Main Control Method Research Articles

Nonchemical control of a perennial weed, Cirsium arvense, in arable cropping systems. A review

Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. is one of the most problematic perennial weeds in European countries, causing notable yield losses in both conventional and organic arable cropping systems. C. arvense control is essential because its infestation spreads rapidly and has negative impacts for several years due to its biological characteristics. Herbicidal treatments are the main control methods used in conventional input-based systems, but they are not always more effective than cultural practices. However, the cultural practices currently employed in arable cropping systems are often expensive and time-consuming. To guarantee the efficiency of these control practices, knowledge of C. arvense biology is essential. This review synthesizes the key points from the previous literature on C. arvense biology that can be mobilized to this end and analyzes the literature on different strategies of C. arvense control without herbicides. These strategies are (1) limitation of C. arvense dispersal, (2) weakening of root reserves, (3) extraction of roots, (4) competition with cultivated species, and (5) physical destruction. There is also a review of reported experiences using these strategies for C. arvense control, and relevant information is presented on associated biological processes to optimize the efficacy of each practice. The benefits and drawbacks of these strategies for C. arvense control are also emphasized, as well as the possibility of combining them in cropping systems, even though some knowledge gaps remain. This review confirms that one individual practice, implemented in 1 year only, is not sufficient to provide satisfactory, long-term control of C. arvense; therefore, further studies on combinations of control strategies and processes are required. There is a particular lack of knowledge about the duration of the effect of C. arvense control strategies.

Side-effects caused by chlorpyrifos in the velvetbean caterpillar Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Anticarsia gemmatalis is pest in soybean crops, which main control method is the use of insecticides. Toxicity, survival and side-effects (locomotor behavior, respiration, food consumption and histopathology of the midgut) of A. gemmatalis exposed to chlorpyrifos via ingestion were evaluated. Chlorpyrifos was toxic to A. gemmatalis (LC50 = 0.58 g L−1 and LC90 = 0.85 g L−1) and survival decrease from 99% in control to 30% in insects exposed to LC50 chlorpyrifos. The insecticide decreased the respiration rate, food consumption, altered behavioral responses with hyperactivity in A. gemmatalis. In addition the midgut had histopathological changes characterized by damages in the peritrophic matrix and striated border, high cytoplasm vacuolization, cell fragments released in the lumen and apocrine secretion, which can compromise the digestion of this insect. Chlorpyrifos is toxic to A. gemmatalis larvae, affecting survival, locomotion, respiration, food consumption and the midgut.

Effect of cold storage on performance of Eretmocerus mundus, larval parasitoid of Bemisia tabaci in a conventional tomato growing greenhouse

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is an important pest that causes economic losses in agricultural production systems, including greenhouses. Chemical control is the main control method against B. tabaci; biological control practices, however, have also been applied against this pest, especially in greenhouse production systems. Due to its parasitism potential and adaptation to environmental conditions of the Mediterranean region, Eretmocerus mundus Mercet (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is considered one of the most successful biological control agents of B. tabaci. In mass production, having adequate numbers of natural enemies is critical for the augmentative biological control programs. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the efficacy of stored indigenous Er. mundus on B. tabaci under greenhouse conditions. In storage experiments, red-eyed Er. mundus pupae were stored separately for 4, 8 and 12 days at 5 and 10 °C with 45 ± 5% RH conditions. The most suitable storage duration and temperature were determined as 8 days and 10 °C for the greenhouse release experiments. In the greenhouse experiments, the treatments consisted of B. tabaci release (control), stored and unstored Er. mundus releases in the Spring of 2015 and 2016 growth seasons. For the evaluation of population development of whitefly and the parasitoid, leaf samples were taken at five-day intervals. In both years, similar parasitism fluctuations were detected in stored and unstored parasitoid-released treatments, wherein initially-lower parasitism rates showed a dramatic increase at later sampling dates. In general, statistical parasitism rates of stored and unstored Er. mundus populations were found in the same group for 2015 and 2016. The results showed that storage of the parasitoid did not have a negative effect on its parasitism ability, and eight-day-stored native strain of Er. mundus could be used successfully in the biological control of B. tabaci in greenhouse-grown tomato plants.

