Comparison of biology of tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis bradyi Waterhouse (Hemiptera: Miridae) on different phenological stages of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)

Among the insect pests recorded on cocoa, tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis spp. is a predominant one. Three species of tea mosquito bug viz., Helopeltis antonii, H. bradyi and H. theivora causes damage to cocoa. Among them, H. bradyi is a predominant species feeding on cocoa. Different phenological stages of cocoa viz., tender shoots, cherelles and pods were compared for fecundity, nymphal development, survival and adult longevity of H. bradyi. The fecundity, nymphal emergence and egg hatchability was highest in cocoa pods and lowest in cherelles. Highest numbers of eggs were recorded in tender shoot (110.5 numbers) followed by pods (107.5). Significantly lower number of eggs were recorded in cherelles (103.3 numbers). The total number of nymphs emerged and egg hatchability were significantly highest in tender shoots. The nymphs developed much earlier on pods than on tender shoots and cherelles. The total nymphal developmental period of H. bradyi was higher on tender shoot (224.5 h) followed by cherelles (218.3 h) and was lowest on pods (202.7 h). The adult survival was the highest (98.6%) when fed on cocoa pods compared to that of cherelles. Both females (31.5 days) and males (29.8 days) lived longest on pods than on cherelles. Whereas, in tender shoots both the male and female recorded significantly the lowest adult longevity of 21.3 days and 23.2 days, respectively. Tender shoots were found to be an inferior food source for adults than cherelles and pods. It is revealed that the availability of pods is critical for the fecundity, development, survival and longevity of H. bradyi

Community structure and functional diversity of soil nematodes from Udupi district, Karnataka, India

Nematodes constitute the most significant, most numerous, and diversified set of multicellular organisms on the earth. They live in various environments and exhibit a wide range of behavioural patterns. In the soil food web, they can be found at various trophic levels as herbivores (plant parasitic nematodes), bacterivores, fungivores, omnivores, and predators. As there were fewer studies on nematode ecology in the Udupi region, the present study aims to study the community structure and functional diversity of soil nematodes. Soil samples were collected following opportunistic random sampling employing a soil auger and were stored at 40C until transported to the laboratory. Nematodes were isolated from soil, killed, fixed, dehydrated, and displayed on a glass slide after isolation. The standard keys were used to identify the individual to genera level. 62 genera of soil nematodes belonging to 26 families and 7 orders were identified. Predator were the most prevalent communities. Various statistical indices for assessing nematode population ecology and nematodes specific indices were also calculated and it indicated a significant abundance of large plant parasitic nematodes. The region exhibits low levels of labile organic carbon and nutrient enrichment (Enrichment Index (EI):14.06 to 21.22). Despite this, the soil food web in the region is well-structured, indicated by Structure Index (SI) (85.51 to 89.74). Prevalence of fungal decomposition dominance and the soil appears to be minimally disturbed, as indicated by high channel index values and low Basal Index (BI) values, respectively

Reproduction of the Pearl-Spot, Etroplus suratensis (Bloch) in the Nethravati - Gurpur Estuary, Mangalore

Spawning of Etroplus suratensis in the Nethravati•Gurpur estuary took place from August to November and January to February with peak activity during August. The male: female ratio was 1 : 2.73, indicating a significant dominance of females in the population. Up to size group 18 - 19 em T L., the females dominated. In the larger individuals there was no significant difference in the ratio

Feeding habits of the Pearl-Spot Etroplus suratensis (Bloch) in the Nethravati - Gurpur estuary

Occurrence of decayed organic matter in the stomach showed seasonal variations which were related to relative abundance of food, selectivity, age and diurnal variations in feeding. Filamentous algae Spirogyra fonned an important item of the diet in November. A change in diet with increase in size of fish was noticed. While fish of 8 em T L preferred decayed organic matter and microvegetation, larger fish fed on a variety of food. Increased occurrence of sand grains in larger fish suggests habitual bottom feeding. Intensive feeding was noticed in early mature and spent fish. Feeding intensity appears to be related to spawning activity, besides food abundance

An Investigation on the Influence of Modeling Approach and Load Pattern on Seismic Performance of RC Structures

Non-linear Static Analysis serves as a suitable measure to evaluate the performance of a structural system. The careful selection of modelling approach and the load pattern is critical to arrive at an adequate performance evaluation. The present study seeks to evaluate and compare the response of an existing eight story reinforced concrete structure, through the application of different modeling approaches and load patterns prescribed by FEMA 356. The results indicates that, with extreme clarity, that in all cases, the shape of the lateral load distribution is what the response of the buildings is finely accustomed to. This is especially true when different patterns of load are considered. It can also be observed that there is a very small difference between various load patterns

Multicenter Validation of the Vasoactive-Ventilation-Renal Score as a Predictor of Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation After Neonatal Cardiac Surgery

