Introduction, Recovery, and Limited Establishment of Coleophora klimeschiella (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) on Russian Thistles, Salsola australis, in Southern California

Although case-bearing leafmining larvae of Coleophora klimeschiella Toll were released on Russian thistles, Salsola australis R. Brown (Chenopodiaceae), at 13 locations in southern California during 1977-85, this biological control agent remained tenuously established at only one site by late 1986. Neither insectary-reared or field-collected stocks released in field cages or in the open in numbers of 100-600 per site appeared to foster colony establishment. Poor host-plant adaptation as well as predation and parasitism by indigenous natural enemies are identified as possible sources of biotic resistance to the establishment of this imported insect. The predator, Phylobacnus atriplexus (Foster) (Coleoptera: Cleridae), and the primary parasite, Macroneura sp. (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), found attacking C. klimeschiella, also are known from gall-midge hosts on native saltbushes (Atriplex spp., also Chenopodiaceae

Chromosome Constitution of the Plants Induced from Callus Culture of the Daylily Hemercallis Flava L.

Variations in chromosome number and/or structure were reported to occur in long-term cultures (Heinz, Mee and Nickell, 1969; Heinz and Mee, 1971; Horak, Lustinec, Mesicek, Kaminek and Polackova, 1975; Kao, Miller, Gamborg, and Harvey, 1970; Nitra and Steward, 1961; Sacristan, 1971; Singh and Harvey, 1975a and b; Torrey, 1959). No change of chromosome number was found in the callus tissue or in the plants induced from the callu of Hemeocallis flava L. subcultured for six months (Chen and Holden, 1972). In this study, karyotype of the plants derived from a callus culture of H. flava, which had been subcultured for 30 months was analyzed to determine any change in chromosome structure. Meiotic studies of pollen- mother cells of the plants were also made to determine the nature of aberration in the chromosomes. Polyploid plants derived from a colchicine-treated long-term culture of the daylily callus were also investigated cytologically for obtaining indirectly the evidence of chromosome stability in the callus culture

Movement I. lo from Four Moons for Brass Quartet

lo is the introductory movement of a four-part suite, entitled Four Moons for Brass Quartet. As suggested by the title, the four movements of the work were modeled after a specific set of astronomical entities, the four Galilean moons of Jupiter. These celestial satellites provided inspiration for this work in a number of different ways. Scientific observations and measurements for each moon, such as diameter, mass, density and composition, provided melodic and harmonic ideas through a 20th century musical process that is commonly referred to as pitch set theory. The visual and physical qualities of each moon, and their relationships with one another, also influenced many musical decisions. The programmatic directions of the various movements were derived, in part, from the Greek mythology associated with the names of each moon: 10, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto

Nitro Group Reduction for Use in Organic, Cathodic Materials

The industrial demand for higher capacity, light-weight battery materials has skyrocketed in recent years due to heavy investments in portable electronics, electronic vehicles, and renewable energy sources. However, rechargeable battery technology has seen little improvement since the invention of the Lithium-Ion battery in the 1980s. The low energy density of the traditionally utilized LiCoO2 cathodic material (specific capacity: 272 mAh g-1), has limited its potential to meet these increasing demands. To solve this problem, our research group is investigating new types of lightweight, organic, polymeric materials with conductive backbones as a possible replacement for the cathodic materials in Lithium-Ion batteries. These polymers could be utilized as a rechargeable battery material by relying upon the redox couple between the nitroso and phenylhydroxylamine functional groups. These rechargeable materials would have a calculated theoretical capacity of 459.60 mAh g-1 or 433.52 mAh g-1. NMR results show that we have successfully prepared two monomers with thiophene functional groups and another model compound. Initial electrochemical study indicates multiple electron transfer reaction occurs during the reduction at about 2.5 V vs. Li/Li+ redox couple. Future work would focus on the optimization of polymerization condition of the monomers and to begin preliminary lithium battery discharge testing. This project explores the field of light-weight organic cathodic materials and has the potential to greatly increase the energy density for Lithium-Ion batteries. This would ultimately serve to remove the technology bottleneck that is holding research in other areas back and would be to the benefit of anyone who relies upon battery technology in their daily life

The blue channel of the Keck low-resolution imaging spectrometer

This paper summarizes the optical, mechanical, electrical, and software design of LRIS-B, the blue channel of the Keck Low Resolution and Imaging Spectrograph. The LRIS-B project will shortly be completing the existing LRIS instrument through the addition of dichroic beamsplitters, grisms to disperse light on the blue channel, broad-band u, B, and V photometric filters, a blue and near-UV transmitting camera lens, and a large format blue-sensitive CCD detector. LRIS-B will also introduce piezoelectric xy-actuation of the CCD detector inside its Dewar, in order to compensate for flexure in the existing instrument; ultimately the red-side CCD detector will be similarly equipped, its PZT xy-stage being independently programmed. The optical design of the LRIS-B camera uses only fused silica and calcium fluoride elements, and includes a decentered meniscus element to compensate for coma introduced by the LRIS off-axis paraboloid collimator. The design of the blue channel grisms have been optimized for maximum blaze efficiency, the highest dispersion grism having a groove density of 1200 gr/mm. Optical elements not in use at any given time will be stowed in carousels externally mounted to the instrument sidewalls. The entire instrument is designed to permit remote operation

