Character Of Use Research Articles

Morphological variation in first-formed shells of the Ordovician Paucicrura–Diceromyonia brachiopod lineage of North America

Abstract First-formed shells of several species of Dalmanellidae (Brachiopoda) from the Ordovician (Katian) of North America were measured and compared: Cincinnetina multisecta, Diceromyonia tersa, Diceromyonia storeya, Paucicrura corpulenta, Paucicrura rogata, and Paucicrura sillimani. Sizes and structures of the first-formed shells suggest that members of this family had planktotrophic subadults, with some species showing indications of only an unshelled larval stage and others showing both a larval stage and a shelled juvenile stage. This differs from modern rhynchonelliformean brachiopods, which all possess only a lecithotrophic larval stage. The range of sizes of first-formed shells of most studied species are similar, but P. sillimani of Baffin Island, Canada (middle Katian), has a significantly larger first-formed shell that formed during an extended juvenile stage. This may have enabled the species to colonize newly exploitable habitats during an interval of rapid sea level rise in Laurentia during the Katian. This plasticity of developmental modes in the Dalmanellidae shows not only that using distantly related modern brachiopods as an analog for extinct Paleozoic lineages may be misleading, but also that development can vary within a single lineage and that timing of developmental stages should not be considered a reliable character for use in phylogenetic studies of brachiopods.

Settling the argument: The contribution of use-wear studies to understanding artefact scatters in Neolithic Britain

Our understanding of the Neolithic of southern Britain has been largely based on the interpretation of monumental landscapes such as those around Stonehenge and Avebury. The remains of domestic structures dating to the Neolithic are rare, and when found, are often associated with small assemblages of material culture. The most common forms of settlement evidence are unstratified artefact scatters, which have little evidence of associated structural remains. As a result, our understanding of Neolithic settlement is poor. We have limited knowledge of what craft and subsistence activities were associated with them, and we do not know how quotidian practices were organised at a settlement or landscape level.Taking the West Kennet Avenue Occupation Site as an example, this paper will show how use-wear analysis can be combined with a detailed technological analysis to reveal details of the character and temporality of a Neolithic settlement. The use-wear analysis will focus on the assemblage of microdenticulates from the site. It further explores the character and potential contact material related to Polish 23, the distinctive use-polish that occurs on these tools, and shows how the combination of spatial analysis and use-wear analysis can separate different episodes of occupation in a scatter of unstratified artefacts. The results provide crucial insight into the history of settlement in the Avebury landscape and shed further light on the character of use of microdenticulates, supporting the argument that they were used for processing plant fibres for the production of textiles.

Codevelopment of an illustration representative of people living with spina bifida for health educational materials

BackgroundThe lack of health education resources specific to people with disabilities contributes to disparities in outcomes. Developing user-centered materials with representative images tailored to people with disabilities could help improve knowledge and outcomes. ObjectiveAs a first step in developing an online sexual health resource for adolescents with physical disabilities, we sought end-user feedback to create illustrated characters for use in educational materials. MethodsTwo styles of characters were developed by the research team, which included a professional disability artist. Verbal and online survey feedback was obtained at the Spina Bifida Association's Clinical Care Conference. A new image was created incorporating initial feedback. The new image and favored image from the first round were then tested through an online survey advertised on the Spina Bifida Association's Instagram story feed. Open-ended comments were organized by categories and overlapping themes. ResultsFeedback was obtained from 139 audience members and 25 survey respondents from the conference and 156 Instagram survey respondents. Themes included depiction of disability, nondisability diversity, other physical appearance, emotional response, and design style. Most frequently, participants suggested the inclusion of characters with a range of accurately depicted mobility aids and of characters without mobility aids. Participants also wanted a larger, more diverse group of happy, strong people of all ages. ConclusionsThis work culminated in the codevelopment of an illustration that represents how people impacted by spina bifida view themselves and their community. We anticipate that using these images in educational materials will improve their acceptance and effectiveness.

