Functional morphology and evolution of the sting sheaths in Aculeata (Hymenoptera)

The sting of the Aculeata or stinging wasps is a modified ovipositor- its function (killing or paralyzing prey, defense against predators) and the associated anatomical changes are apomorphic for Aculeata. The change in the purpose of the ovipositor/sting from being primarily an egg laying device to being primarily a weapon has resulted in modification of its handling that is supported by specific morphological adaptations. Here, we focus on the sheaths of the sting (3rd valvulae = gonoplacs) in Aculeata, which do not penetrate and envenom the prey but are responsible for cleaning the ovipositor proper and protecting it from damage, identification of the substrate for stinging, and, in some taxa, contain glands that produce alarm pheromones. The3rd valvulae may be divided into proximal and distal parts. No muscles insert on the 3rd valvulae, and in the process of stinging the movements of the 3rd valvulae are determined by the morphological features of the entire sting apparatus, e.g., the elastic cuticle between the 2nd valvifers and 3rd valvulae and also between the sclerites of the 3rd valvulae. The return of the 3rd valvulae to their resting position is facilitated by the presence of resilin-like proteins in these junctions. The structure and movements of the 3rd valvulae are discussed in the context of the sting function in various groups of Aculeata. The evolution of the 3rd valvulae is discussed- a secondary simplification of the 3rd valvulae structure is observed in representatives of Vespidae, Formicidae, Colletidae, Apidae, Melittidae

Selection of Thematic NL-knowledge from the Internet

The paper deals with methods of choice in the INTERNET of natural-language textual fragments relevant to a given theme. Relevancy is estimated on the basis of semantic analysis of sentences. Recognition of syntactic and semantic connections between words of the text is carried out by the analysis of combinations of inflections and prepositions, without use of categories and rules of traditional grammar. Choice in the INTERNET of the thematic information is organized cyclically with automatic forming of the new key at every cycle when addressing to the INTERNET

Heat and Charge Transport Properties of MgB2

A polycrystalline sample of the MgB_2 superconductor was investigated by measurements of the electrical resistivity, the thermopower and the thermal conductivity in the temperature range between 1.8K and 300K in zero magnetic field. The electrical resistivity shows a superconducting transition at T_c=38.7K and, similarly to borocarbides, a T^2.4 behaviour up to 200K. The electron diffusion thermopower and its bandstructure-derived value indicate the dominant hole character of the charge carriers. The total thermopower can be explained by the diffusion term renormalized by a significant electron-phonon interaction and a phonon drag term. In the thermal conductivity, for decreasing temperature, a significant decrease below T_c is observed resulting in a T^3 behaviour below 7K. The reduced Lorenz number exhibits values smaller than 1 and a characteristic minimum which resembles the behaviour of non-magnetic borocarbides.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures; added references and minor changes; accepted for publication in Physica

Functional morphology and evolution of the sting sheaths in Aculeata (Hymenoptera)

The sting of the Aculeata or stinging wasps is a modified ovipositor- its function (killing or paralyzing prey, defense against predators) and the associated anatomical changes are apomorphic for Aculeata. The change in the purpose of the ovipositor/sting from being primarily an egg laying device to being primarily a weapon has resulted in modification of its handling that is supported by specific morphological adaptations. Here, we focus on the sheaths of the sting (3rd valvulae = gonoplacs) in Aculeata, which do not penetrate and envenom the prey but are responsible for cleaning the ovipositor proper and protecting it from damage, identification of the substrate for stinging, and, in some taxa, contain glands that produce alarm pheromones. The3rd valvulae may be divided into proximal and distal parts. No muscles insert on the 3rd valvulae, and in the process of stinging the movements of the 3rd valvulae are determined by the morphological features of the entire sting apparatus, e.g., the elastic cuticle between the 2nd valvifers and 3rd valvulae and also between the sclerites of the 3rd valvulae. The return of the 3rd valvulae to their resting position is facilitated by the presence of resilin-like proteins in these junctions. The structure and movements of the 3rd valvulae are discussed in the context of the sting function in various groups of Aculeata. The evolution of the 3rd valvulae is discussed- a secondary simplification of the 3rd valvulae structure is observed in representatives of Vespidae, Formicidae, Colletidae, Apidae, Melittidae

ADAPTIVE APPROACH TO STATIC CORRECTION WITH RESPECT TO APRIORISTIC INFORMATION IN PROBLEM OF SEISMIC DATA PROCESSING

IJ ITA is official publisher of the scientific papers of the members of the ITHEA ® International Scientific Society IJ ITA welcomes scientific papers connected with any information theory or its application. IJ ITA rules for preparing the manuscripts are compulsory. The rules for the papers for IJ ITA as well as the subscription fees are given on www.ithea.org . The camera-ready copy of the paper should be received by http://ij.ithea.org. Responsibility for papers published in IJ ITA belongs to authors. General Sponsor of IJ ITA is the Consortium FOI Bulgaria (www.foibg.com)

METHODS FOR AUTOMATED DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE OF USER INTERFACES

IJ ITA is official publisher of the scientific papers of the members of the ITHEA ® International Scientific Society IJ ITA welcomes scientific papers connected with any information theory or its application. IJ ITA rules for preparing the manuscripts are compulsory. The rules for the papers for IJ ITA as well as the subscription fees are given on www.ithea.org . The camera-ready copy of the paper should be received by http://ij.ithea.org. Responsibility for papers published in IJ ITA belongs to authors. General Sponsor of IJ ITA is the Consortium FOI Bulgaria (www.foibg.com). METHODS FOR AUTOMATED DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE OF USER INTERFACES Valeriya Gribov

SOME APPROACHES FOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ANALYSES AND ITS UPGRADE PREDICTION

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SOLVING LARGE SYSTEMS OF BOOLEAN EQUATIONS

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WEBLOG CLUSTERING IN MULTILINEAR ALGEBRA PERSPECTIVE

IJ ITA is official publisher of the scientific papers of the members of the ITHEA ® International Scientific Society IJ ITA welcomes scientific papers connected with any information theory or its application. IJ ITA rules for preparing the manuscripts are compulsory. The rules for the papers for IJ ITA as well as the subscription fees are given on www.ithea.org . The camera-ready copy of the paper should be received by http://ij.ithea.org. Responsibility for papers published in IJ ITA belongs to authors