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A facile and scalable strategy was developed to fabricate SnO 2 -Fe 3 O 4 @C micrometer-sized particles as a good lithium-ion battery anode. The obtained materials were constructed by aggregated nanoclusters (100–200 nm) consisting of SnO 2 -Fe 3 O 4 @C nanospheres (20 ∼ 30 nm), in which SnO 2 and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (5 ∼ 8 nm) were homogeneously embedded in a percolating carbonaceous network with an average thickness of about 3 nm. SnO 2 -Fe 3 O 4 @C microparticles were synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal process followed by annealing under Ar and subsequent chemical vapor transformation (CVT) under vacuum. The peculiar strategy allows to obtain hierarchical structure of micrometer-sized particles including nanospheres, nanoclusters and micro-scale particles, and the combination of SnO 2 and Fe 3 O 4 could promote the synergistic effects to enhance the reversible capacity as well as the structural stability. Meanwhile, the carbon layer, homogeneously covering the nanoparticles does not only accommodate the volume change of active materials to maintain the structural integrity but also forms a conductive network throughout the whole micro-sized structure during charge/discharge processes. As a result, the electrode of SnO 2 -Fe 3 O 4 @C microparticles exhibits good rate performance (1056 mAh g −1 at 0.1 C, 734 mAh g −1 at 0.2 C, 449 mAh g −1 at 0.5 C, 212 mAh g −1 at 1 C and 133 mAh g −1 at 2 C, 1 C = 1 A g −1 ), high reversible capacity and good cycling stability (a high initial charge capacity of 1131.8 mAh g −1 was achieved and the capacity maintained 853.3 mAh g −1 after 50 cycles at 0.1 A g −1 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homogeneous and highly crystalline Fe 2 O 3 nanocrystals (∼8 nm) embedded in interconnected carbon nanospheres (∼50 nm) (Fe 2 O 3 @C) have been fabricated by one-step hydrothermal reaction followed by annealing with Ar. When used as the anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the Fe 2 O 3 @C nanospheres with 55.24 wt% Fe 2 O 3 deliver high reversible lithium storage capacity (826 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g after 20 cycles), high Coulombic efficiency (∼99%) and good cycling stability, which are much better than that of commercial Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles. These excellent electrochemical performances could be attributed to the robust and high-conducting interconnected carbon nanospheres embedded with a mass of small Fe 2 O 3 nanocrystals, which not only can offer large quantity of accessible active sites for lithium-ion reaction as well as good conductivity and short diffusion length for electron and ion transport, but also can effectively suppress the aggregation and buffer the volume expansion of Fe 2 O 3 nanocrystals during the repeated lithiation and delithiation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Oriental fruit moth (OFM) is a cosmopolitan borer pest. Adults migrate among peach, pear or apple orchards. However, the association of female oviposition with larval fitness over seasonal variation of fruit species have not been reported. This study investigated female oviposition and larval fitness during four sampling months of peach, apple and pear related with maturity. Infested fruits were investigated in three orchards. These results showed that females laid fewer eggs on apple than peach or pear in June and July, but not May and August. Fitness index of larvae on pear was lower than peach or apple in May, June and August, except for July. In June, larvae failed completely to bore into pear. The ranking of infestation ratio was peach orchard (from June to July) > pear orchard (July onward) > apple orchard (late June onward). Based on the above results, peach (June and July) and pear (July and August) were more suitable than apple (June, July and August), whereas peach (May), apple (May) and pear (May and June) were unsuitable for OFM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When compared with the unamended control, the developmental times of larvae, pupae, or entire immature stage were shorter on artificial diets amended with 3 or 6 mg/g (low and moderate concentrations) of amygdalin, whereas the developmental time increased on artificial diets amended with 48 mg/g (high concentration) of amygdalin. The unamended artificial diet (0 mg of amygdalin per g of diet) was the control, and then the mass fractions of amygdalin in the treatment artificial diets were 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 mg of amygdalin per g of initial artificial diet. Larval Feeding on Diets and Developmental Times of Immature Stages B I Proportion of larvae feeding on diets. i b The proportion of larvae feeding on the artificial diets was not significantly affected by amygdalin concentrations ( I F i = 1.339, df = 5,35, I p i = 0.275) (Figure 1). [Extracted from the article]

Grapholita molesta (Busck) is a cosmopolitan fruit pest. The sex pheromones released by females have four components, namely (Z)‐8‐dodecenyl acetate (Z8–12:Ac), E8–12:Ac, (Z)‐8‐dodecen‐1‐ol (Z8–12:OH), and dodecanol (12:OH). This multichemical attractive system has been reported to induce various male behavioral responses, from arousal to directional flight, and enhance trapping. However, the specific male behaviors induced by individual component or component blend is unclear. This study investigated the effects of different combinations of these four components using electroantennogram, wind tunnel assays, and field tests on aspects of male behavioral performance. Our results showed that the (Z8–12:Ac + E8–12:Ac)‐ containing pheromones were mainly responsible for long‐distance detection and close‐distance location in males, including antennal detection of the stimulus, flight