Camel's Hair Brush Research Articles

Postoperative Complications after Surgical Management of Mandibular Angle Fracture

Introductions: Mandibular angle fractures represent a high percentage and an important clinical challenge because of their treatment pattern and the highest postsurgical complication rate among all mandibular fractures. Materials and methods: The objectives of this cross-sectional observational study were to observe the postoperative complications after surgical management of a mandibular angle fracture and to facilitate early detection of complications and reduction of patients’ morbidity. This study was carried out among forty patients with mandibular angle fractures who were managed by open reduction and internal fixation by miniplate osteosynthesis. All the study patients were evaluated clinically pre- and postoperatively for various parameters at the 1st week, 2nd week, 1st month, and 4th month. Radiographs (OPG, PA skull, lateral skull, and CT scan of the oral and maxillofacial region) were taken pre- and postoperatively to assess complications. The infection was detected by culture and a sensitivity test. Nerve injury was evaluated by the “tactile test”, the brush directional stroke test by using a ’00’ camel hair brush, and the pinprick test performed by using a sterile 27-gauge syringe needle. Occlusion and chewing were evaluated postoperatively according to the Treatment Scoring System developed by V. Uglesic in 1993. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 20 statistical software. Results: In this study, most of the patients (85%) were male and the mean age was 24.5 years. In the fracture line third molar was present in 55% cases. The most common complication of this study shows postoperative nerve injury 30% cases. Infection in 10% cases, malocclusion in 7.5% cases. Slight restricted mouth opening in 5% cases. Other complications such as malunion,, delayed union, and non-union were absent. Conclusion: The most common complication after surgery is nerve injury along with infection and malocclusion. A careful preoperative assessment, early surgical intervention, meticulous surgical technique, postoperative care and appropriate rehabilitation are the main concern to prevent neurological and other complications. Update Dent. Coll. j: 2023; 13(1): 9-13

Foliar epidermal studies in the family Sapindaceae Juss. in South Western Nigeria

A comparative study of leaf epidermal features of selected species of the family Sapindaceae in Nigeria was undertaken with a view to obtain additional characters for the elucidation of taxonomic relationships, delimiting species and identification of the taxa. The epidermises were separated from the mesophyll by soaking in concentrated Nitric acid. Bubble appearance on the surfaces of the leaves indicated their readiness for separation. They were then rinsed in water thrice before the layers were separated with the aid of forceps and Camel hair brush, stained with Safranin O. It was then mounted in 25% glycerol on clean glass slides, covered with cover slips. The micro morphological characters of leaf were more or less uniform in all taxa in the family. The adaxial cuticle was striated in most species. The polygonal epidermal cells with straight anticlinal walls on the adaxial surface of Cardiosermum halicacabum separated it from the other species with irregular shaped epidermal cells. Undulated anticlinal walls were observed on both surfaces. The leaves were hypostomatic in most species except in C. halicacabum where amphistomaty was observed. Stomata types included anomocytic, tetracytic and staurocytic but the anomocytic stomata were the most predominant.

Comparative study of rose and hibiscus petals powders in latent friction ridge analysis

Fingerprints are the friction ridges found on the fingers and palm of hands. These prints are considered the most valuable evidence in the court of law as these ridges provide uniqueness to every individual. Powder dusting is one of the prevalent approaches to developing fingerprints on various surfaces. This involves the application of finely formulated powders on the fingermark impression using a camel hair brush. in this article, we have used organic household waste materials like rose and hibiscus petals for developing the powders used in latent fingerprints development. The particle of powder gets adhered to sweat and moisture deposited on the surface of fingers, palm, and sole, which provide effective visualization and give the fingerprint details (minutiae). Finally, the formulation of the powder sticks to the ridges, and the excess powder is blown away. The powder is multicolored in this case, the patterns are apparent, resulting in an exceptional outcome. The objective of the study is to provide a replacement to the conventional, expensive and toxic laboratory powders. These organic powders are easily available, eco-friendly, cost-effective and non-toxic approach for latent fingerprint development and is a reliable technique to use at crime scene and future use.

