Laboratory Rearing of Phalangium Opilio (Arachnida: Opiliones)

While a good deal of work has been reported on the natural history and ecology of the opiliones in Europe and England (Bristowe, 1949; Sankey, 1949; Todd, 1949; Phillipson, 1959; Savory, 1964; Juberthie, 1965), this important group has received little attention in North America. Bishop (1949) published a concise synopsis of reactions and general habits of the opiliones of New York and, in a Ph. D. dissertation, Edgar (1960) described the biology of the order in Michigan. Current studies at Michigan State University on the effects of insecticides on non-target organisms have revealed an acute lack of biological information on the group, and before the effects of insecticides could be determined, life histories of the opiliones had to be clarified. Consequently, in 1966 a study of the ecology and rearing requirements of selected Michigan species was initiated. The present paper describes a new incubation technique for opilione eggs that shows promise of facilitating laboratory rearing of this group

The Life History of Folsomia Candida (Willem) (Collembola: Isotomidae) Relative to Temperature

The parthenogenetic mode of reproduction in Collembola, although frequently questioned in the past (Schaller, 1953; Mayer, 1957; Falkenhan, 1932), has only recently been recorded and confirmed for several species; Onychiutus parthenogeneticus Choudhuri (Choudhuri, 1958), Folsomia candida (Willem) (Goto, 1960; Marshall and Kevan, 1962; Green, 1964; Husson and Paldvody, 1967), Folsomia cavicola Cassagnau and Delamare (Goto, 1960), Tullbergia krausbaueri (Bomer) (Hale, 1966; Petersen, 1971), and Isotoma notabilis Schaffer (Petersen, 1971). Sex-ratios in populations of the above cited species are often unknown. Existing data indicate that the composition of a population may vary with the geographical distribution of the species. Populations of Folsomia candida (Willem), known to be bisexual in England (Goto, 1960), have been found so far to consist entirely of females in Canada (Sharma and Kevan, 1963a) and in Michigan (Snider, 1973). Similar to I. notabilis and T. krausbaueri (Petersen, 1971), investigations throughout the year and over larger geographic areas are necessary before northern USA and Canada F. candida may be labeled as obligatory parthenogenetic. Snider (1973) recorded in detail the life cycle of F. candida at 21°C. The present study provides information on the influence of temperature on the bionomics of the species

Culture Techniques for Rearing Soil Anthropods

Excerpt: Interest in soil biology has been prompted by recent investigations into the action of insecticides on plants and animals. Observations in the field must be supplemented by laboratory investigations conducted under controlled conditions. Consequently, it becomes necessary to rear and handle soil animals under artificial situations for bio-assay and life cycle studies. When large numbers of individuals are required, special problems in maintenance and manipulation arise. Relatively inexpensive and simple methods for such projects are essential and this paper describes some of those techniques which we have found expedient

A Study Of Identity Issues That Affect Clergy Leadership On LGBTQ Inclusion

This dissertation analyzes how the leadership decisions of thirty local church Protestant clergy in Virginia were influenced by personal, organizational, and cultural identity issues on matters related to homosexuality or LGBTQ inclusion. Self-understanding of identity issues affected clergy practice of biblical and theological interpretations on topics that include: purity, inclusion, same-sex marriage, ordination of LGBTQ persons, denominational loyalty, local church loyalty, transactional leadership, transformational leadership, and transformative leadership. The researcher used semi-structured phenomenological interviews with seven focus groups and seven individual follow-up interviews. The researcher explored the process by which clergy construct their identities, while noting the resulting leadership strategies implemented by local church Protestant clergy in their local congregations. This qualitative research study fills an existing gap caused by a majority of research being conducted on denominational level rather than local church level leadership decisions in relationship to homosexuality or LGBTQ inclusion. This study advances substantive knowledge about how personal, organizational, and cultural identities play integral roles in leadership methods employed by clergy at the local church level on issues related to homosexuality or LGBTQ inclusion. The study revealed that traditional clergy did not believe same-sex attraction to be a sin, but that sin occurred through the participation in homosexual acts. In response to same-sex attraction traditional clergy advocated for celibacy, while progressive clergy advocated for same-sex marriage. When doing biblical interpretation on homosexuality, traditional clergy focused on specific passages where God commands “You shall not (commit this homosexual act)” in order to maintain purity. When doing biblical interpretation on homosexuality, progressive clergy allow for contextualization of the narrative stories in the Bible, and focus on passages that contain the word “all” as a witness for inclusion. Both traditional and progressive clergy gravitate toward transformational leadership to promote dialogue on homosexuality or LGBTQ inclusion, however, only progressive clergy follow transformative leadership in creating new leaders of LGBTQ persons. Also, both traditional and progressive clergy have a stronger gestalt identity through their local church, than an aggregate identity with their denomination

