Application of ECO2FUME® phosphine fumigant for the complete control of major stored product insect pests in milled rice in Thailand: Presentation

ECO2FUME® phosphine fumigant was used to fumigate milled rice in a commercial plastic bag (5 kg) and milled rice in a jumbo bag (1,000 kg) under gas-proof sheets to assess its performance against a mixed-age culture of Sitophilus zeamais, Tribolium castaneum and Oryzaephilus surinamensis. The trials were divided into 2 groups: 1) milled rice in a commercial plastic bag (packed rice) treated with a 50 g/m3 ECO2FUME® application rate (700 ppm phosphine) for 2 days with two bag stacks of 46 m3 and 55 m3 and for 3 days with two bag stacks of 50 m3 each; and 2) milled rice in a jumbo bag (raw material rice) with stack size of 314 m3 treated with a 35 g/m3 ECO2FUME® application rate (500 ppm phosphine) for 3 days and a stack size of 435 m3 treated with 50 g/m3 ECO2FUME® application rate for 2 days. Gas sampling lines were installed in the stack to measure the phosphine concentrations during the fumigation period. The results of the fumigation trials showed that mixed-age cultures of the three insect species in packed rice stacks were completely controlled at 2 and 3 days when applied with an ECO2FUME® application rate of 50 g/m3, whereas most insects in untreated control cages remained alive. ECO2FUME® was also 100% effective in raw material rice stacks with complete control of mixed-age cultures of the three insect species using 35 g/m3 of ECO2FUME® for 3 days and 50 g/m3 of ECO2FUME® for 2 days. Commercial tarp fumigation of milled rice with ECO2FUME® can be fumigated successfully without “top up” with good sealing procedures. Gas monitoring at regular intervals throughout the whole fumigation period is part of best fumigation practice to ensure that the minimum recommended phosphine concentration is maintained for complete control of all stages of target insect pests.ECO2FUME® phosphine fumigant was used to fumigate milled rice in a commercial plastic bag (5 kg) and milled rice in a jumbo bag (1,000 kg) under gas-proof sheets to assess its performance against a mixed-age culture of Sitophilus zeamais, Tribolium castaneum and Oryzaephilus surinamensis. The trials were divided into 2 groups: 1) milled rice in a commercial plastic bag (packed rice) treated with a 50 g/m3 ECO2FUME® application rate (700 ppm phosphine) for 2 days with two bag stacks of 46 m3 and 55 m3 and for 3 days with two bag stacks of 50 m3 each; and 2) milled rice in a jumbo bag (raw material rice) with stack size of 314 m3 treated with a 35 g/m3 ECO2FUME® application rate (500 ppm phosphine) for 3 days and a stack size of 435 m3 treated with 50 g/m3 ECO2FUME® application rate for 2 days. Gas sampling lines were installed in the stack to measure the phosphine concentrations during the fumigation period. The results of the fumigation trials showed that mixed-age cultures of the three insect species in packed rice stacks were completely controlled at 2 and 3 days when applied with an ECO2FUME® application rate of 50 g/m3, whereas most insects in untreated control cages remained alive. ECO2FUME® was also 100% effective in raw material rice stacks with complete control of mixed-age cultures of the three insect species using 35 g/m3 of ECO2FUME® for 3 days and 50 g/m3 of ECO2FUME® for 2 days. Commercial tarp fumigation of milled rice with ECO2FUME® can be fumigated successfully without “top up” with good sealing procedures. Gas monitoring at regular intervals throughout the whole fumigation period is part of best fumigation practice to ensure that the minimum recommended phosphine concentration is maintained for complete control of all stages of target insect pests

The Effects of Different Undergrowth Vegetation on the Types and Densities of Functional Ground-Dwelling Arthropods in Citrus Orchards

In agricultural lands, citrus orchards, pest feeding and weed seed predation by ground-dwelling arthropods are essential ecosystem services. This research aims to investigate the effects of different undergrowth vegetation, including weed area, bare land, rattail fescue and white clover fields, on the types and densities of functional ground-dwelling arthropods in citrus orchards, using pitfall traps. The captured organisms included carnivorous beetles (Pheropsophus jessoensis, Chlaenius naeviger and Dolichus halensis), wolf spiders (Lycosidae sp.), earwigs (Anisolabididae sp.), house centipedes (Scutigeromorpha sp.), herbivorous ground beetles (Amara sp., Harpalinae sp.), crickets and millipedes. Furthermore, the population of the functional ground-dwelling arthropods was significantly increased by the presence of a live mulch, where a higher number was seen in the rattail fescue or white clover compared to the weed or bare land fields. The cover crops also affected the types of arthropods identified, with the rattail fescue field including more Pheropsophus jessoensis while the white clover had an elevated number of wolf spiders, earwigs and Amara sp. (a weed seed predator). This discovery indicates that the type of undergrowth vegetation plays an important role in enhancing functional biodiversity. The kind of pests and weeds that these arthropods are effective against, as well as the extent to which their densities can be decreased, is also unknown. Therefore, further research on the feeding habit and predation of these arthropods should be conducted

