Preparation of Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) for Genetic Characterization and Morphological Examination.

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are economically significant agricultural pests on many different crops. Because of their small size and lack of easily visible characters for identification, determination of their taxonomic status is difficult and requires technical competency to prepare a slide-mounted specimen. The standard mounting technique does not allow for analysis of the genome of the specimen. Conversely, preparatory techniques for genetic analysis of mealybugs cause either loss of the entire individual or physical damage that can make morphology-based identification difficult. This study describes a simple protocol that does not impact physical integrity of the specimen for fixation and microscopic examination yet enables simultaneous DNA extraction for DNA-based identification of four mealybug species. All species prepared yielded high quality slide mounts, identified as Planococcus citri Risso, Pseudococcus viburni Signoret, Rhizoecus kondonis Kuwana, or Rhizoecus californicus Ferris. DNA extracted in this manner had higher purity and yield in the final eluate than in samples extracted using standard methods. DNA extracted was successfully amplified by polymerase chain reaction using primers for the cytochrome oxidase I gene and subsequently sequenced for all specimens. This protocol is likely to be applicable to other Hemiptera taxa that are preserved by slide mounting, allowing for both the preparation of a high-quality voucher specimen for morphological identification and simultaneous analysis of DNA for the same specimen. The methods used are technically less challenging than current standard procedures

Acoustic identification of a poroelastic cylinder

We show how to cope with the acoustic identification of poroelastic materials when the specimen is in the form of a cylinder. We apply our formulation, based on the Biot model, approximated by the equivalent elastic solid model, to a long bone-like or borehole sample specimen probed by low frequency sound

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL LOGO

In the hydraulic bulge test, flow curves are determined by applying a hydrostatic pressure to one side of a clamped sheet metal specimen, which bulges freely into a circular cavity under the pressure. The pressure and various data such as bulge height, curvature and equivalent strain at the pole are recorded and used to calculate the flow curve of the specimen material using analytical equations based on membrane theory. In the determination of the flow curve, the elastic behavior of the specimen, the elastic-plastic transition and bending effects are neglected, and the flow curves calculated this way are affected by these simplifications. An alternative to this procedure is an inverse analysis, which proceeds by searching for a flow curve that minimizes the difference between computed and measured data, e.g. bulge height vs. pressure. An inverse analysis based on a finite element model takes into account elastic and bending effects but since it involves the solution of an optimization problem, it is not clear whether it yields more accurate results than membrane theory. The objective of this paper is to compare the ‘identifiability’ of a given flow curve from the bulge test by direct identification based on membrane theory and by inverse analysis with different objective functions to be minimized. Using a re-identification procedure, it is shown that an inverse analysis can improve the results of the direct identification if a suitable objective function is chosen.</jats:p

A Melanic Pieris Rapae from Michigan (Lepidoptera: Pierdae)

The Arthur J. Yates collection of Michigan Lepidoptera, recently donated to Michigan State University (see Fischer, 1967), contained a striking melanic male cabbage butterfly [Pieris rapae (Linnaeus)] (Figs. 1, 2) now incorporated into the MSU series. Yates collected the specimen on 29 May 1934 in Roseville, Macomb County, near the western shore of Lake St. Clair in southeastern Michigan. An examination of the androconia and genitalia, using the characters described by Chang (1963), assured proper identification of the specimen. Although we have found no record of a similar rapae taken in North America, there are some named European forms of various species of Pieris that resemble our specimen

The role of automated feedback in training and retaining biological recorders for citizen science

The rapid rise of citizen science, with lay people forming often extensive biodiversity sensor networks, is seen as a solution to the mismatch between data demand and supply while simultaneously engaging citizens with environmental topics. However, citizen science recording schemes require careful consideration of how to motivate, train, and retain volunteers. We evaluated a novel computing science framework that allowed for the automated generation of feedback to citizen scientists using natural language generation (NLG) technology. We worked with a photo-based citizen science program in which users also volunteer species identification aided by an online key. Feedback is provided after photo (and identification) submission and is aimed to improve volunteer species identification skills and to enhance volunteer experience and retention. To assess the utility of NLG feedback, we conducted two experiments with novices to assess short-term (single session) and longer-term (5 sessions in 2 months) learning, respectively. Participants identified a specimen in a series of photos. One group received only the correct answer after each identification, and the other group received the correct answer and NLG feedback explaining reasons for misidentification and highlighting key features that facilitate correct identification. We then developed an identification training tool with NLG feedback as part of the citizen science program BeeWatch and analyzed learning by users. Finally, we implemented NLG feedback in the live program and evaluated this by randomly allocating all BeeWatch users to treatment groups that received different types of feedback upon identification submission. After 6 months separate surveys were sent out to assess whether views on the citizen science program and its feedback differed among the groups. Identification accuracy and retention of novices were higher for those who received automated feedback than for those who received only confirmation of the correct identification without explanation. The value of NLG feedback in the live program, captured through questionnaires and evaluation of the online photo-based training tool, likewise showed that the automated generation of informative feedback fostered learning and volunteer engagement and thus paves the way for productive and long-lived citizen science projects

Identification of anisotropic tensile strength of cortical bone using Brazilian test.

