Congener Host Selection by the Pre-Dispersal Seed Predator, \u3ci\u3eApion Rostrum\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Apionidae)

Apion rostrum Say (Coleoptera: Apionidae) is the major seed predator of the wild indigo congeners, Baptisia alba and B. bracteata in the Russell Kirt Tallgrass Prairie, a reconstructed prairie located at College of DuPage, Illinois. This study, conducted during 2006, investigated factors attracting A. rostrum to each congener. The two Baptisia differ in developmental period, stature, and patterns of dispersion. B. bracteata flowers and initiates pods usually along a single raceme during late spring, and is a shorter plant that grows in clusters. In contrast, B. alba flowers and initiates pods beginning a month after B. bracteata, produces a tall central raceme with often several satellite racemes, and does not grow in dense clusters. Mating and ovipositing A. rostrum were observed on B. bracteata during the first half of June, and with greater abundance on B. alba from early June through mid July. Results of stepwise multiple regression showed a positive relationship of weevil counts per plant to raceme counts per cluster for B. bracteata and to inflated pod counts per plant for B. alba. The developmental synchrony between A. rostrum and pods of B. alba is evidence of a closer evolutionary relationship than the seed predator has with B. bracteata. This can explain the greater number of reproductive weevils seen on B. alba as well as the higher levels of pod infestations

Selective Pod Abortion by \u3ci\u3eBaptista Leucantha\u3c/i\u3e (Fabaceae) as Affected by a Curculionid Seed Predator, \u3ci\u3eApion Rostrum\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera)

The effect of a seed predator, Apion rostrum (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), on selective pod abortion from Baptisia leucantha (Fabaceae) was investigated in a restored tallgrass prairie plot. Weevil densities in and undamaged seed contents of attached and detached pods were compared over four occasions during the summer of 1993. Detached pods had similar to lower counts of weevils/pod and fewer seeds/pod than attached pods. Weevil density in pods appears only important in promoting pod abortIon through affects on seed number/pod as pods having fewer seeds are selectively aborted

Ant-Plant Relationships in a Re-Created Tallgrass Prairie

Relationships between the distributions of nesting ants and flora were investigated in a re-created tallgrass prairie located in northeastern Illinois. One-third of 167 randomly selected 1m2 quadrats in the prairie contained ant nests. Basal coverage of ground by tall grass shoots was greater in quadrats having ant nests than in those lacking ant nests. In addition, clumps of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) that were inhabited by the ant, Acanthomyops clavigera, had higher median rank densities than adjacent clumps lacking nests. The clumps also showed a negative correlation between big bluestem shoots/ cm2 and area occupied by the clump at ground level. These significant findings relating to the distribution of nesting ants and tall grasses indicate ants have ecologic importance in re-created prairie that warrants greater scrutiny among restoration scientists

Investigating the Ecology of the Mound-Building Ant, \u3ci\u3eAcanthomyops Claviger\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in Re-Created Prairie

Acanthomyops claviger (Roger) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) forms conspicuous mounds within clumps of big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii, and prairie dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepsis, within a re-created tallgrass prairie in northeastern Illinois. This study explored the ecology of the nesting ant in the recreated prairie regarding the persistence of colonies, soil characteristics, the growth of grass clumps, and the species richness of the surrounding flora. Persistence of nests over one year was positively correlated to the diameters of mounds created by the colonies. Differences in soil moisture at 10 cm depth were significant over a growing season between grass clumps having nests of A. claviger and those not. Soil temperature at 10 cm depth over a growing season, organic fraction of the soil, and above-ground oven-dried biomass of grasses did not significantly vary based on nest presence. Floral richness was significantly higher in the vicinity of A. claviger nests than where nests were absent. Benefits of the ant-grass relationship are unknown, although a commensalistic relationship is at least suggested by the location of nests in grass clumps. The presence of A. claviger nests appears to have a positive effect on the richness of the surrounding flora, possibly through soil tunneling and seed distribution

Congener Host Selection by the Pre-Dispersal Seed Predator, \u3ci\u3eApion Rostrum\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Apionidae)