Life History of Paracantha gentilis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The life history of Paracantha gentilis Hering in southern California is described. This stenophagous tephritid reproduces in the capitula of native Cirsium thistles. Courtship and mating behavior are described from field and laboratory observations. Territorial and courtship behavior of males and the morphological characters involved in possible male pheromone emission are described and illustrated, as are the oviposition behavior and reproductive morphology of females. Egg clutch sizes ranged from one to 13 eggs, with a maximum of six clutches per capitulum. Larvae fed gregariously within stage-specific niches. Pupariation occurred in the capitula, from which adults emerged in mid-June through early July. After emergence, most adults probably disperse to higher elevations to feed until autumn, then return to lower elevations and reproduce the following year. Limited reproduction also occurs in late-formed capitula or in capitula of alternate Cirsium hosts

Comparative Biologies of the Cryptic, Sympatric Species, Trupanea bisetosa and T. nigricornis (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Southern California

The biologies of the sympatric, cryptic species, Trupanea nigricornis (Coquillett), a flower head-infesting fruit fly attacking a wide range of hosts in 8 tribes, 33 genera, and at least 71 species of Asteraceae, and T. bisetosa (Coquillett), an oligophage attacking only 6 hosts in 4 genera of the tribe Heliantheae, are described and compared. A major biological distinction between these species was their ovipositional behavior, whereby females oviposited different numbers of eggs at different sites in different developmental stages of flower heads of their hosts. The larvae of these species showed minor differences in their feeding behaviors, and their puparia were formed and located similarly in host flower heads. Development from egg to adult under field conditions lasted up to 35 d for each species. These species showed subtle differences in their courtship and mating behaviors, and substantial differences in the daily timing of courtship

Marsh Sediment in Translation: A Review of Sediment Transport Across a Natural Tidal Salt Marsh in Northern San Francisco Bay

Deposition of inorganic sediment is essential for the sustainability of tidal salt marshes. Understanding variability in sediment sources and the processes of sediment delivery to salt marshes are high priorities for decision-makers responsible for managing sediment and conserving and restoring marshes. Research on sediment transport to marshes is published in technical journals, but these scientific findings must be translated and communicated to inform critical decisions related to managing sediment in estuaries. We convened a diverse group of collaborators—including natural-resource managers, regulators, scientists, and restoration planners and practitioners—to review and interpret the results of previously published field investigations on and around the salt marsh at China Camp State Park in Marin County, California. We discussed and translated key results of those studies using new graphics and more accessible language. Here, we present a general introduction to the topic of sediment delivery to salt marshes, background descriptions of the China Camp marsh and the physical processes that we characterized there, key scientific conclusions, and proposed management implications. Key conclusions include (1) bay shallows are an important but variable source of marsh sediment, (2) flood tides and waves move sediment across the bay–marsh edge, (3) tidal creeks may not always import sediment to the marsh platform, and (4) protective effects of marsh vegetation depend on species and season. China Camp marsh is one of the last remaining pre-colonial salt marshes in the San Francisco Estuary and is unique in being relatively unmodified by humans and in retaining an unimpeded transition into natural uplands. Additional studies in a variety of marshes with different attributes and sediment regimes will broaden understanding of how best to conserve, manage, and restore tidal marshes that provide numerous ecosystem services to for humans and wildlife

Broad gene expression throughout the mouse and marmoset brain after intravenous delivery of engineered AAV capsids

Genetic intervention is increasingly explored as a therapeutic option for debilitating disorders of the central nervous system. The safety and efficacy of gene therapies relies upon expressing a transgene in affected cells while minimizing off-target expression. To achieve organ/cell-type specific targeting after intravenous delivery of viral vectors, we employed a Cre-transgenic-based screening platform for fast and efficient capsid selection, paired with sequential engineering of multiple surface-exposed loops. We identified capsid variants that are enriched in the brain and detargeted from the liver in mice. The improved enrichment in the brain extends to non-human primates, enabling robust, non-invasive gene delivery to the marmoset brain following IV administration. Importantly, the capsids identified display non-overlapping cell-type tropisms within the brain, with one exhibiting high specificity to neurons. The ability to cross the blood–brain barrier with cell-type specificity in rodents and non-human primates enables new avenues for basic research and potential therapeutic interventions unattainable with naturally occurring serotypes