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Guinea-worm disease (GWD) is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the parasitic worm Dracunculus medinensis. In 1988, the Carter Center launched the campaign to eradicate the disease. The global campaign has been very successful, bringing the world-wide number of GWD cases down from 3.5 million in 1986 to low double digits in 2015 and thereafter. However, GWD now shows a peculiar pattern and is resurfacing again: not in humans, but mostly in dogs and other animals. Moreover, despite the fact that mathematical modeling is a standard and indispensable tool for NTDs elimination efforts, there are fewer than ten models of GWD. In this paper, we review most of those models and illustrate their basic assumptions and modeling techniques. We demonstrate that as the understanding of the Guinea worm biology evolved, so did the mathematical models. We also point out to what is still missing in all of these GWD models and discuss potential future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mezcals are distilled Mexican alcoholic beverages consumed by many people across the globe. One of the most popular mezcals is tequila, but there are other forms of mezcal whose production has been part of Mexican culture since the 17th century. It was not until the 1940–50s when the mezcal worm, also known as the ‘‘tequila worm’’, was placed inside bottles of non-tequila mezcal before distribution. These bottled larvae increased public attention for mezcal, especially in Asia, Europe, and the United States. Despite these larvae gaining global interest, their identity has largely remained uncertain other than that they are larvae of one of three distantly related holometabolous insects. We sequenced the COI gene from larvae in different kinds of commercially available mezcals. All larval DNA that amplified was identified as the agave redworm moth, Comadia redtenbacheri. Those that did not amplify were also confirmed morphologically to be the larva of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a model organism widely used in basic, translational, and industrial research. C. elegans development is characterized by five morphologically distinct stages, including four larval stages and the adult stage. Stages differ in a variety of aspects including size, gene expression, physiology, and behavior. Enrichment for a particular developmental stage is often the first step in experimental design. When many hundreds of worms are required, the standard methods of enrichment are to grow a synchronized population of hatchlings for a fixed time, or to sort a mixed population of worms according to size. Current size-sorting methods have higher throughput than synchronization and avoid its use of harsh chemicals. However, these size-sorting methods currently require expensive instrumentation or custom microfluidic devices, both of which are unavailable to the majority C. elegans laboratories. Accordingly, there is a need for inexpensive, accessible sorting strategies. We investigated the use of low-cost, commercially available cell strainers to filter C. elegans by size. We found that the probability of recovery after filtration as a function of body size for cell strainers of three different mesh sizes is well described by logistic functions. Application of these functions to predict filtration outcomes revealed non-ideal properties of filtration of worms by cell strainers that nevertheless enhanced filtration outcomes. Further, we found that serial filtration using a pair of strainers that have different mesh sizes can be used to enrich for particular larval stages with a purity close to that of synchronization, the most widely used enrichment method. Throughput of the cell strainer method, up to 14,000 worms per minute, greatly exceeds that of other enrichment methods. We conclude that size sorting by cell strainers is a useful addition to the array of existing methods for enrichment of particular developmental stages in C. elegans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reefal limestones of the Štramberk Carbonate Platform are preserved as olistoliths and pebbles in deep-water flysch of the Outer Carpathians (Czech Republic, Poland). They contain the richest coral assemblages of the Jurassic/Cretaceous transition (Tithonian–Berriasian). Symbiotic associations between corals and tube-dwelling macroorganisms were recognized only in the branching scleractinian corals Calamophylliopsis flabellum and Calamophylliopsis sp. One to seven calcareous tubes were recognized either in coral calyces, embedded in the wall, or attached to it. Two types of tubes were recognized: Type 1: tubes with a diameter of 0.3–0.6 mm and a very thin wall (ca. 0.05 mm), mostly occurring inside corallites, and nearly exclusively in the Štramberk-type limestone of Poland; Type 2: tubes with an outer diameter of 0.8–2.0 mm and a thick wall (ca. 0.1 mm, some even up to 0.2 mm), mostly found in the Štramberk Limestone of the Czech Republic. Growth lamellae were observed in some thick walls. Most tubes are almost straight, some are curved. The tubes were probably produced by serpulids or by embedment of organic-walled sabellid polychaete worms. It is likely the oldest record of a sabellid–coral association. Modification of the coral skeleton in contact with tubes indicates that the worms were associated with live corals. For many modern and fossil worm–coral associations, this symbiotic association is interpreted as mutualistic or commensal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The materials exhibiting the negative differential resistance (NDR) and write once read many (WORM), simultaneously are potential candidates for electronic devices such as oscillators and permanent storage devices. Here in, we investigated the impact of crystallinity on coexistence of NDR and WORM resistive switching on Cu(top contact)/BiFeO3 (amorphous/crystalline) (BFO as active material)/FTO (bottom electrode) memory device. The multiferroic BiFeO3 (BFO) active material is synthesized using a low-cost solution process on FTO substrates and thermal evaporation was used for deposing metal copper as the top contacts. The present device Cu/am-BFO/FTO showed the coexistence of WORM with high Ion/Ioff ratio of ~ 103 and NDR with peak (Vp) and valley (Vv) voltages ~ − 0.26 V and − 1.23 V, respectively. The power consumption is significantly low, ~ 66.94 µW in NDR region for am-BFO. The device with active crystalline material, i.e., Cu/c-BFO/FTO exhibits peak (Vp) and valley (Vv) voltages ~ − 1.22 V and − 1.40 V, respectively, and the power consumption is ~ 1.08 mW for devices based on crystalline BFO as an active material. The retention and endurance values are ~ 103 s and 103 cycles. The repeatability of the bipolar resistive switching of