Spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, is a global pest of soft fruits that is capable of reproducing on a wide range of cultivated and wild plant species. In Canada, D. suzukii was first reported in British Columbia in 2009 and is now widespread across the country. Understanding the genetic structure of D. suzukii populations could be important for pest management if there are phenotypic differences between genetically distinct populations. For example, insect pest populations could respond differently to directional selection imposed by insecticides, differ in their host plant preferences, and vary in their susceptibility to biological control agents. Here, we used double-digest restriction site–associated DNA sequencing to examine large- and fine-scale patterns of the genetic structure of D. suzukii reared from fruit hosts in Canada. We found that this species has a large-scale spatial genetic structure; the flies collected formed two distinct genetic clusters, one of which was distinct to western Canada and the other to eastern Canada. At the local scale, D. suzukii populations showed no evidence of host-associated structuring in British Columbia, suggesting that pest management tactics may be best applied at the landscape level. Our results highlight the need to investigate phenotypic differences between western and eastern D. suzukii populations in Canada.

Few studies have derived data-driven dietary patterns in youth in the USA. This study examined data-driven dietary patterns and their associations with BMI measures in predominantly low-income, racial/ethnic minority US youth. Data were from baseline assessments of the four Childhood Obesity Prevention and Treatment Research (COPTR) Consortium trials: NET-Works (534 2–4-year-olds), GROW (610 3–5-year-olds), GOALS (241 7–11-year-olds) and IMPACT (360 10–13-year-olds). Weight and height were measured. Children/adult proxies completed three 24-h dietary recalls. Dietary patterns were derived for each site from twenty-four food/beverage groups using k-means cluster analysis. Multivariable linear regression models examined associations of dietary patterns with BMI and percentage of the 95th BMI percentile. Healthy (produce and whole grains) and Unhealthy (fried food, savoury snacks and desserts) patterns were found in NET-Works and GROW. GROW additionally had a dairy- and sugar-sweetened beverage-based pattern. GOALS had a similar Healthy pattern and a pattern resembling a traditional Mexican diet. Associations between dietary patterns and BMI were only observed in IMPACT. In IMPACT, youth in the Sandwich (cold cuts, refined grains, cheese and miscellaneous) compared with Mixed (whole grains and desserts) cluster had significantly higher BMI (β = 0·99 (95 % CI 0·01, 1·97)) and percentage of the 95th BMI percentile (β = 4·17 (95 % CI 0·11, 8·24)). Healthy and Unhealthy patterns were the most common dietary patterns in COPTR youth, but diets may differ according to age, race/ethnicity or geographic location. Public health messages focused on healthy dietary substitutions may help youth mimic a dietary pattern associated with lower BMI.

Selection by herbicides has resulted in widespread evolution of herbicide resistance in agricultural weeds. In California, resistance to glyphosate was first confirmed in rigid ryegrass in 1998. Objectives of this study were to determine the current distribution and level of glyphosate resistance in Italian ryegrass, and to assess whether resistance could be due to an altered target site. Seeds were sampled from 118 populations and seedlings were treated with glyphosate at 866 g ae ha−1. Percentage of survivors ranged from 5 to 95% in 54 populations. All plants from 64 populations died. One susceptible (S) population, four putatively resistant (R) populations, and one S accession from Oregon were used for pot dose–response experiments, shikimic acid analyses, and DNA sequencing. Seedlings were treated with glyphosate at eight rates, ranging from 108 to 13,856 g ae ha−1. Shoot biomass was evaluated 3 wk after treatment and fit to a log-logistic regression equation. On the basis of GR50 (herbicide rate required to reduce growth by 50%) values, seedlings from putatively R populations were roughly two to 15 times more resistant to glyphosate than S plants. Shikimic acid accumulation was similar in all plants before glyphosate treatment, but at 4 and 7 DAT, S plants from California and Oregon accumulated approximately two and three times more shikimic acid, respectively, than R plants. Sequencing of a cDNA fragment of the EPSPS coding region revealed two different codons, both of which encode proline at amino acid position 106 in S individuals. In contrast, all R plants sequenced exhibited missense mutations at site 106. Plants from one population revealed a mutation resulting in a proline to serine substitution. Plants from three R populations exhibited a mutation corresponding to replacement of proline with alanine. Our results indicate that glyphosate resistance is widespread in Italian ryegrass populations of California, and that resistance is likely due to an altered target enzyme.

