Phenotypic plasticity in adults of Anticarsia gemmatalis exposed to sub-doses of Bt-based bioinsecticide

Anticarsia gemmatalis Hünber, 1818 is one of the main defoliating species in the soybean crop. Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, 1915, is a bacterium used in the biological control of this pest species. Resistant populations and their sublethal effects caused by the use of the bacteria have already been reported; however, there are no studies on phenotypic plasticity in adulthood exposed to Bt-based bioinsecticide sub-doses. This study aimed to evaluate the morphometry of A. gemmatalis adults under laboratory conditions submitted to the Bt-based bioinsecticide Dipel SC over the three generations. The body segments mensuread were width, length, and area of the anterior and posterior wings, the weight of the integument, chest, abdomen, wings, and the whole adult of males and females. Among the treatments, LC5 in the first generation and CL10 in the second generation were those with lower thresholds in relation to the weight of the chest and abdomen, considering the proportions of the body smaller than the females. The female’s weight adulthood was reduced by 10% about males, and, only in the first generation. Males have larger body size and more pronounced phenotypic plasticity than females. Here, we demonstrate the first study assessing the phenotypic plasticity of A. gemmatalis adults.

Discrimination of Surface Topographies Created by Two-Stage Process by Means of Multiscale Analysis

The fundamental issue in surface metrology is to provide methods that can allow the establishment of correlations between measured topographies and performance or processes, or that can discriminate confidently topographies that are processed or performed differently. This article presents a set of topographies from two-staged processed steel rings, measured with a 3D contact profilometer. Data were captured individually from four different regions, namely the top, bottom, inner, and outer surfaces. The rings were manufactured by drop forging and hot rolling. Final surface texture was achieved by mass finishing with spherical ceramic media or cut wire. In this study, we compared four different multiscale methods: sliding bandpass filtering, three geometric length- and area-scale analyses, and the multiscale curvature tensor approach. In the first method, ISO standard parameters were evaluated as a function of the central wavelength and bandwidth for measured textures. In the second and third method, complexity and relative length and area were utilized. In the last, multiscale curvature tensor statistics were calculated for a range of scales from the original sampling interval to its forty-five times multiplication. These characterization parameters were then utilized to determine how confident we can discriminate (through F-test) topographies between regions of the same specimen and between topographies resulting from processing with various technological parameters. Characterization methods that focus on the geometrical properties of topographic features allowed for discrimination at the finest scales only. Bandpass filtration and basic height parameters Sa and Sq proved to confidently discriminate against all factors at all three considered bandwidths.

Time-dependent measurements of length and area of the contact line in contact-boiling regime

During the impact of a liquid droplet on a sufficiently heated surface, bubble nucleation reduces the contact area between the liquid and the solid surface. Using high-speed imaging combined with total internal reflection, we measure and report how the contact area decreases with time for a wide range of surface temperatures and impact velocities. We also reveal how formation of the observed fingering patterns contributes to a substantial increase in the total length of the contact line surrounding the contact area.

Flexible Theoretical Calculation of Loop Length and Area Density of Weft-Knitted Structures: Part II

A simple and flexible method for theoretical calculation of the main structural parameters of various weft-knitted fancy and combined patterns is presented in this article. It is especially important for patterns containing different elements, such as loops, floats of different lengths, tucks, and tuck stitches. Measurement of an actual average length of the loop in these fabrics is complicated because it is necessary to disassemble precisely one pattern repeat to measure the yarn length and divide it by the number of elements in this pattern repeat. For large and complex pattern repeats, this is difficult and usually gives a high number of errors. It is very important to have lengths of structural elements as it helps to predict the main physical properties of knitted fabrics and their mechanical behaviour, which is especially important for protective textiles. The main idea of the proposed method, based on Čiukas geometrical model, is to calculate lengths of various structural elements or even their parts separately, taking into account the number of needle bars and their formation principle, which gives great flexibility to such modelling. The proposed theoretical formulas can be used for various patterned weft-knitted structures containing not only loops but tucks, floats of different lengths, or additional yarns; they give very few errors in empirical calculations and are easy to use.