c-BFO is measured for 100 cycles, and relative cumulative Weibull distribution plots show the filament's stability for both set and reset states. Thus, these results demonstrate the interplay between different switching characteristics in BFO, which can be tailored by manipulating the crystallinity of the active material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new hydrazide-hydrazone has been designed and synthesized by combining p-aminoacetophenone with cyanoacetohydrazide followed by acetylation. Afterwards, it was utilized as scaffold to synthesize different arylidenes, heteroarylidenes and heterocycles. The structures of these compounds were proved clearly based on their spectral and analytical data. The insecticidal activity for the newly synthesized compounds was tested against cotton leaf worm (Spodoptera littoralis). The obtained data indicated that, 2,4-dichlorobenzylidenecyanoacetohydrazide derivative 14c is the most potent one after methoxyfenozide (LC50 = 51.75 μg/ml) where its LC50 was (79.73 μg/ml). Interestingly, we recommended to use arylidene derivative 14c in the field of pest control after its formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deuterostomes are the major division of animal life which includes sea stars, acorn worms, and humans, among a wide variety of ecologically and morphologically disparate taxa. However, their early evolution is poorly understood, due in part to their disparity, which makes identifying commonalities difficult, as well as their relatively poor early fossil record. Here, we review the available morphological, palaeontological, developmental, and molecular data to establish a framework for exploring the origins of this important and enigmatic group. Recent fossil discoveries strongly support a vermiform ancestor to the group Hemichordata, and a fusiform active swimmer as ancestor to Chordata. The diverse and anatomically bewildering variety of forms among the early echinoderms show evidence of both bilateral and radial symmetry. We consider four characteristics most critical for understanding the form and function of the last common ancestor to Deuterostomia: Hox gene expression patterns, larval morphology, the capacity for biomineralization, and the morphology of the pharyngeal region. We posit a deuterostome last common ancestor with a similar antero‐posterior gene regulatory system to that found in modern acorn worms and cephalochordates, a simple planktonic larval form, which was later elaborated in the ambulacrarian lineage, the ability to secrete calcium minerals in a limited fashion, and a pharyngeal respiratory region composed of simple pores. This animal was likely to be motile in adult form, as opposed to the sessile origins that have been historically suggested. Recent debates regarding deuterostome monophyly as well as the wide array of deuterostome‐affiliated problematica further suggest the possibility that those features were not only present in the last common ancestor of Deuterostomia, but potentially in the ur‐bilaterian. The morphology and development of the early deuterostomes, therefore, underpin some of the most significant questions in the study of metazoan evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the serendipitous find of a gastropod encrusted by the symbiont-bearing colonial coral Oculina patagonica, we examined several specimens of cnidarian-encrusted gastropods, ranging in age from the Pliocene to the Recent, and characterized in detail their sclerobiont cover. The results of our analysis suggest that gastropod shells can be encrusted by symbiont-bearing colonial corals at various times: (1) when the gastropod is alive; (2) when the shell is being used by a secondary inhabitant (e.g., hermit crabs or sipunculid worms); (3) when the shell is discarded but yet to be buried. The relationship between the symbiont-bearing coral and the inhabitant(s) of the encrusted shell is an example of facultative mutualism, i.e., it is non-obligate yet beneficial for both ends as the former obtains the capability to move, and the latter improves the resistance and resilience of its armor, thus obtaining extra protection from predators. Being able to move could prove particularly useful for a symbiont-bearing coral because, in addition to removing the risk of being smothered by sediment, it would also favor the photosynthetic activity of its algal endosymbionts by allowing the coral to be always clean of sedimentary particles. Although the resulting epibiotic association would be limited in size by the ability of either the gastropod or the secondary inhabitant of the shell to move at the seafloor, these small and easy-to-miss benthic islands might become the seeds that allow sessile carbonate producers such as hermatypic colonial corals to colonize unconsolidated substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rolling Stock (1002-7602) is the property of Rolling Stock Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A 9-year-old girl presented to urgent care with acute painful irritation in her genital and anal area. She had been asleep for approximately two hours before awakening due to this sudden discomfort. Her parents reported that she had been scratching her vaginal area and walking with an altered gait over the previous three days. The patient reported that her vagina and anus had been painful and itchy at night during this time. Her medical history was only remarkable for intermittent constipation, and she did not have recent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. She had passed a formed bowel movement earlier that day. The patient was fully immunized and had no recent travel history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This publication reviews the most common parasites in horses and provides horse owners with recommendations for parasite prevention. Written by Jennifer Bearden, Brittany Justesen, and Sally DeNotta, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine—Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, February 2023.

