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Energy, Énergie, Metallurgy, welding, Métallurgie, soudage, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Energie, Energy, Energie. Utilisation thermique des combustibles, Energy. Thermal use of fuels, Installations de production et de conversion d'énergie: énergie électrique, énergie thermique., Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy., Centrales nucléaires à fission, Fission nuclear power plants, America, South America, Amérique du Sud, Amérique, America del sur, Analyse, Analysis, Arbre événement, Brésil, Brazil, Brasil, Centrale nucléaire, Nuclear power plant, Planta nuclear, Evaluation probabiliste, Programme ordinateur, Computer program, Risque, Risk, Riesgo, Sécurité, Safety, and Securidad

Description de la méthodologie utilisée dans le programme d'ordinateur d'analyse d'arbres d'événements pour des évaluations probabilistes de risques. Description détaillée de la structure du programme et de ses entrées et sorties. Discussion de quelques limitations de la version actuelle du programme.

Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Phytopathologie. Zoologie agricole. Protection des cultures et des forets, Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection, Protozoaires. Invertébrés, Protozoa. Invertebrates, Signalements, symptômes, dégâts, importance économique, surveillance des populations, Records, symptoms, damages, economic importance, population surveys, Angiospermae, Arthropoda, Dicotyledones, Heteroptera, Insecta, Invertebrata, Leguminosae, Spermatophyta, Coreidae, Déprédateur, Pest, Plaga, Plante légumière, Vegetable crop, Planta leguminosa, Relation animal végétal, Animal plant relation, Relación animal vegetal, Rendement, Yield, Rendimiento, Seuil dégât économique, Economic injury level, Umbral daño económico, Seuil intervention, Treatment threshold, Umbral tratamiento, Surveillance population, Population survey, Vigilancia población, Vigna unguiculata, and Clavigralla tomenta sicollis

Agronomy, agriculture, phytopathology, Agronomie, agriculture, phytopathologie, Entomology, Entomologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Invertebres, Invertebrates, Phytopathologie. Zoologie agricole. Protection des cultures et des forets, Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection, Protozoaires. Invertébrés, Protozoa. Invertebrates, Lutte, Control, Lutte intégrée, Integrated pest control, Angiospermae, Arthropoda, Coreidae, Culture tropicale, Tropical crop, Cultivo tropical, Dicotyledones, Déprédateur, Pest, Plaga, Heteroptera, Insecta, Insecticide, Insecticida, Invertebrata, Leguminosae, Lepidoptera, Légumineuse grain, Grain legume, Leguminosa grano, Meliaceae, Plante pesticide, Pesticide crop, Planta plaguicida, Pyralidae, Spermatophyta, Azadirachta indica, Efficacité traitement, Treatment efficiency, Eficacia tratamiento, Extrait tissulaire, Tissue extract, Extracto tisular, Lutte antidéprédateur, Pest management, Manejo de plagas, Maruca testulalis, Origine végétale, Plant origin, Origen vegetal, Produit naturel, Natural product, Producto natural, Vigna unguiculata, Clavigralla tomentosicollis, Insecticide végétal, and Botanical insecticide

The insecticidal activity of neem, Azadirachta indica A. Juss., was tested on two major cowpea pests using different concentrations of aqueous extracts, and powders of both neem seed and kernel. The pests were larvae of Maruca testulalis Geyer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the legume pod borer and Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stäl (Hemiptera: Coreidae), the cowpea coreid bug. Ife Brown, an improved local cowpea variety, and IT84S-2246, a breeding line from IITA grain legume programme, were used in the study. Neem proved effective in acting as an insecticide and affected the rates of development of both pests at concentration as low as ca. 9% solution (wt/vol.).

Medical oncology, Cancérologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences medicales, Medical sciences, Pharmacologie. Traitements medicamenteux, Pharmacology. Drug treatments, Anticancéreux, Antineoplastic agents, Chimiothérapie, Chemotherapy, Anticancéreux, Antineoplastic agent, Anticanceroso, Chimiothérapie, Chemotherapy, Quimioterapia, Cycle cellulaire, Cell cycle, Ciclo celular, Cytométrie flux, Flow cytometry, Citometría flujo, Etude cas, Case study, Estudio caso, Exploration, Exploración, Glande mammaire, Mammary gland, Glándula mamaria, Homme, Human, Hombre, Phase S, S Phase, Fase S, Pronostic, Prognosis, Pronóstico, Préménopause, Premenopause, Premenopausia, Radiothérapie, Radiotherapy, Radioterapia, Traitement adjuvant, Adjuvant treatment, Tratamiento adyuvante, Traitement, Treatment, Tratamiento, Tumeur maligne, Malignant tumor, and Tumor maligno

Cancer chemotherapy interacts with cell proliferation, but data on the relationship between cancer cell replication and the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy are scarce. We have investigated the S-phase fractions of the primary tumour from premenopausal breast cancer patients who participated in a randomised trial comparing 12 cycles of polychemotherapy (CMF) with post-operative radiotherapy. DNA flow cytometry was performed on frozen tissues from 208 primary breast carcinomas, of which the S-phase fraction was estimated in 176 cases. There was a significantly higher benefit from CMF among patients with a high S-phase fraction (P=0.0033).

Biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, Biochimie, biologie moléculaire, biophysique, Microbiology, infectious diseases, Microbiologie, maladies infectieuses, Virology, Virologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences medicales, Medical sciences, Pathologie infectieuse, Infectious diseases, Viroses, Viral diseases, Viroses expérimentales et modèles, Experimental viral diseases and models, Betaherpesvirinae, Cytokine, Citoquina, Herpesviridae, Infection, Infección, Mammalia, Rodentia, Vertebrata, Virus, Cytomegalovirus, Facteur nécrose tumorale α, Tumor necrosis factor α, Factor necrosis tumoral α, Histopathologie, Histopathology, Histopatología, Immunodépression, Immunosuppression, Inmunodepresión, Modèle animal, Animal model, Modelo animal, Multiplication virus, Virus multiplication, Multiplicación virus, Pathogénie, Pathogenesis, Patogenia, Pathologie expérimentale, Experimental disease, Patología experimental, Rat, Rata, Relation hôte virus, Host virus relation, Relación huesped virus, Spécificité tissu, Tissue specificity, Especificidad tejido, Symptomatologie, Symptomatology, Sintomatología, Virose, Viral disease, and Virosis

We investigated the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the pathogenesis of rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) infection. TNF-α levels found in the sera of radiation-immunosuppressed rats in the course of infection (>350 pg/ml) correlated with the development of RCMV disease. Administration of anti-TNF-α antibodies strongly reduced the severity of pneumonia and led to a reduction in virus titers. In immunocompetent rats, anti-TNF-α antibodies also significantly suppressed viral replication. Conversely, administration of TNF-α augmented RCMV replication and aggravated the disease signs. In vitro, TNF-α enhanced RCMV replication in the macrophage, whereas a reduction of viral replication was observed in fibroblasts, indicating that the effect on viral replication is cell type specific.

Biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, Biochimie, biologie moléculaire, biophysique, Microbiology, infectious diseases, Microbiologie, maladies infectieuses, Virology, Virologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Microbiologie, Microbiology, Virologie, Virology, Cycle de développement, interférence, relations hôte-virus, pouvoir pathogène, souches diverses, Replicative cycle, interference, host-virus relations, pathogenicity, miscellaneous strains, Betaherpesvirinae, Cytokine, Citoquina, Herpesviridae, Infection, Infección, Mammalia, Rodentia, Vertebrata, Virus, Activité biologique, Biological activity, Actividad biológica, Cytomegalovirus, In vitro, In vivo, Interféron gamma, Gamma interferon, Interferón gamma, Modèle animal, Animal model, Modelo animal, Multiplication virus, Virus multiplication, Multiplicación virus, Pathologie expérimentale, Experimental disease, Patología experimental, Rat, Rata, Relation hôte virus, Host virus relation, Relación huesped virus, Virose, Viral disease, and Virosis

The role of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) in the resolution of rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) infection was investigated. In the spleen, IFN-γ-producing cells reached maximum numbers on day 7 after infection. Prophylactic treatment with high doses of recombinant rat IFN-γ exerted antiviral activity in fibroblasts and protected immunosuppressed rats against a lethal RCMV challenge. Remarkably, in immunocompetent rats, neutralization of endogenous IFN-γ activity significantly reduced the numbers of RCMV antigen-expressing cells in the spleen, the predominant site of viral replication. Moreover, protection of radiation-immunosuppressed infected rats by transferred immune T cells was enhanced by coinjection of IFN-γ neutralizing antibodies.

Genetics, Génétique, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences medicales, Medical sciences, Otorhinolaryngologie. Stomatologie, Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology, Face, maxillaires, dents, parodonte: maladies, sémiologie, Facial bones, jaws, teeth, parodontium: diseases, semeiology, Maladies non tumorales, Non tumoral diseases, Biologie moléculaire, Molecular biology, Biología molecular, Cavité buccale pathologie, Oral cavity disease, Cavidad bucal patología, Génétique, Genetics, Genética, Maladie congénitale, Congenital disease, Enfermedad congénita, Malformation, Malformación, Stomatologie, Stomatology, Estomatología, Déterminisme génétique, Genetic inheritance, Determinismo genético, Etude familiale, Family study, Estudio familiar, Fissure congénitale, Cleft, Fisura congenital, Homme, Human, Hombre, Linkage, Ligamiento, Lèvre, Lip, Labio, Palais, Palate, and Paladar

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) is a common craniofacial developmental defect. Recent segregation analyses have suggested that major genes play a role in the etiology of CL/P. Linkage to 22 candidate genes was tested in 11 multigenerational families with CL/P, and 21 of these candidates were excluded. APOC2, 19q13.1, which is linked to the proto-oncogene BCL3, gave suggestive evidence for linkage to CL/P. The study was expanded to include a total of 39 multigenerational CLIP families. Linkage was tested in all families, using an anonymous marker, D19S178, and intragenic markers in BCL3 and APOC2. Linkage was tested under two models, autosomal dominant with reduced penetrance and affecteds only. Homogeneity testing on the two-point data gave evidence of heterogeneity at APOC2 under the affecteds-only model. Both models showed evidence of heterogeneity, with 43% of families linked at zero recombination to BCL3 when marker data from BCL3 and APOC2 were included. A maximum multipoint LOD score of 7.00 at BCL3 was found among the 17 families that had posterior probabilities ≥50% in favor of linkage. The transmission disequilibrium test provided additional evidence for linkage with the 3 allele of BCL3 more often transmitted to affected children. These results suggest that BCL3, or a nearby gene, plays a role in the etiology of CLIP in some families.

