Resumo Os cupins são conhecidos como insetos sociais em todo o mundo. Atualmente na China foram relatadas 473 espécies, 44 gêneros e 4 famílias de cupins. Destas, 111 espécies de Reticulitermes estão amplamente distribuídas em diferentes zonas da China. A temporada de voo de dispersão dessas espécies chinesas de Reticulitermes geralmente começa de fevereiro a junho, mas em algumas regiões diferentes espécies são distribuídas, compartilhando seus limites e tendo temporadas de voo sobrepostas. Essas razões tornam-se importantes fontes de hibridização entre duas populações heteroespecíficas de cupins. Foi confirmado que os ovos fertilizados e não fertilizados de alguns cupins Reticulitermes possuem capacidade de clivagem. Já os ovos não fertilizados de R. aculabialis, R. chinensis e R. labralis clivaram normalmente, e os únicos ovos não fertilizados de R. aculabialis se desenvolvem em embriões. R. flaviceps e R. chinensis foram observados com desenvolvimento embrionário anormal, e não eclosão de ovos por partenogênese. Eles foram relatados como mais ameaçadores para os recursos chineses à medida que se propagam com partenogênese, hibridização e reprodução sexual. Casca de ovo e macrófilos de ovos desempenham papéis importantes na identificação e controle de espécies, embora sejam pragas graves e causem uma ampla gama de danos a estruturas e produtos de madeira em residências, edifícios, materiais de construção, árvores, plantações e florestas na China continental.

Abstract Termites are known as social insects worldwide. Presently in China 473 species, 44 genera and 4 families of termites have been reported. Of them, 111 Reticulitermes species are widely spread in different zones of China. The dispersion flight season of these Chinese Reticulitermes species are usually started from February to June, but in some regions different species are distributed, sharing their boundaries and having overlapping flight seasons. These reasons become important sources of hybridization between two different heterospecific populations of termites. It was confirmed that the fertilized eggs and unfertilized eggs of some Reticulitermes termites have the capacity of cleavage. While the unfertilized eggs of R. aculabialis, R. chinensis and R. labralis cleaved normally and the only R. aculabialis unfertilized eggs develop in embryos. While, the R. flaviceps and R. chinensis were observed with their abnormal embryonic development, and not hatching of eggs parthenogenetically. They were reported more threatening to Chinese resources as they propagate with parthenogenesis, hybridization and sexual reproduction. Eggshell and macrophiles of eggs play important roles in species identification and control. Although, they are severe pests and cause a wide range of damages to wooden structures and products in homes, buildings, building materials, trees, crops, and forests in China’s Mainland.

Resumo A cultura do milho é utilizada na alimentação humana, pecuária e avícola, bem como na panificação, flocos de milho, xarope de milho, amido de milho e óleos de milho. O estudo de campo consistiu em um ensaio experimental sobre a incidência desse complexo de insetos-praga na cultivar de milho Azam durante a temporada de Kharif 2020 na Estação de Pesquisa Agrícola, Baffa, Mansehra. O ensaio foi estabelecido no Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) e, em seguida, dividido em três repetições. O resultado obtido no ensaio mostrou que várias espécies de pragas foram registradas durante o período experimental; no entanto, foi observado um baixo nível da população. As espécies de insetos obtidas foram pulgão-da-folha-do-milho (6,90 ± 5,5) – por polegada quadrada –, cigarrinha-do-milho (1,32 ± 0,63), broca-do-caule-do-milho (0,63 ± 0,29), besouro-da-pulga-do-milho (0,43 ± 0,28), tripses (0,38 ± 0,22), lagarta-cabeluda (0,21 ± 0,22), gafanhoto (0,17 ± 0,11) e mosca (0,11 ± 0,08) ao longo da temporada

Abstract The maize crop is used as food for humans, livestock and poultries forms, it is also used in bread making, corn flakes, corn syrup, corn starch and corn oils. The field study consisted of one experimental trial, about the incidence of that insect pest complex on maize cultivar Azam during the Kharif season 2020 at the Agricultural, Research Station, Baffa, Mansehra. The trial was laid out in the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), and then it was divided into three replications. The result obtained from the trial showed that a number of the pest species were recorded during the experimental period; however, the population was noticed at a low level. The obtained insect species were corn leaf aphid (6.90 ± 5.5) per square inch, corn leafhopper (1.32 ± 0.63), maize stem borer (0.63 ± 0.29), corn flea beetle (0.43 ± 0.28), Thrips (0.38 ± 0.22), Hairy caterpillar (0.21 ± 0.22), Grasshopper (0.17 ± 0.11) and shoot fly (0.11 ± 0.08) throughout the season

