11,150 research outputs found
Validation of CTmax Protocols Using Cased and Uncased \u3ci\u3ePycnopsyche Guttifer\u3c/i\u3e (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae) Larvae
The critical thermal maximum (CTmax) of a northern Lower Michigan population of Pycnopsyche guttifer was determined using four rates of temperature increase (0.10, 0.33, 0.50, and 0.70oC per minute), and two case states (intact and removed). Across all temperature increase rates, larvae removed from their cases had a significantly lower mean CTmax than those remaining in their cases, suggesting that the case can increase the larva’s ability to tolerate thermal stress, possibly due to respiratory advantages. Regardless of case state, mean CTmax was significantly lower at the 0.10oC per minute increase rate than the other three rates, likely due to increased exposure time. Our results indicate that CTmax studies done using 0.33–0.70oC per minute increase protocols would be comparable with each other, but not with studies using an increase rate of 0.10oC per minute
Nonlinear energy-loss straggling of protons and antiprotons in an electron gas
The electronic energy-loss straggling of protons and antiprotons moving at
arbitrary nonrelativistic velocities in a homogeneous electron gas are
evaluated within a quadratic response theory and the random-phase approximation
(RPA). These results show that at low and intermediate velocities quadratic
corrections reduce significantly the energy-loss straggling of antiprotons,
these corrections being, at low-velocities, more important than in the
evaluation of the stopping power.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.
A new robust diagnostic polymerase chain reaction for determining the mating status of female Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes.
The principal malaria vector in Africa, Anopheles gambiae, contains two pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. The Y chromosome is only associated with males and other Y chromosome-specific DNA sequences, which are transferred to women during mating. A reliable tool to determine the mating status of dried wild An. gambiae females is currently lacking. DNA was extracted from dried virgin and mated females and used to test whether Y chromosome-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) markers can be successfully amplified and used as a predictor of mating. Here we report a new PCR-based method to determine the mating status among successfully inseminated and virgin wild An. gambiae females, using three male-specific primers. This dissection-free method has the potential to facilitate studies of both population demographics and gene flow from dried mosquito samples routinely collected in epidemiologic monitoring and aid existing and new malaria-vector control approaches
Overcoming the boundary layer turbulence at Dome C: ground-layer adaptive optics versus tower
The unique atmospheric conditions present at sites such as Dome C on the Antarctic plateau are very favorable for high spatial resolution astronomy. At Dome C, the majority of the optical turbulence is confined to a 30 to 40 m thick stable boundary layer that results from the strong temperature inversion created by the heat exchange between the air and the ice-covered ground. To fully realize the potential of the exceptionally calm free atmosphere, this boundary layer must be overcome. In this article we compare the performance of two methods proposed to beat the boundary layer: mounting a telescope on a tower that physically puts it above the turbulent layer, and installing a telescope at ground level with a ground-layer adaptive optics system. A case is also made to combine these two methods to further improve the image quality
Integrating methods for determining length-at-age to improve growth estimates for two large scombrids
Fish growth is commonly estimated from length-at-age data
obtained from otoliths. There are several techniques for estimating length-at-age from otoliths including 1) direct observed counts of annual increments; 2) age adjustment based on a categorization of otolith margins; 3) age adjustment based on known periods of spawning and annuli formation; 4) back-calculation to all annuli, and 5) back-calculation to the last annulus only. In this study we
compared growth estimates (von Bertalanffy growth functions) obtained from the above five methods for estimating length-at-age from otoliths for two large scombrids: narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus
commerson) and broad-barred king mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasciatus). Likelihood ratio tests revealed that the largest differences in growth occurred between the back-calculation methods and the observed and adjusted methods for both species of mackerel. The pattern, however, was
more pronounced for S. commerson than for S. semifasciatus, because of the pronounced effect of gear selectivity
demonstrated for S. commerson. We propose a method of substituting length-at-age data from observed or adjusted methods with back-calculated length-at-age data to provide
more appropriate estimates of population growth than those obtained with the individual methods alone, particularly when faster growing young fish are disproportionately
selected for. Substitution of observed or adjusted length-at-age data with back-calculated length-at-age data provided more realistic estimates of length for younger ages than observed or adjusted methods as well as more
realistic estimates of mean maximum length than those derived from backcalculation methods alone
Measurement of Resonant Frequency and Quality Factor of Microwave Resonators: Comparison of Methods
Precise microwave measurements of sample conductivity, dielectric, and
magnetic properties are routinely performed with cavity perturbation
measurements. These methods require the accurate determination of quality
factor and resonant frequency of microwave resonators. Seven different methods
to determine the resonant frequency and quality factor from complex
transmission coefficient data are discussed and compared to find which is most
accurate and precise when tested using identical data. We find that the
nonlinear least-squares fit to the phase vs. frequency is the most accurate and
precise when the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than 65. For noisier data,
the nonlinear least squares fit to a Lorentzian curve is more accurate and
precise. The results are general and can be applied to the analysis of many
kinds of resonant phenomena.Comment: 29 pages, 11 figure
Detection and mapping of hydrothermally altered rocks in the vicinity of the comstock lode, Virginia Range, Nevada, using enhanced LANDSAT images
The author has identified the following significant results. LANDSAT images enhanced by the band-ratioing method can be used for reconnaissance alteration mapping in moderately heavily vegetated semiarid terrain as well as in sparsely vegetated to semiarid terrain where the technique was originally developed. Significant vegetation cover in a scene, however, requires the use of MSS ratios 4/5, 4/6, and 6/7 rather than 4/5, 5/6, and 6/7, and requires careful interpretation of the results. Supplemental information suitable to vegetation identification and cover estimates, such as standard LANDSAT false-color composites and low altitude aerial photographs of selected areas is desirable
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