• Title/Summary/Keyword: Scale Insect

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Structural modeling of actuation of IPMC in dry environment: effect of water content and activity

  • Swarrup, J. Sakthi;Ranjan, Ganguli;Giridhar, Madras
    • Smart Structures and Systems
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    • v.19 no.5
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    • pp.553-565
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    • 2017
  • Structural modeling of unencapsulated ionic polymer metal composite (u-IPMC) actuators that are used for flapping the insect scale-flapping wing of micro air vehicles (FMAV) in dry environmental conditions is carried out. Structural modeling for optimization of design parameters for retention of water, maximize actuation performance and to study the influence of water activity on the actuation characteristics of u-IPMC is explored for use in FMAV. The influence of equivalent weight of Nafion polymer, cations, concentration of cations, pre-treatment procedures on retention of water of u-IPMCs and on actuation parameters, flapping angle, flexural stiffness and actuation displacement are investigated. IPMC designed with Nafion having equivalent weight 900-1100, pre-heated at $30^{\circ}C$ and with sodium as the cations is promising for optimum retention of water and actuation performance. The actuation parameters while in operation in dry and humid environment with varying water activity can be tuned to desirable frequency, deflection, flap angle and flexural stiffness by changing the water activity and operational temperature of the environment.

Bombyx mori protein disulfide isomerase enhances the production of nuecin, an antibacterial protein

  • Goo, Tae-Won;Yun, Eun-Young;Kim, Sung-Wan;Choi, Kwang-Ho;Kang, Seok-Woo;Kwon, Ki-Sang;Yu, Kweon;Kwon, O-Yu
    • BMB Reports
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    • v.41 no.5
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    • pp.400-403
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    • 2008
  • The insect baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) is useful for producing biologically active recombinant proteins. However, the overexpressions of foreign proteins using this system often results in misfolded proteins and the formation of protein aggregates. To overcome this limitation, we developed a versatile baculovirus expression and secretion system using Bombyx mori protein disulfide isomerase (bPDI) as a fusion partner. bPDI gene fusion was found to improve the secretions and antibacterial activities of recombinant nuecin proteins. Thus, we conclude that bPDI gene fusion is a useful addition to BEVS for the large-scale production of bioactive recombinant proteins.

A New Species of Matsucoccus (Homoptera: Coccoidea: Margarodidae) from Korea (Matsucoccus속(屬)의 1신종(新種) 기재(記載)(매미목(目):짚신깍지벌레과(科)))

  • Miller Douglass R.;PARK, SEUNG-CHAN
    • Korean journal of applied entomology
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    • v.26 no.2 s.71
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    • pp.49-62
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    • 1987
  • A new species of scale insect, Matsutoctus thunbergianae Miller and Park, is described using life history information and morphological characteristics of adult female, adult male, third instar male, and first instar. The species is morphologically similar to M. matsumurae (Kuwana) and M. resinosae Bean and Godwin; the most obvious structural differences are found in the adult male. The species is univoltine and overwinters as second instars, whereas M. matsumurae and M. resinosae are bivoltine and overwinter as first instars. Information is given supporting evidence that the same instar of different generations of multivoltine species differ significantly morphologically.

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Ingestion Toxicity of Fipronil on Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and Its Applicability as A Termite Bait

  • Kim, Si Hyun;Chung, Yong Jae
    • Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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    • v.45 no.2
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    • pp.159-167
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    • 2017
  • Historical wooden buildings in Korea are being damaged by Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis Morimoto, a type of subterranean termite, and the scale of this damage is increasing gradually because of global warming. This study evaluated the ingestion toxicity of the phenylpyrazole insecticide fipronil to R. s. kyushuensis and its applicability as termite bait with the aim of controlling termite colonies more efficiently. An ingestion toxicity assessment was conducted and the $LT_{50}$ was determined to be 4.43 day at concentrations of 10 ppm, indicating a slow-acting effect; therefore, 10 ppm was selected as an appropriate dose. A field applicability assessment was conducted in which the number of foraging workers and the rate at which the termites fed decreased 2 weeks after baiting, and termite colony activity was no longer apparent after 4 weeks demonstrating the efficacy of fipronil at eliminating colonies. Taken together, these results, indicate that low-dose fipronil eliminated R. s. kyushuensis colonies faster than insect growth regulators; therefore, it is expected to be useful when trying to conserve historical wooden buildings.

