Synthetic Route of CdSe Nanocrystalline Films Fabricated by Substrate Vibration Assisted Drop Casting Method

Herein, we report a greener, non-toxic, cost effective and a modest scheme for the fabrication of excellent CdSe nanocrystals (NCs). Precursors for the present reaction are synthesized by the treatment of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) with 2-pyridyl selenolate (NaSeC5H4N) resulting a complex of the formula [(C5H4NSe)2Cd]. The complex is characterized by NMR (1H and 13C) and IR spectroscopies. The complex, [(C5H4NSe)2Cd] is found to be polymeric in nature, as indicated by its insolubility in solvents, and is further customized as a single-source pioneers for the preparation of colloidal CdSe NCs. Thermolysis of [(C5H4NSe)2 Cd] has been successfully carried out by hotinjection method using low-cost and harmless oleic acid (OA) as the coordinating solvent, thereby rejecting the need of air-sensitive and toxic solvents. Based upon dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique, the average size of colloidal CdSe NCs are determined using particle size analyzer. The average size of colloidal NCs comes out to be 6.3 nm. Thin films of colloidal CdSe NCs are deposited on glass substrate using drop-casting (DC) and ultrasonic substrate vibration assisted drop casting (SVADC) methods to study their use as workable materials for engineering devices. The films are characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), photoluminescence (PL) studies, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques.

Bimodal modulation of background activity in an identified descending interneuron

In the absence of any obvious input, sensory neurons and interneurons can display resting or spontaneous activity. This is often regarded as noise and removed through trial averaging, although it may reflect history-dependent modulation of tuning or fidelity and, thus, be of functional relevance to downstream interneurons. We investigated the history dependence of spontaneous activity in a pair of identified, bimodal descending interneurons of the stick insect, called contralateral ON-type velocity-sensitive interneurons (cONv). The bilateral pair of cONv conveys antennal mechanosensory information to the thoracic ganglia, where it arborizes in regions containing locomotor networks. Each cONv encodes the movement velocity of the contralateral antenna, but also substrate vibration as induced by discrete tapping events. Moreover, cONv display highly fluctuating spontaneous activity that can reach rates similar to those during antennal movement at moderate velocities. Hence, cONv offer a unique opportunity to study history-dependent effects on spontaneous activity and, thus, encoding fidelity in two modalities. In this work, we studied unimodal and cross-modal effects as well as unilateral and bilateral effects, using bilateral recordings of both cONv neurons, while moving one antenna and/or delivering taps to induce substrate vibration. Tapping could reduce spontaneous activity of both neurons, whereas antennal movement reduced spontaneous activity of the contralateral cONv neuron only. Combination of both modalities showed a cooperative effect for some parameter constellations, suggesting bimodal enhancement. Since both stimulus modalities could cause a reduction of spontaneous activity at stimulus intensities occurring during natural locomotion, we conclude that this should enhance neuronal response fidelity during locomotion. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The spontaneous activity in a pair of identified, descending insect interneurons is reduced depending on stimulus history. At rest, spontaneous activity levels are correlated in both interneurons, indicating a common drive from background activity. Whereas taps on the substrate affect both interneurons, antennal movement affects the contralateral interneuron only. Cross-modal interaction occurs, too. Since spontaneous activity is reduced at stimulus intensities encountered during natural locomotion, the mechanism could enhance neuronal response fidelity during locomotion.

The complex communication signals in the mating behavior of the tropical cricket Cranistus colliurides Stål, 1861 (Orthoptera: Grylloidea; Trigonidiidae: Phylloscyrtini)

Cricket mating behavior reflects different strategies developed by sexual selection throughout evolutionary time. To our knowledge, only one species of the Neotropical cricket Trigonidiinae had its mating behavior studied so far. Here we expand this knowledge by describing the mating behavior of Cranistus colliurides Stål, 1861, a cricket commonly found in bushes and grasses along open fields or the forest edge. Adult crickets were collected in the municipality of Capão do Leão, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Trials were carried out in laboratory to characterize the mating sequence. We quantified elapsed time of each behavioral sequence and discussed its implications in the observed mating behavior. The males of C. colliurides attracted females by means of a continuous trill, and receptive female triggers the beginning of the courtship through antennation. During courtship, copulation and post-copulatory actions, males showed a complex communication system based on information send to female by substrate vibration and an elaborated repertoire composed by calling, courtship and post-copulatory song. The mating behavior here described reveals divergence between related species hitherto studied which give us clues to understand how the sexual selection shaped the complex behaviors exhibited by Trigonidiinae crickets presently.

Acoustic communication

This chapter, takes a broad look at insect acoustic communication, by including near-field and far-field sound, as well as substrate vibration, as signals. These mechanical disturbances differ greatly in their physical properties—they propagate in their natural environments over distances that can span from a few millimetres up to several hundred metres. Therefore, background information is provided to understand how the insect sound-emitting systems for the different signals work and in which behavioral contexts they are used. Evidence is also provided to describe the substantial changes signals undergo on their way to receivers, the effects of background noise on communication and how unintended receivers may represent costs in this system. Finally, a short overview of the structure and evolution of the tremendous diversity of sensory receptors is presented.