Bionomics of slender burnished brass (Thysanoplusia orichalcea [Fabricius, 1775], Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Kashmir

<p>A study on biology, morphometrics and geometrical progression of <em>Thysanoplusia orichalcea</em> was conducted on <em>Solanum tuberosum</em>under laboratory conditions. Different stages viz., egg, larva, pupa and adult of <em>T. orichalcea</em> were observed for their duration and morphometric measurements. The pest depicted five larval instars and moultedfour times during the entire period. The average pre oviposition and oviposition period was observed to be 3.80 and 2.80 days respectively.Further, fecundity ranges between 381.0-400.0 with an average of 388.0 eggs. The mean incubation period was found to be 4.2 days. The average larval, pre pupal and pupal period was completed in 23.1, 1.4 and 9.5 days respectively. While mean adult longevity on <em>S. tuberosum</em> was 7.45 days. The total life cycle was completed in 41.0-51.0 days with an average of 45.65 days. Moreover, mean head capsule width of first, second, third, fourth and fifth larval instar was found to be 0.33, 0.54, 0.88, 1.46 and 2.24 mm respectivelywith Dyar’s ratio/ growth ratio of 1.63 mm. The expected head capsule width of first, second, third, fourth and fifth larval instar wasobserved as 0.33, 0.53, 0.86, 1.40 and 2.28 mm respectively.</p>

Greenwashing as Influencing Factor to Brand Switching Behavior Among Generation Y in the Social Media Age

Nowadays, social media (SM) platforms provide easy and affordable tools to market products' brands and services to a wider audience. It is rampant that many fast-moving consumable goods (FMCG) companies are using deceit-marketing tactics perceived as more environmentally friendly sensitive to their environment through the application of social media platforms. This deceptive approach is often used to enhance their market share base, profitability, brand equity, increase brand loyalty, increase their sales volume, and expand brand equity at the expense of Generation Y ignorance. This incessant practice of deceit tactic is called “greenwashing.” Greenwashing has become prevalent and increasing in geometrical progression in the FMCG industry targeting Generation Y using the power of social media platforms. The high rate of this concern has become increasingly popular and interesting due to large benefits associated with green marketing initiatives and the role SM is playing towards it.

A Comprehensive Study on Gamma Rays and Fast Neutron Sensing Properties of GAGOC and CMO Scintillators for Shielding Radiation Applications

The WinXCom program has been used to calculate the mass attenuation coefficients (μm), effective atomic numbers (Zeff), effective electron densities (Nel), half-value layer (HVL), and mean free path (MFP) in the energy range 1 keV–100 GeV for Gd3Al2Ga3O12Ce (GAGOC) and CaMoO4 (CMO) scintillator materials. The geometrical progression (G-P) method has been used to compute the exposure buildup factors (EBF) and gamma ray energy absorption (EABF) in the photon energy range 0.015–15 MeV and up to a 40 penetration depth (mfp). In addition, the values of the removal cross section for a fast neutron ∑R have been calculated. The computed data observes that GAGOC showed excellent γ-rays and neutrons sensing a response in the broad energy range. This work could be useful for nuclear radiation sensors, detectors, nuclear medicine applications (medical imaging and mammography), nuclear engineering, and space technology.

The biology of Mercurialis perennis L. polycormones

The developmental cycle of <em>Mercurialis perennis</em> L. polycormones lasts about 6 years. Under natural conditions polycormones arise by way of vegetative propagation. Their development and growth depend on the age, size and developmental state of the part of the plant from which the new individual arises. Development of the polycormone is most intensive in the first three years. During that time the young individuals increase their number of above-ground and underground shoots according to geometrical progression. A certain stabilization in growth and spread was observed in the 4th and 5th year of life. At that time the polycormones are of spherical or oval shape and their structure is mono- and polycentric. Their surface area is 0.51-2.0 m² and the number of above-ground shoots amounts to 80-200. In the following years the intensity of regeneration decreases. Polycormones developing in garden culture reach their senile phase in the 3rd and 4th year of life, whereas in natural conditions in the 5th and 6th year. Then gradual dying of the oldest parts of the polycormone starts its division into several independent units. The rapid increase of the area occupied by the newly arising individuals leads to obliteration of the boundaries between them. The development of the aggregation-field distribution specific for this species is preceded by random and aggregation-random distribution of the polycormones in the <em>Tilio-Carpinetum</em> herb layer. It is evaluated that compact one-species patches of <em>Mercurialis parennis</em> L. form in forest communities in about 10 years.

