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The tea plant, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze, is an economically important, perennial woody plant rich in catechins. Although catechins have been reported to play an important role in plant defences against microbes, their roles in the defence of tea plants against herbivores remain unknown. In this study, we allowed the larvae of Ectropis grisescens, a leaf-feeding pest, to feed on the plants, and alternatively, we wounded the plants and then treated them with E. grisescens oral secretions (WOS). Both approaches triggered jasmonic acid-, ethylene- and auxin-mediated signalling pathways; as a result, plants accumulated three catechin compounds: (+)-catechin, epicatechin and epigallocatechin. Not only was the mass of E. grisescens larvae fed on plants previously infested with E. grisescens or treated with WOS significantly lower than that of larvae fed on controls, but also artificial diet supplemented with epicatechin, (+)-catechin or epigallocatechin gallate reduced larval growth rates. In addition, the exogenous application of jasmonic acid, ethylene or auxin induced the biosynthesis of the three catechins, which, in turn, enhanced the resistance of tea plants to E. grisescens, leading to the coordination of the three signalling pathways. Our results suggest that the three catechins play an important role in the defences of tea plants against E. grisescens.

Plant cystatins play crucial roles in the process of plant defense against herbivorous insects. A cDNA clone, designated CsCPI2, was isolated from Camellia sinensis cv. Longjing 43 using 5′-/3′-RACE extension. The full-length cDNA gene is 618 bp in size, encodes 205 amino acid residues, and has a deduced molecular weight of 23.07 kDa. CsCPI2 was different from the already published CsCPI1, as the two cDNA sequences share 69.31% and 60.4% pairwise identity at the nucleic acid and amino acid levels, respectively. The CsCPI2–MBP fusion protein was over-expressed in Escherichia coli. We found that the inhibitory effect of CsCPI2–MBP on ficin was 1.17, 3.46, and 3.73 times the effect on papain, chymopapain, and bromelain, respectively. The highest inhibitory activity of CsCPI2–MBP was found at pH 7 at 40 °C, and CsCPI2–MBP was stable at temperature below 60 °C. Moreover, CsCPI2–MBP was found to be more responsive to acidic environment than to alkaline one. Higher cystatin inhibitory activity was found in the tea leaves infested by Myllocerinus aurolineatus than that in intact healthy leaves. Finally, we found that CsCPI2 was a competitive inhibitor of the cysteine proteinases in tea weevil’s gut, and leaves treated with CsCPI2–MBP incurred compensatory damage, and the weight gain of tea weevils fed on CsCPI2–MBP treated leaves was significantly higher than that of MBP treated leaves, but did not cause mortality. Taken together, our research highlights potential defensive proteins for future tea engineering approaches, but more in vivo experiments are needed to confirm their effectiveness.

Polyphenol oxidases (PPOs) as inducible defense proteins, contribute to tea (Camellia sinensis) resistance against tea geometrid larvae (Ectropis grisescens), and this resistance has been associated with the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling by testing geometrid performance in our previous work. However, the regulation of PPO-based defense by JA and other hormone signaling underlying these defense responses is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of phytohormones in regulating the PPO response to tea geometrids. We profiled levels of defense hormones, PPO activity and CsPPO genes in leaves infested with tea geometrids. Then, hormone levels were manipulated by exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), gibberellin acid (GA3), abscisic acid (ABA), JA biosynthesis inhibitors (sodium diethyldithiocarbamate trihydrate, DIECA and salicylhydroxamic acid, SHAM) and GA inhibitor (uniconazole, UNI). Upon geometrid attack, JA levels significantly increased, whereas GA levels notably decreased and ABA level was slightly decreased. And the PPO activity significantly increased in line with the transcript levels of CsPPO2 and CsPPO4 but not CsPPO1. There were an obvious antagonistic cross-talk between JA and GA signals and an association among JA signals, PPO response and herbivore resistance in tea plants. Pretreatment with MeJA increased PPO activity by activating the transcripts of CsPPO2 and CsPPO4, whereas application of JA inhibitor DIECA suppressed PPO activity. GA3 strongly enhanced PPO activity, but ABA did not alter PPO activity. These findings strongly suggest that JA is a central player in PPO-mediated tea resistance against tea geometrids in a manner that prioritizes defense over growth.

A transition metal-free and regioselective total synthesis of 6-methylellipticine, a potent anticancer agent, was developed. This synthetic approach mainly involved two key reactions: a direct amination of multi-functional phenol via an alkylation-Smiles rearrangement protocol, and an intramolecular C–H bond arylation reaction promoted by potassium tert-butoxide. These reactions resulted in the formation of two key intermediates, diarylamine and carbazole derivative, under transition metal-free conditions. The last cyclization afforded the target product 6-methylellipticine.