Root morphological traits of oil palm genotypes with differential resistance to fatal yellowing

Brazil has an extensive area where the climate and soil are suitable for oil palm growing. However, in part of this area, production has been limited by the occurrence of the fatal yellowing (FY) anomaly, whose initial symptom is the rotting of absorptive roots. This symptom can be more severe in oil palm genetic materials with a smaller root system. The aim of this study was to examine morphological traits of roots and shoots of seedlings of three oil palm genotypes with different degrees of resistance to FY, namely, Tenera (sensitive), Caiaué (resistant) and Interspecific Hybrid (resistant) to provide bases to elucidate the differential resistance of these materials to FY. Shoot biomass did not vary statistically between the genetic materials. The mass, length and area of fine and very fine roots were significantly higher in the Interspecific Hybrid than in Caiaué and Tenera. The fine and very fine roots of Interspecific Hybrid had a larger mass than Caiaué (114 and 133%, respectively) and Tenera (216 and 178%, respectively). The Interspecific Hybrid also exhibited higher values for the length of fine and very fine roots than Caiaué (155 and 99% respectively) and Tenera (228 and 94% respectively). The root traits of the Interspecific Hybrid and Tenera are compatible with their differential resistance to FY. Our results demonstrate the importance of expanding the study of the relationship between root morphology and resistance to FY in these genetic materials under conditions that favor the occurrence of the anomaly, such as flooding.

Hematological and Cytometrical Parameters of Japanese Quails Coturnix Coturnix Japonica, Temminck & Schlegel, 1848 as Per Sex and Different Stages of Growth

This study delineates influence of sex and age on haematological and cytometrical parameters in Japanese quail. Sixty birds were sampled, out of which 20 belong to each age-group (chicks, growers and adults). Haemoglobin, Total Erythrocyte Count, Packed Cell Volume, Erythrocyte indices, Total Leukocyte Count and Differential Leukocyte Count for all 3 age groups and cytometry of blood cells for chicks were analysed. Haemoglobin and packed cell volume of chicks differs significantly with other age-groups at p < 0.01. Significant differences at p = 0.01, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 observed in lymphocytes, monocytes and Heterophil to Lymphocyte ratio between chicks and growers. Length, length to breadth, nuclear length, breadth, area and Nucleus to Cytoplasm of erythrocytes, length and area of lymphocytes, breadth and area of heterophils also vary significantly at p < 0.01 between Japanese quail chick male and female. Moreover, breadth of erythrocyte and length of heterophil differs significantly at p < 0.05 between two groups. Thus, age and sex influence physiology and hence haematology and may therefore affect egg and meat production.

Flexible Theoretical Calculation of Loop Length and Area Density of Weft-Knitted Structures: Part I

This work presents a simple and flexible method for theoretical calculation of the main structural parameter of weft-knitted fabrics’—the loop length and one of the main characteristics of textile fabrics—area density, which combines physical and economical aspects. It helps to predict many physical properties and the mechanical behaviour, which is especially important for protective textiles, and allows predicting potential yarn consumption for knitting of one square meter of the fabric. The main idea of the proposed method, based on Čiukas geometrical model, is to calculate different parts of the knitted loop separately, which gives a great flexibility of such modelling. The proposed theoretical formulas can be used for various weft-knitted structures, give very low errors to empirical calculations, and are easy to use. It is a big advantage because known geometric models only allow a loop length of some particular pattern to be calculated, usually of single jersey or rib 1 × 1.

Magnetic resonance imaging of skull and brain parameters in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction

Objective: To compare fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and those with normal growth, in terms of skull and brain measurements obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study including 26 single fetuses (13 with IUGR and 13 with normal growth), evaluated from 26 to 38 weeks of gestation. Using MRI, we measured skull and brain biparietal diameters (BPDs); skull and brain occipitofrontal diameters (OFDs); corpus callosum length and area; transverse cerebellar diameter; extracerebral cerebrospinal fluid (eCSF); and right and left interopercular distances (IODs). Results: The following were significantly smaller in IUGR fetuses than in control fetuses: skull BPD (76.9 vs. 78.2 mm; p = 0.0029); brain BPD (67.8 vs. 71.6 mm; p = 0.0064); skull OFD (93.6 vs. 95 mm; p = 0.0010); eCSF (5.5 vs. 8.2 mm; p = 0.0003); right IOD (9.8 vs. 13.9 mm; p = 0.0023); and left IOD (11.8 vs. 16.3 mm; p = 0.0183). The skull BPD/eCSF, brain BPD/eCSF, skull OFD/eCSF, and brain OFD/eCSF ratios were also lower in IUGR fetuses. Conclusion: IUGR fetuses had smaller OFD and BPD, both skull and brain, and less eCSF when compared to normal growth fetuses.