Development Of Control Strategies Research Articles

Development of a finer-resolution multi-year emission inventory for open biomass burning in Heilongjiang Province, China

Open biomass burning (OBB) is a significant source of air pollutants, profoundly impacting regional air quality and global climate change. However, due to the lack of high-resolution burned area products, limited biomass data resolution, and inappropriate emission factors (EFs), current OBB emission inventories have significant uncertainties. In this study, we integrated the FireCCI51 burned area product (250 m), high-resolution gridded biomass data, localized EFs, and various statistical survey data to compile a finer-resolution (250 m) and long-term (2001–2020) inventory of 11 pollutants for Heilongjiang Province (an important agricultural and forestry region in China). The results indicated that the annual average OBB emissions in Heilongjiang Province were 12.26, 63.70, 931.60, 17,203.35, 16.09, 171.25, 39.83, 71.22, 184.33, 129.16, and 6.35 Gg for BC, CH4, CO, CO2, NH3, NMVOC, NOx, OC, PM10, PM2.5, and SO2, respectively. Taking PM2.5 as an example, emissions from cropland, forest, and grassland burning accounted for 73%, 26%, and 1% respectively. Geographically, emissions were primarily concentrated in the western, southwestern, and northeastern regions of Heilongjiang. The peak PM2.5 emissions exhibited notable seasonal variation, with maxima occurring in April and October. This is primarily due to the extensive burning of straw during the spring and autumn ploughing seasons. The results of this study provide a detailed multi-year inventory crucial for atmospheric transport models and can support the development of effective pollution control strategies and greenhouse gas mitigation measures.

Acyl hydrazone derivatives with trifluoromethylpyridine as potential agrochemical for controlling plant diseases.

Crops are consistently under siege by a multitude of pathogens. These pathogenic microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria, result in substantial reductions in quality and yield globally by inducing detrimental crop diseases, thus posing a significant challenge to global food security. However, the biological activity sepectrumof commercially available pesticides is limitedand the pesticide efficacy is poor, necessitating the urgent development of broad-spectrum and efficient strategies for crop disease prevention and control. The bioassay results revealed that certain target compounds demonstrated outstanding in vivo antiviral efficacy against cucumber mosaic virus and tobacco mosaic virus. In particular, compound D6 showed remarkable antiviral activity against CMV, significantly higher than that of the control agent ningnanmycin. Mechanism of action studies have shown that compound D6 could enhance the activity of defense enzymes and upregulate the expression of genes related to disease resistance, thereby enhancing the antiviral effects in plants. In addition, these compounds displayed superior inhibitory activity against plant bacterial diseases. For Xoo, compound D10 showed an excellent inhibitory effect that was better than that of the control agent bismerthiazol. Scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence double-staining experiments revealed that compound D10 effectively inhibited bacterial growth by disrupting the cell membrane. A series of trifluoromethyl hydrazone derivatives were designed and synthesized, and it was found that they have control effects on plant viruses and bacterial diseases. In addition, this study revealed the mechanism of action of the active compounds and demonstrated their potential as multifunctional crop protectants. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Microwave-aided sensitive and eco-friendly HPTLC method for estimation of mirabegron using NBD-Cl as bio-sensing fluorescent probe by Integration of principal component Analysis, response surface modelling and white analytical chemistry approach

