.

This paper describes a new method of measuring the three-dimensional movements of the lumbar spine in real time. The measurement system consisted of solid-state gyroscopes which were attached to the trunk. They measured the angular rates of rotations in three dimensions, which were then integrated to obtain the orientation. The sensors contained gravitometers and magnetometers which provided additional information for eliminating any drift of the gyroscopes. The reliability of the data provided by the gyroscopic system was examined in a group of 19 young healthy subjects. The similarity of the movement-time curves obtained in three repeated measurements was assessed by the coefficient of multiple correlation. The coefficients were found to be high, ranging from 0.972 to 0.991. The reliability of the data was slightly lower for measuring axial rotation. The device did not only quantify the kinematic patterns in the primary plane of movements, but also the accompanying movements in the other planes. Flexion and extension was found to be mainly confined to the sagittal plane, whereas lateral bending and axial rotation always accompanied each other. It was concluded that the inertial tracking device would be a useful tool for clinical measurement as well as biomechanical investigations.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Analytical approach to the drift of the tips of spiral waves in the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation.

In this paper, we investigate the motion of spiral waves in the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation (CGLE) analytically and numerically. We find that the tip of the spiral wave drifts primarily in the direction of the electric field and there is a smaller component of the drift that is perpendicular to the field when a uniform field is applied to the system. The velocity of the tip is uniform and its component along the electric field is equal to the strength of the field. When the CGLE system is driven by white noise, a diffusion law for the vortex core of the spiral wave is derived at long time explicitly. The diffusion constant is found to be D=T/C(2), in which T is the noise strength and C is the core asymptotic factor of the spiral wave. When the external force is a simple oscillation we find that the tip of the spiral wave drifts if the frequency of the external force is the same as that of the system. Our analytical results are verified using numerical simulations.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Toroidal bubbles with circulation in ideal hydrodynamics: a variational approach.

Incompressible, inviscid, irrotational, unsteady flows with circulation Gamma around a distorted toroidal bubble are considered. A general variational principle that determines the evolution of the bubble shape is formulated. For a two-dimensional (2D) cavity with a constant area A, exact pseudodifferential equations of motion are derived, based on variables that determine a conformal mapping of the unit circle exterior into the region occupied by the fluid. A closed expression for the Hamiltonian of the 2D system in terms of canonical variables is obtained. Stability of a stationary drifting 2D hollow vortex is demonstrated, when the gravity is small, gA(3/2)/Gamma(2)<<1. For a circulation-dominated regime of three-dimensional flows a simplified Lagrangian is suggested, inasmuch as the bubble shape is well described by the center line R(xi,t) and by an approximately circular cross section with relatively small area, A(xi,t)<<(contour integral operator |R'|dxi)(2). In particular, a finite-dimensional dynamical system is derived and approximately solved for a vertically moving axisymmetric vortex ring bubble with a compressed gas inside.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Drifting diffusion on a circle as continuous limit of a multiurn Ehrenfest model.

We study the continuous limit of a multibox Erhenfest urn model proposed before by the authors. The evolution of the resulting continuous system is governed by a differential equation, which describes a diffusion process on a circle with a nonzero drifting velocity. The short time behavior of this diffusion process is obtained directly by solving the equation, while the long time behavior is derived using the Poisson summation formula. They reproduce the previous results in the large M (number of boxes) limit. We also discuss the connection between this diffusion equation and the Schrödinger equation of some quantum mechanical problems.

Journal Article↗