Search Results (31)

The occurrence of predatory Syrphidae (hoverflies) in green areas of cities and their role as biological control agents is determined in this work. During the study, 751 adults belonging to 21 species were captured in Moericke’s traps and with sweep nets, and 286 larvae from 10 species were reared from aphid colonies. In both cases, the dominants were Episyrphus balteatus (Deg.) Sphaerophoria scripta (L.), and Syrphus vitripennis Meig. (L.) It can be assumed that hoverflies were attracted by flowering plants and then developed in aphid colonies on trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, reducing the aphid population. The largest number of hoverflies was caught in the plant-rich and well-developed Wolski Forest, whose conditions were beneficial for their reproduction and survival. Studies on the voracity of hoverflies have shown that the larvae of dominant species ate from 243 to 498 individuals of Aphis fabae Scop. and from 272 to 468 specimens of Myzus cerasi (Fabr.); the efficiency depended on the syrphid and aphid species as well as the instar stage of the syrphid larva. The results indicate that urban green spaces are vital refugia for insect biodiversity and could be a reservoir of beneficial insects. Full article

Camphora Fabr. is a genus in the family Lauraceae, comprising over 20 tropical and subtropical tree species. Since the genera Camphora and Cinnamomum Schaeff. were described, there has been a long-lasting controversy regarding the phylogenetic relationships among taxa in both genera. In particular, phylogenetic inferences derived from plastid data remain debated, with varying hypotheses proposed and occasional disputes concerning the monophyly of Camphora taxa. To further investigate the relationships, We analyzed plastomes and nuclear ribosomal cistron sequences (nrDNA) of 22 Camphora taxa, 15 Cinnamomum taxa, and 13 representative taxa of related genera. The Camphora plastomes range from 152,745 to 154,190 bp, with a GC content of 39.1% to 39.2%. A total of 128 genes were identified in the Camphora plastomes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 36 tRNA genes. A total of 1130 SSR loci were detected from plastomes of Camphora, and A/T base repeats looked like the most common. Comparative analyses revealed that the plastomes of Camphora exhibit high similarity in overall structure. The loci ycf1, ycf2, trnK (UUU), psbJ-psbL, and ccsA-ndhD were identified as candidate DNA barcodes for these taxa. Plastome phylogenetic analysis revealed that Camphora is not monophyletic, whereas the nrDNA dataset supported the monophyly of Camphora. We propose that intergeneric hybridization may underlie the observed discordance between plastid and nuclear data in Camphora, and we recommend enhanced taxonomic sampling and precise species identification to improve phylogenetic resolution and accuracy. Full article

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of adding fermented herbal extracts (FHE) derived from mulberry leaf (Morus alba), Javanese turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), and fingerroot (Boesenbergia rotunda) to the diet of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) on their growth, moulting performance, feed efficiency, and nutrient retention. The main feed used in this trial was a commercially manufactured pellet; then, five different doses of FHE supplementation were used: 0 mL/kg feed (P0, control), 50 mL/kg feed (P1), 100 mL/kg feed (P2), 150 mL/kg feed (P3), and 200 mL/kg feed (P4). Weight gain, average daily gain, and length gain of shrimps fed P2 were significantly higher than that of those fed the control diet. A similar result was observed in moulting performance. The application of P2 showed superior results in enhancing the feed efficiency of cultured shrimp. Thus, the protein and energy retention of P. monodon was significantly better in P2 treatment groups. P0 had the lowest crude protein, while shrimp on the P2 and P3 diets had the highest crude protein content of any treatment group. Crude lipid content was lower in shrimp fed diets supplemented with FHE compared to those fed the control diet. In addition, higher energy contents were found in P1 and P2 treatment groups. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the juvenile tiger shrimp diet contain 100 mL/kg of FHE for the best effects. Full article

In this study, we fabricated deep ultraviolet (DUV) photodetectors based on perovskite thin films doped with halide materials using formamidinium bromide (FABr) and methylammonium iodide (MAI). The device was fabricated using a simple surface engineering technique by post-treating the MAPbI₃ perovskite film with an FABr solution. This film acts as a light absorption layer, like a depletion layer with a p-i-n (PIN) structure, with n-type of SnO₂-SDBS and p-type of spiro-OMeTAD. Adding 0.10 M MACl to the MAPbI3 precursor solution during the manufacturing process could effectively reduce the trap density compared with existing films. Films with MACl added in the two-step process can control a wide band gap and improve crystallinity. In addition, the Cl atom has a smaller atomic radius than iodine and a higher electronegativity of 3.16, which can improve phase stability, and the effect of the added Cl⁻ increases the electron mobility of the perovskite, showing a fast response. Full article

