Occurrence, biology and behavior of Liogenys fuscus Blanchard (Insecta, Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Due to the importance of some Pleurosticti Scarabaeidae as agricultural pests allied to information absence on the species that occur in Brazilian Central-West region, on studies occurrence, biology and behavior on this group of scarabs were conducted. Biology and behavioral studies started with Liogenys fuscus Blanchard, 1850 (Melolonthinae), a very common species and were developed in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul. Adult beetles were collected from light traps from February 2005 to January 2007, at the experimental farm of the Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul in Aquidauana (UEMS). In the laboratory adults were placed in plastic containers with soil with sprouts of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf (Poaceae). Eggs were transferred to a climatized chamber at 26 ± 1º C with a 12hourlight, 12hour darkness photoperiod cycle. Adult flight activity occurred in August and in September to December from 06:00 pm to 06:00 am, with the largest number of individuals flying from 07:00 to 10:00 pm. Eggs measured 1 x 1.5 mm and were laid individually or in groups in soil chambers; eggs were initially white and became yellow near hatching. The embryonic period lasted 14.3 days; first, second and third instars lasted 28.5, 48.8, and 68.2 days, respectively. The prepupal period lasted 120.2 days and the prepupa stayed inactive in soil. The mean duration of pupal stage was 27.5 days and the mean longevity of adults was 23.6 days. In laboratory the calling behavior between males and females was observed; copulation lasted, in mean, 25 minutes.

Décollement de rétine rhegmatogène et hypertonie: penser au syndrome de Schwartz-Matsuo [Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and hypertension: Schwartz-Matsuo syndrome]

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of electron microscopy of the aqueous cells when confronted with the clinical association of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after trauma, high intraocular pressure (IOP) and aqueous cells. METHOD: We report a clinical history of a 50-years-old man who had ocular trauma with perforation in 1944, intraocular lens for traumatic cataract in 1988, Yag capsulotomy in 1993 and retinal detachment with oral dialysis, high IOP and aqueous cells in anterior chamber in 1995. During the surgical therapy we performed an anterior chamber puncture to analyse the aqueous cells. An electron microscopic study was performed on 0.2 ml of aqueous humor mixed in the same volume of 2.5% glutaraldehyde and fixed with 1% osmium acid. RESULTS: Electron microscopic ultrastructural study of the aqueous cells showed numerous photoreceptor outer segments, some of them appearing degenerated. CONCLUSION: The combination of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with tears near the ora serrata, high IOP and aqueous cells in the anterior chamber should lead the physician to do an anterior chamber puncture and analyse the aqueous cells structure. The combination of those three clinical signs associated with the photoreceptor outer segments in the anterior chamber allowed to diagnose the Schwartz-Matsuo syndrome.

Functional response of Telenomus remus Nixon(Hymenoptera, Scelionidae) to Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) eggs: effect of female age

Functional response of Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae) to Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) eggs: effect of female age. Functional response of 24-h and 48-h-old Telenomus remus adults was studied on Spodoptera frugiperda eggs. The study was carried out in climatic chamber regulated at 25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% RH and 12:12h (L: D). Females of T. remus were honey fed and individualized in glass vials along with 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250 or 300 eggs of S. frugiperda for 24 h. Complete randomized design with ten replications was adopted. The parameters evaluated to construct the functional response curve were daily average parasitism, searching rate and oviposition time. It was observed that the higher the egg density, the higher the parasitism for 24-h and 48-h-old females although there was a tendency of parasitism stabilization at 150-egg density. The results showed a type II functional response curve for both 24-h and 48-h-old female.

Richness of gall-inducing insects in the tropical dry forest (caatinga) of Pernambuco

Diversity of gall-inducing insects in the tropical dry forest (caatinga) of Pernambuco. We report on the richness of galling insects in the vegetation of caatinga of Pernambuco state, Brazil. We recorded 64 different types of galls collected primarily from leaves and stems of 48 species of host plants belonging to 17 families and 31 genera. The most common gall morphological types were spheroid and discoid, glabrous, predominantly green and with one chamber. The main gall inducing taxon was the Cecidomyiidae (Diptera). The results of this study contribute to existing knowledge of galling insect and host-plant diversity in caatinga.

