Design, Manufacture, and Evaluation of Prototype Telescope Windows for Use as Low Vision Aids

Pixellated Optics, a class of optical devices which preserve phase front continuity only over small sub areas of the device, allow for a range of uses that would not otherwise be possible. One potential use is as Low Vision Aids (LVAs), where they are hoped to combine the function and performance of existing devices with the size and comfort of conventional eyewear. For these devices a Generalised Confocal Lenslet Array (GCLA) is designed to magnify object space, creating the effect of traditional refracting telescope within a thin, planar device. By creating a device that is appreciably thinner than existing LVA telescopes it is hoped that the comfort for the wearer will be increased. We have developed a series of prototype GLCA-based devices to examine their real-world performance, focussing on the resolution, magnification and clarity of image attainable through the devices. It is hoped that these will form the basis for a future LVA devices. This development has required novel manufacturing techniques and a phased development approach centred on maximising performance. Presented here will be an overview of the development so far, alongside the performance of the latest devices

Comparative expression of cell wall related genes in four maize RILs and one parental line of variable lignin content and cell wall degradability

A comparison of gene expression in maize between the parental line F271 and four RILs derived from the cross F288 x F271 was investigated based on hybridization on the 17,555 probes Affymetrix micro-array, targeting nearly one third of the genes present in maize genomes. The parental line had unfavorable alleles for cell wall degradability traits at the major QTL position in bin 6.06, while the set of RILs had both the favorable allele and high cell wall degradability. 360 genes were differentially expressed in the four RIL in comparison to F271, including nine genes underlying the major QTL position and 36 underlying two other QTL positions. However, their proposed function (whenever is described) do not allow us to firmly consider their involvement in the observed variation of cell wall related traits. Only a few genes involved in monolignol biosynthesis or polymerization located elsewhere in the genome were differentially expressed between the four RILs and F271, corroborating with the fact that these genes are probably not involved in major determinants of cell wall degradability in the studied set of lines. Among the investigated regulation factors, three ZmMYB, one NAC and one C3HC4 zinc finger were differentially expressed between the four RILs and F271, but they were not located in bin 6.06. Notwithstanding, the obtained results especially strengthened the probable involvement of these genes in maize secondary wall assembly and/ or lignification

Resolution limits of pixellated optical components.

Pixellated optical components, for example generalised confocal lenslet arrays (GCLAs), enable the design of optical devices which cannot be realised without introducing pixellation or a similar compromise. A key concern is the degradation of imaging quality due to the combined effects of diffraction, worst for smaller pixels, and the visibility of the pixels. Here we examine the effects of these two factors on image quality through use of our custom raytracer, Dr TIM. We also outline future work in developing these ideas more rigorously and applying the conclusions to more complicated devices

Comparative expression of cell wall related genes in four maize RILs and one parental line of variable lignin content and cell wall degradability

A comparison of gene expression in maize between the parental line F271 and four RILs derived from the cross F288 x F271 was investigated based on hybridization on the 17,555 probes Affymetrix micro-array, targeting nearly one third of the genes present in maize genomes. The parental line had unfavorable alleles for cell wall degradability traits at the major QTL position in bin 6.06, while the set of RILs had both the favorable allele and high cell wall degradability. 360 genes were differentially expressed in the four RIL in comparison to F271, including nine genes underlying the major QTL position and 36 underlying two other QTL positions. However, their proposed function (whenever is described) do not allow us to firmly consider their involvement in the observed variation of cell wall related traits. Only a few genes involved in monolignol biosynthesis or polymerization located elsewhere in the genome were differentially expressed between the four RILs and F271, corroborating with the fact that these genes are probably not involved in major determinants of cell wall degradability in the studied set of lines. Among the investigated regulation factors, three ZmMYB, one NAC and one C3HC4 zinc finger were differentially expressed between the four RILs and F271, but they were not located in bin 6.06. Notwithstanding, the obtained results especially strengthened the probable involvement of these genes in maize secondary wall assembly and/ or lignification

Design, manufacture, and evaluation of prototype telescope windows for use in low-vision aids.

