Sugar beet crown borer,Hulstia undulatella (Clemens) 1: Identification and field tests of female sex pheromone gland components

Electroantennogram profiles of saturated and monounsaturated 12-, 14-, and 16-carbon acetates, and 12- and 14-carbon alcohols implicated (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol acetate (Z9-14: Ac) as a component of the female sex pheromone ofHulstia undulatella (Clemens). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of extract of the female sex pheromone glands showed the presence of Z9-14:Ac (8.5 ng/female), (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol (Z9-14:OH), and (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol acetate (Z11-16:Ac) in a ratio of 100421, respectively. In tests in sugar beet fields, Z9-14:Ac alone produced some trap catch. Addition of Z9-14: OH did not increase catch while addition of Z11-16:Ac eliminated catch, but addition of both Z9-14:OH and Z11-16: Ac increased catch sevenfold. A combination of Z9-14: OH and Z11-16: Ac without Z9-14: Ac did not produce trap catch. A lure of 200 g Z9-14:Ac+16 g Z9-14:OH+42 g Z11-16:Ac is suggested for use in monitoring traps.Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae.     

Sliding wear behavior of protective coatings for diesel engine components

The use of heat-insulating ceramic coatings on the cylinder walls of diesel engines is currently being considered for certain advanced engine designs. Since a major consideration in such an application is the wear resistance of the coatings, a series of tests has been carried out to determine the sliding wear behavior of several pairs of candidate materials systems, initially at room temperature. The tests were performed using a washer-on-disc specimen configuration and an oscillatory rotation movement to simulate the motion of a piston ring on a cylinder wall. It was determined that each material tested had a different pattern of sliding wear behavior. Impregnation of plasma-sprayed Y₂O₃-ZrO₂ with chromia markedly improved its wear resistance.     

Fast 3D imaging of giant unilamellar vesicles using reflected light-sheet microscopy with single molecule sensitivity

Observation of highly dynamic processes inside living cells at the single molecule level is key for a better understanding of biological systems. However, imaging of single molecules in living cells is usually limited by the spatial and temporal resolution, photobleaching and the signal-to-background ratio. To overcome these limitations, light-sheet microscopes with thin selective plane illumination, for example, in a reflected geometry with a high numerical aperture imaging objective, have been developed. Here, we developed a reflected light-sheet microscope with active optics for fast, high contrast, two-colour acquisition of -stacks. We demonstrate fast volume scanning by imaging a two-colour giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) hemisphere. In addition, the high contrast enabled the imaging and tracking of single lipids in the GUV cap. The enhanced reflected scanning light-sheet microscope enables fast 3D scanning of artificial membrane systems and potentially live cells with single-molecule sensitivity and thereby could provide quantitative and molecular insight into the operation of cells.     

Engelmann Spruce Chemotypes in Colorado and their Effects on Symbiotic Fungi Associated with the North American Spruce Beetle

Conifer secondary metabolites play a key role in mechanisms of resistance to biotic disturbance, especially by bark beetles and beetle-associated microorganisms. Here, we describe variation in constitutive monoterpenes isolated from Engelmann spruce, Picea engelmannii, phloem across fourteen high-elevation populations in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and test interactions between phloem monoterpenes and an endophloedic symbiotic fungus, Leptographium abietinum, associated with the North American spruce beetle, Dendroctonus rufipennis. We consistently identified ten monoterpenes in Engelmann spruce phloem, and the trees in our samples could be classified into two geographically interspersed chemical phenotypes, or ‘chemotypes’: one in which α- and β-pinene were the most abundant monoterpenes, and one in which 3-carene was the most abundant monoterpene. Media amended with low concentrations of α-pinene, β-pinene, 3-carene, myrcene, and terpinolene stimulated growth of L. abietinum. Increasing monoterpene concentrations uniformly retarded fungal growth. Linalool completely suppressed fungal growth at all concentrations, while terpinolene completely suppressed growth at low and intermediate concentrations, indicating relatively high toxicity of these compounds. Tests with monoterpene blends representing the ‘average’ monoterpene composition of each chemotype indicated that representative chemotypes are equivalent in fungistatic activity, with chemotype blends being inhibitory even at low concentrations. Total constitutive monoterpene abundances in Engelmann spruce phloem ranged from 42 to 1796 μg/g. Induction of Engelmann spruce phloem monoterpenes in response to L. abietinum or other biotic agents has yet to be quantified, but is important for further understanding Engelmann spruce resistance to the D. rufipennis-L. abietinum complex.     

