Residues of zeta-cypermethrin in bovine tissues and milk following pour-on and spray application

The depletion of zeta-cypermethrin residues in bovine tissues and milk was studied. Beef cattle were treated three times at 3-week intervals with 1 ml 10 kg(-1) body weight of a 25 g litre(-1) or 50 g litre(-1) pour-on formulation (2.5 and 5.0 mg zeta-cypermethrin kg(-1) body weight) or 100 mg kg(-1) spray to simulate a likely worst-case treatment regime. Friesian and Jersey dairy cows were treated once with 2.5 mg zeta-cypermethrin kg(-1) in a pour-on formulation. Muscle, liver and kidney residue concentrations were generally less than the limit of detection (LOD = 0.01 mg kg(-1)). Residues in renal-fat and back-fat samples from animals treated with 2.5 mg kg(-1) all exceeded the limit of quantitation (LOQ = 0.05 mg kg(-1)), peaking at 10 days after treatment. Only two of five kidney fat samples were above the LOQ after 34 days, but none of the back-fat samples exceeded the LOQ at 28 days after treatment. Following spray treatments, fat residues were detectable in some animals but were below the LOQ at all sampling intervals. Zeta-cypermethrin was quantifiable (LOQ = 0.01 mg kg(-1)) in only one whole-milk sample from the Friesian cows (0.015 mg kg(-1), 2 days after treatment). In whole milk from Jersey cows, the mean concentration of zeta-cypermethrin peaked 1 day after treatment, at 0.015 mg kg(-1), and the highest individual sample concentration was 0.025 mg kg(-1) at 3 days after treatment. Residues in milk were not quantifiable beginning 4 days after treatment. The mean concentrations of zeta-cypermethrin in milk fat from Friesian and Jersey cows peaked two days after treatment at 0.197 mg kg(-1) and 0.377 mg kg(-1), respectively, and the highest individual sample concentrations were 2 days after treatment at 0.47 mg kg(-1) and 0.98 mg kg(-1), respectively. (C) 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.

Using the 6dF galaxy redshift survey to detect gravitationally-lensed quasars

It is possible to detect gravitationally-lensed quasars spectroscopically if the spectra obtained during galaxy surveys are searched for the presence of quasar emission lines. The up-coming 6 degree Field (6dF) redshift survey on the United Kingdom Schmidt Telescope will involve obtaining similar to 10(5) spectra of near-infrared selected galaxies to a magnitude limit of K = 13. Applying previously developed techniques implies that at least one lens should be discovered in the 6dF survey, but that as many as ten could be found if quasars typically have B-J - K similar or equal to 8. In this model there could be up to fifty lensed quasars in the, sample, but most of them could only be detected by infrared spectroscopy.

Weight reduction improves biochemistry and histology in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease that may progress to cirrhosis. Antiviral treatment is successful in less than 50% of patients, is costly and causes debilitating side effects. For these reasons, additional therapies to limit the progression of liver disease are urgently required. Steatosis is found in 60% of patients with HCV and is strongly associated with more severe fibrosis. Improvements in biochemical parameters may be seen with weight reduction, however the effects on liver histology have not been investigated. We propose that in patients with chronic HCV and steatosis, obesity contributes to fat in the liver, which results in increased fibrosis and progression to cirrhosis. This study investigated the effect of weight reduction on liver biochemistry and histology in patients with HCV and the success of weight maintenance after an intensive intervention. We examined the effect of a 12 week diet and exercise program where all subjects were seen weekly by the Dietician, with the goal of achieving a 0.5 kg weight loss per week. Biochemistry was monitored monthly and a liver biopsy was performed prior to and 3-6 months after the intervention period. Patients then entered a 12 month weight maintenance program with monthly dietetic review. After 12 weeks there was a mean weight loss of 5.9 ± 3.2 kg and a mean reduction in waist circumference of 9.0 ± 5.0 cm. In 16 of the 19 patients, serum ALT levels fell progressively with weight loss. Mean fasting insulin fell from 16 to 11 mmol/L (p

