Half Of Field Research Articles

Working in Six Research Areas: A Multi-Field Sociological Career

I have written a strictly autobiographical essay about the half dozen areas or fields in which I have done sociological research during my career. One reason for writing the essay is to encourage students to become what I call a “multi,” there being too few in sociology, as in other disciplines in which most researchers do their work in one field. I hope the essay demonstrates that working in many fields can make for a satisfying and productive career. Research across areas also encourages comparative work, and if enough young people become multi-field researchers, sociologists might then develop more interdisciplinary skills, which is even now desirable and may one day be necessary for all the social sciences. My essay also describes how and why I became interested in my six fields and how I moved between them during my career. The rest of the paper describes my major studies and other activities in my fields as well as the institutional and other contexts that I believe have affected my work.

Position but not color deviants result in visual mismatch negativity in an active oddball task

Changes in the visual environment might be detected automatically. This function is provided by the sensory systems and showed, for instance, by the pop-out phenomenon. Automatic change detection is also observable within visual oddball paradigms, where rare changes are introduced in an irrelevant stimulus feature; the detection of deviant stimuli is accompanied by a negative component (so-called visual mismatch negativity) in the human event-related brain potential. In this study, the deviating stimulus feature was embedded in a task-relevant object presented in the focus of attention. With this, visual mismatch negativity was observable only with position deviants presented in the upper visual half field but not by lower half field presentation or color deviants.

Synthesis and characterization of a new series of unsymmetrical macrocyclic binuclear vanadyl(IV) complexes: Electrochemical, antimicrobial, DNA binding and cleavage studies

A new series of unsymmetrical macrocyclic binuclear bis-phenoxo bridged oxidovanadium(IV) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by elemental and spectral techniques. A cyclic voltammetric investigation of these binuclear V IVO complexes evidenced that two successive quasi-reversible one electron transfer reduction waves ( E 1 pc = −0.54 to −0.67 V, E 2 pc = −0.80 to −0.85 V) are obtained. In the positive potential region (+0.50 to +1.00 V) two quasi-reversible oxidation couples are observed for all the complexes. The first one electron oxidation is observed around ( E 1 pc ) +0.63 to +0.78 V and the second around ( E 2 pc ) +0.82 to +0.97 V. The ESR spectra of all the binuclear V IVO complexes showed a single broad-band resonance at ca. g = 1.97–2.11 with the half field signal at 1500G ( M = ±2), which suggest magnetic interactions between two V IVO ions through the phenolate bridge. DNA binding experiments show that the aromatic diimine containing macrocyclic V IVO complexes display better DNA interactions than the aliphatic diimine containing V IVO analogues. These complexes significantly promote the oxidative cleavage of supercoiled plasmid DNA under physiological conditions in the presence of H 2O 2. All the complexes show noticeable growth inhibition of some plant pathogenic fungal species and human pathogenic bacterial species.

A Dinuclear Ni(I) System Having a Diradical Ni2N2Diamond Core Resting State: Synthetic, Structural, Spectroscopic Elucidation, and Reductive Bond Splitting Reactions