Helminth transmission and morbidity are dependent on the number of mature parasites within a host; however, observing adult worms is impossible for many natural infections. An outstanding challenge is therefore relating routine diagnostics, such as faecal egg counts, to the underlying worm burden. This relationship is complicated by density-dependent fecundity (egg output per worm reduces due to crowding at high burdens) and the skewed distribution of parasites (majority of helminths aggregated in a small fraction of hosts). We address these questions for the carcinogenic liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini, which infects approximately 10 million people across Southeast Asia, by analysing five epidemiological surveys (n = 641) where adult flukes were recovered. Using a mechanistic model, we show that parasite fecundity varies between populations, with surveys from Thailand and Laos demonstrating distinct patterns of egg output and density-dependence. As the probability of observing faecal eggs increases with the number of mature parasites within a host, we quantify diagnostic sensitivity as a function of the worm burden and find that greater than 50% of cases are misdiagnosed as false negative in communities close to elimination. Finally, we demonstrate that the relationship between observed prevalence from routine diagnostics and true prevalence is nonlinear and strongly influenced by parasite aggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) have become one of the most demanding factors. The major problem in network-related QoS is obtaining a route that fulfils numerous constraints such as latency, throughput maximization, packet delivery ratio (PDR), network lifetime, connection quality, and minimum energy consumption. However, the route selection and QoS requirements need to be addressed in the WSN. To incorporate these issues, we proposed a Three Way Point Rule based Fusion of Earth worm and Deer Hunt optimization Routing (TREDHO) to provide quality communication in WSN. The model consists of setup stage and the communication stage. The setup stage contains network structure and node movement; the network structure is divided into small triangles. In the node movement phase, the route connection is based on movement and random factors. The communication phase consists of route discovery, the fusion of Earth worm and Deer Hunt optimization (EW-DHO) are used for optimal route selection by considering three way point rules. The packet is transmitted from the source node to the target depending on the estimated path. The effectiveness of TREDHO is estimated by comparing its performance with the state-of-the art method in terms of throughput, PDR, delay, energy consumption, and network lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With five currently recognized species that form several secondary contact zones, slow worms (Anguidae: Anguis) offer a valuable model to study the fate of evolutionary lineages in the face of hybridization and genetic introgression. The relationships between the Western Slow Worm Anguis fragilis and the Italian Slow Worm Anguis veronensis are particularly puzzling. Their respective distributions remain poorly known on the edges of their parapatric ranges, as both species lack external differentiation. Contra earlier mitochondrial phylogenies, new phylogenomic inferences have shown that A. fragilis and A. veronensis are sister taxa, thus casting doubts on their specific status. In this study, we analyze the A. fragilis / veronensis transition in southeastern France, based on one mitochondrial (ND2) and two nuclear (PRLR and HA1) genetic markers in 81 specimens from 61 localities. The ranges of A. fragilis and A. veronensis roughly extends northwest and southeast of the Rhône-Durance valleys, respectively, with clear signs of introgressive hybridization in the areas of contact (notably the eastern parts of the lower Rhône valley). Based on the three molecular markers analyzed, gene flow does not seem to reach outside the narrow hybrid zone, which likely indicates (incomplete) intrinsic reproductive isolation. Hence, we provisionally suggest maintaining A. veronensis as a separate species from A. fragilis. More generally, patterns of genetic divergence, external differentiation, and hybridization (both historical and contemporary) in Anguis ssp. supports a speciation continuum spanning from cryptic, genetically compatible alloparapatric lineages to phenotypically distinct, deeply diverged and fully reproductively isolated taxa able to coexist in sympatry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro potential of aromatic plants Aloysia triphylla (cidró ou erva-luísa), Corymbia citriodora (eucalipto-limão), Lippia alba (falsa-melissa) e Piper gaudichaudianum (pariparoba), in helminths eggs and larvae, determine their main constituents. For this, the essential oils (OEs) of the plants were extracted from leafs, in the clevenger apparatus and to determine the main constituents was carried out the gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The Egg eclodibility assay (EEA) and Larval development test (DLT) were performed using essential oils at concentrations ranged from 75 at 0.2%. mg.mL, and all tests followed by commercial anthelmintic positive control and negative control distilled water. For EEA, A. triphylla e L. alba OEs demonstred equivalente efficacy to the commercial drug at all concentrations that was tested, while P. gaudichaudianum OE demonstred equivalente efficacy at 15 mg/mL and the C. citriodora OE at 10 mg/mL. About DLT, all concentratios of the studied essential oils were effective as the comercial drug results in this test. The dominant constituent in OEs were: geraniale (A. triphylla), citronellal (L. alba), linalool (L. alba) and a-humuleno (P. gaudichaudianum). Based on the results presented here, the OEs present potential for use as natural anthelmintics for the treatment of endoparasitosis in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asher Anschel Worms (1695–1769) of Frankfurt am Main was a towering Jewish intellectual, but has been almost totally neglected by historians. By profession he was a physician who cared for the sick of the community, but his interests and competence were universal. He wrote a Hebrew "encyclopedia" covering all domains of modern knowledge, with the aim of introducing his fellow Jews to contemporary science: this is what makes him into an early maskil. Worms wrote eighteen volumes of this planned encyclopedia: on mathematics, the Masorah, grammar, practical philosophy, natural science, and more. Alas, only two of them were published and have survived: Miftaḥ ʾalgebrah ḥadašah (Key to the New Algebra; 1722) and Seyag la-Torah (A Fence for the Torah; 1766); all the others (listed here) are lost.This article explores Worms's biography and asks what made him the comprehensive intellectual that he was. The answer is that his post-yeshiva studies in the Frankfurt kloyz put him on the track to study Latin, opening his route to "general culture." The kloyz was then led by two eminent scholars (Samuel Schotten Katz, 1644–1719; Moses Kann, d. 1761), who were related to the circles of the court Jews, abreast of "gentile" culture, and personally connected to German intellectuals. Worms acknowledged that they (particularly Kann) directed him to study Latin and medicine, leading him to take courses at three German universities (Marburg, Heidelberg, and Halle) and ultimately submitting his doctoral dissertation in medicine to the University of Giessen in 1740.Worms's intellectual trajectory