Morphology,distribution and abundance of antennal sensilla in three stink bug species (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

The neotropical stink bugs, Euschistus heros, Piezodorus guildinii and Edessa meditabunda, are important pests of soybean and other crops throughout Central America and in South America from Northern Argentina to Brazil. Mate finding and host plant location in these species depend largely on their chemical communication, and semiochemicals are important mediators of these behaviors. In this study scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the external morphology, distribution and abundance of antennal sensilla on males, females and 5th instar nymphs of these species. Nine morphologically different sensilla types were found: trichod sensilla, type 1 and 2 (ST1 and ST2), long and short basiconic sensilla (SB1, SB2, and SB3), slit-tipped and knob-shaped basiconic sensilla, long chaetic sensilla (Sch) and coeloconic sensilla (Sco). Differences were detected in the abundance and arrangement of the sensilla over the antennal segments in individuals of the same species and among the species studied. The Sch, Sco and the slit-tipped and knob-shaped basiconic sensilla accounted for the major difference in sensilla types among the species. The ST1 was the most abundant type and was restricted to the flagellum. The pedicel of E. heros differs from the pedicels of P. guildinii and E. meditabunda mainly by the absence of Sch. There was a sexual dimorphism in ST1, SB1 and SB2, and this may be an indicative of their roles in detection of male-produced sex pheromone and odors derived from the host plants. The SB2 was lacking in the antennal tip of both sexes and 5th instar nymphs, but was abundant on the second flagellar segment of females of the three species. The same types of sensilla were found on 5th instar nymphs, but always in significantly lower numbers. The morphology and putative functions of each sensilla were compared and discussed.     

A dielectric study of three chiral liquid crystals presenting SmC*FI phases

We have performed a detailed dielectric study of three compounds presenting ferrielectric phases over large temperature intervals. The relaxation processes detected in the SmC*_FI phases are highly polidispersive. We have repeatedly observed the surface layer mode described by Bourny et al. [1] and a weak ferrielectric mode, whose relaxation frequency is always higher on heating than on cooling runs. The temperature interval where SmC*_FI phases occur is apparently independent of cooling/heating rates and of the history of the sample.     

Theory of ferromagnetic polariton linewidths

The interaction between magnons and photons which is responsible for magnetic polariton formation is expressed in terms of second quantized operators, and it is confirmed that the polariton dispersion curve obtained by diagonalizing the Hamiltonian is the same as that found classically. A term describing relaxation of the polariton by the two magnon mechanism which is often dominant in ferromagnetic resonance is then introduced. The lineshape function for inelastic light scattering is calculated by a Greens function technique. On the assumption that the lineshape can be approximated as a Lorentzian an expression for the linewidth is derived. The linewidth is zero when the polariton frequency Ω lies outside the magnon manifold, and increases discontinuously from zero at w = ¦γ¦H₀, where H₀ is the (internal) static field.     

A new type of decoupling approximation for ising model with spin 1/2

By introducing a new type of decoupling approximation within the framework of an effective field theory, we discuss the critical temperature of an isotropic square and simple cubic lattice in an Ising model. It is also derived the critical value _c above which the magnetism occurs in a free surface of a semi-infinite medium. The present formalism yields results quite superior to the other effective fields theories and in good agreement with series expansions and exact's one.     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry on atmospheric biomonitors

Sensitivities for detecting fluorine, distributed uniformly in elements with atomic numbers 8, 13, 20, 28, 34, 42, 50, 60, 68 and 79, through the F(p,αγ)O reaction, have been calculated using experimentally measured excitation functions and the available energy-range data. Thick target yields of the prompt 6.13 MeV gammas, as well as of the three gamma-lines of 6.13, 6.92 and 7.12 MeV combined, have been plotted as a function of the incident energy of up to 4.16 MeV. From these yield curves the sensitivity of detecting fluorine in thick or thin samples, and even in a layer of known thickness at a particular depth within a thick target, can be directly read for known bombarding and detecting conditions. The curves should also be valid, to a certain approximation, for neighbouring elements and for mixtures or compounds with similar average atomic numbers. Furthermore, it is explained as to how these yield curves can also be used in non-destructive profile analysis of fluorine to much greater depths than can be achieved by the well-known resonance-shift method.     