One-electron reduction of the square-planar nickel precursor (PNP)NiCl ( 1) (PNP (-) = N[2-P(CHMe 2) 2-4-methylphenyl] 2) with KC 8 effects ligand reorganization of the pincer ligand to assemble a Ni(I) dimer, [Ni(mu 2-PNP)] 2 ( 2), containing a Ni 2N 2 core structure, as inferred by its solid-state X-ray structure. Solution magnetization measurements are consistent with a paramagnetic Ni(I) system likely undergoing a monomer <--> dimer equilibrium. The room-temperature and 4 K solid-state X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra display anisotropic signals. Low-temperature solid-state X-band EPR data at 4 K reveal rhombic values g z = 1.980(4), g x = 2. 380(4), and g y = 2.225(4), as well as a forbidden signal at g = 4.24 for the Delta M S = 2 half field transition, in accord with 2 having two weakly interacting metal centers. Utilizing an S = 1 model, full spin Hamiltonian simulation of the low-temperature EPR spectrum on the solid sample was achieved by applying a nonzero zero-field-splitting parameter ( D = 0.001 cm (-1)), which is consistent with an S = 0 ground state with a very closely lying S = 1 state. Solid-state magnetization data also corroborate well with our solid-state EPR data and reveal weak antiferromagnetic behavior ( J = -1.52(5) cm (-1)) over a 2-300 K temperature range at a field of 1 Tesla. Evidence for 2 being a masked "(PNP)Ni" scaffold originates from its reaction with N 2CPh 2, which traps the Ni(I) monomer in the form of a T-shaped species, Ni(PNPNNCPh 2), a system that has been structurally characterized. The radical nature of complex 2, or its monomer component, is well manifested through the plethora of cooperative H-X-type bond cleavage reactions, providing the nickel(II) hydride (PNP)NiH and the corresponding rare functionalities -OH, -OCH 3, -PHPh, and -B(catechol) integrated into the (PNP)Ni moiety in equal molar amounts. In addition to splitting H 2, compound 2 can also engage in homolytic X-X bond cleavage reactions of PhXXPh to form (PNP)Ni(XPh) (X = S or Se).

Effects of ferromagnetic components on energetic ion confinement in ITER

By using a fully three dimensional magnetic field orbit-following Monte-Carlo code, the energetic ion confinement was investigated for the current conceptual design of the ferromagnetic components in ITER which will be employed for reducing the toroidal magnetic field (TF) ripple. The ferromagnetic insert is effective in the reference standard scenario with Q = 10 (Scenario No. 2) and steady state scenario with Q = 5 (Scenario No. 4) to improve the energetic ion confinement. Over-compensation appears at half of the full toroidal magnetic field and its effect becomes stronger when the quantity of the ferromagnetic insert is increased in order to more reduce the TF ripple at the full toroidal magnetic field. Though the current design is acceptable, whether to increase the ferromagnetic insert to achieve lower TF ripple amplitude at the full field operation depends on how prospected are possibilities of lower field operations. Planned test blanket modules do not induce large loss (<1%) at the full field in Scenario No. 4. At the half field, however, the loss reaches ∼10% for the alpha particles due to localized large TF ripple.

Different magnitude representations in left and right hemisphere: Evidence from the visual half field technique

The differences between left and right hemispheric magnitude representations were investigated in two lateralised priming experiments using single-digit (Experiment 1) and two-digit numbers (Experiment 2). Based on recent brain-imaging and TMS studies, some authors have argued that the magnitude representation in the left hemisphere (LH) is more precise than the one in the right hemisphere (RH). In two experiments a prime number preceded a target number that had to be classified as smaller or larger than a fixed standard. In order to reveal hemispheric differences in magnitude representation, the priming distance effect, i.e., faster responses to targets preceded by numerically closer primes, was analysed in both visual half fields (VHF). Using single-digit numbers no hemispheric differences were found for the priming distance effect, supporting an equally precise magnitude representation in both hemispheres. However, the experiment using two-digit numbers revealed a significantly steeper priming curve when targets were presented in the left visual field (LVF) compared to targets presented in the RVF. These results suggest a less precise magnitude representation in the RH, due to a larger overlap of magnitude representations.

