Synthetic Blend Research Articles

Synergist response of the Peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) to some ammonium based proteinaceous food bait attractants

BackgroundUnder the family Tephritidae, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) is a serious pest, attacking fruits and vegetables causing large quantitative and qualitative damages throughout the world. Fruit flies require proteinaceous food for sexual maturation and egg development. Therefore, food bait attractants are frequently utilized for fruit fly detection, monitoring, mass trapping, and control. Using a Y-shape olfactometer (behavioral tests), we selected the best synthetic proteinaceous food bait attractants to volatiles identified by fruit fly antennae. The responses of B. zonata adults, male and female, to some ammonium compounds (ammonium acetate (AA), trimethylamine (TMA), and putrescine) that were mixed with certain food attractants were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Using flies ranging in age from 5 to 30 days, possible mixtures were discovered that might be useful in developing fruit fly attractants for both males and females. So, four base baits were developed by mixing protein hydrolysate with jaggery, papaya powder, kachri powder, potassium hydroxide (KOH), and guava pulp. Finally, thirty-two (32) synthetic blends were developed when the above four base baits were mixed with synthetic attractants.ResultsThe olfactometer bioassay indicated that protein hydrolysate and jaggery-based baits were effective in attracting both male and female flies throughout their adult lives when combined with AA + putrescine (Bait 6) and AA + TMA + putrescine (Bait 8). Similarly, protein hydrolysate + guava pulp-based baits combined with AA + putrescine (Bait 6) and AA + TMA + putrescine (Bait 8) was effective in attracting both male and female flies from 5 to 30 days of age. The pH of all 32 synthetic blends was measured and ranged from 4.77 to 11.35.ConclusionsAccording to our observation, the variation in pH may be due to differences in chemical composition between the attractants and food constituents. The pH of protein bait attractants may be an important factor in the attraction efficiency of B. zonata males and females.

Optical diagnostic study of internal and external EGR combined with oxygenated fuels of n-butanol, PODE3 and DMC to optimize the combustion process of FT synthetic diesel

With the introduction of carbon neutrality target, Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthetic fuels are coming back into the limelight as a kind of carbon–neutral fuel. However, the mismatch between the overly high cetane number (CN) and the relatively low vaporability of FT synthetic diesel is unfavorable to the soot emission control, which will make it difficult to meet more stringent fuel consumption and emission regulations in future applications. To investigate the potential of oxygenated fuels combined with different exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) introduction schemes to achieve high-efficiency and clean combustion of FT synthetic diesel, an optical diagnostic study was carried out based on high-speed photography and the two-color method. The results show that all three kinds of oxygenated fuels could suppress soot emissions via self-carrying oxygen and adjusting the physicochemical properties of the fuel blend. Compared with the combustion characteristics of FT synthetic diesel, the flame area and luminosity of oxygenated blends are reduced, and the in-cylinder temperature and soot KL factor are lowered. Among them, n-butanol exhibits a greater capability of soot control compared to polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (PODE3) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC). In addition, introducing internal and external EGR to the engine fueled by n-butanol/FT synthetic diesel blend shows that with the increase of EGR rate, the external EGR exhibits a gradually stronger inhibiting effect on the heat release process and soot KL factor, while the internal EGR exhibits an inhibiting and then promoting effect. Moreover, the high ratio internal EGR shortens the ignition delay (ID) significantly due to the strong heating effect, which is unfavorable to the control of soot emission. The combination of oxygenated fuels and internal/external EGR could effectively optimize the combustion process of FT synthetic diesel and inhibit soot generation, but the EGR rate needs to be controlled within a proper range.

