Sustainable pest control inspired by prey-predator ultrasound interactions.

Nocturnal moths evolved ultrasound-triggered escape maneuvers for avoiding predatory bats emitting ultrasonic echolocation calls. Using ultrasound for pest control is not a novel concept, but the technique has not been systemized because of the moths' habituation to sounds and the narrow directionality of conventional ultrasound speakers. Here, we report the use of pulsed ultrasonic white noise, which contributes to achieving ecologically concordant plant protection. An ultrasonic pulse, which is temporal mimicry of the search-phase pulse in the echolocation calls of a sympatric bat, was identified using neuroethological screening of eared moth-repelling ultrasounds; these pulses elicit flight-stopping reactions in moths but have no or little auditory adaptation. Such repellent ultrasounds broadcast from the cylindrical omni-azimuth ultrasound emitters suppressed the intrusion of gravid females of pest moths into cultivation fields. Thus, egg numbers and plant damage by hatched larvae were drastically reduced, enabling farmers to substantially skip applications of chemical insecticides for controlling moth pests.

Base-stabilized Gallium Sulfides and Selenides Supported by a Bis(oxazolinyl)(phenyl)methanide Ligand: Trapping Singly Base-Stabilized Gallium Chalcogenide.

Gallylene supported by a bis(oxazolinyl)(phenyl)methanide (Boxm) ligand was synthesized and structurally characterized. The reaction of this gallylene with triphenylphosphine sulfide/selenide yielded dimeric gallium sulfide and selenide. These compounds could be converted to monomeric terminal sulfide and selenide by coordination of an external Lewis base such as an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC or IMe4) and 4-dimethylaminopyridiene (DMAP). These doubly-base-stabilized gallium sulfide/selenide reacted with phenyl isocyanate to give the corresponding cycloadducts by releasing the Lewis base, indicating the formation of a single-base-stabilized gallium sulfide/selenide intermediate.

Intermediate State between MoSe2 and Janus MoSeS during Atomic Substitution Process.

Janus transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), with dissimilar chalcogen atoms on each side of TMDCs, have garnered considerable research attention because of the out-of-plane intrinsic polarization in monolayer TMDCs. Although a plasma process has been proposed for synthesizing Janus TMDCs based on the atomic substitution of surface atoms at room temperature, the formation dynamics and intermediate electronic states have not been completely examined. In this study, we investigated the intermediate state between MoSe2 and Janus MoSeS during plasma processing. Atomic composition analysis and atomic-scale structural observations revealed the intermediate partially substituted Janus (PSJ) structure. Combined with theoretical calculations, we successfully clarified the characteristic Raman modes in the intermediate PSJ structure. The PL exhibited discontinuous transitions that could not be explained by the theoretical calculations. These findings will contribute toward understanding the formation process and electronic-state modulation of Janus TMDCs.

Base-Stabilized Neutral Oxoborane and Thioxoborane Supported by a Bis(oxazolinyl)(phenyl)methanide Ligand.

Base-stabilized neutral oxoborane and thioxoborane supported by a bis(oxazolinyl)(phenyl)methanide ligand have been synthesized and structurally characterized. While previous synthetic attempts of oxoborane ligated by ß-diketiminate (NacNac) did not allow for its isolation in acid-free form, oxoborane supported by a bis(oxazolinyl)(phenyl)methanide ligand is isolable, due to the absence of imine ɑ-protons and steric protection of enamine carbon. Crystallographic analysis revealed the presence of a B-O double bond close to the shortest end of the reported lengths. Its reactivity has also been examined, and it was majorly governed by the nucleophilicity and basicity of the oxygen atom. The chemical inertness and synthetic convenience of the bis(oxazolinyl)(phenyl)methanide scaffold presented in this work suggest its utility as an innocent alternative to the NacNac scaffold.

A new species of the genus Aleurodiscus sensu lato (Russulales, Basidiomycota) from Hachijo Island, Japan.

