Development Of Control Strategies Research Articles

Development and implementation of cost control strategies in oil and gas engineering projects

This review delves into the development and implementation of cost control strategies in oil and gas engineering projects, an area critical for maintaining project viability and profitability amidst fluctuating market conditions. Effective cost control is essential in the oil and gas sector, where projects are often capital-intensive and subject to economic and operational uncertainties. This review examines various cost control methodologies and their application throughout the project lifecycle, from initial planning and budgeting to execution and closure. The paper highlights key cost control strategies, including detailed project cost estimation, budget forecasting, and variance analysis. It discusses the use of advanced project management tools and technologies, such as software for real-time cost tracking and predictive analytics, which enhance decision-making and financial oversight. The review also covers the importance of risk management practices in identifying and mitigating potential cost overruns, emphasizing the role of contingency planning and risk assessment in maintaining financial control. Case studies demonstrate how successful implementation of these strategies can lead to significant cost savings, improved project efficiency, and enhanced financial performance. The challenges associated with cost control, including dealing with unexpected price fluctuations, scope changes, and regulatory compliance issues, are also addressed. Solutions to these challenges, such as adopting flexible budgeting techniques and leveraging data-driven insights, are discussed. The review concludes with recommendations for refining cost control practices in oil and gas engineering projects, including the need for continuous monitoring and adjustment of cost control measures, integrating cost management with overall project strategy, and fostering collaboration among project stakeholders to ensure alignment and accountability.

Improving UASS pesticide application: optimizing and validating drift and deposition simulations.

As unmanned aerial spraying systems (UASS) usage grows rapidly worldwide, a critical research study was conducted to optimize the simulation of UASS applications, aiming to enhance pesticide delivery efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The study examined several key aspects for accurate simulation of UASS application with lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). Based on these discussions, the most suitable grid size and simulation parameters were selected to create a robust model for optimizing UASS performance in various pest management scenarios, potentially leading to more targeted and sustainable pest control practices. The effect of stability parameter, grid size around the rotor and near ground, and parameters at wake flow were carefully analyzed to improve the precision of pesticide drift predictions and deposition patterns. Optimal grid sizes were identified as 0.2 m generally, 0.025 m near rotors, and a 0.1 + 0.2 m scheme for ground proximity, with finer grids improving accuracy but increasing computation time. Wake resolution and threshold significantly influenced simulation results, while wake distance had minimal impact beyond a certain point. The LBM's accuracy was validated by comparing simulated downwash flow and droplet deposition with field test data. This study optimized UASS simulation parameters, balancing computational efficiency with accuracy. The validated model enhances our ability to design more effective UASS for pest management, potentially leading to more precise and targeted pesticide applications. These advancements contribute to the development of sustainable pest control strategies, aiming to reduce pesticide usage and environmental impact while maintaining crop protection efficacy. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

In silico analysis of secreted effectorome of the rubber tree pathogen Rigidoporus microporus highlights its potential virulence proteins

Rigidoporus microporus, the causative agent of the white root rot disease of rubber trees, poses a significant threat to natural rubber production worldwide. Understanding the molecular mechanisms facilitating its pathogenicity would be crucial for developing effective disease management strategies. The pathogen secretes effector proteins, which play pivotal roles in modulating host immune responses and infection. In this study, in silico analyses identified 357 putative secreted effector proteins from the R. microporus genome. These were then integrated into previous RNA-seq data obtained in response to rubber tree latex exposure. Annotation of putative effectors suggested the abundance of proteins in several families associated with the virulence of R. microporus, especially hydrophobin proteins and glycoside hydrolase (GH) proteins. The contribution of secreted effectors to fungal pathogenicity was discussed, particularly in response to rubber tree latex exposure. Some unknown highly expressed effectors were predicted for the protein structures, revealing their similarity to aminopeptidase, ubiquitin ligase, spherulin, and thaumatin protein. This integrative study further elucidates the molecular mechanism of R. microporus pathogenesis and offers alternative targets for developing control strategies for managing white root rot disease in rubber plantations.