Odour-mediated oviposition site selection in Aedes aegypti depends on aquatic stage and density

BackgroundOlfaction plays an important role in the selection and assessment of oviposition sites by mosquitoes. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with potential breeding sites affect the behaviour of gravid mosquitoes, with VOCs from aquatic stages of conspecific mosquitoes influencing and regulating oviposition. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic analysis of the behavioural response of gravid Aedes aegypti to conspecific aquatic stage-conditioned water, to identify the associated bioactive VOCs and to determine how blends of these VOCs regulate oviposition site selection and stimulate egg-laying.MethodsUsing a multi-choice olfactory oviposition assay, controlling for other sensory modalities, the responses of individual females to water conditioned with different densities of conspecific aquatic stages were assessed. The conditioned water samples from the most preferred density of each aquatic stage were subsequently compared to each other using the same oviposition assay and analysed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a Tukey post-hoc test. Using combined gas chromatography and electroantennographic detection or mass spectrometry, bioactive VOCs from the preferred density of each aquatic stage were identified. Synthetic blends were prepared based on the identified ratios of bioactive VOCs in the aquatic stages, and then tested to determine the oviposition choice of Ae. aegypti in a dose-dependent manner, against a solvent control, using a dual-choice assay. This dataset was analysed using nominal logistic regression followed by an odds ratio comparison.ResultsGravid Ae. aegypti responded stage- and density-dependently to water conditioned with eggs, second- and fourth-instar larvae, and pupal exuviae, but not to water conditioned with pupae alone. Multi-choice assays demonstrated that gravid mosquitoes preferred to oviposit in water conditioned with fourth-instar larvae, over the other aquatic stage-conditioned water. Gravid Ae. aegypti were attracted, and generally stimulated, to oviposit in a dose-dependent manner to the individual identified synthetic odour blends for the different aquatic stages.ConclusionsIntraspecific VOCs regulate oviposition site selection in Ae. aegypti in a stage- and density-dependent manner. We discuss the need for further studies to evaluate the identified synthetic blends to modulate the odour-mediated oviposition of Ae. aegypti under field conditions.Graphical

Environmental assessment of asphalt mixtures modified with polymer coated rubber from scrap tires

Polymer coated rubber (PCR) is an engineered crumb rubber developed to address the drawbacks of regular crumb rubber in asphalt mixtures, such as the absorption of asphalt binder and premature cracking. Assessing the use of PCR using life cycle assessment (LCA) is important to evaluate whether its use lowers the environmental impact of asphalt mixtures. In LCA, the choice of allocation procedure significantly impacts the results. The cut-off method is often used in LCA studies of products containing recycled materials. The objectives of this work were to evaluate: i) if asphalt mixtures modified with PCR had lower environmental impact than mixtures modified with synthetic polymers, ii) if using more PCR decreased the environmental impact of the asphalt mixtures, iii) if the results changed by using different allocations methods, and finally, iv) if the environmental impact of asphalt mixtures changed when considering the long-term mechanical performance of the blends. In this work, the global warming potential (GWP), fossil depletion, and cumulative energy demand of one ton of asphalt mixture were calculated using the cut-off method, economic allocation, and system expansion. For the system expansion, the recovery energy in cement kilns from scrap tires was compared to burning petroleum coke or natural gas. The LCA of asphalt mixtures modified with two amounts of PCR (0.5% and 1% by weight of total mixture) compared to the synthetic polymer styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) was performed by including results of the experimental investigation (asphalt mixture design and mechanical testing conducted in the asphalt laboratory at Michigan State University). Results were different based on the allocation method considered. Overall, the GWP of PCR 0.5% and PCR 1% mixtures was lower than the SBS mixture, except in one case. The GWP of PCR 1% was 2% higher than the SBS mix when petroleum coke was used in the system expansion. Adding more PCR did not necessarily increase the environmental benefits. PCR 1% had a higher GWP than PCR 0.5% (2.6%, 2.7%, and 6.3% by using cut-off, economic allocation, and system expansion, respectively), except for the system expansion using natural gas as a replacement, which was 3.7% lower than the PCR 0.5%. However, the system expansion with natural gas had the lowest GWP compared to the other methods. On the contrary, the system expansion considering petroleum coke had the highest CO2eq emissions among all the methods used. The GWP of PCR 0.5% and PCR 1% was similar by using cut-off and economic allocation. As the cement industry transition to low-carbon energy, the carbon footprint associated with using scrap tires in pavements will decrease when using system expansion, while it will remain the same with the cut-off method. Considering the mechanical performance of the mixtures, the GWP for the pavement with 0.5% PCR was 8.04% lower over its service life than the synthetic polymer blend.