Hafnium content and its change are of significance in geochemistry and cosmochemistry; however, the determination of hafnium has always been problematic in analytical chemistry. In this paper, a new idea is proposed for the determination of hafnium in geochemical samples, including rocks, soils, and stream sediments. Through the comparison of two conventional open-type acid digestion methods (HF-HNO3-HClO4 and HF-HNO3-H2SO4), it was found that although neither of these methods could fully digest the zirconium and hafnium in a sample, the zirconium and hafnium digestion behaviors in one sample were consistent in the 60 experimental geochemical reference materials with different properties, so the experimentally determined Zr/Hf ratio in solution could be used to calculate the hafnium content in a sample. In addition, possible mass spectral interferences during the determination of zirconium and hafnium by high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICPMS) were studied, and it was found that the mass spectral interferences of the selected isotopes (90)Zr and (178)Hf could be neglected. The mass spectral behaviors of (90)Zr and (178)Hf were also very consistent during the determination by HR-ICPMS. Since the hafnium content was calculated using the ratio value, all of the errors (including the errors in weighing process, the accidental errors during operation and the instrument fluctuation in the determination) of the Zr/Hf ratio could be effectively reduced or even eliminated. The relative standard deviation of the actual samples was lower than 3.2%, and the detection limit of the method (considering the dilution effect and matrix effect during measurement of the Zr/Hf ratio and zirconium content) was 0.04 μg/g. The proposed method could satisfy the requirement for the determination of hafnium in geochemical samples.

C5H3NO4S, monoclinic, P21/c, a = 11.7169(18) Å, b = 8.2671(12) Å, c = 28.478(4) Å, β = 93.396(2)°, Z = 16, F(000) = 1408, V = 2753.6(7) Å3, R gt (F) = 0.039, wR ref (F 2 ) = 0.107, T = 296 K.

The tea green leafhopper, Empoasca vitis Gothe (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is a serious pest of tea crops in China. The effectiveness of five aromatic non-host plants, Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) (Myrtaceae), Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae), Lavandula pinnata L. (Lamiaceae), Ruta graveolens L. (Rutaceae), and Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae), was investigated to determine their ability to suppress E. vitis on tea plants. Volatile organic compounds derived from L. pinnata, R. officinalis, and C. citriodora were found to repel leafhoppers and to mask the host's odors. Intercropping L. pinnata and C. citriodora with tea plants significantly reduced the E. vitis population levels in the tea plantation associated with higher population densities of generalist predators. The volatile compounds from the five non-host plants were collected by headspace absorption under field conditions, and the 10 major components were identified. Qualitative and quantitative differences were found among the five odor profiles. Moreover, the emission dynamics of non-host volatiles were monitored. Non-host volatile emissions showed two peak periods, one in the spring and one in the autumn period. These peaks were almost consistent with the population dynamics of E. vitis. Our findings suggested that this newer approach to ecologically based, sustainable pest management implemented via intercropping with non-host aromatic plants such as L. pinnata and C. citriodora offers a promising alternative to chemical control of the leafhopper population.

The tea leafhopper, Empoasca vitis (Gothe) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is a major pest of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze (Theaceae). In this study, the RGB color model was used to describe the colors of sticky traps. The most effective color for attraction of E. vitis was investigated by orthogonal optimization. The selected color was verified in tea gardens and the most effective height for positioning of color sticky traps for capturing tea leafhoppers was investigated. After the determination of the effect of the three color parameters and their interactions by orthogonal optimization, the color gold (RGB: 255, 215, 0) was selected as the most effective color to trap tea leafhoppers. In tea gardens, more leafhoppers were captured using gold sticky traps (RGB: 226, 204, 4) than using commercially available yellow sticky traps. The most effective height of gold sticky traps for trapping leafhoppers was 40–60 cm above the tea canopy. Few lady beetles were captured at this height. We conclude that the orthogonal optimization method is a convenient and efficient method to screen digitally generated colors for attracting and trapping of pests.

As a promising way to the certain area surveillance, the application of wireless sensor network on the unknown subsea observation is becoming more significant. After placing the sensor nodes, each sensor node will generate a common communication frame and choose the next hop neighbor node randomly, which could results in redundant energy consumption. In this paper, a data transmission strategy is proposed including routing scheme, frame format and the corresponding topology structure. By considering the transmitting distance, energy consumption and transmission probability, the introduced strategy can reduce the redundant energy consumption, balance the network payload and prolong the subsea observation network lifetime. The simulation results show that the strategy is more efficient than the common one.

