Movement of smallmouth bass within the Beaver Island Archipelago, northern Lake Michigan

Fish movement may vary across a wide array of aquatic ecosystems and may be related to the overall size of the system inhabited. We investigated movement of smallmouth bass in Lake Michigan because this information is lacking for larger systems. A total of 16 smallmouth bass were surgically implanted with ultrasonic transmitters within the Beaver Archipelago, northern Lake Michigan. During 2007-2008, a maximum of one location per individual was recorded daily during three specific tracking periods - pre-spawn, spawning, and post-spawn - to determine diurnal movement patterns. Movement was evaluated as site fidelity, minimum displacement rate, maximum excursion rate, and distance from shore. Smallmouth bass exhibited greater maximum excursion rates during the spawn period compared to pre-spawn. Movement rates did not differ between tracking periods; however, movement rates were greater during the spawn period in 2007 than 2008. Both sexes moved further offshore to deeper water during post-spawn, but females were located further offshore than males during this period. Annual site fidelity was more evident during post-spawn than during spawning for both sexes. Two smallmouth bass emigrated outside of the Archipelago, suggesting this population may be more “open” in terms of individuals moving throughout northern Lake Michigan than previously thought. These results indicate smallmouth bass may move greater distances in larger aquatic systems and therefore larger management units (in terms of total area) should be established in Lake Michigan to account for these greater excursion distances.     

Short communication: effects of X-rays on growth and germinal tissue of calves

A study was carried out to measure the growth and germinal tissue responses of young bull calf whose testicles were exposed to different levels of high energy, pulsed beams (X rays). Treatments (absorbed doses) were 0, 1530, 1980, 3060, or 6300 rads. Body weights were measured monthly for 10 mo; testosterone concentrations were measured in mo 2 and 5. At the end of the study, scrotal circumferences were measured, and testes were removed and weighed. Sections of testes were taken, processed, and evaluated for effects on germinal epithelium. Treatments did not affect body weights or weight gains. Testosterone concentrations at mo 5 generally decreased with increased energy dose. Testicular weights were not different among treatments; generally, scrotal circumferences decreased and germinal tissue degeneration increased as the absorbed dose was increased.     

Microstructural and thermal stability of a Ti-43AI alloy containing dispersoids of titanium di-boride

Ti-43Al (atomic percent) alloy containing a dispersion of 7 vol pct TiB₂ particles was exposed to various thermal treatments to determine the stability of TiB₂ in an ⇌₂ + β-phase matrix. No new phases were detected at the particle/matrix interfaces even after thermal exposure at 1473 K for 7 days. The absence of an Al peak in the energy dispersive X-ray analysis system (EDS) spectra from TiB₂ particles chemically extracted from the specimens aged at 1473 K for 7 days indicated no diffusion of Al from the matrix to the particles. These results indicate that TiB₂ is stable in an α₂+ β matrix at 1473 K. E. Clevenger, formerly Undergraduate Student, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Wright State University     

Information retrieval patterns and needs among practicing general surgeons: a statewide experience

Information retrieval has progressed from a reliance on traditional print sources to the modern era of computer databases and online networks. Surgeons, many from remote areas not served by professional medical libraries, must develop and maintain skills in information retrieval and management in both electronic and standard formats. One hundred thirty-three New Mexico general surgeons were surveyed to identify their information-seeking patterns in five areas: retrieval purposes, retrieval sources, barriers to access, techniques used, and continuing education needs. Ninety-nine (74.4%) surgeons responded to the survey. Ninety-five percent utilize professional meetings, the medical literature, and physician colleagues as information sources. Only 17% utilize the outreach services of the state's only medical school library. Common retrieval barriers were practice demands (71%), isolation from medical schools (30%), computer illiteracy (28%), and rural environment (25%). Continuing education topics related to information management would be valuable to 61% of the surgeons. Sixty-nine percent believe their current ability to access biomedical information is adequate, despite most frequently accessing their personal libraries for information related to decision-making or patient management. These data suggest that, despite significant information needs, surgeons have not embraced newer forms of information retrieval. It is imperative that surgeons acquire and maintain modern information retrieval skills as a means of remaining up-to-date in their profession. Professional surgical organizations and medical librarians should collaborate on these continuing education ventures.     

