Pre-release evaluation of the efficacy of the leaf-sucking bug Carvalhotingis visenda (Heteroptera: Tingidae) as a biological control agent for cat's claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae)

In classical weed biological control, assessing weed response to simulated herbivory is one option to assist in the prioritization of available agents and prediction of their potential efficacy. Previously reported simulated herbivory studies suggested that a specialist herbivore in the leaf-feeding guild is desirable as an effective biological control agent for cat's claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae), an environmental weed that is currently a target for biological control. In this study, we tested (i) whether the results from glasshouse-based simulated herbivory can be used to prioritise potential biological control agents by evaluating the impact of a leaf-sucking tingid bug Carvalhotingis visenda (Drake & Hambleton) (Hemiptera: Tingidae) in quarantine; and (ii) the likely effectiveness of low- and high-densities of the leaf-sucking tingid after its release in the field. The results suggest that a single generation of C. visenda has the potential to reduce leaf chlorophyll content significantly, resulting in reduced plant height and leaf biomass. However, the impact of one generation of tingid herbivory on below-ground plant components, including the roots and tuber size and biomass, were not significant. These findings are consistent with results obtained from a simulated herbivory trial, highlighting the potential role of simulated herbivory studies in agent prioritisation.

Studio portrait of the six daughters of Solomon and Emilie Kohnberger: (l-r) Laura, Irene, Johanna, Melanie, Hermine and Martha.

Laura (1878-1917) died during a flu epidemic. She married Sigmund Stiassny and had two children, Lisbeth (Gersuny) (1900-1986) and Walter (1902-1912) who died of a ruptured appendix.

Kohnberger family portrait.

From left to right, back row: Ernst Schueller, Hermine Schueller, Laura Stiassny, Sigmund Stiassny, Martha Pollak, Johanna Mislap and Jacob Hermann; front row: Melanie Herrmann (or Irene Tiring), Conrad Tiring, Emilie Kohnberger and Solomon Kohnberger

Kohnberger family portrait.

From left to right, back row: Ernst Schueller, Hermine Schueller, Laura Stiassny, Sigmund Stiassny, Martha Pollak, Johanna Mislap and Jacob Hermann; front row: Melanie Herrmann (or Irene Tiring), Conrad Tiring, Emilie Kohnberger and Solomon Kohnberger

Optimisation techniques for planning automatic under frequency load shedding in New Zealand’s power system

Electricity generation is vital in developed countries to power the many mechanical and electrical devices that people require. Unfortunately electricity generation is costly. Though electricity can be generated it cannot be stored efficiently. Electricity generation is also difficult to manage because exact demand is unknown from one instant to the next. A number of services are required to manage fluctuations in electricity demand, and to protect the system when frequency falls too low. A current approach is called automatic under frequency load shedding (AUFLS). This article proposes new methods for optimising AUFLS in New Zealand’s power system. The core ideas were developed during the 2015 Maths and Industry Study Group (MISG) in Brisbane, Australia. The problem has been motivated by Transpower Limited, a company that manages New Zealand’s power system and transports bulk electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed. The approaches developed in this article can be used in electrical power systems anywhere in the world.

Tetrahydrofuran Clathrate Hydrate Formation

We report on the formation of tetrahydrofuran clathrate hydrate studied by x-ray Raman scattering measurements at the oxygen K edge. A comparison of x-ray Raman spectra measured from water-tetrahydrofuran mixtures and tetrahydrofuran hydrate at different temperatures supports stochastic hydrate formation models rather than models assuming hydrate precursors. This is confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory calculations of x-ray Raman spectra. In addition, changes in the spectra of tetrahydrofuran hydrate with temperatures close to the hydrate's dissociation temperature were observed and may be connected to changes in hydrate's local structure due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between guest and water molecules.