Volatile organic compounds derived from non-host plants, Ocimum basilicum, Rosmarinus officinalis, Corymbia citriodora, and Ruta graveolens, can be used to mask host plant odors, and are repellent to the tea geometrid, Ectropis obliqua. Volatile compounds were collected by headspace absorption, and the components were identified and quantified by using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The responses of antennae of female E. obliqua to the compounds were evaluated with gas chromatography/electroantennography detection. Qualitative and quantitative differences were found among the four odor profiles. Consistent electroantennographic activity was obtained for eight of the volatiles from the four plants: β-myrcene, α-terpinene, γ-terpinene, linalool, cis-verbenol, camphor, α-terpineol, and verbenone. In a Y-tube bioassay, six chemicals, β-myrcene, γ-terpinene, (R)-(-)-linalool, (S)-(-)-cis-verbenol, (R)-(+)-camphor, and (S)-(-)-verbenone, were the main compounds responsible for repelling E. obliqua. An eight-component mixture including all of the bioactive compounds (in a ratio of 13:2:13:8:1:24:6:17) from R. officinalis was significantly more effective at repelling the moths than any single compound or a mixture of equal amounts of the eight compounds. Field results demonstrated that intercropping tea plants with R. officinalis effectively suppressed E. obliqua infestations in a tea plantation. Our findings suggests that odor blends of R. officinalis play a role in disturbing host orientation behavior, and in repelling E. obliqua adults, and that R. officinalis should be considered when developing "push-pull" strategies aimed at optimizing the control of E. obliqua with semiochemicals.

In order to obtain the availability of roads and bridges after earthquake, a real-time monitoring system is build by wireless sensor networks. And a new key management scheme is proposed to protect the safety of the system. The scheme is based on the polynomial and the Chinese Remainder Theorem, divided into three stages which are system initialization, key establishment, node join and revocation. Analysis shows that the new scheme greatly reduces the storage space and the energy consumption of calculation and communication of node. It is suitable for post-disaster road monitoring system.

In response to insect herbivory, plants emit volatiles that are used by the herbivores’ natural enemies to locate their host or prey. Herbivore attack also enhances tea aroma. Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) vary both quantitatively and qualitatively with infestation duration and herbivore density. Thus, whether HIPVs can reliably communicate the identities of herbivores is of interest. Here, we studied the tea plant volatiles induced by the tea leafhopper (Empoasca vitis, a piercing–sucking insect), the tea geometrid (Ectropis oblique, a chewing insect), and methyl jasmonate (MeJA, a plant hormone). Geometrid feeding induced more complex volatile blends than did leafhopper infestation. The volatiles induced by both herbivores significantly increased in quality and quantity with time during the first 16 h of infestation, after which the profiles of induced volatile blends and the emission of induced compounds varied diurnally. (E)-β-Ocimene displayed a unique rhythm in which emission peaked at night. The amount of HIPVs significantly increased, while their profiles changed little, with herbivore density. Overall, the leafhoppers and geometrids induced significantly different volatiles from tea plants, while the HIPV profiles varied with a circadian rhythm and were similar at different herbivore densities. Our findings also suggest a new method of enhancing tea flavor using exogenously applied plant hormones, because the volatiles induced by leafhoppers and MeJA were similar in general composition.

Polyphenol oxidases (PPOs) have been reported to play an important role in protecting plants from attack by herbivores. However, little is known about their role in tea. Here, we investigated the effect of PPOs on interactions between tea plants and the tea geometrid Ectropis obliqua, one of the most important insect pests of tea. Jasmonic acid (JA) treatment resulted in increases in PPO activity, and the effect of JA was dose dependent. Ectropis obliqua caterpillars grew and developed more slowly on JA-treated tea plants than on control plants, and larval weight gains depended on the JA dosage. Artificial diet complemented with PPOs reduced the growth and survival rate of E. obliqua caterpillars, and there was a negative relationship between PPO level and larval growth and survival. Unlike mechanical wounding, which is an effective inducer of tea plant PPO activity, wounding plus the herbivore regurgitant or herbivore infestation suppressed the wound-induced PPO activities, especially at 4 days after treatment. These results suggest that PPOs are an important anti-herbivore factor in tea plants, defending them against E. obliqua larvae, and that E. obliqua larvae have evolved to elude the tea plant's defense by inhibiting the production of PPOs.

