Dopamine Semiquinone Radical Doped PEDOT:PSS: Enhanced Conductivity,Work Function and Performance in Organic Solar Cells

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has been is applied as hole transport material in organic electronic devices for more than 20 years. However, the redundant sulfonic acid group of PEDOT:PSS has often been overlooked. Herein, PEDOT:PSS‐DA is prepared via a facile doping of PEDOT:PSS with dopamine hydrochloride (DA·HCl) which reacts with the redundant sulfonic acid of PSS. The PEDOT:PSS‐DA film exhibits enhanced work function and conductivity compared to those of PEDOT:PSS. PEDOT:PSS‐DA‐based devices show a power conversion efficiency of 16.55% which is the highest in organic solar cells (OSCs) with (poly[(2,6‐(4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4‐fluorothiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithio‐phene))‐co‐(1,3‐di(5‐thiophene‐2‐yl)‐5,7‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐benzo[1,2‐c:4,5‐c′]dithiophene‐4,8‐dione))] (PM6):(2,2′‐((2Z,2′Z)‐((12,13‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐3,9‐diundecyl‐12,13‐dihydro‐[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4‐e]thieno[2′′,3′:4′,5′]thieno[2′,3′:4,5]pyrrolo[3,2‐g]thieno[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[3,2‐b]indole‐2,10‐diyl)bis(methanylylidene))bis(5,6‐difluoro‐3‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indene‐2,1‐diylidene))dimalononitrile) (Y6) as the active layer. Furthermore, PEDOT:PSS‐DA also exhibits enhanced performance in three other donor/acceptor systems, exhibiting high compatibility in OSCs. This work demonstrates that doping PEDOT:PSS with various amino derivatives is a potentially efficient strategy to enhance the performance of PEDOT:PSS in organic electronic devices.     

Ternary Organic Solar Cells With 12.8% Efficiency Using Two Nonfullerene Acceptors With Complementary Absorptions

A new small‐molecule acceptor (2,9‐bis(2‐methylene‐(3(1,1‐dicyanomethylene)benz[f]indanone))7,12‐dihydro‐(4,4,10,10‐tetrakis(4‐hexylphenyl)‐5,11‐diocthylthieno[3′,2′:4,5]cyclopenta[1,2‐b]thieno[2″,3″:3′,4′]cyclopenta[1′,2′:4,5]thieno[2,3‐f][1]benzothiophene) (NNBDT) based on naphthyl‐fused indanone ending units is reported. This molecule shows a narrow optical bandgap of 1.43 eV and effective absorption in the range of 700–870 nm. The devices based on poly[(2,6‐(4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene))‐alt‐(5,5‐(1′,3′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐5′,7′‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)benzo[1′,2′‐c:4′,5′‐c′]dithiophene‐4,8‐dione))] (PBDB‐T):NNBDT yield a power conversion efficiency of 11.7% with a low energy loss of 0.55 eV and a high fill factor (FF) of 71.7%. Another acceptor (2,9‐bis(2‐methylene‐(3(1,1‐dicyanomethylene)benz[f]indanone))7,12‐dihydro‐4,4,7,7,12,12‐hexaoctyl‐4H‐cyclopenta[2″,1″:5,6;3″,4″:5′,6′]diindeno[1,2‐b:1′,2′‐b′]dithiophene (FDNCTF) is introduced as the third component to fabricate ternary devices. The two acceptors (NNBDT and FDNCTF) possess complementary absorption, same molecular orientation, and well‐miscible behavior. It is found that there exists a nonradiative energy transfer process from FDNCTF to NNBDT. The fullerene‐free ternary cells based on PBDB‐T:NNBDT:FDNCTF achieve a high efficiency of 12.8% with an improved short circuit current near 20 mA cm^?2 in contrast to the binary devices. The result represents the best performance for fullerene‐free ternary solar cells reported to date and highlights the potential of ternary solar cells.     