Introduction to straylight as quality measure for ophthalmic procedures

Abstract Purpose Often patients complain about halos, glare, hazy vision and blinding at night, but while doing regular tests like visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and slit lamp examination little unusual can be found. Most probably, the patient’s complaints are caused by increased large angle light scattering in the eye media which can not be detected by common tests, but straylight degrades the image projected on the retina, thus decreasing the quality of vision. Usually the variable for increasing ocular straylight is the crystalline lens and a cataract may cause a significant increase. Increased ocular straylight may also be caused by refractive surgery and pathological changes. Methods A forced choice psychophysical assessment technique was developed ("Compensation Comparison"), which resulted in a commercial product (C‐Quant from Oculus). The task of the patient is to make 25 short observations, comparing flicker strength in two half fields, and indicate with push buttons wich half field flickers most strongly. The straylight value is obtained including a reliability estimate. Added value in comparison to visual acuity was assessed in 2400 subjects in the European GLARE study. Results Straylight gives the part of the point‐spread‐function outside 1 degree. In contrast, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity relate to the psf within 0.3 degrees. Consequently, straylight assesses a part of the visual spectrum that is missed with the classical visual function measures. Patient studies have been performed on normal aging, cataract and cataract surgery, refractive surgery, YAG capsulotomy, etc. In all those studies straylight was often much increased, corresponding to complaints, while visual acuity was good. Conclusion Straylight is important to assess quality of vision. Commercial interest

The influence of sex hormones on functional cerebral asymmetries in postmenopausal women

Studies investigating changes in functional cerebral asymmetries (FCAs) with hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle in young women have led to controversial hypotheses about an influence of estrogen (E) and/or progesterone (P) on FCAs. Based on methodical, but also on principal problems in deriving conclusions about hormone effects from correlational designs, the present study investigated hemispheric asymmetries in postmenopausal women, who received hormone replacement either with E alone (E group, n = 32), an E–P combination (E–P group, n = 29) or no hormone substitution (control group, n = 31). Speed and accuracy of responses to a word- and a face decision task, both presented laterally by means of the visual half field technique, were assessed. The control group showed the typical pattern of hemispheric asymmetry with more correct responses to verbal stimuli presented in the right visual field (RVF) and to face stimuli presented in the left visual field (LVF). A hormone-effect was demonstrable only for the verbal task, in which the E group showed an enhanced performance of the right hemisphere (LVF). The E–P group showed no significant differences to the control group or the E group. The results suggest a role of E in the modulation of FCAs at least with regard to verbal processing.

Basics of straylight in the human eye

Abstract Purpose: Large angle light scattering in the eye causes retinal straylight and as a consequence functional disturbances such as glare hindrance while driving at night, or contrast loss in counter light situations. Apart from small angle effects such as measured with wavefront approaches, this constitutes a second major optical deficit of the human eye. Straylight must be studied for clinical use. Methods: A forced choice psychophysical assessment technique was developed ("Compensation Comparison"), that resulted in a commercial product (C‐Quant from Oculus). The task of the patient is to compare flicker strength in two half fields, and indicate with push buttons for 20 short presentations wich half field flickers most strongly. The straylight value is obtained including a reliability estimate. Added value in comparison to visual acuity was assessed in 2400 subjects in the European GLARE study. In 150 patients straylight data were collected before and after cataract procedures or YAG capsulotomy. Results: Repeated measures standard deviation for the method is about 0.07 log units, to be compared with differences in the young normal population of 0.2 log units, and by 1.0 log units (a factor of ten) or more with (early) cataract or corneal disturbances. In healthy eyes a strong age effect occurs. Straylight doubles by the age of 65, and triples by the age of 77. In pseudophakia, straylight values could be very good, better even than in the non‐cataract group, but with much differences in the population. In age‐normal as well as cataractous eyes, visual acuity and straylight were found to vary quite independently. Conclusions: Straylight assessment has added clinical value. It is quite independent from visual acuity. Lens extraction potentially reverses the strong age‐normal increase in straylight value.

