A distributional checklist of the spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) of Florida

The Florida fauna of Pompilidae is investigated and a total of 115 species are recorded. Among them, 30 are new records for the state. The species and subspecies are presented by subfamily and tribe accompanied by county-based distributional accounts for each of the lower taxa.Se investiga la fauna de Pompilidae de Florida, reportándose un total de 115 especies. De estas, 30 especies son nuevos registros para el estado. Se presenta la subfamilia y tribu correspondiente a las especies y subespecies. La distribución en condados se enumera para los taxones de más bajo rango

Existence as Economy and as Charity

Antonio Caso, “La existencia como economía y como caridad” (1916). Translated with Jose G. Rodriguez Jr. as “Existence as Economy and as Charity,” in 20th Century Mexican Philosophy: Essential Readings, eds. Carlos Alberto Sánchez and Robert Eli Sanchez, Jr. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2017)

Considerations about effective dissemination of improved fish strains

Aquaculture production systems in developing countries are largely based on the use of unimproved species and strains. As knowledge and experience are accumulated in relation to the management, feeding and animal health issues of such production systems, the availability of genetically more productive stock becomes imperative in order to more effectively use resources. For instance, there is little point in providing ideal water conditions and optimum feed quality to fish that do not have the potential to grow faster and to be harvested on time, providing a product of the desired quality. Refinements in the production system and improvement of the stock used must progress hand in hand. In this paper we deal separately with genetic and non-genetic issues pertaining to the multiplication and dissemination of improved strains. The separation is somewhat arbitrary, and as will be evident from our discussion, there is frequent interaction between the two

Using Remote Access for Sharing Experiences in a Machine Design Laboratory

A new Machine Design Laboratory at Marquette University has been created to foster student exploration and promote “hands-on” and “minds-on” learning. Laboratory experiments have been developed to give students practical experiences and expose them to physical hardware, actual tools, and design challenges. Students face a range of real-world tasks: identify and select components, measure parameters (dimensions, speed, force), distinguish between normal and used (worn) components and between proper and abnormal behavior, reverse engineer systems, and justify design choices. The experiments serve to motivate the theory, spark interest, and promote discovery learning in the subject of machine design. This paper presents details of the experiments in the Machine Design Laboratory and then explores the feasibility of sharing some of the experiences with students at other institutions through remote access technologies. The paper proposes steps towards achieving this goal and raises issues to be addressed for a pilot-study offering machine design experiences to students globally who have access to the internet

Gyne and drone production in bombus atratus (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

For over a decade, our research group has studied the biology of the native bumblebee, Bombus atratus, to investigate the feasibility of using it to pollinate crops such as tomato, strawberry, blackberry and peppers. Traditionally, captive breeding has depended on the use of captured wild queens to initiate the colonies. The goal of the current work is to investigate conditions required to produce new queens and drones in captivity. In this study, 31 colonies were evaluated under either greenhouse or open field conditions over a 15 month period. A total of 1492 drones (D) and 737 gynes (G, i.e., virgin queens) were produced by all colonies, with 16 colonies producing both drones and gynes (D&G), 11 producing only drones (D) and 4 producing neither. Some of the D&G colonies had more than one sexual phase, but no colonies produced exclusively gynes. More drones and fewer gynes were produced per colony under greenhouse conditions with the highest number of drones produced by D&G colonies. The numbers of immature stages per cell declined in colonies as increasingly more resources were allocated to the production of gynes and the maintenance of increased nest temperature

Healing the Scars

We live in a Kleenex society. What I mean by this is that everything is, or is in danger of becoming, disposable. We simply take what we need and like a tissue toss it aside when we\u27ve exhausted its use. We have come to believe that no matter our actions nature will eventually heal itself. Showing the world the impact industrialization has had on the natural world can lead us as a society to become aware of our Kleenex mentality. My site, Bellwood Quarry here in Atlanta, is currently proposed to be the largest park and water reservoir in the city. The history of Bellwood Quarry is a dark one, masked in the recent plans of making it Atlanta’s largest public park. If you can get past the endless results of park proposals you will find that this quarry is not only a scar on the earth but also a scar in Atlanta’s history. This quarry, when it was established, was a means to continue slavery after the conclusion of the civil war through prison labor camps. Unsatisfactory work resulted in physical punishment, attempting to escape meant longer sentences, and the living conditions were abysmal. This practice lasted nearly 60 years until the quarry was sold to a private owner when controversy started in regards to the labor camps. My investigation will provide the framework which will allow the quarry to go beyond just a project coated in vanity and will instead raise awareness of the past and of the relationship we should hold towards the natural world. I will investigate how to re-purpose natural landscapes, specifically rock quarries, deeply traumatized by man in order to give back to the earth from which so much has been taken. My project will attempt to inform people of the history of this quarry and to make them aware of not only the ethical responsibility we all have when collecting natural resources but also of the ethical responsibility architects have when responding to these types of sites. I will design an immersive and interactive museum to not only showcase the history of this site but to also involve those who visit. This immersion will have the potential of creating a social change in how we source materials and deal with the past. Let us start a change. Leave the Kleenex in the box and become aware of our actions

Mechatronics Application to Solar Tracking

The purpose of this was to design and implement a two-axis solar tracking system utilizing the National Instruments C-Rio real time controller. In order to accomplish this a prototype was modeled in CAD. This prototype used two 12 V DC motors to change a solar panel\u27s rotation and tilt based on feedback data from three cadmium sulfide photoresistors. This configuration was chosen for its ability to create both a left-right rotational and an up/down tilt differential. In Addition this approach uses National Instruments Labview to control a solar tracking system. Using Labview add uniqueness to this project by adding a graphical programming approach instead of conventional text based coding. Solar collection data was taken for seven days. During the energy collection performed on the first day and the second day the sensitivity was calibrated for outdoor conditions. The results have shown that a 28% increase in energy collected with solar tracking, however due to the energy demands of C- Rio controller and motors the net energy gains were less than a stationary collector. This project has resulted in a working solar tracking prototype. With a few design modifications an upgrade to this system may prove useful in future research. With the growing complexity of technology, interest in mechatronics will continue to develop requiring further research will be necessary. Therefore, this project provides Purdue University with demonstration prototype in the up and coming field of mechatronics

A study of conduction mechanisms in thin tantalum pentoxide

A study was made of electronic conduction mechanisms in thin tantalum oxide films anodically formed on sputtered beta tantalum