Arvoja näkyvissä : Kaunokirjallisuuden etiikka Ludwig Wittgensteinin filosofian valossa

The goal of this dissertation was to study whether it is possible and meaningful to apply Ludwig Wittgenstein s distinction between saying (Sagen) and showing (Zeigen) to ethically oriented literary criticism. The following questions were used as the primary guidelines: 1. Is it possible, in the context of literary criticism, to put in practice Wittgenstein s ethical conceptions, which are quite theoretical and metaphysical by nature? 2. If so, what practical literary devices do authors use if they want to demonstrate their ethical values within the frame of a fictional work? 3. Does philosophy offer useful ethical consepts that open us new and interesting readings in fiction? The philosophical background of Wittgenstein s distinction is clarified in chapter I. This clarification is based on his main works, Tractatus logico-philosophicus and Philosophishe Untersuchungen, the published correspondence between Wittgenstein and Paul Engelmann, and selected Wittgenstein research and papers. Analyzing ethics and it s expression in Georg Trakl s poetry further elucidates Wittgenstein s concept of showing. The concept that a literary work is an act of an author was used as a starting point. The presumption was that analyzing this act of an author will reveal how ethical values can be demonstrated in literature. Categorizing an author s act at different levels of literary expression provides the structure of this study. In chapters IV - XIII literary devices useful for demonstrating ethics are examined and explained using examples from the works of Joseph Conrad, Charles Dickens, Nikolay Leskov, Ludwig Uhland, Eino Leino, Pentti Haanpää and Maria Jotuni. The concepts and views of researchers and writers such as Mihail Bahtin, Peter Juhl, E. D. Hirsch, Peter Lamarque and Stein Haugom Olsen are used. The concepts outlined in previous chapters are then applied in three case studies: Aeschylus s Oresteia trilogy, J-L. Runeberg s poem Sven Dufva and Sofi Oksanen s novel Puhdistus (Purge). On the whole, Wittgenstein s idea that ethical values can be demonstrated (shown) by means of literature is revealed as a fruitful point of departure for a more exact ethical reading, offering a new perspective on literary works.

The polycomb group gene EMF2B is essential for maintenance of floral meristem determinacy in rice

Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) represses the transcriptional activity of target genes through trimethylation of lysine 27 of histone H3. The functions of plant PRC2 have been chiefly described in Arabidopsis, but specific functions in other plant species, especially cereals, are still largely unknown. Here we characterize mutants in the rice EMF2B gene, an ortholog of the Arabidopsis EMBRYONIC FLOWER2 (EMF2) gene. Loss of EMF2B in rice results in complete sterility, and mutant flowers have severe floral organ defects and indeterminacy that resemble loss-of-function mutants in E-function floral organ specification genes. Transcriptome analysis identified the E-function genes OsMADS1, OsMADS6 and OsMADS34 as differentially expressed in the emf2b mutant compared with wild type. OsMADS1 and OsMADS6, known to be required for meristem determinacy in rice, have reduced expression in the emf2b mutant, whereas OsMADS34 which interacts genetically with OsMADS1 was ectopically expressed. Chromatin immunoprecipitation for H3K27me3 followed by quantitative (q)RT-PCR showed that all three genes are presumptive targets of PRC2 in the meristem. Therefore, in rice, and possibly other cereals, PRC2 appears to play a major role in floral meristem determinacy through modulation of the expression of E-function genes.

Fundamentos de alimentación animal: Texto básico

Este libro, ha sido concebido para satisfacer las necesidades de tres grupos de lectores: primero, el estudiante universitario del área agropecuaria que necesita de una fuente de información manejable de los aspectos científicos de la alimentación animal; segundo , los técnicos del Ministerio de Agricultura que precisan de una fuente de información necesaria para la elaboración de mezclas y raciones ; y tercero, el productor agropecuario que bien puede desear comprender porque se le recomienda un tipo determinado de alimento o ración para sus animales. Este es un auditorio heterogéneo y no es de esperar que cada uno de los tres grupos quede completamente satisfecho del resultado. El alcance de este libro está determinado por un programa, que es el de la asignatura de NUTRICION ANIMAL 1 para estudiantes de IV año de Ingeniería Agronómica con orientación en Zootecnia, así como también, por consideraciones de tamaño. No se pretende profundizar en lo teórico sino más bien ayudar a la comprensión de tan complicado tema como lo es el de la nutrición animal, expresándolo en forma clara y sencilla, al finalizar el lector se dará cuenta de ello y podrá poner en práctica el conocimiento adquirido. La información referente al contenido nutritivo de los alimentos está basado en los análisis efectuados en el Laboratorio de Bromatología de la U.N.A. que suman más de mí, queriéndose con ello llenar el vacío del contenido nutritivo de gramíneas y leguminosas más difundidas en Nica­ ragua, lo cual tiene un alcance práctico muy profundo. En cuanto a los subproductos nacionales, los datos son propios, ellos ayudarán a comprender la necesidad de su uso, sobre todo durante la época de mayor escasez de alimentos, ofreciéndole una alternativa alimenticia al ganado. Los minerales son abarcados en este libro considerando básicamente los trabajos realizados en el trópico por McDowell, L.R., Conrad, J.H., Ellis,G.L. y Loosli, J.K. Es grande mi deuda con diversos amigos y docentes por su información, crítica y consejo. Espero aportar un grano de arena que ayude a resolver el problema de déficit de bibliografía referente a la alimentación animal en Nicaragua.