Unconventional powder method is a useful technique to determine the latent fingerprint impressions

Background: Fingerprint development techniques are being used for a long time and are considered one among the oldest methods in forensic science used to identify suspects. Fingerprints are one of the most significant types of physical evidence. There are various types of fingerprint patterns such as visible, plastic and latent. In criminal investigation cases, chance fingerprint impressions are mostly found at the crime scene. These prints are generally invisible and therefore require several development methods. The powder dusting technique of developing fingerprints involves the application of fine powder on the impression of the print with the help of a brush such as glass fiber or a camel hair brush. Main text: This paper rather focuses on various unconventional powder methods than the widely used conventional ones. This will help identify other cheaper, non-toxic powders that are commonly available as an alternative to the expensive, toxic ones. The author’s main aim is to provide a collective review of the work of other scientists in order to identify everyday materials, commonly available that can be used as possible means to develop a fingerprint impression. Conclusion: For a better result, the unconventional powder is used on different surfaces i.e. porous, non-porous, and semi-porous for latent fingerprint impressions. After developing impressions on different surfaces, we conclude our result that unconventional powder is very useful.

The neurologist's bag

The first page of The Lancet Neurology portrayed the neurologist as “one of the few specialists who can diagnose a patient with just a hammer and a pin”.1 Well, not quite. In 1947, Merritt, Mettler, and Putnam2 listed the useful “tools of the trade” found in a neurologist's “basket or bag”: ophthalmoscope and otoscope, rubber percussion hammer, 128 cps tuning fork, steel pin through a tongue depressor, camel hair brush trimmed to 10–20 hairs, test odours (menthol, coffee, vanilla, peppermint), test taste vials (sugar, saccharin, salt, vinegar, quinine), Jaeger test types (or similar card), dynamometer, metal tubes for water temperature discrimination, and test objects for confrontation perimetry.

Insect diversity of the Mukundpur Tiger reserve, Satna (M.P.)

An inventory of species diversity of insects of the Mukundpur Tiger Reserve, Satna (M.P.). Small insects with the soft body were collected by hand with the help of a fine camel hair brush and forceps, and then preserved in 70% alcohol by dipping the soft brush into the medium. Sweeping nets were used to collect the insect from plants. A long stick was used for beating the plants harboring insects. A big size cloth is spread over the ground to collect the falling insects. Total recorded aquatic insect sp. distribution was expressed in higher to lower order as Coleoptera (36), Hemiptera (22), Odonata (11), Diptera (6), Ephereoptera (4), and Trichoptera (2). Aquatic insect Order as per the comparative evaluation Coleoptera was found in utmost count compared through Hemiptera, Odonata, Diptera, Ephemeroptera, and Trichoptera. The order Coleoptera consist (45%), Hemiptera (27.16%), Odonata (13.58%), Diptera (7.40%), Ephereoptera (4.90%), and Trichoptera (2.46%) from observed aquatic insect species. MKPTSR is a well-distinguished place intended for the affluence of coleopteran fauna.

Latent lip print: A comparative study of developers

Identification of a person is of paramount importance in a medico-legal investigation. At present more and more people use protecting lipsticks and permanent lipsticks. With these lipsticks a latent lip print is generated by contact with a surface and, like with the latent fingerprints occur, this latent lip print can be developed. This study aims to retrieve latent lip prints from various inanimate surfaces like thermocoal plate, bone china, and glass to compare the efficacy of developers i.e., fingerprint powder, Sudan III, Vermillion, and its comparison with standard lipstick prints. Current research assesses the effectiveness of particular surfaces in the retrieval of lip print in personnel identification. This study included a total of 30 subjects. Latent lip print was developed on the different inanimate surfaces by pressing the lips against the different vehicles. After collecting samples, a camel hair brush was used to retrieve all three chemicals individually by simply tapping on all three surfaces. Application of chemicals was continued until the print became clearly visible for the study. Developed latent lip print was then compared with the visible lip print. Subsequently, a standard lipstick print was developed from the same subject. All the samples were coded and graded according to the patterns suggested in the literature. Discrete (categorical) data were summarized in number and percentage and compared by chi-square (χ2) test. Analyses were performed on SPSS software (Windows version 17.0).: The overall (i.e., total of all three surfaces) favourable outcome was found highest in Fingerprint powder (58.9%) followed by Sudan III (28.9%) and Vermilion (10.0%) the least (Vermilion < Sudan III < Fingerprint powder).Comparing the overall outcomes of three developers, χ2 test showed significantly different and higher favourable outcome in Fingerprint powder as compared to both Sudan III and Vermilion (χ2=92.09, p<0.001) The study found Fingerprint powder the best developer and Thermocol plate the best surface. The findings of this study may be beneficial for investigators.

