Notes on \u3ci\u3eTaeniogonalos Gundlachii\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Trigonalidae) From Wisconsin

This is the first report of Taeniogonalos gundlachii (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Trigonalidae) from Wisconsin and of this hyperparasitoid reared from the initial host Euchaetes egle (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae). Data are provided from 30 Malaise trap specimens and from a single reared specimen

Notes on \u3ci\u3eTaeniogonalos Gundlachii\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Trigonalidae) From Wisconsin

This is the first report of Taeniogonalos gundlachii (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Trigonalidae) from Wisconsin and of this hyperparasitoid reared from the initial host Euchaetes egle (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae). Data are provided from 30 Malaise trap specimens and from a single reared specimen

A Near-Field Treatment of Aperture Synthesis Techniques using the Murchison Widefield Array

Typical radio interferometer observations are performed assuming the source of radiation to be in the far-field of the instrument, resulting in a two-dimensional Fourier relationship between the observed visibilities in the aperture plane and the sky brightness distribution (over a small field of view). When near-field objects are present in an observation, the standard approach applies far-field delays during correlation, resulting in loss of signal coherence for the signal from the near-field object. In this paper, we demonstrate near-field aperture synthesis techniques using a Murchison Widefield Array observation of the International Space Station (ISS), as it appears as a bright near-field object. We perform visibility phase corrections to restore coherence across the array for the near-field object (however not restoring coherence losses due to time and frequency averaging at the correlator). We illustrate the impact of the near-field corrections in the aperture plane and the sky plane. The aperture plane curves to match the curvature of the near-field wavefront, and in the sky plane near-field corrections manifest as fringe rotations at different rates as we bring the focal point of the array from infinity to the desired near-field distance. We also demonstrate the inverse scenario of inferring the line-of-sight range of the ISS by inverting the apparent curvature of the wavefront seen by the aperture. We conclude the paper by briefly discussing the limitations of the methods developed and the near-field science cases where our approach can be exploited.Comment: Accepted in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia (PASA). 10 pages, 7 figures, and lots of linked animation

Marginal Fit of Lithium Disilicate Crowns using Three Different Fabrication Techniques

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the three-dimensional marginal fit of lithium disilicate crowns fabricated by pressed or CAD/CAM milled four- or five-axis machines. The three groups were Pressed, McX and McX5, and differed in their fabrication technique. The Pressed group was fabricated with IPS e.max Press and was heat pressed with the lost wax technique. Both of the CAD/CAM milled restorations McX and McX5 were scanned and designed using the same process and differed only in the milling machine used to fabricate them, four-axis chairside mill and five-axis laboratory mill respectively. All specimens were evaluated using the 3D replica technique, digitized and examined with a digital analysis software (Geomagic Control, 3D Systems, Rock Hill, S.C.). A mean marginal fit was acquired by the software and loaded into a statistical analysis software. The data was analyzed using a one-way ANOVA. Normality was checked using the Shapiro Wilk test for normality, and Levine’s Test was used to insure that there was homogeneity of variance. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used to determine if the difference was statistically significant. The Pressed group’s mean marginal fit was 49.37 μm. The average fit for the CAD/CAM milled restorations was 54.53 μm for McX and 50.74 μm for McX5. The results obtained indicated clinically acceptable marginal fit for all groups with no significant difference between the three fabrication methods

The state of hyperlocal community news in the UK: findings from a survey of practitioners

