\u3ci\u3eArhyssus Hirtus\u3c/i\u3e (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Rhopalidae) in Minnesota: The Inland Occurrence of an East Coast Species

Arhyssus hirtus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Rhopalidae), is reported from the Cedar Creek Natural History Area, a Long-Term Ecological Research site, outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota where over 4000 species of arthropods have been collected. This species has previously been known only from a narrow zone along the sandy edges of the Atlantic Ocean (Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York). The species is known on Hudsonia tomentosa at these ocean sites, but other hosts may be involved at Cedar Creek. This small species of Arhyssus occurs in both micropterous and macropterous forms, unusual for this genus. Thus far, only micropterous forms have been collected at the Minnesota site

El socialismo del siglo XXI, ¿una alternativa factible?

The purpose of this work is to contribute to a critical analysis of what has been called 21st century socialism. Socialist regimes of the 20th century distorted the theoretical Marxian economic model partly because of the impossibility of socialist economic calculation. Allin Cottrell and Paul Cockshott argue that in the 21st century Socialism, supported by several political parties, social movements and some Latin-American governments, the impossibility of economic calculation can be overcome by the use of computers and Internet. In this paper we offer criticism of economic and political aspects of Cottrell and Cockshott’s theoretical design. Our discussion of the economic aspects is inspired by market socialism, while our discussion of political aspects draws on debates surrounding political or egalitarian liberalism.socialism, market, planning, Marxism

Hypocapnia Alone Fails to Provoke Important Electrocardiogram Changes in Coronary Artery Diseased Patients

Background: There is still an urgent clinical need to develop non-invasive diagnostic tests for early ischemic heart disease because, once angina occurs, it is too late. Hypocapnia has long been known to cause coronary artery vasoconstriction. Some new cardiology tests are accompanied by the claim that they must have potential diagnostic value if hypocapnia enhances their cardiac effects in healthy subjects. But no previous study has tested whether hypocapnia produces bigger cardiac effects in patients with angina than in healthy subjects. Methods: Severe hypocapnia (a PetCO2 level of 20 mmHg) lasting >15 min was mechanically induced by facemask, while conscious and unmedicated, in 18 healthy subjects and in 10 patients with angina and angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease, awaiting by-pass surgery. Each participant was their own control in normocapnia (where CO2 was added to the inspirate) and the order of normocapnia and hypocapnia was randomized. Twelve lead electrocardiograms (ECG) were recorded and automated measurements were made on all ECG waveforms averaged over >120 beats. 2D echocardiography was also performed on healthy subjects. Results: In the 18 healthy subjects, we confirm that severe hypocapnia (a mean PetCO2 of 20 ± 0 mmHg, P 0.05) on their electro- or echocardiogram. All 10 angina patients tolerated the mechanical hyperventilation well, with minimal discomfort. Hypocpania caused a similar increase in V1 (by 39%, P 0.05 vs. healthy controls) and did not induce angina. Its effects were no greater in patients who did not take β-blockers, or did not take organic nitrates, or had the worst Canadian Cardiovascular Society scores. Conclusion: Non-invasive mechanical hyperventilation while awake and unmedicated is safe and acceptable, even to patients with angina. Using it to produce severe and prolonged hypocapnia alone does produce significant ECG changes in angina patients. But its potential diagnostic value for identifying patients with coronary stenosis requires further evaluation

Levels and Potential Genotoxic Effects of Organohalogenated Contaminants in Seabird Eggs from Svalbard

Organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) have been detected in relative high levels in arctic seabirds and eggs and are of great concern due to their potential toxic effects. OHCs are incorporated into the eggs during egg formation and the avian embryo get exposed when it absorbs these contaminants together with albumen and yolk during development. Critical developmental processes occur at the same time, which makes the embryo extra sensitive and vulnerable to toxic effects. Assessing levels and toxic effects in eggs during avian embryo development is therefore important. The objective of the present study is to investigate the potential for OHC induced genotoxic effect in form of DNA double strand breaks (DNA DSB) in eggs from glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus), kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) and common eider (Somateria mollissima). 33 eggs from glaucous gull (n = 5), kittiwake (n = 11) and common eider (n = 17) were collected around the Ny-Ålesund archipelago. The blastodisc was analysed for DNA DSB by agarose gel electrophoresis where the migrated fraction of the total DNA (DNA-FTM) and median molecular length (MML) were quantified. Yolk and albumen were homogenized and analysed for 82 OHCs. Eggs from glaucous gull had the highest OHCs levels (Ʃ48OHC 726.98 ng/g ww) followed by eggs from kittiwake (Ʃ50OHC 608.61 ng/g ww) and common eider (Ʃ34OHC 45.07 ng/g ww). The pattern was similar in the species and consistent with previous studies. There were no significant differences in DNA-FTM or MML levels in eggs from the three species. For kittiwake and common eider eggs, no relationship was observed between egg volume and lipid content with OHCs, except for lipid with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in kittiwake. However, developmental stage showed a positive relationship with organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and PCBs in common eider eggs, but not in kittiwake. None of the biological variables showed a relationship with DNA-FTM or MML. Furthermore, a positive relationship was found between MML and OCPs and MML and Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in kittiwake eggs. Hence, a negative association between OHCs and DNA DSB. A possible explanation could be low OHCs levels in the blastodisc and an upregulation of the antioxidant defence system and repair systems. However, the mechanisms behind this negative relationship are unclear and repair systems, antioxidant defence, apoptosis and OHC levels in the embryo early in development should be further investigated

