Correction: El-Harairy et al. Aphid-Ant Relationships: The Role of Cuticular Hydrocarbons and Different Chemical Stimuli in Triggering Mutualistic Behavior. Agriculture 2024, 14, 529

Peer Reviewe

The Role of Cuticular Hydrocarbons and Different Chemical Stimuli in Triggering Mutualistic Behavior

The article processing charge was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) – 491192747 and the Open Access Publication Fund of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.In ant-aphid interactions, various aphid species offer honeydew to the ant partner and increase their density by ant attendance, whilst others never attend ant species, in which case ants tend to treat them as prey. In this regard, ants should have the ability to distinguish myrmecophile aphid species from non-mutualistic species, so that mutualistic aphids will be accepted as partners rather than prey. Although ant-aphid interactions are now the focus of chemical ecology studies, the role of the different chemical stimuli in determining mutualistic interactions has not been completely clarified. Therefore, we have investigated the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of four myrmecophiles aphid species using GC-MS. We also investigated the behavior of the worker-ants (Lasius niger L., Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to different chemical stimuli derived from aphids. We applied four treatments and found that the behavior of the ant workers varied depending on the source of the different treatments. In particular, the real aphid Aphis pomi and the sugar solution proved to be the most attractive to the ants, while the presence of pure extract of the individuals is enough to disturb the behavior of the ants. We provide evidence that the key stimuli of the tending behavior could be the CHC patterns of the aphids and the CHC profile of the aphids tends to be genus specific. This research will promote further investigations to test the behavior of ant workers towards other species of aphids and treatment combinations.Peer Reviewe

Aphid-Ant Relationships: The Role of Cuticular Hydrocarbons and Different Chemical Stimuli in Triggering Mutualistic Behavior

In ant-aphid interactions, various aphid species offer honeydew to the ant partner and increase their density by ant attendance, whilst others never attend ant species, in which case ants tend to treat them as prey. In this regard, ants should have the ability to distinguish myrmecophile aphid species from non-mutualistic species, so that mutualistic aphids will be accepted as partners rather than prey. Although ant-aphid interactions are now the focus of chemical ecology studies, the role of the different chemical stimuli in determining mutualistic interactions has not been completely clarified. Therefore, we have investigated the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of four myrmecophiles aphid species using GC-MS. We also investigated the behavior of the worker-ants (Lasius niger L., Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to different chemical stimuli derived from aphids. We applied four treatments and found that the behavior of the ant workers varied depending on the source of the different treatments. In particular, the real aphid Aphis pomi and the sugar solution proved to be the most attractive to the ants, while the presence of pure extract of the individuals is enough to disturb the behavior of the ants. We provide evidence that the key stimuli of the tending behavior could be the CHC patterns of the aphids and the CHC profile of the aphids tends to be genus specific. This research will promote further investigations to test the behavior of ant workers towards other species of aphids and treatment combinations.Peer Reviewe

Polyunsaturated fatty acids influence offspring sex ratio in cows

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can influence fertility in farm animals. Some evidence in mice and sheep have suggested that PUFAs may influence offspring sex ratio, which may have significant value for cattle production. To test this hypothesis, three groups of Holstein cows were supplemented with either 0%, 3% or 5% protected fat (PF) in the form of calcium salt of fatty acids (rich in omega-6) from 14–21 days pre-partum until conception. Proven-fertile frozen semen from the same ejaculate was used for insemination. Calf sex recorded at birth was 8/19 (42.1%) male offspring in the control group, increasing to 14/20 (70%, P > 0.05) and 17/20 (85%, P < 0.05) in 3% and 5% PF, respectively. To test if this effect was caused by a direct influence on the oocyte, we supplemented bovine cumulus oocyte complexes during in vitro maturation with either omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), omega-6 linoleic acid (LA) or trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Sex ratio of the produced transferable embryos was determined using PCR of SRY gene. Similar to the in vivo results, sex ratio was skewed to the male side in the embryos derived from LA- and CLA-treated oocytes (79% and 71%) compared to control and ALA-treated oocytes (44% and 54%, respectively). These results indicate that both dietary and in vitro supplementation of omega-6 PUFAs can skew the sex ratio towards the male side in cattle. Further experiments are required to confirm this effect on a larger scale and to study the mechanisms of action that might be involved