The “push–pull” habitat management strategy, as a new powerful and effective tool in integrated pest management (IPM), uses a combination of behavior-modifying stimuli to manipulate the distribution and abundance of pests and/or their natural enemies for pest control. In the “push–pull” strategy, pests are repelled or deterred away from the protected resource (push) by stimuli that disturb the host location and modulate the host become unattractive or unsuitable for the feeding and oviposition of pests. By using highly attractive stimuli, the target pests are simultaneously attracted (pull) to the specific source in which they are subsequently concentrated, facilitating their elimination and leaving the protected resource. Since stimuli usually are nontoxic, either “push” or “pull” components, the strategy is usually companied by population-reduced methods, such as using insecticides, exploiting nature enemies, and placing traps. Among them, methods of biological control are the most preferred. The “push–pull” strategies maximize efficacy of behavior-modifying stimuli through the additive and synergistic effects of integrating the use of methods for population reduction. In this review, the principles of the “push–pull” strategy were firstly described, then the potential behavior-modifying stimuli for “push” and “pull” components were introduced. The stimuli for use in “push–pull” strategies primarily include visual cues and chemical cues (synthetic or plant- or insect-derived semiochemicals). Visual stimuli, repellent and trap plants, host and non-host volatiles, insect pheromones, and antifeedants and oviposition deterrents are usually applied as the potential stimuli in the “push–pull” strategy for pest control. The stimuli are grouped as long-range stimuli and short-range stimuli. In addition, we also summarize models of “push–pull” habitat management strategy, such as agriculture, horticulture and forestry, of pest control and some successful case studies in applying of “push–pull” strategy and its potential ecological benefits. The “push–pull” technology (PPT), so far the most effective “push–pull” strategy in practice by farmers, developed for management of both stemborers and Striga hermonthica in maize-based farming system in eastern Africa were reviewed. The PPT uses an intercrop of repellent plants and border crops of attractive trap plants. Stemborer moths are effectively repelled away from the maize crop (push) by Desmodium and molasses grass, and are subsequently attracted (or trapped) to (pull) by the Napier grass and Sudan grass which emit the green leaf volatiles (GLVs) showing attractant properties. Finally, the problems in current research and future perspectives of the “push–pull” habitat management strategy are discussed in the present paper.

In this paper, an analytic solution to the modified mild-slope equation (MMSE) for wave reflection by a submerged rectangular breakwater with two scour trenches is explored. Because of the use of the MMSE with effects of the bottom curvature and the slope-squared terms, the solution is not only valid in the whole wave range from shallow water to deep water, but also valid for topographies not restricted to vary moderately. The present analytic solution includes an existing analytic long-wave solution as its special case, and the computing results show good agreement between two solutions, except for a slight difference when waves approach intermediate-wave range. It is found that this slight difference used to lead to an incorrect conclusion that the reflection coefficient for wave reflection by a rectangular breakwater or trench is a periodic function to the ratio of the breakwater length to the wavelength. This analysis shows that the reflection coefficient is a periodic oscillation function wit...

Plant volatiles are known to play a role in host location in many herbivorous insects. Although a few studies have determined the role of specific chemicals from herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) in mediating interactions between conspecifics in insects belonging to Curculionidae, little is known about how this process works when different components are used. By measuring the behavioral responses of the tea weevil, Myllocerinus aurolineatus (Voss) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), to a series of chemicals in a Y-tube olfactometer, we found that a blend containing (E/Z)-β-ocimene and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate was attractive to male M. aurolineatus adults, and a blend containing 2-phenylethanol and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate was attractive to female M. aurolineatus adults; both blends were as attractive to the insects as the volatiles emitted by the tea plants infested with adult weevils. A net cage experiment in the laboratory showed that traps baited with (E/Z)-β-ocimene plus (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate attracted the male herbivores, whereas the traps baited with 2-phenylethanol and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate did not. Field experiments verified that tea plants exposed to a blend of (E/Z)-β-ocimene plus (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate attracted significantly more weevils than did the control plants or sticky traps baited with the above lure. These results suggest that the blend of (E/Z)-β-ocimene and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate is an important signal which the tea weevil uses to locate its host, and is a strong candidate for an attractant that could be used to control the weevil.

A medium speed mill-foundation coupled finite element model was established using ANSYS. The modal and harmonic responses of medium-speed mill were analyzed. The influence of the number of vibration isolators and the ratio of foundation bedplate to equipment on the vibration of mill was analyzed. The shock absorption measures of medium-speed mills were discussed. To get good vibration isolation effect, the maximum horizontal vibration displacement of medium-speed mill with spring vibration-isolated foundation is suggested as 50 μm, and the ratio of foundation bedplate to equipment as 3.0±0.2.