Electro-osmotic pumping of fluid through a nanopore that traverses an insulating membrane is considered. The density of surface charge on the membrane is assumed to be uniform and sufficiently low for the Poisson–Boltzmann equation to be linearized. The reciprocal theorem gives the flow rate generated by an applied weak electric field, expressed as an integral over the fluid volume. For a circular hole in a membrane of zero thickness, an analytical result is possible up to quadrature. For a membrane of arbitrary thickness, the full Poisson–Nernst–Planck–Stokes system of equations is solved numerically using a finite volume method. The numerical solution agrees with the standard analytical result for electro-osmotic flux through a long cylindrical pore when the membrane thickness is large compared to the hole diameter. When the membrane thickness is small, the flow rate agrees with that calculated using the reciprocal theorem.

The behaviour of Myzus persicae (Sulz.) on plant surfaces treated with emulsions of saturated fatty acids was investigated in three types of test. Aphids showed no clear preferences for settling or larviposition when the acids were applied to whole Chinese cabbage plants or to leaf discs from several different plant species, but settling on halves of Chinese cabbage leaves treated with undecanoic, dodecanoic or heptadecanoic acids was significantly decreased.

When mussels are allowed to function in sea water the main changes occurring in the water are depletion of dissolved oxygen and lowering of pH value. Provided the faeces and pseudo-faeces are not disturbed the increase in the content of organic matter is not appreciable. If the supernatant water is removed and aerated with diffused air the water is re-oxygenated, the pH value is restored to its original level, and the water so treated may be re-used for immersing a fresh batch of mussels. The process of re-use may apparently be continued indefinitely.

Under these conditions a high degree of cleansing is achieved by the mussels, the count of coli-aerogenes bacteria being reduced to a small fraction of the original; counts of bacteria in the water, on the other hand, are subject to large fluctuations. It was considered advisable for this reason to chlorinate the water between each cycle of cleansing in order to immerse the mussels on each occasion in water which itself was reasonably certain to be free from coliform bacteria, potentially including pathogens.

Experience showed that the greatest difficulty involved in the use of chlorine was in removing residual chlorine so that it would not inhibit functioning of the mussels when the water was re-used. After trials of various alternatives it was concluded that the most satisfactory method was to determine by means of small-scale tests the smallest quantity of chlorine (below the break-point) required to give a residual concentration of 0·05–0·10 p.p.m. in the re-used water and then to add the corresponding quantity with precision to the bulk of water by means of a dosing apparatus while the water was being pumped from the mussel tank to the aeration tank. After a period of contact of 1 hr. the water was aerated for a further hour. A series of trials in a semll-scale plant showed that this treatment ensured that residual chlorine in the water being added to the mussels did not exceed 0·05 p.p.m.; as a result the mussels functioned satisfactorily and the degree of cleansing attained was comparable with that attained in the existing mussel-cleansing tanks in which sterilized fresh sea water is used for each cycle of cleansing. Although the concentration of residual chlorine was small the mussels kept the water so clear that this concentration was effectively bactericidal and the bacterial quality of the water was usually comparable with that of good drinking water. Low temperatures retard the metabolic activity of mussels and below 4° C. this is so marked that the degree of cleansing achieved is unsatisfactory. For this reason it is recommended that the temperature of the re-used water should be maintained at 6° C. (43° F.) or above.

Oysters were found to be satisfactorily cleansed by a process of re-use similar to that adopted for mussels, provided the temperature of the water was maintained at 54° F. (12·2° C.) or rather higher.

Small-scale trials showed that artificial sea water, prepared by dissolving in fresh water suitable quantities of the major constituents of natural sea water, could be successfully re-used for cleansing mussels.