Effect of ethanol on energy expenditure.

The thermogenic response induced by ethanol ingestion in humans has not been extensively studied. This study was designed to determine the thermic effect of ethanol added to a normal diet in healthy nonalcoholic subjects, using indirect calorimetry measurements over a 24-h period in a respiration chamber. The thermic effect of ethanol was also measured when ethanol was ingested in the fasting state, using a ventilated hood system during a 5-h period. Six subjects ingested 95.6 +/- 1.8 (SE) g ethanol in 1 day partitioned over three meals; there was a 5.5 +/- 1.2% increase in 24-h energy expenditure compared with a control day in which all conditions were identical except that no ethanol was consumed. The calculated ethanol-induced thermogenesis (EIT) was 22.5 +/- 4.7% of the ethanol energy ingested. Ingestion of 31.9 +/- 0.6 g ethanol in the fasting state led to a 7.4 +/- 0.6% increase in energy expenditure over baseline values, and the calculated EIT was 17.1 +/- 2.2%. It is concluded that in healthy nonalcoholic adults ethanol elicits a thermogenic response equal to approximately 20% of the ethanol energy. Thus the concept of the apparently inefficient utilization of ethanol energy is supported by these results which show that only approximately 80% of the ethanol energy is used as metabolizable energy for biochemical processes in healthy nonalcoholic moderate ethanol consumers.

Energetic cost of digging behavior in workers of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens (Fabricius)

Energetic cost of digging behavior in workers of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens (Fabricius). During nest excavation, leaf-cutting ant workers undergo reduction in their body reserve, particularly carbohydrates. In order to estimate the energetic cost of digging, groups of 30 workers of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens were sealed in a hermetic chamber for 24, 48 and 72 hours, with and without soil for digging, and had the CO2 concentration measured using respirometric chambers as well as volume of soil excavated (g). As expected, the worker groups that carried out soil excavation expelled more carbon dioxide than the groups that did not excavate. Therefore, a worker with body mass of 9.65 ± 1.50 mg dug in average 0.85 ± 0.27 g of soil for 24 hours, consuming ca. 0.58 ± 0.23 J. In this study, we calculate that the energetic cost of excavation per worker per day in the experimental set-up was ca. 0.58 J.

Baerveldt aqueous shunt implantation into the ciliary sulcus

Purpose: Aqueous shunt implantation into the anterior chamber is associated with corneal decompensation in up to a third of eyes. Intracameral tube position may affect corneal endothelial cell loss. The authors set out to examine the efficacy and safety of Baerveldt shunt implantation into the ciliary sulcus combined with surgical peripheral iridectomy (SPI). Methods: One hundred eyes prospectively underwent Baerveldt shunt implantation into the cilliary sulcus combined with SPI, leaving a short intracameral tube length (1-2mm). Pre and post operative measures recorded included patient demographics, visual acuity, IOP, number of glaucoma medications (GMs) and all complications. Pre-existing corneal decompensation was recorded. Success was defined as IOP≤21mmHg and 20% reduction in IOP from baseline with or without GMs. Results: Mean age was 65.4 years (±20.4years). Mean follow-up was 10.8 months. Preoperatively IOP was 25.7mmHg (± 9.9mmHg), GMs were 2.9 (±1.2) and VA was 0.4 (±0.3). At one year postoperatively there was a significant drop in IOP (mean= 13.3mmHg (± 5.0mmHg); p<0.001) and number of GMs (mean= 1.3 (±1.4); p<0.001); and no significant change in VA (mean= 0.4 (±0.3); p=0.93). The success rate at one year was 83%. Complications were minor and non sight threatening (10%), there were no cases of postoperative corneal decompensation, tube blockage or iris/corneal-tube contact. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that placement of Baerveldt shunts into the ciliary sulcus with SPI is a safe and efficacious method of IOP reduction in comparison with standard shunt positioning in the anterior chamber. The intracameral tube position combined with SPI avoided tube-iris contact and corneal decompensation. Sulcus placement of aqueous shunts should be considered in pseudophakic eyes.

