Antennal olfactory responsiveness of three sympatricIps species [Ips avulsus (Eichhoff),Ips calligraphus (Germar),Ips grandicollis (Eichhoff)], to intra- and interspecific behavioral chemicals

Electroantennograms (EAGs) from male and femaleIps avulsus, I. calligraphus, andI. grandicollis to their pheromones and selected host odorants or kairomones verified the presence of antennal olfactory receptors in both sexes of each species capable of detecting ipsdienol, ipsenol,cis- andtrans-verbenol,endo-brevicomin -pinene, frontalin, and verbenone. Each species possesses receptors with lower thresholds and in greater abundance for the compounds they produce and to which they are behaviorally most responsive. Detection of bothIps andDendroctonus pheromones by the three cohabiting species provides a sensory basis for olfactory interactions among the species. Differences in both threshold and saturation levels for EAGs for the various behavioral chemicals could denote differences in specific behavioral roles for each compound.Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Paper Number TA-22463. This research was supported in part by McIntire-Stennis Project 1525, USDA-CR grants 85-CRCR-1-1856 and 86-CRCR-2019 and NATO Collaborative Research Grant 86-0710. The findings, opinions, and recommendations expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. All programs and information of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station are available without regard to race, ethnic origin, religion, sex, or age.Mention of a trademark, proprietary product, or vendor does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products or vendors that may also be suitable.     

Hydrolytic degradation of ionically cross-linked polyphosphazene microspheres

The hydrolytic degradation of gel microspheres based on calcium cross-linked phosphazene polyelectrolytes, poly[di(carboxylatophenoxy)phosphazene] (PCPP) and poly[(carboxylatophenoxy) (glycinato)phosphazene] (PCGPP), was investigated. These microspheres are of importance as carriers in protein and cell encapsulation. Both PCPP and PCGPP ionotropic polyphosphazene hydrogels are degradable in an aqueous environment (pH 7.4, 37°C). The degradation rates can be increased by incorporation of hydrolysis sensitive glycinato groups as the pendant structures in the polymer (PCGPP). Hydrolysis of these polymer hydrogels led to low molecular weight (<1,000 Da) products. The erosion and molecular weight profiles varied also according to the molecular weight of the polyphosphazene constituting the gel beads. Another approach to affect the degradation rates consists of coating microspheres with poly-L -lysine. Ionotropic polyphosphazene hydrogels have potential as biodegradable devices for controlled drug delivery systems. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Predicting external sulphur requirement of alfalfa from sulphate sorption isotherm of Tanzanian soils

For Tanzanian soils dominant in hydrous oxides of iron and amorphous ferri-alumino silicate, a 48-hour (hr) mixing period with the sulphate (SO₄) solution was adequate for a near-equilibrium condition. Although differing in their SO₄ sorption capacity, all the soils sorbed SO₄ at or beyond 1µg ml^–1 sulphur (S) concentration in the supernatant. Hydroxyl (OH) ions were displaced during SO₄ sorption as indicated by a significant positive correlation between the amount of sorbed SO₄ and the difference in pH values determined in 0.1N K₂ SO₄ and 0.1N KCl, i.e. the dpH values.In a greenhouse experiment, alfalfa was grown on eight soils at six adjusted S concentrations. Sulphur deficiency symptoms appeared in the control pots of those soils which were low in native sorbed SO₄, SO₄ sorption capacity and initial soil solution S concentration. Sulphur fertilization increased dry matter (DM) yield as well as response to applied S. The external S concentration, i.e. adjusted S concentration required for 95% of the maximum DM yield, ranged from 0.8 to 8.2µg S ml^–1 with values less than 2.0 on most of the soils. The external S concentration decreased hyperbolically as the SO₄ sorption capacity of the soils increased. The total amount of fertilizer S required to obtain the external S concentration in solution, and at the same time satisfy the SO₄ sorption capacity of the soil at the external S concentration (determined from the sorption isotherm) was defined as the external S requirement for the specified yield level of alfalfa. The external S requirement for 95% of the maximum yield of alfalfa varied from soil to soil due to differences in their capacity and intensity for S nutrition.Part of a thesis by the senior author for the MSc (Agric) degree of the University of Dar es Salaam     

Structure of Polymeric PbTiO3 Gels

The structural features of PbTiO₃ gels were found to be highly dependent on hydrolysis conditions. Gels formed from acid-catalyzed solutions were clear and rubbery, whereas base-catalyzed gels were translucent or cloudy with phase separation. Direct TEM observations determined that acid-catalyzed gels were fibrous in character and physically homogeneous, whereas base-catalyzed gels had a coarse texture. Analyses by EDX and SAD indicated that acidic gels were chemically homogeneous and microcrystalline, whereas basic gels were heterogeneous and amorphous.     

