Search

ABSTRACTThere is a growing risk of a military attack on Taiwan by mainland China (otherwise known as the People’s Republic of China, or PRC) to achieve what the latter terms “reunification.” Taiwan, the US, and Japan must urgently and interactively prepare for this contingency—which is also the best way of deterring it. Taiwan must increase military spending (as it has begun to do), with an emphasis on a “porcupine strategy” of lots of distributed, mobile, survivable, affordable, and lethal weapons. The US must increase its military deployments and joint exercises in the region, again emphasizing the types of weapons that can survive a preemptive PRC attack and counter a Chinese blockade or amphibious invading force. Japan will double defense spending over the next five years in a welcome and transformative move, but effective deterrence requires that it also signal that the collective defense of Taiwan against a military attack is existential for its own security.

AbstractEssential oils, such as thyme oil, are natural chemicals used to treat Varroa destructorinfestations in western honey bee (Apis melliferaL.) colonies. We compared the effects of thyme oil/mineral oil mixtures delivered with an insect fogger or vaporizer to those of smoke from a smoker on the mortality and behavior of adult honey bees (Apis mellifera). Thyme oil delivered by fogging significantly increased caged bee mortality over that of the controls. The behaviors of thyme oil-treated bees in the observation hives were somewhat similar to those of the control bees exposed to smoke.

Novel chemical sensors that improve detection and quantification of CO2are critical to ensuring safe and cost-effective monitoring of carbon storage sites. Fiber optic (FO)-based chemical sensor systems are promising field-deployable systems for real-time monitoring of CO2in geological formations for long-range distributed sensing. In this work, a mixed-matrix composite integrated FO sensor system was developed with a purely optical readout that reliably operates as a detector for gas-phase and dissolved CO2. A mixed-matrix composite sensor coating consisting of plasmonic nanocrystals and hydrophobic zeolite embedded in a polymer matrix was integrated on the FO sensor. The mixed-matrix composite FO sensor showed excellent reversibility/stability in a high humidity environment and sensitivity to gas-phase CO2over a large concentration range. This remarkable sensing performance was enabled by using plasmonic nanocrystals to significantly enhance the sensitivity and a hydrophobic zeolite to effectively mitigate interference from water vapor. The sensor exhibited the ability to sense CO2in the presence of other geologically relevant gases, which is of importance for applications in geological formations. A prototype FO sensor configuration, which possesses a robust sensing capability for monitoring dissolved CO2in natural water, was demonstrated. Reproducibility was confirmed over many cycles, both in a laboratory setting and in the field. More importantly, we demonstrated on-line monitoring capabilities with a wireless telemetry system, which transferred the data from the field to a website. The combination of outstanding CO2sensing properties and facile coating processability makes this mixed-matrix composite FO sensor a good candidate for practical carbon storage applications.

AbstractNosema ceranaeis a unicellular microsporidian causing ventricular cell lysis in host Apisspecies. We hypothesized that the gut microbiota of honey bees, A. cerana, A. dorsata, A. florea,and A. mellifera, is disrupted by N. ceranaeinfection. Correspondingly, we investigated the impact of N. ceranaeinfection on gut populations of Bifidobacteriumsp. and Apilactobacillus kunkeeiin the selected Apisspecies. The bacteria populations were compared using a culture-dependent method and employing 16S rRNA gene sequencing between bees infected with 2.0 × 105N. ceranaespores and those remaining uninfected. The number of N. ceranaespores per bee and the ratio of infected gut cells to uninfected cells were measured at five and ten days post infection (p.i.). N. ceranaespore load at ten days p.i. was significantly greater than at five days p.i. and was varied with species’ body size. For each of the four Apisspecies, N. ceranaetreated bees had lower survival than did the control bees. Moreover, A. floraehad the largest infection ratio of all the species. Across all Apisspecies, N. ceranaeinfected individuals had significantly lower mean numbers of Bifidobacteriumsp. and A. kunkeeithan did uninfected ones. Among infected bees, the average number of both bacteria was significantly greatest in A. dorsataand lowest in A. cerana. Overall, N. ceranaeinfection was associated with histopathological damage and also with lower populations of Bifidobacteriumsp. and A. kunkeeiin the midguts of the tested honey bee species.