A large number of analytical methods have been used in in-vivo pharmacokinetic investigations and assays of mirabegron, which is used to treat overactive bladder. Because mirabegron does not give fluorescence, there is no known chromatographic method that uses this property in conjunction with environmentally safe solvents. In order to develop and assess analytical procedures that are precise, sensitive, environmentally friendly, economical, and easy to use, white analytical chemistry was recently presented. Hence, a microwave-aided HPTLC method with fluorescence detection was developed and applied for mirabegron quantification; this method is both sensitive and environmentally acceptable, and it makes use of NBD-Cl, a bio-sensing fluorescent-probe. The analytical-QbD approach, which includes chemometric and response-surface modeling concepts, was used to design this targeted chromatographic method. Critical method variables and performance parameters were identified and optimized using principal component analysis and Box-Behnken design. The targeted method was used to estimate mirabegron through the development of method operable design range navigation and control strategy. A mobile phase consisting of ethyl-acetate and ethanol (8.0 + 2.0, v/v) was used to develop the chromatogram of NBD-Cl derivatised-mirabegron into 8.0 mm bands on a TLC-plate that was supported with aluminum and precoated with silica-gel G60 F254. In a mirabegron concentration range of 50–250 ng/band, the suggested method exhibited linearity. Results showed that the suggested method has a recovery rate of 98 % to 102 %. When estimating mirabegron, the %RSD for the precision and robustness study was determined to be less than 2.0. The mirabegron %assay in the commercially available formulations was determined to be between 98 % and 102 % of the labelled claimed value. Mirabegron had a limit of detection of 10 pg/band and a limit of quantification of 50 pg/band. Marketed tablet formulations of mirabegron had a maximum plasma concentration of 71.58 ng/mL in rats. Using metrics from green analytical chemistry and the RGB model scoring system, we compared the whiteness and greenness profiles of the published and suggested methods. The suggested method was found to be sensitive, eco-friendly, quick, cost-effective, and easy to use for estimation of mirabegron.

Study of a theoretical approach to bioprocess modeling for the performance of an anaerobic digester

Anaerobic digestion represents one of the major challenges of sustainable development and circular economy in the concept "from waste to energy". Given the great diversity of organic waste, its development requires the optimization of co-digestion. Hence the need to develop simple tools to characterize substrates and to predict the performance of digesters in order to optimize their operation. In this work, an approach based on a simple mathematical model to be able to calculate the biogas yield was studied. The models studied (AM2 and ADM1), serve as a basis for the development of monitoring and regulation strategies, offering more or less detailed levels of description of the digestion process. We have identified a difference in complexity between these two models explained by the different objectives for which they were developed. Thus, our study aims to propose a theoretical approach to the modeling of bioprocesses by choosing between the two aforementioned models. The objective being to provide a certain ease to the biogas producer and designer of digesters in the rural world, the simple model chosen is justified by intermediate stages of lesser importance than the final stage of methanogenesis. Thus, the information collected and estimated can subsequently be used for control strategies to optimize the operation of the digester, or they can be used by monitoring and diagnostic systems. This model will give a synthetic vision of anaerobic digestion, which limits its use to the modeling of the treatment of simple effluents. On the other hand, its formulation will allow a thorough mathematical analysis, and its simple structure would be well suited to the development of control strategies or monitoring procedures.

Genomes of two invasive Adelges species (hemlock woolly adelgid and pineapple gall adelgid) enable characterization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Two invasive hemipteran adelgids cause widespread damage to North American conifers. Adelges tsugae (the hemlock woolly adelgid) has decimated Tsuga canadensis and Tsuga caroliniana (the Eastern and Carolina hemlocks, respectively). A. tsugae was introduced from East Asia and reproduces parthenogenetically in North America, where it can kill trees rapidly. A. abietis, introduced from Europe, makes pineapple galls on several North American spruce species, and weakens trees, increasing their susceptibility to other stresses. Broad-spectrum insecticides that are often used to control adelgid populations can have off-target impacts on beneficial insects and the development of more selective chemical treatments could improve control methods and minimize ecological damage. Whole genome sequencing was performed on both species to aid in development of targeted pest control solutions and improve species conservation. The assembled A. tsugae and A. abietis genomes are 231.71 Mbp and 290.39 Mbp, respectively, each consisting of nine chromosomes and both genomes are over 96% complete based on BUSCO assessment. Genome annotation identified 11,424 and 14,118 protein-coding genes in A. tsugae and A. abietis, respectively. Comparative analysis across 29 Hemipteran species and 14 arthropod outgroups identified 31,666 putative gene families. Gene family expansions in A. abietis included ABC transporters and carboxypeptidases involved in carbohydrate metabolism, while both species showed contractions in core histone families and oxidoreductase pathways. Gene family expansions in A. tsugae highlighted families associated with the regulation of cell differentiation and development (survival motor protein, SMN; juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase JHAMT) as well as those that may be involved in the suppression of plant immunity (clip domain serine protease-D, CLIPD; Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1, ERAP1). Among the analyzed gene families, Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) maintained consistent copy numbers and structural features across species, a finding particularly relevant given their role as targets for current forestry management insecticides. Detailed phylogenetic analysis of nAChR subunits across adelgids and other ecologically important insects revealed remarkable conservation in both sequence composition and predicted structural features, providing crucial insights for the development of more selective pest control strategies.

