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Cathleen M McCabe,1 Rachael Peterson,2 Jessie Hull,2 Chandra Bala3 1The Eye Associates, Sarasota, FL, USA; 2Alcon Vision LLC, Fort Worth, TX, USA; 3PersonalEyes, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaCorrespondence: Cathleen M McCabe, The Eye Associates, Sarasota County, 2111 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL, 34239, USA, Email cmccabe13@hotmail.comPurpose: To evaluate binocular intermediate visual acuity (IVA), depth of focus, and other visual outcomes achieved with a monofocal aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) using pooled data from 2 randomized, double-masked, controlled trials.Patients and Methods: The studies conducted at 32 sites included patients aged ≥ 22 years with bilateral cataracts, preoperative corneal astigmatism 1.0 D, and lens power 18.0– 25.0 D. Patients received bilateral AcrySof IQ IOLs (SN60WF). Primary endpoint data were collected at month 6. Binocular uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA and CDVA) at 4 m, binocular uncorrected and corrected IVA (UIVA and DCIVA) at 66 cm, manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), and binocular defocus curve at 4 m were assessed under photopic conditions. Validated questionnaires were used to assess spectacle use and quality of vision.Results: Of 233 patients who received SN60WF, 228 had visual acuity data at 6 months. Under photopic conditions, 51% of the eyes had pupils > 4 mm, 40% had pupils 3– 4 mm, and 9% had pupils < 3 mm. Mean ± SD UDVA and CDVA were − 0.019 ± 0.110 and − 0.088 ± 0.082 logMAR, respectively. Mean ± SD UIVA and DCIVA were 0.125 ± 0.145 and 0.196 ± 0.139 logMAR, respectively. UIVA and DCIVA of 20/32 or better were achieved by 83% (188/228) and 71% (162/228) of patients, respectively. Mean ± SD MRSE was − 0.007 ± 0.404 D for the first eye and 0.036 ± 0.371 for the second eye. The defocus curve demonstrated binocular vision of 0.24 logMAR or better from +1.2 to − 1.5 D. Spectacle independence for distance and intermediate vision was reported by 86% and 41% of the patients, respectively. Based on questionnaires, 61%, 79%, and 65% of the patients did not experience starbursts, halos, or glare.Conclusion: A monofocal aspheric IOL (SN60WF) assessed in a large, pooled study provided excellent distance vision and clinically functional intermediate vision.Keywords: Intermediate visual acuity, monofocal aspheric intraocular lens, spectacle Independence, visual quality

ABSTRACT The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others.

ABSTRACT Hyperspectral sensors and regression analysis have been used to analyze the most important spectral ranges for biophysical parameters of target crops, aiding in management decision-making. This study aimed to analyze the spectral response of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú leaves to increasing rates of urea fertilization and predict leaf nitrogen content (LNC). Four rates of urea fertilization (0, 25, 50, and 75 kg of N ha-1) were applied. Eight leaves were collected per plot seven times at monthly intervals and subjected to hyperspectral analysis. Leaf spectral responses differed statistically within the visible region, particularly at 550 nm (green). The regression models achieved moderate to good R2 values (0.53 to 0.83) for predicting LNC and identified important wavelengths in the red edge region (715 to 720 nm). These findings demonstrate the potential of spectral analysis to detect changes and forecast leaf nitrogen content in B. brizantha cv. Marandú crops at different fertilization levels.

Amblyseius riodocei El-Banahwy, 1984 (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is rediscovery from material collected in Aracruz, state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. A complementary description is provided with measurements and illustrations of the collected specimen.

We compared abundance and richness of mites on Miconia albicans (Sw.) Steud. (Melastomataceae) found in Cerrado grassland (CGR) and in Cerrado sensu stricto (CSS), in order to evaluate the effect of plant physiognomy on mite assemblage structure, in the Parque Nacional das Emas, Goiás State, Brazil, a biological reserve of Cerrado biome. In total, 453 mites of 45 species belonging to 14 families were collected. Stigmaeidae was the most abundant predatory mite family, represented by a single unidentified Agistemus species. Among phytophagous mites, species of Lorryia (Tydeidae) were the most common. Lorryia turrialbensis Baker, 1968 is reported for the first time on a Cerrado plant species. We concluded that the Cerrado phytophysiognomy can determine the organization of mite assemblages since CSS sheltered higher species richness and abundance of mites on M. albicans due to has more habitat complexity, species richness and abundance of plants than CGR. Therefore, CSS can provide more food resources, microhabitats for shelter and oviposition favoring the occurrence and populational development of plant mites.