In this study, a perovskite-based mixed cation/anion ultraviolet photodetector with an added halide material is fabricated using perovskite combined with an ABX_3 structure. Mixed cation/anion perovskite thin films of MAPbI₃/FABr are manufactured through a relatively simple solution process and employed as light-absorption layers. In the produced thin film, SnO₂–sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate acts as an electron transport layer and spiro-OMeTAD acts as a hole injection layer. Compared to a single cation/anion perovskite, the fabricated device exhibits phase stability and optoelectronic properties, and demonstrates a responsivity of 72.2 mA/W and a detectability of 4.67 × 10¹³ Jones. In addition, the films show an external quantum efficiency of 56%. This suggests that mixed cation/anion films can replace single cation/anion perovskite films. Thus, photodetectors based on lead halides that can be applied in various fields have recently been manufactured. Full article

The evolution of defects during perovskite film fabrication deteriorates the overall film quality and adversely affects the device efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). We endeavored to control the formation of defects by applying an additive engineering strategy using FABr, which retards the crystal growth formation of CsPbI_2.2Br_0.8 perovskite by developing an intermediate phase at the initial stage. Improved crystalline and pinhole-free perovskite film with an optimal concentration of FABr-0.8M% additive was realized through crystallographic and microscopic analysis. Suppressed non-radiative recombination was observed through photoluminescence with an improved lifetime of 125 ns for FABr-0.8M% compared to the control film (83 ns). The champion device efficiency of 17.95% was attained for the FABr-0.8M% PSC, while 15.94% efficiency was achieved in the control PSC under air atmospheric conditions. Furthermore, an impressively high indoor performance of 31.22% was achieved for the FABr-0.8M% PSC under 3200 K (1000 lux) LED as compared to the control (23.15%). With a realistic approach of air processing and controlling the crystallization kinetics in wide-bandgap halide PSCs, this investigation paves the way for implementing additive engineering strategies to reduce defects in halide perovskites, which can further benefit efficiency enhancements in outdoor and indoor applications. Full article

The ‘Inherited or F₁ sterility technique’ (IS), using sub-sterilized male moths, is a widely proposed pest management tool for Lepidoptera pests in general, and the tobacco cutworm Spodoptera litura (Fabr.) in particular. However, the multiple mating tendency of female moths and the ejaculate quality of male moths might influence the efficiency of this technique. Reduced ejaculate quality was observed in irradiated males, as evidenced by radiation’s impact on certain bio-parameters, such as the weight of the spermatophores and their protein content, sperm count, the molecular expression of the sex peptide receptor (SPR) and egg fertility, with a greater impact in F₁ male progeny. During the remating of females with untreated males, irrespective of the irradiation status of the first male, there was an increase in calling behavior, remating propensity and fertility in females, with a larger time gap between consecutive matings. The ability of F₁ male progeny to check remating propensity in females 24 h after the initial mating was lower than that of unirradiated males. Partially sterile (130 Gy) males were as successful as unirradiated males in inducing the level of mating refractoriness in females. Decreased ejaculate quality in F₁ male progeny could be associated with increased female receptivity during remating. Understanding the influence of male moth irradiation, insemination quality and post (initial)-mating intervals on the remating behavior of normal female moths and induced sterility might help in simulation modeling and optimizing IS insect programs. Full article

Modern plant biosecurity strategies include the use of a wide range of living organisms regulating the number, development and spread of harmful organisms at an economically safe level. We aimed to study the species composition of entomophages of the Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say and their efficiency in pest control. We observed the population dynamics of the stink bug Perillus bioculatus Fabr. and the Colorado potato beetle from 2013 to 2015. Besides, the species composition of entomophages of the Colorado potato beetle in Krasnodar Krai (a region in southwestern Russia) was researched in 2013–2015. The study showed that with a ratio of P. bioculatus: Colorado beetle 1:10–1:15, the efficiency of the entomophage is about 98%. In addition to P. bioculatus, there are other insects that feed on the Colorado potato beetle. Among them, it is worth noting Zicrona caerulea L., Polistes gallicus L., representatives of the Coccinellidae family, etc. The food base and parasitic activity of scelionid ovi-eaters and phasia flies are the main biotic factors influencing the number of predatory bugs. The possibility of combined use of P. bioculatus and preparations of biological origin was studied. The survival rate of adult P. bioculatus under the use of insecticides based on Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis and Streptomyces avermitilis (ex., Burg et al.) Kim and Goodfellow was 97% and 91%; that of older nymphs—58% and 52%, respectively. Chemical preparations destroyed all age stages of the predator. Full article