Comparative study of development of latent fingerprint by using cost effective waste materials

The powder method is a quick and easy approach to the development of latent fingerprints on porous and nonporous surface. There are many Waste materials of plant-based (orange peels, lemon peels) that are used as a powder was applied to the latent fingerprints of different surfaces using a camel hairbrush. This research study focuses on these two types of powders that are used for the enhancement of ridge characteristics to personal identification. Prints are clearly shown on the porous and non-porous surfaces or photography was done with suitable contrast. This powder is cost-effective and nontoxic in nature. An eco-friendly approach to develop fingerprints by using natural colour produces by various plant-based waste materials and a very reliable technique to use in the crime scene.

Latent fingerprint development by using cost effective incense sticks (Agarbatti) ASH

The powder method is the most convenient method for fingerprint development. Various powder methods for developing fingerprints have existed throughout the last decade and numerous powders have been experimented with over time. For this study, a bunch of Alaukik Agarbatti (local incense stick brand of Gujarat, India) were burnt properly and ash of burned incense sticks (Agarbatti) was collected on a sheet of paper. It was crushed by smooth hands and converted into fine powder. The formed powder was applied by the use of camel hairbrush to the latent fingerprints taken from the subjects. Photography was done in proper contrast. The application of burned incense stick powder is a novel material for this kind of study, it has been not done before. The impression of fingerprints obtained using burned incense stick powder was clear and sharply visible on both non-porous and porous surfaces. Ridge patterns in developed impressions were comprehensible and identifiable. Due to their contrast, a black or grey-coloured powder could be easily seen on a colourful background. Developed fingerprints were appropriate for tape-lifting and comparison after photography. This method is best due to its easy availability, less cost, and effectiveness. This method also suggests an approach towards environmental waste management.

First report of Podosphaera macularis causing hop (Humulus lupulus) powdery mildew in Brazil.

The hop (Humulus lupulus L.) is a dioecious perennial climbing plant grown commercially worldwide. Wild hops are widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, Europe, Asia, and North America (Neve, 1991). In the Southern Hemisphere, some of the leading hop-producing countries include South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Brazil began hop production less than 5 years ago. In January 2019, amphigenous white powdery circular fungal colonies were observed on the leaves and stems of hop plants (cultivar Chinook) within a 900m2 hop garden in Lages municipality, Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil. The incidence of the disease was present on almost 100 per cent of "Chinook" cultivar plants and diseased foliage was collected to identify the pathogen and used to inoculate healthy plants. Hop powdery mildew lesions with hyaline and septate mycelium with chains of unicellular conidia (n =100) hyaline, barrel-shaped, mean of length/width ± standard deviation 25-27 × 13-18 µm ± 0.980, with fibrosin bodies, and conidiophores erect with cylindrical foot cells, were visible within 10 days. The causal agent was identified as Podosphaera macularis (Wallr.:Fr.) Lind (synonym S. humuli (DC.) Burrill) on the basis of conidial shape, size and host range (Royle 1978; Braun 1987; Mahaffee et al., 2009), complemented with the present molecular analysis. Chasmothecia have not been observed in the field to date. A conidial suspension of 200 ml at concentration of 1.4 x 105 was mixed with 5ul of Tween® 20 for the pathogenicity assay. Ten plants of 9-month-old of hop "Chinook" cultivar, were inoculated with 5 ml of the conidial suspension using a manual spray. The control plot was only sprayed with water. The inoculated plants were maintained at 22ºC ± 1ºC with a 12-hour photoperiod and 65% relative humidity. White mycelia were visible first on the adaxial leaf surfaces of the inoculated younger leaves after 10 days and the disease severity reached between 2 to 5%. No symptoms were observed at the control plot. P. macularis infected most aerial plant tissues of the inoculated plants and caused approximately 50% of cones losses. P. macularis conidia were collected from the infected leaf tissue with a sterile soft camel-hair brush and DNA was extracted using a Wizard Genomic DNA extraction kit. The primers ITS1/ITS4 (White et al., 1990) were used to amplified and sequenced a fragment of the ITS region. PCR products were subjected to Sanger Sequencing to confirm sample species. The resulting 522-bp sequence was deposited into GenBank (accession n°. MN630490). BLASTn showed a 99.81% sequence identity with the CT1 isolate of P. macularis from H. lupulus (MH687414). The presence and identification of P. macularis in hop production regions is a new challenge to growers in Brazil. Research related to the knowledge of the disease cycle, epidemiology, and control strategies for the integrated management should be conducted, as there are no registered fungicides for powdery mildew on hop in Brazil. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. macularis in Brazil, as well as in South America. References Braun, U. (1987) A Monograph of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews). J. Cramer, Berlin, German Democratic Republic. p 113. Mahaffee, W. F., Pethybridge, S.J., Gent, D.H (2009) Compendium of hop diseases and pests. The American Phytopathological Society Press, Saint Paul, Minnesota. Neve R. A (1991). Hops. Chapman and Hall: London. Royle, D. J (1978). Powdery mildew of the hop. Pages 381-409 in: The Powdery Mildews. D. M. Spencer, ed. Academic Press, New York. White, T. J., Bruns, T., Lee, S., and Taylor, J. (1990). Amplification and direct sequencing of fungal ribosomal RNA genes for phylogenetics. pp. 315-322 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. M. Innis, D. Gelfand, J. Sninsky, and T. White, eds. Academic Press, San Diego.