Resumo Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV) é uma tremenda ameaça aos vegetais em todo o mundo, inclusive no Paquistão. O presente trabalho foi conduzido para investigar a variabilidade genética de isolados de CMV infectando vegetais de ervilha e espinafre na região de Pothwar, Paquistão. Pesquisas com base em sorologia durante 2016-2017 revelaram 31,70% da incidência geral da doença por CMV em safras de ervilha e espinafre. O ensaio de imunoabsorção enzimática em sanduíche de anticorpo triplo (TAS-ELISA) revelou que todos os isolados positivos pertencem ao subgrupo II do CMV. Dois cDNA selecionados de amostras positivas para ELISA representando cada safra de ervilha e espinafre foram amplificados por PCR (ca.1100 pb) e sequenciados correspondendo ao gene CMV CP que compartilhou 93,7% de identidade de nucleotídeo um com o outro. Ambas as sequências de isolados de ervilha CMV (AAHAP) e espinafre (AARS) do Paquistão foram submetidas ao GenBank como nos de acesso. MH119071 e MH119073, respectivamente. A análise BLAST revelou 93,4% de identidade de sequência do isolado AAHAP com SpK (KC763473) do Irã, enquanto o isolado AARS compartilhou a identidade máxima (94,5%) com a cepa 241 (AJ585519) da Austrália e agrupada com alguns isolados de referência do subgrupo II de CMV do Reino Unido (Z12818) e EUA (AF127976) em uma reconstrução filogenética vizinha. Um total de 59 sítios polimórficos (segregantes) (S) com diversidade de nucleotídeos (π) de 0,06218 foi evidente, enquanto nenhum evento INDEL foi observado em isolados do Paquistão. A distância evolutiva de isolados de CMV do Paquistão foi registrada como 0,0657 entre si e 0,0574-0,2964 com outros isolados de CMV relatados em outras partes do mundo. Um fluxo gênico frequente (Fst = 0,30478 < 0,33) foi observado entre os isolados de CMV do Paquistão e relatados anteriormente. Na análise de diferenciação genética, os valores de três testes estatísticos baseados em permutação viz, Z (84,3011), Snn (0,82456) e Ks * (4,04042) não foram significativos. A análise estatística revelou os valores 2,02535, 0,01468 e 0,71862 de Tajima’s D, Fu, & Li’s F * e D * respectivamente, demonstrando que a população de CMV está sob seleção de balanceamento.

Abstract Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is a tremendous threat to vegetables across the globe, including in Pakistan. The present work was conducted to investigate the genetic variability of CMV isolates infecting pea and spinach vegetables in the Pothwar region of Pakistan. Serological-based surveys during 2016-2017 revealed 31.70% overall CMV disease incidence from pea and spinach crops. Triple-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TAS-ELISA) revealed that all the positive isolates belong to CMV subgroup II. Two selected cDNA from ELISA-positive samples representing each pea and spinach crops were PCR-amplified (ca.1100 bp) and sequenced corresponding to the CMV CP gene which shared 93.7% nucleotide identity with each other. Both the sequences of CMV pea (AAHAP) and spinach (AARS) isolates from Pakistan were submitted to GenBank as accession nos. MH119071 and MH119073, respectively. BLAST analysis revealed 93.4% sequence identity of AAHAP isolate with SpK (KC763473) from Iran while AARS isolate shared maximum identity (94.5%) with the strain 241 (AJ585519) from Australia and clustered with some reference isolates of CMV subgroup II from UK (Z12818) and USA (AF127976) in a Neighbour-joining phylogenetic reconstruction. A total of 59 polymorphic (segregating) sites (S) with nucleotide diversity (π) of 0.06218 was evident while no INDEL event was observed in Pakistani isolates. The evolutionary distance of Pakistani CMV isolates was recorded as 0.0657 with each other and 0.0574-0.2964 with other CMV isolates reported elsewhere in the world. A frequent gene flow (Fst = 0.30478 <0.33) was observed between Pakistani and earlier reported CMV isolates. In genetic differentiation analysis, the value of three permutation-based statistical tests viz; Z (84.3011), Snn (0.82456), and Ks* (4.04042) were non-significant. The statistical analysis revealed the values 2.02535, 0.01468, and 0.71862 of Tajima's D, Fu, & Li’s F* and D* respectively, demonstrating that the CMV population is under balancing selection.