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare genetic disorder caused by a deficiency in the α-galactosidase A enzyme, which results in the globotriaosylceramide accumulation in many organs, including the kidneys. Nephropathy is a major FD complication that can progress to end-stage renal disease if not treated early. Although enzyme replacement therapy and chaperone therapy are effective, other treatments such as ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers can also provide nephroprotective effects when renal damage is also established. Recently, SGLT2 inhibitors have been approved as innovative drugs for treating chronic kidney disease. Thus, we plan a multicenter observational prospective cohort study to assess the effect of Dapagliflozin, a SGLT2 inhibitor, in FD patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1–3. The objectives are to evaluate the effect of Dapagliflozin primarily on albuminuria and secondarily on kidney disease progression and clinical FD stability. Thirdly, any association between SGT2i and cardiac pathology, exercise capacity, kidney and inflammatory biomarkers, quality of life, and psychosocial factors will also be evaluated. The inclusion criteria are age ≥ 18; CKD stages 1–3; and albuminuria despite stable treatment with ERT/Migalastat and ACEi/ARB. The exclusion criteria are immunosuppressive therapy, type 1 diabetes, eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m², and recurrent UTIs. Baseline, 12-month, and 24-month visits will be scheduled to collect demographic, clinical, biochemical, and urinary data. Additionally, an exercise capacity and psychosocial assessment will be performed. The study could provide new insights into using SGLT2 inhibitors for treating kidney manifestations in Fabry disease. Full article

The influence of different semi-natural surroundings adjacent to apple orchards on the occurrence of predatory syrphids and biological control of Aphis pomi Deg. and Dysaphis plantaginea Pass. was compared. Two methods of catching hoverflies were used: yellow traps to collect the adults and hand picking to get the larvae from aphid colonies. A total of 1029 Syrphidae (26 species belonging to 14 genera) of subfamily Syrphinae were collected in Moericke traps from apple orchards and their boundaries. At all sites, a much greater number of hoverflies was collected in the surroundings (638 specimens) than in the orchards (391 specimens). In apple orchards, 134 syrphids belonging to 10 species were reared from A. pomi and D. plantaginea colonies. In both cases, the dominants were Episyrphus balteatus (Deg.) Eupeodes corollae (Fabr.), Syrphus vitripennis Meig. and S. scripta (L.), suggesting that hoverflies are attracted by plants flowering in semi-natural habitats in the vicinity of the orchard, and they then migrate to the orchard and reduce the aphid colonies. The results confirmed the positive influence of natural surroundings on the conservation of aphid predators. Full article

Synthetic insecticides frequently cause pest resistance and destroy non-target organisms. Thus, virus formulation is an issue that deserves considerable attention in developing virus-based insecticides. The hindrance of using nucleopolyhedrovirus alone as a virus-based insecticide is due to slow lethal time, though its mortality remains high (100%). This paper reports the formulation of zeolite nanoparticles as a delivery system to accelerate lethal time in controlling Spodoptera litura (Fabr.). Zeolite nanoparticles were prepared using the beads-milling method. The statistical analysis was carried out by a description exploration method with six replications. The occlusion bodies’ concentration in the virus formulation was 4 × 10⁷ OBs in 1 mL medium. Zeolite nanoparticles formulation sped up the lethal time significantly (7.67 days) compared to micro-size zeolite (12.70 days) and only nucleopolyhedrovirus (8.12 days) and received acceptable mortality (86.4%). The zeolite nanoparticles delivery system provides an alternative formulation for nucleopolyhedrovirus with a significantly improved speed of killing the virus while maintaining suitable efficacy of the virus preparation in terms of the prevalence of mortality. Full article