Factors influencing the performance of phosphites on the control of coffee leaf rust

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effect of different phosphites on the control of coffee leaf rust (CLR) caused by Hemileia vastatrix, considered the major disease affecting coffee yield worldwide. Three-month-old coffee plants were sprayed with two doses each of the phosphite solutions (standar., and double), as follows: K (40% P2O5; 1.., and 3 mL∙L-1), K (30% P2O5; ., and 6 mL∙L-1), Cu (2.., and 5 mL∙L-1), Mn+Zn (., and 6 mL∙L-1., and Na (., and 6 mL∙L-1) 24 h before being inoculated with H. vastatrix. Leaves were not washed or washed with deionized water after the foliar phosphites spray. Plants sprayed with water served as the control treatment. Inoculation was performed on the abaxial side of the first pair of expanded leaves using a camel hairbrush with a suspension of urediniospores (1 mg per leaf). All phosphites applied at the standard doses (from 1.5 to 3 mL∙L-1) reduced the total number of pustules (TNP) per leaf by 28-69% regardless of washing treatment. The biggest reductions were observed for Cu phosphite, which decreased the TNP per leaf by 6., and 69% withou., and with leaf washing, respectively. A similar trend was observed when the double doses of phosphites (from 3 to 6 mL∙L-1) were used, though Na phosphite without leaf washin., and Mn/Zn phosphite withou., and with leaf washing were not efficient to reduce the TNP per leaf. Without leaf washing, only C., and Na phosphites decreased CLR severity at the standard doses (53-61%), whereas all phosphites, except the Mn/Zn phosphite, reduced CLR severity at the double dose. The CLR severity was decreased using K 30%, K 40., and Cu phosphites when applied at the standard doses with leaf washing (41-59%). With double doses, only C., and Na phosphites decreased CLR severity by 55% for both treatments. In conclusion, the efficiency of the phosphites for CLR control varied according to the accompanying cation, dos., and washing conditions. The Cu phosphite resulted in the best CLR control regardless of the dose use., and the washing conditions.

Blood feeding of Ornithodoros turicata larvae using an artificial membrane system.

An artificial membrane system was adapted to feed Ornithodoros turicata (Ixodida: Argasidae) larvae from a laboratory colony using defibrinated swine blood. Aspects related to larval feeding and moulting to the first nymphal instar were evaluated. A total of 55.6% of all larvae exposed to the artificial membrane in two experimental groups fed to repletion and 98.0% of all fed larvae moulted. Mortality rates of first instar nymphs differed significantly depending on the sorting tools used to handle engorged larvae (χ2 = 35.578, P < 0.0001): engorged larvae handled with featherweight forceps showed significantly higher mortality (odds ratio = 4.441) than those handled with a camel-hair brush. Differences in the physical properties of the forceps and camel-hair brush may affect the viability of fragile soft tick larvae even when care and the same technique are used to sort them during experimental manipulations. The current results represent those of the first study to quantify successful feeding to repletion, moulting and post-moulting mortality rates in O. turicata larvae using an artificial membrane feeding system. Applications of the artificial membrane feeding system to fill gaps in current knowledge of soft tick biology and the study of soft tick-pathogen interactions are discussed.