Host-age preference of Theocolax elegans (Westwood) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a larval parasitoid of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus

The pteromalids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard), Dinarmus basalis (Rondani), Lariophagus distinguendus (Förster), Pteromalus cerealellae (Ashmead) and Theocolax elegans (Westwood) are solitary larval ectoparasitoids used to suppress several species of stored-product insects that infest storage grains. We investigated host-age preference of T. elegans using no-choice laboratory experiments. Lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) larvae (9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23 days-old) in wheat grain kernel and cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larvae (5–19 days-old) in cowpea beans were exposed to neonate T. elegans mated females to lay their eggs for two days. Our results showed that the highest number of parasitoids emerged from 23 days-old R. dominica larvae. The numbers of parasitoids emerged from 19, 21 and 23 days-old R. dominica larvae were statistically significantly different in experiments (F-test, 0.05). Progeny of T. elegans reared from R. dominica and C. maculatus larvae were either fully-winged (macropterous), short-winged (brachypterous) or wingless (apterous). Female T. elegans were rarely host-feeding on C. maculatus larvae. Theocolax elegans progeny were emerging from 14 days-old C. maculatus larvae only. We discussed insectary mass production of T. elegans for biological control.The pteromalids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard), Dinarmus basalis (Rondani), Lariophagus distinguendus (Förster), Pteromalus cerealellae (Ashmead) and Theocolax elegans (Westwood) are solitary larval ectoparasitoids used to suppress several species of stored-product insects that infest storage grains. We investigated host-age preference of T. elegans using no-choice laboratory experiments. Lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) larvae (9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23 days-old) in wheat grain kernel and cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larvae (5–19 days-old) in cowpea beans were exposed to neonate T. elegans mated females to lay their eggs for two days. Our results showed that the highest number of parasitoids emerged from 23 days-old R. dominica larvae. The numbers of parasitoids emerged from 19, 21 and 23 days-old R. dominica larvae were statistically significantly different in experiments (F-test, 0.05). Progeny of T. elegans reared from R. dominica and C. maculatus larvae were either fully-winged (macropterous), short-winged (brachypterous) or wingless (apterous). Female T. elegans were rarely host-feeding on C. maculatus larvae. Theocolax elegans progeny were emerging from 14 days-old C. maculatus larvae only. We discussed insectary mass production of T. elegans for biological control

Effects of Content Providers' Heterogeneity on Internet Service Providers' Zero-rating Choice

This study examines zero-rating (ZR), a commercial method implemented by Internet service providers (ISPs) that treat particular content providers' (CPs) data as free content. In this study, a model is constructed in which an end-user uses content from two CPs within a data cap, and the ISP chooses an optimal ZR plan which maximizes its profit. We show that the ISP zero-rates one or both CPs in equilibrium depending on (1) the ISP's marginal cost to deliver content, (2) the difference between the quality of the content provided by the two CPs, and (3) the two CPs' advertising power. We demonstrate that an increase in the ISP's marginal cost makes it more likely that a ZR plan resulting in heavy traffic will be implemented, and an increase in the difference between the content quality makes it less likely that a ZR plan in favor of the higher quality CP will be implemented

Effects of Vertical Integration on Internet Service Providers' Zero-rating Choice

This study investigates the effects of vertical integration between an Internet service provider (ISP) and a content provider (CP) on the ISP's zero-rating choice and social welfare. We develop a simple model where a monopolistic ISP delivers content from two CPs to a representative consumer. The ISP can offer zero-rating contracts to one or two CPs, allowing the consumer to use zero-rated content without consuming monthly data usage. We investigate how the integration between the ISP and a CP impacts the ISP's zero-rating choice and social welfare. Our findings are as follows. First, the vertically integrated ISP may zero-rate the unaffiliated CP exclusively when the CPs' profitability is low and the ISP's operating cost is high. Second, the integration decreases the total surplus when the CP's profitability is sufficiently low; otherwise, it improves the total surplus. Our results indicate that a vertical integration and zero-rating could be both welfare-enhancing and reducing