Moustiques et pathogènes

In medical and veterinary entomology, mosquitoes have an important place both as sources of nuisance in connection with their hematophagy, but also as potential vectors of pathogens. This article reviews the diversity of mosquitoes of which nearly 3 500 different species are known, but also of the pathogens transmitted. About 300 different species of mosquitoes can bite humans around the world. Only a hundred of these are recognized as potential vectors of dangerous pathogens. The most dangerous species can be grouped into the three genera Aedes, Anopheles and Culex. Arboviruses, protozoa (Plasmodium sp.) and helminths (filariae) are the cause of pathologies that are encountered in both tropical and temperate regions. The main control methods are discussed.

Characterization of Immunogenic Soluble Crude Proteins from Biomphalaria Pfeifferi Against Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent tropical disease in the world after malaria. Chemotherapy and molluscicides which are the main methods of control do not give lasting protection as the disease continues to spread to other new regions. Previous studies have demonstrated the immunogenic properties of the digestive gland (DG), foot parts (FT) and the rest of body tissue (RT) soluble protein of Biomphalaria pfeifferi against Schistosoma parasite and therefore possible candidates for vaccine development against the parasite. However, information about the chemical composition of the soluble proteins is scanty. The objective of this study was to characterize and determine chemical composition of the DG and FT soluble proteins from Biomphalaria pfeifferi. A total of twelve compounds were identified using GC-MS. N-tert -butyl methylamine and penicillamine were present in both DG and FT soluble proteins. Butylamine S, valine, amino heptanoic acid, 1,1-dimethylamino-1 butane and valienamine were present in the DG soluble protein but were missing in the FT extracts. Tert-butylamine, heptylamine, cycloheptane methylamine, erythro- O -methylthreonine and leucine were present in the FT soluble protein but missing in the DG extracts. FTIR analysis showed N-H stretch at 3100 cm -1 , C=O stretch at 1700cm -1 , N-H bending at 1600cm -1 and O-H peak at 3500 cm -1 while UV absorption occurred at 240-300 nm thus confirmed the presence of amino acids in the soluble protein extracts. Results from this study justifies medicinal activity of Biomphalaria pfeifferi soluble crude protein extracts. Further studies involving isolation of individual constituents in the crude soluble proteins and subjecting them to bioassay is highly recommended. Keywords: Schistosomiasis; Biomphalaria pfeifferi; Protein extracts; Chemical compounds DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-12-03 Publication date: June 30th 2020

IMPACT OF ADAPTIVE MOSQUITO BEHAVIOR AND INSECTICIDE-TREATED NETS ON MALARIA PREVALENCE

Malaria prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa remains high. Kenya for example, records about 3.5 million new cases and 11 thousand deaths each year.1 Most of these cases and deaths are among children under five. The main control method in malaria endemic regions has been through the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). Although this approach has been fairly successful, the gains are threatened by mosquito-resistance to pyrethroids (insecticides on nets), physical and chemical degradation of ITNs that reduce their efficacy, inconsistent and improper use by humans, etc. We present a model to investigate the effects of ITN use and mosquito-resistance and adaptation to pyrethroids used to treat bed nets on malaria prevalence and control in malaria endemic regions. The model captures the development and loss of resistance to insecticides, the effects of ITN use on malaria control in a setting where proper and consistent use is not guaranteed, as well as differentiated biting of human hosts by resistant and sensitive mosquitoes. Important thresholds, including the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text], and two parameter groupings that are important for disease control and for establishing the existence of endemic equilibria to the model are calculated. Furthermore, a global sensitivity analysis is carried out to identify important parameters such as insecticide treated bed-net coverage, ITN, the maximum biting rate of resistant mosquitoes, etc., that drive the system and that can be targeted for disease control. Threshold levels of ITN coverage and ITN efficacy required for containing the disease are identified and shown to depend on the type of insecticide-resistance. For example, when mosquito-resistance to insecticides is not permanent and is acquired only through recruitment and the efficacy of ITNs is [Formula: see text], about [Formula: see text] net coverage is required to contain malaria. However, for the same ITN efficacy, i.e., [Formula: see text], approximately [Formula: see text] net coverage is required to contain the disease when resistance to insecticides is permanent and is acquired through recruitment and mutation in mosquitoes. The model exhibits a backward bifurcation, which implies that simply reducing [Formula: see text] slightly below unity might not be enough to contain the disease. We conclude that appropriate measures to reduce or eliminate mosquito-resistance to insecticides, ensure that more people in endemic areas own and use ITNs properly, and that the efficacy of these nets remain high most of the time, as well as educating populations in malaria endemic areas on how to keep mosquito densities low and minimize mosquito bites are important for containing malaria.