Declines of pollinators and high mortality rates of honey bee colonies are a major concern, both in the USA and globally. Long-term data on summer, winter, and annual colony losses improve our understanding of forces shaping the viability of the pollination industry. Since the mass die-offs of colonies in the USA during the winter of 2006–2007, generally termed “Colony Collapse Disorder” (CCD), annual colony loss surveys have been conducted. These surveys gage colony losses among beekeepers of all operation sizes, recruited to participate via regional beekeeping organizations, phone calls, and postal mail. In the last three years, these surveys include summer and annual losses in addition to winter losses. Winter losses in this most recent survey include 5,937 valid participants (5,690 backyard, 169 sideline, and 78 commercial beekeepers), collectively managing 414,267 colonies on 1 October 2014 and constituting 15.1% of the estimated 2.74 million managed colonies in the USA. Annual losses are typically higher than either winter or summer losses, as they calculate losses over the entire year. Total reported losses were 25.3% [95% CI 24.7–25.9%] over the summer, 22.3% [95% CI 21.9–22.8%] over the winter, and 40.6% [95% CI 40.0–41.2%] for the entire 2014–2015 beekeeping year. Average losses were 14.7% [95% CI 14.0–15.3%] over the summer, 43.7% [95% CI 42.8–44.6%] over the winter, and 49.0% [95% CI 48.1–50.0%] over the entire year. While total winter losses were lower in 2014–2015 than in previous years, summer losses remained high, resulting in total annual colony losses of more than 40% during the survey period. This was the first year that total losses were higher in the summer than in the winter, explained in large part by commercial beekeepers reporting losses of 26.2% of their managed colonies during summer, compared to 20.5% during winter. Self-identified causes of overwintering mortality differed by operation size, with smaller backyard beekeepers generally indicating colony management issues (e.g., starvation, weak colony in the fall), in contrast to commercial beekeepers who typically emphasize parasites or factors outside their control (e.g., varroa, nosema, queen failure). More than two-thirds of all beekeepers (67.3%) had higher colony losses than they deemed acceptable.

Pathogenic variants in MYH7and MYBPC3account for the majority of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Targeted drugs like myosin ATPase inhibitors have not been evaluated in children. We generate patient and variant-corrected iPSC-cardiomyocytes (CMs) from pediatric HCM patients harboring single variants in MYH7(V606M; R453C), MYBPC3(G148R) or digenic variants (MYBPC3 P955fs, TNNI3 A157V). We also generate CMs harboring MYBPC3mono- and biallelic variants using CRISPR editing of a healthy control. Compared with isogenic and healthy controls, variant-positive CMs show sarcomere disorganization, higher contractility, calcium transients, and ATPase activity. However, only MYH7and biallelic MYBPC3variant-positive CMs show stronger myosin-actin binding. Targeted myosin ATPase inhibitors show complete rescue of the phenotype in variant-positive CMs and in cardiac Biowires to mirror isogenic controls. The response is superior to verapamil or metoprolol. Myosin inhibitors can be effective in genotypically diverse HCM highlighting the need for myosin inhibitor drug trials in pediatric HCM.

