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Abstract: The stem-boring weevilListronotus setosipennis (Hustache) is widespread and damaging to its hostParthenium hysterophorus L. in northern Argentina and southern Brazil. In detailed host-testing it was shown to have a restricted host-range and, despite some feeding and development on sunflower in tests, to be a safe biological control agent againstP. hysterophorus. Field releases in Queensland, Australia took place from 1982 to 1986 and the weevil has established over several thousand hectares at numerous sites. Spread is however slow and the effect on the plant still negligible.

Abstract: The biology and host specificity of the psyllidHeteropsylla spinulosa Muddiman, Hodkinson & Hollis collected fromMimosa invisa Von Martius, was studied in Brazil and in Australia. Oviposition was recorded on 19 of 100 plant species tested but nymphs died without feeding, except onM. invisa. H. spinulosa was shown to be specific toM. invisa and was subsequently released and established in Australia and Western Samoa.

Numerous attempts have been made to produce premature contractions in the experimental animal by the stimulation of the vagus and the sympathetic nerves. Rothberger and Winterberg1 and Kuré2 were perhaps most successful in these experiments. The former investigators employed combined stimulation of the vagi and the sympathetic, and the latter stimulated the sympathetic. Lewis3 records one instance in which premature beats followed the stimulation of the left vagus on repeated occasions. In a later survey of the subject, Lewis4 questions the interpretation placed by Rothberger and Winterberg on some of their curves, and calls attention to the very low percentage of positive results obtained by Kuré. He further points out that, in the large number of experiments in which he has stimulated the vagus under varying conditions, in only one instance did the extrasystoles seem to be related to nerve impulses. Lewis thus concluded that experimental observations did not demonstrate

From this study of the bacteria found in women dying from sepsis following abortion, it appears that the hemolytic streptococcus is more often found than other organisms, but that such bacteria as B. coli and staphylococci are not infrequently present. It is possible that the hemolytic streptococci are present in the lochia but it appears that some outside influence such as trauma from instrumentation, douches, and the like are necessary to bring about generalized infection.

We report what is to our knowledge the first delivery of nanosecond laser pulses through flexible fibers to produce optical sparks in atmospheric-pressure gases. Our work employs a Nd:YAG laser beam (1.064??m) delivered through a cyclic olefin polymer-coated silver hollow fiber. We studied the beam properties at the fiber exit as a function of the fiber launch geometry. We found that for a low-angle launch (?0.01?rad half-angle), the exit beam has relatively high optical intensity (?2?GW?cm^2) and low light divergence (?0.01?rad half-angle) and allows downstream spark formation. The effect of fiber bending on the exit beam and on the ability to make sparks is also investigated.

Reports on the charges filed against Joseph Couture, an employee of the Schiller Station power plant in Newington, New Hampshire for illegal catching of lobsters. Unintentional trapping of the lobsters in the plant's cooling system.

From time to time, numerous discrepancies in the Wassermann test for syphilis have been reported, and though standardization of the test has been many times attempted, no method of standardization is as yet generally accepted. To meet this difficulty, several precipitation tests have been developed, the latest and simplest being that of Kahn,1 modified by Herrold.2The latter test is even more simple and economical than the Kahn test. It is based on the formation of a ring of precipitation of antigen when in contact with serum from a patient with syphilis. To determine the value of this precipitation reaction in the diagnosis of syphilis, parallel observations on Wassermann and precipitin tests have been made.The antigen used was prepared according to the method described by Kahn. For the test, the antigen is diluted rapidly 1: 10 or 1: 12 with physiologic sodium chlorid solution, as outlined by