Source material for breeding winter bread wheat for grain quality in the north of the Middle Volga Region

Background. Development of cultivars with high stable yields and high grain quality is the main trend in wheat breeding. The aim of this study was to characterize a set of winter bread wheat accessions from the VIR collection and the working collection of Kazan Scientific Center in terms of their yield, protein content in grain (P, %), and swelling of flour in acetic acid (S, ml), and select the best accessions for the combination of these characters for use in a crossbreeding program.Materials and methods. Twenty-three winter bread wheat accessions were studied for the abovementioned characters in the north of the Middle Volga Region using conventional techniques. The study lasted three years (2016–2019).Results and conclusion. The yield of the accessions varied across the years of studies; however, none of them surpassed the reference cv. ‘Kazanskaya 560’. The values of protein content in grain were medium or high. The following accessions had high and stable levels of protein content in grain (15.1–16.1%): ‘TAW 42971/80’ (k-58363, Germany); ‘Lutescens 471 N8’ (Kazakhstan); ‘Rita’ (k-58057), ‘Scotty’ (k-59322) and ‘Nelson’ (all from the U.S.); ‘Moskovskaya 39’ (k-65160, Russia); ‘Bilotserkivchanka’ (k-64330) and ‘Barkan’ (k-64495) (both from Ukraine). Flour swelling power in acetic acid did not fall below 50 ml, attesting to the formation of high-quality grain. This was also confirmed by the protein quality index determined by the S : P ratio, which ranged from 3.6 to 4.7. Sources with high-quality protein were selected from the tested accessions for use in breeding: ‘CDC Clair’ (k-64168, Canada), ‘Lutescens 471 Н8’ (Kazakhstan), ‘Moskovskaya 39’ (Russia), ‘Barkan’ (Ukraine), and ‘Favorytka’ (k-64337, Ukraine).

Informing Simulation Design: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study of the Experiences of Bereaved Parents and Actors.

Simulations, which represent reality, are effective in pediatric healthcare communication skills education and training. Parents are increasingly engaged in simulation development, particularly for authentic character development, to help achieve greater psychological fidelity. For simulated encounters related to a child's end-of-life, involvement of bereaved parents would make sense. However, this is challenging because there is limited research to guide their inclusion and significant responsibility for any approach to be thoughtful and psychologically safe for participating parents. This study explores the impact and experiences of bereaved parents and actors who participated in simulation design. This qualitative phenomenological study involved five bereaved parents and two actors who participated in a full-day workshop to design and develop characters for use in a simulation. Individual semistructured interviews were conducted up to four weeks after the workshop. Data collected from these telephone interviews were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Bereaved parents found the workshop emotionally challenging but positive, worthwhile, and beneficial. Similarly, actors found the workshop helpful in character development and, although it was an intense experience for them, it validated the importance of their work. Key elements of our research findings could inform future such activities. Involving bereaved parents in simulation design can be psychologically safe and beneficial for both parents and actors. Ongoing involvement of bereaved parents may lead to higher-quality simulated experiences, allowing clinicians to practice skills to enhance care provided at a child's end-of-life.

Toward a Natural Classification of Tritomini: Are There Hidden Tribes within the Genus Tritoma Fabricius (Coleoptera: Erotylidae)?

A preliminary evaluation of world genera based on novel characters revealed a need for nomenclatural changes within North American Tritoma Fabricius (Erotylidae: Tritomini). The previously Asian subgenus “Cyrtotriplax” (Rotitma) Chûjô, 1969, is here given full generic status. Species presently in this subgenus are given new combinations: Rotitma circumcinctus (Lewis, 1887), Rotitma discalis (Lewis, 1887), Rotitma pallidiventris (Lewis, 1887), Rotitma rufipennis (Lewis, 1887), and Rotitma sarawakensis Chûjô, 1974. Two historically controversial species of Tritoma in North America, Tritoma pulchra Say and Tritoma sanguinipennis (Say), are transferred to different genera becoming Aporotritoma pulchra (Say) and Rotitma sanguinipennis (Say), new combinations. Interestingly, the classification of Chûjô and Chûjô (1990) placed Aporotritoma Arrow, 1925 in a “Triplacini” and Rotitma in a “Tritomini” (= Cyrtotriplacini). This division is not reflected in recent phylogenetic works which present the Tritomini as doubtfully having monophyletic status. Preliminary evaluation of new characters, along with our diagnoses of A. pulchra and R. sanguinipennis, suggest a ground plan hypothesis for the tribes “Tritomini” and “Triplacini” within the current Erotylinae. A discussion of characters for use in a larger phylogenetic study of the current Tritomini is presented.

Cranial anatomy of the Galápagos marine iguana Amblyrhynchus cristatus (Squamata: Iguanidae).

