Data and Theory on the Spatial Ecology of an Insect-Baculovirus Interaction Across Scales

Spatial structure influences ecological interactions but it is not well understood how ecological interactions drive spatial patterns across scales of observation. We combined spatial models at two scales to understand how spatial patterning results from host-pathogen interactions in the Douglas-fir tussock moth, \textit{Orgyia pseudotsugata}, and what the consequences of spatial structure are for transmission rates and host heterogeneity. We first combine spatial infection rate data from multiple tussock moth populations with spatial transmission models to understand how limited dispersal drives pathogen dynamics and informs the extent of insect tree damage. We then assess how tree damage patterns observed at larger spatial scales can be explained by eco-evolutionary dynamics over longer time frames. We found that locally, patchy pathogen distributions generate hotspots of transmission that shape overall pathogen dynamics and increase the severity of tree damage caused by Douglas-fir tussock moth larvae. We observed that this spatial structure constitutes the majority of infection risk variation, but that accounting for the heritable proportion of infection risk variation in eco-evolutionary models was necessary to explain the accelerating waves of multiple interacting \textit{O. pseudotsugata} populations over larger spatial scales. Therefore, both small-scale diffusion between trees and heritable host infection risk are important for determining the intensity and location of insect outbreaks at meta-population scales. Our research, founded in model comparisons that confront theory with data, represents a novel synthesis on Douglas-fir tussock moth disease ecology at two spatial scales and provides insight into general host-pathogen theory for understanding pathogen dynamics in nature

THE LEVELS OF FORMATION OF UKRAINIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' PERSONAL SELF-DETERMINATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Purpose: The article defines the levels of formation of the culture of personal self-determination of students of Ukrainian higher education institutions, namely, the formation of culture. This study uses the functional model to emphasize that self-determined behaviors must be defined within the context of the purpose or utility of such behavior for the student. Methodology: Analyze the process of developing students' self-confidence in its social perspective on the basics of Ukrainian education using questionnaires, tests and surveys. The examination included 348 understudies from the control (178 people) and trial (170 people) gatherings and the confirmation phase of the analysis was held at three colleges. Result: Diagnosis and analysis showed the reasons for the low and middle levels of the formation of the culture of personal self-determination of students because there is no clear definition in the content, forms and methods of work. In general, the distribution of students by the levels of effectiveness of life assignments will be illustrated. Applications: This research can be used for the universities, teachers, and students. This qualitative study used a participatory action approach (focus group) to evaluate the perception of teachers, youth and parents of diverse ethnicities with regard to cultural influences on self-determination. Eight groups consisted of youth only, eight of parents only and four groups of teachers only. Novelty/Originality: In this research, the model of the Ukrainian University Students' Self-Determination: Culture Formation Aspect is presented in a comprehensive and complete manner. Also, the main originality used in this study is in the case studies investigated. The cases were students who are the autonomous adolescences among all classified different age groups

Superconducting joining of melt-textured Y-Ba-Cu-O bulk material

The Tm-Ba-Cu-O solder can be successfully used to produce a superconductive joint between MT-YBCO parts. The peculiarities of solidification, phase formation, structure transformations and electromagnetic properties of MT-YBCO soldered with TmBa2Cu3O7-d are discussed.Comment: PS of 6 pages text and 5 figures, presented at ICMC'2000, Brasi

Evolution of the Velocity Ellipsoids in the Thin Disk of the Galaxy and the Radial Migration of Stars

Data from the revised Geneva--Copenhagen catalog are used to study the influence of radial migration of stars on the age dependences of parameters of the velocity ellipsoids for nearby stars in the thin disk of the Galaxy, assuming that the mean radii of the stellar orbits remain constant. It is demonstrated that precisely the radial migration of stars, together with the negative metallicity gradient in the thin disk,are responsible for the observed negative correlation between the metallicities and angular momenta of nearby stars, while the angular momenta of stars that were born at the same Galactocentric distances do not depend on either age or metallicity. (abridged)Comment: Astronomy Reports, Vol. 86 No. 9, P.1117-1126 (2009

Quantum dissociation of a vortex-antivortex pair in a long Josephson junction

We report a theoretical analysis and experimental observation of the quantum dynamics of a single vortex-antivortex (VAV) pair confined in a long narrow annular Josephson junction. The switching of the junction from the superconducting state to the resistive state occurs via the dissociation of a pinned VAV pair. The pinning potential is controlled by external magnetic field $H$ and dc bias current $I$. We predict a specific magnetic field dependence of the oscillatory energy levels of the pinned VAV state and the crossover to a {\it macroscopic quantum tunneling} mechanism of VAV dissociation at low temperatures. Our analysis explains the experimentally observed {\it increase} of the width of the switching current distribution $P(I)$ with $H$ and the crossover to the quantum regime at the temperature of about 100 mK.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

CHARACTERISTICS OF IMMUNE RESPONSE UNDER EXPERIMENTAL MODELS OF ACID BURNS OF THE ESOPHAGUS

It is well known that the immune system is actively involved in the regeneration and healing process of burn wounds. However, unanswered questions remain about the role of humoral immunity in the mechanisms of healing and complications of burn wounds. We have developed an experimental model of the acid burns of the esophagus (ABE) corresponding esophageal burns in children 1-8 years. We studied the features of humoral immunity in rats with AВE, with the observed reduction of IgG and increase levels of medium and low circulating immune complexes (CIC) on the first day after the burn of the esophagus. On 21st day after the burn, we observed an increase in the concentration of IgG and a slight accumulation of medium- and low-CIC. Studied indicators can be used for the differentiation of ABE