TB81: Investigations on the Life History and Habits of Pityokteines sparsus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

The primary objectives of this study are (1) to investigate the life history of Pityokteines sparsus (LeConte) in the Oxbow area of northern Maine; (2) to study the seasonal and daily flight behavior of the insect; (3) to investigate the food energy relations of the species.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_techbulletin/1110/thumbnail.jp

Diurnal Refractive Error Fluctuations in Diabetic and Control Subjects

Purpose: Refractive error has been shown to fluctuate in poorly controlled diabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to measure acute diurnal fluctuations in refractive error and blood glucose levels (BGLs) in diabetic and control subjects. Methods: Twenty-one type 2 diabetic subjects (age 56 ± 11 years), 20 type 1 diabetic subjects (age 38 ± 15 years) and 20 non-diabetic controls (age 49 ± 23 years) took part in the study. Refractive error was measured with an OPD ARK-10000 autorefractometer (Nidek) and BGLs were measured using a finger stick test (Hemocue). All measurements were taken six times during the day, between 8AM and 8PM at approximately twohourly intervals. Using power vector analysis the variability in refractive error was mapped against time of day and related to BGLs, HbA1c, diabetic status and duration of disease. Results: Refractive error was similar between groups (p=0.96) and did not fluctuate significantly during the day in any of the three groups (ANOVA p>0.05). The mean ± SD values for BGLs during the day were 10.4 ± 4.40mM/l in DM type 2, 10.3 ± 5.30mM/l in DM type 1, and 5.4 ± 1.04mM/l in control subjects. BGLs changed significantly during the day and between groups (ANOVA p0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that neither BGLs, HbA1c, diabetic status, nor duration of disease had a significant effect on diurnal refractive error measurements. (p>0.05). Conclusions: Diurnal changes in BGLs do not result in significant acute refractive error fluctuations in diabetic patients, as measured with an autorefractometer. CR: C. O’Donnell, None; H. Workman, None; S.L. Hosking, None; B. Huntjens, None. Support: Supported by a PhD studentship from Lein Applied Diagnostics Ltd

TB80: Scanning Electron Microscopy of Insects: Techniques for the Novice

The scanning electron microscope (SEM) has been used to detail the morphology of small insects; however, it is often difficult for the novice to obtain acceptable results without time-consuming and costly experimentation. This brief paper outlines some of the techniques and problems encountered in an examination of the balsam bark beetle Pityokteines sparsus (Le Conte ) and the hymenopterous parasitoid Brachymeria intermedia (Nees). The information presented herein is mainly for the benefit of individuals wishing to use the SEM but having little or no experience concerning the special problems associated with the photography of insect specimens, and may form a base from which reasonable results can be obtained after limited experimentation.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_techbulletin/1109/thumbnail.jp

Effects of oilseed meal and grain-urea supplements fed infrequently on digestion in sheep: 1. Low quality grass hay diets

An experiment examined intake, growth response and rumen digestion of young sheep fed ad libitum low quality grass hay alone or supplemented with approximately isonitrogenous amounts of barley grain and urea (Bar/N), safflower meal (SAF) or linseed meal (LIN) provided at 3 days intervals. Supplements comprised 13–20% of total DM intake. Sheep fed grass hay alone consumed 60.2gDM/kgLW0.75/day of hay and an estimated 6.09MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/day, and were in liveweight (LW) maintenance. Hay intake was decreased (P<0.05) by the Bar/N supplement with a substitution rate of 0.9, but was not changed by the oilseed meal supplements. Each of the supplements increased (P<0.05) estimated ME intake to a similar extent, but LW gain and wool growth were lower (P<0.05) in sheep supplemented with Bar/N than those supplemented with LIN. Rumen degradabilities of the SAF and LIN CP were estimated to be 0.72 and 0.62, respectively. Rumen ammonia concentrations in sheep fed hay alone (average 97mgNH3/l) were expected to be adequate for microbial activity. Fractional outflow rate (FOR) of liquid from the rumen measured with Co-EDTA (mean 0.109h−1) was greater than that of Cr-mordanted supplements (mean 0.056h−1), which was in turn greater than the FOR of Cr-mordanted hay (mean 0.031h−1). Diet did not affect these FOR. Supplemented sheep accommodated increased DM intake on Day 1 of the 3 day supplementation cycle by increasing rumen digesta load rather than by increasing rate of passage of digesta. Results show that the LW gain of young sheep fed low quality hay was increased more by either oilseed meal than by equivalent amounts of barley grain/urea supplement, apparently due to more efficient utilization of ME for LW gain

Identifying as in, out, or sexually inexperienced: Perception of sex-related personal disclosures

The current research explored perceptions of disclosing the information of "I am gay", "I am heterosexual", and "I am a virgin" to a variety of audiences. Participants were 842 undergraduate students who evaluated the valence of each disclosure, listed the associated feelings, and rated the comfort of disclosing such information to various audiences (e.g., a family member, online community). Participants rated the statement consistent with their own sexual orientation as being significantly more positive. No significant difference was found between gay and heterosexual participants’ ratings about disclosing virginity, and disclosure of virginity status was ranked as the most uncomfortable of the three disclosures. Both heterosexual and gay respondents indicated it would be more comfortable to disclose a heterosexual orientation than a gay one, despite gay participants rating a gay orientation as more positive. The audience ranked most to least comfortable to disclose varied with sexual orientation and disclosure content. Perceived closeness of audience was correlated with comfort of disclosure for known (family, partner, friend, colleague) audiences, but not professional (counsellor) or unknown (stranger, online) audiences. These findings are discussed with reference to the literature on “coming out”, addressing important differences in the perceptions of in-group and out-group disclosure of sexual orientation, and sex-related personal information

Differences in efficacy of monepantel, derquantel and abamectin against multi-resistant nematodes of sheep

Drug resistance has become a global phenomenon in gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep, particularly resistance to macrocyclic lactones. New anthelmintics are urgently needed for both the control of infections with multi-resistant nematodes in areas where classical anthelmintics are no longer effective, and the prevention of the spread of resistance in areas where the problem is not as severe. Recently, two new active ingredients became commercially available for the treatment of nematode infections in sheep, monepantel (Zolvix®) and derquantel, the latter used only in a formulated combination with the macrocyclic lactone, abamectin (Startect®). In order to assess the potential of the new actives for the control and prevention of spread of anthelmintic resistance, two characterized multi-resistant field isolates from Australia were used in a GLP (good laboratory practice) conducted efficacy study in sheep. Eight infected sheep in each group were treated orally according to the product labels with 2.5 mg/kg body weight monepantel, 0.2 mg/kg abamectin, or with the combination of 2.0 mg/kg derquantel and 0.2 mg/kg abamectin. The results demonstrate that monepantel was fully effective against multi-resistant species, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Haemonchus contortus (99.9%). In contrast, the combination of derquantel and abamectin was effective against T. colubriformis (99.9%), but was not effective against larval stages of the barber's pole worm H. contortus (18.3%)