Abstract Cobalt metal is considered as an essential trace element for the animals. Present investigation was undertaken in the peri-urban area to analyze the cobalt availability in animal food chain by using different indices. Cow, buffalo and sheep samples along with forage and soil samples were collected from the three different sites of District Jhang and analyzed through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Cobalt values differed in soil samples as 0.315-0.535 mg/kg, forages as 0.127-0.333 mg/kg and animal samples as 0.364-0.504 mg/kg. Analyzed cobalt concentration in soil, forage and animal samples was found to be deficient in concentration with respect to standard limits. Soil showed the minimum cobalt level in Z. mays while maximum concentration was examined in the forage C. decidua samples. All indices examined in this study has values lesser than 1, representing the safer limits of the cobalt concentration in these samples. Enrichment factor (0.071-0.161 mg/kg) showed the highly deficient amount of cobalt enrichment in this area. Bio-concentration factor (0.392-0.883) and pollution load index (0.035-0.059 mg/kg) values were also lesser than 1 explains that plant and soil samples are not contaminated with cobalt metal. The daily intake and health risk index ranged from 0.00019-0.00064 mg/kg/day and 0.0044-0.0150 mg/kg/day respectively. Among the animals, cobalt availability was maximum (0.0150 mg/kg/day) in the buffaloes that grazed on the C. decidua fodder. Results of this study concluded that cobalt containing fertilizers must be applied on the soil and forages. Animal feed derived from the cobalt containing supplements are supplied to the animals, to fulfill the nutritional requirements of livestock.

Resumo O metal cobalto é considerado um oligoelemento essencial para os animais. A presente investigação foi realizada na área periurbana para analisar a disponibilidade de cobalto na cadeia alimentar animal usando diferentes índices. Amostras de vacas, búfalos e ovelhas, juntamente com amostras de forragem e solo foram coletadas em três locais diferentes do Distrito Jhang e analisadas por meio de espectrofotômetro de absorção atômica. Os valores de cobalto diferiram em amostras de solo como 0,315-0,535mg/kg, forragens como 0,127-0,333 mg/kg e amostras de animais como 0,364-0,504 mg/kg. A concentração de cobalto analisada no solo, forragem e amostras de animais foi considerada deficiente em relação aos limites padrão. O solo apresentou o teor mínimo de cobalto em Z. mays enquanto a concentração máxima foi examinada nas amostras de forragem C. decidua. Todos os índices examinados neste estudo possuem valores menores que 1, representando os limites mais seguros da concentração de cobalto nestas amostras. O fator de enriquecimento (0,071-0,161 mg/kg) mostrou a quantidade altamente deficiente de enriquecimento de cobalto nesta área. Os valores do fator de bioconcentração (0,392-0,883) e do índice de carga de poluição (0,035-0,059 mg/kg) também foram menores que 1, o que explica que as amostras de plantas e solo não estão contaminadas com cobalto metálico. A ingestão diária e o índice de risco à saúde variaram de 0,00019-0,00064 mg/kg/dia e 0,0044-0,0150 mg/kg/dia, respectivamente. Entre os animais, a disponibilidade de cobalto foi máxima (0,0150 mg/kg/dia) nos búfalos que pastaram na forragem de C. decidua. Os resultados deste estudo concluíram que fertilizantes contendo cobalto devem ser aplicados no solo e nas forragens. A ração animal derivada dos suplementos contendo cobalto é fornecida aos animais, para atender às necessidades nutricionais do gado.

Abstract Heavy metal toxicity is becoming an increasing concern for environmental, human and animal health. The current research analyzed the lead (Pb) contamination in the food chain under three different irrigation sources (ground, canal, and wastewater). Soil, plant and animal samples were collected from the Jhang district of Pakistan and processed with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Lead concentration varied in the samples as: 5.22-10.73 mg/kg in soil, 2.46-10.34 mg/kg in forages and 0.736-2.45 mg/kg in animal samples. The observed lead concentration in forage and animal blood samples was higher than the standard limits. The pollution load index (0.640-1.32) in soil showed that lead contamination mainly took place at the wastewater irrigating sites. Bio-concentration factor values (0.313-1.15) were lower than one in all samples except Zea mays, showing that lead metal was actively taken up by Zea mays tissues from the soil. Enrichment factor values ranged from 0.849-3.12, showing a moderate level of lead enrichment. Daily intake and health risk index varied between 0.004-0.020 mg/kg/day and 0.906-4.99, respectively. All the samples showed maximum lead concentration at the wastewater irrigating site compared to the ground or canal water application sites. These results recommended that consistent application of wastewater for forage irrigation must be avoided to prevent health hazards associated with lead in the animal and human food chain. Government must implement adequate strategies to protect the animal and human health from the harms of toxic heavy metals.