The systematic and long-term use of pesticides in fruit plantations leads to the formation of resistant pest populations. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of entomophages and acariphages for the protection of apple orchards. Against the dominant pest Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus), Habrobracon hebetor (Say) was used, which was caught in the Krasnodar Territory using cassettes with caterpillars attractive to H. hebetor. To determine the most genetically high-quality population, an RAPD analysis was carried out from three Russian (Krasnodar, Stavropol, and Belgorod) and one Kazakh (Shymkent) populations of H. hebetor, which revealed a high level of DNA polymorphism and genetic diversity in the studied geographical populations of the cities of Krasnodar and Stavropol. The efficiency of the captured Krasnodar population of H. hebetor against C. pomonella was about 75%. To regulate the number of aphids Aphis pomi De Geer and Tetraneura caerulescens (Pass.), breeding reserves of the aphidophages Harmonia axyridis Pallas, Leis dimidiata Fabr., Cycloneda sangvinea L., and Aphidius colemani Vier. were established. The biological efficiency of the developed technique was 82.8–88.6%. The release of the acariphages Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) and Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesb.) on the apple tree showed effectiveness from 80 to 90% against Tetranychus urticae Koch and Panonychus ulmi (Koch). To study the possibility of simultaneous use of entomophages and insecticides, experiments were carried out to study the sensitivity of H. hebetor and H. axiridis to insecticides. When H. hebetor cocoons were treated with Insegar^® and Atabron^®, the ectoparasitoid emergence values were 98.4% and 100%, respectively. The survival of adult H. axiridis treated with Madex twin^®, Atabron^®, and Koragen^® on the fifth day was 97.3%, 89.6%, and 81.9%, respectively. Based on the data obtained, it can be argued that it is possible to create favorable conditions for entomophages, which effectively regulate pest numbers in apple orchards. Full article

We review the magneto-structural properties of electron–electron correlated quasi-one- dimensional (1D) molecular organics. These weakly localized quarter-filled metallic-like systems with pronounced spin 1/2 antiferromagnetic (AF) interactions in stack direction exhibit a spin charge decoupling where magnetoelastic coupling picks up spin 1/2 to pair into S = 0 singlet dimers. This is well illustrated by the observation of a spin-Peierls (SP) instability in the (TMTTF)2X Fabre salts and related salts with the o-DMTTF donor. These instabilities are revealed by the formation of a pseudo-gap in the spin degrees of freedom triggered by the development of SP structural correlations. The divergence of these 1D fluctuations, together with the interchain coupling, drive a 3D-SP ground state. More surprisingly, we show that the Per2-M(mnt)2 system, undergoing a Kondo coupling between the metallic Per stack and the dithiolate stack of localized AF coupled spin ½ (for M = Pd, Ni, Pt), enhances the SP instability. Then, we consider the zig-zag spin ladder DTTTF2-M(mnt)2 system, where unusual singlet ground state properties are due to a combination of a 4k_F charge localization effect in stack direction and a 2k_F SP instability along the zig-zag ladder. Finally, we consider some specific features of correlated 1D systems concerning the coexistence of symmetrically different 4k_F BOW and 4k_F CDW orders in quarter-filled organics, and the nucleation of solitons in perturbed SP systems. Full article

Taxonomy of the genus Cinnamomum Schaeff. (Lauraceae) is difficult because of parallel evolution of morphology. Recent phylogenomic and taxonomic studies have clarified the problem and subdivided the Asian Cinnamomum into two genera, i.e., Camphora Fabr. and Cinnamomum sensu stricto. Here we sequenced and characterized the plastome of a recently described species Cinnamomum guizhouense C.Y. Deng, Zhi Yang et Y. Yang, performed a phylogenomic analysis, and also conducted a comparative analysis. The plastome of Cinnamomum guizhouense is 152,739 bp long and quadri-parted with a pair of inverted repeat regions (IR: 20,132 bp) divided by a small single copy region (SSC: 18,852 bp) and a large single copy region (LSC: 93,623 bp). The plastome possesses a total of 128 genes including 82 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes, which is similar to most published plastomes of the core Lauraceae group. The plastome of Cinnamomum guizhouense displays higher similarity to Camphora than Cinnamomum. Our phylogenomic result suggests that Cinnamomum guizhouense belongs to the Camphora clade. As a result, we propose a new combination, i.e. Camphora guizhouensis (C.Y. Deng, Zhi Yang et Y. Yang) Zhi Yang et Y.Yang, comb. nov. Full article

Constitutive engineering by adding halide anions is one effective way to improve the performance of photodetectors by adjusting the bandgap. In this study, a mixed-anion perovskite thin film was facile fabricated by post-processing of a pure FAPbI₃ film with a formamidinium bromide (FABr) solution. In addition, the manufactured thin film was used as the light absorption layer, SnO₂-SDBS as the electron transport layer, and spiro-OMeTAD as the hole injection layer to fabricate a deep ultraviolet(UV) photodetector. The device exhibited a response of 43.8 mA/W⁻¹, a detectability of 3.56 × 10¹³ Jones, and an external quantum efficiency of 38%. Therefore, this study is promising for various applications in the deep-UV wavelength region. Full article