Maximizing Sustainable aviation fuel usage through optimization of distillation cut points and blending

Sustainable aviation fuel pathways do not generally yield selective synthetic blend components in the aviation turbine fuel distillation range. Here we discuss a methodology for maximizing the sustainable aviation fuel yield from a pathway and the respective blend ratio with a petroleum-derived fuel by varying distillation cut points. These cut points are typically unique for each combination of feedstock and conversion technology and are essential independent variables for fuel finishing. The resultant cut point variations create a Pareto front, illuminating a competition between yield and blend ratio limits, i.e., the boundary where key operability properties are on the specification limit. Computational and experimental examples are given herein. In the computational case, eight bulk properties are calculated for a surrogate composition to simultaneously predict the competition between distillation yield and blend limit, with 10 points along the Pareto front experimentally verified. In the experimental optimization example, this methodology has been applied to an actual product stream currently under development. Relative to a third-party distillation cut recommendation, the method here yielded 37 %v more renewable carbon into the SAF fraction, while also affording a greater margin to property specification limits. This article shares the optimization process which can impact SAF qualification, the relative corresponding diesel and gasoline fractions, and business strategy.

Semiochemicals from Trichosanthes anguina (Cucurbitaceae) plants influence behavior in Diaphania indica.

First to third instars of Diaphania indica (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) feed on the lower surface of leaves, while fourth and fifth instars gregariously consume leaves of Trichosanthes anguina L. After defoliating, the caterpillar also attacks flowers and fruits of the plant and finally, results in loss of crop yield. Therefore, behavioral responses of D. indica adults were investigated to volatiles from undamaged (UD), insect-damaged (ID, plants after feeding by D. indica larvae) and jasmonic acid (JA) treated T. anguina plants. Females showed attraction to volatiles of UD and ID plants of three T. anguina cultivars [MNSR-1 (MNS), Baruipur Long (BAR) and Polo No. 1 (POLO)] in Y-tube olfactometer bioassays. Females did not show significant negative responses from volatiles of JA treated plants. Females were more attracted to volatiles of ID plants than UD plants. Females showed attraction to volatiles of UD or ID plants compared to JA treated plants. Females were attracted to certain synthetic blends resembling volatiles of insect-damaged MNS, BAR and POLO plants in olfactometer bioassays. Females could not distinguish among these three certain synthetic blends in olfactometer bioassays. A synthetic blend of 3Z-hexen-1-ol, α-pinene, hexyl acetate, benzyl alcohol and 6Z-nonenal at mole ratios of 1.47:1.20:1:1.82:1.21 was prepared at 20 mg/mL dichloromethane and 100 μL when used as lure in funnel traps resulted in the capture of the highest number of D. indica adults in field trails. The earlier five-component chemical lure could be used in traps in an integrated pest management program of the insect pest, D. indica. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Staphylococcus microbes in the bovine skin microbiome attract blood-feeding stable flies