IDENTITY AND ITS EFFECT ON POSITIVE DESIGN FOR INTERIOR SPACE

Most of thinking operations when planning for interior space depend on solving architectural problems and designing the space neglecting the side of positive feelings of the user that affects his needs and acceptance to the interior space and therefore belonging to it. Interior space is the basic place where human being spends more than 90% of his life and includes most of his activities. Interior space is variable and has various effects on human as he/she may feel uneasiness despite the presence of all comfort means. Human often cannot be able to determine the features of this feeling so it affects him negatively and consequently loses the feeling of belonging to the place. Interior space does not contain designs with symbols simulating the nature of human being and his/her beliefs; therefore, connecting human being with the interior space is the main concern for most of designers.Hence, the problem of the research is “How to enhance identity by using interior design elements to achieve positive comfort for human being”. Consequently, the human can be in a place expressing the self, achieving his/her goals and enhancing thinking and creativity. The importance of the research is human needs for interior spaces afford positive comfort. The research aims to access to an interior design enhancing positive feeling of belonging and achieving positive physical, and psychological feeling lead to a feeling of satisfaction and prosperity within the spaces. This is through an analytical study for interior space and designing bases that enhance identity and achieving the self

Utilizing the approaching/movement electrodes for optimizing the soil electrokinetic remediation: A comprehensive review

Applying soil electrokinetic remediation (SEKR) is considered a valuable technique to remediate contaminants-containing low permeability soils with the advantage of integration with other remediation approaches (e.g., chemical, physical, and biological). The basics and principles of electrokinetic remediation (EKR) were utilized in different fields of interest; for example, sedimentation, seed germination, consolidation, dewatering, etc. The present review is focused on the role of the electrode approaching/movement technique (EAMT) in improving the effectiveness of the SEKR. Based on our search in the collected literature, the influence of the EAMT on soil electrokinetic efficiency yielded no pertinent reviews. We looked for articles relevant to the EAMT in six search engines, and articles collected for the present review were chosen based on the data mentioned in the materials and methods section. Our objective was to illustrate the proper applicability of the EAMT from different perspectives to overcome some obstacles reported with the traditional SEKR. The effect of the EAMT is discussed/illustrated from four perspectives including a) the approaching/moving anode technique (AMAT), b) the approaching/moving cathode technique (AMCT), c) electrodes placement/gap, and d) continuously reoriented/rotating, reciprocating, and rotational electric fields. Several advantages could be gained from the EAMT application including a) improving the current passing, b) soil pH reduction, c) increasing heavy metals desorption, d) elevating the redox potential, e) reducing the energy consumption, f) increasing the removal percentages of contaminants, g) reducing extra chemical additives or pH modifications, h) enhancing electroosmotic flow, i) installing auxiliary electrodes presents a more stable current and uniform electric field, and j) ultimately reducing the environmental risks of heavy metals. Two methods were proposed for the practical applications of the EAMT (in-situ and ex-situ). Although there are various advantages were achieved from the application of the EMAT, the published research during the past 31 years (1993–2023) is few compared to other enhancement approaches

Interior Design and its Role in Achieving Emerging Requirements in Society in the Shade of COVID-19

Human lives in continuous changes and life style imposes a lot of changes on his/her way in living. During the crisis of COVID-19 human being lost a lot of daily habits and new habits appeared, he started to practice his activities from home such as working and studying due to quarantine procedures as it is normal, they feel the hardships of isolation and working from home. Due to the spread of the disease, home isolation has become more safe for those with minor symptoms Therefore, human needs comfortable interior spaces to feel safe whereas home or interior space is human’s haven in this circumstance. It is hard sometimes to feel privacy during working from home which may force the human to work outside with taking necessary precautions. As a result, there is a need for interior spaces coping up with emerging requirements. General spaces are places for people to meet and work. When doing business and activities abroad, a person must follow methods that help in achieving social separation and protect individuals from the causes of infection, so So interior spaces that are in line with the emerging requirements were needed by humans .Thus, research problem is How can interior spaces achieve emerging requirements in the shade of COVID-19. The research aims to access to interior design achieving human needs and requirements in the shade of COVID-19. The importance of the research can be stated in modern human need for interior spaces coping up with society’s emerging events so as they will be comforting psychologically and help to decrease tension and stress coping up with new life style with materials helping to decrease the spread of epidemic through analytical studies for some spaces