Land-use suitability analysis in the United States: historical development and promising technological achievements.

Various methods of spatial analysis are commonly used in land-use plans and site selection studies. A historical overview and discussion of contemporary developments of land-use suitability analysis are presented. The paper begins with an exploration into the early 20th century with the infancy of documented applications of the technique. The article then travels through the 20th century, documenting significant milestones. Concluding with present explorations of advanced technologies such as neural computing and evolutionary programming, this work is meant to serve as a foundation for literature review and a premise for the exploration of new advancements as we enter into the 21st century.

Validity of lower extremity strength and power utilizing a new closed chain dynamometer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare selected variables measured on a traditional isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex II) with a new lower extremity, closed chain dynamometer (Omnikinetic, OmK). METHODS: Twelve subjects (6 male, 6 female, age = 28+/-5 yr, mean +/- SD) performed Cybex II knee flexion and extension at 1.05, 3.14, and 5.23 rad x s(-1). A maximal effort of 10 repetitions of lower extremity concentric extension and eccentric flexion at 36% of subject's 1-RM was performed on the OmK. Crank power and joint (ankle, knee, and hip) kinetics were recorded as a mean of 10 repetitions. RESULTS: t-Tests revealed right versus left leg differences (P < 0.05) for Cybex II peak torque flexion at 5.23 rad x s(-1), and OmK knee and hip peak power and hip root mean square power (RMS) power. Cybex peak knee torques were related (Pearson r values 0.78-0.92, P < 0.01) to OmK peak knee torques. Cybex average power was related to OmK knee power (Pearson r values 0.71-0.96, P < 0.01) and OmK crank power (r = 0.62-0.94, P < .01). Correlations tended to be stronger comparing the OmK with the fastest (5.23 rad x s(-1)) Cybex II speed. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the OmK knee and crank kinetic data are comparable to Cybex It isokinetic dynamometry. The ability to evaluate lower extremity joint exercise at a subject's maximal movement speed, in addition to the use of a closed-chain, multi-joint motion, may allow for the OmK to provide a more global evaluation of lower extremity kinetics during seated concentric-extension, eccentric-flexion exercise.

Medical students and debt: a survey of students at the School of Medicine, University of Auckland.

AIMS: To assess the extent of Auckland medical students' debt, the types of debt accrued and to establish data on part-time employment, income, parental support and living circumstances for these students. METHODS: Medical students at the University of Auckland were asked to complete a written survey questionnaire, which was distributed in lecture classes for years 1-5 and by mail for year 6. The questionnaire asked about biographical data, types and amounts of debt, the use of student loan scheme money, employment, income, student allowances, parental financial support and living situation. Students not sent the survey by mail were informed about the survey several days prior to receiving it to enable them to collate the necessary financial information. Data entry was completed via an electronic scanning system and questionnaire responses were analysed using a tabular analysis of the various classes. RESULTS: There were 522 responses received, comprising 73% of students (48% male, 52% female). The major source of debt was to the Government student loan scheme (39% of students in year 1, rising to 75% in year 6). Average (median) debt to the Government loan scheme rises from $5000 in year 1 to $26,000 in year 6. Fourteen per cent of students receive a targeted student allowance and 30% have a part-time job. Average summer vacation earnings do not exceed $4000. Thirty-four percent receive no financial support from their parents and 18% receive support with some costs only. With the exceptions of students in year 1, more than 50% of students live away from home. CONCLUSION: Medical students are predominantly in debt to the Government student loan scheme and the level rises by approximately $5000 per year from year 1 to year 6. It is expected that these levels will increase in the future.

Factors producing elevated core temperature in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Core temperature (Tco) of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is consistently higher by approximately 1 degree C than that of normotensive controls. To analyze factors producing the elevated Tco, mean skin temperature (Tsk), metabolic heat production (M), respiratory evaporative heat loss (Eres), effective tissue thermal conductance (K), systolic blood pressure (BP), and Tco were determined in eight male SHR and nine male normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats habituated to rest quietly in neck stock restraint while exposed to ambient temperatures (Ta) of 12.5, 17, 23, 28.5, 32, 34, and 35 degrees C. At all temperatures steady-state BP, Tco, and M were higher for SHR's than for WKY's. SHR's could maintain thermal balance up to Ta 32 degrees C, and WKY's up to 34 degrees C. Eres from SHR's was greater than from WKY's at Ta of 12.5, 17, and 28.5 degrees C. K of SHR's was not different from or was higher than K of WKY's, and K for both groups was 2.6 times greater at Ta 32 degrees C than at 17 degrees C. These results indicate that the high Tco of SHR's is due to increased M uncompensated by increased K or Eres.

Use of histidine dipeptides to estimate the proportion of pig meat in processed meats.

High performance liquid chromatography on a Partisil-10 SCX column was examined as an alternative to conventional ion exchange chromatography as a means of quantitating the histidine dipeptides, anserine, carnosine and balenine in processed pig meats. Because the ratio of these dipeptides in skeletal muscle of the pig is different from that in other species commonly used for meat, it is possible to estimate the proportion of pig meat in processed meats. Several Australian pork products were found to contain a low proportion of lean pig meat.