Findings from a survey of practitioner

Folio of compositions and productions with critical commentary

This practical portfolio PhD presents a collection of my pop music compositions and productions, with an accompanying exegesis that examines my process whilst creating these tracks. The exegesis analyses the methods and techniques I use, with the aim of achieving a better understanding of my productions. This will in turn reveal my idiolect, which is the distinctive way an individual creates that produces their particular style (Middleton, 1990: 136, 174; Moore, 2012: 120, 166-7). This research also includes analyses of interesting, innovative and important moments or processes that draw on perspectives taken from theories of creativity, technology as well as the social aspects of creation and innovation. These theories are the systems approach to creativity (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997, 1999), and the Social Construction of Technology [SCOT] (Bijker, Hughes & Pinch, 1987, 2012). The focus of this thesis will be on understanding the detail of my creative practice. This exegesis consists of critical commentaries of four of the fifteen portfolio tracks, each in its own chapter. It is the intention that concentrating on just four tracks will enable a better understanding of the processes in question. Other portfolio tracks serve as further examples of the points made, or demonstrate alternatives where relevant. An autoethnographical approach is used as a methodology for the commentary chapters. This is in order to achieve a comprehension of my personal experience (Bochner and Ellis in Denzin, 2000: 736-9; Muncey, 2010: 26-33). The reader could then potentially ‘resonate with’ this experience and ‘reflect on it’ (Bochner and Ellis in Denzin, 2000: 753). Chapter 1 outlines the various roles I play when creating a pop music track, which include composer, producer, engineer, performer and collaborator. This chapter additionally explores my position as listener as well as the significance of the opinions of the audience. Chapter 2 focuses on composition and melody, including a discussion of intuition and invention. The vocal production techniques used in the creation of the featured track are explored as well as my approach to mixing. Chapter 3 centers on how my drum performances and the lead vocal parts were created, and edited for the portfolio track in question. It also outlines several models of collaboration that refer to the creation of this track. Chapter 4 discusses the frame of mind one draws upon whilst 6 creating pop music. It examines how I chose equipment for the production, the production techniques used, and the creation of timbre and texture. Chapter 5 examines the application of reverbs and effects, and also explores my approaches and attitudes, some philosophical, towards the perspective of the listener. The composition collaboration situation differs in each commentary chapter, including: sole composition for Chapter 2; equally shared composition between two collaborators in Chapter 3; three collaborators in Chapter 4, of which I have least compositional input; and two way collaboration in Chapter 5, where I have no compositional input. As a result of this study, a better understanding of my creative practice has been achieved, which includes further comprehension of my idiolect. This research has not only informed my recent composing and producing, but it is also likely that it will influence my future productions. Furthermore, it is hoped that the insights presented in this thesis could potentially serve as useful knowledge for others, with the prospect that they can approach their own productions with this knowledge in mind

Which anthropometric and lower body power variables are predictive of professional and amateur playing status in male rugby union players?

The purpose of this study was to compare anthropometric and lower body power measurements between current professional and amateur male rugby union players. The present study also sought to determine which anthropometric and physical performance variables were predictive of playing standard. Thirty professional and 30 amateur RU players performed Wattbike 6 s maximal effort (WB6S) and countermovement (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) assessments, anthropometric measures were also taken. Dependant variables recorded and analysed including: body mass, stature, Σ8 site skinfolds, WB6S absolute and relative peak power, CMJ and SJ average concentric force, jump height, peak velocity, time to peak force, rate of force development (RFD) and absolute and relative peak force and power. Professional players were heavier, taller and leaner than their amateur counterparts (p < 0.05). Professional players performed significantly better in all physical performance measures except CMJ and SJ time to peak force, CMJ RFD and SJ relative peak force. Variables which were predictive of playing standard were: Σ8 skinfolds, CMJ peak velocity and WB6S absolute and relative peak power (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that the current body of male professional RU players is anthropometrically and physically superior to their amateur counterparts, although not all variables assessed here were predictive of playing standard. Data presented here indicate that Σ8 skinfolds, WB6S absolute and relative power and CMJ peak velocity are predictive of playing standard, whereas other anthropometric and strength and power variables are not

Repurposing cancer drugs, batimastat and marimastat, to inhibit the activity of a group I metalloprotease from the venom of the Western Diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox

Snakebite envenomation causes over 140,000 deaths every year predominantly in developing countries. As a result, it is one of the most lethal neglected tropical diseases. It is associated with an incredibly complex pathophysiology due to the vast number of unique toxins/proteins found in the venoms of diverse snake species found worldwide. Here, we report the purification and functional characteristics of a group I metalloprotease (CAMP-2) from the venom of the western diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox. Its sensitivity to matrix metalloprotease inhibitors (batimastat and marimastat) was established using specific in vitro experiments and in silico molecular docking analysis. CAMP-2 shows high sequence homology to atroxase from the venom of Crotalus atrox and exhibits collagenolytic, fibrinogenolytic and mild haemolytic activities. It exerts a mild inhibitory effect on agonist-induced platelet aggregation in the absence of plasma proteins. Its collagenolytic activity was completely inhibited by batimastat and marimastat. Zinc chloride also inhibits the collagenolytic activity of CAMP-2 by around 75% at 50 M, while it is partially potentiated by calcium chloride. Molecular docking studies demonstrate that batimastat and marimastat are able to bind strongly to the active site residues of CAMP-2. This study demonstrates the impact of matrix metalloprotease inhibitors in the modulation of a purified, group I metalloprotease activities in comparison to the whole venom. By improving our understanding of snake venom metalloproteases and their sensitivity to small molecule inhibitors, we can begin to develop novel and improved treatment strategies for snakebites