The health of western honey bees (Apis melliferaL.) is constantly affected by Nosema ceranae, a microsporidian threat to colonies worldwide. We extracted propolis, a natural product exhibiting antimicrobial properties, from honey bee hives, fed it to worker bees before or after infection with N. ceranae, and determined its ability to protect bees from and treat them after infection. Protection from N. ceranaewas tested using newly emerged bees that were group fed (50 bees/group) 50% propolis extract for 2, 4 and 8 d prior to infection with 1 × 105spores per bee. Treatment of N. ceranaewas tested on newly emerged bees that were individually force-fed with 2 µL of 50% (w/v) sucrose solution containing 1 × 105spores per bee and then treated with 50% propolis in 50% sucrose solution (v/v) at 0, 2, 4 and 8 d post infection (p.i.). Positive (sugar water + N. ceranae), negative (sugar water only), and solvent (ethanol + sugar water) controls were included in both studies. Propolis fed to honey bees for 4 or 8 d before infection was associated with significantly reduced mortality, infectivity, and N. ceranaeinfection rates compared to the positive controls. Moreover, providing propolis to infected honey bees at d 0, 2, and 4 p.i. significantly reduced bee mortality, infection, and infectivity rates compared to the positive controls and bees treated 8 d p.i. Therefore, propolis extracted from honey bee hives may be a promising alternative approach to antibiotics for protecting colonies from Nosemadisease.

Fluorescent nanodiamonds (NDs) containing nitrogen vacancy centers (NV) have promising applications in quantum sensing, quantum computing, catalytic, and imaging applications. Functionalization of NDs with an ordered, porous coating can provide well-defined sites for ND immobilization and analyte interaction with the ND surface, furnishing a tunable environment for quantum applications and catalysis. Here, a facile strategy for functionalizing NV NDs with the biocompatible zeolitic imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8) metal–organic framework (MOF) is demonstrated. The composites were structurally characterized by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, indicating the formation of well-dispersed ND three-dimensional structures supported by a MOF matrix. Crucially, the fluorescence and optically detected magnetic resonance properties were preserved following ZIF-8 encapsulation, while spin relaxometry studies indicate that MOF functionalization lengthens the spin longitudinal relaxation time T1, a critical quantum parameter for sensing applications. We further demonstrate that the average number of NDs per MOF can be controlled by increasing the concentration of NDs used in the synthesis. The tunable design of NDs@MOF materials has important implications for quantum sensing, quantum computing, and related applications, and the synthetic strategy and optical characterization data presented here provide a foundation for future exploration of ND@MOF systems.

Commercial beekeepers need healthy, productive honey bee (Apis melliferaL.) colonies, even when the landscape lacks adequate pollen forage to sustain the colonies. As a result, many commercial beekeepers spend significant money and labor on the use of pollen substitutes in their colonies. However, there is little consensus in the literature about the benefits and drawbacks of pollen substitute use on honey bee colony health. In order to understand this critically, it is important to know first how honey bees distribute pollen substitute patties throughout their colonies. We traced the fate of three commercially available pollen substitute patties (MegaBee, UltraBee, AP23) dyed with a nontoxic food coloring (Brilliant Blue FCF) and undyed as negative controls, a dyed positive control (fondant), and a dyed consumption control (Crayola Model Magic Clay) in 44 honey bee colonies. Using spectrophotometry and visual inspection, we analyzed adult bee guts, larval guts, bee bread stores and colony debris underneath the hive for presence of the dye. Our data suggest that (1) a proportion of adult bees ingest the patty, (2) adult bees likely do not feed patty directly to larvae, (3) adult bees do not store patty like bee bread, and (4) only a very small proportion of patty is lost as debris. Collectively our data suggest that honey bee colonies use pollen substitute patties. However, patties likely do not replace the function of natural pollen entirely in terms of larval provisioning and long-term storage as bee bread.

Racial inequities in retention and graduation rates are a top concern in higher education, yet scholars and practitioners rarely look to racism to explain these disparities. Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a vehicle to reveal and challenge power and oppression dynamics between racialized groups. This article proposes a practical model for student affairs professionals to leverage CRT concepts to address racial inequities in student outcomes and experiences.