Prolonging the lifetime and activity of silica immobilised Cyanidium caldarium

Over the past few years the idea of living photosynthetic materials has advanced from concept to reality. This work outlines the improvements made in the immobilisation of the thermotolerant acidophile Cyanidium caldarium (Tilden) Geitler SAG 16.91 within porous and transparent silica gels with the view to targeting photochemical materials that can be used to mitigate rising CO(2) emissions. Our results suggest that the immobilised cells are autofluorescent for at least 75 days post encapsulation and can maintain a steady oxygen production rate over a similar timeframe corroborating the viability and physiological activity of silica immobilised C. caldarium.     

A combined experimental and theoretical approach for radical-scavenging activity of edaravone and its related derivatives

The experimental and theoretical study for evaluation of scavenging activity of edaravone (S1) and related derivatives, such as antipyrine (S2), dipyrone (S3), and phenylbutazone (S4), was carried out against DPPH and ABTS radicals. Structure–activity relationship study was performed using quantum chemical calculations at the DFT/B3LYP level of theory along with the 6-31G* basis sets. S1 and S4 are more effective scavengers against DPPH and ABTS. We observed little effects of S2 and S3 at several concentrations against these two free radicals. The calculations of HOMO, ionization potential, and bond dissociation energy confirmed that a hydrogen transfer is more preferential than an electron transfer. The radical stability of these compounds is related with spin densities. In accordance with experimental and theoretical results, edaravone is more active than phenylbutazone as scavenging drug.     

Structural changes of biocompatible neutral microemulsions stabilized by mixed surfactant containing soya phosphatidylcholine and their relationship with doxorubicin release

Depending on the composition, the mixture of surfactant, oil and water, may form supramolecular aggregates with different structures which can significantly influence the drug release. In this work several microemulsion (ME) systems containing soya phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and eumulgin HRE40™ (EU) as surfactant, cholesterol (O) as oil phase, and ultra-pure water as an aqueous phase were studied. MEs with and without the antitumoral drug doxorubicin (DOX) were prepared. The microstructures of the systems were characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy, rheological behavior, polarized light microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results reveal that the diameter of the oil droplets was dependent on the surfactant (S) amount added to formulations. The apparent viscosity was dependent on the O/S ratio. High O/S ratio leads to the crystallization of cholesterol polymorphs phases which restricts the mobility of the DOX molecules into the ME structure. Droplets with short-range spatial correlation were formed from the ME with the low O/S ratio. The increase of the cholesterol fraction in the O/S mixture leads to the formation of ordered structures with lamellar arrangements. These different structural organizations directly influenced the drug release profiles. The in vitro release assay showed that the increase of the O/S ratio in the formulations inhibited the constant rate of DOX release. Since the DOX release ratio was directly dependent on the ratio of O/S following an exponential decay profile, this feature can be used to control the DOX release from the ME formulations.     

Increasing antibiotic activity against a multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter spp by essential oils of Citrus limon and Cinnamomum zeylanicum

The genus Acinetobacter has gained importance in recent years due to involvement in serious infections and antimicrobial resistance. Many plants have been evaluated not only for direct antimicrobial activity, but also as resistance modifying agents. The Essential oil of Citrus limon (EOCL) addition at 156.25?μgmL(-1) (MIC/8) sub-inhibitory concentration in the growth medium led to MIC decrease for amikacin, imipenem and meropenem. The Essential oil of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (EOCZ) addition at 78.125?μg?mL(-1) (MIC/8) sub-inhibitory concentrations in the growth medium caused drastic MIC reduction of amikacin. Results of combining antibiotics and essential oils had shown us a synergistic effect with both essential oils/amikacin combinations. An additive effect was observed with the combinations of both essential oils and gentamicin. The results of this study suggest that essential oil of C. limon and C. zeylanicum may suppress the growth of Acinetobacter species and could be a source of metabolites with antibacterial modifying activity.