Computing process as a diagnostic object

The issues of improving the reliability of the functioning of the computing process are in the focus of attention of many developers and researchers of computer systems. Based on an analysis of research in this area, we came to the conclusion that the theory of reliability of computing systems has not yet been adequately developed, and none of the available groups of methods provides a satisfactory solution to the problems of reliable functioning of the computing process under given restrictions on cost and efficiency. The article discusses the main software methods of diagnosis and control, highlights their significant shortcomings. The conclusion is drawn on the need to develop new methods of program control and diagnostics of the computation process. These methods should ensure reliable functioning of the computing process in the conditions of hardware failures, and allow recovering the computing process and data from the consequences of failures in an acceptable time for the diagnosed process. The definition of the computing process as a sequence of elementary acts on a change in the state of the environment is refined. A path has been outlined for choosing mathematical models of the computing process, the most suitable of which are schemes of programs and algorithms.

Genetic variability among native and introduced strains of the parasitic nematode Deladenus siricidicola

Sirex noctilio is an invasive Eurasian woodwasp that can kill pine (Pinus spp.) trees and has been introduced to areas of the Southern Hemisphere where plantations of introduced pines are grown. The main method of control of this invasive pest has been introduction and augmentation of a parasitic nematode, Deladenus siricidicola. The strain of D. siricidicola used for biological control of S. noctilio in the Southern Hemisphere originated in Sopron, Hungary. The genotype of D. siricidicola used for biological control sterilizes females of the strain of S. noctilio present in Australia. However, different strains of S. noctilio have been introduced to different geographic areas that have been invaded and different combinations of D. siricidicola and S. noctilio genotypes vary in whether these nematodes sterilize female S. noctilio. Moreover, even in the event of sterilization, partial sterilization can occur, where not all woodwasp eggs are compromised. Sirex noctilio has now invaded North America accidentally, putatively accompanying D. siricidicola, but these host/parasite pairings do not result in female sterilization. More information is needed about the genetic diversity of D. siricidicola both where it is native and introduced. In addition, the host range of these nematodes is necessary to understand to evaluate their potential use in areas where pine communities are native. We collected and evaluated Deladenus parasitizing S. noctilio, S. juvencus, and associated insects in Hungary, Denmark, Spain, and Italy, as well as in the United States. Phylogenetic analyses were unable to fully provide fine resolution, although some community structure was evident. Many D. siricidicola samples from Hungary had identical COI and ITS sequences to the strain of D. siricidicola accidentally introduced to North America putatively when S. noctilio invaded. The same or similar strains of D. siricidicola parasitize two different Sirex species that utilize pines as well as a Sirex parasitoid and a pine-boring beetle, demonstrating some limited variability in host specificity of this species. These results highlight the genetic diversity of Deladenus siricidicola in its native range in Europe.

Burst Detection in District Metering Areas Using Deep Learning Method

AbstractWater loss reduction is important in sustainable water resource management. As one of the main water loss control methods, early detection of hydraulic accidents in district metering areas ...