A catalog of HI-selected galaxies from the south celestial cap region of sky

The first deep catalog of the H I Parkes All Sky Survey (HIPASS) is presented, covering the south celestial cap (SCC) region. The SCC area is similar to2400 deg(2) and covers delta < -62&DEG;. The average rms noise for the survey is 13 mJy beam(-1). Five hundred thirty-six galaxies have been cataloged according to their neutral hydrogen content, including 114 galaxies that have no previous cataloged optical counterpart. This is the largest sample of galaxies from a blind H I survey to date. Most galaxies in optically unobscured regions of sky have a visible optical counterpart; however, there is a small population of low-velocity H I clouds without visible optical counterparts whose origins and significance are unclear. The rms accuracy of the HIPASS positions is found to be 1.'9. The H I mass range of galaxies detected is from &SIM;10(6) to &SIM;10(11) M-.. There are a large number of late-type spiral galaxies in the SCC sample (66%), compared with 30% for optically selected galaxies from the same region in the NASA Extragalactic Database. The average ratio of H I mass to B luminosity of the sample increases according to optical type, from 1.8 M-./L-. for early types to 3.2 M-./L-. for late-type galaxies. The H I-detected galaxies tend to follow the large-scale structure traced by galaxies found in optical surveys. From the number of galaxies detected in this region of sky, we predict the full HIPASS catalog will contain &SIM;5000 galaxies, to a peak flux density limit of &SIM;39 mJy (3 σ), although this may be a conservative estimate as two large voids are present in the region. The H I mass function for this catalog is presented in a subsequent paper.

Weak-force detection with superposed coherent states

We investigate the utility of nonclassical states of simple harmonic oscillators, particularly a superposition of coherent states, for sensitive force detection. We find that like squeezed states, a superposition of coherent states allows displacement measurements at the Heisenberg limit. Entangling many superpositions of coherent states offers a significant advantage over a single-mode superposition state with the same mean photon number.

Large amplitude folding in finely layered viscoelastic rock structures

We analyze folding phenomena in finely layered viscoelastic rock. Fine is meant in the sense that the thickness of each layer is considerably smaller than characteristic structural dimensions. For this purpose we derive constitutive relations and apply a computational simulation scheme (a finite-element based particle advection scheme; see MORESI et al., 2001) suitable for problems involving very large deformations of layered viscous and viscoelastic rocks. An algorithm for the time integration of the governing equations as well as details of the finite-element implementation is also given. We then consider buckling instabilities in a finite, rectangular domain. Embedded within this domain, parallel to the longer dimension we consider a stiff, layered plate. The domain is compressed along the layer axis by prescribing velocities along the sides. First, for the viscous limit we consider the response to a series of harmonic perturbations of the director orientation. The Fourier spectra of the initial folding velocity are compared for different viscosity ratios. Turning to the nonlinear regime we analyze viscoelastic folding histories up to 40% shortening. The effect of layering manifests itself in that appreciable buckling instabilities are obtained at much lower viscosity ratios (1:10) as is required for the buckling of isotropic plates (1:500). The wavelength induced by the initial harmonic perturbation of the director orientation seems to be persistent. In the section of the parameter space considered here elasticity seems to delay or inhibit the occurrence of a second, larger wavelength. Finally, in a linear instability analysis we undertake a brief excursion into the potential role of couple stresses on the folding process. The linear instability analysis also provides insight into the expected modes of deformation at the onset of instability, and the different regimes of behavior one might expect to observe.

The Fornax Cluster Spectroscopic Survey: a sample of confirmed cluster dwarfs

The Fornax Cluster Spectroscopic Survey (FCSS) project utilizes the Two-degree Field (2dF) multi-object spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT). Its aim is to obtain spectra for a complete sample of all 14 000 objects with 16 5 less than or equal to b(j) less than or equal to 19 7 irrespective of their morphology in a 12 deg(2) area centred on the Fornax cluster. A sample of 24 Fornax cluster members has been identified from the first 2dF field (3.1 deg(2) in area) to be completed. This is the first complete sample of cluster objects of known distance with well-defined selection limits. Nineteen of the galaxies (with -15.8 < M-B < 12.7) appear to be conventional dwarf elliptical (dE) or dwarf S0 (dS0) galaxies. The other five objects (with -13.6 < M-B < 11.3) are those galaxies which were described recently by Drinkwater et al. and labelled 'ultracompact dwarfs' (UCDs). A major result is that the conventional dwarfs all have scale sizes alpha greater than or similar to 3 arcsec (similar or equal to300 pc). This apparent minimum scale size implies an equivalent minimum luminosity for a dwarf of a given surface brightness. This produces a limit on their distribution in the magnitude-surface brightness plane, such that we do not observe dEs with high surface brightnesses but faint absolute magnitudes. Above this observed minimum scale size of 3 arcsec, the dEs and dS0s fill the whole area of the magnitude-surface brightness plane sampled by our selection limits. The observed correlation between magnitude and surface brightness noted by several recent studies of brighter galaxies is not seen with our fainter cluster sample. A comparison of our results with the Fornax Cluster Catalog (FCC) of Ferguson illustrates that attempts to determine cluster membership solely on the basis of observed morphology can produce significant errors. The FCC identified 17 of the 24 FCSS sample (i.e. 71 per cent) as being 'cluster' members, in particular missing all five of the UCDs. The FCC also suffers from significant contamination: within the FCSS's field and selection limits, 23 per cent of those objects described as cluster members by the FCC are shown by the FCSS to be background objects.