A comparative study of dragonfly inspired flapping wings actuated by single crystal piezoceramic

  • Mukherjee, Sujoy;Ganguli, Ranjan
    • Smart Structures and Systems
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    • v.10 no.1
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    • pp.67-87
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    • 2012
  • A dragonfly inspired flapping wing is investigated in this paper. The flapping wing is actuated from the root by a PZT-5H and PZN-7%PT single crystal unimorph in the piezofan configuration. The non-linear governing equations of motion of the smart flapping wing are obtained using the Hamilton's principle. These equations are then discretized using the Galerkin method and solved using the method of multiple scales. Dynamic characteristics of smart flapping wings having the same size as the actual wings of three different dragonfly species Aeshna Multicolor, Anax Parthenope Julius and Sympetrum Frequens are analyzed using numerical simulations. An unsteady aerodynamic model is used to obtain the aerodynamic forces. Finally, a comparative study of performances of three piezoelectrically actuated flapping wings is performed. The numerical results in this paper show that use of PZN-7%PT single crystal piezoceramic can lead to considerable amount of wing weight reduction and increase of lift and thrust force compared to PZT-5H material. It is also shown that dragonfly inspired smart flapping wings actuated by single crystal piezoceramic are a viable contender for insect scale flapping wing micro air vehicles.

Effects of Climate Change on the Occurrence of Two Fly Families (Phoridae and Lauxaniidae) in Korean Forests

  • Kwon, Tae-Sung;Lee, Cheol Min;Jie, Okyoung;Kim, Sung-Soo;Jung, Sungcheol;Park, Young-Seuk
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.54 no.1
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    • pp.71-77
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    • 2021
  • Using data from flies collected with pitfall traps in 365 forests on a nationwide scale in Korea, the abundance and distribution changes of two families (Phoridae and Lauxaniidae) in Korean forests were predicted at the genus level according to two climate change scenarios: RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. The most suitable temperature for the 17 major genera was estimated using a weighted average regression model. Stichillus and Anevrina displayed the lowest optimum temperature with 7.6℃ and 8.5℃ in annual mean temperature, respectively, whereas Chonocephalus had the highest optimum temperature with 12.1℃. Among thirty genera, seven genera (four from Phoridae and three from Lauxaniidae), which showed their abundance in a bell-type or linear pattern along the temperature gradient, were used for predicting the distribution changes according to the future climate change scenarios. All the taxa of this study are expected to decrease in abundance and distribution as a function of temperature increase. Moreover, cold-adapted taxa were found to be more affected than warm-adapted taxa.

Food Security through Smart Agriculture and the Internet of Things

  • Alotaibi, Sara Jeza
    • International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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    • v.22 no.11
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    • pp.33-42
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    • 2022
  • One of the most pressing socioeconomic problems confronting humanity on a worldwide scale is food security, particularly in light of the expanding population and declining land productivity. These causes have increased the number of people in the world who are at risk of starving and have caused the natural ecosystems to degrade at previously unheard-of speeds. Happily, the Internet of Things (IoT) development provides a glimmer of light for those worried about food security through smart agriculture-a development that is particularly relevant to automating food production operations in order to reduce labor expenses. When compared to conventional farming techniques, smart agriculture has the benefit of maximizing resource use through precise chemical input application and regulation of environmental factors like temperature and humidity. Farmers may make data-driven choices about the possibility of insect invasion, natural disasters, anticipated yields, and even prospective market shifts with the use of smart farming tools. The technical foundation of smart agriculture serves as a potential response to worries about food security. It is made up of wireless sensor networks and integrated cloud computing modules inside IoT.