After herbivore attack, many plants emit herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). HIPVs can attract carnivores and/or repel herbivores, thereby mediating tritrophic plant–herbivore–carnivore interactions. HIPVs act as chemical information between organisms; hence, their variability and stability are vital. In the present study, variations in the volatile emissions, from the tea plant Camellia sinensis (O. Ktze) damaged by the tea weevil Myllocerinus aurolineatus (Voss) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), with weevil densities, photoperiod and infestation duration, were investigated. The volatiles induced by high-density weevils were more abundant in composition and amount than those induced by low-density weevils, whether at noon, night or after weevil removal. The induced volatile emissions were similar on the second and third day after infestation, and the emissions of the major induced compounds displayed diurnal cycles. Linalool, (E,E)-α-farnesene, and benzyl nitrile were emitted mainly at noon, whereas 1,3,8-p-menthatriene and (E)-β-ocimene were maximally emitted at night. Given the different emission dynamics, significant differences were found between noon- and night-induced volatiles. In summary, tea plants damaged by different weevil densities emitted a relatively stable signal at a particular time. This stability could be attributed to the similarities under the two densities of the main induced volatile compounds, their relative ratios and the emission dynamics of the induced volatiles.

To observe the microstructure and ultrastructure of Multiceps multiceps from the artificially infected dogs. METHEDS: Two male dogs were infected with the coenurus of M. multiceps from naturally-infected sheep (about 80-100 per dog). The adult worms of M. multiceps were recovered from the intestine, and fixed by the conventional method. The scolex, neck, immature proglottid, mature proglottid, and gravid proglottid were prepared for paraffin section and ultrathin sections with HE staining and uranyl acetate staining, and observed under light microscope and electron transmission microscope, respectively.Under light microscope, each proglottid consisted of cortical layer and parenchymal layer. The cortical layer was composed of microvilli, syncytium, and substrate layer. The parenchymal layer mainly consisted of muscle tissue, excretory system, and reproductive system. The microvilli layer of scolex was thinner than that of neck and mature proglottid, and the longest microvilli were mainly distributed in the binding site between the proglottids. The scolex was extremely muscular. The nervous system and excretory system were repeated in each proglottid. Mature proglottid had both male and female reproductive systems. Gravid proglottid had uterus and egg, and atrophic male reproductive organs.The special microstructure of Multiceps multiceps are that most microvilli in the cortex is cylindrical; the microvilli length in the binding sites between mature proglottids is longer than that of other parts.

Antennal olfactory responses of the parasitoid, Apanteles sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), to 13 host-induced volatile compounds were measured by electroantennogram (EAG) techniques. Dose response curves of EAG indicated that compared with males, females showed significantly stronger EAG responses to (Z)-3-hexenal, (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (Z)-3-hexenyl-hexanoate and Benzyl nitrile. Among plant volatiles tested, the females were most sensitive to 100μM (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, while the males were more sensitive to 100μM (E)-2-hexenal. The results show that the wasp is able to detect all compounds tested. We detected no sexual differences in the EAG responses to (E)-2-hexenyl hexanoate, (Z)-3-hexenyl benzoate, (Z)-3-hexenyl-2-methyl butyrate, (E)-β-ocimene, Linalool and DMNT.

The oxylipin pathway is of central importance for plant defensive responses. Yet, the first step of the pathway, the liberation of linolenic acid following induction, is poorly understood. Phospholipases D (PLDs) have been hypothesized to mediate this process, but data from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) regarding the role of PLDs in plant resistance have remained controversial. Here, we cloned two chloroplast-localized PLD genes from rice (Oryza sativa), OsPLDα4 and OsPLDα5, both of which were up-regulated in response to feeding by the rice striped stem borer (SSB) Chilo suppressalis, mechanical wounding, and treatment with jasmonic acid (JA). Antisense expression of OsPLDα4 and -α5 (as-pld), which resulted in a 50% reduction of the expression of the two genes, reduced elicited levels of linolenic acid, JA, green leaf volatiles, and ethylene and attenuated the SSB-induced expression of a mitogen-activated protein kinase (OsMPK3), a lipoxygenase (OsHI-LOX), a hydroperoxide lyase (OsHPL3), as well as a 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (OsACS2). The impaired oxylipin and ethylene signaling in as-pld plants decreased the levels of herbivore-induced trypsin protease inhibitors and volatiles, improved the performance of SSB and the rice brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens, and reduced the attractiveness of plants to a larval parasitoid of SSB, Apanteles chilonis. The production of trypsin protease inhibitors in as-pld plants could be partially restored by JA, while the resistance to rice brown planthopper and SSB was restored by green leaf volatile application. Our results show that phospholipases function as important components of herbivore-induced direct and indirect defenses in rice.

The post-disaster road monitoring system provides an interesting application area for wireless sensor networks. After the earthquake, roads are subject to be blocked by landslides. The people require a scalable and low-cost technology for getting real-time dynamic data about road available because aftershocks occur continuously. Wireless sensor networks are a promising candidate to fulfill these requirements. Then the post-disaster road monitoring system solution is put forward. In this system, the ordered arrangement of node number greatly reduces the complexity of node location and provides the premise and guarantee for designing efficient route algorithm for the system. The algorithms of route established and route forwarding are designed for the arrangement and transmission characteristics of nodes, then are more efficient than general-purpose route protocol.

