Foil based atom chip for Bose-Einstein condensates

We describe a novel method of fabricating atom chips that are well suited to the production and manipulation of atomic Bose–Einstein condensates. Our chip was created using a silver foil and simple micro-cutting techniques without the need for photolithography. It can sustain larger currents than conventional chips, and is compatible with the patterning of complex trapping potentials. A near pure Bose–Einstein condensate of 4 × 104 87Rb atoms has been created in a magnetic microtrap formed by currents through wires on the chip. We have observed the fragmentation of atom clouds in close proximity to the silver conductors. The fragmentation has different characteristic features to those seen with copper conductors.

Light and electron microscopic analysis of aquaporin 1-like-immunoreactive amacrine cells in the rat retina

Aquaporin 1 (AQP1; also known as CHIP, a channel-forming integral membrane protein of 28 kDa) is the first protein to be shown to function as a water channel and has been recently shown to be present in the rat retina. We previously showed (Kim et al. [1998] Neurosci Lett 244:52-54) that AQP1-like immunoreactivity is present in a certain population of amacrine cells in the rat retina. This study was conducted to characterize these cells in more detail, With immunocytochemistry using specific antisera against AQP1, whole-mount preparations and 50-mum-thick vibratome sections were examined by light and electron microscopy. These cells were a class of amacrine cells, which had symmetric bistratified dendritic trees ramified in stratum 2 and in the border of strata 3 and 4 of the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Their dendritic field diameters ranged from 90 to 230 mum. Double labeling with antisera against AQP1 and gamma-aminobutyric acid or glycine demonstrated that these AQP1-like-immunoreactive amacrine cells were immunoreactive for glycine. Their most frequent synaptic input was from other amacrine cell processes in both sublaminae a and b of the IPL, followed by a few cone bipolar cells. Their primary targets were other amacrine cells and ganglion cells in both sublaminae a and b of the IPL. In addition, synaptic output Onto bipolar cells was rarely observed in sublamina b of the IPL. Thus, the AQP1 antibody labels a class of glycinergic amacrine cells with small to medium-sized dendritic fields in the rat retina. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

IS/IT outsourcing practices of small- and medium-sized manufacturers

Firms began outsourcing information system functions soon after the inception of electronic computing. Extant research has concentrated on large organizations and large-valued outsourcing contracts from a variety of different industries. Smaller-sized firms are inherently different from their large counterparts. These differences between small and large firms could lead to different information technology/information system (IT/IS) items being outsourced and different outsourcing agreements governing these arrangements. This research explores and examines the outsourcing practices of very small through to medium-sized manufacturing organizations. The in-depth case studies not only explored the extent to which different firms engaged in outsourcing but also the nuances of their outsourcing arrangements. The results reveal that all six firms tended to outsource the same sorts of functions. Some definite differences existed, however, in the strategies adopted in relation to the functions they outsourced. These differences arose for a variety of reasons, including size, locality, and holding company influences. The very small and small manufacturing firms tended to make outsourcing purchases on an ad hoc basis with little reliance on legal advice. In contrast, the medium-sized firms often used a more planned initiative and sought legal advice more often. Interestingly, not one of the six firms outsourced any of their transaction processing. These findings now give very small, small-, and medium-sized manufacturing firms the opportunity to compare their practices against other firms of similar size.

Endocrinology: the next 60 years - the helix and the chip

In the 60 years since C H Li reported the isolation of bovine growth hormone (GH), endocrinologists have seen the widespread use of human GH for statural disorders, the measurement of plasma GH as a diagnostic test, the full development of the somatomedin hypothesis and the molecular details of the function of the GH receptor responsible for regulating somatic growth and metabolism. In diabetes, we have passed from administration of animal insulin to formulations with different release rates, insulin pumps and inhalers, insulin sensitizers and a greater understanding of insulin signalling and insulin resistance through genetically engineered murine models. What might we expect over the next few decades?

Restricted mating dispersal and strong breeding group structure in a mid-sized marsupial mammal (Petrogale penicillata)

Ecological genetic studies have demonstrated that spatial patterns of mating dispersal, the dispersal of gametes through mating behaviour, can facilitate inbreeding avoidance and strongly influence the structure of populations, particularly in highly philopatric species. Elements of breeding group dynamics, such as strong structuring and sex-biased dispersal among groups, can also minimize inbreeding and positively influence levels of genetic diversity within populations. Rock-wallabies are highly philopatric mid-sized mammals whose strong dependence on rocky terrain has resulted in series of discreet, small colonies in the landscape. Populations show no signs of inbreeding and maintain high levels of genetic diversity despite strong patterns of limited gene flow within and among colonies. We used this species to investigate the importance of mating dispersal and breeding group structure to inbreeding avoidance within a 'small' population. We examined the spatial patterns of mating dispersal, the extent of kinship within breeding groups, and the degree of relatedness among brush-tailed rock-wallaby breeding pairs within a colony in southeast Queensland. Parentage data revealed remarkably restricted mating dispersal and strong breeding group structuring for a mid-sized mammal. Breeding groups showed significant levels of female kinship with evidence of male dispersal among groups. We found no evidence for inbreeding avoidance through mate choice; however, anecdotal data suggest the importance of life history traits to inbreeding avoidance between first-degree relatives. We suggest that the restricted pattern of mating dispersal and strong breeding group structuring facilitates inbreeding avoidance within colonies. These results provide insight into the population structure and maintenance of genetic diversity within colonies of the threatened brush-tailed rock-wallaby.