Agronomy, agriculture, phytopathology, Agronomie, agriculture, phytopathologie, Entomology, Entomologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Phytopathologie. Zoologie agricole. Protection des cultures et des forets, Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection, Plantes parasites. Mauvaises herbes, Parasitic plants. Weeds, Malherbologie, Weeds, Lutte biologique et autres méthodes de lutte, Biological control and other methods, Angiospermae, Arthropoda, Dicotyledones, Invertebrata, Spermatophyta, Verbenaceae, Animal auxiliaire, Beneficial animal, Animal benéfico, Efficacité, Efficiency, Eficacia, Insecta, Lutte biologique, Biological control, Lucha biológica, Mauvaise herbe, Weed, Malezas, Modèle, Models, Modelo, Phytophage, Phytophagous, Fitófago, Relation animal végétal, Animal plant relation, Relación animal vegetal, and Lantana camara

Dans un effort continu pour éradiquer ou au moins, réduire, la présence de Lantana camara L., adventice bien répandue à Guam, un suivi bi-mensuel a été effectué, sur une période de 4 ans et demi, pour étudier l'efficacité des ennemis naturels à affaiblir la plante et à diminuer le nombre de graines viables. Au total, huit agents de lutte biologique ont été recensés. Les insectes s'attaquant aux feuilles sont: Uroplata girardi Pic. (Col. : Chrysomelidae), Teleonemia scrupulosa Stäl (Hem. : Tingidae), Calycomyza lantanae Frick (Dip. : Agromyzidae) et Hypena strigata (F.) (Lep. : Noctuidae). Les papillons de nuit Lantanophaga pusillidactyla (Walker, (Lep. : Pterophoridae), Epinotia lantana (Busck) (Lep. : Tortricidae) et Adoxopheyes melia Clarke (Lep. : Tortricidae) s'attaquent aux fleurs ainsi que T. scrupulosa. E. lantana et Ophomyia lantanae (Froggatt) (Dip. : Agromyzidae) font des dégâts aux fruits. Un modèle empirique de lutte biologique a été établi à partir des données observées. Le modèle a mis en évidence que les 8 auxiliaires empêchent la production ou détruisent 225,9 baies par mètre carré sur une période d'observation de deux semaines. Sur cette même période, la production de fruits non abîmés observée au mètre carré n'est que de 96,1. Ainsi, les auxiliaires réduisent la production potentielle de fruits de 70,1 %. Le modèle a aussi permis d'estimer le rôle tenu par chaque auxiliaire dans la lutte biologique globale contre L. camara à Guam.

Agronomy, agriculture, phytopathology, Agronomie, agriculture, phytopathologie, Entomology, Entomologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Phytopathologie. Zoologie agricole. Protection des cultures et des forets, Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection, Protozoaires. Invertébrés, Protozoa. Invertebrates, Lutte, Control, Lutte intégrée, Integrated pest control, Angiospermae, Arthropoda, Bruchidae, Coleoptera, Dicotyledones, Heteroptera, Insecta, Invertebrata, Leguminosae, Reduviidae, Spermatophyta, Callosobruchus maculatus, Canavalia ensiformis, Croissance, Growth, Crecimiento, Déprédateur, Pest, Plaga, Emergence, Emergencia, Insecticide, Insecticida, Larve, Larva, Légumineuse grain, Grain legume, Leguminosa grano, Mortalité, Mortality, Mortalidad, Mue, Molt, Muda, Origine végétale, Plant origin, Origen vegetal, Rhodnius prolixus, Toxicité, Toxicity, Toxicidad, Toxine, Toxin, and Toxina

Canatoxin is a toxic protein isolated from the jackbean, Cananvalia ensiformis. The toxin injected intraperitoneally is lethal for mice and rats; however, it is inactive if given orally. In this study, Manduca sexta (L.) (Lepidoptera), Schistocerca americana (Drury) (Orthoptera), Drosophila melanogaster (L.) (Diptera), Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera), Rhodnius prolixus (Stal) (Hemiptera), and Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera) were fed on can-atoxin-containing diets. No effects were seen in M. sexta, S. americana, D. melanogaster, or A. aegypti. No traces of canatoxin were found in their feces, suggesting that the protein was digested completely by these insects, which characteristically have a trypsin-based digestion. In contrast, canatoxin was lethal for insects displaying cathepsin-based digestion. Thus, for C. maculatus, a diet containing 0.25% wt:wt canatoxin caused complete inhibition of larval growth. When R. prolixus were fed on canatoxin, 2 effects were seen: impairment of water excretion and increased lethality 48-96 h after feeding. The lethal effect of canatoxin in R. prolixus was blocked partially or completely when the digestion of the toxin by R. prolixus midgut enzymes was impaired. The data showed that canatoxin is highly toxic when ingested by some species of insects but not affecting others, probably in correlation with the characteristics of the digestive process of the insect.

Agronomy, agriculture, phytopathology, Agronomie, agriculture, phytopathologie, Plant biology and physiology, Biologie et physiologie végétales, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Ecologie animale, vegetale et microbienne, Animal, plant and microbial ecology, Ecologie microbienne, Microbial ecology, Milieux divers (espace extraatmosphérique, air, eau), Various environments (extraatmospheric space, air, water), Bactérie, Bacteria, Cyanobacteria, Aphanizomenon flosaquae, Croissance, Growth, Crecimiento, Flottabilité, Buoyancy, Flotabilidad, Milieu marin, Marine environment, Medio marino, Photosynthèse, Photosynthesis, Fotosíntesis, Phytoplancton, Phytoplankton, Fitoplancton, Répartition verticale, Vertical distribution, Distribución vertical, and Vésicule gaz

Observations were made on the vertical distribution of colonies of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae for 9 d at a driftstation east of Bornholm Island in the Baltic Sea. The buoyant colonies were dispersed in the upper layers of the water column during periods of wind-induced mixing but floated up during calm periods. From measurements of the vertical light extinction, surface irradiance and the photosynthesis versus irradiance curve, calculations were made of the changes in the daily integral of photosynthesis with respect to time and depth throughout the water column. From these calculations it is demonstrated that net photosynthesis by the population of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae increased nearly threefold by floating up after a deep mixing event. It is estimated that, averaged over alternating periods of calm and mixing, the buoyancy provided by gas vesicles in this organism will result in a nearly twofold increase in photosynthesis. A quantitative analysis has been made of the relationship of the daily integral of photosynthesis by the Aphanizomenon population with the mean depth of the population in the water column and the daily insolation. The analysis shows that the integral decreases linearly with respect to mean depth.

Metallurgy, welding, Métallurgie, soudage, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Metaux. Metallurgie, Metals. Metallurgy, Propriétés mécaniques. Rhéologie. Mécanique de la rupture. Tribologie, Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology, Frottement. Usure, Contact of materials. Friction. Wear, Choix matériau, Material selection, Selección material, Werkstoffwahl, Essai usure, Wear test, Prueba al desgaste, Verschleissversuch, Modélisation, Modeling, Modelización, Méthode étude, Investigation method, Método estudio, Untersuchungsmethode, Propriété mécanique, Mechanical properties, Propiedad mecánica, Revêtement dur, Hard coating, Revestimiento duro, Rugosité, Roughness, Rugosidad, Rauhigkeit, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Oberflaechenbehandlung, Tribologie, Tribology, Tribología, Usure, Wear, Desgaste, Verschleiss, Vitesse usure, Wear rate, and Velocidad desgaste

The present paper describes how in depth analysis and modelling of wear data obtained from uni- and bidirectional wear tests were used to determine criteria for the selection of materials for tribological applications. Different wear modes in unidirectional ball on disc tests were linked to a load to roughness dependence between body and counterbody. The displacement of the ball is described using a particle flux model and the wear rate in bidirectional fretting tests is discussed, including a new concept based on dissipated frictional energy. The merits of the various approaches used to measure wear in tribological systems are also discussed.

Electronics, Electronique, Condensed state physics, Physique de l'état condensé, Polymers, paint and wood industries, Polymères, industries des peintures et bois, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Electronique, Electronics, Electronique des semiconducteurs. Microélectronique. Optoélectronique. Dispositifs à l'état solide, Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices, Dispositifs optoélectroniques, Optoelectronic devices, Industrie des polymeres, peintures, bois, Polymer industry, paints, wood, Technologie des polymères, Technology of polymers, Domaines d'application, Application fields, Caractéristique temporelle, Time curve, Característica temporal, Caractéristique électrique, Electrical characteristic, Característica eléctrica, Diode électroluminescente, Light emitting diode, Diodo electroluminescente, Effet champ électrique, Electric field effect, Efecto campo eléctrico, Electroluminescence, Electroluminiscencia, Etude expérimentale, Experimental study, Estudio experimental, Mécanisme, Mechanism, Mecanismo, Phénylènevinylène polymère, Phenylenevinylene polymer, Fenilenovinileno polímero, Polymère conjugué, Conjugated polymer, Polímero conjugado, Vieillissement, Ageing, and Envejecimiento

Polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) made with poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) using a non-ionic precursor route with indium-tin oxide (ITO) as anode and Al as cathode have been examined during continuous electrical stress in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. Three distinct regions in the time evolution of the equivalent electrical resistance and the light output of PLEDs are identified. Various electrical and analytical measurement results are presented to explain the main failure mechanisms. The most severe degradation mode can be identified as dielectric breakdown, resulting in 'hot spots' and ohmic leakage paths. The inhibition of the ohmic path formation by oxidation under ambient conditions results in a local delamination of the electrode, shrinking the active area of the device. This loss of active area caused by these oxidative burn-outs can clearly be observed by scanning electron microscopy ( SEM) and is consistent with secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) results. Emission microscopy (EMMI) inspection provides evidence for electric field induced ageing at defects present in the device. These defects are already present in the as-produced samples, e.g. particle impurities, interface roughness and structural weakness (edges of the Al electrodes).