Amblyrhynchus cristatus, the marine iguana, is unique among the ~7,000 species of living limbed lizards as it has successfully evolved adaptations that allow it to live in both terrestrial and marine environments. This species is endemic to the Galápagos Archipelago and has evolved a specialized feeding behavior, consuming primarily the algae that grow on the rocky seafloor. The intriguing questions arising around the evolution of the marine iguana concerns the use of exaptations of terrestrial features for aquatic and specifically marine adaptations. However, the lack of fundamental information about its anatomy currently prevents us from understanding how it became adapted to such a peculiar lifestyle in comparison to all other iguanids. The goal of this study is to provide the first ever description of the skull, mandible, and hyoid of Amblyrhynchus. We examined several specimens of marine iguana, including skeletal, wet, and ct-scanned material, and individuals at different ontogenetic stages. We also analyzed specimens of all other modern iguanid genera (Conolophus, Iguana, Ctenosaura, Cyclura, Dipsosaurus, Brachylophus, Sauromalus) in order to make comparisons between Amblyrhynchus and its closest relatives. We were able to identify several autapomorphic features that distinguish the marine iguana from all other iguanids. These unique morphologies are mostly associated with the modified configuration of the snout (nasal chamber), increased muscle attachments in the temporal-postorbital region of the skull, and dentition. Since Amblyrhynchus is the only nonophidian squamate currently able to exploit the ocean at least for some vital functions (i.e., feeding), we used comparisons to fossil marine lizards (e.g., mosasaurids) to discuss some of these unique traits. The new cranial features described for Amblyrhynchus may represent a source of novel morphological characters for use in future phylogenetic analyses of iguanian (or squamate) relationships, which will then serve as the foundation for the exploration of evolutionary patterns and processes that led to the development of such unique adaptations.

Classifying cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) clones based on principal component analysis of specific characters for use as selection criteria

There is an abundance of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) genetic resources in Indonesia, and the local accessions are inseparable from the community of Indonesia. Several of the cultivars have cultural significance and over time have been bred for specific uses and products. The specific use and combination of traits encourages the use of local cultivars or aims for genetic improvement of the local cultivars. The objective of this study was to measure character variability and to categorize cassava clones based on specific characteristics to better inform selection criteria. A total of 156 cassava clones collected from all over Indonesia were evaluated along with three clones of the local cultivar Jatinangor as checks. This is basic research, so the data information can be a complement to the cassava germplasm in Indonesia. The experiment was performed as an augmented block design. The variability of characteristics was analyzed using principal components analysis with a Pearson correlation. Grouping of clones was accomplished using a symmetric biplot function. Three first principal components contributed to the maximum variability of cassava by 87.85 %, and characters that contributed variability had factor loadings>0.6. Having variability in characteristics suggests that there is an opportunity for performance-based clone selection. In this study,nine cassava clones with desirable trait combinations were identified based on PCA, of which four were identified as the best performing clones.

XIV. Yüzyılda Yusuf Meddah "Maktal"ında Halk Edebiyatının İzleri ("Maktalı-Huseyin" Mesnevisi Örneği)

Literary genre “maqtal” came to literature from the arabs. Then it passed to the persians, and then to Turkish literature. During the time of the prophet and after him, wars and their tragedies were called as "maqtal." The arabic word maqtal means "the place where a person is killed and when he is killed." The XIV century specimens are richer than this one and gives some materials for research. An acquaintance with Yusuf Maddah's masnavi of “Maqtali Hussein”, which disappeared in the darkness of history, shows that the work is special importance in terms of studying the literary language and historical grammar of the XIV century of Azerbaijan, as well as the richness of themes, forms and genres of the history of epic poetry. The work also provides rich material for studying the arrival and development of the genre of poetry in our literary history. Poetik works of classical literature has always been the object of research with the capacity for meaning, the diversity of genres, and the poetic landscapes. The analysis of the classical Azerbaijani-turkic poetic language in particular their dictionary structure and character of use of loans in a context of dictionary language gives an interesting material for reflections. Specificity of use by the poet of loans, originality of its approach to this problem is found out. Native language examples of the XIV century the masnavi of “Maqtali-Hussein” is written in a language that everyone can understand, that is written in the vernacular. Azerbaijani words are developed together with arabic and persian words in this example of poetry, and helps to make the idea more understandable. It should also be noted that there are more Azerbaijani-Turkish words in the Masnavi than derivations.

