Age, sex, adult and larval diet shape starvation resistance in the Mediterranean fruit fly: an ecological and gerontological perspective.

The ability of an animal to withstand periods of food deprivation is a key driver of invasion success (biodiversity), adaptation to new conditions, and a crucial determinant of senescence in populations. Starvation resistance (SR) is a highly plastic trait and varies in relation to environmental and genetic variables. However, beyond Drosophila, SR has been studied poorly. Exploiting an interesting model species in invasion and ageing studies-the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata)- we investigated how age, food and gender, shape SR in this species. We measured SR in adults feeding in rich and poor dietary conditions, which had been reared either on natural hosts or artificial larval diet, for every single day across their lifespan. We defined which factor is the most significant determinant of SR and we explored potential links between SR and ageing. We found that SR declines with age, and that age-specific patterns are shaped in relation to adult and larval diet. Females exhibited higher SR than males. Age and adult diet were the most significant determinants of SR, followed by gender and the larval diet. Starvation resistance proved to be a weak predictor of functional ageing. Possible underlying mechanisms, ecological and gerontological significance and potential applied benefits are discussed

Magneto-Driven Gradients of Diamagnetic Objects for Engineering Complex Tissues

Engineering complex tissues represents an extraordinary challenge and, to date, there have been few strategies developed that can easily recapitulate native‐like cell and biofactor gradients in 3D materials. This is true despite the fact that mimicry of these gradients may be essential for the functionality of engineered graft tissues. Here, a non‐traditional magnetics‐based approach is developed to predictably position naturally diamagnetic objects in 3D hydrogels. Rather than magnetizing the objects within the hydrogel, the magnetic susceptibility of the surrounding hydrogel precursor solution is enhanced. In this way, a range of diamagnetic objects (e.g., polystyrene beads, drug delivery microcapsules, and living cells) are patterned in response to a brief exposure to a magnetic field. Upon photo‐crosslinking the hydrogel precursor, object positioning is maintained, and the magnetic contrast agent diffuses out of the hydrogel, supporting long‐term construct viability. This approach is applied to engineer cartilage constructs with a depth‐dependent cellularity mirroring that of native tissue. These are thought to be the first results showing that magnetically unaltered cells can be magneto‐patterned in hydrogels and cultured to generate heterogeneous tissues. This work provides a foundation for the formation of opposing magnetic‐susceptibility‐based gradients within a single continuous material

Structure of Diffuse Emission in the Spitzer Galactic First Look Survey

The density and velocity structure of the interstellar medium (ISM) must be understood to address many astrophysical problems. We summarize the spatial statistics of 24 μm emission for 10 diffuse fields in the Spitzer Galactic First Look Survey. In almost all regions we analyzed, the x and y spectral indices are nearly equal, implying that the density structure in emitting regions is isotropic. All but one spectral index we measure is shallower than the index predicted by the theory of Kolmogorov (1941). We discuss the implications of our results in the light of recent simulations of magnetized and non-magnetized hydrodynamic turbulence

Electronic recording of lifetime locomotory activity patterns of adult medflies.

Age-specific and diurnal patterns of locomotory activity, can be considered as biomarkers of aging in model organisms and vary across the lifetime of individuals. Τhe Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata, is a commonly used model-species in studies regarding demography and aging. In the present study, we introduce a modification of the automated locomotory activity electronic device LAM25system (Locomotory Activity Monitor)-Trikinetics, commonly used in short time studies, to record the daily locomotory activity patterns of adult medflies throughout the life. Additionally, fecundity rates and survival of adult medflies were recorded. Male and female medflies were kept in the system tubes and had access to an agar-based gel diet, which provided water and nutrients. The locomotory activity was recorded at every minute by three monitors in the electronic device. The locomotory activity of females was higher than that of males across the different ages. For both sexes locomotory rates were high during the first 20 days of the adult life and decreased in older ages. The activity of males was high in the morning and late afternoon hours, while that of females was constantly high throughout the photophase. Negligible locomotory activity was recorded for both sexes during the nighttime. Males outlived females. Fecundity of females was higher in younger ages. Our results support the adoption of LAM25system in studies addressing aging of insects using medfly as a model organism

Book Reviews

The Hebrew God: Portrait of an Ancient Deity Lang, Bernhard New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2002 Reviewed By Bill T. Arnold A Marginal Jew, vol. 3, Companions and Competitors Meier, John P New York, N.Y.: Doubleday, 2001 Reviewed By Mattie Greathouse The Gospel of Mark: A Soda-Rhetorical Commentary Witherington, Ill, Ben Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2001 Reviewed By Greg Carey After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image of the Trinity. Trans. Doug Scott Voli, Miroslav Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1998 Reviewed By Howard A. Snyder The Literary Structure of the Old Testament: A Commentary on Genesis-Malachi Dorsey, David A. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999 Reviewed By Joel H. Hunt Make the Old Testament Live: From Curriculum to Classroom Hess, Richard S., and Cordon J. Wenham, editors Eerdmans, 1998 Reviewed By Joel H. Hunt Christology Schwarz, Hans Grand Rapids : William B. Eerdmans, 1998 Reviewed By Greg Carey New Testament History: A Narrative Account Witherington, Ben Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001 Reviewed By Ruth Anne Reese The Omphalos and the Cross: Pagans and Christians in Search of a Divine Center Ciholas, Paul Macon : Mercer University Press, 2003 Reviewed By Michael Harstad Participating in God: Creation and Trinity Powell, Samuel M. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003 Reviewed By James Holsinger Judges. Interpretation Commentary Series McCann, J. Clinton Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 2002 Reviewed By Victor H. Matthews Clark H. Pinnock: Journey Toward Renewal: An Intellectual Biography Callen, Barry L Published in Cooperation with The Wesleyan Theological Society. Nappanee, IN: Evangel Publishing House, 2000 Reviewed By Howard A. Snyder Radical Christianity: The Believers Church Tradition in Christianity\u27s History and Future Callen, Barry L Nappanee, IN: Evangel Publishing House, 1999 Reviewed By Howard A. Snyder The Unity Movement Vahle, Neal Philadelphia: Templeton Foundation Press, 2002 Reviewed By Steven Tsoukala