Ecology, Ecologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Ecologie animale, vegetale et microbienne, Animal, plant and microbial ecology, Ecologie animale et végétale, Animal and plant ecology, Autoécologie, Autoecology, Animaux, Animals, Protozoa. Invertebrata, Phytopathologie. Zoologie agricole. Protection des cultures et des forets, Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection, Protozoaires. Invertébrés, Protozoa. Invertebrates, Lutte, Control, Lutte biologique, Biological control, Arthropoda, Coleoptera, Heteroptera, Insecta, Invertebrata, Pentatomidae, Prédateur, Predator, Depredador, Tenebrionidae, Zone tropicale, Tropical zone, Zona tropical, Fréquence temporelle, Temporal frequency, Frecuencia temporal, Longévité, Longevity, Longevidad, Lutte biologique, Biological control, Lucha biológica, Nutrition, Nutrición, Relation prédateur proie, Predator prey relation, Relación depredador presa, Reproduction, Reproducción, Survie, Survival, Sobrevivencia, Tenebrio molitor, Oviposition, and Podisus rostratis

Reproduction and longevity of Podisus rostralis (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) females, fed at different intervals were studied in the Núcleo de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária' (BIOAGRO), of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, at 25 ± 2°C, 70 ± 10% R.H. and photophase of 12 hours. Females of P. rostralis were fed with Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larva, during 24 hours, every one, two, four, eight and 16 days. An inverse linear effect was found between oviposition period, egg batches/female, total number and number of eggs per day with feeding interval. Daily fed females laid more eggs (199.6) while those fed every 16 days showed lowest number of eggs (45.3). Longevity of P. rostralis was similar in all feeding intervals. Egg oviposition rate was reduced but females of this predator maintained its longevity which give then higher chances to maintain themselves in the ecosystem until occurs better conditions of preys.

Ecology, Ecologie, Oceanography, Océanographie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Microbiologie, Microbiology, Bactériologie, Bacteriology, Action d'agents physiques et chimiques sur les bactéries, Action of physical and chemical agents on bacteria, Ecologie animale, vegetale et microbienne, Animal, plant and microbial ecology, Ecologie microbienne, Microbial ecology, Milieux divers (espace extraatmosphérique, air, eau), Various environments (extraatmospheric space, air, water), Bactérie, Bacteria, Milieu marin, Marine environment, Medio marino, Adaptation, Adaptación, Analyse quantitative, Quantitative analysis, Análisis cuantitativo, Bloom, Caroténoïde, Carotenoid, Carotenoide, Chlorophylle a, Chlorophyll a, Clorofila a, Cyanobacteria, Dynamique population, Population dynamics, Dinámica población, Emission oxygène, Oxygen emission, Emisión oxígeno, Facteur milieu, Environmental factor, Factor medio, Intensité lumineuse, Luminous intensity, Intensidad luminosa, Lumière, Light, Luz, Photosynthèse, Photosynthesis, Fotosíntesis, Pigment photosynthétique, Photosynthetic pigment, Pigmento fotosintético, Variation saisonnière, Seasonal variation, and Variación estacional

Agronomy, agriculture, phytopathology, Agronomie, agriculture, phytopathologie, Entomology, Entomologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Phytopathologie. Zoologie agricole. Protection des cultures et des forets, Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection, Protozoaires. Invertébrés, Protozoa. Invertebrates, Signalements, symptômes, dégâts, importance économique, surveillance des populations, Records, symptoms, damages, economic importance, population surveys, Angiospermae, Arthropoda, Dicotyledones, Heteroptera, Insecta, Invertebrata, Leguminosae, Relation animal végétal, Animal plant relation, Relación animal vegetal, Spermatophyta, Age, Edad, Comparaison interspécifique, Interspecific comparison, Comparación interespecífica, Coreidae, Dégât, Damage, Estrago, Déprédateur, Pest, Plaga, Gousse, Pod, Vaina, Légumineuse grain, Grain legume, Leguminosa grano, Pentatomidae, Position, Posición, and Vigna unguiculata

Laboratory and screenhouse studies were carried out to assess the relationship between pod age and pod position of cowpea and damage by different pod bug species. The coreids Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stäl and Riptortus dentipes Fabricius caused significant damage to young pods of cultivated genotypes, in contrast to the coreid Anoplocnemis curvipes Fabricius and the pentatomid Aspavia armigera Fabricius which exhibited minor feeding activity. Percent seed damage declined with pod age, the critical stage for pod bug infestation being when pods were about eight days old. Clavigralla tomentosicollis and R. dentipes caused significantly higher damage to pods located within the leaf canopy, thus behaving differently from Anoplocnemis curvipes which showed a distinct preference for pods growing above the leaf canopy. The feeding activity of Aspavia armigera was not affected by the position of pods on the plant. Overall, the study suggests that cowpea genotypes with a short flowering period and pods held above the leaf canopy offer the most promise in the management of pod-sucking pests.

Agronomy, agriculture, phytopathology, Agronomie, agriculture, phytopathologie, Entomology, Entomologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Agronomie. Sciences du sol et productions vegetales, Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions, Génétique et amélioration des plantes d'intérêt économique, Genetics and breeding of economic plants, Sélection variétale. Amélioration spéciale, objectifs d'amélioration, Varietal selection. Specialized plant breeding, plant breeding aims, Résistance aux organismes nuisibles, Pest resistance, Déprédateurs, Pest animals, Amélioration génétique, Genetic improvement, Enriquecimiento genético, Angiospermae, Arthropoda, Coreidae, Culture tropicale, Tropical crop, Cultivo tropical, Dicotyledones, Déprédateur, Pest, Plaga, Fruit, Fruto, Heteroptera, Insecta, Invertebrata, Leguminosae, Légumineuse grain, Grain legume, Leguminosa grano, Plante sauvage, Wild plant, Planta salvaje, Spermatophyta, Comparaison interspécifique, Interspecific comparison, Comparación interespecífica, Cultivar, Dégât, Damage, Estrago, Effet dimensionnel, Size effect, Efecto dimensional, Etude en laboratoire, Laboratory study, Estudio en laboratorio, Gousse, Pod, Vaina, Graine, Seeds, Semillas, Infestation, Infestación, Lignée sélection, Breeding line, Línea selección, Mécanisme défense, Defense mechanism, Mecanismo defensa, Ressource génétique, Genetic resource, Recurso genético, Résistance insecte, Insect resistance, Resistencia insecto, Trichome, Tricoma, Vigna unguiculata, Clavigralla tomentosicollis, Péricarpe, Pericarp, and Vigna vexillata

Studies were conducted in the laboratory to investigate the different components of the resistance of Vigna vexillata A. Richards, TVnu 72, and several cultivars of cultivated Vigna spp. to infestation and damage by the brown cowpea coreid, Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stäl. The main objective was to determine the different roles of the pod wall and seeds, and the relationship between seed size, number, and damage by this insect. Results showed that both the pod wall and seed clearly contribute different components to the resistance of TVnu 72 to C. tomentosicollis. Analysis of the results suggests that the seed defences and the pod wall pericarp may be more important than are trichomes in this resistance. Seed number was found to influence the extent of damage in a more predictable manner than seed size. However, because both of these traits are generally inversely related and mutually exclusive, their individual effects cannot be completely separated. The implications of these traits in a breeding programme targeted at a specific consumer group are discussed.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Metallurgy, welding, Métallurgie, soudage, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Physique, Physics, Etat condense: structure, proprietes mecaniques et thermiques, Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties, Surfaces et interfaces; couches minces et trichites (structure et propriétés non électroniques), Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties), Propriétés physiques non électroniques de couches minces, Physical properties of thin films, nonelectronic, Propriétés mécaniques et acoustiques, Mechanical and acoustical properties, Coefficient frottement, Friction factor, Dépôt physique phase vapeur, Physical vapor deposition, Essai usure, Wear testing, Etude expérimentale, Experimental study, Magnétron, Magnetrons, Microstructure, Molybdène sulfure, Molybdenum sulfides, Propriété mécanique, Mechanical properties, Propriété surface, Surface properties, Revêtement, Coatings, SEM, Tribologie, Tribology, Usure petit débattement, Fretting wear, Desgate pequinio desplazamiento, Usure, and Wear

MoSx coatings were prepared by bipolar pulse DC (balanced and unbalanced) magnetron-sputtering systems. Deposition parameters, cathode current density, argon pressure, bias voltage and magnetron sputtering conditions, were varied in order to obtain low friction and wear-resistant coatings. Composition and surface morphology were determined by energy dispersive X-rays and scanning electron microscopy, while the structure was investigated by X-ray diffraction. The friction and wear properties were investigated by fretting tests in ambient air of < 10% and 50% relative humidity. On proper selection of the argon pressure and the cathode current density, MoSx coatings characterised by a strong (002) basal plane orientation parallel to the substrate were obtained in a reproducible way. Such coatings deposited under optimised conditions exhibit very good lubricity and high wear-resistance, even in ambient air with a relative humidity of 50%. Conversely, when deposition parameters such as higher argon pressure and larger cathode current density result in the deposition of a MoSx coatings with a needle-like structure and preferential (100) and (110) plane orientations, a lower wear resistance is achieved especially in air of 50% relative humidity. Ion bombardment, achieved by applying a negative voltage bias or unbalanced sputtering conditions, improves the friction and wear performance. Conversely, a positive bias voltage deteriorates the tribological performance of the coatings. Experimental data on the friction and sliding wear resistance for MoSx coatings indicate that the best tribological properties are obtained with low sulfur and featureless MoSx coatings.