ASCT2阻害は前立腺癌細胞の増殖を抑制する

藤田医科大

Exclusive contracts and multihoming agents in two-sided markets

We investigate a two-sided market model in which two platforms compete for sellers and buyers who can participate in multiple platforms (multihoming), and one of the two platforms can make exclusive contracts with sellers. The platform faces a trade-off when it enters into exclusivity agreements with sellers, which gives it an advantage when competing for buyers but reduces its revenue from the seller side. In addition, we expect that the existence of multihoming buyers weakens the platform's incentive to have an exclusive contract with sellers. Even when buyers can multihome, does a platform have an incentive to make exclusive contracts with sellers? If so, how does exclusive dealing affect social welfare? We obtain the following results. First, in equilibrium, the platform makes exclusive contracts with all sellers or not at all. If sellers' network externality on buyers is sufficiently large (small), it chooses fully exclusive dealing (nonexclusive dealing). Second, exclusive dealing is preferable (detrimental) to social welfare when the network externality is sufficiently large (small). Exclusive dealing encourages the multihoming of buyers, which allows agents to have more interactions on one platform and prompts more buyers to obtain stand-alone benefits from multiple platforms

The Fabrication of Paper-based Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Electrode Sensors Using Inkjet Printer

Paper-based electrode sensors are low-cost, biodegradable and easy to fabricate, and are usually developed for single-use detection, to avoid cleaning and cross-contamination. Nanomaterials have gained wide interest as key components for paper-based electrode sensors, as they can be easily deposited onto paper substrates. The aim of this research is to prepare a water-based multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) ink for paper-based electrode sensor fabrication using a home inkjet printer (Canon PIXMA TS205). Different MWCNTs ink formulations were studied to identify the most compatible inks for inkjet printing. Pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalised with a carboxylic acid group mixed with sodium dodecyl sulphate provided the optimum homogeneity with high electrical conductivity and compatibility with the inkjet printer. This formulation was used to fabricate the MWCNTs-based electrode sensor on Whatman filter paper. However, one of the major challenges with paper-based sensors is water absorption by the paper substrate, making it inappropriate for multiple uses. Three types of coating, perflourocyclobutane (PFC), acrylic acid (AA) and allylamine (AAm), were plasma polymerised onto the paper substrate to enhance the paper substrate stability and electrode sensor performance. The purpose of using PFC is to make the paper substrate surface hydrophobic, to prevent water absorption that may degrade the electrode sensor, while AA and AAm are plasma polymerised to induce hydrophilicity to the surface of PFC-coated filter paper for MWCNTs printing and electrode sensor fabrication. The success of the plasma polymerisation technique and improved performance of the sensor was confirmed using a range of analytical techniques. This PhD project foreshadows the future development of paper-based sensors with high durability and enhanced performance

Role of protein kinase C in angiotensin II-induced constriction of renal microvessels

Role of protein kinase C in angiotensin II-induced constriction of renal microvesselsBackgroundAlthough angiotensin II (Ang II) exerts its action through multiple vasomotor mechanisms, the contribution of phosphoinositol hydrolysis products to Ang II-induced renal vasoconstriction remains undetermined.MethodsThe role of protein kinase C (PKC) in Ang II-induced afferent (AFF) and efferent (EFF) arteriolar constriction was examined using the isolated perfused hydronephrotic rat kidney.ResultsAng II (0.3 nmol/L)-induced EFF constriction was refractory to inhibition of voltage-dependent calcium channels by pranidipine (1 μmol/L, 19 ± 2% reversal) but was completely reversed by a PKC inhibitor, chelerythrine (1 μmol/L, 96 ± 2% reversal). Furthermore, direct PKC activation by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA; 1 μmol/L) caused prominent EFF constriction, and this constriction was inhibited by manganese and free calcium medium. In contrast, Ang II-induced AFF constriction was completely abolished by pranidipine (98 ± 4% reversal) and was partially inhibited by chelerythrine (55 ± 3% reversal). Although PMA elicited marked AFF constriction, this constriction was insensitive to the calcium antagonist, but was totally inhibited by manganese or free calcium medium.ConclusionsPKC plays an obligatory role in Ang II-induced EFF constriction that requires extracellular calcium entry through nonselective cation channels. In contrast, in concert with our recent findings demonstrating a complete dilation by thapsigargin, Ang II-induced AFF constriction is mainly mediated by inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and voltage-dependent calcium channel pathways, but could not be attributed to the PKC-activated calcium entry pathway (for example, nonselective cation channels). Rather, Ang II-stimulated PKC may cross-talk to the IP3/voltage-dependent calcium channel pathway and could modulate the vasoconstrictor mechanism of the AFF. Thus, the role of PKC during Ang II stimulation differs in AFF and EFF, which may constitute segmental heterogeneity in the renal microvasculature