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A superheterodyne reflectometer can provide a direct and inexpensive measurement of the concentrations of ion species with different charge to mass ratios. The ion-ion hybrid cutoff frequency is uniquely determined by the cyclotron frequencies and concentrations of the different species. The phase of a ∼20 MHz wave that travels from a launching antenna on the low-field side of a tokamak, reflects off the cutoff layer, then travels to a receiving antenna provides a direct measure of the species mix. Hydrogen concentrations between 3% and 67% are measured in DIII-D using this technique. In theory, the technique can measure the spatial profile of the tritium concentration in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. Possible practical difficulties include attenuation of the wave in the evanescent layer near the antenna. © 2004 American Institute of Physics.

A superheterodyne reflectometer could provide a direct and inexpensive measurement of ion species mixes with different charge-to-mass ratios. Using the cold plasma dispersion relation, the ion-ion hybrid cutoff frequency is uniquely determined by the density ratio and cyclotron frequencies of the two different species. The phase of a 20 MHz wave that travels from the launching point to the cutoff layer to the receiving antenna provides a direct measure of the hydrogen : deuterium species mix. In the first experiment, a fast Alfvén wave is launched perpendicular to a hydrogen-deuterium plasma from the low field side of the DIII-D tokamak. Quantitative measurements observe a hydrogen concentration range of 3-67% and a maximum penetration depth of 0.60m. Corroborative values are obtained from two independent diagnostics. In the second experiment, the fast Alfvén wave is launched from the high field side (HFS) during a hydrogen puffing experiment. The results suggest that a wave launched from the HFS is able to tunnel through the resonance-layer and reflect back to the receiving antenna.

A superheterodyne reflectometer could provide a direct and inexpensive measurement of ion species mixes with different charge-to-mass ratios. Using the cold plasma dispersion relation, the ion-ion hybrid cutoff frequency is uniquely determined by the density ratio and cyclotron frequencies of the two different species. The phase of a 20 MHz wave that travels from the launching point to the cutoff layer to the receiving antenna provides a direct measure of the hydrogen : deuterium species mix. In the first experiment, a fast Alfvén wave is launched perpendicular to a hydrogen-deuterium plasma from the low field side of the DIII-D tokamak. Quantitative measurements observe a hydrogen concentration range of 3-67% and a maximum penetration depth of 0.60m. Corroborative values are obtained from two independent diagnostics. In the second experiment, the fast Alfvén wave is launched from the high field side (HFS) during a hydrogen puffing experiment. The results suggest that a wave launched from the HFS is able to tunnel through the resonance-layer and reflect back to the receiving antenna.

In this study, our objective was to investigate the impact of dietary butyric acid (BA) on the homeostasis mechanism of Pacific shrimp under cold stress. Specifically, we analyzed its effects on immunity, antioxidant capacity, gene expression, and metabolomics response. To carry out this research, Litopenaeus vannamei were fed a diet supplemented with BA for 8 weeks. Following this feeding period, a total of 180 shrimp, with an average weight of 12.76 ± 0.38 g, were exposed to cold conditions, with the temperature decreasing from 28 °C to 14 °C within an hour. The results of our study revealed survival rates ranging from 90 % to 100 %. Shrimp that were fed a diet containing 1.5 % BA exhibited a significant increase in acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity. Conversely, the control groups showed an increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) activity. Shrimp that consumed diets containing 1.5 % BA displayed the lowest malondialdehyde (MDA) levels with the highest superoxide dismutase (SOD) content. The shrimp fed the BA diet exhibited tightly organized hepatic tubules with a star-shaped lumen filled with numerous B and R cells. Furthermore, shrimp fed the BA diet demonstrated a significant increase in caspase 3 (CASP) expression. There were no significant variations in the expression levels of prophenoloxidase (ProPO), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) The metabolites of Dl-carnitine, acetyl-l-carnitine, propionylcarnitine, hexanoylcarnitine, palmitoylcarnitine, decanoylcarnitine, and Dl-carnitine exhibited significantly increased expression in shrimp that were fed BA, suggesting their role in the lipolysis process. Based on the findings, adding 2 % BA to the diet of Pacific shrimp helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress when they are under cold stress., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There was no conflict of interest present in this project., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