The human skin microbiome reportedly contributes to the attraction of mosquitoes to human hosts. We tested the hypothesis that bovine skin microbes affect the attraction of blood-feeding stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans, to their bovine hosts. Microbes were collected from a calf and adult cow, and subsequently isolated and identified by mass spectrometry and genetic sequencing. Separate groups of (i) four Staphylococcus congeners (S. chromogenes, S. sciuri, S. simulans, S. succinus) and (ii) three bacterial heterogeners (Glutamicibacter protophormiae, Corynebacterium stationis, Wautersiella sp.) grown on agar, each attracted flies in still-air olfactometers, as did each Staphylococcus congener singly. The four Staphylococcus microbes also attracted flies in room bioassays. In greenhouse bioassays with paired black barrels as visual (surrogate host) stimuli, the treatment barrel baited with S. sciuri on agar induced significantly more fly alighting responses than the control barrel with sterile agar. This treatment effect could not be demonstrated on a cattle farm, possibly because of chemically and visually complex surroundings. Ammonia emitted by Staphylococcus microbes attracted flies, and a synthetic blend of microbe odorants enhanced the attractiveness of ammonia. Optimal attraction of stable flies to bovine microbes likely requires the integration of multimodal host cues.

Performance Analysis of Domestic Refrigerators Condenser Coil By Applying Lampblack / Synthetic Black Blend

Abstract: Domestic refrigerators are usually used for cooling the bounded space by absorbing the heat through the evaporator and simultaneously rejecting the heat to the surrounding through the condenser coil. The black color coated condenser coil is the main part that rejects heat to the surrounding in the form of radiations. Herein, to increase rejection of the heat from the condenser coil, to increase its performance, a blend of lampblack/ synthetic black (various w/w ratio) was partially painted on. The three different compositions (w/w) are applied on the condenser coil and accordingly, the heat radiating coefficient and coefficient of performance are measured. Optimized composition of lampblack /synthetic black (4:6) provided maximum performance in terms of coefficient of performance 5.51% and with heat transfer coefficient 16.11%. The results show a costeffective approaches to increase the performance as well as the life time.

A synthetic lure for Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) based on the attractive plant Parthenium hysterophorus.

Sugar is the sole diet for male mosquitoes and a complementary meal for females. Searching for natural sources of sugar is mediated by semiochemicals. Floral nectars, extra floral nectaries, damaged tissues of plants and rotten fruits are the most common sources of sugar in nature. I provide laboratory evidence of the high attraction of Parthenium hysterophorus L., a weed that grows in tropical climates, to Anopheles gambiae Giles. This study has tried to identify the chemicals which might be involved in the chemical attraction of A. gambiae to this plant. Using quantitative GC-MS analysis, α-pinene, camphene, 1-octen-3-ol, β-pinene, cis-β-ocimene, bornyl acetate, α-caryophyllene, hexadecanoic acid, and α-linolenic acid were identified as the main constituents of P. hysterophorus volatiles. Successive olfactory assays helped a better understanding of the more attractive chemicals of P. hysterophorus to A. gambiae which was the basis for testing a possible synthetic blend. Olfactory experiments proved this synthetic blend to be as attractive as Parthenium intact plants for A. gambiae. A minimal blend, consisting of only α-pinene, camphene, and cis-β-ocimene, was also produced and laboratory experiments indicated its relative attraction for A. gambiae. This blend can be tested in the attractive toxic sugar bait stations for sampling, surveillance, or control programs of mosquitoes in tropical Africa, where A. gambiae sensu stricto transfer malaria among residents.

Tea green leafhopper-induced synomone attracts the egg parasitoids, mymarids to suppress the leafhopper.

The tea green leafhopper, Empoasca flavescens is the most important pest of tea plants in China. Mymarid attractants based on herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) from leafhopper feeding and oviposition-induced plant volatiles (OIPVs) were formulated and tested as a novel pest control agent against the leafhopper in tea plantations. Results showed that two mymarid species, Stethynium empoascae and Schizophragma parvula, had a reducing effect on leafhopper populations. The HIPVs and OIPVs were identified and bioassayed to screen the key synomones showing strong attraction to the mymarids. They were formulated into different blends, of which Field Attractant 1, comprising linalool, methyl salicylate, (E)-2-hexenal, perillen and α-farnesene at ratio of 1:2:3:58:146 (20 mg/lure), showed the strongest attraction to the mymarids. In field trials with the attractant, the average parasitism rate (60.46 ± 23.71%) of tea leafhoppers by the two mymarids in the attractant-baited area was significantly higher than that (42.85 ± 19.24%) in the CK area. Also, the average leafhopper density (46 ± 30 per 80 tea shoots) in the attractant-baited area was significantly lower than that (110 ± 70 per 80 tea shoots) in the CK area. This study showed that a synthetic blend of key volatiles from HIPVs and OIPVs at an optimal ratio can be formulated into an attractant with the potential to attract and retain wild mymarid populations to suppress leafhopper populations in infested tea plantations, so as to reduce or avoid the spraying of insecticides. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of synthetic antioxidant doped biodiesel blend with oxy-hydrogen gas on the low heat rejection engine

