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The effect of supplementary food spray on the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and beneficial insects (predominantly predatory insects) was studied in commercial maize field experiments from 2020 to 2022. The food spray formulation was developed from local ingredients in Vietnam, both with and without neem extract. The sugar-based rice dough product attracted and sustained beneficial insects, significantly reducing fall armyworm populations. Compared to conventional insecticide treatments, the net margin achieved in plots treated with food spray was higher ($3,467) to $3,394 in the conventional insecticide-treated plots demonstrating its economic viability (1 AUD=17.28 VND). Our study observed an average predator-to-prey ratio of 9.2:1 per plant in the food-spray-treated plots, and that was effective in managing the fall armyworm throughout the season. We propose that this ratio can serve as a valuable parameter and decisionmaking tool in food spray-based Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs against fall armyworm in maize fields. Therefore, we suggest that food sprays can be incorporated into IPM strategies to successfully manage fall armyworm infestation in maize crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of the church in Africa reveals that socio-political involvement is an integral part of its mission in, to, and for the world. In the present decade support for [...]

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is a relatively common condition that is strongly associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Symptoms include pruritus of the oral mucosa and, in particular, the posterior tongue. Patients with OAS experience symptoms immediately after eating certain fruits, vegetables, spices, and nuts. Typically, for patients with this condition, offending foods may be cooked to avoid the symptoms. For diagnosis and management of OAS, dental clinicians should take a thorough history and be alerted to the possibility of OAS when symptoms such as pruritus of oral mucosal tissues appear immediately after the patient eats foods associated with OAS and has a concomitant history of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Because there is a relatively rare possibility of more serious symptomatology, clinicians should consider referral to the patient's primary care provider or an appropriate medical specialist. This article presents a case series comprising five patients diagnosed with OAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This book is a collection of eleven essays of African theologians, edited by Robert J. Schreiter, professor of historical and doctrinal studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. The first [...]

The effectiveness of a commercial bee attractant, synthetic honey bee queen mandibular pheromone (Fruit Boost®) for enhancing pollination of Gossypium hirsutum was evaluated in a transgenic (Bt) cotton crop. The study assessed the number of bee visitations to blossoms of plants treated with Fruit Boost® as well, as effects on fruit set, yield, and lint quality. Bee activity on plots sprayed with pheromone concentrations of 50 and 500 queen equivalents (QEQ) /ha did not differ significantly from water-only control, on the day of application or the subsequent day. Application of the pheromone did not increase fruit set, yield, or lint quality. Two consecutive pheromone applications, applied two days apart, were not significantly different from a single application for any parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and adoption of transgenic (Bt) crops that express the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin has reduced the use of synthetic insecticide on transgenic crops to target Helicoverpa spp., the major insect pest of cotton in Australia. However, it has also increased the threat posed by sucking pests, particularly Creontiades dilutus (green mirid), which are unaffected by the Bt toxins in transgenic cotton crops. Here we report the efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Aspergillus sp. (BC 639) in controlling the infestation of transgenic cotton crops by C. dilutus and promoting interactions of transgenic cotton with beneficial insects. The results showed that the number of C. dilutus adults and nymphs recorded on plots treated with 1000, 750, 500, 250 ml/ha BC 639 fungus formulation were the same as on plots treated with the recommended concentration of the commercial insecticide Fipronil. The fungus was found to have minimal effect on predatory insects compared with Fipronil and was most effective against C. dilutus when applied at the rate of 500 ml/ha (equivalent to 50 g spores/ha). At this rate, the fungus was as effective as Fipronil for controlling C. dilutus populations and ensured the survival of predatory beetles, lacewings and spiders compared with Fipronil treatment. The yield from fungus-treated plots was 5.24 bales per acre compared with 5.40 and 3.88 bales per acre for Fipronil-treated and unsprayed plots, respectively. The ability of the BC 639 strain to control C. dilutus infestations of transgenic cotton crops while conserving beneficial insect populations suggests its potential for supplementing integrated pest management programs to reduce the use of synthetic insecticides for transgenic cropping systems. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A strain of the fungus Cladosporium sp. (RM16) from an egg of Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was assessed as a potential biocontrol agent for this pest. Pathogenicity of the fungus was tested against H. armigera eggs and larvae, cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover; Homoptera: Aphididae), and silverleaf whitefly type B (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius; Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). The pathogenicity of the fungus to the predatory red and blue beetles (Dicranolaius bellulus Guérin-Méneville; Coleoptera: Melyridae), transverse ladybird beetles (Coccinella transversalis Fabricius; Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), green lacewings (Mallada signatus Schneider; Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and damsel bugs (Nabis kinbergii Reuter; Hemiptera: Nabidae), was also assessed in the laboratory. Fungus treatment resulted in failure to hatch of up to 64% of H. armigera eggs (compared with 11% in the controls) and mortality of 54% of first instar H. armigera larvae (compared with 5% in the controls). In contrast, it was not pathogenic to later instar H. armigera larvae. Cladosporium RM16 was also efficacious against the sap-sucking insect pests of cotton that were tested. No significant harmful effect of the fungus was found on any of the four beneficial predatory insects assessed in this study. Cladosporium RM16 has the potential as biological control agent to support integrated pest management in cotton farming systems, although this needs intensive study. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The egg and nymphal development, fecundity and survival of the green mirid, Creontiades dilutus were examined at a range of temperatures and a modified day-degree model fitted to the data. Day degree (DD) requirements for egg and nymphal development, and threshold temperatures were calculated from the fitted lines. Female fecundity and longevity, egg and nymphal development, and survival of C. dilutus were significantly influenced by temperature. Eggs and nymphs failed to complete development at temperatures below 17 and at 38°C. Females also failed to produce any eggs at 11 and 38°C. The optimum temperature range for female fecundity was found to be 26–32°C. The optimum temperature for the development of eggs was calculated from the model as 30.5°C and for nymphs as 31.5°C. The threshold temperature for development was 15.8°C for egg and 15.1°C for nymph; 69.4 and 156.7 DD were required for completing the egg and the nymphal development, respectively. At the optimum temperature, it was estimated that development from egg to adult took 15 days. Survival was highest at 26°C for eggs and at 30–32°C for nymphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the effect of Mn addition to Gd-substituted YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) on transport current and behavior under applied magnetic field. The high-temperature superconducting tapes were manufactured by ion-beam assisted deposition and metal organic chemical vapor deposition on hastelloy substrates. The field dependence measurements as a function of Mn concentration were performed in applied magnetic fields up to 1.5 Tat 77 K. The dependence of critical current on the field angle was measured in the plane perpendicular to the sample longitudinal axis (current axis). The effect of Mn concentration on critical temperature is also reported. The results are characterized and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined twist and tensile loading states are expected in many applications of YBCO coated conductors. Wire twist is introduced due to winding on complex shapes or for AC loss reduction, while tensile loading originates from sources such as differential thermal expansion and inertial forces. In this study, we analyse the electromechanical behavior of an IBAD/MOCVD YBCO coated conductor configuration with the superconducting layer deposited on hastelloy substrate and encapsulated by copper. The effect of pre-applied twist on degradation of current carrying capability as a function of tensile stress was studied via experimental measurements on tapes with 1 micron thick YBCO layer and 50 micron thick hastelloy substrate at 77 K. In addition, the stress states under pure torsion are modeled using continuum mechanics. Both numerical and approximate analytical solutions are presented, and the stress and strain distributions as a function of applied twist angle are analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]