101,838 research outputs found
Paratachardina mithila Varshney
No full text<i>Paratachardina mithila</i> Varshney <p> <i>Paratachardina mithila</i> Varshney, 1968: 489; 1977: 58.</p> <p> <i>Paratachardina mithilae</i> Varshney, 1997: 30. Incorrect subsequent spelling [see 'Notes'].</p> <p> <b>Type data. Holotype,</b> adult female. <b>INDIA: Assam,</b> Shillong, in the gardens of Ward Lake, coll. R. K. Varshney, i.1967, on <i>Photinia notoniana</i> var. <i>macrophylla</i>. <b>Paratypes:</b> same data as holotype except some specimens coll. vi.1967 or viii.1970 (NZSI). [Types not seen; see 'Notes'.]</p> <p>Adult female</p> <p> The following descriptions of unmounted and mounted material are adapted from Varshney (1977). <b>Unmounted material.</b> Lac test of adult female almost round, brownish black, with three small openings on top for brachial and anal orifices; with 16 conspicuous longitudinal ridges that divide the test into sectors; a circular spot on the middle of each ridge, probably corresponding to marginal duct cluster openings.</p> <p> <b>Mounted material.</b> Body trilobed, 2.5–3.0 mm long, 2.8–3.0 mm wide. Brachia short, 103 µm long. Each brachial plate oval, distal half slightly larger, each 68–120 µm long, 51–70 µm wide; pseudospines totalling 44–50, occupying about two-thirds area of brachial plate center, with gaps on upper large portion. Anterior spiracles each 137 µm long, 86 µm wide, situated far away from brachial plates, spiracular pores with 5- loculi. Dorsal spine small, conical, 68–70 µm long, with a hollow, not pointed tip; membranous pedicel of dorsal spine well developed, 70–103 um long and 70–103 µm wide. Anal tubercle well developed, 86–170 µm long, 120–140 µm wide; supra-anal plate subequal or slightly longer than its maximum width. Anal ring not divided in sectors; supra-anal plate forming a cup-shaped cavity. Anal fringe of few acute lobes, with narrow and deep clefts. Anal ring setae just reach, or slightly protrude past anal fringe. Antennae minute and obscure. Marginal duct clusters in 8 pairs, each roughly round, poorly demarcated, with ducts arranged irregularly. Ventral duct clusters present.</p> <p> <b>Notes.</b> Subsequent to his original description, Varshney (1997) listed the species name as " mithilae " rather than " mithila ", without giving an explanation for his action. Varshney's (1968, 1977) descriptions do not specify the etymology of the name " mithila ", and do not indicate whether it should be regarded as a noun or an adjective. According to the Article 31.2.2 of the <i>International Code of Zoological Nomenclature</i> (ICZN 1999), the name “ mithila ” becomes a noun in apposition and should be retained as " mithila ". Even though Varshney (personal communication) emended " mithila " to " mithilae " because the species was named after a woman, articles 31, 32 and 33 of the ICZN (1999) make it clear that such an alteration to the species name is an incorrect subsequent spelling, as recognised by Ben-Dov (2006).</p> <p> According to Varshney (1977), this species is similar to <i>P. t h e a e</i>, from which it can be separated due to its larger adult female size, anal tubercle subequal in length and width, and pedicel of the dorsal spine not much longer than the length of the spine itself. Type material of <i>P. mithila</i> was not available in the present study, as we did not receive a reply to our request for a loan from the NZSI, and no type material or non-type topotypic specimens could be located in any other museum. Varshney (1977) gave a key to separate <i>P. mithila</i> and <i>P.</i></p> <p> <i>theae</i> as follows (Varshney 1977: 56, key couplet number 4):</p> <p> – Anal tubercle slightly longer than its maximum width; pedicel of dorsal spine as long as spine itself.................................................................................................................................................................... <i>mithila</i> – Anal tubercle distinctly broader than its maximum length; pedicel of dorsal spine much longer than the spine <i>....................................................................................................................................................... theae</i></p> <p> However, Varshney’s (1977) description of <i>P. mithila</i> overlaps with his description of <i>P. t h e a e</i> in the character states used to separate them in the key. The minimum length and width of the anal tubercle of <i>P. mithila</i> given by Varshney’s (1977) description is 86 µm and 120 µm, respectively, in which case, there must be specimens for which the anal tubercle is distinctly broader than its maximum length. On the other hand, the anal tubercle in the syntypes of <i>P. t h e a e</i> herein studied are approximately