Development of a system for 3D high-resolution seismic reflection profiling on lakes

A high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) seismic reflection system for small-scale targets in lacustrine settings has been developed. Its main characteristics include navigation and shot-triggering software that fires the seismic source at regular distance intervals (max. error of 0.25 m) with real-time control on navigation using differential GPS (Global Positioning System). Receiver positions are accurately calculated (error < 0.20 m) with the aid of GPS antennas attached to the end of each of three 24-channel streamers. Two telescopic booms hold the streamers at a distance of 7.5 m from each other. With a receiver spacing of 2.5 m, the bin dimension is 1.25 m in inline and 3.75 m in crossline direction. To test the system, we conducted a 3D survey of about 1 km(2) in Lake Geneva, Switzerland, over a complex fault zone. A 5-m shot spacing resulted in a nominal fold of 6. A double-chamber bubble-cancelling 15/15 in(3) air gun (40-650 Hz) operated at 80 bars and 1 m depth gave a signal penetration of 300 m below water bottom and a best vertical resolution of 1.1 m. Processing followed a conventional scheme, but had to be adapted to the high sampling rates, and our unconventional navigation data needed conversion to industry standards. The high-quality data enabled us to construct maps of seismic horizons and fault surfaces in three dimensions. The system proves to be well adapted to investigate complex structures by providing non-aliased images of reflectors with dips up to 30 degrees.

Escenari, entorn, refugi : interiorisme domèstic i espais narratius

La casa és un conjunt de condicions físiques que en fan un habitatge, però també, és una xarxa de relacions que conformen la vida domèstica. Si bé el disseny disposa d’instruments molt efectius per garantir els estàndards d’habitabilitat, no es planteja, al mateix nivell, la qualitat de la domesticitat, la regulació de la qual, queda en el terreny dels usos dels habitants. L’estudi de cas de l’espai narratiu de les Peces de Cambra d’August Strindberg, analitzat a partir del conjunt d’àmbits comuns de la vida social, que proposa Peter Sloterdijk, permet establir quatre tipus ideals de cases sense llar i identifi car greus dèfi cits de domesticitat. Des d’aquests contraexemples s’obren perspectives que amplien l’horitzó del projecte d’espais domèstics.

Biology and reproductive capacity of Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) in different soybean cultivars

This study aimed to evaluate the development, survival and reproductive capacity of Spodoptera eridania in four soybean cultivars. The experiment was conducted in the laboratory, in a climatic chamber at 25 °C ± 1 °C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity and 12 h photophase. The cultivars used were: FMT Tabarana, BRS/MT Pintado, FMT Tucunaré and Monsoy 8757, all conventional cultivars with medium cycles. All cultivars tested allowed the development of S. eridania. However, Monsoy 8757 was the cultivar that most affected the prolonged in the duration larval, pupal and total cycle, showed lower pupal weight as well as reduction in the intrinsic rate increase. These results contribute to the management of this species in regions of outbreaks in soybean areas.

Effect of age toxicokinetics among human volunteers exposed to propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME)