The role of Tribbles 1 and Tribbles 3 in cartilage turnover

PhD ThesisArthritis is a term which encompasses a number of diseases characterised by cartilage degradation and joint destruction which represents an enormous and growing healthcare burden. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of enzymes involved in cleavage of extracellular matrix proteins. They have many roles in both development and normal tissue homeostasis. As well as this they have been shown to be important in a number of diseases, including arthritis. MMP-1 and -13 in particular have been shown to be important in arthritis, due to their ability to cleave type II collagen, a key component of cartilage. A greater understanding of the regulation of these MMPs could lead to the potential for new therapeutic arthritis treatments. Tribbles (Trb) 1-3 are a group of proteins linked with diseases including diabetes, multiple sclerosis and cancer. Trb 1-3 are reported to play a role in regulating many cellular signalling pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB). These pathways are considered important in mediating gene expression changes, including MMPs. Both Trb1 and Trb3 were shown to regulate MMPs in chondrocytes, with a greater effect being on MMP-13 regulation. Trb1 and Trb3 were both shown to regulate the major MMP transcription factor AP-1, as well as the ATF3 and NFκB transcription factors. Both Trb1 and Trb3 interacted with MAP2Ks MEK1, MKK4, MKK6 and MKK7, and in addition were shown to regulate MAPK activation, with Trb3 protein levels appearing to be affected by MAP2K levels. Trb3 also had the ability to affect both Akt and STAT activation. These data demonstrate that Trb1 and Trb3 can regulate signalling pathways that have the ability to alter MMP expression and transcription factors within chondrocytes. This would suggest that Trb1 and Trb3 have the ability to affect cartilage degradation. This greater understanding of MMP regulation by Trb1 and Trb3 may help in the development of potential future therapeutic targets for arthritic disease.Oliver Bird and Nuffield foundatio

Experimental Study of X-ray Production and Implosion Dynamics of Low-, Mid-, and High-Atomic-Number Materials on University-Scale Z-pinch Machines of Various Architecture

Earlier research with the novel Double Planar Wire Array (DPWA) and Double Planar Foil Liner (DPFL) loads imploded on the high-impedance UNR Zebra Marx bank generator showed them to be excellent radiators of x-rays. This work focuses heavily on implosions of DPWA loads of low- to mid- to high-atomic-number metals and low-atomic-number DPFL loads performed using the low-impedance UM MAIZE Linear Transformer Driver (LTD). The DPWAs consisted of two wire planes of micron-scale sized wires, while the DPFLs consisted of two planes of micron-scale thickness foils. Current from the machine causes the load planes to ablate, creating two sheets of plasma that pinch in the center of the arrays. As the load begins to implode, radiation in a broad range is emitted, and then detected using various diagnostics, such as an absolutely calibrated PCD, filtered Si-diodes, x-ray pinhole cameras, spectrometers, and a fast, visible light camera which captures plasma evolution. In contrast to the Marx bank (which has been in widespread use in pulsed power research for decades), the LTD is a relatively new pulsed power architecture with the theorized potential to be more efficient than the widely used Marx bank generators. However, up to this point, very little is known on how DPWAs and DPFLs implode on LTDs, so it is important to study. Also, by making comparisons to previous implosions of similar load types on the Zebra generator, we can better understand how the changes in machine architecture and current values affect the radiation emission and implosion dynamics. In addition, unlike the Zebra generator, the low-impedance of the MAIZE LTD makes the discharge current highly susceptible to changes in the load inductance. By studying the load inductance throughout the Z-pinching process of DPWAs and DPFLs on the MAIZE LTD, we can better optimize future loads for the potential of reaching higher peak currents, faster current risetimes, and greater x-ray emission. To perform experimental low-current produced plasma research on the UNR main campus, and to test x-ray diagnostics as well as train students, we have developed a hard x-ray source based on a vacuum diode with laser-plasma cathode triggering dubbed “Sparky-HXRS” (or Sparky Hard X-Ray Source). One of the main objectives of this research was to study the hard x-ray characteristic radiation which is believed to be caused by inner-shell ionization of neutral atoms by non-thermal electron beams propagating through the cold thermal plasma. Such hard x-ray characteristic radiation as well as its polarization properties has not yet been studied in detail in pulsed power plasmas. Sparky-HXRS was designed for producing monochromatic x-rays while keeping the production of bremsstrahlung low in comparison. Laser-driven vacuum x-ray diodes have been attractive for the generation of short-duration x-ray pulses in a compact set-up, which can be temporally synchronized with the laser pulse. Such a device can operate with any voltage, and, if operated with the optimal voltage, can provide better monochromatization of a particular radiation range. The device was designed such that any desired metal could be studied by using that material of interest to form the anode. A number of anode materials were studied with varying atomic numbers, including: brass (an alloy of copper and zinc), stainless steel (an alloy of iron and chromium), titanium, and tungsten. The development of the Sparky-HXRS device also included the development of an “open-air” spectropolarimeter, to study the polarization of characteristic x-rays

Spray Formation and Cavitation of Fuel Injectors with Various Metal and Optical Nozzles