Comparative Metabolomic Responses of Three Rhododendron Cultivars to the Azalea Lace Bug (Stephanitis pyrioides)

Rhododendron, with its high ornamental value and ecological benefits, is severely impacted by the azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides), one of its primary pests. This study utilized three Rhododendron cultivars, ‘Zihe’, ‘Yanzhimi’, and ‘Taile’, to conduct a non-targeted metabolomic analysis of leaf samples before and after azalea lace bug stress using headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GCMS) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LCMS). A total of 81 volatile metabolites across 11 categories and 448 nonvolatile metabolites across 55 categories were detected. Significant differences in metabolic profiles were observed among the different cultivars after pest stress. A total of 47 volatile compounds and 49 nonvolatile metabolites were upregulated in the most susceptible cultivar ‘Zihe’, including terpenes, alcohols, nucleotides, amino acids, and carbohydrates, which are involved in energy production and secondary metabolism. Conversely, ‘Yanzhimi’ showed a downtrend in both the differential volatiles and metabolites related to purine metabolism and zeatin biosynthesis under pest stress. The resistant cultivar ‘Taile’ exhibited moderate changes, with 17 volatile compounds and 17 nonvolatile compounds being upregulated and enriched in the biosynthesis of amino acids, pentose, glucuronate interconversions, carbon metabolism, etc. The phenylalanine metabolic pathway played an important role in the pest resistance of different susceptible cultivars, and relevant metabolites such as phenylethyl alcohol, methyl salicylate, and apigenin may be involved in the plant’s resistance response. The results of this study provide a new perspective on the metabolomics of Rhododendron–insect interactions and offer references for the development of pest control strategies.

Gut fungal diversity across different life stages of the onion fly Delia antiqua

A significant number of microorganisms inhabit the intestinal tract or the body surface of insects. While the majority of research on insect microbiome interaction has mainly focused on bacteria, of late multiple studies have been acknowledging the importance of fungi and have started reporting the fungal communities as well. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was used to compare the diversity of intestinal fungi in Delia antiqua (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) at different growth stages, and effect of differential fungi between adjacent life stages on the growth and development of D. antiqua was investigated. The results showed that there were significant differences in the α and β diversity of gut fungal communities between two adjacent growth stages. Among the dominant fungi, genera Penicillium and Meyerozyma and family Cordycipitaceae had higher abundances. Cordycipitaceae was mainly enriched in the pupal and adult (male and female) stages, Penicillium was mainly enriched in the pupal, 2nd instar and 3rd instar larval stages, and Meyerozyma was enriched in the pupal stage. Only three fungal species were found to differ between two adjacent growth stages. These three fungal species including Fusarium oxysporum, Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Penicillium roqueforti generally inhibited the growth and development of D. antiqua, with only P. roqueforti promoting the growth and development of female insects. This study will provide theoretical support for the search for new pathogenic microorganisms for other fly pests control and the development of new biological control strategies for fly pests.Graphical Three fungal species were found to differ between two adjacent growth stages. These three fungal species including Fusarium oxysporum, Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Penicillium roqueforti generally inhibited the growth and development of D. antiqua, with only P. roqueforti promoting the growth and development of female insects.

De novo assembly of sialotranscriptome of Hyalomma anatolicum and insights into expression dynamics in response to Theileria annulata infection.