This study looked at the effects of adding butyric acid (BA) to the diets of juvenile Pacific shrimp and how it affected their response to survival, immunity, histopathological, and gene expression profiles under heat stress. The shrimp were divided into groups: a control group with no BA supplementation and groups with BA inclusion levels of 0.5 %, 1 %, 1.5 %, 2 %, and 2.5 %. Following the 8-week feeding trial period, the shrimp endured a heat stress test lasting 1 h at a temperature of 38 °C. The results showed that the control group had a lower survival rate than those given BA. Interestingly, no mortality was observed in the group receiving 1.5 % BA supplementation. Heat stress had a negative impact on the activities of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) in the control group. Still, these activities were increased in shrimp fed the BA diet. Similar variations were observed in AST and ALT fluctuations among the different groups. The levels of triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol (CHO) increased with high temperatures but were reduced in shrimp-supplemented BA. The activity of an antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased with higher BA levels (P < 0.05). Moreover, the groups supplemented with 1.5 % BA exhibited a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) content (P < 0.05), suggesting the potential antioxidant properties of BA. The histology of the shrimp's hepatopancreas showed improvements in the groups given BA. Conversely, the BA significantly down-regulated the HSPs and up-regulated MnSOD transcript level in response to heat stress. The measured parameters determine the essential dietary requirement of BA for shrimp. Based on the results, the optimal level of BA for survival, antioxidant function, and immunity for shrimp under heat stress is 1.5 %., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest It is asserted by the authors that there were no conflicts of interest in this experiment., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses a significant global health concern, impacting both maternal and fetal well-being. Early detection and treatment are imperative to mitigate adverse outcomes during pregnancy. This review delves into the pivotal role of insulin function and the influence of genetic variants, including SLC30A8, CDKAL1, TCF7L2, IRS1, and GCK, in GDM development. These genetic variations affect beta-cell function and insulin activity in crucial tissues, such as muscle, disrupting glucose regulation during pregnancy. We propose a hypothesis that this variation may disrupt zinc transport, consequently impairing insulin production and secretion, thereby contributing to GDM onset. Furthermore, we discussed the involvement of inflammatory pathways, such as TNF-alpha and IL-6, in predisposing individuals to GDM. Genetic modulation of these pathways may exacerbate glucose metabolism dysregulation observed in GDM patients. We also discussed how GDM affects cardiovascular disease (CVD) through a direct correlation between pregnancy and cardiometabolic function, increasing atherosclerosis, decreased vascular function, dyslipidemia, and hypertension in women with GDM history. However, further research is imperative to unravel the intricate interplay between inflammatory pathways, genetics, and GDM. This understanding is pivotal for devising targeted gene therapies and pharmacological interventions to rectify genetic variations in SLC30A8, CDKAL1, TCF7L2, IRS1, GCK, and other pertinent genes. Ultimately, this review offers insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of GDM, providing a foundation for developing strategies to mitigate its impact., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Ray, Zeng, Kusi, Zhang, Shao, Yang, Wei, Li, Che and Guo.)

The species of Neogreenia MacGillivray (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Qinococcidae) are reviewed. The genus is distributed in the Oriental and Palaearctic Regions and now contains seven species. The present study provides updated generic descriptions of all the developmental stages and a brief account of the biology and life cycle of Neogreenia. The genotype, Neogreenia zeylanica (Green, 1896), is redescribed. The following are described and illustrated for the first time: the second-instar nymph, third-instar female, and male third-instar nymph and pupa of N. zizyphi Tang; the second-instar nymph of N. lonicera Wu & Nan; and the second-instar nymph of N. sophorica Wu. Two new species are described and illustrated: Neogreenia ficus Zheng & Wu, sp. n. based on the adult female and Neogreenia tangi Zheng & Wu, sp. n. based on all female instars. These new species bring the total number of described species of Neogreenia to seven. An identification key to all the developmental stages of Neogreenia, and identification keys to species based on adult females and available nymphal instars are provided.