Marine biology, limnology, Biologie marine, limnologie, Ecology, Ecologie, Environment, Environnement, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Ecologie animale, vegetale et microbienne, Animal, plant and microbial ecology, Ecologie animale et végétale, Animal and plant ecology, Autoécologie, Autoecology, Végétaux et champignons, Plants and fungi, Synécologie, Synecology, Ecosystèmes marins, Sea water ecosystems, Algae, Bacillariophyta, Facteur photique, Light effect, Factor fótico, Heterokontophyta, Milieu marin, Marine environment, Medio marino, Thallophyta, Eclairement énergétique, Irradiance, Aclaramiento energético, Extracellulaire, Extracellular, Extracelular, Photosynthèse, Photosynthesis, Fotosíntesis, Phytobenthos, Fitobentos, Polymère, Polymer, Polímero, Productivité biologique, Biological productivity, Productividad biológica, Cylindrotheca closterium, Extracellular polymeric substances, Microphytobenthos, and P/E curves

The partitioning of photosynthetically fixed carbon (C) into different fractions of intracellular and extracellular C pools by an axenic culture of Cylindrotheca closterium (Ehrenberg) and a field sample of natural benthic diatoms was studied using short-term incubation with 14C at different irradiances. Hence, excretion was directly dependent on the level of irradiance. During the incubations, a comparable amount of about 70 and 75% of the fixed C, respectively, was excreted by the culture and the field sample. This excreted C was distinguished in 2 operational fractions of attached (closely bound to the cells) and colloidal (soluble) material. In the field sample, the percentage of excreted C decreased at irradiances higher than 300 pmol photons m-2 s-1, but it was constant for the culture over the whole range of different irradiances applied. The percentage of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in the attached and colloidal material, as obtained by ethanol precipitation, was constant over the range of the provided irradiances for both samples. Subsamples of natural benthic diatoms were treated with an antibiotic cocktail in order to exclude bacterial activity which resulted in unexpected higher values of incorporated C in the fractions of total C, intracellular C, colloidal C and EPS.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Metallurgy, welding, Métallurgie, soudage, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Physique, Physics, Etat condense: structure, proprietes mecaniques et thermiques, Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties, Surfaces et interfaces; couches minces et trichites (structure et propriétés non électroniques), Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties), Structure et morphologie de couches minces, Thin film structure and morphology, Structure et morphologie; épaisseur, Structure and morphology; thickness, Diffraction RX, XRD, Dépôt physique phase vapeur, Physical vapor deposition, Etude expérimentale, Experimental study, Frottement, Friction, Magnétron, Magnetrons, Microscopie électronique balayage, Scanning electron microscopy, Microstructure, Molybdène sulfure, Molybdenum sulfides, Propriété mécanique, Mechanical properties, Pulvérisation irradiation, Sputtering, Revêtement, Coatings, Tribologie, Tribology, Usure, and Wear

MoSx coatings were prepared with an unbalanced DC magnetron-sputtering system by varying the DC power mode, target type and liquid nitrogen trap. The composition and surface morphology were examined by energy dispersive X-ray and scanning electron microscopy; structural characterization was determined by X-ray diffraction. The friction and wear properties were evaluated with a fretting tester in dry (< 10% relative humidity) and humid (50% and 90% relative humidity) air. MoSx coatings deposited by simple DC power tended to form rougher surfaces, and had a higher edge orientation of crystallites with worse tribological performance than those by bipolar pulsed DC power. MoSx coatings made by a cold pressed target had a lower deposition rate, and were inclined to form (002) basal orientations parallel to the surface especially at higher argon pressures. The contents of oxygen and carbon in the MoSx coating with the use of liquid nitrogen trap were greatly reduced, but MoSx coatings had lower coefficients of friction and shorter wear life at higher relative humidity. The role of these deposition variables in the formation process is discussed.

Agronomy, agriculture, phytopathology, Agronomie, agriculture, phytopathologie, Biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, Biochimie, biologie moléculaire, biophysique, Ecology, Ecologie, Geology, Géologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Ecologie animale, vegetale et microbienne, Animal, plant and microbial ecology, Ecologie microbienne, Microbial ecology, Milieux divers (espace extraatmosphérique, air, eau), Various environments (extraatmospheric space, air, water), Bactérie, Bacteria, Article synthèse, Review, Artículo síntesis, Cyanobacteria, Cycle biogéochimique, Biogeochemical cycle, Ciclo biogeoquímico, Diazotrophie, Diazotrophy, Diazotrofía, Fixation azote, Nitrogen fixation, Fijación nitrogeno, Milieu marin, Marine environment, Medio marino, Océan, Ocean, Océano, and Trichodesmium

The surface water of the marine environment has traditionally been viewed as a nitrogen (N) limited habitat, and this has guided the development of conceptual biogeochemical models focusing largely on the reservoir of nitrate as the critical source of N to sustain primary productivity. However, selected groups of Bacteria, including cyanobacteria, and Archaea can utilize dinitrogen (N2) as an alternative N source. In the marine environment, these microorganisms can have profound effects on net community production processes and can impact the coupling of C-N-P cycles as well as the net oceanic sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. As one component of an integrated 'Nitrogen Transport and Transformations' project, we have begun to re-assess our understanding of (I) the biotic sources and rates of N2 fixation in the world's oceans, (2) the major controls on rates of oceanic N2 fixation, (3) the significance of this N2 fixation for the global carbon cycle and (4) the role of human activities in the alteration of oceanic N2 fixation. Preliminary results indicate that rates of N2 fixation, especially in subtropical and tropical open ocean habitats, have a major role in the global marine N budget. Iron (Fe) bioavailability appears to be an important control and is, therefore, critical in extrapolation to global rates of N2 fixation. Anthropogenic perturbations may alter N2 fixation in coastal environments through habitat destruction and eutrophication, and open ocean N2 fixation may be enhanced by warming and increased stratification of the upper water column. Global anthropogenic and climatic changes may also affect N2 fixation rates, for example by altering dust inputs (i.e. Fe) or by expansion of subtropical boundaries. Some recent estimates of global ocean N2 fixation are in the range of 100-200 Tg N (1-2 x 1014 g N) yr-1, but have large uncertainties. These estimates are nearly an order of magnitude greater than historical, pre-1980 estimates, but approach modern estimates of oceanic denitrification.

Agronomy, agriculture, phytopathology, Agronomie, agriculture, phytopathologie, Entomology, Entomologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, and Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology

The effects of secondary metabolites in different Vigna species on the development of Clavigralla tomentosicollis were investigated in an artificial seed system using different fractions of crude pod extracts, while the orientation response of this pod-bug to volatile extracts was studied using a dual-choice olfactometer. Feeding on the neutral fraction extracts, in contrast to the basic and acidic fractions, resulted in significantly higher mortalities, longer total developmental time, and lower growth index of the insects in comparison with controls. All volatile extracts elicited an avoidance reaction by C. tomentosicollis, except the volatile from the susceptible genotype IT84S-2246 which generally attracted as many insects as controls. Extracts from wild Vigna species showed higher activity than those from their cultivated relatives. The present study which has established that most secondary metabolites in cowpea pods were localized in the neutral fraction of the crude extract, could facilitate experiments on the separation and characterization of the toxic factors involved.

Mechanical engineering, Génie mécanique, Metallurgy, welding, Métallurgie, soudage, Condensed state physics, Physique de l'état condensé, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Physique, Physics, Domaines interdisciplinaires: science des materiaux; rheologie, Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology, Science des matériaux, Materials science, Essais sur les matériaux, Materials testing, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Genie mecanique. Construction mecanique, Mechanical engineering. Machine design, Métrologie industrielle. Contrôle, Industrial metrology. Testing, Contrôle non destructif: méthodes et appareillages, Non-destructive testing: methods and equipments, Acier électrique, Electric furnace steel, Acero horno eléctrico, Conversion onde, Wave conversion, Conversión onda, Dispositif électromagnétique, Electromagnetic devices, Effet Barkhausen, Barkhausen effect, Effet champ magnétique, Magnetic field effects, En ligne, On line, En línea, Essai courant Foucault, Eddy current testing, Essai non destructif, Nondestructive testing, Essai perte magnétique, Magnetic leakage field testing, Control pérdida magnética, Fer, Iron, Grosseur grain, Grain size, Joint grain, Grain boundaries, Mesure électrique, Electrical measurement, Medida eléctrica, Métrologie, Metrology, Processus fabrication, Production process, Proceso fabricación, Procédé fabrication, Manufacturing processes, Visualisation, and Visualization

The results of investigation of the relation between the grain size in the intermediate stages of manufacturing electrical steel and various physical characteristics are given. The investigations are carried out for the purpose of clarifying the possibility of using these characteristics for arranging nondestructive testing of the grain size in the process of steel manufacturing. The paper contains the results of tests performed with the use of the methods of measuring the leakage magnetic fields on the grain boundaries by means of yttrium iron garnet films employed for visualization of the magnetic fields, the Barkhausen effect, the ultrasonic and eddy-current methods, the electromagnetic-acoustic conversion (EMAC) method, and the use of the relation between the grain size and the value of the coercive force.

TONGUE, MORPHOLOGY, COMPARATIVE anatomy, MUSCLES, and MOUTH

The muscle fibre composition of three human intrinsic tongue muscles, the longitudinalis, verticalis and transversus, was investigated in four anterior to posterior regions of the tongue using morphological and enzyme- and immunohistochemical techniques. All three muscles typically contained type I, IIA and IM/IIC fibres. Type I fibres expressed slow myosin heavy chain (MyHC), type II fibres fast MyHC, mainly fast A MyHC, whereas type IM/IIC coexpressed slow and fast MyHCs. Type II fibres were in the majority (60%), but regional differences in proportion and diameter of fibre types were obvious. The anterior region of the tongue contained a predominance of relatively small type II fibres (71%), in contrast to the posterior region which instead showed a majority of larger type I and type IM/IIC fibres (66%). In general, the fibre diameter was larger in the posterior region. This muscle fibre composition of the tongue differs from those of limb, orofacial and masticatory muscles, probably reflecting genotypic as well as phenotypic functional specialization in oral function. The predominance of type II fibres and the regional differences in fibre composition, together with intricate muscle structure, suggest generally fast and flexible actions in positioning and shaping the tongue, during vital tasks such as mastication, swallowing, respiration and speech.Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PLANT chemical defenses, VIGNA, and COREIDAE