initiation, directional flight, and trapping. The addition of E8–12:Ac to Z8–12:Ac plays an important role in pheromone searching behavior of males in close range. The ternary component, Z8–12:Ac + E8–12:Ac + Z8–12:OH was crucial for capturing male moths, and 12:OH significantly increased the male catch. The addition of Z8–12:OH and 12:OH to Z8–12:Ac + E8–12:Ac plays an important role in completing the whole response sequence in field attraction. This study revealed that Z8–12:Ac + E8–12:Ac acts as a attractant to males, whereas Z8–12:OH, and 12:OH are the synergists that enhance male attraction in the sex pheromone blend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study develops an innovative bilayer biomimetic hydrophobic film, tailored to provide a sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solution for fresh produce. The outer layer, crafted from chitosan, utilized polydimethylsiloxane templating to mimic the ultra-hydrophobic surface of a lotus leaf, achieving a water contact angle exceeding 130°. The inner layer comprised sodium alginate and zein nanoparticles, enriched with citral and fortified by a metal-phenolic network to facilitate uniform dispersion and controlled release of bioactive agents. The structural design of the film significantly improved mechanical properties, evidenced by a maximum tensile strength of 29.3 ± 3.6 MPa, and enhanced hydrophobicity, reducing water solubility to 28.3 ± 1.5% and substantially decreasing water absorption. The barrier functionality of film was also strengthened, demonstrated by a lowered water vapor transmission rate of 289.3 ± 1.5 g m−2 24 h−1, and it supported extended citral release in acidic media up to 70 h. Moreover, the film exhibited robust antioxidant and antibacterial properties. In practical tests, it effectively mitigated weight loss, browning, and hardness degradation in fresh-cut apples and lotus roots, concurrently inhibiting microbial growth and extending shelf life. This study presents an effective strategy for enhancing the hydrophobicity and bioactivity of bio-based films, contributing valuable insights to the field of sustainable food packaging. [Display omitted] • CA-loaded zein nanoparticles coated with MPNs form the Z-CA@MPN nanohybrid. • Z-CA@MPN combined with SA matrix forms an inner layer for active release. • SA-based inner layer and the biomimetic CS outer layer form a bilayer film. • CSBM/Z-CA@MPN shows improved mechanical, water-resistant and slow release properties. • CSBM/Z-CA@MPN offers optimal antioxidant, antimicrobial and preservative performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grapholita molesta (Busck) is a menacing pest of fruit trees worldwide. A mixture of glucose, acetic acid, ethanol, and water (GAEWM) has been widely used for monitoring or trapping G. molesta adults. Previous research has shown that acetic acid captures more moths compared to ethanol; however, the respective roles of acetic acid and ethanol in bisexual attraction remain unknown. This study investigated the olfactory behaviours of virgin females, virgin males, and gravid females to variations in nine concentration levels of acetic acid (A) and ethanol (E) for GAEWM using electroantennography, a wind tunnel experiment, and a field test. There was a significant dose‐dependent response by moths to the GAEWM lure variations that affected the range of lure detection and the probability of a moth being trapped. In contrast, adult sex and mating status had the strongest effect on the behaviours associated with flying close to the trap. For medium level dosages of A and E, one combination with acetic acid exceeding ethanol content (A > E; #3, A:E = 3:1) elicited antennal detection by the test adults, and upwind flight of the females. In another combination with ethanol predominating (E > A; #7, A:E = 1:3), the lured traps caught more males than control groups. For low dosages, with the acetic acid level equal to ethanol (A = E; #1, A:E = 1:1), females flew upwind, and virgin females flew around the lure. For high level dosages, with A > E (#6, A:E = 3:2), the antennae of gravid females and virgin males reacted to the lure. These results concluded that the acetic acid to ethanol ratios of either 3:1 or 1:3 in GAEWM has the potential to improve the attraction of both G. molesta sexes to traps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The short-lived polygamous moth Grapholita molesta (Busck) is an important fruit pest worldwide. Trapping males by synthetic female sex pheromones is not an effective reproductive control strategy. It is important to improve this technology by understanding the mating system of G. molesta. This study investigated mating opportunities and fertile egg production by altering the operational sex ratio, mating age, and male mating history in repeated single mating and multiple mating in the two sexes. Our results showed that the mating and reproductive parameters of virgin males were affected by the number and age of virgin females. Males preferred a female number ≤three-fifths of the male number or ≤2-day-old females, while they discriminated against a female number ≥three times of the male number or ≥5-day-old females. On the other hand, the mating and reproductive parameters of virgin females were affected by repeated single mating and especially multiple mating under different male mating histories. Females preferred once-mated males and discriminated against virgin males. These results indicated that mating systems including more and older virgin females for virgin males and different virgin males for virgin females may be suitable for suppressing G. molesta populations. Hence, these results revealed that preventing mating of virgin adults by synthetic female sex pheromones should be most effective in controlling G. molesta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]