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Serotonin 2A receptors (5-HT

We present a rare case of a comminuted tibial pilon fracture with entrapment of anterior tibial vessels in fracture site, which was unexpectedly discovered intra-operatively. Following safe extrication of vessels and fracture fixation through minimally invasive approach, the patient recovered uneventfully. Phenomenon of anterior neurovascular entrapment should be kept in mind while dealing with high-energy tibial pilon fractures. Astute clinical examination, judicious use of imaging modality, and strict intra-operative vigilance are key to successful outcome.

The present study investigated the predation attributes of hunting and web-building spiders of Indian subcontinent against rice-pests, under in-vitro conditions. Field observations revealed that the lynx spider, Oxyopes javanus and the ground-dwelling wolf-spider, Pardosa sumatrana were the most abundant arboreal hunting spiders, while Neoscona theisi and Tetragnatha javana, were the most abundant arboreal web-making spiders, throughout the crop growing season. Laboratory results showed that the prey consumption rates and growth rates of spiders were highest on abundant prey, but the conversion efficiencies were highest on scarce prey. Results identified the highest consumption and growth rates for O. javanus, while conversion efficiencies were highest for N. theisi. The four spider species under study consumed higher number of leafhoppers and lepidopteron adult stage pests in comparison to Leptocorisa bugs and grasshopper nymphs. We, therefore, suggest that the predatory impacts of spiders may be strongly influenced by their species-specific feeding and behavioural attributes, and the anti-predation features of the potential prey.

The results show that the orb-weaver spiders, Neoscona theisi and Cyrtophora citricola, occurred in both guava and citrus agroecosystems, and their prey primarily comprised a wide diversity of insect pests. In contrast, the sheet web-constructing social spider, Stegodyphus sarasinorum, occurred only in the citrus agroecosystem and preyed mainly on the beneficial insects, particularly the pollinators, including the Asian honeybee, Apis cerana, along with the predaceous ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, damselfly, Agriocnemis femina, and the ant, Camponotus compressus. Field observations revealed that the beneficial insects caught and captured by the social spiders comprised mainly the flower-visiting insects of ornamental and weed plants growing in the vicinity of the fruit trees. N. theisi preyed predominantly on pests of paddy (Nephotettix nigropictus, Oxya nitidula), wheat (Rhopalosiphum padi), citrus (Papilio demoleus) and guava (Bactrocera dorsalis) and to a lesser extent on damselflies, houseflies, and ants. C. citricola with smaller orb webs preyed upon N. nigropictus, R. padi, M. domestica, C. septempunctata, and C. compressus. Except the guava pest, B. dorsalis, the pests of paddy and wheat from the infested crops cultivated in the nearby ~ 500-m distant located farm were attracted by the streetlights and were preyed upon by the arboreal spiders. The results highlight the significant role of orb web spiders in the suppression of insect pests of crops and also provide direct evidence of the negative role of social spiders as predators of the Asian honeybee, A. cerana, and other beneficial insects.

Celebrities have long been used by marketers to enhance their brand’s appeal by attracting attention and improving recall rates, and the same is applicable in politics. However, research on the effect of celebrities on politics is of recent origin and is mixed on whether their endorsements and pronouncements are effective in altering voter attitudes and behaviors. Based on the associative network memory model and brand signaling theory, the results indicate a direct and positive relationship between endorser credibility and political brand credibility as well as a positive relationship between political brand credibility and political brand equity, which in turn leads to the formation of the electorates’ voting intentions. It is also confirmed that this relationship varies by the type of celebrity (i.e., national vs. local) employed. Several implications for the celebrity endorsement, branding, and political marketing research streams are discussed.