The assessment of reproductive success of queens in ants and other social insects

Recently considerable research has focused on the causes of evolution of multiple-queen (polygynous) colonies. In order to better understand the factors which may have led to these polygynous associations it is vital to compare the reproductive success of queens in monogynous (one queen per colony) and polygynous colonies as well as the relative fitness of queens in polygynous colonies. This paper addresses the difficulties arising from such comparisons and their implications with regard to the methods commonly used to assess reproductive success in queens. The relative reproductive success of queens in monogynous and polygynous colonies is commonly assessed by comparing the relative number of reproductives they produce during a single reproductive season. However, shift in queen number seems to be only one aspect of a profound shift in social structure and reproductive strategy that constitutes, in effect, a ''polygyny syndrome''. For example, female reproductives produced in polygynous colonies frequently use a different mode of colony founding, which in turn affects the probability of their survival. Furthermore, queens from monogynous and polygynous colonies frequently differ in their life-span and the number of sexual broods they produce. As a result, the reproductive success of queens in monogynous and polygynous colonies may not be directly related to the relative number of sexuals they produce during a single reproductive season.

Recruitment models for Norway spruce, Scots pine, birch and other broadleaves in young growth forests in Norway

Abstract

Biology and morphometrics of the immature stages of Epinotia aporema on artificial diet

The objective of this work was to establish a life table for the immature stages of Epinotia aporema, as part of a wider investigation on its biological control. Insects were reared on an artificial diet at 25±1ºC and a 16:8 (light:dark) hour photoperiod. For the identification of larval instars for the study of pathogen-insect interactions under laboratory conditions, head capsule widths (HCWs) were also determined. The egg incubation period was 4.13±0.30 days, larval stage took 11.64±0.49 days, and the development time of the pupal phase was sex-dependent with 8.51±0.69 days for the females and 9.41±0.65 days for the males. Five larval instars were identified.

Iowa Surveillance of Notifiable and Other Diseases Annual Report, 2014

Promoting and protecting the health of Iowans is the mission of the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). Surveillance of notifiable health conditions is essential in establishing what, how, and when events impact the public’s health. Once this information is gathered, public health and health care providers around the state are able to use this data to take steps to prevent illnesses from occurring. Multiple divisions and bureaus are dedicated to accomplishing the goals of surveillance. In 2014, there were more than 86,000 laboratory results of infectious diseases and conditions submitted to IDPH disease surveillance programs. IDPH also investigates non-infectious conditions related to lead, occupational, and environmental hazards like carbon monoxide. In 2014, approximately 71,000 children’s and more than 7,000 adults’ blood tests results were reported to IDPH. ********Amended Annual Report 2014************ Amended May 2, 2016

The role of integrins in glioma biology and anti-glioma therapies.

The tumor environment is critical for tumor maintenance and progression. Integrins are a large family of cell surface receptors mediating the interaction of tumor cells with their microenvironment and play important roles in glioma biology, including migration, invasion, angiogenesis and tumor stem cell anchorage. Here, we review preclinical and clinical data on integrin inhibition in malignant gliomas. Various pharmacological approaches to the modulation of integrin signaling have been explored including antibodies and peptide-based agents. Cilengitide, a cyclic RGD-mimetic peptide of αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins is in advanced clinical development in glioblastoma. Cilengitide had only limited activity as a single agent in glioblastoma, but, when added to standard radiochemotherapy, appeared to prolong progression-free and overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastomas and methylation of the promoter of the O⁶ methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) gene. MGMT gene promoter methylation in turn predicts benefit from alkylating chemotherapy. A phase III randomized clinical trial in conjunction with standard radiochemotherapy in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients with MGMT gene promoter methylation has recently completed accrual (EORTC 26071-22072). A companion trial explores a dose-escalated regimen of cilengitide added to radiotherapy plus temozolomide in patients without MGMT gene promoter methylation. Promising results in these trials would probably result in a broader interest in integrins as targets for glioma therapy and hopefully the development of a broader panel of anti-integrin agents.

Cross-validation of methods used for analysis of MTBE and other gasoline components in groundwater.

Head space gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection (HS-GC-FID), ancl purge and trap gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (P&T-GC-MS) have been used to determine methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and benzene, toluene, and the ylenes (BTEX) in groundwater. In the work discussed in this paper measures of quality, e.g. recovery (94-111%), precision (4.6 - 12.2%), limits of detection (0.3 - 5.7 I~g L 1 for HS and 0.001 I~g L 1 for PT), and robust-ness, for both methods were compared. In addition, for purposes of comparison, groundwater samples from areas suffering from odor problems because of fuel spillage and tank leakage were analyzed by use of both techniques. For high concentration levels there was good correlation between results from both methods.

Reactions and enzymes in the metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics.

In this article, we offer an overview of the compared quantitative importance of biotransformation reactions in the metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics, based on a meta-analysis of current research interests. Also, we assess the relative significance the enzyme (super)families or categories catalysing these reactions. We put the facts unveiled by the analysis into a drug discovery context and draw some implications. The results confirm the primary role of cytochrome P450-catalysed oxidations and UDP-glucuronosyl-catalysed glucuronidations, but they also document the marked significance of several other reactions. Thus, there is a need for several drug discovery scientists to better grasp the variety of drug metabolism reactions and enzymes and their consequences.