Rationale: Aging adults represent the fastest growing population segment in many countries. Physiological and metabolic changes in the aging process may alter how aging adults respond to exposures compared to younger workers. Current preventive workplace exposure measures may therefore not be sufficiently protective for the aging workforce. In a controlled human toxicokinetic study (exposure chamber; 12m3), the volunteers (n=11) were men and women over the age of 58 years and exposed to a commonly used, low neurotoxic glycol ether; PGME (CAS no. 107-98- 2) (50 ppm, 6 hours). Oxidative metabolism (Michaelis-Menten) is the major pathway and conjugation the minor in humans. Metabolites, conjugated and free PGME are eliminated through the kidneys, and the elimination kinetics is dose-dependent (0 order). Scope: (1) compare the toxicokinetic profile of PGME obtained in the aging volunteers (58- 62 years) to young volunteers (20-25 years) from a previous study; (2) Test the predictive power of an existing PGME toxicokinetic compartment model for aging persons against urinary PGME concentrations found in volunteers from our experimental study. Experimental procedure: Urine samples were collected before, every 2-hour during exposures for six hours, and ad-lib for additional 20 hours. Urinary analysis of free and total PGME was performed using capillary GC/FID. The toxicokinetic model (Berkley Madonna software) was ageadjusted. Results. Urinary free and total PGME concentration rose rapidly, and did not reach an apparent plateau level during exposure. Less conjugation was observed in the older group. The predictive model developed for the young group predicted well total PGME in the aging group but not free PGME. The age adjusted toxicokinetic model's Vmax1 had to be changed for the aging group, implying slower enzymatic pathway. Conclusion: The toxicokinetic model did not predict well if only the physiological parameters were adjusted for aging adults (existing model); a substance specific metabolic rate parameter was also needed.

Morgagnian cataract simulating iris neoplasia : case report

Purpose: to describe a case in which the diagnosis of Morganian cataract required clinical and instrumental differentiation from iris pathologies, including iris melanoma. Methods: a 60-years-old Caucasian man referred to our institute for worsening of vision in last few months. Clinical evaluation consisted in complete ophthalmological assessment, ultrasound examination (biomicroscopy and 20MHz), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) completed with Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI). Results: traumatic corneal wound of the left eye (LE) had occurred 5 years before, and was treated with medical therapy alone. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 3/10 in the right eye (RE) and finger count in the LE, with intraocular pressure at 13 and 20mmHg, respectively. Chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, accounted for the low visual acuity of the RE. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy of the LE was as in Figure 1; LE fundus was not clinically observable. Despite MRI was compatible with an iris solid formation, characterized by contrast enhancement and hyperintense signal in SWI, ultrasound indicated rather a mixed solid and liquid content (moderately echogenic external layer, hyporeflective internal content). Iris root and ciliary body were not significantly altered; the lens showed inhomogeneous content. We considered Morgagnian cataract the most probable diagnosis. Surgery confirmed the presence of a hypermature cataract with prior anterior capsule fissuring; the liquefied cortex infiltrated the iris without anterior chamber seeping. Post-operative BCVA was 3/10 and fundus examination disclosed an advanced macular chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. Conclusions: In the reported case a previous perforating trauma have probably damaged the lens capsule and started cataract progression. Curiously cataract developed percolating into the iris stroma, thus simulating an iris mass. At our knowledge, Morgagnian cataract has never been included in the differential diagnosis of iris mass.

A High-Resolution 2D/3D Seismic Study of a Thrust Fault Zone in Lake Geneva, Switzerland

P130 A HIGH-RESOLUTION 2D/3D SEISMIC STUDY OF A THRUST FAULT ZONE IN LAKE GENEVA SWITZERLAND M. SCHEIDHAUER M. BERES D. DUPUY and F. MARILLIER Institute of Geophysics University of Lausanne 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Summary A high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) seismic reflection survey has been conducted in Lake Geneva near the city of Lausanne Switzerland where the faulted molasse basement (Tertiary sandstones) is overlain by complex Quaternary sedimentary structures. Using a single 48-channel streamer an area of 1200 m x 600 m was surveyed in 10 days. With a 5-m shot spacing and a receiver spacing of 2.5 m in the inline direction and 7.5 m in the crossline direction, a 12-fold data coverage was achieved. A maximum penetration depth of ~150 m was achieved with a 15 cu. in. water gun operated at 140 bars. The multi-channel data allow the determination of an accurate velocity field for 3D processing, and they show particularly clean images of the fault zone and the overlying sediments in horizontal and vertical sections. In order to compare different sources, inline 55 was repeated with a 30/30 and a 15/15 cu. in. double-chamber air gun (Mini GI) operated at 100 and 80 bars, respectively. A maximum penetration depth of ~450 m was achieved with this source.