Cast erosion from the cleaning of debris after the use of a cast trimmer

Statement of problemWhether using tap water to rinse off debris will make a clinical difference to the surface detail of a gypsum cast is unknown. In addition, how best to remove debris from the cast is unknown. PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the efficiency of different methods of cleaning a gypsum cast after trimming and the effect of short-term exposure to tap water on the surface quality of the cast. Material and methodsA die fitting American National Standards Institute/American Dental Association specification 25 (International Standards Organization specification 6873) for dental gypsum products was embedded in a Dentoform with the machined lines positioned at the same level as the occlusal surface of the posterior teeth. A flat plate was used to ensure that the plane of occlusion for the die was at the same position as the posterior teeth. Forty polyvinyl siloxane impressions of the Dentoform were made and poured with vacuum-mixed improved Type IV dental stone. Each cast was inspected for the accurate reproduction of the lines. The base of the 2-stage pour was trimmed with a cast trimmer with water, and surface debris was removed by rinsing by hand under tap water for 10 seconds, by brushing the cast with a soft toothbrush for 10 seconds, or by resoaking the cast and using a soft camel hair brush in slurry water for 10 seconds. The amount of debris was evaluated on a scale of 1 to 4, and the quality of the 20-μm line was evaluated on a scale of 1 to 4 under ×15 magnification. The nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis ranks test was used to identify significant differences among the different cleaning methods (α=.05). ResultsResults of the Kruskal-Wallis and Kruskal-Wallis Z-value tests demonstrated that all cleaning methods produced cleaner casts than were observed for uncleansed controls (P<.001), but no differences in debris removal were found among the different cleaning methods (.065≤P≤.901). The ability to see the quality of a 20-μm line (P=.974) was not statistically different among the groups. ConclusionsRinsing the cast under flowing tap water and brushing, or hand washing under flowing tap water, or using a soft camel hair brush in slurry water for 10 seconds had no noticeable effects on the quality of a 20-μm line, and all 3 methods resulted in a clean cast.

Mini-Aspirator: A New Device for Collection and Transfer of Small Arthropods to Plants

The process of collecting and/or infesting plants with a designated number of small arthropods in biological experiments is tedious and laborious. We developed a modified mini-aspirator, powered with a vacuum pump and fitted with a specially adapted (removable) collection vial to reduce the handling effort. The efficiency of the mini-aspirator was tested with the chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), a predatory mite, Amblyseius (= Neoseiulus) cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), and the insidious flower bug, Orius insidiosus (Say) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae). Using the mini-aspirator, operators collected 10 A. cucumeris mites and 10 S. dorsalis thrips and transferred them onto pepper plants in 43 s and 37 s, respectively, compared with 639 and 229 s, respectively, using a camel's hair brush as a conventional method. The use of the mini-aspirator for collecting A. cucumeris predatory mites and S. dorsalis thrips and infesting pepper plants with them represents a 15-fold and 6-fold time saving, respectively. Collection of 10 O. insidiosus flower bugs took 20 s with the mini-aspirator compared with 30 s when an unmodified aspirator was used. Proportionally, the amount of time saved with the mini-aspirator for the handling of O. insidiosus flower bugs was minimal compared with the timesavings when handling S. dorsalis thrips and the A. cucumeris predatory mites with the mini-aspirator. Additionally, the mini-aspirator can be fitted with a battery-powered Mini-Vac, which makes it portable for field applications, such as in sampling field populations when screening for pesticide resistant individuals.