Synoptic review of the Literature on the southern oyster drill Thais haemastoma floridana

This literature search identifies a majority of the publications in the period 1880-1980 concerned with the marine gastropod, Thais haemastomafloridmul (Conrad). The southern oyster drill is an economically important oyster predator in the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico littoral. Major contributions of each paper to our knowledge of the drill's biology are briefly categorized. Hitherto unpublished research by the author on the snail's biology is documented. (PDF file contains 15 pages.)

Part I. Efforts directed towards the total synthesis of shionone. Part II. Conversion of estrone to androst-4-EN-3-ONE: a new method for activating the C-9 and C-10 positions of estrogenic steroids for substitution

Part I: An approach to the total synthesis of the triterpene shionone is described, which proceeds through the tetracyclic ketone i. The shionone side chain has been attached to this key intermediate in 5 steps, affording the olefin 2 in 29% yield. A method for the stereo-specific introduction of the angular methyl group at C-5 of shionone has been developed on a model system. The attempted utilization of this method to convert olefin 2 into shionone is described.

Part II: A method has been developed for activating the C-9 and C-10 positions of estrogenic steroids for substitution. Estrone has been converted to 4β,5β-epoxy-10β-hydroxyestr-3-one; cleavage of this epoxyketone using an Eschenmoser procedure, and subsequent modification of the product afforded 4-seco-9-estren-3,5-dione 3-ethylene acetal. This versatile intermediate, suitable for substitution at the 9 and/or 10 position, was converted to androst-4-ene-3-one by known procedures.

A dinâmica da demanda por serviços de saúde no município de Piraí, RJ, do ponto de vista da medicalização

Apesar da definição da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) como porta de entrada preferencial do sistema de saúde e estratégia de reorganização da assistência, os usuários do SUS, vêm demonstrando historicamente preferência pelo serviço de urgência/emergência hospitalar. Neste contexto, o campo do presente estudo é a cidade de Piraí e seus habitantes, que desde 2002 contam com 100% de cobertura da ESF, modelo que dá ênfase: à lógica territorial na assistência, no cuidado continuado e transversal, no vínculo e no acesso facilitado pelo acolhimento humanizado e escuta qualificada; ocupando o centro da rede de serviços atuando como ordenador e coordenador do cuidado. Avaliando os dados de produtividade (com foco nas consultas médicas) hospitalar e da ESF notamos que a busca por assistência médica hospitalar, tem aumentado exponencialmente, e pode-se perceber que a grande maioria destes usuários se apresenta ao serviço com demandas de atenção básica, o que é considerado ilógico e contraditório na visão de gestores e profissionais. A prática profissional tem me levado a um processo de reflexão sobre as expectativas dos usuários ao procurarem o sistema de saúde (principalmente a ESF), sobre os caminhos que cada um deles constrói diante de uma questão de saúde e como se dá a tomada de decisão em busca da resolutividade da questão. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho é compreender como se constrói essa demanda; que critérios estão envolvidos na tomada de decisão desses usuários ao optarem pelo serviço de emergência como porta de entrada preferencial; mesmo em um município que oferece um serviço estruturado, pautado nas diretrizes da ESF e com uma cobertura que alcança toda a sua população. Acreditamos que o processo conhecido como medicalização da vida, que descreve o processo pelo qual problemas não médicos são definidos e tratados como problemas médicos, usualmente em termos de doenças e desordens (CONRAD, 2007); influencie na construção dessa demanda. Quanto a metodologia, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas, com usuários do SUS, residentes no município e que buscaram espontaneamente o serviço de urgência/emergência hospitalar. Verificou-se que a imagem que o usuário faz dos serviços de saúde se relaciona principalmente com o tempo de espera pelo atendimento, o acesso (interpretado principalmente como a certeza/incerteza do atendimento) e a acessibilidade. Os usuários frequentemente se referem à organização das unidades da ESF com o significado de barreiras ao acesso (principalmente pela necessidade de agendamento) e demonstram ter em relação às USF uma imagem de grande limitação de recursos humanos (quase exclusivamente em relação ao médico) e materiais. Por outro lado, prontos-socorros e hospitais se apresentam para eles, por várias razões, como espaços de acesso garantido. É importante ressaltar que o processo de medicalização da vida aparece como parte importante da engrenagem que move a construção dessa demanda.

