P Colony Automata with LL(k)-like Conditions

We investigate the possibility of the deterministic parsing (that is, parsing without backtracking) of languages characterized by (generalized) P colony automata. We de ne a class of P colony automata satisfying a property which resembles the LL(k) property of context-free grammars, and study the possibility of parsing the characterized languages using a k symbol lookahead, as in the LL(k) parsing method for context-free languages

The Colonial and Geographic Origins of Comparative Development

While the direct impact of geographic endowments on prosperity is present in all countries, in former colonies, geography has also affected colonization policies and, therefore, institutional outcomes. Using non-colonized countries as a control group, I develop an empirical strategy that disentangles the partial effects of institutions and of endowments on income. I find that institutions are the main determinant of development, but that endowments have a sizeable direct impact, as well. Last, I apply the empirical strategy to examine the theories put forward by La Porta et al. (1999) and by Acemoglu et al. (2001), finding support for both theories, but also evidence that the authors’ estimates are biased since they mix up the effect of the historical determinants of institutions with the sizeable direct impact of access to trade and of disease environment.

Colletotrichum species with curved conidia from herbaceous hosts

Colletotrichum (Glomerellaceae, Sordariomycetes) species with dark setae and curved conidia are known as anthracnose pathogens of a number of economically important hosts and are often identified as C. dematium. Colletotrichum dematium has been synonymised with many species, including the type of the genus, C. lineola. Since there is no living strain of the original material of either species available, we re-collected C. lineola from the original location to serve as an epitype of that name, and chose an appropriate epitype specimen and associated strain of C. dematium from the CBS collection. A multilocus molecular phylogenetic analysis (ITS, ACT, Tub2, CHS-1, GAPDH, HIS3) of 97 isolates of C. lineola, C. dematium and other Colletotrichum species with curved conidia from herbaceous hosts resulted in 20 clades, with 12 clades containing strains that had previously been identified as C. dematium. The epitype strains of C. lineola and C. dematium reside in two closely related clades. Other clades represent four previously undescribed species, C. anthrisci, C. liriopes, C. rusci and C. verruculosum, isolated respectively from Anthriscus in the Netherlands, Liriope in Mexico, Ruscus in Italy and Crotalaria in Zimbabwe. The new combinations C. spaethianum and C. tofieldiae are made. Colletotrichum truncatum is epitypified, as well as C. circinans, C. curcumae and C. fructi. Three further unidentified Colletotrichum taxa were detected in the phylogenetic analysis, which may require description after further research. Each species is comprehensively described and illustrate

Cricket, migration and diasporic communities

Ever since different communities began processes of global migration, sport has been an integral feature in how we conceptualise and experience the notion of being part of a diaspora. Sport provides diasporic communities with a powerful means for creating transnational ties, but also shapes ideas of their ethnic and racial identities. In spite of this, theories of diaspora have been applied sparingly to sporting discourses. Due mainly to its central role in spreading dominant white racial narratives within the British Empire, and the various ways different ethnic groups have ‘played’ with the meanings and associations of the sport in the (post-)colonial period, cricket is an interesting focus for academic research. Despite W.G. Grace’s claim that cricket advances civilisation by promoting a common bond, binding together peoples of vastly different backgrounds, to this day cricket operates strict symbolic boundaries; defining those who do, and equally, do not belong. C.L.R. James’ now famous metaphor of looking ‘beyond the boundary’ captures the belief that, to fully understand the significance of cricket, and the sport’s roles in changing and shaping society, one must consider the wider social and political contexts within which the game is played. The collection of papers in this special issue does just that. Cricket acts as the point of departure in each, but the way in which ideas of power, representation and inequality are ‘played out’ is unique in each

The Social Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) of Indiana

An updated taxonomic treatment of the social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) of Indiana is made. Illustrated identification keys are provided for species of Polistes, Vespa, Vespula, and Dolichovespula. New distributional records and biological notes are provided for each species

New Michigan Tick (Acari: Ixodidae) and Flea (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) Records From Colonial Nesting Birds

Banding and censusing large numbers of gull chicks over a 30-year period on Great Lakes islands has produced a collection of five individual ticks from two Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) chicks. The tick species, Hemaphysalis leporispalustris, found on the gulls is commonly found on Snowshoe Hares (Lepus americanus). Although this represents an apparently uncom­mon record on Herring Gulls, this host could be an important source of aerial vector dispersal during regular cyclic hare/tick population peaks. Populations of the flea, Ceratophyllus lari, have increased rapidly in ground nesting Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) colonies from none 16 years ago. The possibilities of disease transmission by both of these hematophagus ectoparasites are assessed with evidence from the literature. The tick and flea distributions reported here are new host records, and the flea is a new species record for Michigan