The Egg of \u3ci\u3eStylogaster Neglecta\u3c/i\u3e Williston (Diptera: Conopidae)

Adults of both sexes and the previously unknown eggs of the parasitoid conopid fly Stylogaster neglecta Williston are illustrated and measurements are provided, including the total clutch size and the lengths and widths of eggs from random samples

Does a loaded warm-up influence jump asymmetry and badminton-specific change of direction performance?

Purpose: Previously, it has been shown that loaded warm-up (LWU) can improve change of direction speed (CODS) in professional badminton players. However, the effect of asymmetry on CODS in badminton players and the influence of LWU on asymmetry has not been examined. Methods: Twenty-one amateur badminton players (age: 29.5 ± 8.4; playing experience: 8.4 ± 4.2 years) completed two trials. In the first, they performed a control warm-up (CWU). In the second, they performed the same warm-up but with three exercises loaded with a weight vest (LWU). Following both warm-ups, players completed single leg jump (SLCMJ) and badminton-specific CODS tests. Results: No significant differences between CWU and LWU were observed for CODS, SLCMJ or SLCMJ asymmetry. However, small effect sizes suggested faster CODS (mean difference: -5%; d = -0.32) and lower asymmetries (mean difference: -3%; d = -0.39) following LWU. Five players (24%) experienced CODS improvements greater than the minimum detectable change whilst two (10%) responded negatively. Asymmetry was not correlated with CODS following CWU (ρ = 0.079; p = 0.733) but was negatively associated with CODS after LWU (ρ = -0.491; p = 0.035). Conclusion: LWU may prove a strategy to trial on an individual basis but generic recommendations should not be applied

Book Reviews

Reviews of the following books: The Voyage of Archangell: James Rosier\u27s Account of the Waymouth Voyage of 1605, A True Relation by James Rosier; Bates Through the Years: An Illustrated History by Charles E. Clark; New England\u27s Covered Bridges: A Complete Guide by Benjamin D. and June R. Evans; Styles Bridges: Yankee Senator by James J. Kieppe

HSB 84A pumping test

Two constant discharge, multiple well pumping tests were performed in the Congaree aquifer at the H-Area seepage basins during the weeks of April 30 through May 11. The purpose of the tests was to collect information that might determine the source of groundwater contamination in the Congaree aquifer and to estimate the hydraulic parameters of the aquifer. Transmissivity estimates from data collected in Test One ranged from 1,644 ft{sup 2}/day to 2,253 ft{sup 2}/day with an average of 2,013 ft{sup 2}/day and from 1,812 ft{sup 2}/day to 2,562 ft{sup 2}/day with an average of 2,269 ft{sup 2}/day in Test Two. Some leakage through the confining bed was apparent in the vicinity of observation well HSB 69A. This report includes the data collected, the analyses, results and interpretation of the pumping tests performed at HSB 84A. It should serve as a good baseline for future studies on the subject of contaminant migration in the Congaree aquifer on the Savannah River Site

Book Reviews

Review of Sea Struck. By W.H. Bunting (Gardiner,Maine: Tilbury House, 2004. Pp. xvi+366.Maps, photographs, notes, index. $30.00)

A note on positive energy of topologically massive gravity

I review how "classical SUGRA" embeddability establishes positive energy E for D=3 topologically massive gravity (TMG), with or without a cosmological term, a procedure familiar from D=4 Einstein gravity (GR). It also provides explicit expressions for E. In contrast to GR, E is not manifestly positive, due to the peculiar two-term nature of TMG.Comment: 7 page

Molecular gas temperature and density in spiral galaxies

We combine beam-matched CO-13, CO-12 J = 3 yields 2 and J = 2 yields 1 line data to infer the molecular gas excitation conditions in the central 500 to 1600 pc diameters of a small sample of infrared-bright external galaxies: NGC253, IC342, M 83, Maffei 2, and NGC6946. Additional observations of the J = 1 yields 0 lines of C-18O and CO-13 set limits on the opacity of the CO-13 J = 1 yields 0 line averaged over the central kiloparsec of these spiral galaxies

Exploring the views of students on the use of Facebook in university teaching and learning

Facebook use among students is almost ubiquitous; however, its use for formal academic purposes remains contested. Through an online survey monitoring student use of module Facebook pages and focus groups, this study explores students’ current academic uses of Facebook and their views on using Facebook within university modules. Students reported using Facebook for academic purposes, notably peer–peer communication around group work and assessment – a use not always conceptualised by students as learning. Focus groups revealed that students are not ready or equipped for the collaborative style of learning envisaged by the tutor and see Facebook as their personal domain, within which they will discuss academic topics where they see a strong relevance and purpose, notably in connection with assessment. Students use Facebook for their own mutually defined purposes and a change in student mind- and skill-sets is required to appropriate the collaborative learning benefits of Facebook in formal educational contexts