Camelhair Brush Confidential

I t may initially seem counterintuitive for those fascinated with plants that derive from harsh, arid environments to simultaneously pursue species of a more gentle persuasion, such as tuberous begonias. The connective hook in this case begins with the Great Island, Madagascar—a sort of unifying theme when it comes to plant interest. That begonias also feature a bit of fleshy subterranean intrigue whispers of caudiciform similarities. The truth is that as one meanders through the garden of possibilities, the eye does occasionally begin to wander, and we become enamored with plants that lie just a step or two off the path. Presented here for your consideration is the life cycle of a tuberous Begonia from the Cap Diego region of northern Madagascar as seen through the eyes of a propagator whose camelhair brush has strayed toward an exotic flirtation.

A Quantitative Assay Using Mycelial Fragments to Assess Virulence of Mycosphaerella fijiensis

ABSTRACT We describe a method to evaluate the virulence of Mycosphaerella fijiensis, the causal agent of black leaf streak disease (BLSD) of banana and plantain. The method is based on the delivery of weighed slurries of fragmented mycelia by camel's hair brush to 5-by-5-cm areas on the abaxial surface of banana leaf blades. Reliable BLSD development was attained in an environmental growth chamber with stringent lighting and humidity controls. By localizing inoculum onto small areas of large leaves, we achieved a dramatic increase in the number of strains that can be tested on each leaf and plant, which is critical for comparing the virulence of numerous strains concurrently. Image analysis software was used to measure the percentage of each inoculated leaf section showing BLSD symptoms over time. We demonstrated that the level of disease of four isolates was correlated with the weight of the mycelium applied and relatively insensitive to the degree of fragmentation of hyphae. This is the first report demonstrating that weighed mycelial inoculum, combined with image analysis software to measure disease severity, can be used to quantitatively assess the virulence of M. fijiensis under rigorously controlled environmental conditions.

A novel method to determine larval mandibular wear of the African stalk borer, Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The African stalk borer, Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is the most significant indigenous pest on sugarcane in South Africa (Atkinson 1980; Conlong 2001). Currently, crop management and cultivar resistance in sugarcane remain the most widely accepted control methods for E. saccharina in South Africa (Nuss & Atkinson 1983; Keeping 2006). Following emergence, E. saccharina larvae graze up and down the sugarcane stalk or disperse onto dead leaf sheaths for several days until old enough and, presumably, with sufficiently strong mandibles to bore into the plant (Leslie 1993). As young larvae use their mandibles to chew through the sugarcane stalk, abrasion of the mandibles’ chewing surface is inevitable and could ultimately reduce feeding efficiency. It is recognized that fertilization with silicon (Si) can enhance the resistance of plants to insect attack, including that of sugarcane to E. saccharina (Keeping & Meyer 2002, 2006; Kvedaras et al. 2007). Testing the effects of this treatment highlighted a need to measure the extent of wear on larval mandibles. While there have been studies that have reported wear of chewing mouthparts of insects, they have either failed to describe the method (Djamin & Pathak 1967), used a method which can only be applied to mandibles of the same size (Raupp 1985) or have not accounted for differences in mandibular size between individuals (Kokko et al. 1993). The objective of this study was to develop an accurate and repeatable method to measure the mandibular wear experienced by E. saccharina larvae fed on commercial sugarcane. It is anticipated that the method will be useful in quantifying mandibular wear in other adult and larval chewing insects. A method is described that uses a simple image analysis technique to determine the loss of feature on the chewing edge of the mandible. Ten third instar E. saccharina larvae were randomly sampled from commercial sugarcane cultivars N26 and N11 grown at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI), Mount Edgecombe, KwaZulu-Natal. Larvae were placed directly into 70 % alcohol until required. Prior to analysis, the larvae were removed from the alcohol, allowed to air dry for 10 min and their heads removed under a light microscope. The labrum was removed and using a fine tipped dissecting needle, the mandibles were carefully pried apart to avoid chipping and air-dried for 1 h. The heads were mounted with their mandibles in a horizontal position using black, double-sided carbon tape (12 mm × 20 m, Structure Probe Inc., West Chester, U.S.A.), on standard aluminium scanning electron microscopy (SEM) stubs. Debris on the mandibles was removed using a fine dissection needle and a fine camel hair brush. The specimens were gold coated for 3.5 min (approx. 6 nanometres thickness) using a gold sputtercoater (Polaron E5100 coating unit and E5500 film thickness moniter, Polaron Equipment Limited, Watford Hertfordshire, U.K.). Specimens were viewed using a scanning electron microscope (Leo 1450 Scanning Electron Microscope, Cambridge, U.S.A.) and the images captured digitally. Each mandible has two scissorial teeth and a proximal tooth, the mola. The degree of wear of a mandible was quantified using an algorithm to obtain a mean square error (MSE), as follows. The (x,y) coordinates (x = horizontal, y = vertical) of the pixels in the digital image that represent the chewing edge of the mandible, from the distal to the proximal convex protrusion (distal scissorial teeth and mola tooth) (Fig. 1), were subjected to linear regression. As the chewing edge of each mandible is carefully orientated under a microscope in a vertical direction, the deviation in the X-axis is the most relevant measurement, hence the best-fitting straight line is calculated as:

POLYVINYL ALCOHOL FILM AS AN OVIPOSITION SUBSTRATE FOR DIAMONDBACK MOTH (LEPIDOPTERA: PLUTELLIDAE)

Paper toweling (Biever & Boldt 1971) and aluminum foil (Shelton et al. 1991) have been shown to be adequate artificial oviposition substrates for the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), and these materials often are used in the culturing of DBM. In experiments where exact numbers of eggs and exact placement of eggs are desired, removal of the eggs from these substrates becomes necessary. This is usually accomplished by syringing with water or the use of substances, such as KOH, to release the eggs from the substrate. These methods can be laborious and result in excessive mortality of the eggs. We found that a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film product (SolvyTM Original Water Soluble Stabilizer, Item No. 48608, Sulky of America, Harbor Heights, FL), sold for stabilizing fabric and transferring designs to fabric, could be used as an effective oviposition substrate for DBM and provide an easy method of collecting individual eggs. Twenty-cm by 25-cm sheets of PVA film were laid on a flat surface, so that they did not touch. A 10% solution of macerated cabbage leaf was then prepared in a food blender and filtered through a nylon stocking into a hand-pumped mister bottle. A fine mist was sprayed over the sheets until they were covered in fine droplets. The sheets were then left to dry in situ for about 3 h. When dry, the sheets exhibited a puckered surface where the cabbage-water droplets had fallen. The surface provided numerous edges, furrows, and dips, which were ideal for DBM oviposition. The sheets were hung inside the cages by wetting a finger, running a line of water across the ceiling of the cage and then pressing and sticking the top edge of the prepared sheet against the line of water. When hung overnight in the DBM cages, the sheets were usually loaded with eggs by the following morning. After oviposition, the sheets were stored in a refrigerator at 4?C between sheets of paper kitchen toweling to prevent the soluble sheets from sticking together. To free the eggs, the sheets were carefully dissolved in water (when a stirrer was used, it was not allowed to touch the sides or bottom of the container to prevent crushing of the floating eggs) and the water filtered through chiffon squares that were held in place above plastic funnels by elastic bands. Filtering the water has to be done carefully and slowly to prevent damage to the eggs. The eggs accumulated on the chiffon squares. Dark color squares of chiffon worked well because the yellow DBM eggs were easy to spot on the dark background. Pouring the water through all areas of the chiffon resulted in an even spreading of the eggs over the chiffon; it was difficult to separate individual DBM eggs when they were all clumped together. Once all the water was poured through the chiffon, a very fine, gentle spray of distilled water was used to clean the DBM eggs of any residual PVA. The chiffon squares were then removed from the funnels and left to dry on a flat surface. Once dry, the DBM eggs were easily picked off the chiffon squares with a fine camel hair brush. This technique provided an easy and reliable method for acquiring large numbers of undamaged DBM eggs for experimentation.