In this research work, N-Isopropyl-N-Phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (IPPD) and N,N′-Diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD) are used as antioxidants for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) mitigation in a biodiesel-diesel blend run in a dual-fuelled compression (CI) engine. Five different antioxidant concentrations are selected for doping JME20, from 0 ppm to 2000 ppm at an interval of 500 ppm. A 4.4 kW rated power at 1500 rpm, four-stroke, single-cylinder, CI engine is modified to operate as a low heat rejection (LHR) engine. The LHR engine is formed by replacing the conventional piston with a YSZ + CeO2 thermal barrier coated (TBC) piston. The combined effects of the antioxidant-doped biodiesel-diesel blend with oxy-hydrogen gas (HHO) gas are experimentally investigated on the LHR engine to study engine combustion, performance, and emission characteristics. The dual-fuelled LHR engine's combustion and performance characteristics are enhanced with the help of hydrogen combustion as compared to diesel data. The results of the engine run on the antioxidant-doped biodiesel-diesel blend reveal that a 3.13%, 6.24%, and 9.8% reduction in BSEC, EGT and NO emissions, respectively are noticed with JME20D4+HHO operation compared to JME20+HHO operation.

Synergistic attraction of Western black-legged ticks, Ixodes pacificus, to CO2 and odorant emissions from deer-associated microbes.

Foraging ticks reportedly exploit diverse cues to locate their hosts. Here, we tested the hypothesis that host-seeking Western black-legged ticks, Ixodes pacificus, and black-legged ticks, I. scapularis, respond to microbes dwelling in sebaceous gland secretions of white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, the ticks' preferred host. Using sterile wet cotton swabs, microbes were collected from the pelage of a sedated deer near forehead, preorbital, tarsal, metatarsal and interdigital glands. Swabs were plated on agar, and isolated microbes were identified by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Of 31 microbial isolates tested in still-air olfactometers, 10 microbes induced positive arrestment responses by ticks, whereas 10 others were deterrent. Of the 10 microbes prompting arrestment by ticks, four microbes-including Bacillus aryabhattai (isolates A4)-also attracted ticks in moving-air Y-tube olfactometers. All four of these microbes emitted carbon dioxide and ammonia as well as volatile blends with overlapping blend constituents. The headspace volatile extract (HVE) of B. aryabhattai (HVE-A4) synergistically enhanced the attraction of I. pacificus to CO2. A synthetic blend of HVE-A4 headspace volatiles in combination with CO2 synergistically attracted more ticks than CO2 alone. Future research should aim to develop a least complex host volatile blend that is attractive to diverse tick taxa.

Decellularized Liver Nanofibers Enhance and Stabilize the Long-Term Functions of Primary Human Hepatocytes In Vitro.