For a proper analysis of cortical bone behaviour, it is essential to take into account both the elastic stiffness and the failure criteria. While ultrasound methods allow complete identification of the elastic orthotropic coefficients, tests used to characterise the various failure mechanisms and to identify the brittle tensile strength in all directions are currently inadequate. In the present work we propose the Brazilian test as a complement to conventional tensile tests. In fact, this experimental technique, rarely employed in the biomechanics field, has the potential to provide an accurate description of the anisotropic strength of cortical bone. Additionally, it allows us to assess the scale influence on failure behaviour which may be attributed to an intrinsic length in correlation with the cortical bone microstructure. In order to correctly set up the Brazilian test, several aspects such as the machining, the geometrical parameters of the specimen and the loading conditions were determined. The finite element method was used to evaluate the maximal tensile stress at the centre of a 2D anisotropic elastic specimen as a simple function of the loading. To validate the protocol, the Brazilian test was carried out on 29 cortical bovine cylindrical specimens with diameters ranging from 10mm to 4mm

DNA extraction from museum specimens of parasitic Hymenoptera.

At the same time that molecular researchers are improving techniques to extract DNA from museum specimens, this increased demand for access to museum specimens has created tension between the need to preserve specimens for maintaining collections and morphological research and the desire to conduct molecular analyses. To address these concerns, we examined the suitability of non-invasive DNA extraction techniques on three species of parasitic Hymenoptera (Braconidae), and test the effects of body size (parasitoid species), age (time since collection), and DNA concentration from each extract on the probability of amplifying meaningful fragments of two commonly used genetic loci. We found that age was a significant factor for determining the probability of success for sequencing both 28S and COI fragments. While the size of the braconid parasitoids significantly affected the total amount of extracted DNA, neither size nor DNA concentration were significant factors for the amplification of either gene region. We also tested several primer combinations of various lengths, but were unable to amplify fragments longer than ~150 base pairs. These short fragments of 28S and COI were however sufficient for species identification, and for the discovery of within species genetic variation

Biomechanical Tolerance of Whole Lumbar Spines in Straightened Posture Subjected to Axial Acceleration

Quantification of biomechanical tolerance is necessary for injury prediction and protection of vehicular occupants. This study experimentally quantified lumbar spine axial tolerance during accelerative environments simulating a variety of military and civilian scenarios. Intact human lumbar spines (T12‐L5) were dynamically loaded using a custom‐built drop tower. Twenty‐three specimens were tested at sub‐failure and failure levels consisting of peak axial forces between 2.6 and 7.9 kN and corresponding peak accelerations between 7 and 57 g. Military aircraft ejection and helicopter crashes fall within these high axial acceleration ranges. Testing was stopped following injury detection. Both peak force and acceleration were significant (p \u3c 0.0001) injury predictors. Injury probability curves using parametric survival analysis were created for peak acceleration and peak force. Fifty‐percent probability of injury (95%CI) for force and acceleration were 4.5 (3.9–5.2 kN), and 16 (13–19 g). A majority of injuries affected the L1 spinal level. Peak axial forces and accelerations were greater for specimens that sustained multiple injuries or injuries at L2–L5 spinal levels. In general, force‐based tolerance was consistent with previous shorter‐segment lumbar spine testing (3–5 vertebrae), although studies incorporating isolated vertebral bodies reported higher tolerance attributable to a different injury mechanism involving structural failure of the cortical shell. This study identified novel outcomes with regard to injury patterns, wherein more violent exposures produced more injuries in the caudal lumbar spine. This caudal migration was likely attributable to increased injury tolerance at lower lumbar spinal levels and a faster inertial mass recruitment process for high rate load application. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA

Finite Element Modelling Of Tensile Test For Micro-Alloyed Low Carbon Steel At High Temperature

International audienceIn view of the numerical inverse identification of constitutive models, a forward numerical modelling of Gleeble tension tests is conducted. A coupled electrical--thermal--mechanical model is proposed for the resolution of electrical, energy and momentum conservation equations by means of finite element method. In momentum equation, the mixed rheological model in multi--phase region (e.g. δ--ferrite and γ austenite (δ+γ mixture)) is developed to consider the δ/γ phase transformation phenomenon for micro--alloyed low carbon steel at high temperature. Experimental and numerical results reveal that significant thermal gradients exist in specimen along longitudinal and radial directions. Such thermal gradients will lead to phase fraction gradient in specimen at high temperature, such as δ fraction gradient or liquid fraction gradient. All these gradients will contribute to the heterogeneous deformation of specimen and severe stress non--uniform distribution, which is the major difficulty for the identification of constitutive models, especially for the simple identification method based on nominal stress--strain. The proposed model can be viewed as an important achievement for further inverse identification methods, which should be used to identify constitutive parameters for steel at high temperature in the presence of thermal gradients