Mold in, mold out: Harvest bins harbor viable inoculum that can be reduced using novel sanitation methods to manage blue mold decay of apples

Postharvest diseases account for major economic losses worldwide, while also contributing to food waste and loss. Blue mold, caused by Penicillium expansum, is one of the most prevalent postharvest diseases of pome fruit. This necrotrophic fungal pathogen is mycotoxigenic and presents a danger to food safety via the production of patulin. In addition, fungicide resistance threatens blue mold management strategies, creating a need for the development of novel control strategies. The apple storage/processing industry uses wood and plastic harvest bins to harvest and store apples for weeks, months, and even up to 1 year. Although it has been hypothesized that apple harvest bins can serve as a viable inoculum source to incite decay, there is no experimental evidence that has conclusively demonstrated this concept. In this study, we report the presence of Penicillium spp. in apple storage bins (plastic) in the mid-Atlantic USA and developed small scale methods to test 1) if harvest bins can serve as a source of inoculum for blue mold decay and 2) evaluate novel bin sanitation methods as preventative and curative applications. We demonstrated that apple harvest bin materials can serve as a source of inoculum when in direct contact with wounded apples. Additionally, it was shown that UV-C irradiation, sodium hypochlorite, and 2-phenylethanol effectively reduce inoculum viability on plastic materials in a curative fashion. It is envisioned that these findings can aid in the development of large-scale bin sanitation strategies and their applications have great potential to impact a broader range of postharvest pathogens and stored commodities.

Infection Status, Etiological Analysis of Aeromonas Spp. in Foodborne Diarrhea Patients from 2019 to 2023 in Wenzhou.

The infection status and etiological analysis of Aeromonas spp. from foodborne diarrhea patients in Wenzhou were carried out to provide the etiological basis for healthy diet and clinical treatment. Aeromonas isolates (n = 41) collected from foodborne diarrhea patients were identified using the automatic bacteriologic analyzer and mass spectrometer. Species identification, multilocus sequence typing, prediction of virulence genes, and antimicrobial resistance genes were analyzed by the data of whole genome sequencing. The antibiotic resistance of these isolates was determined using miniaturization of the broth dilution susceptibility test. A total of 1829 stool samples of diarrhea patients were collected, and the detection rate of Aeromonas spp. was 2.24% (41/1829). Moreover, Aeromonas spp. are more easily detected in warmer months (from June to August), which were identified as follows: A. veronii (53.66%, 22/41), A. caviae (21.95%, 9/41), A. hydrophila (9.76%, 4/41), A. dhakensis (4.88%, 2/41), A. rivipollensis (4.88%, 2/41), A. enteropelogenes (2.44%, 1/41), and A. media (2.44%, 1/41). All strains can be divided into 38 sequence types, 31 of which were novel, suggesting that Aeromonas spp. had high genetic diversity, multiple clones, and various sources in diarrhea patients. High number of genetic diversity and resistance were found in the Aeromonas isolates. In addition, the category distribution of the virulence genes was significantly different among the seven species of Aeromonas. Aeromonas spp. had different degrees of resistance to antibiotics, and tetracycline was the most serious, with a resistance rate of 27%. What's more, for some antimicrobial classes in silico antimicrobial resistance gene detection was highly correlated with phenotypic antimicrobial resistance patterns with an overall sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 66.7%. The findings from this research highlighted the importance for development of prevention and control strategies to reduce the risk of foodborne diarrhea caused by Aeromonas spp.

SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in captive animals at the belo horizonte zoo, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has not only affected humans but also raised concerns about its transmission to wild animals, potentially creating natural reservoirs. Understanding these dynamics is critical for preventing future pandemics and developing control strategies. This study aims to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wild mammals at the Belo Horizonte Zoo in Brazil, analyzing the virus's evolution and zoonotic potential. The study was conducted at the Belo Horizonte Zoo, Minas Gerais, Brazil, covering a diverse population of mammals. Oropharyngeal, rectal, and nasal swabs were collected from 47 captive animals between November 2021 and March 2023. SARS-CoV-2 presence was determined using RT-PCR, and positive samples were sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. Consensus genomes were classified using Pangolin and NextClade tools, and a maximum likelihood phylogeny was inferred using IQ-Tree. Of the 47 animals tested, nine (19.1%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Positive samples included rectal, oropharyngeal, and nasal swabs, with the highest positivity in rectal samples. Three genomes were successfully sequenced, revealing two variants: VOC Alpha in a maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and a fallow deer (Dama dama), and VOC Omicron in a western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Phylogenetic analysis indicated potential human-to-animal transmission, with animal genomes clustering close to human samples from the same region. This study highlights the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in various wild mammal species at the Belo Horizonte Zoo, emphasizing the virus's zoonotic potential and the complexity of interspecies transmission. The detection of different variants suggests ongoing viral evolution and adaptation in new hosts. Continuous monitoring and genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife are essential for understanding its transmission dynamics and preventing future zoonotic outbreaks. These findings underscore the need for integrated public health strategies that include wildlife monitoring to mitigate the risks posed by emerging infectious diseases.

Physiological and Molecular Mechanisms of Lepidopteran Insects: Genomic Insights and Applications of Genome Editing for Future Research.

Lepidopteran insects are a major threat to global agriculture, causing significant crop losses and economic damage. Traditional pest control methods are becoming less effective due to the rapid evolution of insecticide resistance. This study explores the current status and genomic characteristics of 1315 Lepidopteran records, alongside an overview of relevant research, utilizing advanced functional genomics techniques, including RNA-seq and CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technologies to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying insecticide resistance. Our genomic analysis revealed significant variability in genome size, assembly quality, and chromosome number, which may influence species' biology and resistance mechanisms. We identified key resistance-associated genes and pathways, including detoxification and metabolic pathways, which help these insects evade chemical control. By employing CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing techniques, we directly manipulated resistance-associated genes to confirm their roles in resistance, demonstrating their potential for targeted interventions in pest management. These findings emphasize the value of integrating genomic data into the development of effective and sustainable pest control strategies, reducing reliance on chemical insecticides and promoting environmentally friendly integrated pest management (IPM) approaches. Our study highlights the critical role of functional genomics in IPM and its potential to provide long-term solutions to the growing challenge of Lepidopteran resistance.

Dynamic Response Control Strategy for Parallel Hybrid Ships Based on PMP-HMPC

With increasingly stringent emission regulations, various clean fuel engines, electric propulsion systems, and renewable energy sources have been demonstratively applied in marine power systems. The development of control strategies that can effectively and efficiently coordinate the operation of multiple energy sources has become a key research focus. This study uses a modular modeling method to establish a system simulation model for a parallel hybrid ship with a natural gas engine (NGE) as the prime mover, and designs an energy management control strategy that can run in real time. The strategy is based on Pontryagin’s minimum principle (PMP) for power allocation, and is supplemented by a hybrid model predictive control (HMPC) method for speed-tracking control of the power system. Finally, the designed strategy is evaluated. Through simulation and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experimental validation, results compared with the Rule-based strategy indicate that under the given conditions, the SOC final value deviation from the initial value is reduced from 11.5% (in the reference strategy) to 0.39%. The system speed error integral is significantly lower at 39.06, compared to 2264.67 in the reference strategy. While gas consumption increased slightly by 2.4%, emissions were reduced by 3.2%.