Pixellated Optics, a class of optical devices which preserve phase front continuity only over small sub areas of the device, allow for a range of uses that would not otherwise be possible. One potential use is as Low Vision Aids (LVAs), where they are hoped to combine the function and performance of existing devices with the size and comfort of conventional eyewear. For these devices a Generalised Confocal Lenslet Array (GCLA) is designed to magnify object space, creating the effect of traditional refracting telescope within a thin, planar device. By creating a device that is appreciably thinner than existing LVA telescopes it is hoped that the comfort for the wearer will be increased. We have developed a series of prototype GLCA-based devices to examine their real-world performance, focussing on the resolution, magnification and clarity of image attainable through the devices. It is hoped that these will form the basis for a future LVA devices. This development has required novel manufacturing techniques and a phased development approach centred on maximising performance. Presented here will be an overview of the development so far, alongside the performance of the latest devices

Breton versus British Spiders: Are They So Different?

International audienc

Phenological and meteorological determinants of spider ballooning in an agricultural landscape

International audienceSpiders are known to commonly use aerial dispersal, so-called ballooning, especially at juvenile stages. They produce a silk thread that allows them to rise up in the air to disperse, which serves as inbreeding avoidance or to find an optimal over-winter habitat. Studies of phenology, species and meteorological factors associated with aerial dispersal have been limited to laboratory settings, with few data obtained under natural settings and no studies to date executed in France. To understand aerial dispersal, we conducted daily sampling between 2000 and 2002 at a height of 12 m. For adults, high proportions of "ballooners'' were observed during four seasonal peaks, with dispersal most prevalent during summer, while for juveniles dispersal was protracted across summer and fall. Linyphiidae is the most abundant family among the 10,879 individuals caught. We show a significant and negative influence of high wind speeds on ballooning, an effect that increased even under low temperatures (< 19 degrees C). At wind speeds greater than 4 m.s (1) dispersal becomes difficult, and is almost impossible beyond 5.5 m.s (1). Ballooning ability is reported for the first time for several species. This study increases our knowledge on aerial dispersal in spiders in an agricultural context. Such behaviour can be seen as a survival strategy to escape from a disturbed and unstable landscape. (C) 2016 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

A comparison of two widely used methods for estimating taxonomic and functional diversities of epigeal arthropods in some temperate grasslands

International audienceSuction sampling is increasingly being used to estimate abundance and diversity of epigeal arthropods, yet no study has quantified its efficiency simultaneously assess at different taxonomic functional scales. Here, we evaluated the this method (G‐Vac) relative pitfall (Barber) trap, which been for a long time, their possible complementarity. To do that, compared several metrics wide range arthropod taxa, with particular focus on spiders (species level), using traits such as trophic diet, hunting guild, body size. Sampling took place in some coastal grasslands Brittany (France) spatially paired design vacuuming unfenced trapping. In total, 21159 arthropods were identified order or family levels, including 1018 adult species. was more efficient than trapping collecting phytophagous web‐builders, small species living vegetation detritivores, large‐bodied near soil surface. We conclude that short‐term G‐Vac suction interesting obtain ‘snapshot’ patterns richness. However, assessing diversity, are complementary methods

Validation of Eustiromastix guianae (Caporiacco, 1954) (Araneae, Salticidae) with a first description of the female, and additions to the salticid fauna of French Guiana

In this paper, we validate the doubtful species status of E. guianae, with redescriptions of (supposedly lost) type and holotype males, and a first description of the female. Both sexes are measured and illustrated by pictures of habitus and copulatory organs. Seventeen new salticid species for French Guiana are also reported and a detailed catalogue of all salticid species from the Trinité National Nature Reserve is provided

Description of a new species of Hypaeus (Araneae: Salticidae: Salticinae: Amycini) based on integrative taxonomy

International audienceA new species of Hypaeus Simon 1900 is described from French Guiana based on both sexes, Hypaeus olympeae sp. nov. We employed morphological evidence, field observation, as well as the mitochondrial COI rapidly evolving loci to confirm that both males and females belong to the same species. Finally, nine species are newly recorded for the salticid fauna of French Guiana, Cyllodania fasciata (Caporicaco, 1954) syn. nov. is considered junior synonym of Gypogyna forceps Simon, 1900 and 12 COI sequences corresponding to four previously unsequenced Hypaeus species are added to GenBank