NASA contract listings of publications under the behavioral biology program

Behavioral biology - bibliograph

Polarization-resolved second-harmonic-generation optical coherence tomography in collagen

We describe a novel imaging technique, second-harmonic-generation optical coherence tomography (SHOCT). This technique combines the spatial resolution and depth penetration of optical coherence tomography (OCT) with the molecular sensitivity of second-harmonic-generation spectroscopy. As a consequence of the coherent detection required for OCT, polarization-resolved images arise naturally. We demonstrate this new technique on a skin sample from the belly of Icelandic salmon, acquiring polarization-resolved SHOCT and OCT images simultaneously

Civil Procedure--Jurisdiction--The West Virginia Long-Arm Statute

In 1957 the West Virginia legislature enacted a statute which provides that in certain instances foreign corporations would be deemed to be doing business in this state for the purpose of service of process. In enacting this long-arm statute, West Virginia joined many other states in taking advantage of the United States Supreme Court\u27s decisions that expanded the extent to which states could exercise personal jurisdiction over nonresidents within the limits of due process. However, upon comparing the jurisdiction afforded by the West Virginia statute to that exercised under other long-arm statutes, it becomes apparent that this state has taken only limited advantage of the maximum jurisdiction allowed under due process. This situation is contrary to what should be the basic premise behind any long-arm statute. It is in the best interests of the residents of a state to provide the most effective and convenient forum available for the enforcement of claims against nonresidents. The limited reach of the West Virginia long-arm statute denies the residents of this state such a forum and as a result they are more often subject to the difficulty and expense of bringing actions in foreign forums. Considering that all of our surrounding states and many others have enacted comprehensive long-arm statutes, this is an inequitable situation. It allows the residents of this state to be subjected to the jurisdiction of other states without reciprocal right to bring action in their own state. Therefore, it is the position of this note that this state should extend its jurisdictional authority to the full extent allowed by due process. In approaching this problem, it must be remembered that the power of a state to exercise personal jurisdiction depends upon: (1) whether there is statutory authority to assert jurisdiction and (2) whether the exercise of that jurisdiction will violate due process rights. Thus, in trying to achieve full due process jurisdiction, there must be a legislative decision to that effect and this decision necessarily entails a determination of what is allowed by due process and how this may be incorporated into a long-arm statute. In order to deal with these problems, this note will explore the development of personal jurisdiction within due process limits. Also, the comparative ability of the West Virignia long-arm act to assert effective jurisdiction will be examined. Finally, to the extent that this comparison suggests a need for reform, alternative long-arm jurisdiction will be explored

Poriferan Fauna of a Minnesota Pond

An examination of sponges in Lund\u27s Pond, within Itasca State Park, Clearwater County, Minnesota, was conducted in the summer of 1970. Five species, representing four genera, were identified. Some physical characteristics and water chemistry of the pond also were examined

Champagne Flutes and Brandy Snifters: Modelling Protostellar Outflow-Cloud Chemical Interfaces

A rich variety of molecular species has now been observed towards hot cores in star forming regions and in the interstellar medium. An increasing body of evidence from millimetre interferometers suggests that many of these form at the interfaces between protostellar outflows and their natal molecular clouds. However, current models have remained unable to explain the origin of the observational bias towards wide-angled "brandy snifter" shaped outflows over narrower "champagne flute" shapes in carbon monoxide imaging. Furthermore, these wide-angled systems exhibit unusually high abundances of the molecular ion HCO$^+$. We present results from a chemo-dynamic model of such regions where a rich chemistry arises naturally as a result of turbulent mixing between cold, dense molecular gas and the hot, ionized outflow material. The injecta drives a rich and rapid ion-neutral chemistry in qualitative and quantitative agreement with the observations. The observational bias towards wide-angled outflows is explained naturally by the geometry-dependent ion injection rate causing rapid dissociation of CO in the younger systems.Comment: Accepted to MNRAS. 12 pages, 8 Figure

Rapid testing may not improve uptake of HIV testing and same day results in a rural South African community: a cohort study of 12,000 women

<p>Background: Rapid testing of pregnant women aims to increase uptake of HIV testing and results and thus optimize care. We report on the acceptability of HIV counselling and testing, and uptake of results, before and after the introduction of rapid testing in this area.</p> <p>Methods and Principal Findings: HIV counsellors offered counselling and testing to women attending 8 antenatal clinics, prior to enrolment into a study examining infant feeding and postnatal HIV transmission. From August 2001 to April 2003, blood was sent for HIV ELISA testing in line with the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme in the district. From May 2003 to September 2004 women were offered a rapid HIV test as part of the PMTCT programme, but also continued to have ELISA testing for study purposes. Of 12,323 women counselled, 5,879 attended clinic prior to May 2003, and 6,444 after May 2003 when rapid testing was introduced; of whom 4,324 (74.6%) and 4,810 (74.6%) agreed to have an HIV test respectively. Of the 4,810 women who had a rapid HIV test, only 166 (3.4%) requested to receive their results on the same day as testing, the remainder opted to return for results at a later appointment. Women with secondary school education were less likely to agree to testing than those with no education (AOR 0.648, p<0.001), as were women aged 21–35 (AOR 0.762, p<0.001) and >35 years (AOR 0.756, p<0.01) compared to those <20 years.</p> <p>Conclusions: Contrary to other reports, few women who had rapid tests accepted their HIV results the same day. Finding strategies to increase the proportion of pregnant women knowing their HIV results is critical so that appropriate care can be given.</p&gt

Nesting of Northern Bobwhites on Rangeland Versus Conservation Reserve Program Habitats in the Rolling Plains of Texas

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts account for about 1.7 million ha in Texas, and are often touted as habitat for upland game birds. We compared nest site locations, hatch rates, and arthropod abundance for northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) on CRP versus rangeland habitats at the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch (RPQRR), Fisher County, Texas from 2008 to 2011. Nest sites were monitored via radio-marked females. Simulated nests (n 1⁄4 144/yr) were used to evaluate hatch rates between the 2 habitat types. Arthropod abundance (as an indicator of brood habitat) was measured annually in August using sweep nets and pitfall traps. We documented 103 nest sites, 14% were in CRP while the remaining 86% were in rangeland; bobwhites neither selected nor avoided CRP as nesting habitat. ‘Survival’ of simulated nests (i.e., percent intact at 28 days exposure) across the 4 years averaged 63.2% for CRP and 74.4% on rangelands. Arthropod availability was greater in rangeland in 3 of the 4 years studied. CRP pastures dominated by kleingrass (Panicum coloratum) were used for nesting in proportion to their availability, but rangeland provided better brood habitat

High-Elevation Draba (Cruciferae) of the White Mountains of California and Nevada

Accurate identification of the species of Draba at high elevations in the White Mountains of eastern California and adjacent Nevada has been impossible because of frequent misinterpretations in the literature and the lack of a coherent source of information. A preliminary investigation of newly collected material suggested that several species of Draba, endemic or nearly so to these mountains, had not been recognized. Descriptions and relevant comparisons are given for a new combination, D. californica, and two new species, D. monoensis and D. subumbellata. Specimen citations for all taxa of Draba occurring at high elevations, roughly above 3000 m, are provided as a basis for our taxonomic decisions and to aid others in the interpretation of the taxonomy of the genus as it occurs in the White Mountains