is typical for young Jews of that age who wished to broaden their horizons by studying medicine: above all by learning Latin, the gate to modern knowledge. Jewish medical practitioners, who in principle were restricted to Jewish patients (Juden-Arzt), were sternly criticized for their ignorance of Latin and consequent lack of university education. The study of Latin was the sine qua non for the emergence of maskilim. In addition, the philo-Jewish atmosphere at several universities, part of the prevailing Pietism, eased the admission of Jewish students and in particular facilitated their graduation with a degree comparable to "Dr. med."Dr. Asher Anschel Worms was an outstanding intellectual, but the circumstances of his life were such that he regrettably left only a slight mark on the incipient Haskalah. Nonetheless, his life trajectory reveals most of the components that, taken in combination, went into the making of an early maskil : the beginning of acculturation in the majority culture, notably by learning Latin and studying (mostly medicine) at a university, often in one with a Pietist ambiance; a favorable Jewish subculture, often connected to the milieu of the court Jews; and an economic independence that made it possible to publish the fruits of his intellectual labors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal dewormers always remained a constant and consistent source of curing various health constraints including parasitic infestations. In this study, anthelmintic efficacy of aqueous methanolic and ethyl acetate extract of Haloxylon (H.) salicornicum was investigated against Heamonchus contortus. Four serial dilutions (25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.125mg/mL) were tested to evaluate the highest effective dose of both extracts. Levamisol (0.55mg/mL) in case of adult motility assay and oxfendazole (25, 12.5 and 6.25µg/mL) in egg hatch assay were used as standard drugs. After administration of extracts, a highest mean paralysis (10.00±0.00) of all adult worms of H. contortus was exhibited only in 8 and 10 hours post exposure respectively, at highest tested dose of 25mg/ml. Ethyl acetate and aqueous-methanol extracts were found to inhibit egg hatching up to 91 and 63% respectively, at dose of 25mg/mL. Hence, the results of current study exhibited a strong anthelmintic potential of H. salicornicum leaves against haemonchosis. Further in vivo studies would be needed to determine the optimal non-lethal dose to maximize the anthelmintic potential of H. salicornicum against this parasite in livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onychophorans are worms of Cambrian origin that have unclear relationships with annelids, tardigrades and arthropods; they have their own phylum and are remarkable for capturing their prey with an adhesive net that forms in a fraction of a second, and for having species in which the young are fed through a placenta. There is no quantitative review of any trends in their study, so the purpose of this article is to review 150 years of onychophorology using bibliometric tools. We used the database Scopus, for the period 1876 through 2021, identified 538 valid articles about these worms, and analyzed them with the software VOSviewer, to identify countries, subjects and historical trends, as well as which fields need strengthening to understand and protect them. We found that, when corrected for country population size, the most productive countries are Sweden, Australia and Costa Rica; but by raw numbers, USA, Germany, and the UK have the most articles and citations in Scopus. Most work has been done on their Cambrian origin and phylogenetic relationships with other invertebrates; their geographic distribution; and their embryological development. Conservation, ecology and behavior have been neglected and offer the best chance for innovation. Some low-income countries are rich in onychophoran species and have the greatest urgency of conserving them, but lack the resources for this, opening opportunities for international collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planipapillus Reid, 1996 (Onychophora: Peripatopsidae) is a genus of peripatus or velvet worms from south-eastern Australia, consisting of 12 nominal species, unique in having a patch of reduced papillae on the heads of males. Specimens from Mt Useful, Victoria, that lack this trait were identified as a species of Planipapillus on the basis of morphological and molecular analyses in 1999 and 2001, respectively. That species is herein described as P. absonus sp. nov., and an emended diagnosis for the genus is provided to accommodate this unusual addition. The relationship between modified head papillae and mating is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nematode worm C. elegans is widely used in basic and translational research. The creation of transgenic strains by injecting DNA constructs into the worm's gonad is an essential step in many C. elegans research projects. This paper describes the fabrication and use of a minimalist microfluidic chip for performing microinjections. The worm is immobilized in a tight-fitting microchannel, one sidewall of which is a thin elastomeric membrane through which the injection pipet penetrates to reach the worm. The pipet is neither broken nor clogged by passing through the membrane, and the membrane reseals when the pipet is withdrawn. Rates of survival and transgenesis are similar to those in the conventional method. Novice users found injections using the device easier to learn than the conventional method. The principle of direct penetration of elastomeric membranes is adaptable to microinjections in a wide range of organisms including cells, embryos, and other small animal models. It could, therefore, lead to a new generation of microinjection systems for basic, translational, and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ecosistemas y Recursos Agropecuarios is the property of Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, the Taguchi and symmetric quasi-D optimal methods were applied to comprehensively evaluate the influence of a wide range of factors affecting worm drive efficiency: oil kinematic viscosity v, friction coefficient f, rotational speed n, speed ratio u, output torque T2, module m, and diameter factor q, thereby choosing an appropriate method when studying the efficiency of mechanical drives and also choosing an optimal parameter domain to ensure maximum efficiency when designing, manufacturing, and operating the worm drive. Quadratic regression equations were obtained for the most influential factors, and the results showed a high goodness-of-fit and accuracy. Experimental models were developed to evaluate and compare the effects of the factors on efficiency. Overall, the regression equations can be used to