Optimization of the sex pheromone of the rice leaffolder moth Cnaphalocrocis medinalis as a monitoring tool in China

The crude extract from Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) has been identified to be (Z)‐11‐octadecenal (Z11‐18:Ald), (Z)‐13‐octadecenal (Z13‐18:Ald), (Z)‐11‐octadecen‐1‐ol (Z11‐18:OH) and (Z)‐13‐octadecen‐1‐ol (Z13‐18:OH) in the GC‐MS, confirming the results reported previously in Japan. Field evaluation in China showed that the optimal blend is Z11‐18:Ald, Z13‐18:Ald, Z11‐18:OH and Z13‐18:OH at a ratio of 3 : 25 : 3 : 3. The optimal dosage is 500 μg Z13‐18:Ald per PVC tubing lure. In August, trap catches were highest between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m., and no moths were caught before 12:00 a.m. or after 6:00 a.m. The impact of trap design and trap height placement was also evaluated in the paddy field. The sticky wing trap was better than the water pan trap. The number of moths captured by the electric grid trap was 1.7 times greater than caught by the sticky wing trap. The optimal trap height was 20 cm below the top of the rice plants (80 cm high). Pheromone lure formulated from 60 μg Z11‐18:Ald, 500 μg Z13‐18:Ald, 60 μg Z11‐18:OH and 60 μg Z13‐18:OH was effective for population monitoring in trial sites in Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Guangxi, Guizhou, Chongqing and Hainan Provinces, encompassing both subtropical and temperate regions. Use of this synthetic pheromone blend provides a promising alternative to the currently used disturb and count method (DCM) for monitoring the population of C. medinalis in China.     

Stability of Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells: from Built‐in Potential and Interfacial Passivation Perspectives

Remarkable progress has been made in the development of high‐efficiency solution‐processable nonfullerene organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the effect of the vertical stratification of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) on the efficiency and stability of nonfullerene OSCs is not fully understood yet. In this work, we report our effort to understand the stability of nonfullerene OSCs, made with the binary blend poly[(2,6‐(4, 8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene))‐alt‐(5,5‐(1′,3′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐5′,7′‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)benzo[1′,2′‐c:4′,5′‐c′] dithiophene‐4,8‐dione)] (PBDB‐T):3,9‐ bis(2‐methylene‐(3‐(1,1‐dicyanomethylene)‐indanone))‐5,5,11,11‐tetrakis(4‐hexylphenyl)‐ dithieno[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]‐s‐indaceno[1,2‐b:5,6‐b′] dithiophene (ITIC) system. It shows that a continuous vertical phase separation process occurs, forming a PBDB‐T‐rich top surface and an ITIC‐rich bottom surface in PBDB‐T:ITIC BHJ during the aging period. A gradual decrease in the built‐in potential (V₀) in the regular configuration PBDB‐T:ITIC OSCs, due to the interfacial reaction between the poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) hole transporting layer and ITIC acceptor, is one of the reasons responsible for the performance deterioration. The reduction in V₀, caused by an inevitable reaction at the ITIC/PEDOT:PSS interface in the OSCs, can be suppressed by introducing a MoO₃ interfacial passivation layer. Retaining a stable and high V₀ across the BHJ through interfacial modification and device engineering, e.g., as seen in the inverted PBDB‐T:ITIC OSCs, is a prerequisite for efficient and stable operation of nonfullerene OSCs.     

Female sex pheromone of Sesamia cretica: chemical and behavioural evidence for a three-component blend

The female‐produced sex pheromone of the Durra stem borer, Sesamia cretica (Lederer) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), had been previously characterized as a 75:25 blend of (Z)‐9‐tetradecenol (Z9‐14:OH) and (Z)‐9‐tetradecenyl acetate (Z9‐14:OAc) based on field trapping experiments. The low attraction of this blend in the field led us to further investigate the sex pheromone of this pest. Coupled gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection (GC‐EAD) analysis of female pheromone gland extracts consistently revealed three EAD‐active compounds. According to their GC retention times, mass spectra, and comparative EAG analyses with authentic standards, two of these compounds were found to be the previously reported components Z9‐14:OH and Z9‐14:OAc, whereas a third compound was identified as (Z)‐11‐hexadecenol (Z11‐16:OH). In wind tunnel experiments, the highest male responses were elicited by ratios of Z9‐14:OH, Z9‐14:OAc, and Z11‐16:OH, ranging from 90:1:9 to 90:5:5. In field tests, the 90:1:9 ratio of the blend loaded onto rubber septum dispensers was significantly more effective than single‐component, two‐component, and any other ratio of the three‐component blend. The greater effectiveness of this blend resulted in a more accurate detection of S. cretica flight activity compared with the previously reported two‐component blend.     