The large-scale distribution of neutral hydrogen in the Fornax region

Using data from the H I Parkes All Sky Survey (HIPASS), we have searched for neutral hydrogen in galaxies in a region similar to25x25 deg(2) centred on NGC 1399, the nominal centre of the Fornax cluster. Within a velocity search range of 300-3700 km s(-1) and to a 3sigma lower flux limit of similar to40 mJy, 110 galaxies with H I emission were detected, one of which is previously uncatalogued. None of the detections has early-type morphology. Previously unknown velocities for 14 galaxies have been determined, with a further four velocity measurements being significantly dissimilar to published values. Identification of an optical counterpart is relatively unambiguous for more than similar to90 per cent of our H I galaxies. The galaxies appear to be embedded in a sheet at the cluster velocity which extends for more than 30degrees across the search area. At the nominal cluster distance of similar to20 Mpc, this corresponds to an elongated structure more than 10 Mpc in extent. A velocity gradient across the structure is detected, with radial velocities increasing by similar to500 km s(-1) from south-east to north-west. The clustering of galaxies evident in optical surveys is only weakly suggested in the spatial distribution of our H I detections. Of 62 H I detections within a 10degrees projected radius of the cluster centre, only two are within the core region (projected radius

Longevity and stability of cratonic lithosphere: Insights from numerical simulations of coupled mantle convection and continental tectonics

[1] The physical conditions required to provide for the tectonic stability of cratonic crust and for the relative longevity of deep cratonic lithosphere within a dynamic, convecting mantle are explored through a suite of numerical simulations. The simulations allow chemically distinct continents to reside within the upper thermal boundary layer of a thermally convecting mantle layer. A rheologic formulation, which models both brittle and ductile behavior, is incorporated to allow for plate-like behavior and the associated subduction of oceanic lithosphere. Several mechanisms that may stabilize cratons are considered. The two most often invoked mechanisms, chemical buoyancy and/or high viscosity of cratonic root material, are found to be relatively ineffective if cratons come into contact with subduction zones. High root viscosity can provide for stability and longevity but only within a thick root limit in which the thickness of chemically distinct, high-viscosity cratonic lithosphere exceeds the thickness of old oceanic lithosphere by at least a factor of 2. This end-member implies a very thick mechanical lithosphere for cratons. A high brittle yield stress for cratonic lithosphere as a whole, relative to oceanic lithosphere, is found to be an effective and robust means for providing stability and lithospheric longevity. This mode does not require exceedingly deep strength within cratons. A high yield stress for only the crustal or mantle component of the cratonic lithosphere is found to be less effective as detachment zones can then form at the crust-mantle interface which decreases the longevity potential of cratonic roots. The degree of yield stress variations between cratonic and oceanic lithosphere required for stability and longevity can be decreased if cratons are bordered by continental lithosphere that has a relatively low yield stress, i.e., mobile belts. Simulations that combine all the mechanisms can lead to crustal stability and deep root longevity for model cratons over several mantle overturn times, but the dominant stabilizing factor remains a relatively high brittle yield stress for cratonic lithosphere.

Development Resource Planning: Complexity of Product Development and the Capacity to Launch New Products

Overcommitment of development capacity or development resource deficiencies are important problems in new product development (NPD). Existing approaches to development resource planning have largely neglected the issue of resource magnitude required for NPD. This research aims to fill the void by developing a simple higher-level aggregate model based on an intuitive idea: The number of new product families that a firm can effectively undertake is bound by the complexity of its products or systems and the total amount of resources allocated to NPD. This study examines three manufacturing companies to verify the proposed model. The empirical results confirm the study`s initial hypothesis: The more complex the product family, the smaller the number of product families that are launched per unit of revenue. Several suggestions and implications for managing NPD resources are discussed, such as how this study`s model can establish an upper limit for the capacity to develop and launch new product families.

An analysis of US greenhouse gas cap-and-trade proposals using a forward-looking economic model

We develop a forward-looking version of the recursive dynamic MIT Emissions Prediction and Policy Analysis (EPPA) model, and apply it to examine the economic implications of proposals in the US Congress to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We find that shocks in the consumption path are smoothed out in the forward-looking model and that the lifetime welfare cost of GHG policy is lower than in the recursive model, since the forward-looking model can fully optimize over time. The forward-looking model allows us to explore issues for which it is uniquely well suited, including revenue-recycling and early action crediting. We find capital tax recycling to be more welfare-cost reducing than labor tax recycling because of its long-term effect on economic growth. Also, there are substantial incentives for early action credits; however, when spread over the full horizon of the policy they do not have a substantial effect on lifetime welfare costs.

