Chemoreceptor Evolution in Hymenoptera and Its Implications for the Evolution of Eusociality.

Eusocial insects, mostly Hymenoptera, have evolved unique colonial lifestyles that rely on the perception of social context mainly through pheromones, and chemoreceptors are hypothesized to have played important adaptive roles in the evolution of sociality. However, because chemoreceptor repertoires have been characterized in few social insects and their solitary relatives, a comprehensive examination of this hypothesis has not been possible. Here, we annotate ∼3,000 odorant and gustatory receptors in recently sequenced Hymenoptera genomes and systematically compare >4,000 chemoreceptors from 13 hymenopterans, representing one solitary lineage (wasps) and three independently evolved eusocial lineages (ants and two bees). We observe a strong general tendency for chemoreceptors to expand in Hymenoptera, whereas the specifics of gene gains/losses are highly diverse between lineages. We also find more frequent positive selection on chemoreceptors in a facultative eusocial bee and in the common ancestor of ants compared with solitary wasps. Our results suggest that the frequent expansions of chemoreceptors have facilitated the transition to eusociality. Divergent expression patterns of odorant receptors between honeybee and ants further indicate differential roles of chemoreceptors in parallel trajectories of social evolution

Chemosensory sensitivity reflects reproductive status in the ant Harpegnathos saltator.

Insects communicate with pheromones using sensitive antennal sensilla. Although trace amounts of pheromones can be detected by many insects, context-dependent increased costs of high sensitivity might lead to plasticity in sensillum responsiveness. We have functionally characterized basiconic sensilla of the ant Harpegnathos saltator for responses to general odors in comparison to cuticular hydrocarbons which can act as fertility signals emitted by the principal reproductive(s) of a colony to inhibit reproduction by worker colony members. When released from inhibition workers may become reproductive gamergates. We observed plasticity in olfactory sensitivity after transition to reproductive status with significant reductions in electrophysiological responses to several long-chained cuticular hydrocarbons. Although gamergates lived on average five times longer than non-reproductive workers, the shift to reproductive status rather than age differences matched the pattern of changes in olfactory sensitivity. Decreasing sensillum responsiveness to cuticular hydrocarbons could potentially reduce mutually inhibitory or self-inhibitory effects on gamergate reproduction

Crop Residue Harvest Economics: An Iowa and North Dakota Case Study

Rigorous economic analyses are crucial for the successful launch of lignocellulosic bioenergy facilities in 2014 and beyond. Our objectives are to (1) introduce readers to a query tool developed to use data downloaded from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) REAPnet for constructing enterprise budgets and (2) demonstrate the use of the query tool with REAPnet data from two field research sites (Ames, IA, and Mandan, ND) for evaluating short-term economic performance of various biofuel feedstock production strategies. Our results for both sites showed that short-term (\u3c3 years) impacts on grain profitability were lower at lower average annual crop residue removal rates. However, it will be important to monitor longer term changes to see if grain profitability declines over time and if biomass harvest degrades soil resources. Analyses for Iowa showed short-term breakeven field-edge biomass prices of $26–$42Mg−1 among the most efficient strategies, while results for North Dakota showed breakeven prices of $54–$73 Mg−1. We suggest that development of the data query tool is important because it helps illustrate several different soil and crop management strategies that could be used to provide sustainable feedstock supplies

Characterization of the Corrosion Resistance of Composite Peened Aluminum

Composite peening offers the opportunity to introduce ceramic blasting particles into metallic base material. By embedding Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$ particles, mechanical properties of aluminum can be improved. However, those surface modifications might negatively impact corrosion resistance and thus shorten the lifetime of components. This study analyzes corrosion properties of peened aluminum in chloride solution via immersion, scanning electron microscopy and polarization. The data of observed microstructures indicate that peening accelerates corrosion and that intergranular corrosion is the main force of degradation in contrast with pitting corrosion of monolithic aluminum