Carbon dots (CDs) are low-cost light-absorbers in photocatalytic multicomponent systems, but their wide size distribution has hampered rational design and the identification of the factors that lead to their best performance. To address this challenge, we report herein the use of gel filtration size exclusion chromatography to separate amorphous, graphitic, and graphitic N-doped CDs depending on their lateral size to study the effect of their size on photocatalytic H 2 evolution with a DuBois-type Ni cocatalyst. Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering confirm the size-dependent separation of the CDs, whereas UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy of the more monodisperse fractions show a distinct response which computational modelling attributes to a complex interplay between CD size and optical properties. A size-dependent effect on the photocatalytic H 2 evolution performance of the CDs in combination with a molecular Ni cocatalyst is demonstrated with a maximum activity at approximately 2-3 nm CD diameter. Overall, size separation leads to a two-fold increase in the specific photocatalytic activity for H 2 evolution using the monodisperse CDs compared to the as synthesized polydisperse samples, highlighting the size-dependent effect on photocatalytic performance.

A new mealybug species, Ceroputo liquidambaris Zhang & Watson sp. n. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), collected on leaves and branches of Liquidambar formosana (Altingiaceae), is described and illustrated from Jiangxi, China. The new species differs from all other known species of Ceroputo in having dorsal multilocular disc pores. Notes on some aspects of Ceroputo pilosellae Šulc collected in China and a key to the adult females of Ceroputo species are provided.

A new mealybug species, Dysmicoccus lushanensis Zhang, Wang & Watson sp. n. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), collected on the branches of Rhododendron simsii Planch. (Ericaceae) in Jiangxi Province, China, is described and illustrated. It is similar to another species recorded feeding on Rhododendron, D. wistariae (Green 1923), in having small conical dorsal setae and most cerarii containing more than 2 conical setae, but differs from it in having each anal lobe cerarius(C18) with more than two conical setae, and translucent pores present on the hind femur and tibia. The new species also resembles D. finitimus (Williams 1994), which is only known to feed on palms (Arecaceae), in possessing anal lobe cerarius(C18) each with more than 2 conical cerarian setae, but differs in having minute, conical dorsal setae and in lacking translucent pores on the hind coxa. In addition, D. debregeasiae (Green 1922) is recorded from China for the first time. A key to the Chinese species of Dysmicoccus is provided.

Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

In order to evaluate the effects of glycerol monolaurate (GML) on the growth performance, immunology function, disease resistance and intestinal microbiota for hybrid groupers. Seven levels of GML (0, 600, 1200, 1800, 2400, 3000 and 3600 mg/kg) were added to diets and were noted as the G1 (control group), G2, G3, G4, G5, G6 and G7, respectively. Each experimental diet was fed to triplicate groups of 30 juvenile groupers for 8 weeks. The FBW, WGR and SGR were significantly higher and FCR was significantly lower in the G4 group compared to the G1 group (P < 0.05). Serum immune enzyme activities (ACP, AKP and LZM) rose and then fell and had the highest values in the G4 group (P < 0.05). The expression of TNF-α and IL6 in head kidney was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05), while the expression of TLR22 was increased (P < 0.05). After the Vibrio parahaemolyticus challenge test, ACP and AKP activities were increased in the G4 and G5 groups, while mortality was lower than in the G1 group (P < 0.05). GML significantly modulated the abundance of intestinal microbiota, with the G4 and G5 groups increasing the relative abundance of the Firmicutes and Bacillus, respectively (P < 0.05). The alpha diversity of the G5 group (Sob, Chao1 and ACE) was significantly higher than that of the G1 group (P < 0.05). In summary, the optimal level of GML was 1700 mg/kg according to the regression equation model fitted by the WGR index., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors confirm that there was no conflict of interest with this experiment., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Iran is situated at the junctions of the Palaearctic and Oriental zoogeographical Regions, and the Caspian, Baluchi and Irano-Turanian floral zones, so it has a very diverse scale insect fauna. Scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) are economically important in forestry, agriculture and horticulture. This taxonomic work on the mealybugs (Pseudococcidae and Rhizoecidae) and Putoidae of Iran is the second of three parts planned to cover all the scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) in the country. It provides a resource for accurate laboratory identification of all the species known to occur in Iran or that are likely to be found there. Keys to the genera and species of mealybug found in Iran29 genera and 62 species of Pseudococcidae, and one genus and one species in each of the families Rhizoecidae and Putoidaeare provided. Detailed line drawings of all the species are given to facilitate identification. These are accompanied by detailed descriptions, distribution data, information on natural enemies, economic importance and host-plants recorded in Iran. The main purpose of the work is to provide agricultural staff concerned with pest control and quarantine inspection in Iran with a reliable means of species identification. The species Dysmicoccus walkeri (Newstead), Peliococcus marrubii (Kiritshenko) and Phenacoccus transcaucasicus Hadzibejli are recorded for the first time from Iran, and Artemicoccus poacearum Moghaddam Watson sp. n. and Spilococcus williamsi Moghaddam Watson sp. n. are described.

Scale insects (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccomorpha) feed on plant sap; some are damaging pests in agriculture and forestry. However, the scale insects found in continental Africa have not been extensively studied and the available means of identification are incomplete. This synoptic work, the second in this series, covers the six archaeococcoid scale insect families found in continental Africa: Kuwaniidae, Margarodidae, Matsucoccidae, Monophlebidae, Ortheziidae and Putoidae. The work provides identification keys to a total of 29 genera and 137 species, and a checklist for each family. Pseudaspidoproctus zimmermanni (Newstead) (Monophlebidae) is transferred to Aspidoproctus, as Aspidoproctus zimmermanni (Newstead), comb. n. Praelongorthezia praelonga (Douglas) (Ortheziidae) is recorded from Gambia for the first time.

The Chinese soft scale species in the genus Coccus Linnaeus, 1758 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) were studied. Coccus cambodiensis Takahashi and the Malaysian species C. cameronensis Takahashi are considered to be non-congeneric with Coccus hesperidum Linnaeus, 1758, the type species of Coccus, and are transferred to Prococcus Avasthi, 1993, as Prococcus cambodiensis (Takahashi, 1942), comb. n. and Prococcus cameronensis (Takahashi, 1952), comb. n. The generic diagnosis of Prococcus is revised. In the genus Coccus, two new species are described and illustrated based on adult females: Coccus nanningensis Cao Feng, sp. n. from Guangxi, China, on Ficus carica (Moraceae), and Coccus cephalotaxus Cao Feng, sp. n. from Shannxi, China, on Cephalotaxus sinensis (Taxaceae). Identification keys to separate adult females of Prococcus from Coccus, the 14 species of Coccus found in China, and all three species of Prococcus are provided.

The checklist of scale insect species recorded from Kenya comprises 14 families, 128 genera and 304 species, of which 207 (68.0%) are probably of African origin, 91 (29.9%) have been introduced from outside Africa and six (2.0%) are of unknown origin. Out of the 207 African species, only 11 (5.3%) have been recorded damaging plants, whereas out of the 91 introduced species, 45 (49.5%) have caused or are highly likely to cause plant damage in Kenya. The most economically important scale insect families in Kenya are (in order of importance) the Pseudococcidae, Coccidae and Diaspididae. Four new combinations are made: Eurycoccus glomerulus De Lotto is transferred to Trionymus, as Trionymus glomerulus (De Lotto) comb. n.; Trionymus sativus James is transferred to Paracoccus, as Paracoccus sativus (James) comb. n.; Pseudococcus masakensis James is transferred to Nipaecoccus as Nipaecoccus masakensis (James) comb. n., and Spilococcus commiphorae De Lotto is transferred to Paracoccus, as Paracoccus commiphorae (De Lotto) comb. n.