Hyalomma anatolicum is a tick of significant one-health importance due to its role as a vector for various pathogens affecting humans, animals and the environment, such as Theileria annulata, which causes tropical theileriosis in cattle, leading to severe economic losses. When infected with pathogens like T. annulata, the salivary glands of H. anatolicum undergo gene expression changes, secrete modified proteins and activate immune responses, all of which facilitate pathogen survival and transmission by modulating the host immune response and optimizing conditions for pathogen development. Understanding these responses is crucial for developing control strategies for tick-borne diseases. To understand the interaction between H. anatolicum and T. annulata, we performed a differential gene expression analysis of H. anatolicum salivary glands. An average of approximately 25 million raw sequencing reads were generated in each replicate using Illumina Sequencing. The sequenced reads were de novo assembled and the assembled transcriptome yielded approximately 50,231 non-redundant transcripts after clustering with CD-HIT using a sequence identity of 95% and alignment coverage of 90%. The assembly quality was evaluated with BUSCO analysis and found to be 86% complete using the Arachnida dataset and then blasted against non-redundant protein sequence database from NCBI followed by counting of reads and differential expression analysis. Overall, around 2400 and 400 genes were found differentially expressed with logFC > 1 and logFC > 2 respectively at FDR < 0.05. Top up-regulated genes included Calpain, Papilin, Neprilysin, and Ankyrin repeat-containing protein. Top down-regulated genes included Scoloptoxin, and Selenoprotein S and other uncharacterized proteins. Many other up-regulated proteins with high significance were uncharacterized suggesting room for further H. anatolicum functional and structural characterization studies. To our best knowledge, this is the first study of H. anatolicum sialotranscriptome which greatly contributes to sialotranscriptome information not only as sequence database but also indicates the potential targets for development of vaccine against ticks and transmission-blocking vaccines against T. annulata.

Early life food-intake modulates effects of diet restriction on lifespan and fecundity in later life in a predatory mite (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract The nutritional status of an individual can significantly influence its life history traits, including development, growth, reproduction, and survival. In the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae), the plasticity of life history traits, such as developmental time and size at maturity, is influenced by the quality and quantity of food. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary restriction at different life stages (i.e., juvenile, early adulthood, and later adulthood) on the lifespan and fecundity of P. persimilis. We found that reduced dietary intake during early adulthood resulted in a shorter lifespan for both male and female P. persimilis. Furthermore, this study demonstrated a sex-specific response to dietary restriction: it extended the lifespan of males but reduced that of females during later adulthood. Diet restriction during the post-ovipositional period of females showed the most variable life history trait response. Our results showed that the impact of diet restriction at different life stages can have combined influences on the post-ovipositional duration of P. persimilis, where the individuals receiving diet restriction during immature development and early adulthood had a greater reduction in ovipositional duration as those experiencing diet restriction during late adulthood. Additionally, we observed a positive correlation between the lifespan and fecundity of females, with higher prey availability increasing both. The insights obtained from our research contribute to a better understanding of the aging process and dietary requirements of P. persimilis, which can facilitate the development of more effective biological control strategies using this predator for spider mites in agriculture.

Genetic analysis of tomato brown rugose fruit virus reveals evolutionary adaptation and codon usage bias patterns

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) poses a significant threat to tomato production worldwide, prompting extensive research into its genetic diversity, evolutionary dynamics, and adaptive strategies. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of ToBRFV at the codon level, focusing on codon usage bias, selection pressures, and evolutionary patterns across multiple genes. Our analysis revealed distinct patterns of codon usage bias and selection pressures within the ToBRFV genome, with varying levels of genetic diversity and evolutionary constraints among different genes. We observed a transition/transversion bias of 2.07 across the entire ToBRFV genome, with the movement protein (MP) gene exhibiting the highest transition/transversion bias and SNP density, suggesting potential evolutionary pressures or a higher mutation rate in this gene. Furthermore, our study identified episodic positive selection primarily in the MP gene, highlighting specific codons subject to adaptive changes in response to host immune pressures or environmental factors. Comparative analysis of codon usage bias in the coat protein (CP) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) genes revealed gene-specific patterns reflecting functional constraints and adaptation to the host's translational machinery. Our findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms driving ToBRFV evolution and adaptation, with implications for understanding viral pathogenesis, host-virus interactions, and the development of control strategies. Future research directions include further elucidating the functional significance of codon usage biases, exploring the role of episodic positive selection in viral adaptation, and leveraging these insights to inform the development of effective antiviral strategies and crop protection measures.