This thesis addresses the need for fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of fuel spray formation and mixture preparation in direct injection spark ignition (DISI) engines. Fuel injection systems for DISI engines undergo rapid developments in their design and performance, therefore, their spray breakup mechanisms in the physical conditions encountered in DISI engines over a range of operating conditions and injection strategies require continuous attention. In this context, there are sparse data in the literature on spray formation differences between conventionally drilled injectors by spark erosion and latest laser drilled injector nozzles. A comparison was first carried out between the holes of spark eroded and laser-drilled injectors of same nominal type by analysing their in-nozzle geometry and surface roughness under an electron microscope. Then the differences in their spray characteristics under quiescent conditions, as well as in a motoring optical engine, are discussed on the basis of high-speed imaging experiments and image processing methods. Specifically, the spray development mechanism was quantified by spray tip penetration and cone angle data under a range of representative low-load and high-low engine operating conditions (0.5 bar and 1.0 bar absolute, respectively), as well as at low and high injector body temperatures (20 °C and 90 °C) to represent cold and warm engine-head conditions. Droplet sizing was also performed with the spark and laser drilled injectors using Phase Doppler Anemometry in a quiescent chamber and the analysis was extended to include flash boiling conditions (120 °C) and other hydrocarbon and alcohols; iso-octane, ethanol and butanol. This thesis also presents the design and development of a real-size quartz optical nozzle, 200 µm in diameter, suitable for high-temperature applications and also compatible with new fuels such as alcohols. Mass flow of typical real multi-hole injectors was measured, and relevant fluid mechanics dimensionless parameters were derived. Laser and mechanical drilling of the quartz nozzle holes were compared to each other. Abrasive flow machining of the optical nozzles was also performed and analysed by microscopy in comparison to the real injector. Results with a highspeed camera showed successful imaging of microscopic in-nozzle flow and cavitation phenomena, coupled to downstream spray formation, under a variety of conditions including high fuel temperature flash-boiling effects, although undesirable needle movement was an issue and limitation

Comparative Analysis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans Protein Interaction Network

Protein interaction networks aim to summarize the complex interplay of proteins in an organism. Early studies suggested that the position of a protein in the network determines its evolutionary rate but there has been considerable disagreement as to what extent other factors, such as protein abundance, modify this reported dependence. We compare the genomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans with those of closely related species to elucidate the recent evolutionary history of their respective protein interaction networks. Interaction and expression data are studied in the light of a detailed phylogenetic analysis. The underlying network structure is incorporated explicitly into the statistical analysis. The increased phylogenetic resolution, paired with high-quality interaction data, allows us to resolve the way in which protein interaction network structure and abundance of proteins affect the evolutionary rate. We find that expression levels are better predictors of the evolutionary rate than a protein's connectivity. Detailed analysis of the two organisms also shows that the evolutionary rates of interacting proteins are not sufficiently similar to be mutually predictive. It appears that meaningful inferences about the evolution of protein interaction networks require comparative analysis of reasonably closely related species. The signature of protein evolution is shaped by a protein's abundance in the organism and its function and the biological process it is involved in. Its position in the interaction networks and its connectivity may modulate this but they appear to have only minor influence on a protein's evolutionary rate.Comment: Accepted for publication in BMC Evolutionary Biolog

Analysing trade-offs and synergies between SDGs for urban development, food security and poverty alleviation in rapidly changing peri-urban areas: a tool to support inclusive urban planning

Transitional peri-urban contexts are frontiers for sustainable development where land-use change involves negotiation and contestation between diverse interest groups. Multiple, complex trade-offs between outcomes emerge which have both negative and positive impacts on progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These trade-offs are often overlooked in policy and planning processes which depend on top-down expert perspectives and rely on course grain aggregate data which does not reflect complex peri-urban dynamics or the rapid pace of change. Tools are required to address this gap, integrate data from diverse perspectives and inform more inclusive planning processes. In this paper, we draw on a reinterpretation of empirical data concerned with land-use change and multiple dimensions of food security from the city of Wuhan in China to illustrate some of the complex trade-offs between SDG goals that tend to be overlooked with current planning approaches. We then describe the development of an interactive web-based tool that implements deep learning methods for fine-grained land-use classification of high-resolution remote sensing imagery and integrates this with a flexible method for rapid trade-off analysis of land-use change scenarios. The development and potential use of the tool are illustrated using data from the Wuhan case study example. This tool has the potential to support participatory planning processes by providing a platform for multiple stakeholders to explore the implications of planning decisions and land-use policies. Used alongside other planning, engagement and ecosystem service mapping tools it can help to reveal invisible trade-offs and foreground the perspectives of diverse stakeholders. This is vital for building approaches which recognise how trade-offs between the achievement of SDGs can be influenced by development interventions

Nanomaterial structure determination using XUV diffraction

Diffraction using coherent XUV radiation is used to study the structure of nanophotonic materials, in this case an ordered array of 196nm spheres. Crystal structure and defects are visible, and the nanomaterial dielectric constant determined