Deep learning models for vision-based occupancy detection in high occupancy buildings

Accurate occupancy information is crucial for enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in buildings. However, the inherent unpredictability of occupants introduces uncertainties in energy analysis and control strategy development. To address these challenges, this study proposes a vision-based method employing state-of-the-art deep learning models to capture real-time occupancy profiles in crowded indoor spaces. Utilising a self-collected image dataset, various deep learning models, including Single Shot MultiBox Detector (SSD), Faster Region-based Convolutional Neural Networks (Faster R-CNN), and different versions of You Only Look Once (YOLO) were trained and evaluated. An experiment was conducted in a lecture room equipped with cameras and environmental sensors to evaluate the performance of each model in terms of precision, computational efficiency, and adaptability to varying occupancy levels during a lecture session. The session included varying occupancy conditions: entering (barely occupied), during the lecture (typical occupancy), and leaving the room (again barely occupied). Among the models tested, YOLOv8x exhibited the best performance in terms of accuracy, while SSD lagged notably. The impact on the detection performance of various locations of camera setups was also explored. Energy simulations revealed that deep learning-based model generated occupancy profiles significantly deviated from conventional “fixed” occupancy profiles, resulting in a 13.45 % variation in predicted heating energy demand. However, compared to the ground truth, these profiles showed minimal variation (up to 6.72 %) for the Faster R-CNN and YOLO models, highlighting their accuracy and robustness. Additionally, although the deep learning-based occupancy profiles generally overpredicted the recorded data, the CO2 concentration trends they predicted aligned closely with the recorded data, unlike the “fixed” occupancy profiles. The findings underscore the importance of realistic occupancy profiles for reliable energy predictions in buildings and demonstrate the potential of the proposed vision-based method for advancing occupancy detection and building energy management.

Exploring the genomic basis of Mpox virus-host transmission and pathogenesis.

Mpox disease, caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), was recently classified as a public health emergency of international concern due to its high lethality and pandemic potential. MPXV is a zoonotic disease that emerged and is primarily spread by small rodents. Historically, it was considered mainly zoonotic and not likely to sustain human-to-human transmission. However, the worldwide outbreak of Clade IIb MPXV from 2020 to 2022 and ongoing Clade I MPXV epidemics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and surrounding areas are a warning that human-adapted MPXVs will continually arise. Understanding the viral genetic determinants of host range, pathogenesis, and immune evasion is imperative for developing control strategies and predicting the future of Mpox. Here, we delve into the MPXV genome to detail genes involved in host immune evasion strategies for this zoonotic rodent-borne and human-circulating virus. We compare MPXV gene content to related Orthopoxviruses, which have narrow host ranges, to identify potential genes involved in species-specific pathogenesis and host tropism. In addition, we cover the key virulence factor differences that distinguish the MPXV clade lineages. Finally, we dissect how genomic reduction of Orthopoxviruses, through various molecular mechanisms, is contributing to the generation of novel MPXV lineages with increased human adaptation. This review aims to highlight gene content that defines the MPXV species, MPXV clades, and novel MPXV lineages that have culminated in this virus being elevated to a public health emergency of national concern.

Using ecological niches to determine potential habitat suitability for Psacothea hilaris (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and its natural enemies in China under future climates.