Resumo A toxicidade de metais pesados está se tornando uma preocupação crescente para a saúde ambiental, humana e animal. A pesquisa atual analisou a contaminação por chumbo (Pb) na cadeia alimentar sob três diferentes fontes de irrigação (solo, canal e águas residuais). Amostras de solo, plantas e animais foram coletadas no distrito de Jhang, no Paquistão, e processadas com um espectrofotômetro de absorção atômica. A concentração de chumbo nas amostras variou em: 5,22-10,73 mg/kg no solo, 2,46-10,34 mg/kg nas forragens e 0,736-2,45 mg/kg nas amostras de animais. A concentração de chumbo observada nas amostras de forragem e sangue animal foi superior aos limites padrão. O índice de carga de poluição (0,640-1,32) no solo mostrou que a contaminação por chumbo ocorreu principalmente em locais de irrigação de águas residuais. Os valores do fator de bioconcentração (0,313-1,15) foram menores que um em todas as amostras, exceto Zea mays, mostrando que o chumbo metálico foi ativamente absorvido pelos tecidos de Zea mays do solo. Os valores do fator de enriquecimento variaram de 0,849-3,12, mostrando um nível moderado de enriquecimento de chumbo. A ingestão diária e o índice de risco à saúde variaram entre 0,004-0,020 mg/kg/dia e 0,906-4,99, respectivamente. Todas as amostras mostraram concentração máxima de chumbo no local de irrigação de águas residuais em comparação com os locais de aplicação de água no solo ou no canal. Esses resultados recomendam que a aplicação consistente de águas residuais para irrigação de forragem deve ser evitada para evitar riscos à saúde associados ao chumbo na cadeia alimentar animal e humana. O governo deve implementar estratégias adequadas para proteger a saúde animal e humana dos danos dos metais pesados tóxicos.

Resumo Vegetais são uma importante fonte de renda e culturas de alto valor para os pequenos agricultores. A pimenta-malagueta (Capsicum spp.) é uma das hortaliças mais importantes economicamente do Paquistão e é cultivada em todo o país. É uma rica fonte de nutrição, especialmente vitaminas A, B, C e E com minerais como ácido fólico, manganês (Mn), potássio (K) e molibdênio (Mo). O pimentão possui sete vezes mais vitamina C do que a laranja. Vitaminas A e C e betacarotenoides são antioxidantes fortes para eliminar os radicais livres. A produção de pimenta é restrita devido a vários fatores bióticos. Entre esses vírus, o ChiVMV é o agente mais destrutivo e ameaçador que inflige perdas pesadas e colossais que representam 50% da perda de rendimento, tanto em qualidade quanto em quantidade. A abordagem de resistência derivada de patógenos (PDR) é considerada uma das abordagens eficazes para gerenciar os vírus de plantas. Neste estudo, ChiVMV foi caracterizado em nível molecular e o gene CP do vírus foi transformado de forma estável em plantas Nicotiana benthamiana usando Agrobacterium tumefaciens. As plantas transgênicas foram desafiadas com o vírus para avaliar seu nível de resistência contra o vírus. Observou-se que as plantas que expressam o gene CP apresentam resistência parcial ao vírus em termos de desenvolvimento de sintomas e acúmulo de vírus. A tradução dessa técnica em variedades de pimenta de elite resultará na mitigação do ChiVMV na safra, bem como em benefícios econômicos para os agricultores em termos de melhor rendimento e baixo custo de produção.