In this paper, we study the node deployment in long narrow area of wireless sensor networks. Currently, studies on node deployment of wireless sensor networks mostly concentrated in two-dimensional flat area and three-dimensional space area which are complicated or inapplicable for long narrow area. The significant difference of node deployment between long narrow area and two-dimensional area is that the nodes in two-dimensional monitored area can be deployed anywhere, while the nodes in long narrow area can only be deployed by side with the environmental constraints. Considering the coverage, connectivity and reliability, we give out the densities and numbers of needed nodes in node deployment scheme for both 1-connected cover and k-connected cover in long narrow area covered completely by sensor networks.

Buffalograss ( Buchloe dactyloides ) is known for its low-nutrient tolerance. However, in natural habitats, nutrients are usually patchily distributed. For clonal plants like buffalograss, physiological integration is an important strategy to cope with adverse environmental conditions. In order to examine how integration helps buffalograss to survive in patchy conditions, a greenhouse experiment was conducted for 91 days. Interconnected ramet pairs of stoloniferous buffalograss were planted in two partitioned same-sized containers, and subjected to identical or contrasting nutrient supply. In contrast to normally perceived resource-sharing concepts, results showed that buffalograss genets reduced production of new ramets in nutrient-poor patches promoting at the same time propagation of interconnected ramets in nutrient-rich patches. Ramets in nutrient-rich patches gained significant benefit from heterogeneous treatments, whereas nutrient-poor ramets performed even worse than in uniform low-nutrient treatment. Younger ramets developed more biomass than elder ramets with the same amounts of nutrient supply under homogeneous treatment, while elder ramets were more tolerant when nutrients were scarce. Heterogeneity had a particular strong effect on stolons and new ramet production in nutrient-rich patches. Rooted ramets in nutrient-poor patches suffered from a by-pass of nutrients to interconnected ramets on nutrient-rich substrate that probably resulted from different transpiration rates. We conclude that this resource-sharing strategy is advantageous for buffalograss to concentrate more ramets in fertile patches, and facilitate the survivorship of more buffalograss ramets in adverse environments with uneven nutrient supply.

In this paper, the discrete mean-variance model is considered for portfolio selection under concave transaction costs. By using the Cholesky decomposition technique, the convariance matrix to obtain a separable mixed integer nonlinear optimization problem is decomposed. A brand-and-bound algorithm based on Lagrangian relaxation is then proposed. Computational results are reported for test problems with the data randomly generated and those from the US stock market.

In this paper, the problem of fault-tolerant control design for nonlinear system based on adaptive robust observer is presented. The aim of the research is to design a fault-tolerant controller to make the system stable after fault occurs based on fault information that is obtained from the design adaptive robust observer. The constitution of adaptive law of adaptive robust observer is given and the sufficient condition for existence of the designed fault-tolerant controller is derived in the form of LMI. At last, the simulation result is shown to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Backgrounds: Recent studies evidenced growth of the mitral leaflet (ML) in patients with functional mitral regurgitation (FMR), casting doubt on the traditional understanding of FMR. The aim of this study was to explore whether growth of ML occurs in patients with non-ischemic left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and to examine whether there was any relationship between the growth of ML and the development of FMR. Methods: Echocardiographic examination was performed in 3 groups of patients: patients with non-ischemic LV systolic dysfunction [LV ejection fraction (EF) Results: The AML, PML, and the MAD were all increased in patients with LV systolic dysfunction (group1 and group2) compared with normal subjects (group3). In patients with LV systolic dysfunction, both PML and MAD were further increased in group1 compared with group2. However, AML showed no significant difference between the 2 groups. As a result, PML:MAD showed no significant difference between group1 and group2, while AML:MAD was significantly decreased in group1 compared with group2 (Table 1). Conclusion: Mitral leaflet growth occurs in patients with non-ischemic LV systolic dysfunction. Insufficient growth of the anterior mitral leaflet relative to dilated mitral annulus is associated with the development of significant FMR.

In this paper, the robust non-fragile H ∞ , control for non-linear uncertain switched singular time-delay system is studied. Firstly, the decrement of stability of controllers makes them fragile. So we want a controller to be non-fragile, in order to ensure the stability of the system. Secondly, we should contrive to develop a non-fragile controller, by LMIs, Congruent transformation, variable transformation and Schur complement. The solution can be obtained easily because all parameters are linear. Finally, an example is given to show the advantage of the result.

