Could natural selection change the geographic range limits of light brown apple moth (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) in North America?

We artificially selected for increased freeze tolerance in the invasive light brown apple moth. Our results suggest that, by not accounting for adaptation to cold, current models of potential geographic distributions could underestimate the areas at risk of exposure to this species

THE DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL CHELATES FOR THE PRECIPITATION OF MERCURY

Mercury has been an element of great industrial importance since early times.This wide utilization of the element has led to pervasive mercury contamination in theglobal environment. Due to mercury\u27s high toxicity, this is a matter of great concern. Anumber of methods, includ ing phytoremediation, filtration, and precipitation/chelation,have been investigated to remove mercury from the environment. Unfortunately, thesemethods are not entirely satisfactory for the in-situ remediation of mercury from aqueousenvironments.The hypothesis of this dissertation is that this can best be accomplished by theaddition of a large and flexible sulfur-based chelate, that will bind mercury in atetracoordinate and presumably tetrahedral environment, to mercury-contaminatedwaters. Although this proved difficult due to the tendency of these ligands to decomposeinto smaller, sulfur-containing rings, the synthesis and characterization of such a chelatewas achieved. Several potential mercury-binding ligands were eventually synthesizedsignificant amounts of mercury (91-100%) from the contaminated solutions, in one caselowering the mercury levels in the water to below the CVAF detection limits. Theresulting solids lost little (andlt;15 ppb) of their mercury during leaching studies.This work demonstrates the use of tetradentate chelates in precipating Hg2+ fromwater to produce stable mercury- ligand precipitates. A calculation for the quantification ofthe geometry of a four-coordinate compound was also developed and applied to aluminum,gallium, and mercury compounds. This calculation could also be applied to the mercurycompounds described in this thesis once X-ray structures become availabl

Rovibrational Resonance Effects In Collision-Induced Electronic Energy Transfer: I2(E,v=0-2)+CF4

Collisions of I-2 in the E(0(g)(+)) electronic state with CF4 molecules induce electronic energy transfer to the nearby D, beta, and D-\u27 ion-pair states. Simulations of dispersed fluorescence spectra reveal collision-induced electronic energy transfer rate constants and final vibrational state distributions within each final electronic state. In comparison with earlier reports on I-2(upsilon(E)=0-2) collisions with He or Ar atoms, we find markedly different dynamics when I-2, excited to the same rovibronic states, collides with CF4. Final vibrational state distributions agree with the associated Franck-Condon factors with the initially prepared state to a greater degree than those found with He or Ar collision partners and suggest that internal degrees of freedom in the CF4 molecule represent a substantial means for accepting the accompanying loss of I-2 vibronic energy. Comparison of the E -\u3e D transfer of I-2 excited to the J=23 and J=55 levels of the upsilon(E)=0 state reveals the onset of specific, nonstatistical dynamics as the available energy is increased above the threshold for excitation of the low frequency nu(2) bending mode of CF4. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics

Evaluation of melanin-targeted radiotherapy in combination with radiosensitizing drugs for the treatment of melanoma

The incidence of malignant melanoma is rising faster than that of any other cancer in the United States. An [131I]-labeled benzamide - [131I]MIP-1145 - selectively targets melanin, reduces melanoma tumor burden and increases survival in preclinical models. Our purpose was to determine the potential of radiosensitizers to enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of [131I]MIP-1145. Melanotic (A2058) and amelanotic (A375 and SK-N-BE(2c)) cells were treated with [131I]MIP-1145 as a single agent or in combination with drugs with radiosenitizing potential. Cellular uptake of [131I]MIP-1145 and toxicity were assessed in monolayer culture. The interaction between radiosensitizers and [131I]MIP-1145 was evaluated by combination index analysis in monolayer cultures and by delayed growth of multicellular tumor spheroids. [131I]MIP-1145 was taken up by and was toxic to melanotic cells but not amelanotic cells. Combination treatments comprising [131I]MIP-1145 with the topoisomerase inhibitor topotecan or the PARP-1 inhibitor AG014699 resulted in synergistic clonogenic cell kill and enhanced delay of the growth of spheroids derived from melanotic melanoma cells. The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib had no synergistic cytotoxic effect with [131I]MIP-1145 and failed to enhance the delay of spheroid growth. Following combination treatment of amelanotic cells, neither synergistic clonogenic cell kill nor enhanced growth delay of spheroids was observed

Determinants and strategies for physical activity maintenance in chronic health conditions: a qualitative study

Background: Physical activity is promoted to help adults manage chronic health conditions, but evidence suggests that individuals relapse after intervention cessation. The objective of this study was to explore the determinants and strategies for successful and unsuccessful physical activity maintenance. Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with 32 participants. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 20 successful and 12 unsuccessful maintainers. Adults with chronic health conditions were recruited having completed a physical activity referral scheme six months before study commencement. The IPAQ and SPAQ were used to categorize participants according to physical activity status. Data were analyzed using framework analysis. Results: Eleven main themes emerged: 1) outcome expectations, 2) experiences, 3) core values, 4) trial and error, 5) social and practical support, 6) attitudes towards physical activity, 7) environmental barriers, 8) psychological barriers, 9) physical barriers, 10) Cognitive-behavioral strategies for physical activity self-management (e.g., self-monitoring), and, 11) condition management (e.g., pacing). Conclusions: The findings identified determinants and strategies for successful maintenance and highlighted the processes involved in physical activity disengagement. Such findings can guide the development of physical activity maintenance interventions and increase activity engagement over the long-term in adults with chronic health conditions

Role of self-efficacy, locus of control, and intellectual ability in guided self-help for depression, anxiety and stress

Objectives. To see whether a cognitive behavioural guided self-help approach can reduce mental health symptoms, which patients might benefit most, and whether such a treatment increases self-efficacy and internal locus of control. Design. Repeated measures and correlational designs were used. Methods. 173 patients were recruited at a cognitive behavioural guided self-help clinic in Edinburgh, of which 97 completed the three-session intervention. Verbal IQ was estimated with the National Adult Reading Test (NART). Measures of emotional symptoms, self-efficacy and locus of control were taken before and after treatment, with follow-up at one month and six months. Results. Patients completing the intervention made favourable gains, which were maintained at six months. Self-efficacy and locus of control measures were not robustly correlated with mental health improvement, but did show pre- to posttreatment changes in themselves. Conclusions. Guided self-help appears to be a useful treatment option for those with depression, anxiety and stress. The implications of the findings, the strengths and limitations of the study, and areas for future research are discussed

The Progression of A Cappella Music in the Early Church

This research presentation aims to show the progression of a cappella music throughout the history of the early church. This progression will be demonstrated through in depth research on the style of music in the early church. There will also be an exploration of the forms used in the compositions. Along with these, the use of the music in the church will be studied and explained. This examination will be solidified through the performance of multiple musical examples. These sacred songs span the 15th and 16th centuries and show the breadth of musical writings during this time. These musical examples will also demonstrate the influences of the composers on their sacred songs. Such composers as Sweelinck and Palestrina will be included. Transitioning from monophony to homophony and then to polyphony, this presentation will show the complexities that enriched the worship experience of the people during this time. The intention of this presentation is to show the development of musical composition and the influence this had on the church