Methodology of retinal straylight assessment

Abstract Purpose: The psychophysical technique of “Compensation Comparison”, embedded in the C‐Quant instrument for clinical assessment of retinal straylight will be demonstrated. Retinal straylight is the cause of complaints such as glare hindrance and contrast loss. It results from disturbances in the optical media. Its assessment helps to decide on surgery of (early) cataract, or to evaluate corneal or vitreal problems. Methods: The subject’s task is to compare in 20 short presentations two flickering half fields, and to indicate with push buttons which one flickers more strongly. Added value in comparison to visual acuity was assessed in 2422 active drivers of the European GLARE study. Repeatability of the obtained straylight value was tested for 17 naive subjects and several groups of patients. Absolute measurement precision of the C‐Quant was tested using a scattering sample with known straylight value in front of the eyes of the 17 naive subjects. Results: Many individuals were found to suffer from increased straylight that is undetected in visual acuity: in 6% of cases with decimal visual acuity &gt; 0.5 straylight was increased more than 4 times compared to normal. A psychometric function was derived and fitted to the patient responses, resulting in a straylight value including a reliability estimate. Repeated measures standard deviation for the method is about 0.07 log units, to be compared with differences of 1.0 log units or more units with (early) cataract or corneal disturbances. The check using known scatter samples showed virtually perfect (0.01 log units difference) correspondence. Conclusions: Absolute precision and repeated measures standard deviation is very good compared with differences in the population. Straylight measurement promises important extra diagnostic power.

Indirect non-target effects of insecticides on Tasmanian brown lacewing ( Micromus tasmaniae) from feeding on lettuce aphid ( Nasonovia ribisnigri)

Tasmanian brown lacewing, Micromus tasmaniae (Walker) (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae), is an indigenous aphid predator in New Zealand and Australia. Lacewing mortality can result directly from contact with insecticides and/or indirectly from the consumption of insecticide-intoxicated prey. Laboratory bioassays were set up to examine the indirect non-target effects of insecticides on M. tasmaniae populations feeding on lettuce aphid, Nasonovia ribisnigri (Mosley). Larvae of M. tasmaniae were initially tested against three commonly used insecticides at two dose rates (approximate recommended field rate and half field rate). 1st to 4th instar aphids were fed on insecticide-treated lettuce for 24 h and then fed to 1st instar M. tasmaniae larvae. Pirimicarb (Pirimor ® 50) caused 30–40% mortality of M. tasmaniae larvae exposed at 1st instar for 3 days. Pymetrozine (Chess ® WG) showed less than 20% mortality, while imidacloprid (Confidor ®) caused over 96% mortality of M. tasmaniae larvae over this period. A dose–response bioassay was then set-up to determine the impacts of lower doses of imidacloprid through until pupal development of M. tasmaniae larvae. There was no increase in mortality due to low doses (one sixth field rate or less) but from days three to eight, M. tasmaniae larvae showed significant evidence of delayed developmental rate from 3rd instar larvae into pupae. These results demonstrate that the use of imidacloprid, pirimicarb and pymetrozine for control of lettuce aphid has indirect non-target effects on M. tasmaniae. These effects need to be considered in developing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems for the New Zealand lettuce industry.

Bilateral Processing of Redundant Information: the Influence of Stimulus Notation and Processing Speed in Number Comparison

Improved performance is generally observed when identical copies of a stimulus are presented bilaterally to both visual half fields (VHFs), relative to unilateral single presentations. We investigated the influence of stimulus notation and processing speed on this bilateral redundancy gain (B-RG) in number comparison. Two experiments were performed with consistent (i.e., two identical copies of Arabic digits or word numerals) and inconsistent (i.e., an Arabic digit in one VHF with a word numeral of the same value in the other VHF) displays (see also Marks and Hellige, 2003 for a similar design in number naming). In Experiment 1, the processing speeds of the Arabic digits were faster than the ones of the word numerals while in Experiment 2, the processing speeds of the two stimulus notations were kept equal. A significant difference between consistent and inconsistent conditions was restricted to Experiment 1 in which the processing speeds of the two stimulus notations diverged. These results are discussed in the framework of a simple race model in which two independent hemispheric processes compete for the control of response, and the faster process wins.