Oxalic acid (OA) is a natural compound that has been used to control the honey bee (Apis mellifera) pest Varroa destructor. One method of OA application gaining popularity among beekeepers in the US involves vaporizing OA crystals with heat inside a closed hive. Herein, we tested different doses of OA applied via vaporization to determine the most effective amount of OA needed to reduce V. destructorpopulations below that of the negative controls. Forty experimental colonies were assigned to one of four treatment groups, with ten colonies composing each group. The four treatments were: (1) 1 g OA, (2) 2 g OA, (3) 4 g OA and (4) no OA (negative control). The OA was applied via vaporization once per week for three weeks. V. destructorinfestation rate and colony strength assessments were estimated before, during, and after treatment applications. Colonies in the 4 g OA treatment group had significantly lower infestation rates than did those in the untreated control and 1 g OA treatment groups, but not those in the 2 g OA treatment group. The infestation rate of colonies treated three times with 1 g OA, which is the current legal limit for OA vaporization in the US, was not significantly different from that of colonies in the negative control or 2 g OA treatment groups. Colonies receiving the highest dose of OA were generally healthier than those treated at lower OA doses. Our results may lead to improved efficacy of OA vaporization, thus aiding beekeepers in their efforts to control V. destructor.

Mutations in MECP2predominantly cause Rett syndrome and can be modeled in vitro using human stem cell–derived neurons. Patients with Rett syndrome have signs of cortical hyperexcitability, such as seizures. Human stem cell–derived MECP2null excitatory neurons have smaller soma size and reduced synaptic connectivity but are also hyperexcitable due to higher input resistance. Paradoxically, networks of MECP2null neurons show a decrease in the frequency of network bursts consistent with a hypoconnectivity phenotype. Here, we examine this issue.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are a class of cationic-layered solids that can be synthetically designed for a variety of advanced functions. Facile thin film growth of LDHs is an important requisite for a variety of applications including functional coatings, displays, and sensing. In this work we demonstrate, for the first time, an in situand patternable thin film synthesis of interconnected Zn–Cr LDH particles from a transparent conducting oxide precursor, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, at room temperature within minutes. Synthetic parameters such as chromium(III) nitrate concentration, solvent composition, and reaction time were found to significantly affect the thickness and morphology of the resulting LDH films. These LDH thin films can undergo interlayer anion exchange, which modulates the interlayer distance of the LDH sheets and surface energy of the thin film. Replacement of the interlayer anion with perfluorooctanoate increases the interlayer sheet distance from 0.9 to 2.8 nm and induces a super-hydrophobic thin film that is capable of adsolubilizing and retaining organic guest molecules. The synthetic method and structural analysis of the LDH thin films introduced in this work opens new avenues of application for LDH films.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical to numerous technologies; however, a combination of increasing demand, environmental concerns, and monopolistic marketplace conditions has spurred interest in boosting the domestic REE production from sources such as coal utilization byproducts. The economic viability of this approach requires rapid, inexpensive, and sensitive analytical techniques capable of characterizing the REE content during resource exploration and downstream REE processing (e.g., analyzing REE separation, concentration, and purification production steps). Luminescence-based sensors are attractive because many REEs may be sensitized to produce element-specific emission. Hence, a single material may simultaneously detect and distinguish multiple REEs. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) can sensitize multiple REEs, but their viability has been hindered by sensitivity and selectivity challenges. Understanding how the MOF structure impacts the REE sensing efficacy is critical to the rational design of new sensors. Here, we evaluate the sensing performance of seven different anionic zinc-adeninate MOFs with different organic linkers and/or structures for the visible-emitting REEs Tb, Dy, Sm, and Eu. The choice of a linker determines which REEs are sensitized and significantly influences their sensitivity and selectivity against competing species (here, Fe(II) and HCl). For a given linker, structural changes to the MOF can further fine-tune the performance. The MOFs produce some of the lowest detection limits (sub-10 ppb for Tb) reported for the aqueous sensitization-based REE detection. Importantly, the most selective MOFs demonstrated the ability to sensitize the REE signal at sub-ppm levels in a REE-spiked acid mine drainage matrix, highlighting their potential for use in real-world sensing applications.