Toxicity and fitness evaluation of Chrysoperla carnea resistant strains on cotton mealy bug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsely

Research was conducted to select chlorantraniliprole and bifenthrin resistant strains of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. Moreover, fitness parameters of resistant C. carnea were evaluated after feeding on 2nd instars nymph of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Two to three day old C. carnea larvae were used in each topical bioassay. The raw data of biological parameters were analysed using an age stage, two sex life table. After 16 and 13 rounds of selection, the Chlo-Sel and Bife-Sel strains of C. carnea developed 91- and 2.19-fold resistance level, respectively compared with the UN-Sel strain. Biological parameters such as larval duration (days), pupal duration (days), female longevity (days), male longevity (days), adult pre-oviposition period (APOP) (days), total pre-oviposition period (TPOP) (days), oviposition (days), reproductive female ratio (RepF/Fn), and fecundity/female (F) were significantly different while pre-adult female (days), pre-adult male (days), and female ratio (Nf/N) was not significantly different among all strains. Demographic parameters such as finite rate of increase (λ), mean generation time (T), intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproductive rate (Ro), and gross reproductive rate (GRR) were significantly different while doubling time (DT) was significantly similar among all strains of C. carnea. This information could be helpful in developing and promoting the use of insecticide resistant strains of C. carnea for the management of P. solenopsis under field conditions. Moreover, knowledge of fitness advantages will be helpful in IPM for the development of control strategies against P. solenopsis. In order to explore the practical relevance of our findings, more research ought to be conducted.

Three RNA helicase DDX genes are essential for the development and oocyte maturation in Laodelphax striatellus.

DEAD-box protein (DDX) is a member of the DDX RNA helicase family that exerts multiple functions in RNA metabolism, cell cycle, tumorigenesis, signal pathway, and fertility, particularly in mammals. Nevertheless, the biological functions of DDXs in insects have not been fully resolved and attracted increasing attention these years. Laodelphax striatellus (Hemiptera) is a notorious rice pest through feeding on rice sap and transmitting plant viruses. In this study, we aim to elucidate the functional characterization of DDXs in L. striatellus, and to exploit potential target genes for the development of pest control strategies. In this study, we characterized the expression patterns of LsDDX6, LsDDX47, and LsDDX51 in planthoppers and analyzed their conserved motifs. These genes were found to be expressed in all tissues and developmental stages examined, with significantly higher transcript levels observed in the ovary. Knockdown of LsDDX6, LsDDX47, and LsDDX51 resulted in an obvious lethal phenotype in nymphs and abnormal ovarian development in adults. Furthermore, a total of 27 DDXs were identified in L. striatellus, and most DDXs were highly expressed in ovary and structure analysis result revealed that all of the DDXs possessed nine motifs that were unique to the DDX family. The three DDX RNA helicases (LsDDX6, LsDDX47, and LsDDX51) are essential for both survivorship and reproduction in L. striatellus. Considering a total number of 27 DDXs identified in L. striatellus, they might serve as promising candidates for application in RNAi-based control of this destructive pest. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Exploring the Frontier of Wheat Rust Resistance: Latest Approaches, Mechanisms, and Novel Insights.

Wheat rusts, including leaf, stripe, and stem rust, have been a threat to global food security due to their devastating impact on wheat yields. In recent years, significant strides have been made in understanding wheat rusts, focusing on disease spread mechanisms, the discovery of new host resistance genes, and the molecular basis of rust pathogenesis. This review summarizes the latest approaches and studies in wheat rust research that provide a comprehensive understanding of disease mechanisms and new insights into control strategies. Recent advances in genetic resistance using modern genomics techniques, as well as molecular mechanisms of rust pathogenesis and host resistance, are discussed. In addition, innovative management strategies, including the use of fungicides and biological control agents, are reviewed, highlighting their role in combating wheat rust. This review also emphasizes the impact of climate change on rust epidemiology and underscores the importance of developing resistant wheat varieties along with adaptive management practices. Finally, gaps in knowledge are identified and suggestions for future research are made. This review aims to inform researchers, agronomists, and policy makers, and to contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable wheat rust control strategies.