Three-dimensional analysis of the titanosaurian limb skeleton: implications for systematic analysis

The titanosaurian appendicular skeleton exhibits morphological similarities among different clades and its osteological information is usually less taxonomically meaningful than those of other regions of the skeleton. There is a probable morphological convergence due to morphofunctional similarities between members of different titanosaurian groups. In addition, higher intraspecific variability has hindered the assessment of similar forms such as the Late Cretaceous titanosaurians of the Ibero-Armorican domain. The use of 3D-geometric morphometrics and discriminant analyses on an abundant sample of titanosaurian limb elements from the Lo Hueco site and other titanosaurian taxa has been able to characterize the differences between several sauropod clades with the control of the intraspecific variability. Similar methods with the use of surface analyses of other titanosaurs enabled the recognition of morphological similarities congruent with morphofunctional convergences between one of the lithostrotian morphotypes identified in Lo Hueco (the Morphotype II) and some gracile colossosaurs such as Mendozasaurus neguyelap. In contrast, Morphotype I at Lo Hueco present a more typical titanosaurian morphology, resembling Jainosaurus cf. septentrionalis. The use of discriminant analyses allowed us to distinguish Colossosauria on the basis of limb morphology for the first time. We also observed that Colossosauria and Saltasauridae diverge from a more typical titanosaurian non-autopodial limb skeleton. Our results also suggest a highly different and specialized limb skeleton for the Saltasauridae in comparison with other sampled titanosaurians. The use of surface semilandmarks and discriminant analyses also allowed us to propose several new potential osteological characters for use in phylogenetic analyses through the maximization of differences between the sampled clades.

МОЖЛИВОСТІ ТА ВИКЛИКИ ПРИ ВИКОРИСТАННІ БРАУНФІЛДІВ

The preconditions for the emergence of brownfields as a consequence of the change in theemphasis of the transformation of urban space in terms of changing the transport paradigm andthe reorientation of post-industrial heritage are considered. The original source of the definitionof the term “brownfield” and a brief historical background of the wording of the term are given. Forpreliminary definition of perspective brownfields of the territory of industrial enterprises it is offeredto classify into groups on character of use. An example of the investment intention of the enterpriseto transform brownfield and the basis according to which the investment intention arose. The typesof desired investment activity in the transformation of the territory according to the investmentproject, which have inappropriate use in relation to the approved materials of urban planningdocumentation, are identified. A legal conflict was revealed when bringing the land legislation inline with the intentions of the developer. The problems of town-planning and legislative character,which the enterprise and local self-government bodies will have to face at implementation of suchinvestment intention, are outlined. The legislation that affects the use of brownfields and regulatestheir activities is analyzed. The algorithm of making changes to the town - planning documentation,namely to the general plan of the city with definition of terms of performance is illustrated. It wasfound that with the most optimistic development of the documentation, such a procedure takes toomuch time. Steps and recommendations are proposed to improve the procedure for identifyingbrownfields and their certification, creating an appropriate strategy for brownfields in order toattract investment. It is proposed to consider the issue of amending state building codes and otherlegislation governing this activity.

From "Pretty Emulation" to "Fresh Discoveries": Entomological Observation & Female Empiricism in Eliza Haywood's The Female Spectator

