Distribution of three psocid species (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) in different moisture gradients in wheat

Psocids can cause considerable economic losses to stored products by direct feeding, and they have become global pests during the last two decades. We studied the distribution of Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae), Liposcelis entomophila (Enderlein), and Liposcelis brunnea Motschulsky in different moisture gradients (11-12-13%, 11-13-15%, and 13-14-15%) and a control (13-13-13%) in wheat using a circular metal arena, which has a removable metal divider that partitioned it into three rings (outer, middle and inner). Lipsocelis bostrychophila and L. entomophila preferred grain with the highest moisture content in the different gradients evaluated. In general, populations of Liposcelis brunnea equally preferred grain with moisture contents greater than or equal to 13%. These results showed the moisture contents preferred for three of the main psocid pests of stored grains, and this could help in making better pest management decisions

New branched Porolithon species (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, and Lord Howe Island

Porolithon is one of the most ecologically important genera of tropical and subtropical crustose (non-geniculate) coralline algae growing abundantly along the shallow margins of coral reefs and functioning to cement reef frameworks. Thalli of branched, fruticose Porolithon specimens from the Indo-Pacific Ocean traditionally have been called P. gardineri, while massive, columnar forms have been called P. craspedium. Sequence comparisons of the rbcL gene both from type specimens of P. gardineri and P. craspedium and from field-collected specimens demonstrate that neither species is present in east Australia and instead resolve into four unique genetic lineages. Porolithon howensis sp. nov. forms columnar protuberances and loosely attached margins and occurs predominantly at Lord Howe Island; P. lobulatum sp. nov. has fruticose to clavate forms and free margins that are lobed and occurs in the Coral Sea and on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR); P. parvulum sp. nov. has short (<2 cm), unbranched protuberances and attached margins and is restricted to the central and southern GBR; and P. pinnaculum sp. nov. has a mountain-like, columnar morphology and occurs on oceanic Coral Sea reefs. A rbcL gene sequence of the isotype of P. castellum demonstrates it is a different species from other columnar species. In addition to the diagnostic rbcL and psbA marker sequences, the four new species may be distinguished by a combination of features including thallus growth form, margin shape (attached or unattached), and medullary system (coaxial or plumose). Porolithon species, because of their ecological importance and sensitivity to ocean acidification, need urgent documentation of their taxonomic diversity

Negotiating identities: ethnicity and social relations in a young offenders' institution

This article explores the situated nature of male prisoner identities in the late modern British context, using the contrasting theoretical frames of Sykes's (1958) indigenous model and Jacobs' (1979) importation model of prisoner subcultures and social relations. Drawing on eight months of ethnographic fieldwork in an ethnically, religiously and nationally diverse young offenders institution, consideration is given to how prisoners manage and negotiate difference, exploring the contours of racialization and racism which can operate in ambiguous and contradictory ways. Sociological understandings of identity, ethnicity, racialization and racism are used to inform a more empirically grounded theoretical criminology

First observation of tritium adsorption on graphene

In this work, we report on the first-ever studies of graphene exposed to tritium gas in a controlled environment. The single layer graphene on $\textrm{SiO}_2$/Si substrate was exposed to 400 mbar of $\textrm{T}_2$ for a total time of ~55 h. The resistivity of the graphene sample was measured in-situ during tritium exposure using the Van der Pauw method. After the exposure, the samples were scanned with a confocal Raman microscope to study the effect of tritium on the graphene structure as well as the homogeneity of spectral modifications. We found that the sheet resistance increases by three orders of magnitude during the exposure. By Raman microscopy, we demonstrate that the graphene film can withstand the bombardment from the beta-decay of tritium, and primary and secondary ions. Additionally, the Raman spectra after tritium exposure are comparable with previously observed results in hydrogen-loading experiments carried out by other groups. By thermal annealing we could demonstrate, using Raman spectral analysis, that the structural changes were partially reversible. Considering all observations, we conclude that the graphene film was at least partially tritiated during the tritium exposure.Comment: Submitted to Nanoscale Advances (RSC), 14 pages, 4 figure

Discovery and Characterization of 2-Aminobenzimidazole Derivatives as Selective NOD1 Inhibitors

SummaryNLR family proteins play important roles in innate immune response. NOD1 (NLRC1) activates various signaling pathways including NF-κB in response to bacterial ligands. Hereditary polymorphisms in the NOD1 gene are associated with asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and other disorders. Using a high throughput screening (HTS) assay measuring NOD1-induced NF-κB reporter gene activity, followed by multiple downstream counter screens that eliminated compounds impacting other NF-κB effectors, 2-aminobenzimidazole compounds were identified that selectively inhibit NOD1. Mechanistic studies of a prototypical compound, Nodinitib-1 (ML130; CID-1088438), suggest that these small molecules cause conformational changes of NOD1 in vitro and alter NOD1 subcellular targeting in cells. Altogether, this inaugural class of inhibitors provides chemical probes for interrogating mechanisms regulating NOD1 activity and tools for exploring the roles of NOD1 in various infectious and inflammatory diseases

Two-neutron transfer reaction mechanisms in 12^{12}C(6^6He,4^{4}He)14^{14}C using a realistic three-body 6^{6}He model

The reaction mechanisms of the two-neutron transfer reaction $^{12}$C($^6$He,$^4$He) have been studied at 30 MeV at the TRIUMF ISAC-II facility using the SHARC charged-particle detector array. Optical potential parameters have been extracted from the analysis of the elastic scattering angular distribution. The new potential has been applied to the study of the transfer angular distribution to the 2$^+_2$ 8.32 MeV state in $^{14}$C, using a realistic 3-body $^6$He model and advanced shell model calculations for the carbon structure, allowing to calculate the relative contributions of the simultaneous and sequential two-neutron transfer. The reaction model provides a good description of the 30 MeV data set and shows that the simultaneous process is the dominant transfer mechanism. Sensitivity tests of optical potential parameters show that the final results can be considerably affected by the choice of optical potentials. A reanalysis of data measured previously at 18 MeV however, is not as well described by the same reaction model, suggesting that one needs to include higher order effects in the reaction mechanism.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figure