Scale insects (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccomorpha) are obligate plant parasites feeding on plant sap; some are damaging pests in agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Despite their economic importance, the scale insects found in continental Africa have not been extensively studied and the keys for identifying them are incomplete and scattered through the literature in several languages. The aim of this study is to improve our understanding of the African scale insect fauna. As a first step towards their identification, we provide a key to the 23 families currently known from continental Africa, based on slide-mounted adult females, covering Aclerdidae, Asterolecaniidae, Cerococcidae, Coccidae, Conchaspididae, Dactylopiidae, Diaspididae, Eriococcidae, Halimococcidae, Kermesidae, Kerriidae, Kuwaniidae, Lecanodiaspididae, Margarodidae, Matsucoccidae, Micrococcidae, Monophlebidae, Ortheziidae, Phoenicococcidae, Pseudococcidae, Putoidae, Rhizoecidae and Stictococcidae.

High-nuclearity Mn complexes have attracted significant scientific attention due to their fascinating magnetic properties and their relevance to bioinorganic systems and catalysis. In this work, we demonstrate how the strong binding characteristics of phosphonate ligands can be coupled with sterically hindered carboxylate groups to influence the symmetry of Mn coordination clusters. We describe the structure of two high-nuclearity Mn coordination cages, {Mn 12 } and {Mn 15 }, synthesized using this approach. These cages are structurally related to the truncated tetrahedral geometry and adopt rare topological features of Archimedean and Johnson-type solids. Their structural attributes distinctively influence their magnetic properties and electrocatalytic H 2 O oxidation characteristics.

The scale insects (infraorder Coccomorpha) are the most morphologically specialised members of the Hemiptera. They form a monophyletic group within the suborder Sternorrhyncha, having one-segmented tarsi and a single claw (all other hemipterans have a double claw). They show extreme sexual dimorphism: the more-or-less sessile adult females are wingless and larviform, whereas the motile adult males mostly are winged and lack mouthparts. Within the Coccomorpha, 54 families are currently recognised, of which 20 are known only from fossils and 34 are extant (García Morales et al. 2016).

MYC oncoproteins regulate transcription of genes directing cell proliferation, metabolism and tumorigenesis. A variety of alterations drive MYC expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and enforced MYC expression in hematopoietic progenitors is sufficient to induce AML. Here we report that AML and myeloid progenitor cell growth and survival rely on MYC-directed suppression of Transcription Factor EB (TFEB), a master regulator of the autophagy-lysosome pathway. Notably, although originally identified as an oncogene, TFEB functions as a tumor suppressor in AML, where it provokes AML cell differentiation and death. These responses reflect TFEB control of myeloid epigenetic programs, by inducing expression of isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) and IDH2, resulting in global hydroxylation of 5-methycytosine. Finally, activating the TFEB-IDH1/IDH2-TET2 axis is revealed as a targetable vulnerability in AML. Thus, epigenetic control by a MYC-TFEB circuit dictates myeloid cell fate and is essential for maintenance of AML.