Full-scale membrane bioreactor process WWTPs in East Taihu basin: Wastewater characteristics, energy consumption and sustainability

Based on the collection and analysis of essential data from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in recent ten years, the work provides the wastewater characteristics and energy consumption performance in full-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) process in East Taihu basin, China. High-quality effluent was achieved although the influent carbon source was not beneficial to total nitrogen and total phosphorus removal. The average specific energy consumption (SEC) was 0.52 kWh/m3, which was remarkably lower than that of full-scale MBR process in developed countries, however, the average SEC value was higher than that of conventional activated sludge (CAS) process in China. In addition, the SEC value was largely reduced in 2018, and the regulation of suction pump and aeration mode were considered as the main control methods. Energy consumption will increase along with the influent volume, while the elevation of COD and NH4+-N reduction will bring about relatively low energy consumption. Furthermore, sustainability index was established to comprehensively evaluate the performance of full-scale MBR process, meaning that with relatively low permeate ratio of effluent, full-scale MBR process presented to be inferior to CAS process in sustainability and not feasible to be applied in the upgradation and construction of WWTPs.

Research on Joint Control of On-Ramp Metering and Mainline Speed Guidance in the Urban Expressway Based on MPC and Connected Vehicles

The traffic operational efficiency of the urban expressway system will affect one of the entire cities. Moreover, the idea that traffic control can improve the traffic operational efficiency of the urban expressway system has been fully confirmed. At present, the main control methods include on-ramp metering and speed guidance control. However, there is a gap in using these two control methods together, such as unclear application conditions and unsystematic methods. In this paper, on-ramp metering and speed guidance control are combined effectively. Based on the research of METANET macroscopic traffic flow model and model predictive control (MPC), a novel joint control method based on MPC and connected vehicles (CVs) for on-ramp metering and speed guidance control of the urban expressway is proposed. Finally, the simulation results show that the proposed control method can effectively improve the traffic efficiency and traffic safety.

A New Type of Industrial Robot Trajectory Generation Component Based on Motion Modularity Technology

Motion modularity is the main method of motion control for higher animals. That means the complex movements of the muscles are made up of basic motion primitives, and the brain or central nervous system does not care about the specific details of the movement. However, the industrial robot control system does not adopt the technical roadmap of motion modularity, it generates complex trajectories by providing a large number of sampling points. This approach is equivalent to using the brain to directly guide the specific movement of the muscle and has to rely on a faster Fieldbus system to obtain complex motion trajectories. This work constructs a modularized industrial robot trajectory generation component based on Dynamic Movement Primitives (DMP) theory. With this component, the robot controller can generate complex trajectories without increasing the sampling points and can obtain good trajectory accuracy. Finally, the rationality of this system is proved by simulations and experiments.

Endophytic Entomopathogenic Fungi: A Valuable Biological Control Tool against Plant Pests

Among the non-chemical insect control methods, biological control is one of the most effective human and environmentally friendly alternatives. One of the main biological control methods is the application of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). Today, biological crop protection with EPF plays a key role in projects for the sustainable management of insect pests. EPF have several advantages over conventional insecticides, including cost-effectiveness, high yield, absence of harmful side-effects for beneficial organisms, fewer chemical residues in the environment and increased biodiversity in ecosystems. Apart from direct application as contact bioinsecticides, EPF are able to colonize plants as endophytes acting not only as pest and disease control agents but also as plant growth promoters. The present paper presents an outline of the biocontrol potential of several EPF, which could be harnessed for the development of new integrated pest Management (IPM) strategies. Emphasis is given on benefits of endophytic EPF, on issues for practical application and in fields in need of further research. Our findings are discussed in the context of highlighting the value of entomopathogenic fungal endophytes as an integral part of pest management programs for the optimization of crop production.

Pheromone baited biopesticide for control of Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee in brinjal plant.

Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee, Brinjal fruit and shoot borer (BFSB), is the major pest on brinjal world wide. Larvae of this pest cause the damage; which at initial stages adversely affect the shoot growth, and in later stages diminish fruit quality. Spraying of insecticides is the main pest control method. This has been absolutely ineffective due to concealed habit of the larvae. Such a phenomenon apprehends to the development of insecticides resistance which demands continuously increasing doses. Manipulating the insect behavior using semiochemicals could be an opportunity for better management of insect pest. Application of BFSB sex pheromone components (E)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (E11-16: Ac) alone or in combination with (E)-11-hexadecen-1-ol (E11-16: OH) in traps can be used to suppress the populating growth. Goal-oriented interdisciplinary research on semiochemicals for sound administration of BFSB will depend on a better understanding of the key chemical ecology stimuli of relevance to the pest.

Clomazone Aktif Maddesinin Yarı Kurak Koşullarda Geleneksel Pamuk (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Tarlalarında Yabancı Ot Kontrolünde Çıkış Öncesi Herbisitlerle Tank Karışımı

One of the critical components of successful cotton production is effective weed management. Since cotton cannot compete sufficiently with weeds, especially in the first six weeks, a certain number of weeds significantly reduces cotton yield. In addition, weeds can make cotton harvest difficult and contaminate cotton fiber. The main preferred control method for broadleaf weeds in the conventional cotton of Turkey (non-tolerant and non-resistant varieties) is the use of pre-emergence herbicides. However, since there is not much information about the effects of mixtures of different pre-planting herbicides, the aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and selectivity of herbicides applied as a pre-emergence mixture in cotton. The randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications and eleven treatments was used in the field experiment. The plots were established to 20 square meters (4 m x 5 m). Herbicide applications in the study were carried out in Diyarbakir in 2015, and dual mixtures of clomazone, fluometuron, oxyfluorfen, and pendimethalin were used with different mixtures and doses. Clomazone 0.2 l ha-1 + fluometuron 1,5 l ha-1, clomazone 0.2 l ha-1 + fluometuron 2 l ha-1, clomazone 0.4 l ha-1 + pendimethalin 1.5 l ha-1 and clomazone 0.3 l ha-1 + pendimethalin 2 l ha-1 mixture was found to be complete weed control efficiency. This result shows that mixtures with clomazone active ingredient increase in the efficiency of herbicides pre-planting. Oxyfluorfen mixtures showed the most hazardous damage in terms of product selectivity. The highest cotton yield (> 5 t ha-1) was obtained from the application of mixes of clomazone 0.30 l ha-1 + fluometuron 2 l ha-1 and clomazone 0.2 l ha-1 + fluometuron 1.5 l ha-1, respectively.

Biological Control Associated With Plant Nutrition for Meloidogyne javanica and Pratylenchus brachyurus Management in Soybean

Meloidogyne javanica and Pratylenchus brachyurus stand out among the main nematodes in soybean crops. Research on integrated management are often conducted, due to the low efficiency of the main control methods when they are applied alone. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the potential of biological control and plant nutrition products to control these nematodes in soybean. The effect of each product alone on nematode hatching and mortality was also assessed. A greenhouse experiment was also carried out, evaluating five doses of the product for biological control based on Bacillus and Trichoderma, with and without the presence of the product for nutrition, inoculated with 2000 eggs and juveniles for the gall nematode or 1000 specimens for the nematode lesions. After 30 days of multiplication, the aerial part was removed and the soil was revolved to receive the new sowing of the soybean with the respective treatments mentioned above. After 60 days, the experiments were evaluated for nematological parameters. Both products reduced hatching and increased nematode mortality. Treatments with biological control were efficient in reducing M. javanica and P. brachyurus, mainly when applied at doses close to 5 and 8 kg ha-1, respectively. The nutrition product negatively influences the biological control.