Climate change impacts the distribution of pests and its natural enemies, prompting this study to investigate the dynamics and shifts in distribution under current and future climate conditions. The spatial pattern of Psacothea hilaris (Pascoe) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in China was analyzed, and the MaxEnt model was optimized to predict the potential geographic distribution of P. hilaris and its two natural enemies (Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Bothrideridae) and Dendrocopos major (Linnaeus) (Piciformes: Picidae)) in China, to further analyze the key environmental factors affecting the survival of P. hilaris and its natural enemies, and to determine the potential of using D. helophoroides and D. major as natural enemies to control P. hilaris. The results showed that the suitable ranges of P. hilaris and natural enemies are expanding under the influence of climate change, and both have migrated to higher latitudes. The potential ranges of D. helophoroides, D. major, and P. hilaris are highly similar. It is noteworthy that the potential range of D. helophoroides completely covers the potential range of P. hilaris. This indicates that D. helophoroides and D. major can be employed as biological control agents to manage P. hilaris populations. This study provides a theoretical framework and empirical evidence for the development of early warning and green control strategies for P. hilaris.

The Application of PID Control in DC Motor Control Systems

Abstract. The application of Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control in direct current (DC) motor control systems is essential for achieving high levels of precision and reliability in both industrial and robotic applications. As DC motors are widely utilized in environments requiring accurate speed and torque control, this study seeks to address common challenges such as overshoot, instability, and sluggish response times that can compromise performance. The research is centered on the development and implementation of a PID-based control strategy using MATLAB/Simulink as the primary tool for simulation and testing. The study involves detailed simulation models and experimental validation, using data collected from controlled lab environments to evaluate the effectiveness of various tuning methods. These methods include adjusting the proportional, integral, and derivative gains to optimize motor responsiveness and system stability. The results indicate that with appropriate tuning, PID controllers can significantly enhance DC motor performance, leading to reduced overshoot, faster response times, and greater overall system reliability. The research concludes that adaptive PID control strategies, which dynamically adjust parameters in response to changing operating conditions, provide a robust solution for improving DC motor control in complex, dynamic, and nonlinear environments. This study lays the groundwork for future innovations in automation and precision-driven industries, offering insights that could be applied across a wide range of applications.

Fixed-time adaptive sliding mode-based trajectory tracking control for Wheeled Mobile Robot: Theoretical development and real-time implementation

Wheeled mobile robots (WMR) are common autonomous systems requiring efficient control methods. This work investigates fixed-time adaptive sliding mode control (FxT-ASMC) for the trajectory tracking task of a WMR subject to disturbances/uncertainties. The developed control strategy seeks to avoid the chattering problem, cope with disturbances when the upper limit is undefined, and enhance the convergence of the system states. Indeed, a new adaptive technique has been developed to effectively handle disturbances, even in the absence of prior knowledge regarding their upper bound. This technique consists in estimating the switching gain for each channel separately. On the other hand, an appropriate design of the reaching law ensures the fixed-time convergence of the sliding variables to zero. Additionally, sliding variables are designed in a way that guarantees the tracking errors will stabilize within a set amount of time. This kind of convergence was demonstrated using Lyapunov stability theory. In order to realize the trajectory tracking control structure, the FxT-ASMC system is incorporated with a classical kinematic controller. The efficiency of the suggested control methodology is proven via simulations and practical implementation.

Unveiling the role of long non-coding RNAs in chicken immune response to highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 infection

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) pose a significant threat to global poultry production, necessitating effective control strategies to mitigate economic losses and ensure animal welfare. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators of immune responses, yet their roles in AIV-infected chickens remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the expression profiles of lncRNAs and their targets in Vietnamese Ri chickens infected with the highly pathogenic AIV (HPAIV) H5N1. Through RNA sequencing, we identified novel lncRNAs and analyzed differentially expressed (DE) transcripts at 1 and 3 days post-infection (dpi) in chicken lung tissue. Our results revealed a higher number of DE lncRNAs and mRNAs at 1 dpi and 3 dpi, respectively, compared to control, with resistant chickens exhibiting a notably stronger immune response than susceptible chickens at 3 dpi. Functional analysis implicated these lncRNAs in immune-related pathways crucial for host responses to H5N1 viral infection. Furthermore, we identified lncRNA–mRNA interactions associated with antiviral responses and immune function. Notably, several genes involved in antiviral resistance and immune responses showed higher expression in resistant chickens, confirming their stronger antiviral response. Overall, our study provides insights into the role of lncRNAs in the host's response to HPAIV H5N1 infection in chickens and highlights potential candidates for further investigation into host–pathogen interactions. These findings could drive the development of novel control strategies for AIVs, significantly enhancing poultry health and biosecurity.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces ambrosiae on Symphyotrichum subulatum in China.

Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michx.) G. L. Nesom (syn. Aster subulatus), an annual herb in the Asteraceae family, is native to North America. Nowadays, it has become an invasive weed in several provinces of China, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Sichuan (Li and Xie, 2002). Despite being invasive, this species holds significance in Chinese medicine, where it is used for the external treatment of eczema and swollen sore poison (Hu, 2020). In June 2023, symptoms of powdery mildew were observed in S. subulatum populations in Deyang and Nanchong, Sichuan Province, China. About 32.73% among 55 surveyed S. subulatum plants showed signs of infection. Symptoms initially appeared as small, scattered white powdery patches on the leaves, which enlarged and coalesced over time. Subsequently, hyphal growth forming extensive conidia covered up to 90% of the leaf area on both surfaces (Fig. S1A, B), and the infected leaves withered and fell off (Fig. S1A). A specimen was archived at China West Normal University (SsPM-ZL). Conidiophores were cylindrical and erect, 66.4 to 183.2 µm (avg. 108.2±40.8 μm) in length (n=30) (Fig. S1C). Conidia, produced singly, were ellipsoid-ovoid to nearly cylindrical, measuring 29.5 to 36.7 μm in length (avg. 32.9±2.6 μm) and 16.0 to 19.9 μm in width (avg. 17.4±1.3 μm), lacking distinct fibrosin bodies (n=30) (Fig. S1D). Under a scanning electron microscope, turgid conidia displayed reticulate wrinkles on the surface, with gentle contractions or bulges at both poles (Fig. S1E, F). Based on these characteristics, the powdery mildew fungus was consistent with the genus Golovinomyces (Bradshaw et al. 2022a). To confirm the identity of the causal fungus of specimen (SsPM-ZL), the calmodulin (CAM), RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB2), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), glutamine synthetase (GS), and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were amplified using PMCAMF/R, PMRPB2F/R, PMGAPDH1/3R, PMGSF/R, and PM5/ITS4 primers (Bradshaw et al. 2022b), and deposited in GenBank (CAM: OR761878; RPB2: OR761881; GAPDH: OR761879; GS: OR761880; ITS: OR758452). BLAST analysis showed 99 to 100% identity with the sequences of Golovinomyces ambrosiae (FH00941234) for CAM (ON101658, 99.65%), RPB2 (ON119165, 100%), GS (ON075690, 99.78%), and ITS (ON073876, 99.47%). Phylogenetic analysis was performed in MEGAX with maximum likelihood method (Kumar et al. 2016) and clustered SsPM-ZL into the G. ambrosiae clade with a 100% bootstrap support value based on the concatenated sequences of CAM, RPB2, GAPDH, GS and ITS (Fig. S2). Combining morphological and phylogenetic analyses, SsPM-ZL was identified as Golovinomyces ambrosiae. To evaluate pathogenicity, leaves of 3 healthy potted S. subulatum plants (3 leaves per plant) were inoculated by gently pressing them with diseased leaves, while 3 non-contact plants were used as control. Plants in two groups were incubated in separate greenhouses maintained at 27±1°C, with a photoperiod of 14 hours and a relative humidity of 80%. After 7 days, the inoculated plants exhibited symptoms of powdery mildew (Fig. S1H, J), while the control plants remained asymptomatic (Fig. S1G, I). Morphological characteristics of the artificially induced powdery mildew were consistent with those on naturally infected plants. Powdery mildew caused by G. ambrosiae has been reported affecting Helianthus tuberosus (Huang et al. 2017) and Bidens pilosa (Mukhtar et al. 2022) in China. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by G. ambrosiae on S. subulatum in China. Our finding will provide the fundamental knowledge for future powdery mildew diagnosis and the development of potential control strategies.