Borges's Encyclopedia and Classification in Presidential Studies

In her 1990 address before the Presidency Research Group, Betty Glad argued that the alleged low status of presidential studies was based large part upon a model of science used theoretical physics. Instead, she contended, if research botany and some other sciences were employed as a model, other approaches, particularly classification, would be prominent. studies would be less preoccupied with a misplaced scientific status hierarchy and more capable of generating explanations and offering predictions. (1) Indeed, not only are there now several classificatory models that have attracted the attention of presidential scholars but the field itself is preoccupied with classificatory schema. What if, however, a major focus upon classification as a research activity leads not to a rigorous and robust body of knowledge presidential studies as Glad predicts but rather to a version of the emperor's encyclopedia described by Jorge Luis Borges which phenomena are cataloged a completely ersatz fashion? This essay examines the utility of classification as a goal of presidential studies by assessing dichotomies offered by Fred Greenstein, Richard Neustadt, and Jeffrey Tulis and typologies presented by Stephen Skowronek and James David Barber. The distinction the philosophy of science between natural and conventional classification is reviewed and standards for the general evaluation of classification are proposed. The essay concludes that there is a pronounced tendency for these classifications to drift toward the status of those Borges's encyclopedia that can only be effectively resisted by continual theoretical reassertion of the executive himself as a disruptive force. Encyclopedias Glad is certainly appreciative of the problems of classification. In presidential studies, as other areas of social science, phenomena are particularly complex and as such are subject to a variety of explanations. She notes that the researcher's main resources are whatever concepts he or she can borrow from other areas, plus prior experience, common sense, and the ability to think carefully (i990, 20). Glad recognizes that the synthetic reasoning of classifiers might be regarded as wrong, mystical or metaphysical by those who seek general laws (8). Borges too notes the problems of classification. He introduced his famous encyclopedia the course of discussing the classifications of John Wilkins, a Victorian linguist. Borges clearly admired Wilkins's curiosity and ambition. What troubled him were the ambiguities, redundancies and deficiencies his classification (1999, 230). The effort reminded him of a certain Chinese encyclopedia called the Heavenly Emporium of Benevolent Knowledge. He proceeded to list one entry in its distant pages. Animals were divided into a. Those that belong to the Emperor b. Embalmed ones c. Those that are trained d. Suckling pigs e. Mermaids f. Fabulous ones g. Stray dogs h. Those that are included this classification i. Those that tremble as if they were mad j. Innumerable ones k. Those drawn with a very fine camel's hair brush l. Others m. Those that have just broken a flower vase n. Those that resemble flies from a distance Borges is clearly more skeptical of the classification project general than Glad, although it is less clear that his citation of the example from the emperor's encyclopedia is meant to suggest that all such efforts are utopian. (2) Nevertheless, Glad's optimism and Borges's skepticism provide a valuable matrix for discussion. For example, if one attempted to stay close to Borges's encyclopedia, one could present a classification for a Presidential Encyclopedia (II) that went like this. Presidents are divided into a. Those who are Democrats (or Republicans) b. …

The Skin as a Neurodevelopmental Interface

After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Characterize the incidence of severe neurodevelopmental handicaps in very low-birthweight infants over the past decade. 2. Define severe neurodevelopmental deficits. 3. Characterize the derivation of the brain and the epidermis. 4. Describe the possibilities of evoked potential testing for evaluation of brain function in asphyxiated and very low-birthweight preterm infants. 5. Characterize in utero development of the high electrical resistance of skin. “Compared with newborns of other species, the human neonate is relatively helpless in motor capabilities and relatively precocious in sensory capabilities.” —T. Berry Brazelton Behavioral Competence Avery’s Neonatology . 5th ed. 1999 Accumulating evidence suggests a connection between the developing brain and the developing skin. In this view, the skin, broadly considered, functions as a neurodevelopmental boundary in the very low-birthweight (VLBW) preterm infant. The epidermis, for example, plays a role as a specialized ectodermal derivative closely linked to both neuroperception and noninvasive monitoring in intensive care environments. The terminal differentiation product of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, is considered a prototypical smart material. The concept of the skin as a neurodevelopmental interface may be broadened to include its role as an interface with the caregiver and a boundary for primary care delivery in the neonatal intensive care unit. Recent reviews have demonstrated the persistence of a high incidence of severe neurodevelopmental disability in VLBW preterm infants (Fig 1⇓ ). (1) Severe neurodevelopmental disability generally is defined as subnormal cognitive function, cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, or a combination of these factors. The continuing high incidence of neurodevelopmental handicap raises several questions: 1) Given the complexity and relative inaccessibility of the central nervous system (CNS), is it advantageous to consider alternative viewpoints for the etiology and therapy of neurodevelopmental handicaps? 2) Given the close embryologic connection between brain and skin, should cognition be …