Sexual size dimorphism and reproductive investment by female spiders: A comparative analysis

We investigate the association between female reproductive investment, absolute size, and sexual size dimorphism in spiders to test the predictions of the fecundity-advantage hypothesis. The relationships between absolute size and sexual size dimorphism and aspects of female reproductive output are examined in comparative analyses using phylogenetically independent contrasts. We provide support for the idea that allometry for sexual dimorphism is the result of variation in female size more so than male size. Regression analyses suggest selection for increased fecundity in females. We argue that fecundity selection provides the only general explanation for the evolution of sexual size dimorphism in spiders.

Genetic optimism:Framing genes and mental illness in the news

Over the past two decades the pace and specificity of discoveries associating genetics with mental illness has accelerated, which is reflected in an increase in news coverage about the genetics of mental disorder. The news media is a major source of public understanding of genetics and a strong influence on public discourse. This paper examines the news coverage of genetics and mental illness (i.e., bipolar illness and schizophrenia) over a 25 year period, emphasizing the peak period of 1987-1994. Using a sample of 110 news stories from 5 major American newspapers and 3 news magazines, we identify the frame of "genetic optimism" which dominated the reporting of genetics and mental illness beginning in the mid-1980s. The structure of the frame is comprised of 3 elements: a gene for the disorder exists; it will be found; and it will be good. New discoveries of genes were announced with great fanfare, but the most promising claims could not be replicated or were retracted in short order. Despite these disconfirmations, genetic optimism persisted in subsequent news stories. While the scientific accuracy of the gene stories is high, the genetic optimism frame distorts some of the findings, misrepresents and reifies the impact of genes on mental disorder, and leaves no space for critics or an examination of potential negative impacts. The stances of reporters, scientists and editors may all in different ways contribute to the perpetuation of genetic optimism. Genetic optimism presents an overly sanguine picture of the state of genetics; as we enter the genetic age it is important to balance the extraneous "hype and hope" contained in news stories of genetics and mental illness.

Heavy metals as markers for assessing environmental pollution from chemical warehouse and plastics fires

Case histories of large, accidental fires are presented to illustrate that heavy metals may be used as markers to assess the extent of localized environmental contamination resulting from fires. Due to the complexity of fire chemistry with respect to organic pollutants, determination of organic pollutants in the environment following a fire would be time consuming and expensive. Using heavy metals as markers on the other hand is much cheaper and can be done very rapidly. © 1995.

A k-round Elimination Contention Scheme for WLANs

currently in press. This is the first published attempt to engineer QoS into a contention-based MAC layer protocol. The work was based on a cross-layer approach to providing programmability into wireless LANs. The work arose from an EPSRC grant in the "programmable networks" call, with Philips / STM research in Italy (Dr Melpignano). Subsequent follow-on includes the formation of a spin-out company (TOM) based on the idea.

Annotation of Case C-353/92, Hellenic Republic v Council, ECR 1994 I-3411, and Case C-358/92, Hellenic Republic v Commission, ECR I-3507

Action for annulment - Council Regulation (EEC) Nº 1765/92 of 30 June 1992 establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops - Commission Regulation (EEC) Nº 2294/92 of 31 July 1992 on detailed rules for the application of the support system for producers of the oil seeds referred to in Council Regulation (EEC) Nº 1765/92 - Obligation to observe a final date for sowing and for lodging an application for a compensatory payment

Annotation of Case C-375/92, Commission v Kingdom of Spain, ECR 1994 I-923, and Case C-45/93, Commission v Kingdom of Spain, ECR 1994 I-911

Failure to fulfil obligations - Freedom to provide services - Tourist guides - Professional qualification required by national rule - Discrimination - Museum admission