Objectives: We sought to validate the Vasoactive-Ventilation-Renal score, a novel disease severity index, as a predictor of outcome in a multicenter cohort of neonates who underwent cardiac surgery. Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Seven tertiary-care referral centers. Patients: Neonates defined as age less than or equal to 30 days at the time of cardiac surgery. Interventions: Ventilation index, Vasoactive-Inotrope Score, serum lactate, and Vasoactive-Ventilation-Renal score were recorded for three postoperative time points: ICU admission, 6 hours, and 12 hours. Peak values, defined as the highest of the three measurements, were also noted. Vasoactive-Ventilation-Renal was calculated as follows: ventilation index + Vasoactive-Inotrope Score + Δ creatinine (change in creatinine from baseline × 10). Primary outcome was prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation, defined as greater than 96 hours. Receiver operative characteristic curves were generated, and abilities of variables to correctly classify prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation were compared using area under the curve values. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was also performed. Measurements and Main Results: We reviewed 275 neonates. Median age at surgery was 7 days (25th–75th percentile, 5–12 d), 86 (31%) had single ventricle anatomy, and 183 (67%) were classified as Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Congenital Heart Surgery Mortality Category 4 or 5. Prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation occurred in 89 patients (32%). At each postoperative time point, the area under the curve for prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly greater for the Vasoactive-Ventilation-Renal score as compared to the ventilation index, Vasoactive-Inotrope Score, and serum lactate, with an area under the curve for peak Vasoactive-Ventilation-Renal score of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.77–0.88). On multivariable analysis, peak Vasoactive-Ventilation-Renal score was independently associated with prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation, odds ratio (per 1 unit increase): 1.08 (95% CI, 1.04–1.12). Conclusions: In this multicenter cohort of neonates who underwent cardiac surgery, the Vasoactive-Ventilation-Renal score was a reliable predictor of postoperative outcome and outperformed more traditional measures of disease complexity and severity

Biology, damage potential and molecular identification of Conogethes punctiferalis Guenee in cocoa

Conogethes punctiferalis is an important polyphagous pest attacking many economically important crops. Recently, C. punctiferalis has been found to be an emerging pest in cocoa and was found to feed and bore into cocoa pods. The larvae feed on the rind of cocoa cherelles/pods, later bore into pods, feed the internal contents of the pods, the granular faecal pellets are seen outside the pods. When pods/cherelles touch each other, it is easy for the larvae to damage more than one pod/cherelle. Pods damaged by Conogethes are exposed to secondary infection by pathogens that lead to pod rot. The larvae sometimes feed on flower buds and flowers cushions. The damaged flower cushions may dry and shed prematurely. The damage of C. punctiferalis on cocoa is observed from December and peak incidence is noticed during March to May. On an average 2 per cent damage was recorded in the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Vittal. In order to develop a DNA-based molecular identification system for this species, primers were designed based on two nuclear genes viz., ribosomal protein S5 (RPS5) gene and carbamoyl phosphate synthetase/ aspartate transcarbamylase/dihydroorotase (CAD). PCR-amenable DNA was isolated from C. puntiferalis larva. The designed primers amplified single bands of expected sizes using genomic DNA as template. The amplicons were purified, cloned and sequenced and sequence analysis revealed close homology to the gene of interest from related moths

Dilatometric studies in the enzymic hydrolysis of polysaccharides Part I. Hydrolysis of inulin

1. The kinetics of the enzymic hydrolysis of inulin has been followed in the two-bulbed dilatometer and also by an estimation of the fructose released by Bertrand's method. 2. For a given concentration of substrate, inulin hydrolysis is accompanied by a greater depression of volume than that obtained for starch hydrolysis. It is suggested that systems involving the release of fructose during hydrolysis suffer a greater volume depression; this is well illustrated by the difference in volume occurring during the hydrolysis of maltose and sucrose. 3. The dilatometric depression per millimol release of fructose during the hydrolysis of inulin is 7·9 mm3 (average value) and is independent of the concentration of the inulin employed. Errors involved in the early stages of the reaction are indicated

Osteoid osteoma of the femoral head treated by radiofrequency ablation: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>We present a case report highlighting the unusual location and atypical imaging characteristics of an osteoid osteoma in the juxta-articular region of the femoral head, and treatment of the condition with radiofrequency ablation. This treatment option is low in both risk and morbidity and is therefore the best option in lesions that are difficult to access surgically because of the risks involved.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 40-year-old Indian man from West Bengal presented to our facility with a history of progressively severe left hip pain of insidious onset, requiring analgesics. Imaging with plain radiographs, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed findings of osteoid osteoma in a subarticular location in the femoral head, although imaging features were atypical due to the intra-articular subchondral location.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Radiofrequency ablation is a newer treatment modality for osteoid osteoma that, being minimally invasive, offers comparable results to surgery with a significantly lower morbidity. To the best of our knowledge, treatment of osteoid osteoma in the foveal region of the femoral head with radiofrequency ablation has not been reported to date. We wish to highlight the successful outcome in our index case using this technique.</p