Biology and parasitic potential of Doryctobracon areolatuson Anastrepha fraterculus larvae

The objective of this work was to study the biology and parasitic potential of Doryctobracon areolatus on larvae of Anastrepha fraterculus. The egg-adult period, the sex ratio, the longevity, the pupal viability, and the parasitism rate of D. areolatus were determined in laboratory, using A. fraterculus as host. The parasitoid development from oviposition to adult emergence required 25.00±1.70 days, the sex ratio was 0.62±0.09, and the mean longevity was 16.36±3.62 days for males and 10.24±1.71 days for females. The mean parasitism rate was 53.50±8.93%, varying from 41.60 to 68.60%, which shows the potential of this parasitoid for biological control of A. fraterculus.

Esquemes de xifrat homomòrfics per a votació electrònica

This bachelor's degree thesis deals with homomorphic public-key cryptography, or in other words cryptosystems with special addition properties. Such cryptosystems are widely used in real life situations, for instance to make electronic voting secure. In Chapter 1 a few basic algebra results and other key concepts are introduced. Chapters 2 and 3 contain the algorithms and properties of the two cryptosystems which are considered to be the best for e-voting: Paillier and Joye-Libert. The thesis is concluded in Chapter 4, by comparing running times of the two above-mentioned cryptosystems, in simulations of real-life e-voting systems, with up to tens of thousands of voters, and different levels of security. Through these simulations, we discern the situations where each of the two cryptosystems is preferable.

Basal cell carcinoma - molecular biology and potential new therapies.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin, the most common malignancy in individuals of mixed European descent, is increasing in incidence due to an aging population and sun exposure habits. The realization that aberrant activation of Hedgehog signaling is a pathognomonic feature of BCC development has opened the way for exciting progress toward understanding BCC biology and translation of this knowledge to the clinic. Genetic mouse models closely mimicking human BCCs have provided answers about the tumor cell of origin, and inhibition of Hedgehog signaling is emerging as a potentially useful targeted therapy for patients with advanced or multiple BCCs that have hitherto lacked effective treatment.

Abnormalities of sodium excretion and other disorders of renal function in fulminant hepatic failure

Renal function was evaluated in 40 patients with fulminant hepatic failure, They were divided into two groups on the basis of glomerular filtration rates greater than 40 ml/min or less than 25 ml/min. A number of patients in group 1 had markedly abnormal renal retention of sodium together with a reduced free water clearance and low potassium excretion which could be explained by increased proximal tubular reabsorption of sodium. The patients in group 2 had evidence that renal tubular integrity was maintained when the glomerular filtration rate was greater than or equal ml/min (functional renal failure), but evidence of tubular damage was present when this was less than 3 ml/min (acute tubular necrosis).

Audit report on America’s Agricultural Industrial Heritage Landscape, Inc., d/b/a Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area and Silos and Smokestacks Natural Heritage Area Foundation in Waterloo, Iowa for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

Audit report on America’s Agricultural Industrial Heritage Landscape, Inc., d/b/a Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area and Silos and Smokestacks Natural Heritage Area Foundation in Waterloo, Iowa for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

The genome sequence of taurine cattle: a window to ruminant biology and evolution.

To understand the biology and evolution of ruminants, the cattle genome was sequenced to about sevenfold coverage. The cattle genome contains a minimum of 22,000 genes, with a core set of 14,345 orthologs shared among seven mammalian species of which 1217 are absent or undetected in noneutherian (marsupial or monotreme) genomes. Cattle-specific evolutionary breakpoint regions in chromosomes have a higher density of segmental duplications, enrichment of repetitive elements, and species-specific variations in genes associated with lactation and immune responsiveness. Genes involved in metabolism are generally highly conserved, although five metabolic genes are deleted or extensively diverged from their human orthologs. The cattle genome sequence thus provides a resource for understanding mammalian evolution and accelerating livestock genetic improvement for milk and meat production.

The CD4-like molecule LAG-3, biology and therapeutic applications.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: Promising immunotherapeutic agents targeting co-stimulatory pathways are currently being tested in clinical trials. One player in this array of regulatory pathways is the LAG-3/MHC class II axis. The lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3) is a negative co-stimulatory receptor that modulates T cell homeostasis, proliferation and activation. A recombinant soluble dimeric form of LAG-3 (sLAG-3-Ig, IMP321) shows adjuvant properties and enhances immunogenicity of tumor vaccines. Recent clinical trials produced encouraging results, especially when the human dimeric soluble form of LAG-3 (hLAG-3-Ig) was used in combination with chemotherapy. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: The biological relevance of LAG-3 in vivo. Pre-clinical data demonstrating adjuvant properties, as well as the improvement of tumor immunity by sLAG-3-Ig. Recent advances in the clinical development of the therapeutic reagent IMP321, hLAG-3-Ig, for cancer treatment. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: This review summarizes preclinical and clinical data on the biological functions of LAG-3. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: The LAG-3 inhibitory pathway is attracting attention, in the light of recent studies demonstrating its role in T cell unresponsiveness, and Treg function after chronic antigen stimulation. As a soluble recombinant dimer, the sLAG-3-Ig protein acts as an adjuvant for therapeutic induction of T cell responses, and may be beneficial to cancer patients when used in combination therapies.

Net Neutrality and other challenges for the future of the Internet. Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Internet, Law & Politics. Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, 11-12 July, 2011

Peer-reviewed