predict the efficiency of worm drives and to select the parameters that improve the efficiency of worm drives or help develop new worm drive products. The worm testing system can be used to test the efficiency of worm drives or develop new worm drive products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anales de Derecho is the property of Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Murcia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal (RBSPA) is the property of Revista Brasileira de Saude e Producao Animal (RBSPA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study was to determine the degree of acceptability of wheat pancakes with the addition of 10%, 20%, and 30% meal from three edible insect species (Alphitobius diaperinus, Tenebrio molitor, Acheta domesticus, respectively). Both consumer attitudes and the acceptability of the test samples were analysed. The study results show that the amount of additive had a statistically significant effect on all of the organoleptic evaluation's distinguishing features, while the type of additive did not have such a significant effect on the level of consumer acceptability. Both the type and amount of the additive only had a statistically significant effect on the structure of the pancakes. Of all the variants, the sample with the addition of 30% crickets (Pref-2.51) was given the lowest score. An increase in the insect meal content of the products resulted in decreased scores for all the parameters under assessment. The key element that influenced the overall preference was the flavour. Even though the respondents declared positive attitudes towards the idea of consuming pancakes with the addition of insects and entomophagy in general, they were still reluctant to include insects in their diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) between the contacting tooth flanks of a worm gear with nonconjugate meshing action. The contact is characterized by a slender-like elliptical shape and high sliding. The geometry and contact conditions for the considered worm gear were obtained using tooth contact analysis. Based on that, the complete area of the worm gear contact was analyzed using a validated numerical EHL model considering non-Newtonian, thermal, and transient effects. The geometrical and kinematic design factors that influence EHL film formation in worm gears were identified and discussed. The results show the specific characteristics of worm gear EHL contacts, such as the very slender contact in the tooth root flank area, which diminishes the effect of the entrainment speed on film thickness. EHL film formation could be supported by increasing conformity between the flanks to make the contact less slender. By comparing the film thickness results against analytically obtained ones, relatively large differences were observed except for one formula for minimum film thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most difficult production geometry tasks arising in the machining process of the elements of a drive pair is to avoid undercuts. It is a serious technological challenge to determine the production of the elements of worm gear drives avoiding the phenomenon undercut, especially in the case of a pair consisting of a curved profile worm and its mating wheel. The technology of forming the tooth surface requires a separate examination in each case, running the simulation procedure of the tool geometry and the movement conditions when forming different teeth. This article proposes a new concept for determining and then avoiding the positions of undercutting by examining the patented worm with a circular arc profile in axial section, due to its extremely advantageous aspect in terms of production technology. The cutting edge of the hob, formed from the substitutional worm, moves on the tooth surface of the worm, and produces the tooth surface of the conjugate wheel. The gear tooth surface has been determined based on the main law of gearing with the lines consisting of the contact points of the conjugated surfaces. The conditions for the disappearance of the common normal or the relative velocity fitting to the common tangent plane of the contacting points are defined in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores social transformations regarding death, mourning, and burial practices during the nineteenth century, in relation to examples from Edgar Allan Poe's major writings. The Industrial Revolution's urban expansion led to overcrowded, disease-ridden cemeteries, prompting the emergence of the Rural Cemetery Movement in America and Europe. New cemeteries, conceived as restful spaces for both the living and the dead, provided a contrast to chaotic urban landscapes. Concurrently, formal mourning rules, influenced by middle-class culture, turned remembrance into social display. Re-reading Poe in this context challenges traditional assumptions of his morbidity, emphasizing his representation of the liminal space between life and death. Poe's narratives and poems persistently blur boundaries, undermining conventional perceptions of mortality and suggesting a continuity of consciousness after death. The article highlights Poe's exposure of social hypocrisy in mourning rituals, and his sense of the dual nature of death as both a release from suffering and a potential source of dread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Organisms in the wild can acquire disease- and stress-resistance traits that outstrip the programs endogenous to humans. Finding the molecular basis of such natural resistance characters is a key goal of evolutionary genetics. Standard statistical-genetic methods toward this end can perform poorly in organismal systems that lack high rates of meiotic recombination, like Caenorhabditis worms. Results: Here we discovered unique ER stress resistance in a wild Kenyan C. elegans isolate, which in inter-strain crosses was passed by hermaphrodite mothers to hybrid offspring. We developed an unbiased version of the reciprocal hemizygosity test, RH-seq, to explore the genetics of this parent-of-origin-dependent phenotype. Among top-scoring gene candidates from a partial-coverage RH-seq screen, we focused on the neuronally-expressed, cuticlin-like gene cutl-24 for validation. In gene-disruption and controlled crossing experiments, we found that cutl-24 was required in Kenyan hermaphrodite mothers for ER stress tolerance in their inter-strain hybrid offspring; cutl-24 was also a contributor to the trait in purebred backgrounds. Conclusions: These data establish the Kenyan strain allele of cutl-24 as a determinant of a natural stress-resistant state, and they set a precedent for the dissection of natural trait diversity in invertebrate animals without the need for a panel of meiotic recombinants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to