Thin-Layer Dielectrics in the Pb[(Mg1/3Nb2/3)1-xTix]O3 System

Thin layers of Pb[(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_{1– x} Ti _x ]O₃ (PMNT) were prepared by spin casting alkoxide-based solutions on platinized Si. The effects of additives, heat treatment, and composition ( x = 0 to 0.9) on perovskite phase development, ceramic microstructure, and dielectric properties are reported. Depending upon the processing conditions, ceramic thin layers could be formed in a nonferroelectric pyrochlore phase (A₂B₂O₆) or in a ferroelectric perovskite phase (ABO₃). The dimensions of the pyrochlore and perovskite units cells were related and increased with Mg and Nb contents. To minmize pyrochlore formation, the most effective processing method involved rapid heat treatment between successive solution depositions. Phase development and microstructure were also affected by solution additives. Additions of benzoic acid were found to affect the structure in solution and the later organic pyrolysis behavior from thin layers. The effect of composition on the dielectric and ferroelectric properties is also reported.     

Bark beetle olfaction. III. Antennal olfactory responsiveness ofDendroctonus frontalis Zimmerman andD. brevicomis Le Conte (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to aggregation pheromones and host tree terpene hydrocarbons

Electroantennograms from males and females ofDendroctonus frontalis andD. brevicomis in response to serial dilutions of the pheromonesexo brevicomin and frontalin and the host terpene hydrocarbons 3-carene and α-pinene show no significant differences in the threshold concentration for response to the compounds for either sex or species. The intensity of response was greater to higher concentrations of the pheromones (10 to >10⁴ μg) than the terpene hydrocarbons, suggesting the presence of more receptors on the antennae for pheromones than terpene hydrocarbons. Antennal olfactory responses to the compounds did not correlate to published data on behavioral responses by the beetles to the compounds in both field and laboratory studies. Adaptation experiments indicated that forD. frontalis, both frontalin andexo brevicomin share the same receptors on the antennae. The results indicated that the terpene hydrocarbons share some, but not all, of the same receptors.     

Properties of Cr:LiSrAIF(6) crystals for laser operation

We have performed several physical and optical measurements on the Cr:LiSAF (LiSrAlF(6)) laser material that are relevant to its laser performance, including thermal and mechanical properties, water durabilities, and Auger upconversion constants. The expansion coefficient, Young's modulus, fracture toughness, thermal conductivity, and heat capacity are all used to determine an overall thermomechanical figure of merit for the crystal. An investigation of the water durability suggests that the cooling solution should be maintained at pH = 7 to ameliorate problems associated with water dissolution. The Auger constant was found to become much more significant at higher Cr doping, in which excited-state migration leads to a substantial increase in the upconversion rate. We propose a design for a 50-W Cr:LiSAF laser system that is based on a detailed knowledge of all the relevant material parameters.     

Long latency postural reflexes are under supraspinal dopaminergic control

Scaling of posturally stabilizing long latency (LL) reflexes in tibialis anterior muscles induced by "toe-up" rotational perturbations is abnormal in standing patients with Parkinson's disease. To investigate the contribution of dopaminergic pathways to abnormal scaling, we studied LL reflexes in 22 patients with selective hypodopaminergic syndromes: 10 psychiatric patients taking chronic neuroleptic medication (7 with mild parkinsonism), 8 patients with young-onset Parkinson's disease, and 4 patients with MPTP-induced parkinsonism. Results were compared with those of 10 healthy controls. Stimuli consisted of (a) 10 serial (predictable) perturbations of 4 degrees amplitude, (b) 10 serial (predictable) perturbations of 10 degrees amplitude, and (c) 20 randomly mixed (unpredictable) perturbations of either 4 or 10 degrees amplitude. In normal subjects, LL reflex amplitudes were adapted to match predictable variations in stimulus size, whereas under unpredictable conditions a "default" response emerged that anticipated the 10 degrees perturbation. LL reflex scaling under predictable conditions was intact in patients with neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism and young-onset Parkinson's disease, but the large default LL response under unpredictable conditions was absent. In patients with MPTP-induced parkinsonism, LL reflex scaling was absent during both predictable and unpredictable conditions. We conclude that abnormal scaling of posturally stabilizing LL reflexes is related to decreased supraspinal dopaminergic influence.