\u3ci\u3ePolistes Dominulus\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) Found in Michigan

(excerpt) On 25 May 1995, a single foundress colony of Polistes dominulus (Christ) was discovered on a study site at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan (Oakland County). This is the first record of Polistes dominulus in the state of Michigan

Vespidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of Puerto Rico, West Indies

The vespid fauna of Greater Puerto Rico is reviewed (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Three new species are described, Ancistrocerus isla Carpenter, Euodynerus jeitita Carpenter and Genaro, and Omicron aridum Carpenter and Genaro. Polistes crinitus americanus (Fabricius, 1775) and P. crinitus multicolor (Olivier, 1792) are both reduced to synonyms of nominotypical P. crinitus (Felton, 1765), revised status; Zeta abdominale hispaniolae (Bequaert and Salt, 1931) and Zeta abdominale ornatum (de Saussure, 1855) are both reduced to synonyms of nominotypical Zeta abdominale (Drury, 1770), revised status; and Zethus rufinodus monensis Bohart and Stange, 1965, and Zethus rufinodus virginicus Bohart and Stange, 1965, are both reduced to synonyms of nominotypical Zethus rufinodus (Latreille, 1806), revised status. Parancistrocerus obliquus (Cresson, 1865) is newly recorded from Puerto Rico. The presence of Pachodynerus guadulpensis (de Saussure, 1853) in Puerto Rico is confirmed. An analysis of the composition of the Puerto Rican vespid fauna is presented.Se revisa la fauna de avispas de Puerto Rico e islas adyacentes (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Se describen tres ESPECIES NUEVAS: Ancistrocerus isla Carpenter, Euodynerus jeitita Carpenter y Genaro, y Omicron aridum Carpenter y Genaro. Polistes crinitus americanus (Fabricius, 1775) y P. crinitus multicolor (Olivier, 1792) son reducidas a nombres sinónimos de la especie nominotipica P. crinitus (Felton, 1765), ESTADO REVISADO; Zeta abdominale hispaniolae (Bequaert and Salt, 1931) y Zeta abdominale ornatum (de Saussure, 1855) son reducidas a sinonimia de la especie nominotipica Zeta abdominale (Drury, 1770), ESTADO REVISADO; Zethus rufinodus monensis Bohart y Stange, 1965, y Zethus rufinodus virginicus Bohart y Stange, 1965, son reducidas a nombres sinónimos de la especie nominotipica Zethus rufinodus (Latreille, 1806), ESTADO REVISADO. Parancistrocerus obliquus (Cresson, 1865) se registra nuevamente para Puerto Rico. Se confirma la presencia de Pachodynerus guadulpensis (de Saussure, 1853) en Puerto Rico. Se analiza la composición de la fauna de véspidos de Puerto Rico

Fitting multilevel multivariate models with missing data in responses and covariates that may include interactions and non-linear terms

The paper extends existing models for multilevel multivariate data with mixed response types to handle quite general types and patterns of missing data values in a wide range of multilevel generalized linear models. It proposes an efficient Bayesian modelling approach that allows missing values in covariates, including models where there are interactions or other functions of covariates such as polynomials. The procedure can also be used to produce multiply imputed complete data sets. A simulation study is presented as well as the analysis of a longitudinal data set. The paper also shows how existing multiprocess models for handling endogeneity can be extended by the framework proposed

Estimating excess hazard ratios and net survival when covariate data are missing: strategies for multiple imputation.

BACKGROUND: Net survival is the survival probability we would observe if the disease under study were the only cause of death. When estimated from routinely collected population-based cancer registry data, this indicator is a key metric for cancer control. Unfortunately, such data typically contain a non-negligible proportion of missing values on important prognostic factors (eg, tumor stage). METHODS: We carried out an empirical study to compare the performance of complete records analysis and several multiple imputation strategies when net survival is estimated via a flexible parametric proportional hazards model that includes stage, a partially observed categorical covariate. Starting from fully observed cancer registry data, we induced missingness on stage under three scenarios. For each of these scenarios, we simulated 100 incomplete datasets and evaluated the performance of the different strategies. RESULTS: Ordinal logistic models are not suitable for the imputation of tumor stage. Complete records analysis may lead to grossly misleading estimates of net survival, even when the missing data mechanism is conditionally independent of survival time given the covariates and the bias on the excess hazard ratios estimates is negligible. CONCLUSIONS: As key covariates are unlikely missing completely at random, studies estimating net survival should not use complete records. When the missingness can be inferred from available data, appropriate multiple imputation should be performed. In the context of flexible parametric proportional hazards models with a partially observed stage covariate, a multinomial logistic imputation model for stage should be used and should include the Nelson-Aalen cumulative hazard estimate and the event indicator

Planar micromachined glass cantilevers utilising integrated Bragg Fabry-Perot cavities

Here we demonstrate a glass cantilever based on a unique micromachining and etching approach, combined with UV written Bragg gratings. We shall also discuss the increase in sensitivity by using two Bragg gratings to form Fabry-Pérot cavity. Cantilevers are in ultra sensitive force sensors used in applications such as Atomic Force Microscopy, mass sensing and acoustic transducers

Thomas Jefferson and the Ideology of Democratic Schooling

I challenge the traditional argument that Jefferson’s educational plans for Virginia were built on modern democratic understandings. While containing some democratic features, especially for the founding decades, Jefferson’s concern was narrowly political, designed to ensure the survival of the new republic. The significance of this piece is to add to the more accurate portrayal of Jefferson’s impact on American institutions

The Complexity of Thomas Jefferson. A Response to \u27The Diffusion of Light\u27: Jefferson\u27s Philosophy of Education

This response argues that Jefferson\u27s educational philosophy must be considered in a proper historical context. Holowchak accurately demonstrates both Jefferson\u27s obsession with education and the political philosophy on which his educational beliefs are built. However, the effort to apply modern democratic and meritocratic attributes to Jefferson is unwarranted