Elytral polymorphism in spittlebugs: Philaenus spumarius (L.) from the Inner Hebrides

The frequencies of colour and pattern morphs of the elytra of Philaenus spumarius are similar on three of the Small Isles of the Inner Hebrides (Eigg, Canna and Muck); the population on the fourth island (Rhum: is somewhat distinct but is like that at sea level on the nearby mountainous mainland. These similarities and differences suggest that these morph frequencies are regulated by natural selection.     

Fine Structure of Elytral Punctures and Diffraction Gratings in Korean Sericinae (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae)

ABSTRACT The surface structures of the elytra in twenty two species belonging to the subfamily Sericinae (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae) were observed by scanning electron microscopy. For viewing specific characters, elytral punctures and diffraction gratings on interstitial surface were focused on. The elytral punctures of observed Sericid beetles have three representative forms: horseshoe, ocellus, and crease types. The diffraction gratings of the elytra show three distinctive patterns: regular and parallel, discontinued, and interconnected and curved. These patterns of elytral punctures and diffraction gratings considered to be useful for identification.     

Compound Microstructures and Wax Layer of Beetle Elytral Surfaces and Their Influence on Wetting Properties

A beetles’ first line of defense against environmental hazards is their mesothoracic elytra – rigid, protective forewings. In order to study the interaction of these wings with water, the surface microstructures of various beetles’ elytra were observed by Environment Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Chemistry components were ascertained using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). All the beetles of various habitats (including desert, plant, dung, land and water) exhibited compound microstructures on their elytra. The wetting properties of these elytra were identified using an optical contact angle meter. In general the native elytra exhibited hydrophilic or weak hydrophobic properties with contact angles (CAs) ranging from 47.5° to 109.1°. After treatment with chloroform, the CAs all increased on the rougher elytral surfaces. The presence of wax is not the only determinant of hydrophobic properties, but rather a combination with microscopic structures found on the surfaces. Irregularities and the presence or absence of tiny cracks, hairs (or setae), pores and protrusions are important factors which influence the wetting properties. Rougher elytral surfaces tended to present a stronger hydrophobicity. Effects on hydrophobicity, such as surface microstructures, chemistry, environment and aging (referring to the time after emergence), are also included and discussed. Our results also provide insights into the motion of water droplets when in contact with beetle elytra.     

Politics and pellagra: the epidemic of pellagra in the U.S. in the early twentieth century.

The epidemic of pellagra in the first half of this century at its peak produced at least 250,000 cases and caused 7,000 deaths a year for several decades in 15 southern states. It also filled hospital wards in other states, which had a similar incidence but refused to report their cases. Political influences interfered, not only with surveillance of the disease, but also in its study, recognition of its cause, and the institution of preventive measures when they became known. Politicians and the general public felt that it was more acceptable for pellagra to be infectious than for it to be a form of malnutrition, a result of poverty and thus an embarrassing social problem. Retrospectively, a change in the method of milling cornmeal, degermination, which began shortly after 1900, probably accounted for the appearance of the epidemic; such a process was suggested at the time, but the suggestion was ignored.     

Corpuscular bodies in the palate of the rat. 2. Innervation and central projection.

The source of innervation of the corpuscular bodies in the palate and the central projections of the afferent fibres of the entire palate was studied in rats by transganglionic transport of horseradish peroxidase conjugated to wheat germ agglutinin (WGA-HRP) and with substance P (SP) immunohistochemistry. WGA-HRP injected into the incisal papilla was taken up by the nerve fibres that terminated in the corpuscles. Retrogradely labelled neurons were observed in the trigeminal ganglion as well as anterogradely labelled terminals in the dorsolateral part of the spinal trigeminal nucleus and in the lateral part of the nucleus of the solitary tract. No labelling could be found in the geniculate ganglion, the facial nerve and the hypoglossal nucleus. Following WGA-HRP injection in the intermolar area and in the soft palate, labelling was only restricted to the trigeminal ganglion. The lamina propria of the entire palate and the corpuscle-enriched area of the incisal papilla and the soft palate were richly innervated by SP-containing fibres. Numerous SP-containing fibres were also observed in the nerve plexus at the base of the corpuscle. In addition, SP-positive neurons were identified in the trigeminal ganglion and SP-labelled terminals in the sensory trigeminal nuclear complex and in the solitary tract nucleus. On the basis of our morphological observations we conclude that the palatal corpuscular bodies are involved in taste perception which is of trigeminal origin.     

E.s.r. and spin-trapping studies of dihydropyrimidines. gamma-Radiolysis in the polycrystalline state and U.V. photolysis in aqueous solution

gamma-Radiolysis in the polycrystalline state and U.V. photolysis in aqueous solution at 220 nm of several dihydropyrimidines and their derivatives have been investigated by spin-trapping and electron spin resonance. 2-Methyl-2-nitrosopropane was used as the spin-trap. The spin-adducts of the 6-yl radicals obtained fall into two categories. Those from dihydro-1-methyluracil, dihydro-6-methyluracil, dihydro-1-ethyluracil and dihydro-1-methylcytosine exhibit a beta-nitrogen hyperfine coupling constant (alpha beta N) equal to or less than 2.0 G while the ones fom dihydro-orotic acid, dihydrouracil and dihydrothymine showed much larger alpha beta N values (greater than 3.3 G). Dihydrouridine gives radicals characteristic of both the dihydropyrimidine ring and the sugar moiety. The same radicals were obtained by gamma-radiolysis or U.V. photolysis. For all the 5-yl radicals obtained by U.V. photolysis, a direct photoexcitation mechanism is proposed.     

Phasmids. Properties and the use in genetic engineering. I. Construction of the phasmid vector

A phasmid vector molecule designated pMYF11 has been constructed. The vector combines some useful features of plasmid and phage vector molecules. lambda pMYF11 is a hybrid of lambda 47.1 vector and pBR322 plasmid. CI- marker of pMYF11 is replaced with cI+ marker by recombination between the plasmid and prophage 434. The phasmid molecule can be used as a replacement vector for BamHI, HindIII, SalGI endonucleases. The maximum size of fragments to be cloned is 21 kilobase pairs. Positive selection for hybrid molecules is possible because of the Spi phenotype expression after replacement of the central HindIII or BamHI DNA fragment with foreign DNA. A library of Escherichia coli genes is constructed with the help of lambda pMYF11 as a vector molecule. A hybrid phage harboring genes of the proline operon is detected by means of complementation.     

Physical anthropology in 1918 and the founding of the U.S. journal

In 1918, the first issue of the American Journal of Physical Anthropology was prepared and distributed by Aleš Hrdlička, the Curator of Physical Anthropology at the Smithsonian Institution. This was a singular act, both in the general and specific sense. It was the first journal of physical anthropology published in the United States, and it was a sole effort by Hrdlička, who was committed to promoting and recognizing physical anthropology as a new science in America. On this 100th anniversary of the founding of the journal, Hrdlička's efforts were successful: physical/biological anthropology is a strong and timely discipline that represents a major area of scientific research today.