Caste-specific phenotypic plasticity of Asian weaver ants: Revealing the allometric and non-allometric component of female caste system of Oecophylla smaragdina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) by using geometric morphometrics

In eusocial insects, particularly in ants, caste differentiation is extremely complicated when we rely on traditional taxonomy. In most species, the worker caste does not display any distinct morphological characters neither the caste’s central division according to their morphological size variations. We used a landmark-based geometric morphometric approach to quantify the morphological characteristics of female caste systems (queen, major and minor worker ant) of Oecophylla smaragdina. Our findings suggested that each caste has its unique shape and size. Especially in the worker caste, apart from the size variations, we can use the shape as a prominent tool for distinguishing between them. The O. smaragdina exhibits a triphasic allometry pattern. Studying the allometry and non-allometry components of each caste system revealed a highly complex size and shape relationship in the female caste systems. From the allometric and non-allometric analysis, we concluded that the major worker ants showed a closer relationship with the queen than the minor worker ant. This outcome demonstrated that Asian weaver ant exhibits complex shape variations related to size and is correlated to their functional modular characters. This research sheds new light on caste systems’ taxonomic uncertainties for eusocial hymenopteran groups, especially ants

[1-(2-Oxidobenzyl­idene)-4-phenyl­thio­semicarbazidato-κ3 O,N 1,S](pyridine-κN)copper(II)

In the structure of the title compound, [Cu(C14H11N3OS)(C5H5N)], the CuII atom exhibits a slightly distorted square-planar CuN2OS coordination polyhedron consisting of a phenyl O, an azomethine N and a thio­amide S atom from the tridentate thio­semicarbazonate dianion, and the N atom of a pyridine mol­ecule. The thio­semicarbazonate ligand exists in the thiol tautomeric form as an E isomer. Rotational disorder of the pyridine and phenyl rings in a 1:1 ratio of the respective components is observed. An extensive network of weak N—H⋯S, C—H⋯O, C—H⋯N and C—H⋯S hydrogen-bonding inter­actions consolidates the structure

Good Environment Management of cage farming using a coupled 3D hydrodynamic particle tracking model - A case study from Pizhala, Cochin, India

Hydrographic conditions such as water level, velocity, adequate water circulation and stratifications have a strong influence on the management of fish cage culture in the estuarine environment. In this study, a 3D hydrodynamic model was used to identify the areas of the mixed and stratified water column and to use this in conjunction with particle tracking models for appropriate site selection for cage culture. A Lagrangian method was used to simulate the instantaneous release of "particles" emulating discharge from fish cages to show the behaviour of waste in terms of water circulation and water exchange. Model simulation at Pizhala cage farm revealed that desirable water exchange is experienced in the monsoon and pre-monsoon period. There have existed strong spring-neap variability in the water level with an average range of 0.7 m with a speed of < 0.12 m/s in pre-monsoon and < 0.24 m/s in monsoon. This consistent flow patterns in the Pizhala region helps in the replenishment of oxygenated water and removal of waste produced beneath the cages, and it is corroborated by the Lagrangian particle transport model experiment coupled with Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) in the study

Risk of Violent Crime in Individuals with Epilepsy and Traumatic Brain Injury: A 35-Year Swedish Population Study

Seena Fazel and colleagues report findings from a longitudinal follow-up study in Sweden that evaluated the risks of violent crime subsequent to hospitalization for epilepsy, or traumatic brain injury. The researchers control for familial confounding with sibling controls. The analyses call into question an association between epilepsy and violent crime, although they do suggest that there may be a relationship between traumatic brain injury and violent crime

Complex regional pain syndrome - phenotypic characteristics and potential biomarkers

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a pain condition that usually affects a single limb, often following an injury. The underlying pathophysiology seems to be complex and probably varies between patients. Clinical diagnosis is based on internationally agreed-upon criteria, which consider the reported symptoms, presence of signs and exclusion of alternative causes. Research into CRPS biomarkers to support patient stratification and improve diagnostic certainty is an important scientific focus, and recent progress in this area provides an opportunity for an up-to-date topical review of measurable disease-predictive, diagnostic and prognostic parameters. Clinical and biochemical attributes of CRPS that may aid diagnosis and determination of appropriate treatment are delineated. Findings that predict the development of CRPS and support the diagnosis include trauma-related factors, neurocognitive peculiarities, psychological markers, and local and systemic changes that indicate activation of the immune system. Analysis of signatures of non-coding microRNAs that could predict the treatment response represents a new line of research. Results from the past 5 years of CRPS research indicate that a single marker for CRPS will probably never be found; however, a range of biomarkers might assist in clinical diagnosis and guide prognosis and treatment