Aleurodiscus sagittisporus sp. nov. is described and illustrated. This species is characterized by producing basidiomata with a monomitic hyphal system, clampless-septate hyphae, arrowhead-shaped, amyloid, finely verrucose basidiospores, gloeocystidia, dendrohyphidium-like branched paraphysoid hyphae, and variously shaped swelling cells in the hymenium. Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear rDNA LSU and ITS sequences revealed that the species is distinct from the lineage of Aleurodiscus s. str. and related genera in the Aleurodiscus s. lat. clade. Basidiomata of A. sagittisporus have been collected only from dead petioles attached to living trees of Livistona chinensis var. subglobosa on Hachijo Island, Japan.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Acrylate Synthesis from Carbon Dioxide and Ethylene by using a Guanidine-Based Pincer Ligand: Perturbing Occupied d-Orbitals by pπ-dπ Repulsion Makes a Difference.

Rhodium-catalyzed acrylate synthesis from CO2 and ethylene was accomplished by using a guanidine-based NCN pincer ligand. The repulsion between pπ-electron of guanidine sidearms and occupied dπ orbital of rhodium center raised the level of d-electrons close to those of formerly known d8 -ruthenium catalyst, thereby promoting the metallalactone formation from carbon dioxide and ethylene. This work fills the absence of group-9 metal based catalyst for the acrylate synthesis and provides a designing approach for pincer-ligated d8 -metal catalysts to utilize pπ-dπ interaction for promoting desirable redox processes.

[A Case of Long-Term Survival by Multidisciplinary Surgical Treatment for Metastatic Multi-Organ Metastasis after Radical Resection of Esophageal Cancer].

A 78-year-old man with advanced thoracic esophageal cancer underwent radical esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin plus 5-FU. He had left adrenal metastasis 10 months after surgery and removed it, but 3 months later he had liver metastases. After 2 courses of chemotherapy with nedaplatin plus 5-FU, resection was performed. One course of nedaplatin plus 5-FU for adjuvant chemotherapy was added, but the patient was followed up without another chemotherapy after surgery because of intestinal obstruction due to infection and increase of the lymphatic cyst in the abdominal cavity. Six months after the liver resection, nodules appeared in the right lung, and 4 months later, multiple nodules extending to both lungs were observed. Therefore, it was judged that there were multiple lung metastases, and administration of nivolumab was started. He has been 3 years since the recurrence of esophageal cancer and 17 months after the start of nivolumab administration, but the recurrence lesion is only progressing to lung metastasis.

Cycloaddition of Dialkylalumanyl Anion toward Unsaturated Hydrocarbons in (1+2) and (1+4) Modes.

The reactivity of dialkylalumanyl anion (1) towards naphthalene, anthracene, diphenylacetylene, and (E)/(Z)-stilbenes was investigated. The compound 1 reacts with naphthalene and anthracene through (1+4) cyclization, giving Al-containing norbornadiene derivatives. In the reaction of 1 with diphenylacetylene and (E)/(Z)-stilbenes, (1+2) cyclization proceeded to form Al-C-C three-membered rings. Cyclization toward (E)- or (Z)-stilbenes solely gave a trans-cycloadduct. DFT calculations revealed that the cycloaddition of 1 with (Z)-stilbene proceeds via a single transition state with a carbanion character, which results in the selectivity towards the trans-cycloadduct.

A meta-Selective C-H Alumination of Mono-Substituted Benzene by Using An Alkyl-Substituted Al Anion through Hydride-Eliminating SN Ar Reaction.

Reaction of an Al-centered anion with toluene proceeded to form C-H cleaved product with a perfect meta-selectivity and a relatively small kinetic isotope effect (KIE, kH /kD =1.51). DFT calculations suggested a two-step reaction mechanism and electronically controlled meta-selectivity arising from the electron-donating methyl group. The reaction with other mono-substituted arenes was also investigated.

Smoking and Drinking Did Not Increase the Failure of Therapeutic Helicobacter pylori Eradication by Vonoprazan, Clarithromycin, and Amoxicillin.