Profiling of Phakopsora pachyrhizi transcriptome revealed co-expressed virulence effectors as prospective RNA interference targets for soybean rust management.

Soybean rust (SBR), caused by an obligate biotrophic pathogen Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is a devastating disease of soybean worldwide. However, the mechanisms underlying plant invasion by P. pachyrhizi are poorly understood, which hinders the development of effective control strategies for SBR. Here we performed detailed histological characterization on the infection cycle of P. pachyrhizi in soybean and conducted a high-resolution transcriptional dissection of P. pachyrhizi during infection. This revealed P. pachyrhizi infection leads to significant changes in gene expression with 10 co-expressed gene modules, representing dramatic transcriptional shifts in metabolism and signal transduction during different stages throughout the infection cycle. Numerous genes encoding secreted protein are biphasic expressed, and are capable of inhibiting programmed cell death triggered by microbial effectors. Notably, three co-expressed P. pachyrhizi apoplastic effectors (PpAE1, PpAE2, and PpAE3) were found to suppress plant immune responses and were essential for P. pachyrhizi infection. Double-stranded RNA coupled with nanomaterials significantly inhibited SBR infection by targeting PpAE1, PpAE2, and PpAE3, and provided long-lasting protection to soybean against P. pachyrhizi. Together, this study revealed prominent changes in gene expression associated with SBR and identified P. pachyrhizi virulence effectors as promising targets of RNA interference-based soybean protection strategy against SBR.

Juvenile hormone inhibits lipogenesis of Spodoptera exigua to response to Bacillus thuringiensis GS57 infection

The application of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has brought environmental benefits and delayed resistance development of pests. Most studies focus on the Bt insecticidal activity against pests, however, the molecular mechanism of Bt on impairing the growth and development of Spodoptera exigua remains unknown. Here, we show that juvenile hormone (JH) inhibits the lipogenesis mediated by fatty acid synthases (Fas) of S. exigua in response to Bt infection. The weight and lipid accumulation of S. exigua larvae post Bt infection were less than those of larvae without Bt infection. We further demonstrated that Bt infection causes the JH titer with a significant increase, which downregulates the expression of lipogenesis-related genes, SeFas3, SeFas4, and SeFas5, resulting in the delayed development of S. exigua larvae. In addition, the expression levels of SeFas genes were regulated by SeACC, indicating that SeFas genes were modulated by multiple pathways. Our findings reveal that novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the impaired development caused by Bt infection which can inform the development of strategies for the sustainable pest control in the future.

Study on the Effect of Operating Conditions on the Friction Pair Gap in a Wet Multi-Disc Clutch in a Helicopter Transmission System

The friction pair gap affects not only the temperature increase of the multi-disc wet clutch, but also the efficiency of the helicopter transmission system. Consequently, a rotational–axial engagement and disengagement-coupled kinetic model of a wet multi-disc clutch considering asperity contact, hydrodynamic lubrication, spline resistance, and a separating spring model are developed in this paper. The effects of operating conditions on the dynamic characteristics of the wet clutch are investigated. Further, the gap deviation coefficient is proposed to characterize the dynamic behavior of the friction pair gap. As the control oil pressure increases from 1.3 MPa to 1.7 MPa, the gap deviation coefficient increases by 8.6%. Moreover, as the rotation speed increases from 888 rpm to 2488 rpm and the lubricant oil temperature increases from 25 °C to 85 °C, the gap deviation coefficient decreases by 1.1% and 4.44%, respectively. Therefore, an appropriate increase in lubricant oil temperature and rotation speed can facilitate the friction pair gap to be more uniform. These results are useful for the development of optimal control strategies for aviation wet clutch systems.

Immune targets for schistosomiasis control identified by a genome-wide association study of East African snail vectors.