Estimation of Species Richness of Butterfly Community in the Gwangneung Forest, Korea (광릉 숲 나비군집의 종풍부도 산정)

  • Kwon, Tae-Sung;Byun, Bong-Kyu;Lee, Bong-Woo;Lee, Chi-Young;Shon, Jeong-Dal;Kang, Seung-Ho;Kim, Sung-Soo;Kim, Young-Kul
    • Korean journal of applied entomology
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    • v.48 no.4
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    • pp.439-445
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    • 2009
  • Species richness (number of species) of the butterfly community in the Gwangneung forest, Korea, was estimated using data of the long-term butterfly monitoring, which had been carried out 291 times in the Korea National Arboretum or forest area of Gwangneung from 1998 to 2008. Abundance of each butterfly species was monitored using the line-transact method. In the present study, 13,333 butterflies belonging to 112 species were observed. Species accumulation curve and species richness was obtained using a software, EstimateS. The species accumulation curve shows an increase tendency even at 291 survey times, implying the possibility of the presence of a few unfound species. However, values of species richness estimated by the seven estimators were stabilized around 240-250 survey times. Species richness estimated by the estimators ranged from 120 species to 141 species with 128 species in average. However, the figure estimated by the previous studies since 1958 was 148 species. We estimated the reasonable scale of species richness on the base of recent analysis on the change of butterfly species. Species richness of the Korea National Arboretum was higher than that of natural forest and of plantation. However, species richness of butterfly was not different between natural forest and plantation. It is likely that increase of grasslands and habitat diversity in arboretum led to the increase of species richness of butterfly community.

Effect of Mist Treatment on the Growth and Quality of Cut Rose 'Hanmaum' during Summer (여름철 미스트 처리가 절화 장미 '한마음'의 생육과 품질에 미치는 영향)

  • Chon, Young Shin;Ha, Su Hyeon;Jeong, Kyeong Jin;Choi, Kyoung Ok;Yun, Jae Gill
    • Horticultural Science & Technology
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    • v.31 no.5
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    • pp.538-543
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    • 2013
  • During summer in Korea, the excessively high temperature causes growth retardation and quality reduction in cut roses grown in greenhouse. Mist treatments were conducted to reduce the temperature and avoid quality reduction of cut roses. The temperature change in the greenhouse, growth and quality of cut roses, and injuries caused by insects or fungi were investigated during mist treatment. Daily maximum temperature reduced as the number of mist treatment increased, resulting in $6^{\circ}C$ reduction by mist treatment for 10 seconds at 5 min interval. This temperature reduction occurred only when maximum temperature was over $40^{\circ}C$ in greenhouse, and not when it was less than $40^{\circ}C$ or rainy and/or cloudy day. Plant height and fresh weight of the cut roses were increased at the range of 10-20% by mist treatment. As frequency of mist treatment increased, however, malformed flowers increased and vase life of cut rose was largely shortened. The injuries by insects like as beet armyworm larvae and scale insect increased as well. In conclusion, it is recommended that mist treatment must be used when the daily maximum temperature in a green house is over $40^{\circ}C$ and forecasting for disease or insects should be conducted as well.

Insecticidal Activity of 7 Herbal Extracts against Black Pine Bast scale, Matsucoccus thunbergianae (솔껍질깍지벌레에 대한 7종류 한약재 추출물의 살충활성)

  • Song, Jin Sun;Lee, Chae Min;Lee, Sang Myeong;Lee, Dong Su;Choi, Young Hwa;Lee, Dong Woon
    • The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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    • v.17 no.4
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    • pp.411-418
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    • 2013
  • The black pine bast scale, Matsucoccus thunbergianae is one of the most serious insect pest in Japanese black pine, Pinus thunbergii forest in Korea. Insecticidal activity of 10 folds hot water extracts from 7 herbal plants (Atractylodes lancea, Eugenia caryophyllata, Lonicera japonica, Melia azedarach, Quisqualis indica, Sophora flavescens and Taraxacum mongolicum) were tested against different stage of M. thunbergianae using spray method both in laboratory and field. Efficacies of herbal extracts were different depending on stage of M. thunbergianae. Q. indica sprayed with hand sprayer produced the highest corrected mortality of 95.7% on intermidiated nymph stage, however, A. lancea produced the highest corrected mortality (51.3%) on pupae of M. thunbergianae in laboratory. Q. indica and A. lancea were highly effective against female M. thunbergianae in laboratory, however, corrected mortality was lower than other stage (40.0%). Efficacy of Q. indica was similar to effective insecticide, fenitrothion 50% EC against M. thunbergianae in field trials. These results indicated that Q. indica could be an environmental friendly control agent of M. thunbergianae.