There have been increases in the number of organic dairy farms in the UK in recent years. However, there is little information on the impact of organic regulations on cow welfare. As part of a larger study, we aimed to investigate differences between organic and non-organic farms in management practices and winter housing quality. Forty organic and 40 non-organic farms throughout the UK were visited. Organic and non-organic farms were paired for housing type, and as far as possible for herd size, genetic merit and location. A detailed questionnaire covering key aspects of dairy management was carried out with each farmer. On a subset of twenty pairs, an assessment of the quality of the winter housing for both lactating and dry cows was undertaken, covering the parlour, bedding, loafing and feeding areas. Management practices and building conditions varied greatly within farm types and there was considerable overlap between organic and non-organic farms. Milk yield, level and composition of concentrate feed, management of heifers and calving, and use of ‘alternative treatments’ to prevent and treat mastitis differed between organic and non-organic farms. In all other respects there were no differences between farm types. Building dimensions per cow did not differ, even though organic recommendations advise greater space per cow than recommended for non-organic farms. The similarity between organic and non-organic farms in most respects indicates that cow housing and health, based on both the described management regimes and the farmers' perceptions of disease incidence, on organic dairy farms is neither compromised by the regulations, nor considerably better than on non-organic farms.

Recent estimates of total pre-weaning piglet mortality range between 16-19% (MLC 2006). With environmental modification using the farrowing crate reaching its potential to decrease mortality, as well as raising serious welfare concerns, a different approach to effectively address piglet survival is needed. Genetic breeding programmes implemented in alternative farrowing systems could prove a viable option.

The measurement of somatic cell counts (SCC) is used in the UK to detect the presence of sub-clinical mastitis in dairy cattle (Mrode & Swanson, 1996). Many studies have investigated the relationship between farm hygiene and management factors on the herd average SCC (from the bulk milk tank) and have shown that factors such as milking parlour hygiene, the use of straw-yard systems, cleanliness of the lying area and mastitis treatment strategies affect SCC (e.g. Barkema et al., 1999; Peeler et al., 2000). The organic status of the farm may also affect SCC. The principles of livestock farming are that animal health should be promoted through good animal care and management, and this is particularly emphasised for organic systems. Organic standards discourage the general prophylactic use of chemically synthesised allopathic veterinary medicines, such as antibiotics. Use of alternative remedies, such as homeopathy, is encouraged for the treatment of disease. Antibiotics can be used in acute cases, such as for clinical mastitis, but the withdrawal period for sale of milk is longer on organic farms than for non-organic farms. There is concern that these regulations may have a negative impact on animal health and welfare, particularly if alternative health treatments are ineffectual. The aim of this study was to determine whether organic status and other farm management practices affect SCC in organic and non-organic farms.

This study aims to explore help-seeking thresholds, beliefs and attitudes about depression and establish how these are affected by previous treatment for depression, the type of treatment received, and current depression. Participants were a cohort of 42 individuals previously diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in two groups according to previous treatment for depression; 12 individuals previously diagnosed with a psychological disorder other than MDD; and 48 individuals from a community sample. Five self-report questionnaires measured thresholds for help-seeking, beliefs about depression, current depression and self-management skills. Between-group comparisons were made for help-seeking thresholds and beliefs about depression. Results showed lower thresholds for professional help-seeking in those who had previously received psychological treatment than in those treated with antidepressants only and non-clinical controls. Perceived stigma was negatively associated with help-seeking. Depressed mood was associated with delayed help-seeking and symptom recognition, even in those who had previously received treatment for depression. We conclude that relapse prevention interventions may educate patients about the effects of depression on help-seeking. Further research should clarify the extent to which help-seeking co-varies with depressed mood. More work is needed to reduce the stigma associated with depression.

The current estimate of live-born piglet pre-weaning mortality in UK outdoor systems is 11% (MLC, 2006), representing a major welfare and economic concern. The majority of deaths occur in the first few days of life when the piglets are at their most vulnerable. Selecting for high survival in piglets, may allow breeding of animals better able to survive and better suited to alternative and less restrictive systems than the farrowing crate. The aim was to develop and measure behavioural and physiological indicators of neonatal survival, and to determine treatment effects in populations of piglets selected for high survival and control lines farrowing in an outdoor system.

The health and welfare of organically-farmed livestock are of concern due to restrictions on the use of veterinary medicines. Non-organic systems control nematodes using prophylactic treatment with anthelmintics. Routine drenching is banned within organic agriculture, and farmers are encouraged to find alternative methods of control, for example grazing management practices. This study investigated the level of nematode parasitism in organic and non-organic dairy herds around Scotland.

