Molecular Ecology of Pyrethroid Knockdown Resistance in Culex pipiens pallens Mosquitoes

Pyrethroid insecticides have been extensively used in China and worldwide for public health pest control. Accurate resistance monitoring is essential to guide the rational use of insecticides and resistance management. Here we examined the nucleotide diversity of the para-sodium channel gene, which confers knockdown resistance (kdr) in Culex pipiens pallens mosquitoes in China. The sequence analysis of the para-sodium channel gene identified L1014F and L1014S mutations. We developed and validated allele-specific PCR and the real-time TaqMan methods for resistance diagnosis. The real-time TaqMan method is more superior to the allele-specific PCR method as evidenced by higher amplification rate and better sensitivity and specificity. Significant positive correlation between kdr allele frequency and bioassay-based resistance phenotype demonstrates that the frequency of L1014F and L1014S mutations in the kdr gene can be used as a molecular marker for deltamethrin resistance monitoring in natural Cx. pipiens pallens populations in the East China region. The laboratory selection experiment found that L1014F mutation frequency, but not L1014S mutation, responded to deltamethrin selection, suggesting that the L1014F mutation is the key mutation conferring resistance to deltamethrin. High L1014F mutation frequency detected in six populations of Cx. pipens pallens suggests high prevalence of pyrethroid resistance in Eastern China, calling for further surveys to map the resistance in China and for investigating alternative mosquito control strategies

Fast Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II with Lévy Distribution for Network Topology Optimization

Fast nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) is a classical method for multiobjective optimization problems and has exhibited outstanding performance in many practical engineering problems. However, the tournament selection strategy used for the reproduction in NSGA-II may generate a large amount of repetitive individuals, resulting in the decrease of population diversity. To alleviate this issue, Lévy distribution, which is famous for excellent search ability in the cuckoo search algorithm, is incorporated into NSGA-II. To verify the proposed algorithm, this paper employs three different test sets, including ZDT, DTLZ, and MaF test suits. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is more promising compared with the state-of-the-art algorithms. Parameter sensitivity analysis further confirms the robustness of the proposed algorithm. In addition, a two-objective network topology optimization model is then used to further verify the proposed algorithm. The practical comparison results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is more effective in dealing with practical engineering optimization problems

Research on Cultivation of Innovative Software Talents

According to the orientation of running an exemplary software school, and surrounding three elements of the talents fostering mode: diathesis, knowledge, and capability, this paper explores several urge issues need to be solved in cultivating innovative software talents

Preparation and NH₄⁺ Adsorption Performance of Ultrafine Lignite-Based Porous Materials

This study aimed to increase the ammonium nitrogen adsorption capacity of lignite using ultrafine grinding, aiming to reduce eutrophication in water bodies. Ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4 was employed as a stand-in for ammonium nitrogen in water solutions. The lignite sample for adsorption was processed with varying milling times. Adsorption efficacy was assessed primarily through isothermal adsorption tests and other techniques. Additionally, the study delved into the adsorption mechanisms. The results demonstrate that lignite ground for 50 min follows monolayer adsorption, characterized by minimal pore size and reduced diffusion rates, thereby extending the time to reach equilibrium and maximizing adsorption. BET and SEM analyses show that coal powder is effectively ground by zirconia balls in a vertical stirring mill, diminishing its particle size and forming new micropores. Concurrently, larger native pores are transformed into mesopores and micropores, providing numerous sites for NH4+ adsorption. XPS and FTIR analyses indicate an increase in exposed carbonaceous surfaces and oxygen-containing functional groups in ultrafine lignite. Ammonium ions replace hydrogen in carboxyl groups to form COONH4, and hydrogen bonds may form between NH4+ and C-O groups. Additionally, the electrostatic attraction between NH4+ and the coal surface further enhances adsorption. It can be concluded that the physical grinding process increases the specific surface area and creates more active adsorption sites, which in turn, boosts NH4+ adsorption capacity. The maximum equilibrium adsorption capacity is as high as 550 mg/g. This study suggests that ultrafine lignite is a promising material for treating ammonia-nitrogen wastewater

Study on Comparative Advantage of Plateau Characteristic Agriculture in Yunnan

To find the highlighted advantage and development space of plateau characteristic agriculture in Yunnan, using qualitative and quantitative combining methods, comparative advantage of plateau characteristic agriculture in Yunnan is evaluated comprehensively. Qualitation takes Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou and Guangxi adjacent to Yunnan and Southeast Asian countries which are opening focus of “bridgehead” as reference objects, while quantitation takes 32 provinces of whole country except Hongkong and Macao as reference objects, and there are 4 kinds of qualitation indexes and 6 kinds of quantitation indexes containing 44 sub-items. Results show that comprehensive comparative advantage coefficient of plateau characteristic agriculture in Yunnan is 1.55, and it has 3 kinds of comprehensive comparative advantages: diversity, ecological security and time difference complementation. The research results could provide references for agricultural development in Yunnan and other plateau regions