Owing to significant differences across species in liver functions, in vitro human liver models are used for screening the metabolism and toxicity of compounds, modeling diseases, and cell-based therapies. However, the extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold used for such models often does not mimic either the complex composition or the nanofibrous topography of native liver ECM. Thus, here novel methods are developed to electrospin decellularized porcine liver ECM (PLECM) and collagen I into nano- and microfibers (≈200-1000nm) without synthetic polymer blends. Primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) on nanofibers in monoculture or in coculture with nonparenchymal cells (3T3-J2 embryonic fibroblasts or primary human liver endothelial cells) display higher albumin secretion, urea synthesis, and cytochrome-P450 1A2, 2A6, 2C9, and 3A4 enzyme activities than on conventionally adsorbed ECM controls. PHH functions are highest on the collagen/PLECM blended nanofibers (up to 34-fold higher CYP3A4 activity relative to adsorbed ECM) for nearly 7 weeks in the presence of the fibroblasts. In conclusion, it is shown for the first time that ECM composition and topography synergize to enhance and stabilize PHH functions for several weeks in vitro. The nanofiber platform can prove useful for the above applications and to elucidate cell-ECM interactions in the human liver.

Performance of hydraulic oils and its additives in fluid power system: A review

The main objective of this paper is to analyze various hydraulic oils and the effect of additives like nanomaterials in order to increase lubricity, counter friction, reduce wear, etc. A detailed list of additives is focused in this review which will enhance the performance and working of the hydraulic fluid by enhancing lubrication, modifying viscosity and cleaning engine deposits. Mineral oils or Synthetic hydrocarbon blends are used to derive lubricants. Although they lack properties of their own to fulfill the requirements set by the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). By using nanomaterials in mineral oils various advantages can be obtained. Various nanomaterials such as metal chalcogenides, soft metals, carbon-based materials, etc. are available which via mechanisms such as the rolling effect, protective film effect, etc., can change the various properties of hydraulic oils as required. Similarly, additives are added to hydraulic oils like viscosity index improvers, anti-wear agents which will improve the properties of the hydraulic oil by eliminating negative properties and improving the life of the fluid. These additives play a crucial role in sustainability of hydraulic oils and their size can be optimized to get better tribological characteristics. The increasing usage of these high performance additives in the country is projected to register a compound annual growth rate (CARG) of more than 1.5% during the forecast period (2021-2026). The review focusses on the improved performance of these nanomaterials and additives when added to the Hydraulic Fluid and will serve as a reference for future developments in the application of additives and nanotechnology in hydraulic oils.

Sex Attractant Blend for Dioryctria mongolicella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in the Northeast of China

Abstract The Mongolian pine borer, Dioryctria mongolicella Wang & Sung (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a major pest in Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvetris L. var. mongolica Litvinov) plantations in the northeast of China. A blend of 11-hexadecenal and 11-hexadecenyl acetate in a ratio of 2:1 was detected from extracts of its female sex pheromone glands by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Our field trapping experiments confirmed that the D. mongolicella pheromone consists of a blend of (E)-11-hexadecenal (E11-16:Ald) and (Z)-11hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:Ac). The addition of (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate (Z9E11-14:Ac) and (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-tricosatriene (ZZZ3,6,9-23:H) increased catches of male D. mongolicella in sticky traps baited with E11-16:Ald and Z11-16:Ac. However, the addition of (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)-pentacosapentaene or (Z,Z,Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9,12,15-tricosapentaene to lures loaded with E11-16:Ald, Z11-16:Ac, and Z9E11-14:Ac did not significantly increase trap catches of D. mongolicella at two locations in Heilongjiang province, China. The synthetic blend of 400 µg E11-16:Ald, 200 µg Z11-16:Ac, 200 µg Z9E11-14:Ac, and 500 µg ZZZ3,6,9-23:H will help in developing efficient strategies for monitoring and control of D. mongolicella populations in Mongolian pine plantations.

Olfactory Responses of Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae) to Mango Fruits as Influenced by Cultivar and Ripeness Stages.