Phytoseiidae Berlese (Acari: Mesostigmata) is a family of predatory mites found mostly on the aerial plant parts. Several phytoseiid species are commercialized as biological control agents. Even though Brazil is the fifth country with the highest number of valid species, knowledge about the phytoseiid fauna in different Brazilian states is highly variable. The objective of this paper is to report unpublished records of phytoseiids on different Brazilian states. The list includes 20 species belonging to 13 genera. New records are reported for 11 states; the largest number of new records is reported for Santa Catarina (7), followed by Paraná (4).

Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) is an important family of predatory mites, with some species being commercialized as biological control agents for the control of phytophagous mites and small insects. In Peru, 65 species of this family have been recorded so far, with Amblyseius being the most diverse genus, with 11 species. The aim of this study is to report for the first time the presence of Amblyseius tamatavensis Blommers, 1974 in Peru. In South America, this species has so far been reported only in Brazil and Venezuela. In Peru, A. tamatavensis was found on orange plants [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] in the district of Pangoa, department of Júnin. In the laboratory, collected specimens were observed to feed on Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmed, 1879) (Acari: Eriophyidae) and Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande, 1895) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Studies to verify the potential of this species as a biological control agent for pests occurring in Peru should be conducted. A key to the Amblyseius species recorded in Peru is presented.

Although not readily recognizable by humanity (mainly due to their small size), mites are found in many environments, directly or indirectly affecting humans. The study of mites in Brazil has become a topic of great relevance. Acarologists periodically meet at SIBAC (Brazilian Symposium of Acarology) events to exchange experiences and professional debates. So far, seven symposia have been held. The last one has just been held in a virtual format, involving the participation of 292 subscribers, coming from 24 federative units in Brazil and 17 other countries.

Phytoseiid mites collected on Inga edulis L. (Leguminosae) in three localities in the Amazonas State, Brazil, were identified as Neoparaphytoseius charapa Jiménez, McMurtry & Moraes, 2014. This is the first report of this species in Brazil. Notes on geographic occurrence and association of Neoparaphytoseius Chant & McMurtry, 2003 species with host plants are presented.

Abstract The aim of the present study was to conduct a survey of mites of the family Phytoseiidae associated with plants of the natural vegetation and cultivated forests in sites of three biomes (Amazon Forest, Cerrado and Pantanal) in the Mato Grosso State. Twenty-one species of 11 genera, of the three phytoseiid subfamilies were registered. Amblyseius Berlese was the most diverse genus, with five species. Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma was the most common species, collected from 12 plant species in five collection sites. Eleven phytoseiid species were reported for the first time in the Mato Grosso State.

Although monitoring insect pest populations in the fields is essential in crop management, it is still a laborious and sometimes ineffective process. Imprecise decision-making in an integrated pest management program may lead to ineffective control in infested areas or the excessive use of insecticides. In addition, high infestation levels may diminish the photosynthetic activity of soybean, reducing their development and yield. Therefore, we proposed that levels of infested soybean areas could be identified and classified in a field using hyperspectral proximal sensing. Thus, the goals of this study were to investigate and discriminate the reflectance characteristics of soybean non-infested and infested with Bemisia tabaci using hyperspectral sensing data. Therefore, cages were placed over soybean plants in a commercial field and artificial whitefly infestations were created. Later, samples of infested and non-infested soybean leaves were collected and transported to the laboratory to obtain the hyperspectral curves. The results allowed us to discriminate the different levels of infestation and to separate healthy from whitefly infested soybean leaves based on their reflectance. In conclusion, these results show that hyperspectral sensing can potentially be used to monitor whitefly populations in soybean fields.