Study Of The Ability To Detect Humor In Visual Images By 2-5 Year Olds

Problem Understanding the impact that humor can have as a form of therapy has been studied mostly in relation to mental and spiritual healing. As a result, little focus has been given to understanding the types of humor and how one’s understanding of and appreciation for types of humor develop over time. Gaining an understanding of humor development is important due to discoveries that the use of humor is a great intervention tool when working with children. Nevertheless, the use of pictures (with humor) is often used within speech therapy sessions, but seldom used correctly due to the lack of understanding of humor development in children. Method This study was carried out by individually removing each participant from the classroom A total of 12 pictures were presented to each child (i.e. three groups of four pictures) via the iPad. When the first photo grid was presented, the experimenter directed the participant’s attention to the reference picture, and created a story line to explain the reference picture. Then the experimenter directed the participant’s attention to the other three pictures by saying, “…Point to the picture that makes you laugh the most.” The participant then selected from the three alternatives, with the expected selection to be the one of incongruency. Each participant was given a range of 0 to 90 seconds to observe each photo grid and select a response. Results A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient showed that there was a positive correlation on all of the dependent variables (types of humor) and some independent variables (i.e. language and gender), as well as between gender and hyperbolic humor type. Repeated measures ANOVA resulted in significant difference in participants’ ability to correctly identify incongruent elements in types of humor based on gender, language and age. A multiple regression analysis was done and resulted in there being a high level of significance for the independent variables age grouping, gender and language skills to operate as successful predictors of overall correct identification of incongruence in the dependent variables. Conclusion It is important to take into consideration the age, gender and type of humor as well as the language skill level of each client, because these aspects could have a major impact on the success or failure of a session and overall work with a client

Study of material homogeneity in the long fiber thermoset injection molding process by image texture analysis

To quantify the homogeneity of fiber dispersion in short fiber-reinforced polymer composites, a method for image texture analysis of 3-dimensional X-ray micro computed tomography (µCT) images is presented in this work. The adaption of the method to the specific requirements of the composite material is accomplished using a statistical region merging approach. Subsequently, the method is applied for evaluating the homogeneity of specimens from an intermediate step of the long fiber thermoset injection molding process as well as molded parts. This new injection molding process enables the manufacturing of parts with a flexible combination of short and long glass fibers. By using a newly developed screw element based on the Maddock mixing element design, the material homogeneity of parts molded in the long fiber injection molding process is improved

Specialized odorant receptors in social insects that detect cuticular hydrocarbon cues and candidate pheromones.

Eusocial insects use cuticular hydrocarbons as components of pheromones that mediate social behaviours, such as caste and nestmate recognition, and regulation of reproduction. In ants such as Harpegnathos saltator, the queen produces a pheromone which suppresses the development of workers' ovaries and if she is removed, workers can transition to a reproductive state known as gamergate. Here we functionally characterize a subfamily of odorant receptors (Ors) with a nine-exon gene structure that have undergone a massive expansion in ants and other eusocial insects. We deorphanize 22 representative members and find they can detect cuticular hydrocarbons from different ant castes, with one (HsOr263) that responds strongly to gamergate extract and a candidate queen pheromone component. After systematic testing with a diverse panel of hydrocarbons, we find that most Harpegnathos saltator Ors are narrowly tuned, suggesting that several receptors must contribute to detection and discrimination of different cuticular hydrocarbons important in mediating eusocial behaviour.Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC) mediate the interactions between individuals in eusocial insects, but the sensory receptors for CHCs are unclear. Here the authors show that in ants such as H. saltator, the 9-exon subfamily of odorant receptors (HsOrs) responds to CHCs, and ectopic expression of HsOrs in Drosophila neurons imparts responsiveness to CHCs

Radiation Dose and Fluoroscopy Time of Endovascular Treatment in Patients with Intracranial Lateral Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae

Purpose. Intracranial lateral dural arteriovenous fistula (LDAVF) represents a specific subtype of cerebrovascular fistulae, harboring a potentially life-threatening risk of brain hemorrhage. Fluoroscopically guided endovascular embolization is the therapeutic gold standard. We provide detailed dosimetry data to suggest novel diagnostic reference levels (DRL). Methods. Retrospective single-center study of LDAVFs treated between January 2014 and December 2019. Regarding dosimetry, the dose area product (DAP) and fluoroscopy time were analyzed for the following variables: Cognard scale grade, endovascular technique, angiographic outcome, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) protocol. Results. A total of 70 patients (19 female, median age 65 years) were included. Total median values for DAP and fluoroscopy time were 325 Gy cm2 (25%/75% percentile: 245/414 Gy cm2) and 110 min (68/142min), respectively. Neither median DAP nor fluoroscopy time were significantly different when comparing low-grade with high-grade LDAVF (Cognard I + IIa versus IIb–V; p > 0.05, each). Transvenous coil embolization yielded the lowest dosimetry values, with significantly lower median values when compared to a combined transarterial/transvenous technique (DAP 290 Gy cm2 versus 388 Gy cm2, p = 0.031; fluoroscopy time 85 min versus 170 min, p = 0.016). A significant positive correlation was found between number of arterial feeders treated by liquid embolization and both DAP (rs = 0.367; p = 0.010) and fluoroscopy time (rs = 0.295; p = 0.040). Complete LDAVF occlusion was associated with transvenous coiling (p = 0.001). A low-dose DSA protocol yielded a 20% reduction of DAP (p = 0.021). Conclusion. This LDAVF study suggests several local DRLs which varied substantially dependent on the endovascular technique and DSA protocol