The mosaic leafhopper Orientus ishidae: host plants, spatial distribution, infectivity, and transmission of 16SrV phytoplasmas to vines

Orientus ishidae (Matsumura) is an Asian species introduced into Europe and recently associated with 16SrV phytoplasmas, related to grapevine “flavescence dorée”. Its life cycle, host plants, spatial distribution, infection and vector capability have been investigated in vine-growing areas of Piedmont, NW Italy. The spatial distribution of adults in vineyards was studied by applying interpolation methods to trap capture data. Insects were subject to molecular analyses to verify phytoplasma presence and identity. DNA extraction and PCR were made to detect 16SrV phytoplasmas. Transmission experiments were set up, using different sources for phytoplasma acquisition, and two plant species and an artificial diet for inoculation. Whole mount in situ hybridization was made to detect phytoplasmas in the salivary glands of adults. In the vineyard agro-ecosystem, 19 plant species (11 families), mainly broadleaf trees and shrubs, were recognized as host plants of the insect. Adults were more abundant on putative host plants than on grapevines, with a clear clustering at the edges of vineyards, and without a massive intrusion into the vineyard from outside. 16SrV phytoplasmas were detected only in adults captured with yellow sticky traps (20 out of 188 tested). The transmission of 16SrV phytoplasmas was successful after phytoplasma acquisition from infected broad bean and inoculation on grapevine

Remote LED lighting technology for producing and processing food

Food producing and processing industries face with several challenges regarding food illumination (e.g., providing a high quality light experience and color rendering while facilitating inspections) and using Ultraviolet (UV) light for sanitizing, disinfection or germicidal treatments both in food production lines and for the food itself directly or through tools (i.e., used in packaging and processing). The paper describes the development of an innovative product, called RLTProFood (remote LED light technology for processing and producing food), that was designed for giving a customized LED-based lighting system able to deliver different source light from visible to UV according the benefits required by customers. Currently developed in two main configurations (e.g., LED visible light and UV LED light), the product has its main application in the context of processing and producing fresh and possibly organic food especially fruits and vegetables

Video-based biomechanical analysis of an unexpected Achilles tendon rupture in an Olympic sprinter

We used image-processing techniques to determine the moment (i.e., image frame) of the Achilles tendon (AT) rupture in an Olympic sprinter. This report may be unique due to the difficulty in conducting motion capture analyses during injury events. Our report includes one female Olympic sprinter, 29 years old (body mass: 56 kg, height: 1.68 m, and body mass index: 19.8 kg/m2) with a high-competitive profile history (2008 and 2012 Olympic Games participation; South American record holder in 100- and 200-m; Pan-American gold medalist in 200-m and 4 x 100-m relay) who suffered a complete AT rupture in the left leg while exercising in the final phase of rehabilitation following an Achilles tendinopathy in the contralateral limb. The greater dorsiflexion found at the moment of the injury and the delayed control of heel position indicated the presence of uncontrolled dorsiflexion, which potentially generated excessive eccentric stress over the tendon and, thus, the AT rupture. Here we discuss the relevance of lower leg alignment, the movements’ characteristics, and the history of Achilles tendinopathy in the contralateral leg on the occurrence of the AT rupture