The origin of anomalous water diffusion in silica glasses at low temperatures

Anomalous water diffusion into SiO₂ glass was observed in a low temperature range, below ~850°C, under a constant water vapor pressure of 355 Torr (47.3 kPa). Both the effective water diffusion coefficient and water solubility exhibited an anomalous time dependence. For example, water solubility in the low temperature range increased initially, achieving much higher values than expected based on extrapolation from higher temperature data, and then decreased with time toward an equilibrium value. This phenomenon was reported earlier, but a complete explanation was not possible; a new model is presented based upon glass surface compressive stress generation and subsequent surface stress relaxation. Water diffusion can promote stress generation and stress relaxation, both of which affect the reaction between diffused molecular water and the glass structure. By considering these stress effects, the anomalous water diffusion behavior in silica glass is explained. Furthermore, the same model can account for the reversal of external tensile and compressive stress effects on water solubility and diffusivity in silica glass observed after a few hours of heat treatment at 650°C in 355 Torr water vapor pressure.     

Nutrient Restriction Increases Circulating and Hepatic Ceramide in Dairy Cows Displaying Impaired Insulin Tolerance

The progression of insulin resistance in dairy cows represents a maternal adaptation to support milk production during heightened energy demand; however, excessive adipose tissue lipolysis can develop. In diabetic non-ruminants, the mechanisms that mediate insulin resistance involve the sphingolipid ceramide. We tested the hypothesis that ceramide accumulates in dairy cows experiencing lipolysis and insulin resistance. Nine dairy cows were utilized in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Cows were ad libitum fed, nutrient-restricted (NR), or NR with nicotinic acid (NA; 5 mg of NA/h per kg BW; delivered i.v.) for 34 h. When provided access, cows were ad libitum fed a mixed ration of grass hay and ground corn to meet requirements. Intake for NR cows was limited to vitamins and minerals. Nicotinic acid was administered to suppress lipolysis. Saline was infused in cows not provided NA. At 32 and 33 h of treatment, a liver biopsy and insulin tolerance test were performed, respectively. Samples were analyzed using colorimetry, immunoassay, and mass spectrometry. Nutrient restriction increased serum fatty acids and ceramide levels, and impaired insulin sensitivity; however, NA infusion was unable to prevent these responses. We also show that NR increases hepatic ceramide accumulation, a response that was positively associated with serum ceramide supply. Our data demonstrate that circulating and hepatic 24:0-Cer are inversely associated with systemic insulin tolerance, an effect not observed for the 16:0 moiety. In conclusion, our results suggest that ceramide accrual represents a metabolic adaptation to nutrient restriction and impaired insulin action in dairy cows.     

The fixed charge maximal covering location problem

The maximal covering location problem is based on locatingp facilities in such a manner that coverage is maximized within set distance or time standards. This problem has been extended in a number of different ways where the main theme still involves locating a fixed number of facilities. In many applications site costs are not equal; this should cast doubt on the use of a constraint that fixes the number of facilities at a given number as compared to an approach that minimizes site costs and maximizes coverage. This paper addresses the use of site costs in a maximal covering location problem and presents several approaches to solutions, along with computational results. Theoretical linkages to other location models are also presented.     

A new fire management policy on Forest Service lands

A new Forest Service policy, effective February 1978, allows some wildfires to burn under prescribed conditions, urges a multidisciplinary approach to fire control, and has applications to rural and urban situations. Note: The author, formerly with the Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Berkeley, Calif., is now with the Forest Fire and Atmospheric Sciences Research Staff, Washington, D.C.