The comparative osmoregulatory ability of two water beetle genera whose species span the fresh-hypersaline gradient in inland waters (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae, Hydrophilidae).

A better knowledge of the physiological basis of salinity tolerance is essential to understanding the ecology and evolutionary history of organisms that have colonized inland saline waters. Coleoptera are amongst the most diverse macroinvertebrates in inland waters, including saline habitats; however, the osmoregulatory strategies they employ to deal with osmotic stress remain unexplored. Survival and haemolymph osmotic concentration at different salinities were examined in adults of eight aquatic beetle species which inhabit different parts of the fresh-hypersaline gradient. Studied species belong to two unrelated genera which have invaded saline waters independently from freshwater ancestors; Nebrioporus (Dytiscidae) and Enochrus (Hydrophilidae). Their osmoregulatory strategy (osmoconformity or osmoregulation) was identified and osmotic capacity (the osmotic gradient between the animal's haemolymph and the external medium) was compared between species pairs co-habiting similar salinities in nature. We show that osmoregulatory capacity, rather than osmoconformity, has evolved independently in these different lineages. All species hyperegulated their haemolymph osmotic concentration in diluted waters; those living in fresh or low-salinity waters were unable to hyporegulate and survive in hyperosmotic media (> 340 mosmol kg(-1)). In contrast, the species which inhabit the hypo-hypersaline habitats were effective hyporegulators, maintaining their haemolymph osmolality within narrow limits (ca. 300 mosmol kg(-1)) across a wide range of external concentrations. The hypersaline species N. ceresyi and E. jesusarribasi tolerated conductivities up to 140 and 180 mS cm(-1), respectively, and maintained osmotic gradients over 3500 mosmol kg(-1), comparable to those of the most effective insect osmoregulators known to date. Syntopic species of both genera showed similar osmotic capacities and in general, osmotic responses correlated well with upper salinity levels occupied by individual species in nature. Therefore, osmoregulatory capacity may mediate habitat segregation amongst congeners across the salinity gradient

The Feasibility, Appropriateness, Meaningfulness, and Effectiveness of Parenting and Family Support Programs Delivered in the Criminal Justice System: A Systematic Review

Children whose parents are involved in the criminal justice system (CJS) are at increased risk of developing social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties and are more likely than their peers to become involved in the CJS themselves. Parenting behaviour and parent-child relationships have the potential to affect children’s outcomes with positive parenting practices having the potential to moderate some of the negative outcomes associated with parental involvement in the CJS. However, many parents in the CJS may lack appropriate role models to support the development of positive parenting beliefs and practices. Parenting programs offer an opportunity for parents to enhance their parenting knowledge and behaviours and improve relationships with children. Quantitative and qualitative evidence pertaining to the implementation and effectiveness of parenting programs delivered in the CJS was included. Five databases were searched and a total of 1145 articles were identified of which 29 met the review inclusion criteria. Overall, programs were found to significantly improve parenting attitudes; however, evidence of wider effects is limited. Additionally, the findings indicate that parenting programs can be meaningful for parents. Despite this, a number of challenges for implementation were found including the transient nature of the prison population and a lack of parent-child contact. Based on these findings, recommendations for the future development and delivery of programs are discussed

A self-assembling hexameric spheroid with variable degrees of hydration

The V-shaped racemic compound 4,12-dinitro-6,7,14,15-tetrahydro-6,14- methanocycloocta[1,2-b:5,6-b']diquinoline 2 crystallises from solvents of differing water content as a centrosymmetric spheroidal hexamer in the form of a series of isostructural clusters (2) 6•(water) x X-ray structures of these crystals in space group R3̄ show that they can exhibit an extent of hydration anywhere throughout the composition range x = 0 to 1. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V

A Tetrachloro Guest in a Molecular Box

The new lattice inclusion host exo-7,exo-15-dibromo-6,7,14,15-tetrahydro-6,14-methanocycloocta[1,2-b:5,6-b'] diquinoxaline (6) has been synthesized in three steps from bicyclo [3.3.1]nonane-2,6-dione and benzofurazan oxide. It preferentially forms crystalline inclusion compounds with small polyhaloalkane guest molecules, and the crystal structure of the 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane compound [(C21H14N4Br2)2.C2H2Cl4, Pbcn , a 11.663(2), b 13.195(3), c 27.444(5) Ǻ, Z 4, R 0.041] is described. The key characteristic of this compound is a series of molecular boxes in which the guest molecules reside. Construction of the six surrounding walls is achieved with the aromatic rings of just four host molecules, and the guest molecule occupies a fixed position within the box. The intermolecular forces resulting in formation of this novel inclusion structure are analysed in detail. </jats:p