From "Pretty Emulation" to "Fresh Discoveries":Entomological Observation & Female Empiricism in Eliza Haywood's The Female Spectator Anna K. Sagal The Female Spectator (1744–46) is among the most significant periodical publications of the eighteenth century, not least for its innovative discussions of a wide range of issues pertaining to women's experiences and education. Across the two years of its publication history, Eliza Haywood penned immensely popular issues that addressed everything from romance and courtship to politics, religion, and science. One of the most remarkable of these topics is her active endorsement of female scientific practice, initially articulated through the male persona Philo-Naturae. In his dialogue, she presents a perfunctorily conservative position that the female eidolon converts to a subtly rebellious undertaking, ultimately disrupting conventional narratives about women's relationship to nature. Through her inventive portrayal of women engaging in naturalist work, Haywood cannily interrogates the relationship among women, their scientific subjects, and the spaces in which scientific labor is undertaken. In doing so, she presents a case for women's unique access to a domestically rooted form of empiricism, in which women could leverage their position as domestic subjects into one of limited scientific authority. A careful study of this dynamic also highlights her pivotal role in shaping eighteenth-century science for women. Like other essay periodicals, The Female Spectator uses the fiction of an editorial board, in this case comprised of female characters who represent various ideal models of femininity: the experienced but respectable spinster, the Female Spectator, who functions as the periodical's primary voice; the witty, young, devoted wife Mira; an unnamed "Widow of Quality"; and the charming, accomplished Euphrosine.1 The Female Spectator was a monthly publication, issued in 24 parts between April 1744 and May 1746, and was [End Page 87] popular enough to be sold as a bound volume of multiple issues as early as 1748, while single issues of the periodical were still being distributed.2 Patrick Spedding has concluded that The Female Spectator was Haywood's single best-selling publication of her career, earning her about 60 guineas per year.3 Moreover, as Lynn Marie Wright and Donald J. Newman note, "The fact that [The Female Spectator] lasted two years when many other periodicals lasted only a few weeks or months argues that Haywood had a wide and loyal readership. We know she had audiences in Germany, France, Italy, and as far away as America."4 A number of Haywood's later periodical publications, including The Parrot (1746) and Epistles to the Ladies (1749), were written "by the authors of The Female Spectator," indicating commercial interest in capitalizing on her success. Several of Haywood's other publications even used characters from The Female Spectator: Mira was the narrative persona in The Wife (1746), as was Euphrosine in The Young Lady (1756). Haywood also recycled these characters for use in Epistles for the Ladies. While critics have been divided on the subject of Haywood's intended audience, I agree with the assessment that, whatever her actual audience demographics may have been, her intended readership was largely female.5 This is not to say that Haywood expected an exclusively female audience; on the contrary, several of the correspondents were male (including Philo-Naturae, who is the primary scientific interlocutor of the periodical), and much of the Female Spectator's advice on courtship and marriage was directed at both sexes. However, a repeated tactic throughout the periodical relies upon the flexibility of a female intellectual voice that acts without seeming to disrupt male intellectual authority in order to relay a substantive critique, often of that male authority. Haywood (as the Female Spectator) writes: If therefore I have directed my Advice in a peculiar Manner to those of my own Sex, it proceeded from two Reasons, First, because, as I am a Woman, I am more interested in their Happiness…secondly, I had not a sufficient Idea of my own Capacity, to imagine, that any Thing offered by a Female Censor would have so much Weight with the Men as is requisite to make that Change in their Conduct and Oeconomy, which, I cannot help but acknowledge, a great many of them stand...

A Novel Mesoporous Carbon as Potential Conductive Additive for a Li-Ion Battery Cathode

A new mesoporous carbon (MC) is obtained from pyrolysis of resorcinol/formaldehyde resin, polymerized in the presence of tetraethoxysilane and Pluronic F108, followed by pyrolysis at 800 °C and silica removal. The reaction mixture in a molar ratio of 1F108/60resorcinol/292 formaldehyde/16900 H2O/50 tetraethoxysilane heated at 67 °C produces MC nanoparticles (200 nm average size) exhibiting 3D bimodal mesopores (3.9 and 8.2 nm), 1198 m2/g surface area, 1.8 cm3/g pore volume, and important graphitic character for use as a conductive material. Composites LiFePO4/carbon prepared with MC or commercial Super P, by the slurry method, were tested as coin Li-ion battery (LiB) cathodes. Super P (40 nm average particle size) exhibits better graphitic character, but lower porosity than MC. LiFePO4/MC shows better specific capacity (161 mAhg−1) than LiFePO4/Super P (126 mAhg−1), with a retention capacity (RC) after cycling at C/10 of 81%. Both composites with MC and Super P show well-distributed particles. According to impedance analysis, MC mesoporosity improves the charge transfer kinetics (CTK) more than Super P, producing a cathode with higher efficiency, although lithium ions’ diffusion decreases because larger MC particles form longer diffusion paths. Owing to the good specific capacity of the LiB cathode prepared with MC, research looking into improving its retention capacity should be a focus.

