A Survey of Non-crop Plants as Alternative Hosts to Raspberries for Drosophila suzukii (Spotted Wing Drosophila)

The spotted wing fruit fly (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is a pest of small fruit crops. Unlike most other Drosophila species, this insect can oviposit into ripe fruits, rendering them unmarketable. Drosophila suzukii is spreading quickly throughout the continental United States including South Dakota, and causing serious damage to horticultural crops, particularly those within the fruit industry. This study determines the D. suzukii host plant both commercial crops and native plants, and defines non-crop host plants by season in South Dakota. Further, it confirms the occurrence of the fly in southeastern South Dakota and identifies high-risk infestation areas in raspberry crops. Results show peak captures of adult populations in the middle of the summer (July) and through the autumn season. Lonicera tatarica Linneaus (honeysuckle), Celtis occidentalis L. (hackberry), Morus alba L. (mulberry), Rhamnus cathartica L. (buckthorn) and Symphoricarpos albus L. (snowberry) are non-crop host plants and had the highest yield of D. suzukii adults from summer to autumn. This indicates that late season fruit crops or varieties could be at risk of D. suzukii fruit injury in this area. Non-crop and commercial late fruit crops, including fall-bearing raspberries are generally harvested when D. suzukii populations remain high in this region. The number of captured adult insects was related between female and male populations of the sampled sites based on their total number flies. The number of females was generally higher than the number of males during the season. This survey also reports non-crop host plants in eastern South Dakota, suggesting that they affect crop risk for higher numbers of D. suzukii. Finally, the presence of these non-crop host plants is likely important for understanding D. suzukii management strategies

How did the Regional Traditional Indian Embroidery “Kasuti” Reach the International Markets?

Background and Rationale India is the land of rich culture and diverse traditions. Almost every region of India has a distinct style of embroidery based on cultural history of the region. The ethnic hand embroidery is no longer the choice of occupation for the poor Indian artisans alone but is the weakness of the elite both in India and foreign markets (Naik & Vastrad, 2007)

Scaling Up Beauty: An Analysis of Economies of Scale in the Cosmetics Industry

In this research, the cosmetics industry’s economies of scale between 2018 and 2022 were explored by examining the cost efficiencies of 20 cosmetics companies through a translog cost function model. The companies’ size was evaluated based on their total revenue and total assets. The study also analyzed the origin of cost efficiencies by considering various cost components such as cost of goods sold, operating costs, selling and general expenses, as well as administrative expenses concerning the total assets of the company. The findings revealed that, on average, larger companies had lower cost of goods sold and operating expenses. However, the cost efficiencies were not distributed equally as some companies showed considerable cost efficiencies, while others exhibited small economies of scale as their size increased

Exploring impacts of fast fashion factors on consumer intentions to shop at fast fashion stores

Fast fashion retail model is being adopted by various fashion retailers through execution of short buying cycle and limited supply of fashion apparel and accessories (Byun & Sternquist, 2011). It has become increasingly important for fashion retailers to capitalize on rapid inventory turnover to attract the fashion consumers. Previous studies have tested the impact of three fast fashion factors low price, perceived perishability and scarcity on the in store hoarding (Byun & Sternquist, 2008). However, there are limited studies that explore impacts of fast fashion factors on the buying attitudes and intentions of fast fashion consumers

From Apparel Product Attributes to Brand Loyalty: a Cross-cultural Investigation of U.s. and Indian Consumers Attribute Choices Applying Kanos Theory

While prior studies have identified important apparel product attributes when consumers making purchase decision, previous studies failed to suggest the changes of important attribute over time. By comparing important product attributes in developed countries (U.S.) with developing countries (India), researchers will be able to anticipate the patterns of important attribute change. Previous researchers have identified the antecedents of brand loyalty. However, explanation as to how and through which paths these antecedents influence brand loyalty remains unclear. Therefore, a model that simultaneously examines the antecedents of brand loyalty is needed. This research consists of two phases. Phase I of this study aimed to identify and compare U.S. and Indian consumers' evaluations of apparel product attributes using Kano's theory. Phase II of this study proposed and tested a theoretical model to explain how consumers' benefit perceptions of an apparel brand leads to brand loyalty. Further, Phase II examined if country moderating effects exists in the proposed model paths.Department of Design, Housing and Merchandisin

Experimental Study on The Microstructure-Mechanical Property Relationship of Crumb Rubber-Polyurethane Foam Composites

With the enormous growth of automobile industry initiating the needs of tire production all over the world, the disposal of scrap tires has become a significant environmental burden. Several research groups have investigated the development of novel products using waste tires. Nonetheless, the presence of non-degradable ingredients in tires makes the process of decomposition extremely difficult. Another issue is the need for proper surface treatment of waste rubber to enhance its interaction with polymeric compounds. This current work is aimed to remedy the difficulties related to the recycling of polymeric rubber tires. This project is developing technology to fabricate composite panels in which recycled rubber from tires is an inherent constituent. These resulting composite panels can also be used as core materials inside Sandwich Composites and can definitely be seen as a means of utilizing post-consumer waste tires. The inherent higher resilience of rubber particles is utilized to make best core materials in resisting impact damage. Not only that, this study involves an effective surface treatment methodology of as-received rubber particles using various organic functional groups. FTIR analysis will be utilized to understand the efficacy of various surface treatments. The compressive modulus and strength of crumb rubber reinforced foam are determined using ASTM standards as a function of crumb rubber content and surface treatment. Initial studies show that materials can be easily fabricated using various volume fractions of crumb rubber. The modulus and compressive strength increase with greater rubber contents.Mechanical & Aerospace Engineerin

Response Time Evaluation Of Real-Time Sensor Based Variable Rate Technology Equipment

Real-time sensor based variable rate technology (VRT) equipment is complex with many different components working together to achieve a desired output. The equipment provides rate- controller set-point every second creating more challenges in terms of functioning of each component and its response time to achieve a variable rate application with existing rate-controllers, valves and nozzles. All components involved operate on inputs from the other thereby inducing a time delay. This time delay among components questions the credibility on performance of sensor based commercially available VRT equipment and its overall response time. Response time of commercially available real-time sensor based VRT system was evaluated with two applicator configurations: Applicator equipped with Capstan PWM technology with fixed orifice nozzles and an applicator equipped with Raven FC-Valve with variable orifice nozzles. Parameters pressure, flow rate, controller input from the sensor system were measured and logged using a data acquisition system. The data were analyzed to determine if the applied rate correctly follows the desired set-point rates or if there is any delay in overall response time of VRT equipment for different settings of the rate-controller. Results showed that rate-controller settings were different for both applicator configurations for achieving minimum response time of around 0.5 s. This work will aid in determining the spatial resolution for variable rate application using commercially VRT equipment.Biosystems and Agricultural Engineerin