complex geometry and movement involved in continuous generating gear grinding, the grinding worm wear characterization is different from that in regular grinding processes. Grinding worm wear evaluation with accumulated removed material volume was investigated through wear status evolution experiments. By changing grinding parameters in orthogonal experiments, grinding worm surfaces with various wear status and their resulting gear surface roughness were obtained. The results show that the fractal dimension could be used to roughly quantify grinding worm wear status. A nearly linear relationship was found between the fractal dimension and the removed material volume. Grinding speed, normal stock, feed rate, and shifting value were proven to have great influence on grinding worm wear. A significant negative correlation was found between the fractal dimension and surface roughness. However, due to shifting movement, both coarse grinding parameters and finished grinding parameters can affect gear surface. Smaller fractal dimensions were found to result in smoother gear surfaces and vice versa. Based on the result, grinding parameters in continuous generating grinding were recommended. Grinding speed should be as high as possible considering the machine tool capability. Normal stock of 0.02–0.09 mm, feed rate of 50–100 mm/min, and shifting value of 7 mm should be adopted in finished grinding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider an evolution algebra identifying the coefficients of SIS–SIR worm propagation models as the structure constants of the algebra. The basic properties of this algebra are studied. We prove that it is a commutative (and hence flexible), not associative and baric algebra. We describe the full set of idempotent elements and the full set of absolute nilpotent elements. We find all the fixed points of the dynamical systems. We also study several properties of the algebra connecting them to dynamical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumption of edible insects is a potential solution to the growing need for protein. However, the wild harvested edible insects' value chain faces several challenges including limited knowledge on indigenous practices in the harvesting and processing and lack of information on roles of the different actors in the chain. A case study of Gonimbrasia belina, colloquially referred to as the 'mopane worm', was conducted to understand and identify determinants of participation in the value chain of the edible caterpillar. A cross sectional study was conducted in Gwanda (a rural district in Zimbabwe) to (a) understand the indigenous knowledge on harvesting and processing methods, (b) explore value addition and the traditional beliefs surrounding the utilisation of the mopane worm. Results showed that consumers (81.7%), and harvesters (76.6%) were the main actors in the mopane worm value chain. Using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model, the following were shown to be determinants of participation in the mopane worm value chain: (a) gender (b) household size (c) marital status (d) religion and (e) household assets. Two primary processing methods of harvested mopane worm were distinguished i.e., boiling and roasting on ambers. Results showed lack of diversity in mopane worm-based products. Current culturally acceptable processing techniques need improvement and standardization to support sustainable mopane worm processing while optimising nutrient bio-accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Proteomic profiles of single-sex infected male Schistosoma japonicum were presented. • Proteomic profiles of bisexual infected mature male S. japonicum were presented. • Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) identified were involved in development. • DEP knockdown led to morphological changes in males. • DEP knockdown reduced egg production of females. Schistosomiasis, which is caused by parasitic schistosomes, remains the second most prevalent parasitic disease of mammals worldwide. To successfully maintain fecundity, schistosomes have evolved a lifecycle that involves the cooperation of morphologically distinct male and female forms. Eggs produced by worm pairs are vital to the lifecycle of the parasite and are responsible for pathogenesis. Understanding the reproductive mechanism of schistosomes will help to control infection. In this study, the proteomic profiles of single-sex infected male (SM) worms and bisexual infected mated male (MM) worms of Schistosoma japonicum at 18, 21, 23, and 25 days p.i. were identified through data-independent acquisition. In total, 674 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified for the SM and MM worms at all four timepoints. Bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that most of the DEPs were involved in biosynthetic processes including locomotion, cell growth and death, cell motility, and metabolic processes such as protein metabolism and glucose metabolism. Schistosoma japonicum glycosyltransferase (Sj GT) and S. japonicum nicastrin protein (Sj NCSTN) were selected for quantitative real‑time PCR analysis and long-term interference with small interfering RNA (siRNA) to further explore the functions of the DEPs. Sjgt mRNA expression was mainly enriched in male worms, while Sjncstn was enriched in both sexes. siRNA against Sj GT and Sj NCSTN resulted in minor morphological changes in the testes of male worms and significant decreased vitality and fertility. The present study provides comprehensive proteomic profiles of S. japonicum SM and MM worms at 18, 21, 23, and 25 days p.i. and offers insights into the mechanisms underlying the growth and maturation of schistosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two female Philodromus specimens were found with genital structures similar to those described for Philodromus depriesteri Braun, 1965, currently considered a nomen dubium. Molecular analysis revealed that the two specimens belong to the species Philodromus collinus C. L. Koch, 1835. The opisthosomas of both spiders each contained a parasitoid, and one of the worms was identified as a member of the nematode family Mermithidae. It is very likely that the parasitoids interfered with the development of the female genital organs, resulting in the characteristic depriesteri vulva structure. Consequently, we propose Philodromus depriesteri Braun, 1965 = Philodromus collinus C. L. Koch, 1835 syn. nov., thus releasing P. depriesteri from being considered a nomen dubium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immature stages of Aedia kumamotonis (Matsumura, 1926)are described and illustrated, and notes on the morphological differences from the sweet potato leaf worm, A. leucomela(s Linnaeus, 1758) are given. The following two points are revealed in this paper. 