Anastrepha obliqua Macquart (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a polyphagous species with hog plums (Spondias spp.) (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) and mangoes (Mangifera indica L.) (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) as primary host fruits. In this study, the olfactory preference of A. obliqua for three stages of ripeness of two mango cultivars ('Coche' and 'Ataulfo') was investigated. The female flies were more attracted to ripe 'Coche' fruits compared to those ripe 'Ataulfo'. Further, they were more attracted to the 'Coche' half-ripe and ripe fruits than to the unripe ones, but they did not discriminate among the stages of ripeness of 'Ataulfo' fruits. The male flies did not show preference for any specific mango cultivars or ripeness stage tested. Four compounds from ripe 'Coche' mangoes, and two from ripe 'Ataulfo' fruits were identified using coupled gas chromatography-electroantennographic (GC-EAD) recording and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. 'Coche' mango volatiles eliciting responses from the female antennae were ethyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl heptanoate, and ethyl octanoate. The two 'Ataulfo' mango volatiles were identified as 3-carene and ethyl octanoate. These compounds were absent in unripe mangoes of both cultivars. Synthetic blends of these compounds were attractive to females as mango extracts in field cage tests. Our results suggest that the olfactory preference of A. obliqua for attractive hosts is based on the presence or absence of the compounds associated with fruit maturity.

Expanded Glass for Thermal and Acoustic Insulation from Recycled Post-Consumer Glass and Textile Industry Process Waste

The production of glass foams obtained by recycling post-consumer glass and textile industry processing waste is presented. The mechanical, thermal and acoustic properties were characterized as a function of process temperature and time. The results showed that it is possible to produce glass foams with thermal and acoustic insulation properties from a mixture consisting of 96.5% of glass waste, 1% of textile waste and 2.5% of manganese dioxide, processed at temperatures between 800 and 900 °C for a time between 30 and 90 min. The samples had density in the range of 200-300 kg m-3, porosity of 87-92%, thermal conductivity of 85-105 mW m-1 K-1, noise-reducing factors of 0.15-0.40 and compressive strength of 1.2-3.0 MPa. Although their insulation performance was not as outstanding as that of polymer foams, these materials can emerge as competitive candidates for applications requiring non-flammability and high-temperature load bearing capacity in combination with low weight, mechanical strength, and thermal and acoustic insulation properties. The use of secondary raw materials (which accounted for 97.5% by weight of the synthetic blend) limits the energy required compared to that needed for the extraction, transportation and processing of primary raw materials, making these foams attractive also in terms of environmental footprint.

Green Leaf Volatile Function in Both the Natural Defense System of Rumex confertus and Associated Insects’ Behavior

Rumex confertus is a rhizomatous, invasive, and difficult to control plant. Nevertheless, for sustainable agriculture, studies to biologically control R. confertus continue. Towards this, considerable attention has been devoted to investigating the emission of a wide array of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from herbivore-damaged plants, which are known to induce protection measures in neighboring, undamaged plants. The goals of this study are to (1) determine if the profile of green leaf volatiles (GLVs), which are organic compounds naturally produced by undamaged plants, is similar to that provoked by the chemical stimulants Z-jasmone (ZJA) and dihydrojasmone (DJA), (2) establish if the Apion miniatum beetle’s reproductive choices are influenced by their sex and mating status, and (3) assess if chemically stimulated GLV emissions can be used as signals to attract pests to R. confertus for biological control purposes. Synthetic forms of naturally produced Z-jasmone (ZJA) and dihydrojasmone (DJA), which can act as either an attractant or a repellent of various species of insects, were used to treat R. confertus. In olfactory analysis, the behavioral responses of individual insects to mated and unmated insects and to two GLV blends were evaluated. It was found that unmated male insects were fairly equally divided between going for food (Y-tube olfactometer arm with a GLV blend) and opportunities for reproduction (Y-tube olfactometer arm with unmated females). However, an increase in the GLV blend concentration attracted the insects. Meanwhile, unmated females were definitely indifferent to food and, independent of the GLV blend dose, were more interested in reproduction. Mated males, even with weak feed stimuli, increased their reproduction activity, in opposition to mated females. We provide evidence that synthetic GLV blends can be used to attract predators, making their use an effective means to biologically control R. confertus. The idea of applying synthetic GLVs as a biological control is based on the insects’ mutual relationships, which work as follows: (i) mated males fully invade the weed, (ii) reproduction-driven females follow the mated males to R. confertus, and (iii) the unmated males follow the females with the purpose to reproduce. Therefore, all insect groups (mated and unmated males and females) can be induced to invade the weed. Upon feeding, the insects will damage the generative organs of R. confertus. We propose that the use of chemical stimulants to increase GLV emissions can be effectively used for weed (here R. confertus) control by attracting a plant pest (here A. miniatum).

