\u3ci\u3eChrysobothris rugosiceps\u3c/i\u3e Melsheimer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) found in Washington state

Chrysobothris rugosiceps Melsheimer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is reported from Washington State from a single specimen caught in a Lindgren funnel trap. Clearly this represents an exotic to the region, as the closest known occurrence of this native U.S.A. species is in the Dakotas

Predators associated with hemlock woolly adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) infested western hemlock in the Pacific Northwest.

The hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae, is causing widespread mortality of eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis, in the eastern United States. In the West, A. tsugae causes negligible damage to western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla. Host tolerance traits and presence of endemic predators may be contributing to the relative tolerance of western hemlock to A. tsugae. Field surveys of the predator community associated with A. tsugae infestations on 116 T. heterophylla at 16 locations in Oregon and Washington were conducted every four to six weeks from March 2005 through November 2006. Predators collected from A. tsugae infested T. heterophylla represent 55 species in 14 families, listed in order of abundance: Derodontidae, Chamaemyiidae, Hemerobiidae, Coccinellidae, Cantharidae, Reduviidae, Miridae, Syrphidae, Chrysopidae, Coniopterygidae, Staphylinidae, Anthocoridae, Nabidae, and Raphidiidae. Laricobius nigrinus (Derodontidae), Leucopis argenticollis, and Leucopis atrifacies (Chamaemyiidae) are the most abundant predators; together comprising 59% of predator specimens recovered. The abundance of derodontid larvae, L. nigrinus adults, chamaemyiid larvae, and L. argenticollis adults was found to be positively correlated to A. tsugae density. The remaining 52 species represent a diverse complex of predators potentially attacking A. tsugae. However, many are known to feed on non-adelgid prey. Predators were most abundant when the two generations of A. tsugae eggs were present. The phenology of immature and adult predators suggests temporal partitioning of prey across all seasons. Fifteen predator species were either reared from larvae to adult on a diet of A. tsugae in the laboratory or were observed feeding on A. tsugae. L. argenticollis and L. atrifacies were reared on A. tsugae in the laboratory and host records show them to feed exclusively on Adelgidae. Both species should be investigated as candidates for A. tsugae biological control in eastern North America

Connexin-43 in the osteogenic BM niche regulates its cellular composition and the bidirectional traffic of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors

Connexin-43 (Cx43), a gap junction protein involved in control of cell proliferation, differentiation and migration, has been suggested to have a role in hematopoiesis. Cx43 is highly expressed in osteoblasts and osteogenic progenitors (OB/P). To elucidate the biologic function of Cx43 in the hematopoietic microenvironment (HM) and its influence in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) activity, we studied the hematopoietic function in an in vivo model of constitutive deficiency of Cx43 in OB/P. The deficiency of Cx43 in OB/P cells does not impair the steady state hematopoiesis, but disrupts the directional trafficking of HSC/progenitors (Ps) between the bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB). OB/P Cx43 is a crucial positive regulator of transstromal migration and homing of both HSCs and progenitors in an irradiated microenvironment. However, OB/P Cx43 deficiency in nonmyeloablated animals does not result in a homing defect but induces increased endosteal lodging and decreased mobilization of HSC/Ps associated with proliferation and expansion of Cxcl12-secreting mesenchymal/osteolineage cells in the BM HM in vivo. Cx43 controls the cellular content of the BM osteogenic microenvironment and is required for homing of HSC/Ps in myeloablated animal

Secularization, Union Formation Practices, and Marital Stability: Evidence from Italy

Descriptive statistics indicate that civil marriages and marriages preceded by premarital cohabitation are more unstable, i.e., more frequently followed by divorce. However, the literature has shown that selectivity plays an important role in the relationship between premarital cohabitation and union dissolution. We do not have evidence to date regarding the selectivity in the effect of civil marriage. The Italian case appears particularly interesting given the recent diffusion of premarital cohabitation and civil marriage. Using micro-level data from a national-level representative survey conducted in 2003, we develop a multiprocess model that allows unobserved heterogeneity to be correlated across the three decisions (premarital cohabitation, civil marriage, and divorce). Our results show that selectivity is the main factor that explains the higher divorce rates among those who experience premarital cohabitation and a civil marriage. Net of selectivity, the causal effect on union dissolution disappears

Nothing Lasts Forever: Environmental Discourses on the Collapse of Past Societies

The study of the collapse of past societies raises many questions for the theory and practice of archaeology. Interest in collapse extends as well into the natural sciences and environmental and sustainability policy. Despite a range of approaches to collapse, the predominant paradigm is environmental collapse, which I argue obscures recognition of the dynamic role of social processes that lie at the heart of human communities. These environmental discourses, together with confusion over terminology and the concepts of collapse, have created widespread aporia about collapse and resulted in the creation of mixed messages about complex historical and social processes

\u3ci\u3eChrysobothris rugosiceps\u3c/i\u3e Melsheimer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) found in Washington state

Chrysobothris rugosiceps Melsheimer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is reported from Washington State from a single specimen caught in a Lindgren funnel trap. Clearly this represents an exotic to the region, as the closest known occurrence of this native U.S.A. species is in the Dakotas