EVALUATION OF SELF-FERTILITY IN BLACK CURRANT CULTIVARS IN THE NORTHWEST OF RUSSIA

Background. High yield is one of the main requirements for modern black currant cultivars. It depends on many factors, but is always linked to self-fertility. Highly selffertile cultivars are of particular importance in areas with unfavorable weather conditions during flowering, because they are able to provide high yields even in single-cultivar plantings. In this regard, it is very important to study selffertility of cultivars in order to identify those with the highest level of this character for use in breeding and large-scale cultivation.Materials and methods. The study of selffertility was carried out at Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR in 2014–2017. Fifty-seven black currant cultivars of different genetic and ecogeographic origin were the material of the research. The degree of self-fertility was measured by conventional techniques in 3 variants of pollination: 1) natural self-pollination; 2) artificial self-pollination; and 3) free pollination. Statistical data processing was performed using Microsoft Excel and the guidelines by B. A. Dospekhov.Results and conclusions. Highly self-fertile cultivars were identified, which may be recommended for breeders as sources of this trait: ‘Navlya’ (k-42228), ‘Dobrynya’ (k-42121), ‘Golubichka’ (k-32624), ‘Golosievsky velikan’ (k-44176), ‘Valentina’ (k-15631A), ‘Kozatskaya’ (k-44187), ‘Arapka’ (к-44175), ‘Kanakhama’ (k-44197) and ‘Fat’ (k-42509). High yield in the Northwest of Russia can be secured by cultivars that combine high self-fertility with large fruit size: ‘Valentina’ (k-15631A), ‘Vernisazh’ (k-43126), ‘Garmoniya’ (k-40677), ‘Dobrynya’ (k-42121), ‘Desertnaya Ogoltsovoy’(k-45670), ‘Joninai’ (k-43124), ‘Kanakhama’ (k-44197), ‘Karri (k-44172), ‘Mila’ (k-40673), ‘Sevchanka’(k-45551), ‘Sofievskaya’(k-43131), ‘Talisman’ (k-44183), ‘Yubileinaya Kopanya’ (k-44189), ‘Shalunya’(k-41988), and accession 2780-20-33 (k-15575A). It is shown that free pollination and artificial self-pollinationprovide a positive impact on the fruit setting level, fruit weight and seed productivity. Natural autogamy, on the contrary, tends to decrease the weight of berries and the number of seeds in them.

Anatomical and Histochemical Characterization of Leaves of Luffa cylindrica (L.) M. Roem

Background: Luffa cylindrica (L.) M. Roem. (Cucurbitaceae) is an herbaceous plant used for food as compose salads and do sweets and also used in traditional medicine as treat parasitic infections and intestinal diseases. Although this information, there are not many relates about anatomic characters for use in your quality control. Objective: The aim was investigating the anatomical characters of petiole and leaf blade and characterizing the metabolites in the leaf blade of L. cylindrica. Materials and Methods: Semipermanent histological slides were prepared for analysis of petiole and leaf blade in optical microscopy. Histochemical tests were also performed in the leaf blade. Results: The anatomical study revealed information about the type of trichomes, cuticle, vascular bundles and arrangement of the tissues that determine the botanical identity of this species. It was also identifying, for the first time, the presence of two types of trichomes in both of leaf blades faces. The histochemistry allowed determining which metabolites are in the leaf blade and also their location. Conclusion: The study described new characters for L. cylindrica and the results provide support to quality control of the species.

Poly(2-carboxyethyl acrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolithic precursor. Part II. Carbodiimide assisted post-polymerization modification with tris and d-Glucamine for use in hydrophilic interaction capillary liquid chromatography

A carboxylated precursor monolith (carboxy monolith), namely poly(2-carboxyethyl acrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), was prepared by the in situ co-polymerization of 2-carboxyethyl acrylate (CEA) with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA), see the preceding article in this issue. This carboxy monolith was subjected to post-polymerization modification (PPM) with Tris and d-Glucamine in the presence of N-(3-dimethylamineopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDAC), a water soluble carbodiimide. EDAC with its zero-length carboxyl-to-amine coupling ability works by activating the surface carboxyl groups of the monolith for direct reaction with the primary amines of Tris and d-Glucamine via amide bond formation. The Tris-amide (TA) and d-Glucamide ligands imparted the poly(CEA-co-EDMA) monolith a polar character for use in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC). The TA- and d-Glucamide-poly(CEA-co-EDMA) monolithic capillary columns were evaluated using neutral and charged polar analytes, such as phenolic acids, nucleic acid bases and nucleosides. The difference in polarity between these monolithic capillary columns is noticeable in terms of the numbers of hydroxyl group per ligands, and therefore, the d-Glucamide-poly(CEA-co-EDMA) monolith bearing five hydroxyl groups per ligand could separate more polar species compared to the TA-poly(CEA-co-EDMA) monolith which has three hydroxyl groups per ligand. Solute’ retention on both types of HILIC columns were reproducible from run-to-run, day-to-day and column-to-column.

Shallow-water brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from Araçá Bay (Southeastern Brazil), with spatial distribution considerations.