Schistosomiasis, afflicting >260 million people worldwide, could be controlled by preventing infection of freshwater snail vectors. Intestinal schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma mansoni, occurs predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa and is vectored by Biomphalaria sudanica and related Biomphalaria species. Despite their importance in transmission, very little genomic work has been initiated in African snails, thus hindering development of novel control strategies. To identify genetic factors influencing snail resistance to schistosomes, we performed a pooled genome-wide association study (pooled-GWAS) on the offspring of B. sudanica collected from a persistent hotspot of schistosomiasis in Lake Victoria, Kenya, and exposed to sympatric S. mansoni. Results of the pooled-GWAS were used to develop an amplicon panel to validate candidate loci by genotyping individual snails. This validation revealed two previously uncharacterized, evolutionarily dynamic regions, SudRes1 and SudRes2, that were significantly associated with resistance. SudRes1 includes receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatases and SudRes2 includes a class of leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptors, both comprising diverse extracellular binding domains, suggesting roles in pathogen recognition. No loci previously tied to schistosome resistance in other snail species showed any association with compatibility suggesting that loci involved in the resistance of African vectors differ from those of neotropical vectors. Beyond these two loci, snail ancestry was strongly correlated with schistosome compatibility, indicating the importance of population structure on transmission dynamics and infection risk. These results provide the first detail of the innate immune system of the major schistosome vector, B. sudanica, informing future studies aimed at predicting and manipulating vector competence.

Evaluating the impact of human movement-induced airflow on particle dispersion: A novel real-time validation using IoT technology

Human movement significantly influences local airflow and particle dispersion in indoor environments. Therefore, this study integrates the dynamics of human walking into the analysis of airborne infection risks in a positive pressure isolation ward designed for the protection of immunocompromised patients. Real-time data collection was performed using an anemometer and IoT-based PM sensors to measure airflow velocities and particulate matter (PM) concentrations within a full-scale experimental chamber. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used for the numerical simulations, and a User-Defined Function (UDF) code simulated the translational movement of a manikin. The results demonstrated strong agreement with the experimental data, thereby validating the airflow turbulence and Lagrangian-based Discrete Phase Model (DPM) in predicting the airflow velocities and particle transport. The study revealed that human walking substantially enhanced particle dispersion distance by 10-fold compared to static conditions, primarily attributed to intensified air mixing induced by the body movement. Furthermore, the CFD analysis underscored that the direction of walking plays a crucial role in airborne transmission. Specifically, walking away from a patient did not elevate infection risk, whereas approaching a patient significantly increased particle deposition in the patient-occupied region. This study highlights the critical need to consider both movement patterns and directional flow in managing airborne infection risks, contributing to the development of more effective infection control strategies in healthcare settings.

Rickettsia helvetica in C3H/HeN mice: A model for studying pathogen-host interactions

An infection with the tick-borne Rickettsia helvetica has been associated with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations in humans, but patients are only seldomly reported. Understanding its disease etiology necessitates well-stablished infection models, improving to recognize and diagnose patients with R. helvetica infection and facilitating the development of effective control strategies. In this study, we used C3H/HeN mice as a model to establish R. helvetica infection, achieving a high infection prevalence (89–100 %). While the liver and the spleen DNA consistently tested positive for infection in all challenged mice, additional infected organs included the kidneys, heart, and the lungs. Notably, a low prevalence of infection was observed in I. ricinus nymphs fed on R. helvetica-challenged mice. In addition, larvae were refractory to infection, suggesting that ticks exhibit low susceptibility to the pathogen. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of an animal model for R. helvetica infection. It serves as a valuable tool for advancing research on the interactions among the bacterium and its vertebrate host.

Competition for nutrient niches within the apple blossom microbiota antagonizes the initiation of fire blight infection.

Changes in the plant microbiota composition are intimately associated with the health of the plant, but factors controlling the microbial community in flowers are poorly understood. In this study, we used apple flowers and fire blight as a model system to investigate the effects of floral microbiota and microbial competition on disease development and suppression. To compare changes in microbial flora with the RNA expression patterns of plants, the flower samples were collected in three different flowering stages (Bud, Popcorn, and Full-bloom). Using advanced sequencing technology, we analyzed the data and conducted both in vitro and in vivo experiments to validate our findings. Our results show that the Erwinia amylovora use arabinogalactan, which is secreted on the flowers, for early colonization of apple flowers. Pantoea agglomerans was more competitive for arabinogalactan than E. amylovora. Additionally, P. agglomerans suppressed the expression of virulence factors of E. amylovora by using arabinose, which is a major component of arabinogalactan, which induces virulence gene expression. The present data provide new insights into developing control strategies for diverse plant diseases, including fire blight, by highlighting the importance of nutrients in disease development or suppression.