Aqueous dynamic and histological findings after deep sclerectomy with collagen implant in an animal model.

AIM: The use of an animal model to study the aqueous dynamic and the histological findings after deep sclerectomy with (DSCI) and without collagen implant. METHODS: Deep sclerectomy was performed on rabbits' eyes. Eyes were randomly assigned to receive collagen implants. Measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP) and aqueous outflow facility using the constant pressure method through cannulation of the anterior chamber were performed. The system was filled with BSS and cationised ferritin. Histological assessment of the operative site was performed. Sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and with Prussian blue. Aqueous drainage vessels were identified by the reaction between ferritin and Prussian blue. All eyes were coded so that the investigator was blind to the type of surgery until the evaluation was completed. RESULTS: A significant decrease in IOP (p<0.05) was observed during the first 6 weeks after DSCI (mean IOP was 13.07 (2.95) mm Hg preoperatively and 9.08 (2.25) mm Hg at 6 weeks); DS without collagen implant revealed a significant decrease in IOP at weeks 4 and 8 after surgery (mean IOP 12.57 (3.52) mm Hg preoperatively, 9.45 (3.38) mm Hg at 4 weeks, and 9.22 (3.39) mm Hg at 8 weeks). Outflow facility was significantly increased throughout the 9 months of follow up in both DSCI and DS groups (p<0.05). The preoperative outflow facility (OF) was 0.15 (0.02) micro l/min/mm Hg. At 9 months, OF was 0.52 (0.28) microl/min/mm Hg and 0.46 (0.07) micro l/min/mm Hg for DSCI and DS respectively. Light microscopy studies showed the appearance of new aqueous drainage vessels in the sclera adjacent to the dissection site in DSCI and DS and the apparition of spindle cells lining the collagen implant in DSCI after 2 months. CONCLUSION: A significant IOP decrease was observed during the first weeks after DSCI and DS. DS with or without collagen implant provided a significant increase in outflow facility throughout the 9 months of follow up. This might be partly explained by new drainage vessels in the sclera surrounding the operated site. Microscopic studies revealed the appearance of spindle cells lining the collagen implant in DSCI after 2 months.

Carbon dioxide efflux in a rhodic hapludox as affected by tillage systems in southern Brazil

Agricultural soils can act as a source or sink of atmospheric C, according to the soil management. This long-term experiment (22 years) was evaluated during 30 days in autumn, to quantify the effect of tillage systems (conventional tillage-CT and no-till-NT) on the soil CO2-C flux in a Rhodic Hapludox in Rio Grande do Sul State, Southern Brazil. A closed-dynamic system (Flux Chamber 6400-09, Licor) and a static system (alkali absorption) were used to measure soil CO2-C flux immediately after soybean harvest. Soil temperature and soil moisture were measured simultaneously with CO2-C flux, by Licor-6400 soil temperature probe and manual TDR, respectively. During the entire month, a CO2-C emission of less than 30 % of the C input through soybean crop residues was estimated. In the mean of a 30 day period, the CO2-C flux in NT soil was similar to CT, independent of the chamber type used for measurements. Differences in tillage systems with dynamic chamber were verified only in short term (daily evaluation), where NT had higher CO2-C flux than CT at the beginning of the evaluation period and lower flux at the end. The dynamic chamber was more efficient than the static chamber in capturing variations in CO2-C flux as a function of abiotic factors. In this chamber, the soil temperature and the water-filled pore space (WFPS), in the NT soil, explained 83 and 62 % of CO2-C flux, respectively. The Q10 factor, which evaluates CO2-C flux dependence on soil temperature, was estimated as 3.93, suggesting a high sensitivity of the biological activity to changes in soil temperature during fall season. The CO2-C flux measured in a closed dynamic chamber was correlated with the static alkali adsorption chamber only in the NT system, although the values were underestimated in comparison to the other, particularly in the case of high flux values. At low soil temperature and WFPS conditions, soil tillage caused a limited increase in soil CO2-C flux.