Sociedade de controle e medicalização na educação: cartografando as práticas de um psicólogo nas escolas de uma cidade do interior do Rio de Janeiro

Esta dissertação baseia-se em uma pesquisa-intervenção realizada em cinco escolas de nível fundamental e infantil, e em uma escola de ensino especial/ atendimento educacional especializado (AEE) de uma cidade de pequeno porte do interior do Rio de Janeiro, na região sul do estado. O presente trabalho situa-se no contexto das discussões sobre as práticas de medicalização na escola-empresa e nas sociedades de controle, e tem como objetivo a investigação da medicalização e a judicialização como exigências que têm moldado um viés predominante médico-assistencialista ao trabalho do psicólogo, concentrando-se em atendimentos individualizados a alunos e famílias nas escolas públicas. O método adotado é o da cartografia (Deleuze & Guattari). Os conceitos de Medicalização (Conrad, Illitch, Szasz). Controle (Deleuze), e o conceito científico-ficcional de Pré-Crime (Dick) são a coluna vertebral do trabalho. A pesquisa de cunho qualitativo utiliza os referenciais teórico-práticos da análise institucional (AI) e dos estudos da filosofia de diferença, de autores como Michel Foucault, Gilles Deleuze e Félix Guatarri, assim como a contribuição valiosa de estudiosos mais contemporâneos, como Veiga-Neto, Gallo e Marcondes. Os analisadores dos relatórios pré-crime de medicalização do fracasso escolar, da (in)disciplina e da loucura através funcionam como pistas para as passagens dos diagnósticos para as práticas e modos coletivos de subjetivação, contexto mais amplo que nos conduz à visibilidade das questões do trabalho, da saúde no trabalho no magistério, e às plataformas de alianças coletivas entre técnicos(psicólogos) e não-técnicos (professores) para a construção dos processos de desmedicalização e desmedicalização na Educação.

The By-catch From the Artisanal Shrimp Trawl Fishery, Gulf of Paria, Trinidad

Samples of shrimp trawl catches were collected from a commercial artisanal vessel fishing inside the 6-fm isobath in the Gulf of Paria, Trinidad. From August 1986 to May 1987, 34 late evening-early morning trawl trips were made and 97 hauls were sampled. Annual ratio estimates were 9 (SD 1.3) finfish:shrimp and 14.7 (SD 2.0) by-catch: shrimp, with the highest ratios observed August through December and the lowest from late January through May, the dry season. Extrapolation of ratios, using shrimp catch statistics, indicates that for 1986, 974,000 kg of finfish and 620,000 kg of crabs, Callinectes spp., were caught incidentally by artisanal shrimp trawlers fishing in the Gulf of Paria. Of this total incidental catch (1,594,000 kg), about 1,500,000 kg were discarded (94 percent). Four penaeid shrimp species are targeted: Penaeus schmitti, P. notialis, P. subtilis, and Xiphopenaeus kroyeri. Callinectes spp. were caught in large quantities from Augustto mid-January. Small (4-15 cm) pelagic and demersal species of little commercial importance dominated the finfish by-catch: Harengula spp., Cetengraulis edentulus, Chloroscombrus chrysurus, Eucinostomous spp., Diapterus rhombeus, and Cyclopsetta spp. Altogether, the monthly percentage of the species ranged from 70 to 85 percent of the total finfish by-catch.