Bioactive volatile compounds from Penicillium digitatum-infected apples: Oviposition attractants for yellow peach moth Conogethes punctiferalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

IntroductionPlant-associated microbes critically shape the dynamics of plant-and insect-associated communities. In previous studies, we reported that the yellow peach moth Conogethes punctiferalis (YPM) preferred to Penicillium digitatum-infected apples (PDA) for oviposition. However, the underlying mechanisms remains unclear.MethodsIn the present study, the behavioral and physiological experiments were conducted to determine how P. digitatum affects the oviposition selection of mated YPM females via altering host plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs).ResultsMated YPM females were attracted to and laid more eggs on PDA than on non-infected apples (NIA), mechanically damaged apples (MDA), and P. digitatum in potato dextrose agar medium (PPD) in the oviposition selection experiments. Four-arm olfactometer assays further confirmed that odors in PDA were responsible for the attractiveness of mated YPM females. Further analyses showed that 38 VOCs were collected and identified from all treatments by GC-MS, with five specific VOCs (methyl 2-methylbutyrate, styrene, methyl caproate, butyl caprylate, and n-tetradecane) emitting from PDA. A principal component analysis (PCA) based on the absolute contents of 38 VOCs revealed a clear separation of PDA from NIA, MDA, and PPD. Moreover, when P. digitatum-induced specific VOCs were added to apples in individual or synthetic blends, there was a significantly higher percentage of mated YPM females to apples with individual or synthetic blends consisting of methyl 2-methylbutyrate, butyl caprylate, or n-tetradecane in Y-tube olfactometer experiments, suggesting that these three specific VOCs acted as predominant olfactory signals for mated YPM females to PDA.DiscussionTaken together, the microbe P. digitatum was an important driver of the interactions between YPMs and host plants by altering plant volatiles. These findings may form the basis for developing attractant baits for field trapping YPMs in the future.

Odors Attracting the Long-Legged Predator Medetera signaticornis Loew to Ips typographus L. Infested Norway Spruce Trees

Predatory long-legged flies of the genus Medetera are important, but currently understudied, natural enemies of Scolytinae bark beetles such as Ips typographus. Medetera flies lay eggs on beetle-infested trees, where the developing larvae find their prey, but the chemical cues used by Medetera to locate infested trees are currently unknown. To identify odors attracting Medetera signaticornis, a species in Europe, headspace samples were collected at several time-points through different stages of I. typographus attacks on logs of Norway spruce (Picea abies). The headspace samples were analyzed using combined gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and gas chromatography coupled with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) to determine compounds that stimulate M. signaticornis antennae. Antennae of M. signaticornis males and females were found to detect (–)-cis-verbenol, ( +)-trans-verbenol and myrtenol, which are known to be produced by bark beetles. Antennal responses were also observed for verbenene, isoterpinolene, α-pinene oxide, camphor, pinocamphone, terpinene-4-ol, myrtenal, borneol, α-terpineol, geranyl acetone, and verbenone, which are primarily produced by microorganisms, and α-pinene, α-fenchene, β-pinene, camphene, 3-carene, limonene, γ-terpinene, and terpinolene, known spruce tree compounds. In field experiments testing two synthetic blends containing 18 antennal active and two additional compounds 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol and ipsdienol we observed significant attraction of M. signaticornis within 24 h. These attractive blends can form the basis for development of Medetera monitoring lures for use in future forest and pest management.