A Description of the Mature Larva of Neoporus dimidiatus (Gemminger and Harold, 1868) (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae) with Notes on its Natural History

Mature larvae of Neoporus Guignot, 1931 collected from an Oklahoma stock pond and outlet stream were cultured into the adult stage, and identified as N. solitarius (Gemminger and Harold, 1868). Chaetotaxy of legs and urogomphi is comparable to that of previously described Neoporus, including secondary sensilla on the proximal urogomphal segment. Mandibular geometric parameters were as follows: MMD/ML, 0.10 ± 0.02; MBD/ML, 0.27 ± 0.03; angle of attack (AA), 46.6 ± 1.9°; lateral arc (Larc), 119.6 ± 2.9°; medial arc (Marc), 78.2 ± 5.2°. Respective cranial temporal curvature and orientation were 73.2 ± 8.6° and 13.9 ± 1.3°. Significant differences between dorsal and ventral intermandibular distances (DID = 0.71 ± 0.04 mm vs. VID = 0.49 ± 0.03 mm) appear to be major architectural and geometric features facilitating the oblique opening and closure of mandibles during prey capture and feeding

A streamlined real options model for Real Estate Development

Thesis (S.M. in Real Estate Development)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2007.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-53).This thesis introduces a streamlined model that incorporates the value of the real options that exist in real estate development projects. Real options add value to a project by providing developers with flexibility to minimize downside risk or take advantage of upside potential as conditions change from deterministic expectations. Though developers currently incorporate this value into their decision making using intuition and judgment, the model presented here provides a tool with which developers can value options in a rigorous and quantitative fashion. Though the model should not be used as a comprehensive land residual model, it serves as a powerful proof of concept for real options analysis in the field of real estate. Further, it can be used to measure the relative value and risk of projects with and without real options. The model is based on both the traditional economic and the more recent engineering real options methodologies. Both approaches have been applied to real estate development projects, but have not yet caught on due to their newness and complexity. The streamlined model incorporates the elements of both methodologies that are most applicable to current development practice. In addition, the model is simplified and tailored to existing valuation techniques. The added benefit of this "hybrid" approach is that it reduces the learning curve associated with real options analysis so as to encourage its adoption in the real estate field in the short term.(cont.) The model uses Monte Carlo simulations in Excel and is targeted towards specific options scenarios commonly faced by developers; specifically, the options to phase a project, choose among multiple uses, and defer development. A case study demonstrates the model, and compares the results of building two phased buildings versus a single larger building on the same site. The results show that the phased program results in less risk and a higher expected net present value than the single building program, while the option to defer development adds significant value to both programs.by Baabak Barman and Kathryn E. Nash.S.M.in Real Estate Developmen

A Redescription of the Mature Larva of Thermonectus basillaris (Harris) (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Dytiscinae)

Mature larvae collected from Georgia ephemeral habitats were cul­tured into the adult stage and identified and described as Thermonectus basillaris.The legs of T. basillaris have fewer spiniform sensilla than reported for Acilius mediatus, and it appears that its two large dorsal stemmata are more massive than those of A. mediatus. These morphological differences indicate that nek­tonic larvae of T. basillaris and A. mediatus may be exploiting dif­ferent prey regimes

VV Pup in a low state: secondary-star irradiation or stellar activity?

Aims. Emission lines in polars show complex profiles with multiple components that are typically ascribed to the accretion stream, threading region, accretion spot, and the irradiated secondary-star. In low-state polars the fractional contribution by the accretion stream, and the accretion spot is greatly reduced offering an opportunity to study the effect of the secondary-star irradiation or stellar activity. We observed VV Pup during an exceptional low-state to study and constrain the properties of the line-forming regions and to search for evidence of chromospheric activity and/or irradiation. Methods. We obtained phase-resolved optical spectra at the ESO VLT+FORS1 with the aim of analyzing the emission line profile and radial velocity as a function of the orbital period. We also tailored irradiated secondary-star models to compare the predicted and the observed emission lines and to establish the nature of the line-forming regions. Results. Our observations and data analysis, when combined with models of the irradiated secondary-star, show that, while the weak low ionization metal lines (FeI and MgI) may be consistent with irradiation processes, the dominant Balmer H emission lines, as well as NaI and HeI, cannot be reproduced by the irradiated secondary-star models. We favor the secondary-star chromospheric activity as the main forming region and cause of the observed H, NaI, and He emission lines, though a threading region very close to the L1 point cannot be excluded.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, in press on A&

Modulated structure in the martensite phase of Ni1.8Pt0.2MnGa: a neutron diffraction study

7M orthorhombic modulated structure in the martensite phase of Ni1.8Pt0.2MnGa is reported by powder neutron diffraction study, which indicates that it is likely to exhibit magnetic field induced strain. The change in the unit cell volume is less than 0.5% between the austenite and martensite phases, as expected for a volume conserving martensite transformation. The magnetic structure analysis shows that the magnetic moment in the martensite phase is higher compared to Ni2MnGa, which is in good agreement with magnetization measurement

RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling: a therapeutic target in pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease characterized by progressive elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular resistance due to pulmonary vasoconstriction and vessel remodeling as well as inflammation. Rho-kinases (ROCKs) are one of the best-described effectors of the small G-protein RhoA, and ROCKs are involved in a variety of cellular functions including muscle cell contraction, proliferation and vascular inflammation through inhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase and activation of downstream mediators. A plethora of evidence in animal models suggests that heightened RhoA/ROCK signaling is important in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension by causing enhanced constriction and remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature. Both animal and clinical studies suggest that ROCK inhibitors are effective for treatment of severe PAH with minimal risk, which supports the premise that ROCKs are important therapeutic targets in pulmonary hypertension and that ROCK inhibitors are a promising new class of drugs for this devastating disease

Mature Larvae of Hydroporus signatus Sharp (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) as Substrates for Peritrichida

Mature larvae of Hydroporus signatus Sharp collected from a small eutrophic habitat served as substrates for Peritrichida (Ciliophora). The rate of infestation was 60% and there were indications of body site specificity for the colonies with most found attached to the cra­nium and/or mouthparts

Corrections for Identification of Mature Larvae of Rhantus calidus (Fabricius) and Hoperius planatus Fall (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) in Georgia

Characters for identification of mature larvae of Rhantus calidus and Hoperius planatus in Georgia are evaluated and critiqued. Ma­ture larvae of R. calidus have only eight cereal sensilla (setae) while those of Hoperius have numerous medial and lateral sensilla. This is presented as an obvious and reliable character set for identification of R. calidus and H. planatus in Georgia