A New Record for \u3ci\u3eMagicicada Septendecim\u3c/i\u3e in Michigan (Homoptera: Cicadidae)

Adult 17-year cicadas, Magicicada septendecim were collected on the Michigan State University campus, East Lansing, Michigan in 1982. Their probable origin and chances for surivial are discussed

Tunable, Highly Stable Lasers for Coherent Lidar

Practical space-based coherent laser radar systems envisioned for global winds measurement must be very efficient and must contend with unique problems associated with the large platform velocities that the instruments experience in orbit. To compensate for these large platform-induced Doppler shifts in space-based applications, agile-frequency offset-locking of two single-frequency Doppler reference lasers was thoroughly investigated. Such techniques involve actively locking a frequency-agile master oscillator (MO) source to a comparatively static local oscillator (LO) laser, and effectively producing an offset between MO (the lidar slave oscillator seed source, typically) and heterodyne signal receiver LO that lowers the bandwidth of the receiver data-collection system and permits use of very high-quantum-efficiency, reasonably- low-bandwidth heterodyne photoreceiver detectors and circuits. Recent work on MO/LO offset locking has focused on increasing the offset locking range, improving the graded-InGaAs photoreceiver performance, and advancing the maturity of the offset locking electronics. A figure provides a schematic diagram of the offset-locking system

Texas Livestock Auction Markets - Methods and Facilities.

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Low-Dose Colchicine for Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine whether colchicine 0.5 mg/day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with clinically stable coronary disease.BackgroundThe presence of activated neutrophils in culprit atherosclerotic plaques of patients with unstable coronary disease raises the possibility that inhibition of neutrophil function with colchicine may reduce the risk of plaque instability and thereby improve clinical outcomes in patients with stable coronary disease.MethodsIn a clinical trial with a prospective, randomized, observer-blinded endpoint design, 532 patients with stable coronary disease receiving aspirin and/or clopidogrel (93%) and statins (95%) were randomly assigned colchicine 0.5 mg/day or no colchicine and followed for a median of 3 years. The primary outcome was the composite incidence of acute coronary syndrome, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, or noncardioembolic ischemic stroke. The primary analysis was by intention-to-treat.ResultsThe primary outcome occurred in 15 of 282 patients (5.3%) who received colchicine and 40 of 250 patients (16.0%) assigned no colchicine (hazard ratio: 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18 to 0.59; p < 0.001; number needed to treat: 11). In a pre-specified secondary on-treatment analysis that excluded 32 patients (11%) assigned to colchicine who withdrew within 30 days due to intestinal intolerance and a further 7 patients (2%) who did not start treatment, the primary outcome occurred in 4.5% versus 16.0% (hazard ratio: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.56; p < 0.001).ConclusionsColchicine 0.5 mg/day administered in addition to statins and other standard secondary prevention therapies appeared effective for the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary disease

The Australian Vascular Epiphytes: Flora &amp; Ecology

Firstly, recent literature dealing with the systematics and ecology of vascular epiphytes is reviewed, as are a selection of older key papers. The classification and terminology of vascular epiphytes is briefly reviewed and discussed and the system used here is delineated; tenns are defined, including a ntnnber of new and previously ill-defined ones. The Australian vascular epiphyte flora is then described in a tabulated list and in a more detailed, illustrated descriptive key (Appendix 1). The flora is next discussed in relation to its taxonomic composition, diversity and affinities biogeography, life forms and physiognomic forms, and diaspore dispersal methods; these are also briefly related to basic ecology of the groups. Next, physical ecological factors of epiphyte environments in Australia are investigated. This includes discussion of continental macroclimate and its bearing on the distribution of epiphyte-favoured vegetation types, particularly rainforests, and investigation of microclimate components at different levels within selected sites in five different rainforest subformations of the subtropics. The results of this show that microsites near the canopy are considerably brighter, drier and more temperature-extreme than are those near the tree trunk bases. Beginning with a review of relevant works, the synecology of epiphytes is next discussed and the system of study for use here is outlined. The epiphytic vegetation of five subtropical sites (those mentioned above) and a tropical one, are investigated using this system which involves marked plots and the recording of all trees and epiphytes within them. The data derived from these are used in conjunction with that mentioned above and other observations for comparison and discussion of such topics as epiphyte floristic diversity, population density, vegetational complexity, occurrence of different epiphyte forms, specificity of epiphyte/phorophyte relationships, phorophyte axeny and epiphyte-proneness, allelopathy and phorophyte age ef~ect. Observations and review on nest-epiphytes and succession are discussed. Some basic functions of CAM in two epiphytic orchids were investigated under field conditions and the results are discussed in relation to its adaptive significance; the results of a survey of CAM in the Australian epiphytes are discussed and from this and the former, it is concluded that CAM is a very important water-conserving mechanism particularly to the heliophilous epiphytes. Relevant literature is reviewed. It is generally concluded from all of the above that epiphytism has been developed by small, slow-growing plants to avoid competition for light and in doing so, they have had to concomitantly adapt to water-stress and nutrient deficiency

Internet All Nation Breath of life (I-ANBL) a Tribal College Student Engaged Development of an Internet-based Smoking Cessation Intervention

Background: Compared to non-Hispanic white college students, American Indian (AI) tribal college students have the highest smoking prevalence in the U.S. (~34%). Culturally-tailored smoking cessation programs have proven to be successful in reducing smoking rates but may require new methods to reach college students. Currently, there is little documentation on the development and success of Internet-based smoking interventions for AI tribal college students. Objectives: To develop an Internet-based smoking cessation program (Internet-All Nations Breath of Life or I-ANBL) with tribal college students. Methods: We conducted six focus groups (n=41) at a tribal college. Focus groups included tribal college students who smoked and groups were stratified by sex. Transcripts were analyzed using insider and outsider perspectives. After analysis, an Internet-based smoking cessation program was developed, based on insight gained. Results: Numerous suggestions for creating the program were offered. There was consensus on the need for a variety of visuals including cultural images, videos, and interactive content. The students also suggested the integration of familiar platforms such as FacebookTM. Conclusion: When culturally tailoring a web-based smoking cessation program for tribal college students, it is important to incorporate cultural aspects and recognize gender differences. One important aspect is to recognize that for many AI, tobacco is a sacred plant and images of tobacco should be respectful. Now that this intervention has been developed, next we will test it for efficacy in a randomized controlled trial. Keywords: American Indians, tribal college, tobacco, program development, smoking cessation, community-based participatory researc