Monema flavescens Walker (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) is a multivoltine, generalist moth whose larvae cause serious damage to many types of trees. Pheromone lures prepared according to a study of a ...Japanese population were found to be ineffective at attracting M. flavescens nettle caterpillars in China, and some studies have shown intraspecific geographical differences in the composition of sex pheromones. We therefore reexamined the sex pheromone composition of M. flavescens in a Chinese population. In this study, the electroantennographically (EAG) active compounds in an extract from Chinese virgin females of M. flavescens were identified as (E)‐8‐decen‐1‐ol (E8‐10:OH), (Z)‐7,9‐decadien‐1‐ol (Z7,9‐10:OH), (Z)‐9,11‐dodecadien‐1‐ol (Z9,11‐12:OH), and (Z)‐9,11‐dodecadienal (Z9,11‐12:Ald) via coupled gas chromatographic‐electroantennographic detection (GC‐EAD) and coupled GC‐mass spectrometry (MS). Pheromone dimorphism might occur in this species, as this mixture of compounds in Chinese females was different from that of E8‐10:OH and E7,9‐10:OH extracted from Japanese females in previous research. In wind tunnel and field tests, the males were significantly attracted to a blend of the pheromone components E8‐10:OH, Z7,9‐10:OH, and Z9,11‐12:OH in a 100:5:4 ratio. The addition of Z9,11‐12:Ald did not change the male response. The optimized three‐component lure blend may provide a useful tool for monitoring and controlling Chinese populations of M. flavescens.
To deal with EM simulations with the low‐frequency evanescent and propagation waves, multi‐order nearly perfectly matched layers (NPML) with complex frequency shifted factor are presented to ...terminate finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) domains. By incorporating the digital signal processing techniques including the bilinear Z‐transform, matched Z‐transform, and direct Z‐transform methods, the proposals can not only obtain better performance compared with the original NPMLs but also have considerable efficiency compared with other multi‐order PMLs. Meanwhile, these implementations can terminate arbitrary mediums without changing the field‐updated equations in the PML regions. Based upon the multi‐order concept, the proposals can be switched flexibly between the first order and multi‐order according to different EM simulations by changing the optimized parameters. Numerical results indicate that our proposals can not only enjoy higher computational efficiency but also easier to implement according to different mediums in the EM modeling and simulations.
This paper introduces two processes of ranking methods on Z‐numbers that are effectively able to deal with uncertain decision‐making data. Decision making is based on recommended Z‐ numbers. For this ...purpose first, the Z‐number is transformed to a fuzzy number and then the ranking method by using the sigmoid function and the sign method is used to mention fuzzy numbers. For the next step, the method is extended to related Z‐numbers. Finally, we use it to prioritize the items and solve some examples.
The whitemarked tussock moth (WMTM), Orgyia leucostigma (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), is an economic pest in Nova Scotia, Canada, where it undergoes periodic outbreaks defoliating several ...tree species of economic value, including balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Miller (Pinaceae). Herein is described a releasing device for the WMTM sex pheromone (Z,Z)-6, 9-heneicosadien-11-one based on a rubber septum, which converts pheromone precursors, such as acetals, namely (Z,Z)-11,11-dimethoxy-6,9-heneicosadiene and (Z,Z)-6,9-heneicosadien-11-one ethylene ketal, to the pheromone itself by the action of acetic acid and releases it over time. The pheromone is unstable in nature and, consequently, lures made with this compound will only attract WMTM for a day or two. The two pheromone precursors, however, are more stable, and are converted slowly into the pheromone by acetic acid impregnated in the releasing device, or by acidic conditions in the environment. The two pheromone precursors were synthesized in 2019 using a modified, previously published approach. Field trapping studies conducted from 2019–22 showed that traps baited with rubber septa loaded with either (Z,Z)-11,11-dimethoxy-6,9-heneicosadiene by itself or (Z,Z)-6,9-heneicosadien-11-one ethylene ketal plus acetic acid consistently caught significantly more WMTM than traps baited with blank septa in most experiments.
In this article, three switched-capacitor-based Z-source equivalent dc-dc boost converter (SCZEBC) topologies are proposed. The basis for these topological evolutions is the shifted L-C-D cell of the ...fourth-order boost converter on the front-end side, whereas a charge-pump cell on the upstream side. This hybrid combination results in quasi-Z-source equivalent dc-dc boost conversion along with enhanced voltage boosting capability. The operating duty ratio of the proposed topologies is less than 0.5 like in the conventional Z-source dc-dc converter (ZSC) topologies. In comparison to the existing Z-source topologies, remarkable features of the proposed SCZEBC topologies are: low source current ripple, common ground, and low voltage stress on capacitors and active devices. A detailed steady-state analysis is presented to identify the salient features of the proposed topologies and is thereafter compared with the existing ZSCs. Small-signal analysis is established and a voltage-mode controller is designed. In the controller design stage, a modulus margin 0.5-0.75 is adopted to ensure tradeoff between robustness and performance of the proposed converter topologies. A 48 to 220 V, 100-W prototype is built to demonstrate the effectiveness of the SCZEBC. The steady-state and closed-loop response measurements validate the theoretical studies.