Impact of Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Performance of Corn Crops Associated to Insecticides in Lowland Environment

Brazil, in lowland environment, corn has the potential for crop rotation with irrigated rice to minimizing infestations of red rice. The use of resistant cultivars associated to the use of insecticides are the main methods of control of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). However, there are lack of field studies that assess the crop’s production chain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of corn cultivar, the conventional AG 9045 and the isogenic AG 9045 PRO2 Bt on the control of S. frugiperda, as well as to analyze the cost of production in the lowland environment. The cultivars were sown in the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 harvests with adopted spacing of 0.7 meters and length of 5 meters. The application of insecticides was performed when the index of 10% of plants attacked by S. frugiperda was reached. Percentage (%) of attacked plants, corn productivity (kg ha-1) and cost of production (US$ ha-1) were evaluated. In the final analysis, the AG 9045 PRO2 isogenic Bt in conjunction to the chlorfenapyr + zeta-cypermethrin treatment show better efficiency on the control of S. frugiperda caterpillars, by a combination of two different control methods and active principles in the control of S. frugiperda, higher productivity indexes (3,155.58 kg ha-1) and profitability (-112.08 US$ ha-1).

Analyze of Metallic Powders on Content of the Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen Admixture

Properties of compact metals depend, in base, from oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen conсentrations in their volumes. Powders have peculiarities, which distinguish from compact metals.
 Literature review on methods of determination oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen of content in metallic powders.
 Main method of control of the gaseous admixture in metallic powders is method of the restoration melting of analytical metal in carring gas flow (helium, argon, nitrogen) in graphite crucible in impulse condition. Principal peculiarities and advantages of this method are enumerated.
 Examples of analysis of real objects — powders of pure metals and alloys (iron, chromium, manganese, ferromanganese, ferrosilicon, nickel alloys) is given.
 Samples preparation is the most difficult operation in the time of analyses of metallic powders (selection, manufacturing, drying, preservation, transport of analytical samples).
 Problems of calibration of the methods and analysers by standard samples are considerd.
 Problems of creation of the standard samples from powder metals with known oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen concentration are considerd.
 Lack of the standard samples of metallic powders on gaseous admixtures (oxygen, nitogen, hydrogen) are showed.
 Method of determination oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen contents in highalloyed nickel — tempe­rature of heating on graphite crucible, time, mass of analytical sample — are created.
 Materials for creation of the standard samples of powder metals with certain concetration gaseous admixture with good prospects — highalloyed nickel with low oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen concentrations — are proposed.

Influence of combined antihypertensive and hypolipidemic therapy on blood pressure and parameters of arterial wall stiffness in patients with hypertension

Arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis are some of the most global problems in modern medicine. In the last decade more attention is paid to the state of central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness in patients with cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, as one of the markers of hypertension-mediated organ damage and as a predictor of CV events. The main method of correction and tight control of blood pressure and dyslipidemia is combined antihypertensive and statin therapy. 30 patients with arterial hypertension at stage 2 and high-cardiovascular risk were involved at this study. It was detected that long-term treatment with a fixed combination of lisinopril and amlodipine in combination with rosuvastatin leads not only to normalization of blood pressure, but also to a significant decreasing of central blood pressure and a reduction in pulse wave velocity. This can act as a criterion for the organoprotective action of the combined antihypertensive and lipid lowering treatment.

Functional orientation analysis of primary frequency regulation and inertia control of DFIG

With the penetration of wind power increasing continuously, the inertia and the capability of primary frequency regulation of grid are declining. To deal with this problem effectively, additional primary frequency regulation control and inertia control adopted in wind turbines are necessary. However, at present, the functional orientation of primary frequency regulation control and inertia control is still unclear. It is urgent to clarify the difference between the two kinds of control methods and to make clear the demand of power grid for them. In this paper, based on analysis of main methods of primary frequency regulation and inertia control of doubly-fed induction generators (DFIG), the functional orientation distinction between inertia support function and primary frequency regulation function is studied from perspective of control principles and control results. The different effectiveness of different control functions on the frequency regulation process in different scenarios are analyzed by simulations.