Apion rostrum Say (Coleoptera: Apionidae) is the major seed predator of the wild indigo congeners, Baptisia alba and B. bracteata in the Russell Kirt Tallgrass Prairie, a reconstructed prairie located at College of DuPage, Illinois. This study, conducted during 2006, investigated factors attracting A. rostrum to each congener. The two Baptisia differ in developmental period, stature, and patterns of dispersion. B. bracteata flowers and initiates pods usually along a single raceme during late spring, and is a shorter plant that grows in clusters. In contrast, B. alba flowers and initiates pods beginning a month after B. bracteata, produces a tall central raceme with often several satellite racemes, and does not grow in dense clusters. Mating and ovipositing A. rostrum were observed on B. bracteata during the first half of June, and with greater abundance on B. alba from early June through mid July. Results of stepwise multiple regression showed a positive relationship of weevil counts per plant to raceme counts per cluster for B. bracteata and to inflated pod counts per plant for B. alba. The developmental synchrony between A. rostrum and pods of B. alba is evidence of a closer evolutionary relationship than the seed predator has with B. bracteata. This can explain the greater number of reproductive weevils seen on B. alba as well as the higher levels of pod infestations

Impact of the safener Mefenpyr-diethyl on herbicide resistance evolution in Alopecurus myosuroides (Huds.) biotypes

The evolution of herbicide resistance is an important topic in plant protection and agricultural practice. Safeners are commonly used in herbicides to protect crops against herbicidal damage. Although no effect on the weed control is expected, it has been theorized that the rate of evolution of non-target site resistance (NTSR) in weeds in cereals may be enhanced by use of herbicide products containing safeners. One of the most important safeners in cereals is mefenpyr-diethyl. Therefore, the possible influence of mefenpyr on herbicide resistance was studied in cooperative trials between Bayer CropScience (BCS, F-Hiichst) and FH Bingen. The trials tested in parallel different herbicide resistant black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides (Huds.)) biotypes under greenhouse conditions. The biotypes where chosen due to known NTSR against Atlantis WG" (4 highly resistant and 5 moderately resistant) as well as two susceptible biotypes. The populations were treated with the following three herbicide/safener regimes in six concentrations adjusted according to the anticipated biotype resistance levels. (1) mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron + without safener formulation, (2) mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron + constant mefenpyr concentration {45g/ha), (3) mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron + varying mefenpyr concentrations (ratio 5: 1: 15). The treatments were applied in post-emergence based on mesosulfuron to iodosulfuron ratios in Atlantis WG" (5:1 ). The trials were assessed visually (% effect) and by fresh weight. Dose-response curves were performed and EDso values for each treatment and biotype were calculated. Results showed a varying effect of safeners which was in the most cases negligible. Depending on the biotypes mostly no impact on the safener was found for herbicide resistance. In conclusion, the trials from Bingen and F-Hiichst gave evidence, that there is no significant and consistent influence of the safener mefenpyr on evolution of NTSR black-grass. Einfluss des Safeners Mefenpyr-diethyl auf die Entwicklung von Herbizidresistenz bei Alopecurus myosuroides (Huds.)-BiotypenEines der wichtigsten Themen im Bereich Pflanzenschutz im Ackerbau ist die Entwicklung von Herbizidresistenzen in Unkräutern. Safener werden gewöhnlich in Herbiziden verwendet, um die Kulturpflanze vor möglichen Schäden zu schützen, ohne die Wirksamkeit gegenüber den Unkräutern zu verringern. Allerdings besteht die Überlegung, dass die Verwendung von Herbiziden mit Safenern auch bei Ungräsern zu einer Veränderung des Herbizidabbaus führt und die Entwicklung von nicht-Zielartresistenzen (NTSR) begünstigen könnten. Da einer der wichtigsten Safener in Getreideherbiziden Mefenpyr-diethyl ist, wurde in der vorliegenden Studie der mögliche Einfluss von Mefenpyr auf die Herbizidresistenz bei Acker-Fuchsschwanz in einem Kooperationsversuch zwischen Bayer CropScience (BCS, F-Höchst) und der FH Bingen untersucht. Es wurden parallel an beiden Standorten Acker-Fuchsschwanzherkünfte (Alopecurus myosuroides (Huds.)) mit unterschiedlichen Herbizidresistenzen im Gewächshaus getestet. Die Auswahl der Herkünfte erfolgte anhand bekannter Resistenzen (NTSR) gegen Atlantis WG~ (4 stark resistente und 5 mittel resistente, sowie zwei sensitive Herkünfte). Es wurden drei verschiedene Herbizid-Safener Varianten in jeweils 6 Dosierungen, die an das Resistenzlevel der Herkünfte angepasst waren, getestet: (1) Mesosulfuron + lodosulfuron +ohne Safener Formulierung, (2) Mesosulfuron + lodosulfuron +konstant 45 g/ha Mefenpyr, (3) Mesosulfuron + Iodosulfuron + abgestufte Mefenpyr Konzentration im Verhältnis 5:1:15. Die Behandlungen wurden im Nachauflauf appliziert und basierten auf einem Mesosulfuron + Iodosulfuron Verhältnis von 5:1 (Atlantis WG* ). Die Versuche wurden visuell (% Wirkung) und anhand des Frischgewichts bonitiert. Dosis-Wirkungskurven und ED;o·Werte wurden für jede Behandlung und jede Herkunft berechnet. Die Ergebnisse zeigten einen variierenden Einfluss des Safeners auf die Herbizidresistenz der von der Acker-Fuchsschwanzherkunft abhing. In den meisten Fällen erwies sich der Safener Einfluss als nicht groß. Somit konnten die Versuche in F-Höchst und Bingen zeigen, dass kein signifikanter und übergreifender Einfluss des Safeners Mefenpyr auf die NichtZielortresistenz bei Acker-Fuchsschwanz besteht