Abstract Vegetables are an important source of income and high-value crops for small farmers. Chilli (Capsicum spp.) is one of the most economically important vegetables of Pakistan and it is grown throughout the country. It is a rich source of nutrition especially vitamins A, B, C and E along with minerals as folic acid, manganese (Mn), potassium (K) and molybdenum (Mo). Chilli possesses seven times more amount of vitamin C than an orange. Vitamin A, C and beta-carotenoids are strong antioxidants to scavenge the free radicals. Chilli production is restricted due to various biotic factors. Among these viruses, Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV) is one of the most destructive and menacing agents that inflicts heavy and colossal losses that accounted for 50% yield loss both in quality and quantity. Pathogen-Derived Resistance (PDR) approach is considered one of the effective approaches to manage plant viruses. In this study, ChiVMV was characterized on a molecular level, the coat protein (CP) gene of the virus was stably transformed into Nicotiana benthamiana plants using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The transgenic plants were challenged with the virus to evaluate the level of resistance of plants against the virus. It was observed that the plants expressing CP gene have partial resistance against the virus in terms of symptoms’ development and virus accumulation. Translation of this technique into elite chilli varieties will be resulted to mitigate the ChiVMV in the crop as well as an economic benefit to the farmers.

The study was designed to compare low and high levels of protein, namely 90 and 147 g/kg of dietary dry matter, and to evaluate the effect of concentrate proportions on the in situ digestion kinetics of neutral detergent fibre in buffaloes and cows fed a low protein diet at maintenance intake level. In the first experiment, heifers and lactating females were offered a high protein diet. In the second, the performances of buffaloes and cows were compared when fed diets with low and high proportions of concentrate at low dietary protein level. At higher protein supply, the heifers showed a 6% unit increase in neutral detergent fibre degradability (NDFD) compared with lactating animals. Similarly, at a higher level of concentrate proportion, an 8% unit increase was observed in NDFD. In both experiments the comparison of buffaloes and cows was non-significant for NDFD. Those data that were pooled against the stage of development of both experiments for protein levels depicted a 13% unit increase in NDFD at high protein level compared with low level. At maintenance intake level, a high dietary crude protein or concentrate supply improved the in situ NDFD of tropical forages in buffaloes and cows, owing to the enhanced intake of NDF from concentrate and better synchronization of protein and energy availability in the rumen.

Global climate change is evident and poses serious threats to the sustainability of traditional rangeland livestock production systems. This study tested the feeding potential of perennial grasses of Cholistan Desert for various species of ruminants at different physiological stages. Eight common and nutritionally important grass species (Cenchrus ciliaris, Stipagrostis plumose, Panicum antidotale, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Cenchrus pennisitiformis, Lasiurus scindicus, Ochthochloa compressa and Vetiveria zizanioides) were investigated for in situ degradation parameters according to Nordic feed evaluation system (NorFor) standards. The collected, dried and milled grass samples were incubated for 0, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 hours to determine dry matter and crude protein biodegradation and additionally for 96 and 168 hours for neutral detergent fibre degradation in the rumens of lactating Nili-Ravi buffalo and Cholistan Desert cows and heifers (two from each species and from each physiological stage). All of these grass species influenced the dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre degradation fractions significantly. The overall effective degradability of dry matter for asymptotic extent of degradation did not differ. However, the potentially degradable but insoluble fraction and rate of degradation were influenced significantly by the species of the animals. All the proximate parametric characteristics of perennial desert grasses were within the nutrient range for typical ruminant diets except for crude protein. It was concluded that rumen availability of grasses was highly influenced by grass species. However, these grasses are equally nutritionally important for various species of ruminants for example buffalo versus cattle at different physiological stages and heifers versus lactating animals.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization describes obesity as one of today's most blatantly visible - yet most neglected - public health problems. Sleep duration has been found to have an association with overweight and obesity in many studies, most of which have been conducted outside India. The prevalence of chronic partial sleep deprivation has increased dramatically in the past half century, in parallel with the rising epidemics of overweight and obesity. In addition, sleep per se has a special relevance in obesityOBJECTIVE: This study was part of a larger study based on the Global School Health Survey, and was conducted in the 13 - 15-year-old age group. The study had two objectives: first, it enquired into sleep duration in the aforementioned adolescents and assessed whether this was adequate or inadequate; and second, it sought to evaluate and assess the relationship between sleep duration and the nutritional status of these adolescents, whether overweight or obeseMETHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in all three schools affiliated to the Aligarh Muslim University Board of Examination. A pretested and prevalidated questionnaire was used to assess sleep duration, and anthropometry was done on all the students of these schools who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. AnthroPlus (World Health Organization, Switzerland) and SPSS (IBM, USA) version 20 were used for z-score and other statistical calculations, respectivelyRESULTS: A total of1 416 students were studied, of which 23.6% reported inadequate sleep duration. It was found that those with inadequate sleep had significantly higher odds of being overweight or obese, with an odds ratio of 1.56 (confidence interval 1.12 - 2.15). The inadequacy of sleep duration was also associated with a higher body mass index for age z-score (0.77 (standard deviation 0.57)), compared with those with adequate sleep duration (-0.31 (0.08)), which was found to be significant (t=22.59, df=1, p<0.001CONCLUSION: Inadequate sleep is an obesogenic factor, even in developing countries. It is a cause of concern, as the habits developed/ strengthened at this stage may be lifelong

