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A survey was conducted in fields of cucumber and watermelon in Bengaluru, India during April 2014 for dertermination of the common parasitoids (Hym.,Braconidae, Aphidiinae) attacking melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemi., Aphididae). Three species of Aphidiinae, including Aphidius platensis Brethes, 1913; Binodoxy sacalephae (Marshall, 1896) and Lipolexis oregmae(Gahan, 1931) were collected and identified, from which Aphidius platensis is newly recorded from India. The early evidence of Aphidius colemani in India can also be contributed to A. platensis. Diagnostic characters of three species with closely related species are briefly discussed.

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Insect caste development and their morphological divergence are not yet studied well, especially in ants. However, the role of developmental and genetic integration in evolution is contentious. In our study, we tried to reveal the quantitative genetics selection responses, phylogenetic signal, and evolutionary origin of weaver ant female castes (queen, major and minor). The widening and lengthening of the head region, as well as the well-developed mandibular process, are the major heritable characteristics found in the major worker ants. We hypothesized that these conserved and heritable characteristics may help the major worker ants for defense, foraging purposes and other nest-building function aspects. However, in the case of minor worker, small heads and the reduced mandibular process are the more heritable characteristics. Compared to worker ants, in queen, the highly heritable and conserved morphological character is well-developed thoracic regions and large-sized abdomen. It is interesting to note that there is no detectable phylogenetic signal across the female cast of the Asian weaver ants, which suggests that the caste development and morphological divergence are environmentally modulated not evolutionary conserved. From this study, we concluded that caste-specific morphological shape and size are highly conserved traits and these traits are modulated by their niche preferences.

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Aims: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza virus are quite distant viruses, but they share significant similarities such as mode of transmission and clinical manifestations. No specific clinical signs reliably distinguish early influenza sickness from the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19); therefore, it will be critical in clinical practice to determine the viral etiology. The present study aimed to screen for influenza virus A and B among COVID-19 patients by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
Materials & Methods: A total of 100 nasal swabs from COVID-19 patients were collected in viral transport medium (VTM) during June to July 2022. RNA extraction was done using QIagen RNA extraction kit, and then RT-qPCR was performed using HELINI swine flu (H1N1) kit.
Findings: The average age of the study participants was 31 years, and 13 patients were hospitalized due to the COVID infection. Hypertension, diabetes, and chronic lung, heart and kidney diseases were identified as comorbidities. It was found that none of the tested samples were positive for influenza A and B.
Conclusion: Although none of the patients were positive for influenza, the importance of co-infection could not be ignored. Screening of a large number of samples is needed during the seasonal period.

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The “jewel beetle” - Belionota prasina (Thunberg, 1789), is a polyphagous insect pest found throughout India and its neighboring countries. To develop semiochemical-based pest control strategies, we must first comprehend the entire morphological features of the insect’s antennal sensory structure. This is the first study report revealing the morphology and ultrastructure of antennal sensillae of male and female of B. prasine using light and scanning electron microscopy. Both antennae are serrated in appearance with 11 antennomers. In both sexes, Böhm sensilla, sensilla trichodea, sensilla basiconica, sensilla chaetica, and multiporous grooved peg sensilla are common. Sexual dimorphism is present in the case of length and width (basal and distal) of entire antenna as well as each antennomer. Male antennomeres are larger and more robust. The antenna of B. prasina shows a high degree of sexual dimorphism. The C4 type aporous serrated sensilla chaetica, which serves a tactile function, are highly specific to male antennae. The sensilla basiconica subtype 4 is found in female antennomeres while multigrooved are pegs present only in male antennomerers. The number and type of sensillae are greater in males than females. Apical fossae are present dorsally and ventrally on each male antennomere. The function and distribution of all types of sensilla are explained and illustrated in this paper.

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Two species of Austronomia Michener, 1965 (Hymenoptera: Halictidae, Nomiinae), namely A. goniognatha (Cockerell, 1919) and A. takauensis (Friese, 1910), are reported from India for the first time. Eleven Nomiinae bee species, Austronomia capitata (Smith, 1875), Austronomia himalayana (Nurse, 1902), Austronomia notiomorpha (Hirashima 1978), Austronomia pseudoscutellata Pauly, 2009, Hoplonomia incerta (Gribodo, 1894), Lipotriches ceratina (Smith, 1857), Lipotriches phenacura (Cockerell, 1911), Macronomia antennata (Smith, 1875), Nomia crassipes (Fabricius, 1798), Pachynomia nathani Pauly, 2009, Steganomus fulvipennis Cameron, 1898 are added to the West Bengal bee fauna. A checklist of Nomiinae bees comprising 30 species from West Bengal along with floral association is documented.