1: The number of larval instars of A. kumamotonis is estimated as six. 2: A. kumamotonis and A. leucomelas are not morphologically distinguishable in the first to second instar larvae but are externally distinguishable in the third to sixth instar larvae mainly by their head capsule coloration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Energy maintenance in living organisms is crucial for survival. The ice-obligate worm, Mesenchytraeus solifugus, displays an unusual bioenergetic pattern, namely that intracellular ATP levels increase with declining temperature. In this study, we address the effects of stress on mitochondrial inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) and its relationship with ATP. Mitochondrial inorganic polyphosphate is a ubiquitous polymer whose role in the maintenance of prokaryotic and mammalian bioenergetics has been broadly demonstrated. We show here that polyP levels in ice worms increase with thermal stress, in contrast with those observed in other annelid worms. Thus, polyP may function as an energetic buffer in ice worms, effectively storing phosphate groups under stress and replenishing ATP under normal physiological conditions. The inorganic polymer, polyphosphate (polyP), is present in all organisms examined to date with putative functions ranging from the maintenance of bioenergetics to stress resilience and protein homeostasis. Bioenergetics in the glacier-obligate, segmented worm, Mesenchytraeus solifugus, is characterized by a paradoxical increase in intracellular ATP levels as temperatures decline. We show here that steady-state, mitochondrial polyP levels vary among species of Annelida, but were elevated only in M. solifugus in response to thermal stress. In contrast, polyP levels decreased with temperature in the mesophilic worm, Enchytraeus crypticus. These results identify fundamentally different bioenergetic strategies between closely related annelid worms, and suggest that I worm mitochondria maintain ATP and polyP in a dynamic equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transgenesis is an important and often irreplaceable method to study numerous processes of animal life. To create animal transgenic lines, it is necessary to have a suitable model organism that has necessary traits for efficient and affordable transgenesis. The concise review characterizes the existing model organisms of different taxa for which an efficient transgenesis protocol has been developed. Special attention is paid to flatworms and, in particular, Macrostomum lignano as a promising model organism for studying aging, regeneration, and carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet worms pose a serious threat to network security due to their automated scanning and propagation strategies. In this paper, we first propose a novel network worm attack model of SCEIRS based on worm behavior. A novel connected state is established to represent machines completely compromised by a connection scan but not infected. The connection rate and code delivery rate combined with this new state are introduced. Compared with the previous SEIRS model, the SCEIRS model can reflect the accurate transition behaviors of machines in the target acquisition (scanning a target machine and attempting to establish a connection before actual infection behaviors occur) and code delivery stages (attempting to infect a target machine through the delivery of worm code). Moreover, it provides us with a new perspective for analyzing the key parameters that affect worm propagation and the effect of countermeasures on worm containment. Then, we propose the M-SCEIRS model, which combines both the trap and feedback mechanisms of honeypots on the baseline of the proposed new state. In the M-SCEIRS model, the basic reproduction number, equilibria, and stability are also obtained. Numerical results suggest that countermeasures during the target acquisition and code delivery stages are crucial for mitigating worm propagation in the early stages. Furthermore, the two mechanisms of honeypots combined in the M-SCEIRS model are effective for worm control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A neural network is composed of a group of neurons that make a connectome, which is a map of neural connections that allows establishing the paths between the neurons. The neural network can generate the actions of living beings with the neuronal interaction through chemical-electrical signals. The behavior of machines is not dynamic compared to the behavior of animals; then, the machine's behavior must be modeled and made by an exterior design, while in living beings, the behavior is caused by experience. Caenorhabditis Elegans is a worm model to study the connections of its neurons. In order to study the dynamic behavior in software systems based on biologic models, we created an approach to train and classify binary patterns using the structure of the Caenorhabditis Elegans' connectome. We used the connectivity of neurons of Caenorhabditis Elegans to make a custom approach to train a Spiking Neural Network using a branching factor to classify patterns instead of layers of neurons. We made a software system to show the graph of neuronal connections of the Caenorhabditis Elegans. We also used Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity in order to establish the strength of the weights between the connections. In addition, we used a Hodgkin-Huxley model to calculate the neuron's potential membrane and handle the spikes of the network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ericulture, rearing of eri silk worm plays a significant role in rural livelihood security especially among marginalized and weaker sections. Castor (Ricinus communis L.) being the primary host plant of eri silk worm Samia cynthia ricini Boisduval, its rearing can be taken up, without losing the seed yield. To study the effect of defoliation on seed yield and additional income, eight castor genotypes viz., Haritha, Kranthi, Kiran, DPC-9, PCH-111, PCH-222, GCH-4 and DCH-177 were studied during 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 kharif and rabi seasons at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Palem. Significantly no deviation in seed yield was observed from non-defoliated samples, and 30% defoliated plants. The batches reared on the leaves of PCH-111 gave significantly maximum shell yield of 15.1 kg/ ha followed by GCH-4 (14.8 kg/ ha) and PCH-222 (14.6 kg/ ha). By utilizing the 30% defoliated leaf for rearing, significantly more gross returns and net profit were obtained with PCH-111 (Rs. 55,582 and 37,452), GCH-4 (Rs. 55,144 and 37,036) and PCH-222 (Rs. 54,820 and 36,635). On an average almost all the genotypes gave an additional income of Rs. 4000/ ha in addition to the regular seed yield with rearing