Different effects of air pollutant concentrations on influenza A and B in Sichuan, China

BackgroundThe detrimental effects of air pollution on the respiratory system are well documented. Previous research has established a correlation between air pollutant concentration and the frequency of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness. However, studies investigating the variations in infection among different influenza subtypes remain sparse. We aimed to determine the correlation between air pollutant levels and different influenza subtypes in Sichuan Province, China. MethodsA generalized additive model and distributed lag nonlinear model were employed to assess the association between air pollutants and influenza subtypes, utilizing daily influenza data obtained from 30 hospitals across 21 cities in Sichuan Province. The analysis considered the temporal effects and meteorological factors. The study spanned from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019. To provide a more precise evaluation of the actual impact of air pollution on different subtypes of influenza, we also performed subgroup analyses based on factors such as gender, age, and geography within the population. ResultsDuring the investigation, 17,462 specimens from Sichuan Province tested positive for influenza. Among these, 12,607 and 4855 were diagnosed with Flu A and B, respectively. The related risk of influenza A infection significantly increased following exposure to PM2.5 on Lag2 days (RR=1.008, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.000–1.016), SO2 and CO on Lag1 days (RR=1.121, 95 % CI: 1.032–1.219; RR=1.151, 95 % CI: 1.030–1.289), and NO2 on Lag0 day (RR=1.089, 95 % CI: 1.035–1.145). PM10 and SO2 levels on Lag0 day, PM2.5 levels on Lag1 day, and CO levels on Lag6 day, with a reduced risk of influenza B (RR=0.987, 95 % CI: 0.976–0.997; RR=0.817, 95 % CI: 0.676–0.987; RR=0.979, 95 % CI: 0.970–0.989; RR=0.814, 95 % CI: 0.561–0.921). ConclusionThe findings from the overall population and subgroup analyses indicated that the impact of air pollutant concentrations on influenza A and B is inconsistent, with influenza A demonstrating greater susceptibility to these pollutants. Minimizing the levels of SO2, CO, NO2, and PM2.5 can significantly decrease the likelihood of contracting influenza A. Analyzing the influence of environmental contaminants on different influenza subtypes can provide insights into seasonal influenza trends and guide the development of preventive and control strategies.

A chromosome-level genome assembly of the gall maker pest inquiline, Diomorus aiolomorphi Kamijo (Hymenoptera: Torymidae)

Diomorus aiolomorphi Kamijo (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) is an inquiline of gall maker Aiolomorphus rhopaloides Walker (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae). They are of significant economic significance and predominantly inhabit bamboo forest. So far, only four scaffold-level genomes have been published for the family Torymidae. In this study, we present a high-quality genome assembly of D. aiolomorphi at the chromosome level, achieved through the integration of Nanopore (ONT) long-read, Illumina pair-end DNA short-read, and High-through Chromosome Conformation Capture (Hi-C) sequencing methods. The final assembly was 1,084.56 Mb in genome size, with 1,083.41 Mb (99.89%) assigned to five pseudochromosomes. The scaffold N50 length reached 224.87 Mb, and the complete Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) score was 97.3%. The genome contained 762.12 Mb of repetitive elements, accounting for 70.27% of the total genome size. A total of 18,011 protein-coding genes were predicted, with 17,829 genes being functionally annotated. The high-quality genome assembly of D. aiolomorphi presented in this study will serve as a valuable genomic resource for future research on parasitoid wasps. The results of this study may also contribute to the development of biological control strategies for pest management in bamboo forests, enhancing ecological balance and economic sustainability.