Iran is situated at the junctions of the Palaearctic and Oriental zoogeographical regions, and the Caspian, Baluchi and Irano-Tiranian floral zones, so it has a very diverse scale insect fauna. Scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) are economically important in forestry, agriculture and horticulture. This taxonomic account of the armoured scales (Diaspididae) of Iran is the first of three works planned to cover all the scale insects in the country. It provides a resource for accurate laboratory identification of all the species known to occur in Iran or that are likely to be found there. Keys to the families of scale insects found in Iran, and to the 49 genera and 144 species of Diaspididae found there, are provided. Detailed line drawings of all the species known to occur in Iran are provided to facilitate identification. These are accompanied by detailed descriptions, distribution data, information on natural enemies, economic importance and host-plants recorded in Iran. The main purpose of the work is to provide agricultural entomologists concerned with pest control and quarantine inspection worldwide with a reliable means of species identification.

n -type transparent conductors (TCs) are key materials in the modern optoelectronics industry. Despite years of research, the development of a high-performance p -type TC has lagged far behind that of its n -type counterparts, delaying the advent of "transparent electronics"-based p-n junctions. Here, we propose the layered oxysulfide [Cu 2 S 2 ][Sr 3 Sc 2 O 5 ] as a structural motif for discovering p -type TCs. We have used density functional theory to screen 24 compositions based on this motif in terms of their thermodynamic and dynamic stability and their electronic structure, thus predicting two p -type TCs and eight other stable systems with semiconductor properties. Following our predictions, we have successfully synthesized our best candidate p -type TC, [Cu 2 S 2 ][Ba 3 Sc 2 O 5 ], which displays structural and optical properties that validate our computational models. It is expected that the design principles emanating from this analysis will move the field closer to the realization of a high figure-of-merit p -type TC., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Polynuclear transition metal complexes have continuously attracted interest owing to their peculiar electronic and magnetic properties which are influenced by the symmetry and connectivity of the metal centres. Understanding the full electronic picture in such cases often becomes difficult owing to the presence of multiple bridges between metal centres. We have investigated the electronic structure of a {Mn6} cage complex using computational and experimental approaches with the aim to understand the coupling between the manganese centres. The nature of the various coupling pathways has been determined using a novel methodology that involves perturbing the system while retaining the symmetry and analysing the effect on the coupling strength due to the perturbation. Furthermore, we have investigated the magnetic properties of this complex in higher oxidation states which reveals a switch in the nature of coupling from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic in addition to stabilisation of intermediate spin states.

Invasive species threaten the ecological and economic wellbeing of a country (Pimentel et al. 2001). In the last decade, several mealybugs and soft scale insects have been accidentally introduced to India, of which some have become serious pests (e.g., Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, Paracoccus marginatus Williams Granara de Willink, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green and Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel Miller); others are widening their host ranges and spreading rapidly. Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) and Protopulvinaria longivalvata Green seem relatively harmless but Trijuba oculata (Brain) and Pulvinaria urbicola Cockerell cause economic damage (Joshi Rameshkumar 2013; Joshi 2017).

The adult female of a new species of armoured scale insect, Diaspidiotus aetnensis Nucifora, Watson and Mazzeo sp. n. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae), is described and illustrated. It was collected in Sicily on the endemic birch, Betula aetnensis Raf. (Betulaceae). We provide supplementary notes on Diaspidiotus alni (Marchal), D. wuenni (Lindinger) and D. lenticularis (Lindinger), and a key to the Diaspidiotus species recorded on Betulaceae worldwide.

The 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide-Tröger's base fluorophore, TBNap-TPy, adorned with phenyl-terpyridine moiety was synthesised and assessed for its aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behaviour. TBNap-TPy was further employed as a fluorescent sensor for the discriminative sensing of π-electron-deficient nitroaromatic; the TBNap-TPy displaying the largest fluorescence quenching with high selectivity for picric acid, a harmful environmental pollutant widely used in the dye industries.

The 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide Tröger's base functionalized triazine covalent organic polymer TB-TZ-COP was synthesised and employed as a "turn-on" fluorescent and a colorimetric sensor for the discriminative sensing of volatile organic compounds; the TB-TZ-COP displaying the largest fluorescent enhancement and high sensitivity for 1,4-dioxane, a harmful environmental pollutant classified as a Group 2B carcinogen.