The effects of secondary metabolites in different Vigna species on the development of Clavigralla tomentosicollis were investigated in an artificial seed system using different fractions of crude pod extracts, while the orientation response of this pod-bug to volatile extracts was studied using a dual-choice olfactometer. Feeding on the neutral fraction extracts, in contrast to the basic and acidic fractions, resulted in significantly higher mortalities, longer total developmental time, and lower growth index of the insects in comparison with controls. All volatile extracts elicited an avoidance reaction by C. tomentosicollis, except the volatile from the susceptible genotype IT84S-2246 which generally attracted as many insects as controls. Extracts from wild Vigna species showed higher activity than those from their cultivated relatives. The present study which has established that most secondary metabolites in cowpea pods were localized in the neutral fraction of the crude extract, could facilitate experiments on the separation and characterization of the toxic factors involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agronomy, agriculture, phytopathology, Agronomie, agriculture, phytopathologie, Ecology, Ecologie, Entomology, Entomologie, Environment, Environnement, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Phytopathologie. Zoologie agricole. Protection des cultures et des forets, Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection, Protozoaires. Invertébrés, Protozoa. Invertebrates, Signalements, symptômes, dégâts, importance économique, surveillance des populations, Records, symptoms, damages, economic importance, population surveys, Angiospermae, Arthropoda, Dicotyledones, Facteur milieu, Environmental factor, Factor medio, Heteroptera, Insecta, Invertebrata, Leguminosae, Spermatophyta, Coreidae, Défoliation, Defoliation, Defoliación, Dégât, Damage, Estrago, Déprédateur, Pest, Plaga, Feuille végétal, Plant leaf, Hoja vegetal, Gousse, Pod, Vaina, Infestation, Infestación, Structure, Estructura, Température, Temperature, Temperatura, Vigna unguiculata, Anoplocnemis curvipes, Clavigralla tomentosicollis, canopy temperature, defoliation, and pod position

Potted cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., plants were used to determine the effects of defoliation and pod position relative to the leaf canopy on infestation and damage by the coreid pod-bugs Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stål and Anoplocnemis curvipes (F.). Temperature measurements were taken within and outside the canopy to determine whether there was a correlation to seed damage. Seed damage decreased significantly with increasing defoliation in plants infested with C. tomentosicollis; an inverse trend was observed with A. curvipes. Temperatures within the canopy increased as the number of leaves decreased. As observed in the defoliation experiment, C. tomentosicollis and A. curvipes reacted differently in a free-choice situation between pods located outside or within the canopy. Significantly higher numbers of C. tomentosicollis concealed themselves within the canopy, where they caused more severe damage to seeds, in comparison with numbers and damage outside the canopy. These trends were reversed for A. curvipes. There was a significant negative correlation between percentage of seed damage and temperature with C. tomentosicollis, and a significant positive correlation with A. curvipes, both in defoliated plants and those with pods distributed outside and within the canopy. Overall, plants with less dense canopy, and long peduncles holding pods outside the canopy showed some resistance to C. tomentosicollis, which is the most damaging pod bug on cowpea. Because such cowpea plants harbor fewer C. tomentosicollis, they are likely to suffer less overall damage from infestation by the complex of pod bugs that occur concurrently in cowpea fields.

Agronomy, agriculture, phytopathology, Agronomie, agriculture, phytopathologie, Entomology, Entomologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Phytopathologie. Zoologie agricole. Protection des cultures et des forets, Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection, Protozoaires. Invertébrés, Protozoa. Invertebrates, Lutte, Control, Lutte chimique, Chemical control, Angiospermae, Arthropoda, Gramineae, Invertebrata, Monocotyledones, Pesticide, Pesticides, Plaguicida, Plante céréalière, Cereal crop, Planta cerealista, Spermatophyta, Zone tropicale, Tropical zone, Zona tropical, Date de plantation, Planting date, Fecha de plantación, Déprédateur, Pest, Plaga, Fertilisation azotée, Nitrogen fertilization, Fertilización nitrogenada, Infestation, Infestación, Insecta, Insecticide, Insecticida, Irrigation, Irrigación, Lutte antidéprédateur, Pest management, Manejo de plagas, Lutte chimique, Chemical control, Lucha química, Oryza sativa, Prise décision, Decision making, Toma decision, Rendement, Yield, Rendimiento, Résistance insecte, Insect resistance, Resistencia insecto, Seuil intervention, Action threshold, Umbral tratamiento, Pest control, colonisation pattern, decision making, insecticides, irrigated rice, nitrogen fertilisation, plant tolerance, planting date, and yield loss

Action thresholds as decision tools for insecticide application were developed and tested against the major insect pests of rice at four sites in the Philippines over a 13-year period. Action threshold treatments were compared to the farmers' practice, prophylactic insecticide usage, and an untreated check. Yield loss data using the insecticide check method partitioned yield losses over three crop growth stages in the same test fields. Chronic pests that exceeded action thresholds in 79% of fields were whorl maggot Hydrellia philippina Ferino (Diptera: Ephydridae), defoliators Naranga senescens Moore and Rivula atimeta (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), leaffolders Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) and Marasmia patnalis Bradley (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and stemborers Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) and S. innotata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Minor chronic pests reached threshold levels in only one site each: rice bug Leptocorisa oratorius (F.) (Koronadal), whitebacked planthopper Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) (Zaragoza) and green leafhopper Nephotettix virescens (Distant) (Guimba); brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) did not exceed a threshold in any field. Stemborers were the most important pest group in terms of yield loss. Despite the insecticide check method underestimating losses, a mean crop loss of 0.62 t/ha was measured which showed ample scope for corrective action. But loss was evenly distributed across crop growth stages (0.15 0.24 t/ha) reducing the impact of insecticides. Action threshold treatments overall outyielded the untreated check, more so in the two sites with highest pest density. The benefit of thresholds was to reduce insecticide usage, as a cost saving. However all the practices showed poor economic returns including the farmers' practice. Farmers' practice employed low insecticide dosages and timing was not consistent with pest damage, but yields were often similar to threshold treatments. Farmers appear to use insecticide more for risk aversion than for profit. The best threshold characters when evaluated against resulting pest density and yield loss criteria showed accuracies > 90% correct decisions. Future work is needed to improve the insecticide response rather than monitoring tools. Thresholds need to be incorporated into improved crop management, which was often found suboptimal by farmers, to take advantage of the high levels of tolerance in modern high tillering cultivars. Crop husbandry practices which improve yield potential such as selection of longer maturing varieties and nitrogen fertilizer may be a more effective pest management strategy than insecticides.

Medical oncology, Cancérologie, Medical laboratory techniques, Techniques de laboratoire médical, General medicine general surgery, Médecine et chirurgie générales, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences medicales, Medical sciences, Gynecologie. Andrologie. Obstetrique, Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics, Pathologie de la glande mammaire, Mammary gland diseases, Tumeurs, Tumors, Techniques d'exploration et de diagnostic (generalites), Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects), Anatomopathologie. Exploration cytologique. Biochimie. Spectrométries. Méthodes cliniques et paracliniques diverses, Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques, Glande mammaire pathologie, Mammary gland diseases, Glándula mamaria patología, Tumeur maligne, Malignant tumor, Tumor maligno, Adjuvant, Coadyuvante, Anatomopathologie, Anatomic pathology, Anatomía patológica, Essai clinique, Clinical trial, Ensayo clínico, Paramètre, Parameter, Parámetro, Préménopause, Premenopause, Premenopausia, Tamoxifène, Tamoxifene, Tamoxifeno, Cancer sein, Breast cancer, and Cáncer pecho

Background: Subgroups of breast cancer that have an impaired response to endocrine treatment, despite hormone receptor positivity, are still poorly defined. Breast cancer can be subdivided according to standard pathological parameters including histological type, grade, and assessment of proliferation. These parameters are the net result of combinations of genetic alterations effecting tumour behaviour and could potentially reflect subtypes that respond differently to endocrine treatment. Aims: To investigate the usefulness of these parameters as predictors of the response to tamoxifen in premenopausal women with breast cancer. Materials/methods: Clinically established pathological parameters were assessed and related to the tamoxifen response in 500 available tumour specimens from 564 premenopausal patients with breast cancer randomised to either two years of tamoxifen or no treatment with 14 years of follow up. Proliferation was further evaluated by immunohistochemical Ki-67 expression. Results: Oestrogen receptor positive ductal carcinomas responded as expected to tamoxifen, whereas the difference in recurrence free survival between control and tamoxifen treated patients was less apparent in the relatively few lobular carcinomas. For histological grade, there was no obvious difference in treatment response between the groups. The relation between proliferation and tamoxifen response seemed to be more complex, with a clear response in tumours with high and low proliferation, whereas tumours with intermediate proliferation defined by Ki-67 responded more poorly. Conclusions: Clinically established pathology parameters seem to mirror the endocrine treatment response and could potentially be valuable in future treatment decisions for patients with breast cancer.

AGRICULTURAL pests, INSECT anatomy, INSECT physiology, INSECT metamorphosis, INSECT development, and DEVELOPMENTAL biology

The five immature stages of Agonoscelis puberula Stål are described and illustrated; biological notes and a new host plant, Leonotis nepefifolia (L.) are also recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HEMIPTERA, COTTON diseases & pests, and STEREOCHEMISTRY

Research was conducted to evaluate the possibility that a plant bug damaging cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., in south Texas is actually green mind, Creontiades dillutus Stål, which is the primary plant bug pest of cotton in Australia. Molecular comparisons targeting a fragment of the COl region of mitochondrial DNA were made on Creontiades specimens collected from the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas and specimens of green mind and brown mind, C. pacificus Stål, collected from Queensland, Australia. The emerging south Texas cotton pest is neither of the species tested from Australia; rather it is a closely related, possibly indigenous species. Further morphological systematics work is needed to identify the Creontiades species from Texas, and collection of additional specimens from several locations where it is known to occur is ongoing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ETHYLENE glycol, THERMODYNAMICS, HYDROGEN bonding, SUPRAMOLECULAR chemistry, SOLVENTS, and CHEMICAL reduction

Substitution of hydrogen bond directed supramolecular assemblies with ethylene glycol chains leads to a reduction in the association constant in apolar solvents, where the reduction of the association constant is dependent on the length of the aliphatic spacer connecting the hydrogen bonds and the ethylene glycol chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BIOLOGICAL pest control, LANTANA camara, PREDICTION theory, BIOCLIMATOLOGY, SPATIAL variation, BIOLOGICAL mathematical modeling, and CHRYSOMELIDAE