BACKGROUND: There are no studies in South Africa (SA) on the outcomes following detoxification and psychosocial rehabilitation of heroin-dependent patients. OBJECTIVE: To compare the demographic, clinical, forensic and treatment data of active heroin users v. users who were abstinent at the time of interview 4 years after attending the Opioid Detoxification Unit at Stikland Hospital in the Western Cape Province, SA. METHOD: Participants included patients above the age of 16 years who had been admitted to the Opioid Detoxification Unit at Stikland Hospital for heroin detoxification between July 2006 and June 2007. Participants were individually interviewed (either in person or tele-phonically) using a structured self-report questionnaire to collect demographic, clinical, forensic and treatment data 4 years following heroin detoxification treatment at this unit. RESULTS: Of the participants, 60% were abstinent and a large portion (34%) attributed this to social support. Furthermore, there was a significant (p=0.04) difference in the longest period of abstinence between the past user group and active users, with more participants in the past user group being abstinent for 18 months or longer (n=24, 57%) than in the active users group (n=8, 29%). Active users (n=18, 64%) had significantly (p=0.03) more legal problems than abstinent users (n=14, 33%). Most participants (n=38, 54%) relapsed within 3 months after index detoxification and rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: Active users had more legal problems than abstinent users, with social support structures playing a pivotal role in abstinence. Future research should assess the impact of interventions such as post-discharge social support programmes on criminality and heroin use in those that relapse following treatment.

Iron, in the form of steel and stainless steel, is the most commonly used metal in the world. Plain steels corrode and oxidize easily, while stainless steels exhibit improved corrosion and oxidation resistance. It has been found that rare earth metal (REM) additions, such as cerium and erbium, result in the improvement of the abovementioned properties in iron-containing compounds. Gadolinium is a REM, however, there is very little information available on the influence of gadolinium on the microstructure and mechanical properties of iron-containing compounds. Thus, the purpose of this research project was to determine the influence of gadolinium additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of mild steel and 316 stainless steel. Ten alloys were produced for the purposes of this research. Five of the alloys had a base composition of mild steel while the remaining five had base composition of 316 stainless steel. The alloys for each of the base composition contained gadolinium additions of 0.1, 0.5, 1.2, and 5 weight per cent. The as-cast and the cold-rolled alloys were analysed. The alloys responded well to the cold-rolling with the exception of the 5 weight per cent gadolinium mild steel and stainless steel alloys. These alloys were extremely brittle and underwent a significant amount of cracking during the cold rolling process. A microstructural analysis of the alloys was conducted using a light optical microscope, while the chemical analysis of the alloys was conducted using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The resulting microstructures and EDS analyses revealed that the gadolinium displayed minimal solubility in the ferrite matrix of the mild steel alloys and minimal solubility in the austenite matrix of the stainless steel alloys. Instead the gadolinium formed as an interdendritic secondary phase in both alloys. EDS analysis revealed that the secondary phase in both alloys was gadolinium-rich. Vickers microhardness tests conducted on both alloys revealed that the alloys were composite-like, with a hard, brittle gadolinium-containing compound dispersed throughout a softer, more ductile matrix. The corrosion resistance of the alloys was determined through potentiodynamic anodic polarization tests. Two solutions were used for the corrosion rate tests: a 0.5 weight per cent NaCl solution and a 0.5 M H2SO4 solution. The results from the mild steel alloys revealed that in both the solutions, the corrosion potentials and the corrosion resistance of the alloys increased with increasing gadolinium concentration up to 1 weight per cent. The corrosion rate test results from the stainless steel alloys revealed that the passivation current density and corrosion resistance of the alloys increased with increasing gadolinium concentration in both solutions. The oxidation resistances of the mild steel and stainless steel alloys were determined through the use of a Netzstch Simultaneous Thermal Analyser. For both the mild steel and the stainless steel alloys, it was found that the oxidation resistance of the alloys increased as the concentration of gadolinium increased when compared to the as-received mild steel and stainless steel samples. This could be due to a strongly adhering gadolinium oxide scale that formed on the surface of the alloys and resulted in the protection of the mild steel and the stainless steel.