Pre-weaning piglet mortality is currently 11.8% of piglets born alive in indoor units (MLC, 2005) and is a major welfare concern and a continuing production problem within the pig industry. The farrowing crate was implemented with some success to decrease the amount of crushing of piglets (Edwards & Fraser, 1997). However, this system is restrictive, limits the behaviour and compromises the welfare of the sow (Jarvis et al., 2001). There is growing pressure to abolish this technology in favour of less restrictive systems. It is therefore vital to identify behavioural and physiological characteristics relating to piglet survival, which can then be influential in alternative systems. Important factors in relation to piglet survival include birth weight, birth order, and adequate thermoregulation (Tuchscherer et al. 2001). The aim of this study was to identify additional behavioural and physiological indicators, which could predict piglet survival.

The commercial development of low-power electronics and electro-optics based on antimonides demands a better understanding of the mechanical properties of ternary and quaternary thin-film alloys fabricated from the InGaAlAsSbP material system. Of particular importance is the determination of Young's modulus of these materials. In this paper, a technique for studying the mechanical behavior of these thin films was developed by using microbeam bending and finite element modeling. The technique was successfully applied to investigate the mechanical properties of GaSb. A test structure consisting of an array of gallium antimonide microbeams was fabricated with lengths ranging from 50 to 500 μm long. The microbeams were deflected using a calibrated nanoprobe, thereby generating load-displacement curves. Young's modulus was then extracted from the data using beam bending theory and a finite element simulation of the structures under load. A total of five microbeams with the same trapezoidal cross-section and lengths of 80, 85, 200, 250 and 500 μm were tested to study the technique applicability and size scaling effects on the mechanical properties. It was observed that the 80 and 85 μm beams exhibited linear elastic behavior and the 200, 250, and 500 μm microbeams exhibited non-linear elastic behavior.

Porous organosilicates useful for on-chip insulator applications can be prepared by templating the vitrification of low molecular weight silsesquioxanes (SSQs) using highly branched, thermally labile macromolecules which are subsequently removed in a thermal process to generate porosity. The process involves spin coating a mixture of the matrix material and the porogen (pore generator) followed by thermal curing to initiate vitrification and decomposition of the porogen. The morphology is fixed during the formation of the nanoscopic inorganicorganic hybrid and is maintained during foaming. This process generates controllable and stable morphologies where the void volume is determined by the porogen loading level. The porous materials are thermally robust and intrinsically hydrophobic without subsequent chemical treatment. Dielectric constants of < 2.2 are easily achieved for pore volumes of only 20%, and this porosity appears to be predominately closed cell in nature. These materials display a number of thermal mechanical and electric properties consistent with the requirements for on-chip insulator applications.

Background. Sumatriptan, a specific agonist at 5-HT1D receptors, stimulates release of growth hormone (GH) and inhibits release of prolactin (PRL).

Methods. We gave sumatriptan (6 mg subcutaneously) to 11 patients with unipolar major depression and 11 control subjects matched for age, sex, weight and menstrual cycle phase. Serum GH and PRL were measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 min after injection.

Results. The maximal rise in GH was significantly reduced in the depressed patients, with 60% showing no increase over baseline compared with 18% of controls. There were no significant differences in PRL responses.

Conclusions. These results suggest reduced sensitivity of 5-HT1D receptors in major depression. Our results and those of studies investigating 5-HT1A receptors imply that both 5-HT1A and 5-HT1D autoreceptors may show reduced function in major depression.

Transparent, nanophase-separated, inorganic-organic hybrid polymers with dielectric constants below 3.0 have been prepared from reactively functionalized poly(amic ester) derivatives and substituted, oligomeric silsesquioxanes. These hybrid materials are stable to 400 °C and above and form tough, crack-free films. Induced cracking and crack propagation studies performed with the application of external stress suggest a maximum critical film thickness of at least 2.0 μm under severe stress conditions. These hybrid materials appear to be significantly toughened by the chemical incorporation of the polyimides relative to organically modified silicates and spin-on-glasses without significantly effecting other important polymer properties of the silicates.