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The compatibility studies of Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf1) with azoxystrobin at differ-ent concentrations viz., 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 ppm revealed that it was compatible with all the concentrations of azoxystrobin tested and the growth of the bacterium was unaffected even at the maximum concentration of 300 ppm. The field experiment revealed a foliar application of Pf1 (2.5 kg ha-1) and azoxystrobin (250 ml ha-1) combined, reduced downy mildew as well as powdery mildew disease severities more than azoxystrobin (250 and 500 ml ha-1) alone. An application of Pf1+azoxystrobin treatment recorded only 2.22 and 1.00 Percent Disease Index (PDI) of downy mildew and 1.85 and 0.50 PDI of powdery mildew during the first and second seasons, respectively. The treatment also recorded a maximum fruit yield of 14.30 and 15.65 tonnes ha-1 for the first and second seasons, re-spectively. Application of Pf1 along with azoxystrobin significantly increased the survival of Pf1 in the phylloplane of cucumber crop. In addition, there was multifold increase in peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, ß-1, 3 glucanase, chitinase and phenolics in plants treated with Pf1+azoxystrobin.

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Objective: The entry of Toxoplasma gondii into the bloodstream and other tissues (such as liver, muscle, cardiac muscle, …) of intermediate hosts and its multiplication in nucleated cells may cause changes in plasma levels of various enzymes due to tissue damage. In present study the serum levels of AST, ALT, ALK/P, CPK, LDH, and ACP in rats infected experimentally with Toxoplasma gondii have been investigated. Materials and Methods: Totally, 116 uninfected rats were divided into 87 as case group and 29 as control group. The case group was infected intraperitoneally with 50000 tachyzoites. Blood specimens were taken from cases and its control once every 8 hours in the first three days and then once every three days for a period of 60 days and serum levels were measured for the mentioned enzymes. Results: During the study, the following changes were observed: AST in the first 8 hours, from the 32th hour till the 40th hour and from the 48th hour till the 56th hour; ALT in the first 8 hours and from the 48th hour till the 56th hour; ALK/P from the 24th hour till the 40th hour and from the 48th hour till the 64th hour; CPK and LDH from the 24th hour till the 40th hour and from the 48th hour till 56th hour; ACP from the 16th hour till the 48th hour. But afterward, whole offer mentioned enzyme shifted to normal levels. Conclusion: Alteration in serum enzyme levels of rats during infection with Toxoplasma gondii found is not permanent.

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a compact size and lightweight planar ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna with an omnidirectional radiation pattern and a stable gain in the frequency range 3.1-10.6 GHz is proposed and investigated. The antenna consists of an elliptical shaped slot which is fed by a 50-Ω microstrip line that is beveled and has fork-shaped is designed. Attaching two inverted U-shape strips at the upper part of the slot, two additional bands are realized covering GPS, upper part of GSM (1770–1840 MHz), and Bluetooth (2385–2490 MHz) bands. The calculated return loss, omni-directional radiation pattern, and peak gain are in good agreement with the measurement results. The antenna can provide high-performance wireless communications over different frequency bands. This structure has a compact size (27×24 mm²), is lightweight, and can be easily fabricated.    According, the proposed antenna is expected and normal to be a good candidate in various applications in portable and lightweight communication system.
 

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This paper examines the design, manufacture, and analysis a Gamma-type Stirling engine using the solar parabolic collector. The calculation base for designing is so that the size of the solar parabolic collector needed to start the engine is not too large. After finishing the design and manufacturing of the parts, the assembled Stirling engine was initially initiated by a 550W electric heater tested in two non-insulated and insulated conditions for different input power. In the non-insulated state, the Stirling engine has a maximum power of about 68.69W with an output of 12.66%; and insulated mode of Stirling engine maximum watts with an output of 15.72% was obtained. Then we constructed a solar parabolic collector based on the power of the heater used. Designing the collector is such that it has the ability to reflect around 550W. Thus, the diameter of the collector is 1m and its depth is 12cm. This solar parabolic collector provides the power needed by the engine to work during the day. The maximum output power of the solar Stirling engine is about 30W.