Clickers might own a bright future in China if properly introduced although they have not been widely acknowledged as an effective tool to facilitate English learning and teaching in Chinese contexts. By randomly selecting participants from undergraduates in a university in China over four academic years, this study aims to identify the impact of clickers on college English listening and speaking skills, and differences in cognitive loads between clickers and traditional multimedia assisted instruction modes. It was concluded that in China's college English class, compared with multimedia assisted instruction, (1) clickers could improve college English listening skills; (2) clickers could improve college English speaking skills; and (3) clickers could reduce undergraduates' cognitive loads in College English Class. Reasons for the results and defects in this study were also explored and discussed, based on learning, teaching and cognitive load theories. Some Suggestions for future research were also raised.

Herbivore-induced plant volatiles have been reported to play a role in the host-searching behavior of herbivores. However, next to nothing is known about the effect of volatiles emitted from tea plants infested by Ectropis obliqua larvae on the behavior of conspecific adults. Here, we found that tea plants infested by E. obliqua caterpillars for 24 h were more attractive to both virgin male and female E. obliqua adults than were intact, uninfested tea plants; moreover, mated female E. obliqua moths were more attracted by infested tea plants and preferentially oviposited on these plants, whereas male moths were repelled by infested plants once they had mated. Volatile analysis revealed that the herbivore infestation dramatically increased the emission of volatiles. Among these volatiles, 17 compounds elicited antennal responses from both male and female virginal moths. Using a Y-tube olfactometer, we found that 3 of the 17 chemicals, benzyl alcohol, (Z)-3-hexenyl hexanoate, and (Z)-3-hexenal, were attractive, but two compounds, linalool and benzyl nitril, were repellent to virgin male and female moths. One chemical, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, was attractive only to virgin males. Mated females were attracted by three compounds, (Z)-3-hexenyl hexanoate, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, and (Z)-3-hexenal; whereas mated males were repelled by (Z)-3-hexenol. The findings provide new insights into the interaction between tea plants and the herbivores, and may help scientists develop new measures with which to control E. obliqua.

To investigate the prevalence of nutritional risk and malnutrition among in-patients with liver diseases in Beijing, China, and to evaluate the relationship between nutritional risk and prognosis.A total of 331 in-patients with liver diseases under care at the Artificial Liver Center of Beijing Youan Hospital were consecutively enrolled for study between April 2012 and December 2012. Nutritional status was determined by calculating each patient's ratio of real weight to clinically ideal weight, the triceps skin fold (TSF), and the mid-upper arm muscle circumference (MAMC). Nutritional risk was estimated using the Nutritional Risk Screening questionnaire 2002 (NRS-2002). In addition, each patient's Child-Pugh stage, body mass index (BMI), power of gripping, serum albumin and pre-albumin levels, lymphocyte count, hospital length of stay, complications, alcoholism history, and outcome after discharge were recorded for analysis.One-hundred-and-thirteen of the patients (34.1%) were defined as at nutritional risk upon hospital admission. The ratio of nutritional risk was lowest in patients with chronic hepatitis (17.0%) and highest in patients with acute on chronic liver failure (56.5%). The ratios of malnutrition evaluated by TSF and MAMC were 36.9% and 38.7%, respectively. Among the patients with liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, the ratio of Child-Pugh stage C was higher for individuals defined as at nutritional risk than for those without. When TSF-based ratio of malnutrition was higher for individuals with a history of alcoholism than for those without. BMI, power of gripping, serum albumin level, serum pre-albumin level, and lymphocyte count were all lower for individuals defined as at nutritional risk than for those without. Hospital stay, ratio of complication onset, and ratio of death were all higher for individuals defined as at nutritional risk than for those without.TSF and MAMC can be used to evaluate the nutritional status of in-patients with liver diseases. Patients with nutritional risk (as determined by the NRS-2002) have poorer prognosis and may benefit from nutritional intervention.

Objective To determine the value of optic disc parameters and perimetric defects in the early diagnosis of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods Optic disc parameters and perimetry were compared among patients in the early stage of POAG, patients with suspected POAG and healthy control subjects, using Heidelberg retina tomography (HRT-II), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and a Humphrey 750 i automatic field analyser, in order to determine whether these parameters could be used for early POAG diagnosis. Results A total of 55 participants were enrolled in the study. Significant differences in the optic disc parameter and perimetry values were observed between the three groups. HRT-II parameters showed good correlation with OCT parameters. The majority of the HRT-II and OCT parameters showed a good correlation with perimetry values. Conclusions HRT-II and OCT optic disc parameters both reflect morphological changes of the optic disc. These current findings suggest that they can both detect glaucomatous optic neuropathy earlier than a white-on-white perimetry examination. In addition, OCT can detect optic disc parameter changes that cannot be detected by HRT-II.