Morphometric characteristics of bacteroidal tissue in yellow lupine (Lupinus luteus L.) nodules

Morphometric methods were used to analyse the bacteroidal tissue in yellow lupine nodules. Volume fraction - <i>Vv</i>, surface area - <i>Sv</i> and ratio of surface area to its volume - <i>R</i>, were calculated from electron micrographs for some selected cell structures in 9, 13, 15, 20, 29 and 60 day-old nodules. The rate at which bacteroid Vv increased varied in time. Between days 13 and 20 of nodule development, bacteroid Vv increased in geometrical progression. Rough endoplasmic reticulum was active in nodule development and/or protein manufacturing necessary for the functioning of the system whereas the role of mitochondria was apparently limited.

Assessment of in vitro antifungal activity of preparation ''fin Candimis'' against Candida strains

The aim of the study was to assess the antifungal activity of preparation „fin Candimis” (oregano essential oil) against yeast-like strains belonging to the genus <em>Candida</em>. During the investigation, there were used up nine <em>Candida albicans</em> strains and ten C. glabrata strains isolated from different clinical material, along with one <em>C. albicans</em> demonstration strain ATCC 90028. The oregano essential oil, utilized in the study, was obtained from fresh leaves of <em>Origanum vulgare</em> L. and bore a trade name „fin Candimis”. According to data yielded by its manufacturer, concentration of pure oregano essential oil in preparation „fin Candimis” totals up to 210 mg/ml. The susceptibility of the <em>Candida</em> strains to preparation „fin Candimis” was assessed by means of the disc-diffusion method, upon the Sabouraud solid medium (after a 24-hour incubation of the cultures at temperature of 37 degrees centigrade); the oregano essential oil had been diluted in 1 ml of DMSO, according to the geometrical progression. A measure of the antifungal activity of preparation „fin Candimis” was the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), in terms of the fungus growth. Preparation „fin Candimis” is capable of being applied in the prevention and treatment of candidiasis – alone, or as a natural adjunctive agent. The <em>C. albicans</em> strains are more susceptible to preparation „fin Candimis” in comparison to the <em>C. glabrata</em> ones.

EFFECTIVE CONDUCTIVITY OF 2D DISK – RING COMPOSITE MATERIAL

For 2D bounded composite material geometrically composed by a disk of variable radius r and an outer ring it is determined in an analytic form the x-component of the effective conductivity tensor. Namely, it is shown that the x-component is a sum of geometrical progression with respect to powers of r 2 for all sufficiently small r.

ELEMENTS OF WAVE THEORY

The first known mathematical solution for finite height, periodic waves of stable form was developed by Gerstner (1802). From equations that were developed, Gerstner (1802) arrived at the conclusion that the surface curve was trochoidal in form. Froude (1862) and Rankine (1863) developed the theory but in the opposite manner, i.e., they started with the assumption of a trochoidal form and then developed their equations from this curve. The theory was developed for waves in water of infinite depth with the orbits of the water particles being circular, decreasing in geometrical progression as the distance below the water surface increased in arithmetical progression. Recent experiments (Wiegel, 1950) have shown that the surface profile, represented by the trochoidal equations (as well as the first few terms of Stokes' theory), closely approximates the actual profiles for waves traveling over a horizontal bottom. However the theory necessitates molecular rotation of the particles, while the manner in which waves are formed by conservative forces necessitates irrotational motion.