Abstract: Understanding the effects of different types and quality of data on bioclimatic modeling predictions is vital to ascertaining the value of existing models, and to improving future models. Bioclimatic models were constructed using the CLIMEX program, using different data types – seasonal dynamics, geographic (overseas) distribution, and a combination of the two – for two biological control agents for the major weed Lantana camara L. in Australia. The models for one agent, Teleonemia scrupulosa Stål (Hemiptera: Tingidae) were based on a higher quality and quantity of data than the models for the other agent, Octotoma scabripennis Guérin-Méneville (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Predictions of the geographic distribution for Australia showed that T. scrupulosa models exhibited greater accuracy with a progressive improvement from seasonal dynamics data, to the model based on overseas distribution, and finally the model combining the two data types. In contrast, O. scabripennis models were of low accuracy, and showed no clear trends across the various model types. These case studies demonstrate the importance of high quality data for developing models, and of supplementing distributional data with species seasonal dynamics data wherever possible. Seasonal dynamics data allows the modeller to focus on the species response to climatic trends, while distributional data enables easier fitting of stress parameters by restricting the species envelope to the described distribution. It is apparent that CLIMEX models based on low quality seasonal dynamics data, together with a small quantity of distributional data, are of minimal value in predicting the spatial extent of species distribution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

COMPARTMENT syndrome, THERAPEUTICS, ANALYSIS of variance, CAPILLARIES, CHI-squared test, COMPUTER software, EXERCISE, IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY, LEG, LONGITUDINAL method, MICROCIRCULATION, MUSCLES, RESEARCH funding, STRIATED muscle, T-test (Statistics), DATA analysis, CASE-control method, ANALYTICAL chemistry, PATHOLOGY, DONOR blood supply, and FASCIAE surgery

There is a paucity of data regarding the pathogenesis of chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS), its consequences for the muscles and the effects of treatment with fasciotomy. We analyzed biopsies from the tibialis anterior muscle, from nine patients, obtained during a decompressing fasciotomy and during follow-up 1 year later. Control biopsies were obtained from nine normal subjects. Muscle capillarity, fiber-type composition and fiber area were analyzed with enzyme- and immunohistochemistry and morphometry. At baseline, CECS patients had lower capillary density (273 vs 378 capillaries/mm, P=0.008), lower number of capillaries around muscle fibers (4.5 vs 5.7, P=0.004) and lower number of capillaries in relation to the muscle fiber area (1.1 vs 1.5, P=0.01) compared with normal controls. The fiber-type composition and fiber area did not differ, but focal signs of neuromuscular damage were observed in the CECS samples. At 1-year follow-up after fasciotomy, the fiber area and the number of fibers containing developmental myosin heavy chains were increased, but no enhancement of the capillary network was detected. Thus, morphologically, patients with CECS seemed to have reduced microcirculation capacity. Fasciotomy appeared to trigger a regenerative response in the muscle, however, without any increase in the capillary bed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agronomy, agriculture, phytopathology, Agronomie, agriculture, phytopathologie, Entomology, Entomologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Phytopathologie. Zoologie agricole. Protection des cultures et des forets, Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection, Protozoaires. Invertébrés, Protozoa. Invertebrates, Lutte, Control, Généralités, Generalities, Vecteurs d'importance medicale, nuisances, depredateurs des denrees et materiaux: surveillance des populations et lutte, Medically important nuisances and vectors, pests of stored products and materials: population survey and control, Vecteurs. Hôtes intermédaires, Vectors. Intermediate hosts, Arthropoda, Bactérie, Bacteria, Cicadomorpha, Homoptera, Insecta, Invertebrata, Mollicutes, Mycoplasmatales, Spiroplasmataceae, Cicadellidae, Dalbulus maidis, Etude expérimentale, Experimental study, Estudio experimental, Maïs, Corn, Maiz, Spiroplasma kunkelii, Vecteur, Vector, corn leafhopper, corn stunt, and spiroplasmas

Corn stunt caused by the mollicute Spiroplasma kunkelii (Whitcomb) is potentially one of the most severe diseases affecting the corn (Zea mays L.) crop in the Americas, and the leafhopper Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott) is considered its most important vector. However, other insects seen quite frequently in corn crops might well be its vectors in Argentina. To identify any leafhoppers species other than D. maidis that can transmit S. kunkelii, transmission assays were conducted, using individuals of Exitianus obscurinervis (Stål) collected in field and reared under controlled conditions. S. kunkelii was transmitted to corn plants by E. obscurinervis. The pathogen was transmitted to seven of the 11 plants, which showed characteristic corn stunt symptoms, and the presence of the pathogen was confirmed by DAS-ELISA. The presence of S. kunkelii in the E. obscurinervis individuals used in transmission experiments was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and electron microscopy. The current study shows the existence of a new experimental vector of S. kunkelii, the leafhopper E. obscurineruis, which acquired spiroplasmas from infected plants and inoculated it to healthy plants.

RHODNIUS, CONENOSES, CLASSIFICATION of insects, and SPECIES diversity

Tribe Rhodniini includes Rhodnius Stål and Psammolestes Bergroth. Enzymatic and molecular evidence suggest the tribe is monophyletic. Most species are wild, living in palms and bird nests. Traditionally both genera were considered related; nevertheless, molecular studies don't support the Rhodnius monophyly. The goal was to phylogenetically analyze morphometric variation in wing architecture in support of Rhodniini taxonomy and systematics. We photographed 524 wings of five representatives of Rhodniini: Psammolestes arthuri (Pinto) (n = 89), Rhodnius pictipes Stål (n = 21), R. robustus Larrousse (n = 24), R. prolixus Stål (n = 16), and R. neivai Lent (n = 22). As outgroups we studied four representatives of Triatomini: Eratyrus mucronatus Stål (n = 15), Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus (Champion) (n = 45), P. geniculatus (Latreille) (n = 183), and Triatoma maculata (Erichson) (n = 109). Landmark coordinate (x, y) configurations were registered and aligned by Generalized Procrustes Analysis. Covariance Analyses were implemented with proportions of re-classified groups and MANOVA. Then, wing shape variables (confidence intervals from relative warps) and centroid size were cladistically analysed. Statistical analyses of variance found not significant differences in wing isometric size (Kruskal-Wallis) among P. arthuri-R. neivai-R. pictipes; R. robustus-R. prolixus-T. maculata and between P. rufotuberculatus-P. geniculatus. The a posteriori re-classification was perfect in E. mucrunatus 100% and R. pictipes, followed by T. maculata 96%, R. neivai 95%, P arthuri 93.2%; R. prolixus 87.5%, P. geniculatus 87.4%, P. rufotuberculatus 84.4%, and R. robustus 76%. Cladistic analyses under parsimony selected two most parsimonious trees (L=4.461 IC=0.973 and IR=0.979), where the strict consensus showed a monophyletic group with Panstrongylus (rufotuberculatus + geniculatus) and Triatoma + Rhodniini (Rhodinus + Psammolestes), but internally it shows the paraphyly of Rhodnius regarding Psammolestes. The congruence between these results and previous molecular analyses in Rhodniini, reveal the phylogenetic information of our morphometric characters as support to systematic studies, allowing the combination of geometric morphometrics and phylogenetic methods for the first time in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agronomy, agriculture, phytopathology, Agronomie, agriculture, phytopathologie, Entomology, Entomologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Invertebres, Invertebrates, Insecta, Phytopathologie. Zoologie agricole. Protection des cultures et des forets, Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection, Protozoaires. Invertébrés, Protozoa. Invertebrates, Lutte, Control, Généralités, Generalities, Agrume, Citrus fruit, Agrios, Angiospermae, Arthropoda, Bactérie, Bacteria, Cicadomorpha, Dicotyledones, Homoptera, Insecta, Invertebrata, Mollicutes, Rutaceae, Spermatophyta, Bocage, Grove, Boscaje, Cicadellidae, Citrus, Hôte, Host, Huesped, Maladie, Disease, Enfermedad, Mauvaise herbe, Weed, Malezas, Phloème, Phloem, Liber, Phytoplasme, Phytoplasma, Fitoplasma, Prévalence, Prevalence, Prevalencia, Sève, Sap, Savia, Vecteur, Vector, phloem-limited bacteria, plant disease, sap-sucking insect, and weed

Huanglongbing (HLB) is a severe citrus (Citrus spp.) disease associated with the bacteria genus Candidatus Liberibacter, detected in Brazil in 2004. Another bacterium was found in association with HLB symptoms and characterized as a phytoplasma belonging to the 16SrIX group. The objectives of this study were to identify potential leafhopper vectors of the HLB-associated phytoplasma and their host plants. Leafhoppers were sampled every other week for 12 mo with sticky yellow cards placed at two heights (0.3 and 1.5 m) in the citrus tree canopy and by using a sweep net in the ground vegetation of two sweet orange, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, groves infected by the HLB-phytoplasma in Sao Paulo state. Faunistic analyses indicated one Agalliinae (Agallia albidula Uhler) and three Deltocephalinae [Balclutha hebe (Kirkaldy), Planicephalus flavicosta (Stål), and Scaphytopius (Convelinus) marginelineatus (Stål)] species, as the most abundant and frequent leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Visual observations indicated an association of leafhopper species with some weeds and the influence of weed species composition on leafhopper abundance in low-lying vegetation. S. marginelineatus and P. flavicosta were more frequent on Sida rhombifolia L. and Althernantera tenella Colla, respectively, whereas A. albidula was observed more often on Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronq. and B. hebe only occurred on grasses. DNA samples of field-collected S. marginelineatus were positive by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing tests for the presence of the HLB-phytoplasma group, indicating it as a potential vector. The association of leafhoppers with their hosts may be used in deciding which management strategies to adopt against weeds and diseases in citrus orchards.