Fabrication of metal–organic framework (MOF) thin films over macroscopic surface areas is a subject of great interest for gas sensor application platforms such as optics and microelectronics. However, a direct synthesis of MOF films at ambient conditions, in particular pillared-layer MOF films due to their anisotropic structures, remains a significant challenge. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time a facile construction of dense and continuous pillared-layer MOF thin films on a centimeter scale via an aluminum-doped zinc oxide template and hydroxy double salt (HDS) intermediates at room temperature. A series of Cu(II)-based pillared MOFs with different 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (bdc) ligands were explored for optimizing MOF film formation for CO2sensor applications. Nonpolar ligands with lower water solubility preferentially formed crystalline pillared MOF structures from HDS intermediates. A Cu2(ndc)2(dabco) (ndc = 1,4-naphthalene-bdc; dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) MOF demonstrated the most dense and uniform film growth with micrometer thickness over one square centimeter area. This synthetic approach for growing Cu2(ndc)2(dabco) MOF thin films was successfully translated toward two sensing platforms: a quartz crystal microbalance and an optical fiber sensor. These Cu2(ndc)2(dabco) MOF-coated sensors displayed sensitivity toward CO2and response/recovery time on the scale of seconds, even at moderate humidity levels. This work provides a road map for producing continuous and anisotropic crystalline MOF thin films over a centimeter scale area on various substrates, which will greatly facilitate their utilization in MOF-based sensor devices, among other applications.

Greater wax moths (GWM, Galleria mellonellaL.) are important pests of Western honey bee (Apis melliferaL.) colonies. The larval moths feed on wax combs, cast honey bee larval skins, pollen, and some honey, leaving behind a destroyed comb containing moth silk and frass. We used standard protocols to determine how GWM larva consumption of wax comb impacts various food utilization and larval growth parameters. Five larval instars (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th) were assessed 24 hours after molting from the prior instar stage and 48 hours before molting to the next instar stage. The consumption rate (CR) of wax was lowest for 3rd instar larvae (17.5 ± 0.8 mg consumed/day, mean ± s.e.) and highest for 7th instar larvae (515.4 ± 22.7 mg/day). The relative growth rate (RGR) was lowest for 7th instar larvae (0.05 ± 0.01 mg/day) and highest in 3rd instar larvae (0.16 ± 0.04 mg/day). A similar trend (decrease in response with increase in larval age) was observed for conversion efficiency of ingested food (ECI), conversion efficiency of digested food (ECD), and approximate digestibility (AD). Third instar larvae had significantly higher ECIs, ECDs, and ADs than did all other larval instars. The data can be used to quantify the efficiency with which the GWM larvae assimilate food and utilize it for growth.

The small hive beetle (SHB, Aethina tumida) is an invasive honey bee pest. It has been introduced into many countries worldwide and it will continue to spread. The lifecycle of the SHB is divided between a feeding and reproduction phase inside honey bee colonies and a pupation phase in the soil, surrounding colonies. Once larvae have achieved their ideal weight, they leave the hive in search of suitable soil in which to pupate. Trapping larvae when they leave the hive could reduce the reproductive success of SHBs, as this would break their lifecycle. Therefore, we investigated the larvae containment rate of different trap designs. Dry and wet larvae were released into traps and left to wander for 12 h, after which we counted the larvae remaining in the trap. Similarly, we tested the permeability of different mesh sizes for dry and wet larvae. Finally, we investigated the speed dry larvae are capable of crawling, by recording the time it took them to crawl a known distance. Dry larvae were contained by all traps. While most designs were unable to contain wet larvae, a trap with walls of sandpaper was able to contain all larvae successfully. Larvae could not pass through a mesh size of 1 mm in dry or wet conditions. The mean wandering larvae speed observed was 0.42 cm/sc. We recommend the use of traps for wandering SHB larvae as a mitigative measure for new introductions and a control method for established populations.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