Uncommon mechanism of egg incubation in the endemic Southern hermit crab Loxopagurus loxochelis: how is this phenomenon related to egg production?

The aim of the present work was to characterize the egg production of Loxopagurus loxochelis. A total of 71 ovigerous females were obtained, 28% of which were simultaneously incubating eggs at different developmental stages. This phenomenon can be the result of incomplete fertilization, or may represent a rapid gonadal cycle by this species in this area, which is, to our understanding, the best explanation of this phenomenon. Egg volume decreased 25.6% during the incubation period. The reproductive output based on dry and wet weight was 6.8 and 19.3%, respectively. Water was the prevailing component of the eggs, representing 86.0% of the total weight at initial stage, increasing to 95.1% at the final stage. Ash content increased at the same time as a decrease in the organic content occurred, indicating the consumption of yolk and absorption of salts from the water medium. In conclusion, we hypothesized that this population has the capacity to copulate and deposit another brood even before the release of the larvae from the previous one, intensifying the reproductive effort of these hermit crabs as a strategy of adaptation in a region considered the northern limit of the geographical distribution of this species.

New porphyrins tailored as biodiesel fluorescent markers

This work reports the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of new porphyrins tailored to become biodiesel fluorescent markers. The compounds were obtained by the synthetic modification of the commercially available porphyrin 5,10,15,20-meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (TPPF(20)) using ethanol and hexadecan-1-ol (cetylic alcohol) as nucleophilic reagents. The stability of the marked biodiesel fuel solutions was investigated every 15 days for a total period of 3 months, and under different storage temperature and light exposure condition, simulating the conventional stock conditions. The influence of the different substituents of the porphyrins on the fluorescence properties of the biodiesel fuel markers was also assessed. The resulting porphyrins were highly soluble in biodiesel fuel and displayed strong fluorescence characterized by two strong emission bands. The fluorescent markers did not affect the biodiesel physical properties and were stable in storage conditions for at least 3 months at a concentration of 4 ppm. The best storage condition was found to be absence of light and 6 degrees C; the limit of detection by photoluminescence technique had magnitude of 10(-13) mol L(-1). The synthesized porphyrins were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H-NMR and (19)F-NMR), mass spectrometry (HRMS), ultraviolet visible absorption spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Solid-phase microextraction using poly(pyrrole) film and liquid chromatography with UV detection for analysis of antidepressants in plasma samples

Poly(pyrrole) (PPY) coating was prepared on a stainless-steel (SS) wire for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) by electrochemical deposition (cyclic voltammetric). The PPY was evaluated by analyzing new-generation antidepressants (mirtazapine, citalopram, paroxetine, duloxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline) in plasma sample by SPME and liquid chromatography with UV detection (LC-UV). The effect of electrolyte Solution (lithium perchlorate or tetrabutylammonium perchlorate) and the number of cycles (50, 100 or 200) applied during the polymerization process on the SPME performance was evaluated. Important factors in the optimization of SPME efficiency such as extraction time, temperature, pH, influence of plasma proteins on sorption mechanisms, and desorption conditions are discussed. The SPME-PPY/LC method showed to be linear in concentrations ranging from the limit of quantification (LOQ) to 1200 ng mL(-1). The LOQ values range from 16 to 25 ng mL-1. The inter-day precision of the SPME-PPY/LC method presented coefficient of variation (CV) lower than 15%. Based on analytical validation results, the SPME-PPY/LC methodology showed to be adequate for antidepressant analysis, from therapeutic to toxic levels. In order to evaluate the proposed method for clinical use, the SPME-PPY/LC method was applied to the analysis of plasma samples from elderly depressed patients. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved,

Quantum phase-space analysis of the pendular cavity

We perform a quantum-mechanical analysis of the pendular cavity, using the positive-P representation, showing that the quantum state of the moving mirror, a macroscopic object, has noticeable effects on the dynamics. This system has previously been proposed as a candidate for the quantum-limited measurement of small displacements of the mirror due to radiation pressure, for the production of states with entanglement between the mirror and the field, and even for superposition states of the mirror. However, when we treat the oscillating mirror quantum mechanically, we find that it always oscillates, has no stationary steady state, and exhibits uncertainties in position and momentum which are typically larger than the mean values. This means that previous linearized fluctuation analyses which have been used to predict these highly quantum states are of limited use. We find that the achievable accuracy in measurement is fat, worse than the standard quantum limit due to thermal noise, which, for typical experimental parameters, is overwhelming even at 2 mK