Novel strategies for the management of soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), are needed due to its increasing importance, costs, and challenges of management in ...soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.; Fabaceae) in the Americas. Pheromone-mediated mating disruption may be 1 such novel strategy, but an effective tool for estimating mating disruption success must be found. The technique of trapping male moths using pheromone baited traps is a common method for assessing mating disruption technology. This paper reports on the testing of 2 trap types and 3 commercially available lures containing (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate as the major active component. Trapping was conducted at 5 locations in the southern USA in the summer of 2019. Universal moth traps and delta traps were tested in combination with the Alpha Scents, Bio Pseudoplusia, and Scentry brand lures along with unbaited traps. Overall, both trap types were effective at capturing C. includens male moths, with universal traps having a higher capture rate. The Alpha Scents and Bio Pseudoplusia lures both had a significantly higher capture rate than the Scentry lure regardless of trap design. The active components of the Scentry lure differed from the others with the inclusion of 2 known minor pheromone components (esters) of C. includens, (Z)-7-dodecenyl propionate and (Z)-7-dodecenyl butyrate. The amount of (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate of the Scentry lure also was lower than the Alpha Scents and Bio Pseudoplusia lures. The additional esters or unidentified components (impurities) of the Scentry lures may have influenced C. includens captures. A large number of Ctenoplusia oxygramma (Geyer) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were captured in traps at 3 of the locations, though not in those traps baited with the ester-containing Scentry lure. Taken together, the data provide insight into effective trapping methods for C. includens and elucidates the need for researchers to understand the effectiveness of trapping components available in a region and the need for researchers to plan for captures of non-target species in pheromone-related research.
Recombinant Escherichia coli expressing T879A variant 6,8‐linoleate diol synthase (LDS) from Penicillium oxalicum showed 2.1‐fold higher activity than recombinant E. coli expressing wild‐type 6,8‐LDS ...for the production of 6,8‐dihydroxy fatty acids (DiHFA) from linoleic acid. The optimal conditions for the production of 6,8‐DiHFA by recombinant E. coli expressing T879A variant 6,8‐LDS were pH 6.5, 35°C, 50 g L−1 cells, 10 g L−1 (35.7 mM) substrate, and 5% (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide. Under these optimized conditions, 6.6 g L−1 (22.1 mM) 6,8‐dihydroxy‐9,12(Z,Z)‐octadecadienoic acid (DiHODE) and 7.1 g L−1 (22.6 mM) 6,8‐dihydroxy‐9(Z)‐octadecenoic acid (DiHOME) were produced from linoleic acid and oleic acid in 40 min, respectively. The volumetric productivities of 6,8‐DiHODE and 6,8‐DiHOME under these conditions were 9.9 and 10.7 mg L−1 h−1, respectively. The volumetric productivities of 6,8‐DiHODE and 6,8‐DiHOME were the highest values among those of all reported regiospecific DiHODE and DiHOME, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first quantitative biotechnological production of 6,8‐DiHFA.
The Z‐DNA‐binding domain of PKZ from zebrafish (Danio rerio; drZαPKZ) contains the largest β‐wing among known Z‐DNA‐binding domains. To elucidate the functional implication of the β‐wing, we solved ...the crystal structure of apo‐drZαPKZ. Structural comparison with its Z‐DNA‐bound form revealed a large conformational change within the β‐wing during Z‐DNA binding. Biochemical studies of protein mutants revealed that two basic residues in the β‐wing are responsible for Z‐DNA recognition as well as fast B–Z transition. Therefore, the extra basic residues in the β‐wing of drZαPKZ are necessary for the fast B–Z transition activity.
Whole cells of recombinant Escherichia coli expressing diol synthase from Aspergillus nidulans produced 5,8-dihydroxy-9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)-octadecatrienoic acid from α-linolenic acid via ...8-hydroperoxy-9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)-octadecatrienoic acid as an intermediate. The optimal conditions for 5,8-dihydroxy-9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)-octadecatrienoic acid production using whole recombinant cells were exhibited at pH 7.0, 40 °C, and 250 rpm with 40 g/L cells, 12 g/L, α-linolenic acid, and 5 % (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide in a 250-mL baffled flask containing 50 mL reaction solution. Under these conditions, whole recombinant cells produced 9.1 g/L 5,8-dihydroxy-9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)-octadecatrienoic acid for 100 min, with a conversion yield of 75 % (w/w), a volumetric productivity of 5.5 g/L/h, and specific productivity of 137 mg/g-cells/h. As an intermediate, 8-hydroperoxy-9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)-octadecatrienoic acid was observed at approximately 1.4 g/L after 100 min. With regard to dihydroxy fatty acid production, this is the highest reported volumetric and specific productivities thus far. This is the first report on the biotechnological production of 5,8-dihydroxy-9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)-octadecatrienoic acid.
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