We report the synthesis and characterization of two photoactive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), TCM-14 and TCM-15 . The compounds were synthesized by incorporating 4,4'-azopyridine auxiliary ligands into pto -type scaffolds that are composed of dinuclear copper(II) "paddle-wheel"-based secondary building units and flexible, acetylene-extended, tritopic benzoate linkers. Room temperature CO 2 sorption of the MOFs was studied, and UV-light irradiation is shown to result in reduced CO 2 adsorption under static conditions. TCM-15 reveals a dynamic response leading to an instant desorption of up to 20% of CO 2 upon incidence of UV light because of the occurrence of nonperiodic structural changes. Physicochemical and computational density functional theory studies were carried out to gain insight into the mechanism of the interaction of light with the frameworks.

Lead-free organic-inorganic halide perovskites have gained much attention as nontoxic alternatives to CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 in next-generation solar cells. In this study, we have examined the geometric and electronic properties of methylammonium germanium iodide CH 3 NH 3 GeI 3 using density functional theory. Identifying a suitable functional to accurately model the germanium halide perovskites is crucial to allow the theoretical investigation for tuning the optoelectronic properties. The performance of various functionals (PBE, PBE+D3, PBEsol, PBEsol+D3, HSE06, and HSE06+D3) has been evaluated for modelling the structure and properties. The calculation of electronic properties was further refined by using the quasiparticle GW method on the optimized geometries, and that has an excellent agreement with the experiment. We report from our GW calculations that the characteristic of the density of states for CH 3 NH 3 GeI 3 resembles the density of states for CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 and the effective masses of the charge carriers of CH 3 NH 3 GeI 3 are comparable to the effective masses of CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 as well as silicon used in commercially available solar cells., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest.

The chemical accessibility of the Ce IV oxidation state enables redox chemistry to be performed on the naturally coinage-metal-deficient phases CeM 1- x SO (M = Cu, Ag). A metastable black compound with the PbFCl structure type (space group P4/ nmm: a = 3.8396(1) Å, c = 6.607(4) Å, V = 97.40(6) Å 3 ) and a composition approaching CeSO is obtained by deintercalation of Ag from CeAg 0.8 SO. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals the presence of large defect-free regions in CeSO, but stacking faults are also evident which can be incorporated into a quantitative model to account for the severe peak anisotropy evident in all the high-resolution X-ray and neutron diffractograms of bulk CeSO samples; these suggest that a few percent of residual Ag remains. A straw-colored compound with the filled PbFCl (i.e., ZrSiCuAs- or HfCuSi 2 -type) structure (space group P4/ nmm: a = 3.98171(1) Å, c = 8.70913(5) Å, V = 138.075(1) Å 3 ) and a composition close to LiCeSO, but with small amounts of residual Ag, is obtained by direct reductive lithiation of CeAg 0.8 SO or by insertion of Li into CeSO using chemical or electrochemical means. Computation of the band structure of pure, stoichiometric CeSO predicts it to be a Ce 4+ compound with the 4f-states lying approximately 1 eV above the sulfide-dominated valence band maximum. Accordingly, the effective magnetic moment per Ce ion measured in the CeSO samples is much reduced from the value found for the Ce 3+ -containing LiCeSO, and the residual paramagnetism corresponds to the Ce 3+ ions remaining due to the presence of residual Ag, which presumably reflects the difficulty of stabilizing Ce 4+ in the presence of sulfide (S 2- ). Comparison of the behavior of CeCu 0.8 SO with that of CeAg 0.8 SO reveals much slower reaction kinetics associated with the Cu 1- x S layers, and this enables intermediate CeCu 1- x Li x SO phases to be isolated.