The time course of hemispheric differences in categorical and coordinate spatial processing

Spatial relations between objects can be represented either categorically or coordinately. The metric, coordinate representation is associated with predominant right hemisphere activity, while the abstract, qualitative categorical representation is thought to be processed more in the left hemisphere [Kosslyn, S. M. (1987). Seeing and imagining in the cerebral hemispheres: A computational analysis. Psychological Review, 94, 148–175]. This hypothesized lateralization effect has been found in a number of studies, along with indications that specific task demands can be crucial for these outcomes. In the current experiment a new visual half field task was used which explores these hemispheric differences and their time course by means of a match-to-sample design. Within retention intervals that were brief (500 ms), intermediate (2000 ms), or long (5000 ms), the processing of categorical and coordinate representations was studied. In the 500 ms interval, the hemispheric effect suggested by Kosslyn (1987) was found, but in the longer intervals it was absent. This pattern of the lateralization effect is proposed to be caused by the differential effect the retention interval has on coordinate and categorical representations. Coordinate spatial relations appear susceptible to changes in retention interval and decay very quickly over time, congruent with previous findings about accurate location memory. The processing of categorical spatial relations showed less decay and only between 2000 ms and 5000 ms. Qualitative self reports suggest that the decay found for categorical relations might be caused by a switch from a visual to a more verbal memorization strategy.

PESTICIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF CYBOCEPHALUS NIPPONICUS AND RHYZOBIUS LOPHANTHAE (COLEOPTERA: CYBOCEPHALIDAE, COCCINELLIDAE)

The susceptibility of the predatory beetles Cybocephalus nipponicus Endrödy-Younga and Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell to 6 pesticides commonly used for treating cycad aulacaspis scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi, was tested. Three concentrations (half field rate, field rate, and twice field rate) of each pesticide were tested against both beetle species with a coated glass vial bioassay. Nearly 100% mortality in both beetle species occurred at all concentrations when treated with methidathion, dimethoate, and malathion. Insecticidal soap, fish oils, and imidacloprid were much less toxic. At one-half the field rate, C. nipponicus had 66% mortality with insecticidal soap, 76% mortality with imidacloprid, and 83% mortality with fish oil. At one-half the field rate, R. lophanthae had 43% mortality with insecticidal soap, 63% mortality with imidacloprid, and 46% mortality with fish oil. Mortality rate for each beetle species rose with increasing concentration of each pesticide and the soap and oil were the least toxic of all pesticides tested.

2580: Clinical Results in 46 Pediatric Patients Treated by Craniospinal Technique in Supine Position Using Asymetric Half Fields

2580: Clinical Results in 46 Pediatric Patients Treated by Craniospinal Technique in Supine Position Using Asymetric Half Fields

Bitemporale Hemianopsie im Straßenverkehr

Patients suffering from pituitary adenomas and diseases of the chiasma typically show a bitemporal hemianopia. The residual undisturbed nasal visual fields of both eyes should have an extension of (at least) 120 degrees and are according to the actual German traffic rules (FeVAndV) for cars of the classes A, B, M, L and T. The intact half fields fit geometrically to one virtual normal field, that seems to correspond in the centre of a normal field. Reports on this problem often do not address correctly the questions of suitability for participation in road traffic. The case of a patient with typical bitemporal hemianopia illustrates the sensorial peculiarities: the functioning temporal retinal halves do not correspond. This patient suffered additionally from disturbing diplopia due to a small-angle exotropia. The extent of the performed eye muscle surgery was selected to induce a slight overcorrection, i. e., resulting in 3 to 5 degrees esotropia. This eliminated the diplopia, but resulted in a vertical scotoma of the extension of the esotropia. In bitemporal hemianopia the undisturbed nasal visual half fields do not add up to a "nearly normal field of one eye". Moreover, either diplopia or--much more dangerous in traffic--a central vertical scotoma is the result. The explanation for this is a sliding of the hemifields of each eye without stabilisation by corresponding areas of the retinas of the right and left eyes. The peripheral extension of the visual field is not the key to the problem to imagine how a patient with typical bitemporal hemianopia will visualise daily life and traffic. In bitemporal hemianopia there is substantially no eligibility for driving a car or motor bicycle in road traffic.