Dada a importância das equações de chuvas intensas para o dimensionamento de obras de controle de enxurradas, este trabalho teve como objetivo comparar as alturas precipitadas geradas pelas equações de Martinez & Magni (1999) com aquelas obtidas com o programa PLUVIO 2.1, considerando as primeiras como padrão. Foram comparadas chuvas intensas de 10; 20; 30; 60; 120 e 1.440 minutos, e períodos de retorno de 2; 5; 10; 50 e 100 anos, para 30 localidades do Estado de São Paulo. Os resultados revelaram que, principalmente para as chuvas de 24 horas e período de retorno de 100 anos, houve desvios importantes para 4 postos localizados na região central e a leste do Estado. Para as demais localidades o programa apresentou bom desempenho.Rainfall intensity durations relationships are extremely important in the design of systems for mitigating runoff losses. The objective of this work was to compare rainfall depths generated by the PLUVIO 2.1 software, with depths from the standard intensity duration curves developed by MARTINEZ & MAGNI (1999). It was compared rainfall intensities of 10, 20, 30, 60, 120 and 1440 minute durations for 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 year return periods for 30 sites in the state of São Paulo. The results showed that PLUVIO was effective, except in predicting the 24 hours rainfall from 100 year return period events in four locations in the central and eastern regions of the state.

Mites associated to Xylopia aromatica (Lam.) Mart. (Annonaceae) in urban and rural fragments of semidecidual forest. Native plants can shelter a great diversity of mites. Notwithstanding, the conservation of the forest fragments where the plants are located can influence the structure of the mites community. Generally, in homogenous environments the diversity is lower due to the dominance of one or a few species. In this work, we studied the mite community on Xylopia aromatica (Lam.) Mart. (Annonaceae) in two fragments of semidecidual forest: one on rural and other on urban area. Seven individuals of X. aromatica were monthly sampled from April 2007 to March 2008, in each of these fragments. Descriptive indexes of diversity, dominance and evenness were applied to verify the ecological patterns of the mite community, besides the Student's t-test to compare the abundance between the fragments. We collected 27,365 mites of 37 species belonging to 11 families. Calacarus sp. (Eriophyidae) was the most abundant species, representing 73% of the total sampled. The abundance was greater in the urban fragment (67.7%), with the diversity index reaching only 25% of the theoretical maximum expected. Probably, these values might have been influenced by the location of this fragment in the urban area, being more homogeneous and submitted directly to the presence of atmospheric pollution. In this manner, X. aromatica is able to shelter a higher diversity of mites when inserted in preserved ecosystems, since the highest diversity of available resources allows the establishment of richer and most diverse mite community.

The objectives of this research were to: (i) develop hyperspectral narrow-band models to determine soil variables such as organic matter content (OM), sum of cations (SC = Ca + Mg + K), aluminum saturation (m%), cations saturation (V%), cations exchangeable capacity (CEC), silt, sand and clay content using visible-near infrared (Vis-NIR) diffuse reflectance spectra; (ii) compare the variations of the chemical and the spectroradiometric soil analysis (Vis-NIR). The study area is located in São Paulo State, Brazil. The soils were sampled over an area of 473 ha divided into grids (100 × 100 m) with a total of 948 soil samples georeferenced. The laboratory RS data were obtained using an IRIS (Infrared Intelligent Spectroradiometer) sensor (400–2,500 nm) with a 2-nm spectral resolution between 450 and 1,000 nm and 4-nm between 1,000 and 2,500 nm. Satellite reflectance values were sampled from corrected Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images. Each pixel in the image was evaluated as its vegetation index, color compositions and soil line concepts regarding certain locations of the field in the image. Chemical and physical analysis (organic matter content, sand, silt, clay, sum of cations, cations saturation, aluminum saturation and cations exchange capacity) were performed in the laboratory. Statistical analysis and multiple regression equations for soil attribute predictions using radiometric data were developed. Laboratory data used 22 bands and 13 “Reflectance Inflexion Differences, RID” from different wavelength intervals of the optical spectrum. However, for TM-Landsat six bands were used in analysis (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7).Estimations of some tropical soil attributes were possible using laboratory spectral analysis. Laboratory spectral reflectance (SR) presented high correlations with traditional laboratory analyses for the soil attributes such as clay (R2 = 0.84, RMSE = 3.75) and sand (R2 = 0.85, RMSE = 3.74). The most sensitive narrow-bands in modeling (using 474 observations) these attributes were B8 (1,350–1,417 nm), B10 (1,417–1,449 nm), B11 (1,449–1,793 nm), B15 (1,927–2,102 nm), B16 (2,101–2,139 nm), and B17 (2,139–2,206 nm); B7 (975–1,350 nm), B10, B11, B16, B19 (2,206–2,258 nm) and B21 (2,258–2,389 nm) for clay and sand, respectively. The bands selected to model sand and clay, by orbital data, were 3, 5 and 7 of TM-Landsat-5 and 2, 5 and 7 sand and clay, respectively. The use of soil analysis methodology by ground remote sensing constitutes an alternative to traditional routine laboratory analysis.