Efficacy of L-arabinose in managing cucumber Fusarium wilt and the underlying mechanism of action.

Cucumber Fusarium wilt (CFW), triggered by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum, leads to substantial yield reductions in global cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production. Common management strategies for CFW include soil fumigation, grafting, and crop rotation. However, these methods have limitations regarding safety and efficacy stability, necessitating the development of new, cost-effective, and eco-friendly control strategies. Our prior research demonstrated that L-arabinose, an inexpensive and safe sugar commonly used in food and beverages, effectively suppressed bacterial wilt in tomatoes. This study explores the potential of L-arabinose in managing CFW and investigates its mechanism of action. Soil applications of L-arabinose, ranging from 0.00001 to 0.01%, effectively suppressed CFW. The most significant suppressive effect was observed at 0.01%, reducing the disease severity index by 67.5% compared to the control treatment. Microscopic examination of transverse root sections showed that pathogen hyphae colonized the epidermis but seldom penetrated the cortical layer of roots in L-arabinose-treated seedlings. In contrast, the entire root tissue of control seedlings was colonized by the pathogen. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed a significant increase in the expression of defense-related genes dependent on salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene in L-arabinose-treated plants compared to control plants, 6 and 10 days post pathogen inoculation. This study demonstrated that soil application of L-arabinose can effectively suppress CFW by priming root tissues for multiple defense signaling pathways. Therefore, L-arabinose holds potential as a new fungicide for managing CFW. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Superior target genes and pathways for RNAi-mediated pest control revealed by genome-wide analysis in the beetle Tribolium castaneum.

An increasing human population, the emergence of resistances against pesticides and their potential impact on the environment call for the development of new eco-friendly pest control strategies. RNA interference (RNAi)-based pesticides have emerged as a new option with the first products entering the market. Essentially, double-stranded RNAs targeting essential genes of pests are either expressed in the plants or sprayed on their surface. Upon feeding, pests mount an RNAi response and die. However, it has remained unclear whether RNAi-based insecticides should target the same pathways as classic pesticides or whether the different mode-of-action would favor other processes. Moreover, there is no consensus on the best genes to be targeted. We performed a genome-wide screen in the red flour beetle to identify 905 RNAi target genes. Based on a validation screen and clustering, we identified the 192 most effective target genes in that species. The transfer to oral application in other beetle pests revealed a list of 34 superior target genes, which are an excellent starting point for application in other pests. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analyses of our genome-wide dataset revealed that genes with high efficacy belonged mainly to basic cellular processes such as gene expression and protein homeostasis - processes not targeted by classic insecticides. Our work revealed the best target genes and target processes for RNAi-based pest control and we propose a procedure to transfer our short list of superior target genes to other pests. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Occurrence characteristics and ecological impact of agricultural soil microplastics in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau, China

Plastic mulch is widely recognized as a significant contributor to microplastics (MPs) pollution in agricultural soil. However, its direct impact on remote areas with low population density remains uncertain due to multiple pollution sources. This study aims to investigate MPs pollution and its risks regarding agricultural soil in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau (QTP) in China. The results revealed that soil samples from the study area exhibited a range of MPs abundance, varying from 16.67 to 950 items/kg, with the highest average abundance observed in Chengguan district (CG) soil samples (611.11 items/kg). Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE) were identified as the predominant components of MPs in farmland soil. Furthermore, significantly higher levels of MPs were found in the facility agriculture soil compared to the control soil. Diversity and risk of MPs in different regions and cultivation conditions were significantly different. According to the employed risk assessment models, agricultural soil demonstrated a relatively high polymer risk (47 % of areas classified as level III). In addition to being influenced by exogenous factors, the diversity of MPs also plays an intrinsic role in regulating the risk of MPs pollution. This study contributes to an enhanced comprehension of the issue of MPs pollution in QTP farmland soil, providing valuable empirical evidence and theoretical underpinning for the development of efficacious control strategies.