AIMS: The influence of lifestyle-related factors, including smoking and drinking, was evaluated for Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy with vonoprazan or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). METHODS: Between 2012 and 2016, the medical records of 620 patients receiving H. pylori eradication therapy at Saiseikai Karatsu Hospital were evaluated. Patients had received vonoprazan (20 mg) or PPIs with 200 mg clarithromycin and 750 mg amoxicillin twice daily for 7 days. The influence of lifestyle-related factors on eradication failure was determined in the 2 groups. RESULTS: The eradication rates for vonoprazan and lansoprazole, rabeprazole, and esomeprazole were, respectively, 91.0, 73.8, 72.0, and 84.6%. The vonoprazan eradication rate was significantly higher than those for the PPIs (p < 0.01). Habitual smoking and drinking did not increase eradication failure, and smoking and drinking during the eradication period did not reduce the eradication rate. Metabolic syndrome-related factors including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus had no negative influence on the eradication rate. Eradication with vonoprazan was more effective compared with that achieved through the use of PPIs. CONCLUSION: Lifestyle-related factors including smoking and drinking did not exacerbate the H. pylori eradication failure, and vonoprazan was more effective than the PPIs.

Shorter Relapse-Free Period after Leukocyte Removal Therapy in Younger than Older Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND: Leukocyte removal therapy (LRT) is an effective treatment for active ulcerative colitis (UC). The present study was performed to evaluate the relapse-free period after LRT and identify risk factors for relapse. METHODS: In total, 94 patients who underwent first-time LRT for remission of moderate to severe UC from April 2004 to March 2016 were enrolled in the present study. The patients were randomly assigned to one of 2 treatments: leukocytapheresis (LCAP; n = 43) or granulocyte and monocyte/macrophage adsorptive apheresis (GMA; n = 51). The 5-year cumulative relapse-free rate and risk factors for relapse were evaluated. RESULTS: The therapeutic response rate was 82% for GMA and 70% for LCAP without a statistically significant difference. The 5-year relapse-free rate was 34.7% in the LRT group. The 5-year relapse-free rate in patients aged > 40 years was 49.9%, which was significantly higher than that in patients aged ≤40 years (22.9%, p < 0.01). The relapse-free period was longer in the older than younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: The relapse-free period after LRT was examined in patients with UC, and 34.7% of patients achieved clinical remission within a 5-year period. The risk factor for early relapse after LRT was younger age.

A Polling-Based Transmission Scheme Using a Network Traffic Uniformity Metric for Industrial IoT Applications.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications are required to provide precise measurement functions as feedback for controlling devices. The applications traditionally use polling-based communication protocols. However, in polling-based communication over current industrial wireless network protocols such as ISA100.11a, WirelessHART have difficulty in realizing both scheduled periodic data collection at high success ratio and unpredictable on-demand communications with short latency. In this paper, a polling-based transmission scheme using a network traffic uniformity metric is proposed for IIoT applications. In the proposed scheme, a center node controls the transmission timing of all polling-based communication in accordance with a schedule that is determined by a Genetic Algorithm. Communication of both periodic and unpredictable on-demand data collection are uniformly assigned to solve the above difficulties in the schedule. Simulation results show that network traffic is generated uniformly and a center node can collect periodic data from nodes at high success ratio. The average success probability of periodical data collection is 97.4 % and the lowest probability is 95.2 % .

Palladium/IzQO-Catalyzed Coordination-Insertion Copolymerization of Ethylene and 1,1-Disubstituted Ethylenes Bearing a Polar Functional Group.