A filter-based evolutionary algorithm for constrained optimization

We introduce a filter-based evolutionary algorithm (FEA) for constrained optimization. The filter used by an FEA explicitly imposes the concept of dominance on a partially ordered solution set. We show that the algorithm is provably robust for both linear and nonlinear problems and constraints. FEAs use a finite pattern of mutation offsets, and our analysis is closely related to recent convergence results for pattern search methods. We discuss how properties of this pattern impact the ability of an FEA to converge to a constrained local optimum.     

Highly conductive and porous activated reduced graphene oxide films for high-power supercapacitors

We present a novel method to prepare highly conductive, free-standing, and flexible porous carbon thin films by chemical activation of reduced graphene oxide paper. These flexible carbon thin films possess a very high specific surface area of 2400 m(2) g(-1) with a high in-plane electrical conductivity of 5880 S m(-1). This is the highest specific surface area for a free-standing carbon film reported to date. A two-electrode supercapacitor using these carbon films as electrodes demonstrated an excellent high-frequency response, an extremely low equivalent series resistance on the order of 0.1 ohm, and a high-power delivery of about 500 kW kg(-1). While higher frequency and power values for graphene materials have been reported, these are the highest values achieved while simultaneously maintaining excellent specific capacitances and energy densities of 120 F g(-1) and 26 W h kg(-1), respectively. In addition, these free-standing thin films provide a route to simplify the electrode-manufacturing process by eliminating conducting additives and binders. The synthetic process is also compatible with existing industrial level KOH activation processes and roll-to-roll thin-film fabrication technologies.     

Tardive dyskinesia in a developmentally disabled population: Manifestation during the initial stage of a minimal effective dose program.

Forty individuals who were withdrawn from neuroleptic medication after the initiation of a minimal effective dose program at a residential facility for individuals with developmental disabilities were evaluated. Tardive dyskinesia (TD) was assessed using the Dyskinesia Identification System Condensed User Scale (DISCUS). Half of the participants being treated with neuroleptic medication (N) were also being treated with anticonvulsant medication (AC), so 2 withdrawal groups were formed. The N only group manifested an increase in DISCUS scores after the withdrawal of neuroleptic medication, but the N?+?AC group did not. On the basis of this intriguing new finding, it was speculated that treatment with anticonvulsant medication might prevent the development or suppress the expression of TD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Incremental validity of situational judgment tests.

Using 3 different samples, the authors assessed the incremental validity of situational judgment inventories (SJIs), relative to job knowledge, cognitive ability, job experience, and conscientiousness, in the prediction of job performance. The SJI was a valid predictor in all 3 samples and incrementally so in 2 samples. Relative to the other predictors, SJI's partial correlation with performance, controlling for the other 4 predictors, was superior in most comparisons. Subgroup differences on the SJI also appear to be less than those for cognitive ability and job knowledge, but greater than differences in conscientiousness. The SJI should prove to be a valuable additional measure in the prediction of job performance, but several additional areas of research are suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationship of chlorine decay and THMs formation to NOM size

Because of increasing concern about balancing health risks for pathogen control and disinfection by-product (DBP) formation in water supplies, utilities are forced to closely examine and optimize their disinfection practices. A better understanding of the relationship between the molecular weights of the natural organic matter (NOM), chlorine decay kinetics and THMs formation can help the utilities to minimize the DBP concentrations, providing healthier and microbially safer water. The authors present data on chlorine decay kinetics and total trihalomethanes (TTHM) formation kinetics and modeling with different molecular weights NOM fractions of Mississippi River water. TTHM modeling results indicated that the TTHM formation in fractionated NOM was a function of chlorine consumption. TTHM yield coefficients ranged from 31 to 42 microg-TTHM/mg-Cl2. As the molecular weight of the fractions decreased, TTHM yield coefficients increased.