Introduction. Current curative treatment of acute myeloid leukemia is based on intensive chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with a significant risk of severe adverse effects, including leukemogenic and cancerogenic ones. Objectives. The study is aimed at assessing of incidence and types of malignant tumours in successfully treated acute myeloid leukemia patients. Methods. A retrospective analysis consists of 256 patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at the Department of Hemato-Oncology in Olomouc in 1996-2008 who were treated with intensive chemotherapy and achieved complete remission of the disease. Results. Second malignancy occurred in 11 individuals (4.3%) after successful treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Observed age-standardized incidence of these tumours, 8.29/1,000 person-years, 95% Cl = (2.99; 13.58), was not significantly different from the incidence in population. Five patients died of the second malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymers, paint and wood industries, Polymères, industries des peintures et bois, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Chimie, Chemistry, Chimie generale et chimie physique, General and physical chemistry, Théorie des réactions, cinétique générale. Catalyse. Nomenclature, documentation chimique, informatique chimique, Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry, Catalyse, Catalysis, Réactions catalytiques, Catalytic reactions, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Physicochimie des polymeres, Physicochemistry of polymers, Polymères organiques, Organic polymers, Propriétés et caractérisation, Properties and characterization, Propriétés des solutions et des gels, Solution and gel properties, Activité catalytique, Catalyst activity, Actividad catalítica, Agrégation moléculaire, Molecular aggregation, Agregación molecular, Aldolisation, Aldol condensation, Aldolización, Aminoacide, Aminoacid, Aminoácido, Catalyse asymétrique, Asymmetric catalysis, Catálisis asimétrica, Composé chiral, Chiral compound, Compuesto quiral, Composé marqué, Labelled compound, Compuesto marcado, Copolymère greffé, Graft copolymer, Copolímero injertado, Cyclanone, Cycloalkanone, Ciclanona, Dérivé du benzaldéhyde, Benzaldehyde derivatives, Benzaldehído derivado, Enantiosélectivité, Enantioselectivity, Enantioselectividad, Ethylène oxyde copolymère, Ethylene oxide copolymer, Etileno óxido copolímero, Etude expérimentale, Experimental study, Estudio experimental, Marqueur fluorescent, Fluorescent tracer, Marcador fluorescente, Méthacrylate copolymère, Methacrylate copolymer, Metacrilato copolímero, Nanoencapsulation, Nanoencapsulación, Nanoparticule, Nanoparticle, Nanopartícula, Polymère amphiphile, Amphiphilic polymer, Polímero amfifilo, Reconnaissance moléculaire, Molecular recognition, Reconocimiento molecular, Solution aqueuse, Aqueous solution, Solución acuosa, Spectre dichroïsme circulaire, Circular dichroism spectrum, Espectro dicroismo circular, Dérivé de la proline, Particule monomoléculaire, aldol reaction, benzene-1,3,5-tricaboxamide, molecular recognition, organocatalysis, and single-chain polymeric nanoparticles

Here, a modular approach is reported to introduce a specific function into single-chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs). Hereto, an amphiphilic polymer with pendant benzene-1,3,5-tri-carboxamide (BTA) units is mixed with a free BTA that contains a functional group, either a fluorescent naphthalimide or a catalytically active L-proline. Taking advantage of hydrophobic interactions and self-recognition properties of the BTA units, the free BTAs are captured into the interior of the SCPN in water as evidenced by fluorescence studies. To illustrate that function can be readily introduced using a modular approach, L-proline-based BTAs are incorporated to procure a catalytically active SCPN in water. The aldol reaction between p-nitrobenzaldehyde and cyclohexanone shows good conversions at low catalyst loadings and substrate concentrations, and high stereoselectivities are obtained (de = 91% and ee = 98%).

ESSENTIAL oils, REPELLENTS, STINKBUGS, HEMIPTERA, LEMONGRASS oil, SPEARMINT oil, and METHYL benzoate

The brown marmorated stink bug ( BMSB), Halyomorpha halys ( Stål), native to Northeastern Asia, is a serious invasive pest in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Germany and France. Several common essential oils and their compositions were tested against BMSBs as potential repellents. All the tested individual essential oils and a ternary oil blend showed significant repellency to both BMSB nymphs and adults. Clove oil, lemongrass oil, spearmint oil, ylang-ylang oil, and the ternary oil mixture (clove, lemongrass and spearmint) almost completely blocked attraction of BMSBs to the stink bug attractant-baited traps; whereas wintergreen oil, geranium oil, pennyroyal oil and rosemary oil resulted in 60-85% trap catch reductions. Over 20 BMSB antennally active compounds were identified from SPME headspace samples of the eight repellent essential oils using GC- EAD and GC- MS techniques. Among the synthetic EAD-active compounds tested in the field, eugenol, l-carvone, p/l-menthone, pulegone, methyl salicylate, trans/ cis-citral, methyl benzoate and β-caryophyllene significantly reduced trap catches of BMSBs by 72-99%; these compounds are likely responsible for the repellency of their corresponding essential oils. Surprisingly, a synthetic mixture of the predacious spined soldier bug ( SSB) [ Podisus maculiventris (Say)] aggregation pheromone ( trans-2-hexenal, α-terpineol and benzyl alcohol) also showed a significant inhibition of BMSB response to its attractants. These repellent essential oils and their active compounds, as well as the synthetic SSB pheromone, are potentially useful as part of an efficient, environmentally sound semiochemical-based IPM programme to combat this serious invasive stink bug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to report the differential diagnosis undertaken in a 47-year-old patient who was admitted for severe pancytopenia at the Department of Internal Medicine, Tomas Bata Regional Hospital in Zlín in August 2012. As the initial examinations regarding inflammation, tumours, infections and systemic diseases were negative, myelodysplastic syndrome was suspected. Trephine biopsy was performed, but myelodysplastic syndrome was not confirmed. The patient quickly became dependent on transfusions and suffered from recurrent infections. The differential diagnostic process was further complicated by the patient's repeated refusal to be hospitalized at the department of Internal Medicine. Repeated CT scans showed increasing splenomegaly and eventually multiple osteoplastic and mixed deposits in the pelvic bone appeared, pointing to a probable malignancy. The patient was referred for further investigation to the Department of Internal Medicine, Haematology and Oncology Clinic, University Hospital Brno-Bohunice. The indicated whole-body PET/CT found extensive deposits of viable tumour tissue in the chest wall. Histological samples were taken and corticosteroid treatment was started. However, this resulted in tumour lysis syndrome followed by kidney failure. The patient developed multiple organ failure with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and died on the day that the histological diagnosis of undifferentiated sarcoma was made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BIOLOGICAL control of plant parasites, LEPIDOPTERA, ENTOMOPHAGOUS insects, PREDATORY insects, and HORTICULTURE

Pest suppression through biological control seeks to maximize the action of the pest's natural enemies with the goal of reducing pesticide use. We present a summary of published studies and original findings on several entomophagous species as biocontrol agents of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a key pest of tomato crops in Argentina, with the aim to select potential candidates for its management. Spontaneously occurring T. absoluta egg parasitism was lower than that inflicted by the larval parasitoids Dineulophus phthorimaeae (De Santis, 1983) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Pseudapanteles dignus (Muesebeck, 1938) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). These parasitoids exhibit important life history traits in laboratory conditions and produce relevant amounts of T. absoluta mortality in the field. Surveys carried out in Tucumán and Buenos Aires provinces, Argentina, revealed that D. phthorimaeae and P. dignus coexist in tomato and eggplant crops; T. absoluta- P. dignus interaction is also found on other non-cultivated solanaceous species present in horticultural farms. In addition, studies are currently under way to determine the predation ability of Zelus obscuridorsis (Stål, 1860) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) on both larvae and adults of the pest. Finally, we discuss the prospects for implementing experimental augmentative releases of P. dignus to control the pest, a candidate selected considering various positive biological traits and because of its simple mass production and manipulation compared with other antagonists of T. absoluta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STIMULANTS, LEAFHOPPERS, RICE diseases & pests, BIOLOGICAL assay, and METHANOL

A crude rice extract caused a higher probing response than did the control in the green rice leafhopper, Nephotettix nigropictus. Bioassay-guided separation led to the isolation of four active compounds, isoscoparin 2"-O-glucoside, isoscoparin 2"-O-(6"'-(E)-feruloyl)glucoside, isoscoparin 2"-O-(6"'-(E)-p-coumaroyl)glucoside, and isovitexin 2"-O-(6"'- (E)-feruloyl)glucoside from ODS 40% methanol in water faction. Each of the compounds, or any combination without one of the four compounds, caused weaker probing responses than the crude rice extract. The activity was recovered only when all the compounds were combined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RICE diseases & pests, NILAPARVATA lugens, LOCUS (Genetics), GENETIC markers in plants, and RICE breeding

Brown planthopper ( BPH), Nilaparvata lugens Stål ( Hemiptera: Delphacide), is a destructive insect pest of rice, Oryza sativa L. ( Poaceae), in rice-producing areas worldwide. Host plant resistance is a major aspect of managing this pest. In this study, a mapping population consisting of 150 F3 lines, derived from a cross of MR276 and Rathu Heenati, was used to detect and analyse quantitative trait loci ( QTLs) for the resistance to BPH. Composite Interval Mapping ( CIM) was used for QTL detection. In total 10 QTLs controlling BPH resistance were mapped on chromosomes 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12. Four QTLs - qBph-1-1, qBph-3-1, qBph-6-1, and qBph-7-1 - were mapped on chromosomes 1, 3, 6, and 7 in the standard seedbox screening test, explaining 41% of the phenotypic variance. Two QTLs, qBph-6-1 and qBph-9-1, were detected on chromosomes 6 and 9 in the honeydew test, accounting for 32% of the total phenotypic variance. Moreover, four QTLs - qBph-3-1, qBph-6-1, qBph-10-1, and qBph-12-1 - were identified on chromosomes 3, 6, 10, and 12 expressing antixenosis to BPH and explaining 41% of the phenotypic variance. QTL qBph-3-1 was located in the chromosomal region between markers RM231 and RM3872 on chromosome 3, and QTL qBph-6-1 was located in the region between RM588 and RM204 on chromosome 6, indicating that these regions have a major effect in controlling the resistance to BPH in the population studied. The molecular markers linked to QTLs that are identified will be useful in the development of varieties resistant to BPH. Our study contributes to the development of genetic material for breeding programmes and marker-assisted selection ( MAS) in rice to improve BPH resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NEISSERIA gonorrhoeae, SEXUALLY transmitted diseases, ANTIBIOTICS, CHLAMYDIA trachomatis, GYNECOLOGISTS, DIAGNOSIS, CHLAMYDIA infection diagnosis, GENITOURINARY disease diagnosis, GONORRHEA diagnosis, CLINICS, GENITOURINARY diseases, GONORRHEA, DISEASES in men, NEISSERIA, PHARYNGEAL diseases, PHYSICIANS, GENERAL practitioners, CROSS-sectional method, and RECTAL diseases