Processing of pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral words in a lateralised emotional Stroop task

According to the valence hypothesis, pleasant and unpleasant stimuli are mainly processed in the left and in the right hemisphere, respectively. To elucidate whether this reflects lateralised attentional processes, a lateralised Emotional Stroop Task was administered: Pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral words were presented to 63 male and 62 female students in four colours for 150 ms in either the left or the right visual half field. Pleasant words presented in the right (compared to the left) and unpleasant and neutral words presented in the left (compared to the right) visual field had longer latencies. Thus, attentional processes seem to be lateralised, depending on the hedonic tone of the stimuli. Predictions on personality differences in lateralised attentional processes were not confirmed.

Quantum mechanics of Klein–Gordon fields I: Hilbert Space, localized states, and chiral symmetry

We derive an explicit manifestly covariant expression for the most general positive-definite and Lorentz-invariant inner product on the space of solutions of the Klein–Gordon equation. This expression involves a one-parameter family of conserved current densities J a μ , with a ∈ (−1, 1), that are analogous to the chiral current density for spin half fields. The conservation of J a μ is related to a global gauge symmetry of the Klein–Gordon fields whose gauge group is U (1) for rational a and the multiplicative group of positive real numbers for irrational a. We show that the associated gauge symmetry is responsible for the conservation of the total probability of the localization of the field in space. This provides a simple resolution of the paradoxical situation resulting from the fact that the probability current density for free scalar fields is neither covariant nor conserved. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of our approach for free real scalar fields offering a direct proof of the uniqueness of the relativistically invariant positive-definite inner product on the space of real Klein–Gordon fields. We also explore an extension of our results to scalar fields minimally coupled to an electromagnetic field.

ハーフフィールドにおけるＥｎｈａｎｃｅｄ Ｄｙｎａｍｉｃ Ｗｅｄｇｅのくさび係数計算式の検討

The method presented by Liu et al. in 1998 has generally been used in Japan to calculate the wedge factor of the enhanced dynamic wedge (EDW). When the points used to evaluate the dose exist outside the central beam axis in the half field (HF), however, a difference of about 3% can occur between the values calculated by this method and the measured values. In 2003, Liu et al. presented a new general formula for calculating MU using the EDW. We modified the formula for calculating the wedge factor by combining the conventional calculation formula and the formula of Liu et al., presented in 2003, and compared the calculated values of the wedge factor of the EDW in the HF with the measured values. Our formula employs a very simple method in which only the normalized golden segmented treatment table (NGSTT) on the center of the radiation field and the central beam axis are added to the existing formula. The values calculated by our formula and the measured values were consistent within 1% in most combinations of energy, wedge angle, and size of radiation field. When the EDW was used for irradiation to the tangent line of the HF breast, in particular, the values calculated by our formula and the measured values were consistent within 0.5%, and it was possible to calculate the wedge factor with a higher degree of accuracy than that calculated with the existing formula.

対称・非対称照射野におけるＥｎｈａｎｃｅｄ Ｄｙｎａｍｉｃ Ｗｅｄｇｅのくさび係数計算式に関する検討

We proposed a formula for the enhanced dynamic wedge (EDW) factor in the half-field (HF) that combined the formula proposed by Liu et al. in 1998 and their formula in 2003. When the EDW was used for irradiation to the tangent line of the HF breast, the values calculated by our formula and the measured values were consistent within 0.5%. We showed that our proposed formula was useful, easy to use, and more accurate than the conventional formula. The purpose of this study was to examine the available range of the wedge factor of symmetrical and asymmetric EDW calculated by our formula. As a result of the examination, the values calculated by our formula and the measured values were consistent within 2% except for highly asymmetric EDW. We created a spreadsheet to calculate the wedge factor easily and accurately. We will examine the reason why the calculated and measured values were greater than 2%, and improve our formula so that it can be used in a wider range.