There is a consensus about the necessity to achieve a quick soil spatial information with few human resources. Remote/proximal sensing and pedotransference are methods that can be integrated into this approach. On the other hand, there is still a lack of strategies indicating on how to put this in practice, especially in the tropics. Thus, the objective of this work was to suggest a strategy for the spatial prediction of soil classes by using soil spectroscopy from ground laboratory spectra to space images platform, as associated with terrain attributes and spectral libraries. The study area is located in São Paulo State, Brazil, which was covered by a regular grid (one per ha), with 473 boreholes collected at top and undersurface. All soil samples were analyzed in laboratory (granulometry and chemical), and scanned with a VIS-NIR-SWIR (400–2500 nm) spectroradiometer. We developed two traditional pedological maps with different detail levels for comparison: TFS-1 regarding orders and subgroups; and TFS-2 with additional information such as color, iron and fertility. Afterwards, we performed a digital soil map, generated by models, which used the following information: (i) predicted soil attributes from undersurface layer (diagnostic horizon), obtained by using a local spectral library; (ii) spectral reflectance of a bare soil surface obtained by Landsat image; and (iii) derivative of terrain attributes. Thus, the digital map was generated by a combination of three variables: remote sensing (Landsat data), proximal sensing (laboratory spectroscopy) and relief. Landsat image with bare soil was used as a first observation of surface. This strategy assisted on the location of topossequences to achieve soil variation in the area. Afterwards, spectral undersurface information from these locations was used to modelize soil attributes quantification (156 samples). The model was used to quantify samples in the entire area by spectra (other 317 samples). Since the surface was bare soil, it was sampled by image spectroscopy. Indeed, topsoil spectral laboratory information presented great similarity with satellite spectra. We observed angle variation on spectra from clayey to sandy soils as differentiated by intensity. Soil lines between bands 3/4 and 5/7 were helpful on the link between laboratory and satellite data. The spectral models of soil attributes (i.e., clay, sand, and iron) presented a high predictive performance (R2 0.71 to 0.90) with low error. The spatial prediction of these attributes also presented a high performance (validations with R2 > 0.78). The models increased spatial resolution of soil weathering information using a known spectral library. Elevation (altitude) improved mapping due to correlation with soil attributes (i.e., clay, iron and chemistry). We observed a close relationship between soil weathering index map and laboratory spectra + image spectra + relief parameters. The color composite of the 5R, 4G and 3B had great performance on the detection of soils along topossequences, since colors went from dark blue to light purple, and were related with soil texture and mineralogy of the region. The comparison between the traditional and digital soil maps showed a global accuracy of 69% for the TFS-1 map and 62% in the TFS-2, with kappa indices of 0.52 and 0.45, respectively. We randomly validated both digital and traditional maps with individual plots at field. We achieve a 75% and 80% agreement for digital and traditional maps, respectively, which allows us to conclude that traditional map is not necessarily the truth and digital is very close. The key of the strategy was to use bare soil image as a first step on the indication of soil variation in the area, indicating in-situ location for sample collection in all depths. The current strategy is innovative since we linked sensors from ground to space in addition with relief parameters and spectral libraries. The strategy indicates a more accurate map with less soil samples and lower cost.