Background: Gonorrhoea, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), can cause reproductive morbidity, is increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics and is frequently asymptomatic, which shows the essential role of NG test practice. In this study we wanted to compare NG diagnostic testing procedures between different STI care providers serving a defined geographic Dutch region (280,000 inhabitants).Methods: Data on laboratory testing and diagnosis of urogenital and extragenital (i.e. anorectal and oropharyngeal) NG were retrieved from general practitioners (GPs), an STI clinic, and gynaecologists (2006-2010). Per provider, we assessed their contribution regarding the total number of tests performed and type of populations tested, the proportion of NG positives re-tested (3-12 months after treatment) and test-of-cure (TOC, within 3 months post treatment).Results: Overall, 17,702 NG tests (48.7% STI clinic, 38.2% GPs, 13.1% gynaecologists) were performed during 15,458 patient visits. From this total number of tests, 2257 (12.7%) were extragenital, of which 99.4% were performed by the STI clinic. Men were mostly tested at the STI clinic (71%) and women by their GP (43%). NG positivity per visit was 1.6%; GP 1.9% (n = 111), STI clinic 1.7% (n = 131) and gynaecology 0.2% (n = 5). NG positivity was associated with Chlamydia trachomatis positivity (OR: 2.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.46-2.92). Per anatomical location, the proportion of NG positives re-tested were: urogenital 20.3% (n = 36), anorectal 43.6% (n = 17) and oropharyngeal 57.1% (n = 20). NG positivity among re-tests was 16.9%. Proportions of NG positives with TOC by anatomical location were: urogenital 10.2% (n = 18), anorectal 17.9% (n = 7) and oropharyngeal 17.1% (n = 6).Conclusions: To achieve best practice in relation to NG testing, we recommend that: 1) GPs test at extragenital sites, especially men who have sex with men (MSM), 2) all care providers consider re-testing 3 to 12 months after NG diagnosis and 3) TOC is performed following oropharyngeal NG diagnosis in settings which provide services to higher-risk men and women (such as STI clinics). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIGGS bosons, SCALAR field theory, SUPERSYMMETRY, STANDARD model (Nuclear physics), DARK matter, and MATHEMATICAL models

The goal of this report is to summarize the current situation and discuss possible search strategies for charged scalars, in non-supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model at the LHC. Such scalars appear in Multi-Higgs-Doublet models, in particular in the popular Two-Higgs-Doublet model, allowing for charged and additional neutral Higgs bosons. These models have the attractive property that electroweak precision observables are automatically in agreement with the Standard Model at the tree level. For the most popular version of this framework, Model II, a discovery of a charged Higgs boson remains challenging, since the parameter space is becoming very constrained, and the QCD background is very high. We also briefly comment on models with dark matter which constrain the corresponding charged scalars that occur in these models. The stakes of a possible discovery of an extended scalar sector are very high, and these searches should be pursued in all conceivable channels, at the LHC and at future colliders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BROWN marmorated stink bug, HEMIPTERA, INTRODUCED insects, INSECT pests, PHEROMONES, INSECT traps, INSECT population density, and ECONOMICS

Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive insect that causes severe economic damage to multiple agricultural commodities. Several monitoring tools, including pheromone and light-baited black pyramid traps, have been developed to monitor H. halys. Here, we evaluated the attractiveness of these traps baited with only light, only pheromone, or the combination in comparison with unbaited traps throughout the growing season in regions with high and low H. halys population densities. In regions with high population densities in the Mid-Atlantic, all traps baited with pheromone or lights performed better than control traps. During mid-season, traps containing lights captured more H. halys adults, whereas pheromone-baited traps captured greater numbers during the late season. In low density regions in the Pacific Northwest, traps with lights or pheromone captured more H. halys adults than control traps. In addition, we evaluated the influence of competing light sources associated with anthropogenic structures. When light traps were deployed next to these additional light sources, H. halys captures in pyramid traps baited with light were not significantly reduced. Overall, our results indicate that both light and pheromone traps can be used to detect H. halys activity in low and high density populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZOOLOGICAL nomenclature, LEAFHOPPERS, PARROTFISHES, BURSA fabricii, and ANNOTATIONS

A synoptic, annotated catalogue is provided, documenting the long history of vacillated nomenclature usages between leafhopper family-group names Gyponidae Stål 1870c and Scaridae Amyot & Serville 1843a (nec Scaridae Rafinesque 1810b), between genus-group names Gypona Germar 1821a and Scaris Le Peletier & Serville 1828a (nec Scaris Chaudoir 1879), synonyms, and use of Docalidia ferruginea (Fabricius) in the literature for Iassus ferrugineus, beginning at the formation of each taxon and ending at the present. Authors' annotations, where applicable, follow each citation. A photograph of the lectotype of Iassus ferrugineus Fabricius (Coelidiinae) and a misidentified specimen (Gyponinae) by Germar are shown for comparative purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BIODIVERSITY, VERTEBRATES, HABITATS, GLACIATION, and PLIOCENE Epoch

It is now rare to find a semi-aquatic organism group with which to vigorously test whether their diversification model and distribution pattern are closely related to the Cenozoic temperature variation. This hypothesis is explored for water striders of the genera Aquarius Schellenberg, Gerris Fabricius and Limnoporus Stål, which comprise a monophyletic clade with primarily Holarctic distribution. We sample almost 90% of the currently recognized Aquarius, Gerris and Limnoporus species. Five DNA fragments from 62 species are used to reconstruct a phylogram. Divergence time is estimated using Bayesian relaxed-clock method and three fossil calibrations. We investigate diversification dynamics, biogeography and ancestral state reconstruction by using maximum-likelihood, Bayesian and parsimony approaches. Our results showed that the crown of the three genera originated and underwent an initial diversification in Asia at 72 Ma (HPD: 59-86 Ma) in the Late Cretaceous, subsequently expanding into other regions via dispersal. The Bering Land Bridge was the major migration route between Eurasia and North America but was interrupted before the early Oligocene (34 Ma). Ancestors most likely used lentic habitats, and a minimum of two independent shifts to lotic habitats occurred in the initial diversification. Cenozoic temperature variation regulated the evolutionary history of Holarctic water striders of the genera Aquarius, Gerris and Limnoporus. Temperature warming during Stage I (52-66 Ma) was associated with the disappearance of shallow lentic habitats; this phenomenon forced certain lentic lineages to colonize new lotic habitats and promoted the diversification of lineages. Temperature cooling during Stage II (after 34 Ma) was associated with the fragmentation of water habitats of the 'mixed-mesophytic' belt, resulting in the extinction of historical taxa and influencing close lineages that shaped the present disjunct Eurasian-North American distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MIRIDAE, EGGS as food, PREDATORY animals, TEMPERATURE effect, and MEDITERRANEAN flour moth

Three Neotropical predators Campyloneuropsis infumatus (Carvalho), Engytatus varians (Distant) and Macrolophus basicornis (Stål) (Hemiptera: Miridae) are considered in Brazil as potential biological control agents of Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and other tomato pests. This study evaluated the effect of five constant temperatures (16, 20, 24, 28 and 32°C, all ±1°C) on the reproduction, population growth and longevity of these predatory mirids. Adults freshly emerged from nymphs reared at each temperature, were separated in couples and kept in 1.7 l glass pots with tobacco plant seedlings (Nicotiana tabacum L., cv. TNN) as oviposition substrate and ad libitum Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs as food. The shortest pre-oviposition and the longest oviposition periods were observed at 24°C and 28°C in all three mirid species. At 24°C all three species showed the highest daily and total fecundities. The population growth parameters represented by the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and the finite rate of increase (λ) were highest at 24°C and 28°C, and the net reproductive rate (R0) was highest at 24°C for all three species. Longevities of both males and females were longest at 24°C and 28°C in all three mirids. The size of tibia and adult weight in the three species were greatest at 20°C and 28°C, respectively. Differences in values for all above variables were small and often statistically non-significant for the three mirid species at the same temperature. Also, not a single significant difference was found for any of the growth parameters at each of the temperatures, including rm. The results indicate that temperatures in the range from 24-28°C are best for reproduction and population growth of C. infumatus, E. varians and M. basicornis. The factitious prey E. kuehniella is an excellent food source and tobacco plants provide a good rearing substrate for these mirids. The obtained results may assist in developing a mass rearing method for C. infumatus, E. varians and M. basicornis, in determining optimal timing and frequency of mirid releases in the crop, and in determining whether they are active at the temperature spectrum observed during tomato production in the field or greenhouse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work's aims were to identify both harmful and helpful insect species for safflower crop and to study their distribution along time in relation to plant phenological state. The insect species identified as harmful were: Uroleucon jaceae L., Capitophorus elaeagni, Frankliniella occidentalis P., Dichelops furcatus (F.), Athaumasthus haematicus (Stál), Nezara viridula (L.), Nysius simulans Stál, Edessa meditabunda (F.), Piezodorus guildinii (W.), Helicoverpa zea B., Epicauta adspersa K., Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), Chauliognathus scriptus (Germ.), Pantomorus auripes H. and Rachiplusia nu (G.). Regarding aphids, their highest density was observed at the beginning of November, when crop was in the state of branching, with invasion mainly of the upper third of plants: leaves, young shoots and flower heads. Among all harmful true bugs found in the crop, red bug - Athaumastus haematicus (Stál)- comprised the highest proportion and was detected before aphids attacks, when stem elongation of plants was just beginning. As for beneficial species, the six insects detected in sufflower crop were Hippodamia convergens G., Eriopis connexa G., Harmonia axyridis (P.), Nabis sp., Ophion sp. and Apis melifera L., besides various spider species. The coccinellids- Hippodamia convergens; Eriopis connexa and Harmonia axydiris performed as the main natural control agents at crop. KE [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]