Parasitism of Female Neotibicen linnei (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) by Larvae of the Sarcophagid Fly Emblemasoma erro in Wisconsin

Herein it is reported an unusual case of parasitism of a female Neotibicen linnei (Smith and Grossbeck) by the sarcophagid Emblemasoma erro (Aldrich) in western Wisconsin. Sarcophagids typically attack male cicadas, locating them by the latter’s acoustical behavior. Some members of the dipteran family Sarcophagidae are parasitic on male cicadas (e.g. Soper et. al. 1976, Lakes-Harlan et. al. 2000, Faris et. al. 2008, Stucky 2015). Parasitoids such as Emblemasoma species are attracted to larviposit on male cicadas by responding to the latter’s acoustical signals (Tron et. al. 2016). Sarcophagids, therefore, are generally not attracted to mute female cicadas. In this brief communique, I report an unusual instance of a female of the cicada Neotibicen linnei being successfully parasitized by Emblemasoma erro in western Wisconsin

Are you a researcher as well as a medical illustrator?

When we list the areas of practice for medical illustrators we always include research, but how involved in research are we? The aim of this activity is to encourage your professional development not just as a medical illustrator but your involvement with research whether that is undertaking your own research, undertaking evidence based practice (1) , working as part of a research team, advising researchers on the value of medical illustration or supporting a student undertaking a research project for their degree or post-graduate qualification

Predation on the Pupae of Saturniidae (Lepidoptera) by Gray Squirrels in Wisconsin

(excerpt) Owing to their large body size, the larvae and pupae ofgiant silkworm moths (Saturniidae) are ideal food for many animals. Winter predation on the pupae of Hyalophora cecropia (L.) in Illinois by birds (Waldbauer and Sternburg, Ecology 48:312-315, 1967) is a well known example

Searches for HI in the Outer Parts of Four Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies

Previous searches for atomic gas in our Galaxy's dwarf spheroidal companions have not been complete enough to settle the question of whether or not these galaxies have HI, especially in their outer parts. We present new observations of the dwarf spheroidals Sextans, Leo I, Ursa Minor, and Draco, using the NRAO 140-foot telescope to search much farther in radius than has been done before. The new data go out to at least 2.5 times the core radius in all cases, and well beyond even the tidal radius in two cases. These observations give HI column density limits of 2-6 x 10^17 atoms cm^-2. Unless HI is quite far from the galaxies' centers, we conclude that these galaxies don't contain significant amounts of atomic gas at the present time. We discuss whether the observations could have missed some atomic gas.Comment: To appear in A.

ALTERNATIVES TO CURRENT TRADE REMEDY LAW WITHIN NAFTA

Economists have long criticized anti-dumping and countervailing duty processes. Analysis of current AD and CVD processes indicates shortcomings compared to a system of dispute resolution. Potential changes to current practices should first consider which of many possible goals the changes are trying to achieve. Both tweaking the current system and introduction of new processes are explored. It is proposed that consultations and good offices, such as used in the dispute resolution system of the World Trade Organization, should be considered.International Relations/Trade,

Options for World Trade Organization Involvement in Food Aid

WTO members have presented diverse positions on food aid issues to the current round of negotiations on agriculture. Some members desire increased disciplines on food aid, while others are adamant that the WTO needs to fulfill past promises and meet the current need to increase the food security of developing countries. Underlying this debate are questions about the role of the WTO in food aid issues. It is proposed that a new, more cohesive institution for food aid be adopted to partner with the WTO.agricultural trade, food aid, food security, WTO negotiations on agriculture, Food Security and Poverty, International Relations/Trade,

First-principles materials design of high-performing bulk photovoltaics with the LiNbO3_3 structure

The bulk photovoltaic effect is a long-known but poorly understood phenomenon. Recently, however, the multiferroic bismuth ferrite has been observed to produce strong photovoltaic response to visible light, suggesting that the effect has been underexploited as well. Here we present three polar oxides in the LiNbO$_3$ structure that we predict to have band gaps in the 1-2 eV range and very high bulk photovoltaic response: PbNiO$_3$, Mg$_{1/2}$Zn$_{1/2}$PbO$_3$, and LiBiO$_3$. All three have band gaps determined by cations with $d^{10}s^0$ electronic configurations, leading to conduction bands composed of cation $s$-orbitals and O $p$-orbitals. This both dramatically lowers the band gap and increases the bulk photovoltaic response by as much as an order of magnitude over previous materials, demonstrating the potential for high-performing bulk photovoltaics