This article describes efforts to achieve fast deposition of thick Quasi-Phase-Matched (QPM) GaP structures with high surface and structural quality on oriented patterned (OP) templates in a Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxial (HVPE) process. These QPM structures will be incorporated in devices for conversion of frequencies from the near infrared to the mid infrared and THz regions, where powerful and tunable sources are in great demand for both military and civilian applications. In contrast with GaAs - the most studied OP QPM material - the two-photon absorption of GaP is predicted to be extremely low, which allows pumping with a number of convenient sources between 1 – 1.7 μm. Unpatterned GaP layers up to 370 μm thick were grown with growth rates up to 93 μm/hr with high reproducibility on bare substrates. The layers demonstrated smooth surface morphology with RMS < 1 nm and high structural quality with FWHM equal to 39 arcsec for layers grown on GaP and 112 arcsec for those grown on GaAs. Growth on OP-GaP templates resulted in 142 μm thick QPM structures deposited at a growth rate of 71 μm/h with good vertical (normal to the layer surface) propagation of the initial pattern. When the growth was performed on OP-GaAs one of the domains showed a trend toward a faceting growth. Further investigations are in progress to equalize the vertical and lateral growth of the two domains, and determine the best orientation of the substrate and pattern in order to achieve structures thick enough for high power nonlinear applications.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that several major psychiatric disorders are influenced by shared genetic factors. This shared liability may influence clinical features of a given disorder (e.g. severity, age at onset). However, findings have largely been limited to European samples; little is known about the consistency of shared genetic liability across ethnicities. METHOD: The relationship between polygenic risk for several major psychiatric diagnoses and major depressive disorder (MDD) was examined in a sample of unrelated Han Chinese women. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) were generated using European discovery samples and tested in the China, Oxford, and VCU Experimental Research on Genetic Epidemiology [CONVERGE (maximum N = 10 502)], a sample ascertained for recurrent MDD. Genetic correlations between discovery phenotypes and MDD were also assessed. In addition, within-case characteristics were examined. RESULTS: European-based polygenic risk for several major psychiatric disorder phenotypes was significantly associated with the MDD case status in CONVERGE. Risk for clinically significant indicators (neuroticism and subjective well-being) was also associated with case-control status. The variance accounted for by PRS for both psychopathology and for well-being was similar to estimates reported for within-ethnicity comparisons in European samples. However, European-based PRS were largely unassociated with CONVERGE family history, clinical characteristics, or comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The shared genetic liability across severe forms of psychopathology is largely consistent across European and Han Chinese ethnicities, with little attenuation of genetic signal relative to within-ethnicity analyses. The overall absence of associations between PRS for other disorders and within-MDD variation suggests that clinical characteristics of MDD may arise due to contributions from ethnicity-specific factors and/or pathoplasticity.

We describe a unique case of a cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma that presented as an ambiguous oropharyngeal mass with a differential of a benign or malignant salivary gland tumor or neurogenic tumor. Consideration of a malignant salivary gland mass led us to modify our diagnostic approach so as not to risk seeding a potential malignancy and harming the patient. This article also highlights the distinct imaging findings of neurogenic tumors of the neck that are helpful in appropriately diagnosing these tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Muller F element (4.2 Mb, ~80 protein-coding genes) is an unusual autosome of Drosophila melanogaster; it is mostly heterochromatic with a low recombination rate. To investigate how these properties impact the evolution of repeats and genes, we manually improved the sequence and annotated the genes on the D. erecta, D. mojavensis, and D. grimshawi F elements and euchromatic domains from the Muller D element. We find that F elements have greater transposon density (25-50%) than euchromatic reference regions (3-11%). Among the F elements, D. grimshawi has the lowest transposon density (particularly DINE-1: 2% vs. 11-27%). F element genes have larger coding spans, more coding exons, larger introns, and lower codon bias. Comparison of the Effective Number of Codons with the Codon Adaptation Index shows that, in contrast to the other species, codon bias in D. grimshawi F element genes can be attributed primarily to selection instead of mutational biases, suggesting that density and types of transposons affect the degree of local heterochromatin formation. F element genes have lower estimated DNA melting temperatures than D element genes, potentially facilitating transcription through heterochromatin. Most F element genes (~90%) have remained on that element, but the F element has smaller syntenic blocks than genome averages (3.4-3.6 vs. 8.4-8.8 genes per block), indicating greater rates of inversion despite lower rates of recombination. Overall, the F element has maintained characteristics that are distinct from other autosomes in the Drosophila lineage, illuminating the constraints imposed by a heterochromatic milieu.

Treatment processes have been proposed that will utilize crossflow filtration to concentrate sludge waste streams at the Department of Energy's Hanford Site. Challenges associated with solid–liquid separation of the waste streams drive a necessary evaluation of available Hanford high level waste (HLW) filtration data. Limiting flux conditions during crossflow filtration are elucidated with the formation of a cake layer on the membrane surface. A mass transfer coefficient between the gel and bulk concentrations plays a critical role in determining filter flux. A correlation between the gel concentration and mass transfer coefficient is made to assist in determining filter performance of select HLW streams. As a process alternative to crossflow filtration, gravity settling of waste streams may be deployed as a solid–liquid separation technique. However, this results in a contrasting performance with the centrifuged solids concentration. A method was developed to estimate expected filtration and settling performance based on physical characterization data for Hanford tank waste samples. By assessing the estimated processing performance of HLW, technical support can be provided during flowsheet planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]