Stability of structural rings under uniformly distributed radial loads

Energy method analysis establishes parameters governing stability of circular rings acted upon by constant, uniformly distributed loads. Energy method is used so that nonlinear behavior of structure before buckling can be accounted for. Method affords conceptually superior basis for analyzing the axisymmetric deviation mode

Exploitation of Eggs of the Colorado Potato Beetle, \u3ci\u3eLeptinotarsa Decemlineata\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), by the Exotic Egg Parasitoid \u3ci\u3eEdovum Puttleri\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in Eggplant

Edovum puttleri is a newly discovered, exotic, egg parasitoid of the Colorado potato beetle, (CPB) Leptinotarsa decemlineata. The exploitation of CPB eggs by E. puttleri was examined in a New Jersey eggplant field. E. puttleri parasitized 46.8% of the CPB eggs present in the field. Exploitation of eggs within eggmasses was high; 73.9% of CPB eggs in eggmasses attacked by E. puttleri were parasitized

Model for Human, Artificial & Collective Consciousness (Part I)

Borrowing the functional modeling approach common in systems and software engineering, an implementable model of the functions of human consciousness proposed to have the capacity for general problem solving ability transferable to any domain, or true self-aware intelligence, is presented. Being a functional model that is independent of implementation, this model is proposed to also be applicable to artificial consciousness, and to platforms that organize individuals into what is defined here as a first order collective consciousness, or at higher orders into what is defined here as Nth order collective consciousness. Part I of this two-part article includes: Summary; Introduction; Set of Postulates One; Set of Postulates Two; Overview of the Model; Model of Homeostasis; Model of the Functional Units; Model of the Body System; Model of the Other Basic Life Processes; Model of the Other Functional Systems; Model of Perceptions in the Perceptual Fields; Model of Body Processes as Paths in the Perceptual Field; & Model of Conscious Awarenes

\u3ci\u3eNeurocordulia (Platycordulia) Xanthosoma\u3c/i\u3e (Williamson) in Texas (Odonata: Libellulidae: Corduliinae)

(excerpt) The rarity of a species is usually judged by the number of specimens in collections, both private and institutional, and the number of places where it has been found or seen. On this basis, Neurocordulia xanthosoma (Williamson) is rare. Its crepuscular habits, its brown coloration, and its habitat requirements, coupled with the habits of most collectors, have been its protection. Nevertheless, because of its apparent special requirements and man\u27s modification of, and encroachment on, its environment, it may soon be a species of the past

Why Are There So Few Insect Predators of Nuts of American Beech \u3ci\u3e(Fagus Grandifolia)?\u3c/i\u3e

American beech, Fagus grandifolia Ehrh., is a common nut-bearing tree of eastern North America. Compared to other North American nut-bearing tree species of comparable geographic range, the nut-infesting insect fauna of American beech is species-poor: only the filbertworn, Cydia latiferreana (Wlsm.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), infests nuts of American beech. Why are there so few insect predators of nuts of American beech? Using data from published studies, I explore two hypotheses that may help to explain the species-poor nut-infesting insect fauna of American beech. First, might chemical defense of beechnuts, and/ or low nutritional value, restrict the number of insect predators that can exploit this food resource (unprofitable resource hypothesis)? Second, may spatial and temporal variability of beechnut mast crops limit colonization by nut-infesting insects because of the unpredictability of the resource (unpredictable resource hypothesis)? I found no strong evidence to suggest that chemical defense or low nutritional value was associated with the species-poor nut-infesting insect fauna of American beech. Yearly variability in nut crop size alone did not explain the low species richness of American beech compared to other tree species. Instead, I suggest that spatial and temporal unpredictability in production of sound versus incomplete beechnuts was an effective filter that limited colonization of beechnuts by insects. Moreover, the lone insect species able to successfully colonize beechnuts, C. latiferreana, is well adapted to resource unpredictability. Unlike specialist insect species that infest nuts of only 1 or 2 North American tree genera, C. latiferreana has a relatively broad host range and its mobile larvae can relocate to new resources when faced with food shortages

\u3ci\u3eChrysochus Auratus\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Absolved as Pecan Pest

Chrysochus auratus, the dogbane beetle, has been erroneously implicated as a pecan defoliator in the early literature. Alternative scenarios suggest other chrysomelid species that may have been responsible for the defoliation

\u3ci\u3eCoreopsis Tinctoria\u3c/i\u3e: An Unrecorded Host Plant of Adult \u3ci\u3eCalligrapha Callfornica Coreopsivora\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Adults of Calligrapha californica coreopsivora are recorded feeding upon cultivated Coreopsis tinctoria in southwestern Virginia. Coreopsis tinctoria is an unrecorded host plant of this beetle

Movement, Dispersion, and Orientation of a Population of the Colorado Potato Beetle, \u3ci\u3eLeptinotarsa Decemlineata\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in Eggplant

Short-term dispersal, dispersion, and orientation of a population of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. were examined in a uniformly spaced planting of eggplant using a mark-recapture technique. Recaptures of marked beetles declined throughout the study, the greatest decline occurring 24 h after release. Dispersal of remaining beetles through the field was gradual; beetle numbers declined with distance from the release point during the first 3 days of the study and increased with distance thereafter. Beetles were highly aggregated for 3-4 days after release but were well dispersed for the remainder of the study. Dispersal of aggregated beetles may have been stimulated by host plant defoliation. Orientation of dispersing beetles was significantly nonrandom for the majority of the study. Beetles oriented predominantly east-northeast

Leaders Pray with the Assembly

(Excerpt) I wonder what it was that prompted the disciples\u27 request. Had they watched Jesus praying, as was his custom, in a place apart and then seen him come back somehow changed-more refreshed, more serene, more focused, more disturbed? Had they overheard Jesus praying-the intimate conversation, the wrestling and struggle, the thanksgiving and praise, the intercessions? Had they remembered some admonition or invitation to pray? Did their own spirits feel dry and empty? Did they know some longing deep inside for a closer communion with the one Jesus called Abba? Was there in them some joy or anguish that needed to be offered to God? Lord, teach us to pray (Luke 11 : 1 )

Late Winter Foraging by Honeybees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) at Sapsucker Drill Holes

Observations of Apis mellifera foraging at sapsucker drill holes were made during February 1988 in southwestern Virginia. Foraging bouts were dependent upon temperature; more bees visited drill holes when ambient temperatures exceeded 10oC. Honeybees did not feed directly at drill holes but collected congealed sap from bark surfaces