A new species of the beetle genus Brachypsectra from the Dominican Republic : with fossil connections (Coleoptera: Brachypsectridae)

With the description of Brachypsectra uiuafosile n. sp., from the Cabo Rojo desert area of Hispaniola, the beetle family Brachypsectridae now contains 4 described species. The family was originally known from the Dominican Republic by Miocene amber fossils oflarvae. Genitalia are illustrated for the first time for the family. Relationships of the family within the Elateroidea are briefly discussed

The Asian mango flower beetle, Protaetia fusca (Herbst), and Euphoria sepulcralis (Fabricius) in Florida and the West Indies (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae)

The mango flower beetle, Protaetia fusca (Herbst), an Asiatic pest of several commercial crops, was first found in Florida in 1985. All subsequent Florida specimens are recorded here, as well as the first documented records from the Bahamas and Barbados. Illustrations are provided and comparisons are made to the similar native Euphoria sepulcralis (Fabricius), which is also recorded for the first time from the Bahamas. Extensive host records and a bibliography (especially tracking P. fusca spread in Hawaii) are included

The genus Cotinis Burmeister in the eastern United States,with description of a new species from the Florida Keys, including a checklist of the genus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae)

In the eastern United States, the genus Cotinis Burmeister previously contained only C. nitida (L.), the common economic pest known as the "Green June Beetle". A new species from the Florida Keys, Cotinis aliena, is here described and illustrated. A checklist is provided for the genus, which includes 27 valid New World species, and 44 synonyms

Obituary: Jacob Brodzinsky (January 17,1918 - February 25, 2003)

Earlier this year, at the age of 85, Major Jacob Brodzinsky passed away at his home in Santo Domingo. It is with great sadness that I write this obituary, because Jake was a great personal friend and professional colleague for over 30 years. He leaves a wife, Marianela (Mañeña) Lopez-Penha, whom he married on April 26,1964, and two lovely daughters, Sibylla and Raquel

Land Capability in the Lake Travis Vicinity, Texas A Practical Guide for the Use of Geologic and Engineering Data

UT Librarie

Ca2+-dependent changes in cyclic GMP levels are not correlated with opening and closing of the light-dependent permeability of toad photoreceptors.

We have measured the levels of 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in isolated retinas from toad to investigate their correlation to the opening and closing of the light-dependent permeability of photoreceptors. When Ca2+-induced changes in cyclic GMP concentration are compared with the Ca2+-induced changes in the permeability of photoreceptor light-dependent channel, four quantitative dissimilarities are noted. First, when extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) is reduced from normal physiological levels to between 10(-6) and 10(-7) M, the light-dependent permeability is increased, but cyclic GMP levels are not significantly changed. Second, when [Ca2+]o is increased from 1.8 to 20 mM, the light-dependent permeability is suppressed, but cyclic GMP levels are decreased by only 10-15%, about one-quarter the decrease that can be obtained with bright illumination. Third, when [Ca2+]o is increased from 10(-8) M to 20 mM, the light-dependent permeability is closed rapidly, but the cyclic GMP decrease is slow. Fourth, when [Ca2+]o is lowered to 10(-8) M, the sensitivity of the light-dependent permeability to steady illumination is decreased by three to four orders of magnitude, but the sensitivity of the light-dependent decrease in cyclic GMP is not significantly affected. These observations indicate that there is no simple correlation between cyclic GMP levels and the permeability of the light-dependent channels and that Ca2+ can affect the conductance in the absence of changes in cyclic GMP content

An experimental evaluation of metallic diaphragms for positive fuel expulsion in the atmosphere explorer hydrazine propulsion subsystem

Four Arde conospheroid metallic diaphragms were tested to evaluate their capability for use in the orbit adjust propulsion subsystem (OAPS) of the Explorer spacecraft. The diaphragms will be used for positive propellant expulsion and spacecraft center of mass control. A leak-free cycle life capability of nine reversals was demonstrated. The diaphragms rolled smoothly from ring to ring in a predictable manner on the first reversal. Varying amounts of diaphragm cocking and ring skipping were observed on subsequent reversals. The diaphragm pressure differential did not exceed 7 N/sq cm during any reversal. Cycle life capability, reversal mode, and pressure differential were not affected by sudden reversals, environmental tests, or 18,000 partial reversals. An expulsion efficiency of approximately 97 percent was demonstrated. The results of these tests show that metallic diaphragms can be used as an effective means of positive fuel expulsion; however, to achieve spacecraft center of mass control, the diaphragm must not be reversed prior to flight