THE IDEA MODEL: DESIGNING EARTHQUAKE EARLY WARNING MESSAGES USING INSTRUCTIONAL RISK COMMUNICATION

The goal of risk communication is to inform people about the risks they face and to encourage them to take appropriate action in response to that threat. To achieve this goal, risk communication scholars continuously examine the messages surrounding crises and disasters, and engage in message-testing to evaluate theory-driven message designs. Recent communication scholarship recommends that messages should including instructing information (Coombs, 2012), and should take into consideration established pedagogy based on instructional communication research (Sellnow & Sellnow, 2010). This dissertation continues to build on research which applies instructional communication scholarship to risk communication messaging. Using message-testing, this dissertation examined the utility of the IDEA model a message design for earthquake early warnings

Decision-making and scalar biases in solar photovoltaics roll-out

Rapid roll-out of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is a key component of decarbonising energy systems. Yet clear risks are involved, including footprints from land use and infrastructure as well as socio-economic inequalities. Where are the critical decisions about solar roll-out made, by whom, and to what effect for justice? The paper reviews and synthesises emerging scholarship on solar PV roll-out, cross-sectoral aspects of this multi-scalar energy transition, and energy justice. We identify a trend of diverse scalar biases, and highlight considerable emerging research on risks of scalar injustice and the policy adjustments required to avoid them during rapid solar roll-out.publishedVersio

Promoting a positive campus climate for gay, lesbian, and bisexual college students

A review of the literature indicates that gay, lesbian, and bisexual students do not experience a positive campus climate while in college. Rather, statistics reveal that these students frequently contend with negative attitudes of others, discrimination, harassment, violence, rejection, isolation, and a lack of role models. This paper will attempt to define what the campus climate is currently like for gay, lesbian, and bisexual students and discuss strategies for promoting a positive campus climate. strategies for improving the campus climate include: comprehensively assessing campus climate; creating and supporting policies which are inclusive of sexual orientation; educating the campus community regarding homosexuality and bisexuality; providing resources on gay, lesbian, and bisexual issues; having gays, lesbians, and bisexuals represented in college and university faculty, staff, and administration; and becoming an ally with gays, lesbians, and bisexuals

Drivers of illegal garden waste dumping in Trondheim Municipality

Invasive alien plant species pose a significant threat to ecosystems globally, including those in Norway. One major pathway for their spread is from residential gardens, particularly through illegal dumping of garden waste. Despite its importance, research on the drivers of this behavior remains scarce, especially in Norway. This thesis aims at filling this gap by investigating the reasons leading to garden waste being dumped in green areas rather than delivered to approved waste facilities. This is done by analyzing data from a questionnaire conducted by Trondheim Municipality in 2023, on garden waste disposal behaviors and perceptions. The questionnaire reached 3728 recipients, of which 345 (9.3%) responded. The data was analyzed using a modified version of the Theory of Planned Behavior, employing chi-square tests and logistic regression. Additionally, an interview was conducted with representatives working within management of waste and invasive alien species in Trondheim, to gain insight into their perspectives and the challenges they face in preventing garden waste dumping. The findings revealed that knowledge about the negative consequences of garden waste dumping decreased the likelihood of such behavior, both directly and indirectly through attitudes. Attitudes were found to promote the use of appropriate waste disposal methods, with seeing the point of proper garden waste disposal and being content with the existing solutions being especially significant. The influence of neighbors dumping garden waste significantly increased the likelihood of individuals doing the same. Perceived behavioral control variables showed a weak association with garden waste dumping and using the municipal garden waste center. Surprisingly, for the municipal garden waste collection campaign, an increase in barriers led to increased use of the campaign, likely due to those with few barriers not using the campaign. The interview revealed that the main challenges of preventing garden waste dumping were related to uncertainty about which measures and disposal solutions would prove effective, difficulties with information dispersal, and practical obstacles in extending proper waste disposal solutions. The results indicate that increasing the knowledge among inhabitants, along with changing attitudes and targeting social norms, could be the most effective measures against garden waste dumpin