as long as wide, with some specimens being slightly longer than wide, and others being slightly wider than long. Furthermore, the length of the pedicel of the dorsal spine also varies in <i>P. t h e a e</i> and sometimes is about the same length as the spine. Specimens from China collected on the same host genus as <i>P. m i t h i l a</i>, i.e., on <i>Photinia benthamiana</i>, were available for study (see 'Other material studied' under <i>P. t h e a e</i>), but these could not be separated morphologically from <i>P. t h e a e</i>. Thus adult females of <i>P. mithilae</i> and <i>P. t h e a e</i> appear similar in all features considered and the two species cannot be separated with the available information (see also 'Diagnosis' of <i>P. ternata</i>).</p>Published as part of <i>Kondo, Takumasa & Gullan, Penny J., 2007, Taxonomic review of the lac insect genus Paratachardina Balachowsky (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Kerriidae), with a revised key to genera of Kerriidae and description of two new species, pp. 1-41 in Zootaxa 1617</i> on pages 17-18, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/179122">10.5281/zenodo.179122</a>
Diagnostics in Plant Breeding
No full text“Diagnostics in Plant Breeding” is systematically organizing cutting-edge research reviews on the development and application of molecular tools for the prediction of plant performance. Given its significance for mankind and the available research resources, medical sciences are leading the area of molecular diagnostics, where DNA-based risk assessments for various diseases and biomarkers to determine their onset become increasingly available. So far, most research in plant genomics has been directed towards understanding the molecular basis of biological processes or phenotypic traits. From a plant breeding perspective, however, the main interest is in predicting optimal genotypes based on molecular information for more time- and cost-efficient breeding schemes. It is anticipated that progress in plant genomics and in particular sequence technology made recently will shift the focus from “explanatory” to “predictive” in crop science. This book assembles chapters on all areas relevant to development and application of predictive molecular tools in plant breeding by leading authorties in the respective areas
Using Directional Transmissions and Receptions to Reduce Contention in Wireless Sensor Networks
No full textElectronically Switched Directional (ESD) antennas allow software-based control of the direction of maximum antenna gain. ESD antennas are feasible for wireless sensor network. Existing studies with these antennas focus only on controllable directional transmissions. These studies demonstrate reduced contention and increased range of communication with no energy penalty. Unlike existing literature, in this paper we experimentally explore controllable antenna directionality at both sender and receiver. One key outcome of our experiments is that directional transmissions and receptions together considerably reduce channel contention. As a result, we can significantly reduce intra-path interference
Blaptostethus pluto Ballal & Akbar & Yamada & Wachkoo & Varshney 2018, comb. nov.
No full textBlaptostethus pluto (Distant, 1910) comb. nov. Triphleps pluto Distant, 1910: 307. SYNTYPE: ♀, India, Calcutta [= Kolkata] (BMNH). Type material examined: LECTOTYPE (present designation): ♀, ‘Type / H. T.’ [printed circle with red border], ‘under leaf / space of bamboo / Calcutta / 17-IX-09’ [handwritten], ‘Distant Coll. / 1911–383’ [printed], ‘Triphleps / pluto / Dist’ [Distant’s handwritten] (BMNH). Distribution in India. West Bengal: Kolkata (DISTANT 1910). General distribution. Endemic. Biology. According to the attached label, the type specimen was found under leaf space of bamboo, which is similar to the preferable habitat of Blaptostethus species. Taxonomy. While studying the syntype, it became obvious that this species should be transferred to Blaptostethus based on the following character combination: labium reaching mid coxae; profemur enlarged and with four long spines on anteroventral surface; ostiolar peritreme curved anteriorly and not reaching anterior margin of metapleuron.Published as part of Ballal, Chandish R., Akbar, Shahid Ali, Yamada, Kazutaka, Wachkoo, Aijaz Ahmad & Varshney, Richa, 2018, Annotated catalogue of the flower bugs from India (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae, Lasiochilidae), pp. 207-226 in Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 58 (1) on page 211, DOI: 10.2478/aemnp-2018-0018, http://zenodo.org/record/369921
Letter, [Author unclear] to Paulina T. Merritt
No full textHandwritten letter to Paulina Merritt from an unknown author, October 1, 1876.