Ant-Plant Relationships in a Re-Created Tallgrass Prairie

Relationships between the distributions of nesting ants and flora were investigated in a re-created tallgrass prairie located in northeastern Illinois. One-third of 167 randomly selected 1m2 quadrats in the prairie contained ant nests. Basal coverage of ground by tall grass shoots was greater in quadrats having ant nests than in those lacking ant nests. In addition, clumps of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) that were inhabited by the ant, Acanthomyops clavigera, had higher median rank densities than adjacent clumps lacking nests. The clumps also showed a negative correlation between big bluestem shoots/ cm2 and area occupied by the clump at ground level. These significant findings relating to the distribution of nesting ants and tall grasses indicate ants have ecologic importance in re-created prairie that warrants greater scrutiny among restoration scientists

Improving Healthcare in Remote Environments Via a New Integrated, Online Communication Platform

International SOS delivers integrated medical solutions to remote and extreme remote onshore and offshore projects worldwide, using highly trained and experienced medics with a robust system of protocols, procedures and clear escalation criteria to our Topside support centres.  To enable improved medical escalations from the remote sites, we have developed a customised, online communication tool called the Digital Topside Platform (DTP).  The system was designed to allow simplified telemedical interaction, improved data security, and enable integrated patient care from initial presentation to return to work, with a focus on managing the case on-site, and patient confidentiality. The design process included a focus on user experience and workflow optimisation, and an iterative development methodology.  The system includes multiple components including:  management dashboards, interoperability with existing case management systems, messaging, video and file transfer features, and case data including medical and contextual information via a mix of auto-populated and manual entry data points.  The solution was designed for non-urgent cases, which represents >80% of case escalation volume. Initial deployment of the solution to offshore oil rigs in West Africa and the Intl.SOS Johannesburg Response Centre has demonstrated four key improvements over baseline data. A preliminary analysis of our data shows that 70-80% of the case escalations use the system, demonstrating a high rate of user adoption. The improvements shown were: (1) reduced need for urgent medical evacuation for non-life threatening conditions; (2) increased adherence to evidence based guidelines via more efficient clinical governance processes; (3) faster escalation processes via profile management and system integration; and (4) early escalation of work related injury cases resulting in reduced time off work.  Based on evidence to date, the system facilitates improved healthcare management for patients in the remote offshore environment.  The system continues to be deployed to additional sites and regions globally, which will generate a statistically significant dataset for further evaluation

Linus Pauling's Molecular Models and the Stories that they Tell

An essay reflecting on the collection of molecular models held in the Ava Helen and Linus Pauling Papers, with particular mention made of specific models about which amusing or insightful anecdotes are known. Reference is made to Pauling's involvement in the development of CPK models; his use of models in lecture; his development of a quick method for creating models using marbles and balloons; and the ways in which the OSU Libraries Special Collections built upon Pauling's legacy by creating models of their own that depict early crystal structures that Pauling solved during his years at Caltech