This paper discusses the robust H-infinity guaranteed cost control problem for a class of uncertain singular systems with mixed time-varying and nonlinear perturbation. Guaranteed cost controller is derived by means of Lyapunov stability theory and linear matrix inequality approach. For all admissible uncertainties, the state feedback controller ensures that the closed-loop system not only possess a robust stability, but also meets the H-infinity performance. In this article, the guaranteed cost controller of the system is presented in the form of linear matrix inequality. Then, design problems of guaranteed controllers for uncertain singular systems are converted into convex optimization problems with linear matrix inequalities constraints. Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the results.

Insect and mite pests as well as diseases occurring on the tea plant are described in this chapter. The damage caused by these harmful pests and diseases ranges from 5%–55%, and generally from 10%–20%. The importance and roles of the resistance of the tea plant to the insect pests and diseases were discussed from the viewpoint of IPM (integrated pest management). The mechanism of resistance of the tea plant including the morphological, physiological and biochemical basis was discussed. By using tea gray blight (Pestalotiopsis longiseta (Spegazzini) Dai & Kobayashi), tea anthracnose (Gloeosporium theae-sinensis Miyake) and mulberry scale (Pseudaulacaspis pentagona Targioni-Tosswtt) as the examples, the genetic basis of resistance of the tea plant to tea diseases and pests was illustrated. The future prospects for the resistance of tea plants were discussed in relation to the development of biotechnology and chemical ecology.

The pine caterpillar moth, Dendrolimus kikuchii Matsumura (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), is a pest of economic importance on pine in southwest China. Three active compounds were detected during analyses of solvent extracts and effluvia sampled by solid phase microextraction (SPME) from virgin female D. kikuchii using gas chromatography (GC) coupled with electroantennographic (EAG) recording with antennae from a male moth. The compounds were identified as (5Z,7E)-5,7-dodecadien-1-yl acetate (Z5,E7-12:OAc), (5Z,7E)-5,7-dodecadien-1-ol (Z5,E7-12:OH), and (5Z)-5-dodecenyl acetate (Z5-12:OAc) by comparison of their GC retention indices, mass spectra, and EAG activities with those of synthetic standards. Microchemical reactions of gland extracts provided further information confirming the identifications of the three components. Solvent extractions and SPME samples of pheromone effluvia from virgin calling females provided 100:18:0.6 and 100:7:1 ratios of Z5,E7-12:OAc:Z5,E7-12:OH:Z5-12:OAc, respectively. Field behavioral assays showed that Z5,E7-12:OAc and Z5,E7-12:OH were essential for attraction of male D. kikuchii moths. However, the most attractive blend contained these three components in a 100:20:25 ratio in a gray rubber septa. Our results demonstrated that the blend of Z5,E7-12:OAc, Z5,E7-12:OH, and Z5-12:OAc comprise the sex pheromone of D. kikuchii. The optimized three-component lure blend is recommended for monitoring D. kikuchii infestations.

The tea weevil, Myllocerinus aurolineatus (Voss) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a leaf-feeding pest of Camellia sinensis (O.Ktze.) with aggregative behaviors that can seriously reduce tea yield and quality. Although herbivore-induced host plant volatiles have been shown to attract conspecific individuals of some beetle pests, especially members of the Chrysomelidae family, little is known about the volatiles emitted from tea plants infested by M. aurolineatus adults and their roles in mediating interactions between conspecifics. The results of behavioral bioassays revealed that volatile compounds emitted from tea plants infested by M. aurolineatus were attractive to conspecific weevils. Volatile analyses showed that infestations dramatically increased the emission of volatiles, (Z)-3-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexenol, (E)-beta-ocimene, linalool, phenylethyl alcohol, benzyl nitrile, indole, (E, E)-alpha-farnesene, (E)-nerolidol, and 31 other compounds. Among the induced volatiles, 12 chemicals, including gamma-terpinene, benzyl alcohol, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, myrcene, benzaldehyde, (Z)-3-hexenal, and (E, E)-alpha-farnesene, elicited antennal responses from both sexes of the herbivore, whereas (E)-beta-ocimene elicited antennal responses only from males. Using a Y-tube olfactometer, we found that six of the 13 chemicals, gamma-terpinene, benzyl alcohol, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, myrcene, benzaldehyde, and (Z)-3-hexenal, were attractive to both males and females; two chemicals, (E/Z)-beta-ocimene and (E, E)-alpha-farnesene, were attractive only to males; and four chemicals, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, phenylethyl alcohol, linalool, and (Z)-3-hexenol, were attractive only to females. The findings provide new insights into the interactions between tea plants and their herbivores, and may help scientists develop new strategies for controlling the herbivore.