The Effects of Different Diets and Transgenerational Stress on Acyrthosiphon pisum Development.

Despite the fact that sap-feeding hemipterans are major agricultural pests, little is known about the pea aphid's (Acyrthosiphon pisum) nymphal development, compared to other insect models. Given our limited understanding of A. pisum nymphal development and variability in the naming/timing of its developmental events between different environmental conditions and studies, here, we address developmental knowledge gaps by elucidating how diet impacts A. pisum nymphal development for the LSR1 strain when it develops on its universal host plant (Vicia faba), isolated leaves, and artificial diet. Moreover, we test how plant age and transgenerational stressors, such as overcrowding and low plant vigor, can affect nymphal development. We also validate a morphological method to quickly confirm the life stage of each nymphal instar within a mixed population. Overall, we found extremely high variation in the timing of developmental events and a significant delay in nymphal (~5-25-h/instar) and pre-reproductive adult (~40-h) development when reared on isolated leaves and artificial diets, compared to intact host plants. Also, delays in development were observed when reared on older host plants (~9-17-h/event, post 2nd instar) or when previous generations were exposed to overcrowding on host plants (~20-h delay in nymph laying) compared to controls

Disturbance of cytokine networks in Sjögren's syndrome

The difficulty in predicting the consequences of interactions between different cytokine networks has increased with the expansion of the T helper (Th) cell universe and the discovery of numerous B lymphocyte-derived cytokines. Consequently, it is now difficult to conceptualize a straightforward view of the contribution of these disturbances to the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Th1 cells, which produce interferon-γ and IL-2, and Th17 cells, which make IL-17 and TNF-α, have been cast in the leading roles of the play. However, the complex role of T-cell subsets in SS is accentuated by the reciprocal effects of Th17 cells and regulatory T cells found in salivary glands of SS patients. Furthermore, B lymphocyte polarization into type-1 B effector (Be1) and Be2 cells and B-cell modulating factors of the TNF family, most notably the B-cell-activating factor (BAFF), and their prominent role in SS are additional complicating factors. Whereas Th17 cells orchestrate autoreactive germinal centers, local BAFF would repress the generation of Th17 cells. Such new insights into interconnected cytokines in primary SS may lead to new treatments for these patients

Topography of thin films containing Ni-Ga intermetallic compounds formed on GaN(0001)

Studies, carried out in situ by scanning tunneling microscope (STM), on the topography of thin films containing Ni-Ga intermetallic compounds are presented in this report. It is shown that conditions of the film preparation influence size and shape of 3-D formations constituted of the compounds. The films are formed in two ways. The first one in which pre-deposited at room temperature Ni film is annealed at 650 ºC, and the second one where Ni is evaporated directly onto the substrate kept at 650 ºC. Films obtained by using the second procedure should be more suitable for catalytic applications. Grains of the compounds formed in these films do not show tendency for coalescence and are more strongly dispersed in contrary to the grains formed in the films obtained by using first procedure

The Influence of School Context Factors on the Induction Support as Perceived by Newly Qualified Teachers

This study explores the relationship between school demographic characteristics and the amount of provided induction activities, as perceived by beginning teachers (BTs), with special attention for Professional Development Schools and non-Professional Development Schools. The aim is to provide information that is useful to improve induction arrangements to particular school contexts. Data were collected in a Dutch national induction program in which qualified BTs are supported in their first 3 years of professional practice. The support monitor measures multiple induction activities with regard to the implementation of workload reduction, school enculturation, professional development plans and lessons support. 1,670 BTs working in 195 schools reported on these activities. Linear regression analyses revealed that less induction activities were associated with schools with multiple locations, more enrolled students and number of BTs employed, and with schools with older male teaching staff. No significant differences were found between the amount of support perceived by BTs in PDSs and non-PDSs. Yet school characteristics revealed stronger predictive values for the amount of support provided in non-PDS settings. These insights are relevant for mapping school differences in induction arrangements in order to enhance the equity of support across schools to assure the development of teaching skills of BTs