Rachiplusia nu (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a significant agricultural pest in South America infesting several crops, including soybeans. Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (Bt) soybean, expressing Cry1Ac protein, is widely planted as a control method for numerous lepidopteran pests. However, insect resistance to Bt proteins poses a threat to its sustainability. Recent field reports from Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil have documented unexpected injury to Bt soybean caused by R. nu populations, which may indicate the development of resistance to Cry1Ac in this species. This study aimed to evaluate the biological performance, reproductive parameters, and reproductive compatibility of two R. nu strains, one susceptible (SS) and the other exhibiting reduced susceptibility to Bt toxin (RR), when reared on Bt and non-Bt soybean. Reproductive compatibility between strains was investigated through parental and hybrid crosses, evaluating fecundity, fertility, and mating success. SS larvae fed with Bt soybean failed to complete their life cycle, whereas RR larvae exhibited higher survival rates. Egg and larval stages of RR larvae were longer when reared on Bt soybean. Pupal mass was lower for Bt-fed resistant strain, although this did not reflect on fecundity and longevity. Results on parental crosses revealed that Bt-fed RR strain displayed reduced mating success, fecundity, and fertility, compared to the non-Bt treatment. Hybrid crosses showed evidence for prezygotic and postzygotic incompatibility. These results suggest a shift in susceptibility of R. nu to Cry1Ac protein and highlight the importance of implementing robust insect resistance management strategies to maintain the effectiveness of Bt crops.

La costa del Pacífico de los Andes meridionales tiene una larga historia ocupacional que muestra una diversificación regional hacia el Holoceno medio y tardío. La costa del centro norte de Chile tuvo una importante ocupación cazadora-recolectora entre 6000 y 2000 cal aP, que difiere de las observadas en áreas vecinas por sus características ambientales e históricas. Los estudios de contextos funerarios revelan que estos grupos experimentaron una expansión demográfica y vivieron conflictos sociales durante este período. Sin embargo, el énfasis en la importancia de los contextos funerarios entre 6000 y 2000 cal aP ha limitado nuestro conocimiento de las estrategias medioambientales de estos grupos y el uso de los recursos costeros. Esta investigación examina evidencias recuperadas de contextos residenciales y funerarios del sitio Punta Teatinos (Bahía de Coquimbo, costa centro norte de Chile, 29°S) para evaluar las estrategias de uso ambiental aplicadas. El estudio de estas evidencias —incluyendo estratigrafía, fechados radiocarbónicos, material lítico, malacológico y zooarqueológico; microfósiles, cálculos dentales, isótopos estables y arte rupestre— indican una explotación de recursos costeros, a los que se sumaron otros de origen terrestre. Aunque no se identificaron cambios temporales en la explotación de los recursos costeros, las pruebas también indican cambios en la constitución de los paisajes históricos y de las redes sociales extrarregionales.

We study higher analogues of the classical independence number on $\omega $ . For $\kappa $ regular uncountable, we denote by $i(\kappa )$ the minimal size of a maximal $\kappa $ -independent family. We establish ZFC relations between $i(\kappa )$ and the standard higher analogues of some of the classical cardinal characteristics, e.g., $\mathfrak {r}(\kappa )\leq \mathfrak {i}(\kappa )$ and $\mathfrak {d}(\kappa )\leq \mathfrak {i}(\kappa )$ . For $\kappa $ measurable, assuming that $2^{\kappa }=\kappa ^{+}$ we construct a maximal $\kappa $ -independent family which remains maximal after the $\kappa $ -support product of $\lambda $ many copies of $\kappa $ -Sacks forcing. Thus, we show the consistency of $\kappa ^{+}=\mathfrak {d}(\kappa )=\mathfrak {i}(\kappa )<2^{\kappa }$ . We conclude the paper with interesting open questions and discuss difficulties regarding other natural approaches to higher independence.

Data from surveys are used to help quantitatively diagnose the relative importance of chemical and nonchemical management practices, identify weed problems, and provide potential solutions. However, to our knowledge, such surveys have not been conducted in Argentina. In 2016, advisors and crop producers from cropping areas across Argentina were surveyed through email with the objectives to identify the main weed species problems and assess the use of chemical and nonchemical weed management practices in different crop production areas in Argentina. Fleabane, pigweed, johnsongrass, fingergrass, goosegrass, barnyardgrass, and ryegrass were considered the most important weeds. More than 53% of the producers used only chemical options; 86% used chemical fallow (i.e., keeping weed free with chemical application); 62% used full herbicide rates; 46% used proper herbicide timing; 41% used multiple modes of action; and 32% used rotation of herbicide modes of action. The main nonchemical practices used were crop rotation (45%); avoiding seed production during (31%) and after (25%) the crop cycle; narrow row spacing (19%); and cultivars with greater competitive ability (18%). Less than 15% of the people surveyed used increased crop densities or altered date of sowing. There is a high dependence on chemical control in the main crops grown in Argentina. Extension efforts are needed to emphasize the importance of integrated weed management.

To study the frequency of laboratory test abnormalities, and electrophysiological correlations, we performed a retrospective chart review of 226 patients with polyneuropathy. The frequency of laboratory test abnormalities, and correlations with electrophysiological findings were explored. Abnormal glucose handling tests were the most common findings (54%), followed by paraproteinemia (21%) and anemia (21%). The frequencies of paraproteinemia and anemia in our cohort were significantly higher than previously reported. In addition, several laboratory abnormalities correlated with electrophysiological findings of median neuropathy at the wrist, expanding current knowledge about the deleterious effects of various metabolic and hematologic derangements at this site.

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common single-gene disorder. A multidisciplinary approach to the management of NF1 patients is necessitated by the heterogeneity of clinical manifestations. Although multidisciplinary paediatric clinics have been well established, there is a dearth of such resources for adults with NF1. Herein we report our one-year institutional experience with a multidisciplinary adult NF1 clinic. Methods: A multidisciplinary team was assembled, and an NF Patient Registry Initiative questionnaire was adapted to collect patient-reported data during clinics. Multiple databases were searched to identify publications pertaining to the experience of other multidisciplinary NF1 clinics focusing on adult patients. Data on patient epidemiology and clinical staff were compared to our data. Results: A total of 77 patients were scheduled, and 68 attended the clinic, of whom 66 completed the intake questionnaire. The demographic and clinical data from this Canadian population are mostly consistent with previous reports, with some exceptions. Clinical data related to immune system involvement such as asthma, airway/breathing-related difficulties or allergies were striking in our NF1 population. Six relevant published reports of other NF1 clinics were identified. Reports from these studies pertained to periods ranging from 10 to 38 months, and the number of adults assessed ranged from 19 to 177 patients. Conclusions: The structure of our clinic and the patient volume are comparable to those of other established centres found in the literature. Our data offer valuable cross-sectional prevalence statistics in the Canadian population. The patient-reported data concerning involvement of the immune system contribute to an emerging recognized medical concern within the NF1 population and warrant further clinical and basic investigation.