The detailed study of arm ossicles, particularly the lateral arm plates, is providing valuable information in the elucidation of ophiuroid taxonomy. The present study describes in detail 16 species of brittle stars from Araçá Bay, Brazil. This information is used to construct the first interactive electronic key, providing a valuable resource for a broad range of researchers. Brittle stars families were divided into three groups based on their spatial distribution: i) infaunal species of intertidal and shallow subtidal belonging to Amphiuridae and Ophiactidae, ii) epizoic species belonging to Amphiuridae, Ophiactidae, and Ophiotrichidae and, iii) epifaunal species of the subtidal belonging to Ophiodermatidae and Hemieuryalidae. In the global context of recent revisions of ophiuroid taxonomy, the present work provides additional characters for use in future phylogenetic studies.

Using Hawkeye from the Avengers to communicate on the eye.

Superheroes, such as Iron Man, Captain America, Wonder Woman, Batman, and Hawkeye, have appeared in numerous films, displaying their range of incredible superpowers and abilities. Therefore, it is unsurprising that many people would not only wish to attain these powers, but also to learn about scientific accessibility to these powers. Popular culture characters such as superheroes can provide a unique platform for the communication of difficult scientific concepts. In the classroom, these characters can be used to communicate learning objectives to students in an interesting, fun, and accessible manner by taking advantage of student familiarity with the characters. Hawkeye, a member of the Avengers, is one such superhero who can be utilized by educators. His powers can be attributed in part to his advanced eyesight, which has physiological aspects in common with many birds of prey. Hence, Hawkeye can instigate discussion on the physiology of the human eye, while also allowing for comparison with other species, such as birds of prey, and reflection on advancements related to genetic engineering and wearable technologies. In addition, in my experience, Hawkeye has proven to be a highly suitable popular culture character for use in scientific communication and outreach.

Can morphology reliably distinguish between the copepods Calanus finmarchicus and C. glacialis, or is DNA the only way?

AbstractCopepods of the genus Calanus play a key role in marine food webs as consumers of primary producers and as prey for many commercially important marine species. Within the genus, Calanus glacialis and Calanus finmarchicus are considered indicator species for Arctic and Atlantic waters, respectively, and changes in their distributions are frequently used as a tool to track climate change effects in the marine ecosystems of the northern hemisphere. Despite the extensive literature available, discrimination between these two species remains challenging. Using genetically identified individuals, we simultaneously checked the morphological characters in use for C. glacialis and C. finmarchicus identification to compare the results of molecular and morphological identification. We studied the prosome length (1); the antennules and the genital somite pigmentation (2); the morphology of the fifth pair of swimming legs and of the mandible (3). Our results show that none of these morphological criteria can reliably distinguish between C. glacialis and C. finmarchicus. This has severe implications for our current understanding of plankton ecology as a large part of our knowledge of Calanus may be biased due to species misidentification and may subsequently require reinvestigation with the systematic use of molecular tools.

Spiny trapdoor spiders (Euoplos) of eastern Australia: Broadly sympatric clades are differentiated by burrow architecture and male morphology

Spiders of the infraorder Mygalomorphae are fast becoming model organisms for the study of biogeography and speciation. However, these spiders can be difficult to study in the absence of fundamental life history information. In particular, their cryptic nature hinders comprehensive sampling, and linking males with conspecific females can be challenging. Recently discovered differences in burrow entrance architecture and male morphology indicated that these challenges may have impeded our understanding of the trapdoor spider genus Euoplos in Australia’s eastern mesic zone. We investigated the evolutionary significance of these discoveries using a multi-locus phylogenetic approach. Our results revealed the existence of a second, previously undocumented, lineage of Euoplos in the eastern mesic zone. This new lineage occurs in sympatry with a lineage previously known from the region, and the two are consistently divergent in their burrow entrance architecture and male morphology, revealing the suitability of these characters for use in phylogenetic studies. Divergent burrow entrance architecture and observed differences in microhabitat preferences are suggested to facilitate sympatry and syntopy between the lineages. Finally, by investigating male morphology and plotting it onto the phylogeny, we revealed that the majority of Euoplos species remain undescribed, and that males of an unnamed species from the newly discovered lineage had historically been linked, erroneously, to a described species from the opposite lineage. This paper clarifies the evolutionary relationships underlying life history diversity in the Euoplos of eastern Australia, and provides a foundation for urgently needed taxonomic revision of this genus.