Traumatic 'degloving' of the colon in blunt abdominal injury
No full textWe describe two cases of traumatic 'degloving' of the colon in blunt abdominal trauma. This is an extremely rare injury with the potential to present late. The mechanism of injury appears to be a combination of focal blunt abdominal trauma associated with a shearing force. The potential diagnostic dilemma posed by colonic 'degloving' is outlined and following review of the literature we conclude that CT scanning is the most reliable way of detecting such injuries, if emergency laparotomy is not indicated
Deficiencies of micronutrients, altered bowel function, and quality of life during late follow-up after pancreaticoduodenectomy for malignancy
No full textBackground/Aim: a previous study in our unit showed an inadequate dietary intake of fat-soluble vitamins and energy after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). This study was designed to determine whether deficiencies in dietary intake of micronutrients lead to nutritional deficiencies and to examine the impact of dietary advice on nutrition, bowel function, and quality of life. Methods: ten patients who had undergone PD for malignant disease more than 6 months previously were studied at baseline and follow-up 8 weeks apart. Dietary intakes of energy, fat, and micronutrients were assessed by analysis of weighed food diaries, and serum vitamins and trace elements were measured at each visit. Quality of life questionnaires (EORTC QLQ30 and PAN 26) were answered, and a clinical assessment of the bowel function was made. Targeted dietary intervention was given, where indicated, and its impact on the study parameters was assessed at the second clinic visit. Results: the patients were generally well nourished. Dietary deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins were detected (vitamin A, n = 2; vitamin D, n = 10; vitamin E, n = 2), but these correlated with serum deficiency only for vitamin A. The selenium intake was borderline or insufficient in 6 patients' diet, with serum deficiencies in 4. Despite normal intakes of iron and zinc, half the patients showed serum deficiency. The bowel function was an important factor in quality of life, and symptoms improved in 3 patients with enzyme supplements and antidiarrhoeal medication. Conclusions: PD patients appear to be prone to a predictable set of micronutrient deficiencies that may be compounded by insufficient dietary intake. The bowel function is important to these patients, and it should be optimized with aggressive enzyme replacement. Dietary intervention appears to make little short-term impact in the areas studied
Integration of novel SSR and gene-based SNP marker loci in the chickpea genetic map and establishment of new anchor points with Medicago truncatula genome
No full textThis study presents the development and mapping of simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in chickpea. The mapping population is based on an inter-specific cross between domesticated and non-domesticated genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum ICC 4958 × C. reticulatum PI 489777). This same population has been the focus of previous studies, permitting integration of new and legacy genetic markers into a single genetic map. We report a set of 311 novel SSR markers (designated ICCM—ICRISAT chickpea microsatellite), obtained from an SSR-enriched genomic library of ICC 4958. Screening of these SSR markers on a diverse panel of 48 chickpea accessions provided 147 polymorphic markers with 2–21 alleles and polymorphic information content value 0.04–0.92. Fifty-two of these markers were polymorphic between parental genotypes of the inter-specific population. We also analyzed 233 previously published (H-series) SSR markers that provided another set of 52 polymorphic markers. An additional 71 gene-based SNP markers were developed from transcript sequences that are highly conserved between chickpea and its near relative Medicago truncatula. By using these three approaches, 175 new marker loci along with 407 previously reported marker loci were integrated to yield an improved genetic map of chickpea. The integrated map contains 521 loci organized into eight linkage groups that span 2,602 cM, with an average inter-marker distance of 4.99 cM. Gene-based markers provide anchor points for comparing the genomes of Medicago and chickpea, and reveal extended synteny between these two species. The combined set of genetic markers and their integration into an improved genetic map should facilitate chickpea genetics and breeding, as well as translational studies between chickpea and Medicago
Evolving Molecular Marker Technologies in Plants: From RFLPs to GBS
No full textMolecular markers have proven to be useful tools for genetics and molecular breeding of crop plants, starting with low-throughput RFLPs (restriction fragment length polymorphisms) in 1980 and culminating in ultra high-throughput SNPs at present. Molecular marker technology has continuously evolved from hybridization-based RFLPs to PCR-based RAPDs, AFLPs, and SSRs, and finally high-throughput SNPs. More recently, ultra high-throughput genotyping by sequencing (GBS) has been established. Among these molecular markers, SSRs were considered the markers of choice for several plant breeding applications because of their various desirable attributes, and are still considered inexpensive for simply inherited traits. However, more recently, SNP markers have become markers of choice due to their abundance, uniform distribution throughout genomes and high resolution as well as their amenability to high-throughput approaches. With the advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, new sequencing tools have been found to be valuable for the discovery, validation, and application of genetic markers. These ultra high-throughput markers will not only prove useful for preparation of high-density genetic maps and identification of QTLs for their deployment in plant breeding but will also facilitate genome-wide selection (GWS) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS)
Handwritten biographical information on Paulina T. McClung Merritt
No full textA handwritten biography of Paulina T. McClung Merritt by an unknown author, 1892.
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