of the silk worm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance to eprinomectin was suspected in a dairy sheep farm in southwestern France. The efficacy of topical and injection formulations of eprinomectin against gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) was compared using a faecal egg count reduction test. GIN species were identified by real‐time PCR, and eprinomectin concentrations were measured in serum by High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography 2 and 5 days after treatment. Efficacies were 99.6% and 86.1% for injection and topical formulations, respectively. Before treatment, the three species Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagiacircumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis were identified in both groups. After treatment, H. contortus and T. colubriformis were identified in the topical group only. Two days after treatment, eprinomectin concentrations were above 2 ng/ml in the injection group and under this value in the topical group, suggesting underexposure of GIN to eprinomectin in this latter group. High levels of exposure to eprinomectin are important to avoid loss of efficacy in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the issue of experimental assessment of the dynamics of worm gears. The design of the methodology and the material and technical assurance of experimental tests to determine the impact of the use of various structural modifications on the dynamics of the worm gear are described. In the pilot part of the experiment, a gearbox was tested with an original design solution of bearing the worm wheel shaft in special damping inserts. The goal is to find ways to reduce the dynamic load of the most stressed components of the worm gear and increase their service life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japaridze's provability logic |${\operatorname {GLP}}$| has one modality |$[n]$| for each natural number and has been used by Beklemishev for a proof theoretic analysis of Peano arithmetic (⁠|${\operatorname {PA}}$|⁠) and related theories. Among other benefits, this analysis yields the so-called Every Worm Dies (⁠|${\operatorname {EWD}}$|⁠) principle, a natural combinatorial statement independent of |${\operatorname {PA}}$|⁠. Recently, Beklemishev and Pakhomov have studied notions of provability corresponding to transfinite modalities in |${\operatorname {GLP}}$|⁠. We show that indeed the natural transfinite extension of |${\operatorname {GLP}}$| is sound for this interpretation and yields independent combinatorial principles for the second-order theory |${\operatorname {ACA}}$| of arithmetical comprehension with full induction. We also provide restricted versions of |${\operatorname {EWD}}$| related to the fragments |${\operatorname {I\varSigma }}_n$| of PA. In order to prove the latter, we show that standard Hardy functions majorize their variants based on tree ordinals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduction of insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signaling (IIS) promotes longevity across species. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, ablation of germline stem cells (GSCs) and activity changes of the conserved signaling mediators unc-43/CaMKII (calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase type II) and egl-8/PLCβ (phospholipase Cβ) also increase lifespan. Like IIS, these pathways depend on the conserved transcription factor daf-16/FOXO for lifespan extension, but how they functionally interact is unknown. Here, we show that altered unc-43/egl-8 activity further increases the lifespan of long-lived GSC-deficient worms, but not of worms that are long-lived due to a strong reduction-of-function mutation in the insulin/IGF1-like receptor daf-2. Additionally, we provide evidence for unc-43 and, to a lesser extent, egl-8 modulating the expression of certain collagen genes, which were reported to be dispensable for longevity of these particular daf-2 mutant worms, but not for other forms of longevity. Together, these results provide new insights into the conditions and potential mechanisms by which CaMKII- and PLCβ-signals modulate C. elegans lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overview of the diversity and significance of worms in the ocean. It emphasizes the various roles that worms, particularly annelid worms, play in the ocean food web as both predators and prey. The article also highlights how worms create habitats for other organisms by burrowing and building tubes in ocean sediments. It mentions that there are still many undiscovered species of worms, and scientists are actively studying their feeding habits, habitat preferences, and roles in ocean ecosystems. The article further discusses the strategies that worms employ to avoid predators, such as venomous spines, stinky or poisonous chemicals, and burrowing. It also touches upon the different reproductive methods of worms, including releasing eggs and sperm into the water or developing offspring within their bodies or burrows. The article emphasizes the importance of worms in ecosystems by recycling detritus and providing habitats for other animals. It mentions that scientists use innovative techniques like tracking worm movements with glowing particles and observing them in clear Jell-O to study them. The article concludes by highlighting the ongoing research and exploration of the diverse world of worms. [Extracted from the article]

Slime expelled by velvet worms entraps prey insects within seconds in a hardened biopolymer network that matches the mechanical strength of industrial polymers. While the mechanic stimuli-responsive nature and building blocks of the polymerization are known, it is still unclear how the velvet worms' slime hardens so fast. Here, we investigated the slime for the first time, not only after, but also before expulsion. Further, we investigated the slime's micro- and nanostructures in-depth. Besides the previously reported protein nanoglobules, carbohydrates, and lipids, we discovered abundant encapsulated phosphate and carbonate salts. We also detected CO2 bubbles during the hardening of the slime. These findings, along with further observations, suggest that the encapsulated salts in expelled slime rapidly dissolve and neutralize in a baking-powder-like reaction, which seems to accelerate the drying of the slime. The proteins' conformation and aggregation are thus influenced by shear stress and the salts' neutralization reaction, increasing the slime's pH and ionic strength. These insights into the drying process of the velvet worm's slime demonstrate how naturally evolved polymerizations can unwind in seconds, and could inspire new polymers that are stimuli-responsive or fast-drying under ambient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]