Coordination-insertion copolymerization of ethylene with 1,1-disubstituted ethylenes bearing a polar functional group, such as methyl methacrylate (MMA), is a long-standing challenge in catalytic polymerization. The major obstacle for this process is the huge difference in reactivity of ethylene versus 1,1-disubstituted ethylenes toward both coordination and insertion. Herein we report the copolymerization of ethylene and 1,1-disubstituted ethylenes by using an imidazo[1,5-a]quinolin-9-olate-1-ylidene-supported palladium catalyst. Various types of 1,1-disubstituted ethylenes were successfully incorporated into the polyethylene chain. In-depth characterization of the obtained copolymers and mechanistic inferences drawn from stoichiometric reactions of alkylpalladium complexes with methyl methacrylate and ethylene indicate that the copolymerization proceeds by the same coordination-insertion mechanism that has been postulated for ethylene.

Copolymerization of Ethylene and Polar Monomers by Using Ni/IzQO Catalysts.

The replacement of precious metals in catalysis by earth-abundant metals is currently one of the urgent challenges for chemists. Whereas palladium-catalyzed copolymerization of ethylene and polar monomers is a valuable method for the straightforward synthesis of functionalized polyolefins, the corresponding nickel-based catalysts have suffered from poor thermal tolerance and low molecular weight of the polymers formed. Herein, we report a series of neutral nickel complexes bearing imidazo[1,5-a]quinolin-9-olate-1-ylidene (IzQO) ligands. The Ni/IzQO system can catalyze ethylene polymerization at 50-100 °C with reasonable activity in the absence of any cocatalyst, whereas most known nickel-based catalysts are deactivated at this temperature range. The Ni/IzQO catalyst was successfully applied to the copolymerization of ethylene with allyl monomers to obtain the corresponding copolymers with the highest molecular weight reported for a Ni-catalyzed system.

Copolymerization of Propylene and Polar Monomers Using Pd/IzQO Catalysts.

Palladium catalysts bearing imidazo[1,5-a]quinolin-9-olate-1-ylidene (IzQO) ligands polymerize α-olefins while incorporating polar monomers. The steric environment provided by N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC) enables regioselective insertion of α-olefins and polar monomers, yielding polypropylene, propylene/allyl carboxylate copolymers, and propylene/methyl acrylate copolymer. Known polymerization catalysts bearing NHC-based ligands decompose rapidly, whereas the present catalyst is durable because of structural confinement, wherein the NHC-plane is coplanar to the metal square plane. The present catalyst system enables facile access to a new class of functionalized polyolefins and helps conceive a new fundamental principle for designing NHC-based ligands.

Moth hearing and sound communication.

Active echolocation enables bats to orient and hunt the night sky for insects. As a counter-measure against the severe predation pressure many nocturnal insects have evolved ears sensitive to ultrasonic bat calls. In moths bat-detection was the principal purpose of hearing, as evidenced by comparable hearing physiology with best sensitivity in the bat echolocation range, 20-60 kHz, across moths in spite of diverse ear morphology. Some eared moths subsequently developed sound-producing organs to warn/startle/jam attacking bats and/or to communicate intraspecifically with sound. Not only the sounds for interaction with bats, but also mating signals are within the frequency range where bats echolocate, indicating that sound communication developed after hearing by "sensory exploitation". Recent findings on moth sound communication reveal that close-range (~ a few cm) communication with low-intensity ultrasounds "whispered" by males during courtship is not uncommon, contrary to the general notion of moths predominantly being silent. Sexual sound communication in moths may apply to many eared moths, perhaps even a majority. The low intensities and high frequencies explain that this was overlooked, revealing a bias towards what humans can sense, when studying (acoustic) communication in animals.