A successful Integrated Pest Management approach to Varroa destructorAnderson and Trueman control in managed colonies of western honey bees Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) must be an improvement over conventional control methods and include cost-effective treatments that can be readily employed by beekeepers. Herein, we tested the efficacy of oxalic acid (OA) vaporization and brood interruption as Varroacontrols. Sixty experimental colonies were randomly assigned to one of six treatment groups with 10 colonies per group. The six treatments were: 1) OA applied once, 2) OA applied three times, 3) brood interruption, 4) OA applied once + brood interruption, 5) OA applied three times + brood interruption, and 6) no OA or brood interruption. The OA was applied via vaporization, with each application being 1 g OA applied through the hive entrance (label rate), on the bottom board. Brood interruption was accomplished by caging a colony’s queen in a queen cage for a period of 24 d. An additional 10 colonies were treated with amitraz (Apivar - positive control). Varroalevels were estimated before, during, and after treatment applications using sticky boards left in colonies for 3 d. Our data suggest that queen caging to achieve brood interruption during the fall season can negatively impact colony strength and survival. We observed high colony mortality in some treatments, despite diligent colony management to alleviate the side effects of the treatments. Colonies treated with amitraz were healthier and had better survival than those treated with OA vaporization. In conclusion, OA and/or brood interruption did not provide sufficient Varroacontrol.

Sport-related concussion refers to the subset of concussive injuries occurring during sport activities. Similar to concussion from nonsport mechanisms, sport-related concussion is associated with significant morbidity, including migrainous headaches, disruption in normal daily activities, and long-term depression and cognitive deficits. Unlike nonsport concussions, sport-related concussion may be uniquely amenable to prevention efforts to mitigate these problems. The emergency department (ED) visit for sport-related concussion represents an opportunity to reduce morbidity by timely diagnosis and management using best practices, and through education and counseling to prevent a subsequent sport-related concussion. This article provides recommendations to reduce sport-related concussion disability through primary, secondary, and tertiary preventive strategies enacted during the ED visit. Although many recommendations have a solid evidence base, several research gaps remain. The overarching goal of improving sport-related concussion outcome through enactment of ED-based prevention strategies needs to be explicitly studied.

Carbon nitride/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) van der Waals heterostructures (vdWH) have previously shown exceptional oxygen sensitivity via a photoredox mechanism, making it a potential material candidate for various applications such as oxygen reduction reaction catalysis and oxygen sensing. In this work, the electronic structure of a carbon nitride/rGO composite is modified through the introduction of copper nanoparticles (NPs). When incorporated into a chemiresistor device, this vdWH displayed a newfound CO2sensitivity. The effects of humidity and light were investigated and found to be crucial components for the CO2sensitivity. Density functional theory calculations performed on a carbon nitride/copper NP@rGO model system found an enhanced stabilization of CO2caused by H-bonds between the carbon nitride layer and chemisorbed CO2on copper, pointing to the important role played by humidity. The synergetic effect between the carbon nitride layer interfaced with CuNP@rGO, in combination with humidity and light (395 nm) irradiation, is found to be responsible for the newfound sensitivity toward CO2.

Melon, a polymeric, uncondensed graphitic carbon nitride with a two-dimensional structure, has been coupled with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to create an oxygen chemiresistor sensor that is active under UV photoactivation. Oxygen gas is an important sensor target in a variety of areas including industrial safety, combustion process monitoring, as well as environmental and biomedical fields. Because of the intimate electrical interface formed between melon and rGO, charge transfer of photoexcited electrons occurs between the two materials when under UV (λ = 365 nm) irradiation. A photoredox mechanism wherein oxygen is reduced on the rGO surface provides the basis for sensing oxygen gas in the concentration range 300–100 000 ppm. The sensor response was found to be logarithmically proportional to oxygen gas concentration. DFT calculations of a melon-oxidized graphene composite found that slight protonation of melon leads to charge accumulation on the rGO layer and a corresponding charge depletion on the melon layer. This work provides an example of a metal-free system for solid–gas interface sensing via a photoredox mechanism.