The adult female and male of Scaptococcus occultans sp. n. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), a new mealybug species from the southwestern United States, are described and illustrated, as well as the male of S. milleri McKenzie. Females of the new species can be recognized by their unmodified prothoracic legs, anal ring with two rows of cellular pores, and presence of a circulus; the adult female is further characterized by the presence of bands across the thoracic and abdominal segments containing numerous dorsal modified oral collar tubular ducts (with the inner half of the outer duct sclerotized), quinquelocular pores and multilocular pores. The adult male of the new species differs from that of S. milleri by having unmodified prothoracic femora, small spine-like prothoracic claw denticles, fewer dorsal and ventral setae on abdominal segments II-V, and no sclerotized abdominal tergites laterally on the abdomen. The generic description of Scaptococcus is revised to include the new species, and an updated key to the adult females, diagnostic notes for the female nymphal instars, and updated distribution and host data for all the three species are provided.

The ionic and electronic conductivity of orthorhombic LaMnO3 can be modified by introducing lower valence dopants at both the La and Mn sites. Alkaline earth doped perovskites, such as LaMnO3, have a variety of applications in catalysis, for nitrogen storage and reduction, and oxidation of volatile organic compounds, and as the oxygen electrode in solid oxide fuel cells. Here, we investigate doping with the divalent alkaline earth metals Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, and the charge compensation mechanism. The energies of formation of isolated defects and clustered pairs were investigated at both La and Mn sites to establish the most probable site at which they will be introduced. The charge compensation mechanism for the introduction of alkaline earth dopants was examined by considering both ionic (formation of an oxygen vacancy for every two alkaline earth dopants introduced) and electronic compensation (a hole localised at the Mn site for each dopant introduced). Larger cations (Ca, Sr and Ba) were found to have lower defect formation energies when introduced at the La site, while the smaller Mg defect had lower formation energies when introduced to the Mn site. For all defects introduced, electronic compensation for the defect was found to be more energetically favourable, which will result in improved electronic conductivity of the material.

The adult female and male of Nipaecoccus bromelicola sp. n. are described, based on specimens on bromeliads in Californian nurseries and intercepted from Mexico and Guatemala, countries believed to be within the native range of this species. The male of N. floridensis Beardsley is also described, illustrated, and diagnosed from known congeners. An identification key to adult females of Nipaecoccus species recorded from the United States (including its overseas territories) is presented. Molecular characterizations based on COI are provided for N. bromelicola, N. floridensis, N. nipae and N. viridis.

The synthesis, photophysics and biological investigation of fluorescent 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide Tröger's bases (TB-1-TB-3) and a new Tröger's base p-cymene-Ru(ii)-curcumin organometallic conjugate (TB-Ru-Cur) are described; these compounds showed fast cellular uptake and displayed good luminescence and cytotoxicity against cervical cancer cells.

Determining the most likely source of an invasive pest species might help to improve their management by establishing efficient quarantine measures and heading the search of efficient biological control agents. Planococcus ficus is an invasive mealybug pest of vineyards in Argentina, California, Mexico, Peru and South Africa. This mealybug pest had a previously known geographic distribution spanning southern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of northern Africa. In North America, Pl. ficus was first discovered in the early 1990s and soon thereafter in Mexico. To determine the origin of invasive populations in North America, Pl. ficus from California and Mexico were compared with material throughout its presumptive native range in the Mediterranean region, as well as material collected from an older invasion in South Africa and recently invaded Argentina. From each sample location, genomic DNA was sequenced for the nuclear internal transcribed spacer one (ITS1) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c. oxidase one (CO1). Phylogenetic analyses of CO1, ITS1 and concatenated CO1 and ITS1 data-sets using Bayesian and neighbor-joining analysis support two major divisions: a European grouping (Europe, Tunisia, Turkey) and a Middle Eastern grouping (Israel and Egypt). The invasive populations in Argentina and South Africa align with the European group and the invasive populations in North America align with the Middle Eastern group, with one Israel sample aligning closely with the North American clade, suggesting that Israel was the origin of those populations.