Sticky Traps Baited with Synthetic Aggregation Pheromone Predict Fruit Orchard Infestations of Plautia stali (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

The brown-winged green bug, Plautia stali Scott, mainly reproduces on Japanese cedar or cypress cones in Japanese plantation forests during summer and autumn. It often depletes its food sources in forest habitats and moves to cultivated crops in large numbers. To establish an easy method for assessing the risk of fruit orchard infestation by P. stali, we conducted a 3-yr field survey that monitored the attraction of bugs to the synthetic P. stali aggregation pheromone using a sticky trap. We used a morphological indicator, variable body size depending on food intake, to estimate the nutritional status in nymphs, which showed that nymphs attracted to the synthetic pheromone were starving. Comparisons between increasing changes in the number of stylet sheaths left on the cones by P. stali and the number of trapped nymphs show that monitoring nymphs with the pheromone-baited sticky trap is useful for inferring conditions regarding food resources in forest habitats. The trend toward trapping second instars can provide a timely overview of resource competition for cones. Trapping middle-to-late (third-fifth) instars is a warning that the cones are finally depleted and that there is a high probability that adults will leave the forests and invade the orchards. In addition, trends in trapping adults suggest that there is a potential risk of orchard infestation by the pest and predict the intensity and period of the invasion. The pheromone-baited sticky trap is an easy but useful survey tool for predicting P. stali orchard infestations.

Double meaning of courtship song in a moth.

Males use courtship signals to inform a conspecific female of their presence and/or quality, or, alternatively, to 'cheat' females by imitating the cues of a prey or predator. These signals have the single function of advertising for mating. Here, we show the dual functions of the courtship song in the yellow peach moth, Conogethes punctiferalis, whose males generate a series of short pulses and a subsequent long pulse in a song bout. Repulsive short pulses mimic the echolocation calls of sympatric horseshoe bats and disrupt the approach of male rivals to a female. The attractive long pulse does not mimic bat calls and specifically induces mate acceptance in the female, who raises her wings to facilitate copulation. These results demonstrate that moths can evolve both attractive acoustic signals and repulsive ones from cues that were originally used to identify predators and non-predators, because the bat-like sounds disrupt rivals, and also support a hypothesis of signal evolution via receiver bias in moth acoustic communication that was driven by the initial evolution of hearing to perceive echolocating bat predators.

Measuring the Flight Trajectory of a Free-Flying Moth on the Basis of Noise-Reduced 3D Point Cloud Time Series Data.

Pest control is crucial in crop production; however, the use of chemical pesticides, the primary method of pest control, poses environmental issues and leads to insecticide resistance in pests. To overcome these issues, laser zapping has been studied as a clean pest control technology against the nocturnal cotton leafworm, Spodoptera litura, which has high fecundity and causes severe damage to various crops. For better sighting during laser zapping, it is important to measure the coordinates and speed of moths under low-light conditions. To achieve this, we developed an automatic detection pipeline based on point cloud time series data from stereoscopic images. We obtained 3D point cloud data from disparity images recorded under infrared and low-light conditions. To identify S. litura, we removed noise from the data using multiple filters and a support vector machine. We then computed the size of the outline box and directional angle of the 3D point cloud time series to determine the noisy point clouds. We visually inspected the flight trajectories and found that the size of the outline box and the movement direction were good indicators of noisy data. After removing noisy data, we obtained 68 flight trajectories, and the average flight speed of free-flying S. litura was 1.81 m/s.

Early total reconstruction for a Gustilo type IIIB open forearm fracture associated with avulsion injury of multiple extensor tendons: A case report.

Gustilo type IIIB open forearm fractures associated with avulsion injuries of multiple extensor tendons are difficult to reconstruct. Not only are bones, nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissues injured, but also tendons directly related to hand function. A 74-year-old man sustained an injury to his dominant right hand after being hit by a heavy pulley. The patient was diagnosed with a Gustilo type IIIB open forearm fracture, and multiple extensor tendons were avulsed from the musculotendinous junction. On the day of injury, the radius was fixed using a volar locking plate, and the ulnar head was fixed to the radius. On the fourth day, the avulsed extensor tendons were reconstructed using tendon transfer, and the exposed tendons and soft tissue defects were covered using a free anterolateral thigh flap on the seventh day. Three years after the injury, the patient had no difficulty in performing activities of daily living. Single-stage reconstruction allows for early rehabilitation. We believe that the more complex and severe the injury is, the more we should aim to repair the injured tissue as early as possible, that is, early total reconstruction.