Selectivity of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana to adults of Telenomus podisi (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

The selectivity of entomopathogenic fungi to non-target organisms needs to be considered in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), because even though they are biological control agents, if used incorrectly, they can negatively alter the functioning of agroecosystems. Therefore, studies that assess the selectivity of these fungi to beneficial organisms are extremely important. The objective of this work was to evaluate the selectivity of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metarril®) and Beauveria bassiana (Boveril®) to adults of Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), under laboratory conditions. The products were evaluated on adult females of T. podisi, at the concentrations recommended by the manufacturer. To this, 0.2 mL of suspensions of each product and control (treatments) were applied to the inner surface of glass tubes, and then a female T. podisi was placed in it (≤ 48 h of emergence). After 24 h of contact, cards with 25 eggs of Euschistus heros Fabricius (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) were offered for 24 h (COF24). After this period, the COF24 were withdrawn. After 72 h of contact of the female with the tube surface, new E. heros egg cards were made available (COF72) for 24 h for T. podisi ovipositioning. The mortality of T. podisi females was evaluated daily to determine longevity, percentage of parasitism and emergence, sex ratio, and egg-adult period of the T. podisi offspring. Metarril® and Boveril®, considered selective for adult females of T. podisi, did not negatively affect most of the parameters evaluated.

Bonding formation and gas absorption using Au/Pt/Ti layers for vacuum packaging

In this study, we developed a metal multilayer that can provide hermetic sealing after degassing the assemblies and absorbing the residual gases in the package. A package without a leak path was obtained by the direct bonding of the Au/Pt/Ti layers. After packaging, annealing at 450 °C caused thermal diffusion of the Ti underlayer atoms to the inner surface, which led to absorption of the residual gas molecules. These results indicated that a wafer coated with a Au/Pt/Ti layer can provide hermetic sealing and absorb residual gases, which can simplify vacuum packaging processes in the electronics industry.

New technological solutions for restoring the inner surface of hydraulic cylinders

Relevance. Agricultural machines widely use hydraulic cylinders for various auxiliary and working movements. Operation in harsh field conditions leads to the failure of the hydraulic cylinder mirror and, as a result, to the loss of force on the cylinder rod. The development of technological solutions for the restoration of the inner surface as a more appropriate solution in repair production is relevant.Methods. Studies of the heat flow using the “Fluke Ti32” thermal imager and ofthe influence of gas-dynamic spraying (GDS) modes on the adhesive and cohesive strength when using a new design of the nozzle part of the GDS equipment were carried out.Results. The suitability of usage of new nozzle design for GDS in order to restore the inner surface of the hydraulic cylinder body has been established. The elongated and curved nozzle for installations of the “Dimet” type practically does not change the temperature regime of spraying. The adhesive and cohesive strength of the coatings obtained with the new nozzle design is sufficient to operate under conditions characteristic of the inner surface of the hydraulic cylinder body.

Appetite Stimulant and Anti-Emetic Effect of Mirtazapine Transdermal Ointment in Cats Affected by Lymphoma Following Chemotherapy Administration: A Multi-Centre Retrospective Study

In humans, mirtazapine can prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and improve cancer patients’ quality of life (QoL). This drug is being increasingly used as an appetite stimulant in cats. The hypothesis of this retrospective study was that mirtazapine could reduce the incidence of CINV and weight loss in feline patients affected by lymphoma. The objectives were to report the use of mirtazapine transdermal ointment and assess the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity and weight loss in cats diagnosed with lymphoma and receiving chemotherapy. Transdermal mirtazapine was topically administered to the inner surface of the pinna (2 mg/cat/daily) for 14 days following chemotherapy administration. Data recorded from 20 patients were collected. Different grades of GI toxicity were shown in 8/20 (40%) patients. Body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and muscle condition score (MCS) improved in 12/20 (60%), 6/20 (30%), and 2/20 (10%) cats, respectively. Mirtazapine-induced adverse events (AEs) occurred in 4/20 (20%) cats and did not require mirtazapine discontinuation. Substantial weight loss was not encountered, suggesting that patients had an adequate food intake after chemotherapy administration. Transdermal mirtazapine ointment was considered safe and well tolerated.

Study on Fe-Based Metallic Glass Micro Hole Machining by Using Micro-EDM Combined with Electrophoretic Deposition Polishing

Fe-based metallic glass possesses high hardness and brittleness. It is a hard-to-cut metal material and difficult to machine by conventional methods. Although electrical discharge machining (EDM) has advantages in machining hard-to-cut metal materials, recast layer, pores, and micro cracks will form on the machined surface after machining. The study used a helical tool for the micro electrical discharge drilling (µ-EDD) process on Fe-based metallic glass. The influence of processing parameters, including the pulse on time, gap voltage, duty factor, and spindle rotational speed on the micro hole machining quality characteristics was investigated. The helical tool with SiC electrophoretic deposited (EPD) film was used to polish the inner surface of the electrical discharged micro hole. The findings show that the best micro hole accuracy, tool wear length, and inner surface were obtained at the spindle rotation speed of 1150 rpm, pulse on time of 5 μs, gap voltage of 30 V, and duty factor of 40%. The inner surface roughness can be reduced to 0.018 µm by using EPD tool. The inner surface was polished up to form a mirror surface.

Thermal resistance of building envelopes with heat-conducting elements in summer period

The analysis of the current methods and techniques of solving the problem of heat resistance of building envelopes with heat-conducting elements shows the solution of a onedimensional problem of heat resistance. One of the possible methods for determining the temperature fluctuation amplitude on the inner surface of the building envelopes with heatconducting elements is the modeling of non-stationary temperature conditions in the computer program. However, this solution causes great difficulties, as it transfers the specified calculation from engineering to scientific and cannot be recommended for practical application. The second method of solving this problem is the application of the convergence coefficient, which can be obtained empirically. The selection of the convergence coefficient allows for the influence of the heat-conducting elements on the weighted average surface temperature depending on the envelope configuration.The structural analysis of the building envelopes and their impact on the averaged amplitude of oscillations on the inner surface are conducted. The arrangement of heat-conducting elements at the outer edge is characterized by a negligible influence of the vibration amplitude on the averaged amplitude over the structural surface. The arrangement of heat-conducting elements greatly affects the heat-conducting elements. According to the comparative analysis, the convergence coefficient is preferable in harmonics of the average temperature fluctuations on the inner surface.