Sex pheromone production and response in Korean populations of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), is a worldwide pest of cruciferous crops. We examined the female pheromone production and male response to various pheromone blends in two Korean populations. Gas chromatography (GC) and GC‐mass spectrometry (MS) analyses of pheromone gland extracts revealed that females produce (Z)‐11‐hexadecenal (Z11‐16:Ald), (Z)‐11‐hexadecenyl acetate (Z11‐16:OAc), and (Z)‐11‐hexadecen‐1‐ol (Z11‐16:OH) in a ratio of 8:100:18. However, (Z)‐9‐tetradecenyl acetate (Z9‐14:OAc), a previously reported component of the sex attractant of a Canadian P. xylostella population was not detected in gland extracts of the Korean one. Field tests showed that Z11‐16:Ald and Z11‐16:OAc are essential for attraction of male moths, and the highest attraction is obtained with a 10:90 blend mimicking the blend found in gland extracts. Addition of 1 or 10% of Z11‐16:OH to the 10:90 blend of Z11‐16:Ald and Z11‐16:OAc significantly increased attraction. However, attraction was strongly antagonized by the addition of as little as 0.1% of Z9‐14:OAc to the most attractive ternary blend. The ternary blend of Z11‐16:Ald, Z11‐16:OAc, and Z11‐16:OH at a ratio of 10:90:1 was more effective at catching P. xylostella males than the Japanese three‐component blend or the Canadian four‐component blend in Korea. These results suggest that there is geographical variation in the pheromone systems of this species.     

Female sex pheromone of a nettle caterpillar,Monema flavescens,in China

Monema flavescens Walker (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) is a multivoltine, generalist moth whose larvae cause serious damage to many types of trees. Pheromone lures prepared according to a study of a Japanese population were found to be ineffective at attracting M. flavescens nettle caterpillars in China, and some studies have shown intraspecific geographical differences in the composition of sex pheromones. We therefore reexamined the sex pheromone composition of M. flavescens in a Chinese population. In this study, the electroantennographically (EAG) active compounds in an extract from Chinese virgin females of M. flavescens were identified as (E)‐8‐decen‐1‐ol (E8‐10:OH), (Z)‐7,9‐decadien‐1‐ol (Z7,9‐10:OH), (Z)‐9,11‐dodecadien‐1‐ol (Z9,11‐12:OH), and (Z)‐9,11‐dodecadienal (Z9,11‐12:Ald) via coupled gas chromatographic‐electroantennographic detection (GC‐EAD) and coupled GC‐mass spectrometry (MS). Pheromone dimorphism might occur in this species, as this mixture of compounds in Chinese females was different from that of E8‐10:OH and E7,9‐10:OH extracted from Japanese females in previous research. In wind tunnel and field tests, the males were significantly attracted to a blend of the pheromone components E8‐10:OH, Z7,9‐10:OH, and Z9,11‐12:OH in a 100:5:4 ratio. The addition of Z9,11‐12:Ald did not change the male response. The optimized three‐component lure blend may provide a useful tool for monitoring and controlling Chinese populations of M. flavescens.     

In Situ Formation of MoO3 in PEDOT:PSS Matrix: A Facile Way to Produce a Smooth and Less Hygroscopic Hole Transport Layer for Highly Stable Polymer Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

A solution‐processed neutral hole transport layer is developed by in situ formation of MoO₃ in aqueous PEDOT:PSS dispersion (MoO₃‐PEDOT:PSS). This MoO₃‐PEDOT:PSS composite film takes advantage of both the highly conductive PEDOT:PSS and the ambient conditions stability of MoO₃; consequently it possesses a smooth surface and considerably reduced hygroscopicity. The resulting bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells (BHJ PSC) based on poly[2,3‐bis‐(3‐octyloxyphenyl)quinoxaline‐5,8‐diyl‐alt‐thiophene‐2,5‐diyl] (TQ1):[6,6]‐phenyl‐C₇₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₀BM) blends using MoO₃‐PEDOT:PSS composite film as hole transport layer (HTL) show considerable improvement in power conversion efficiency (PCE), from 5.5% to 6.4%, compared with the reference pristine PEDOT:PSS‐based device. More importantly, the device with MoO₃‐PEDOT:PSS HTL shows considerably improved stability, with the PCE remaining at 80% of its original value when stored in ambient air in the dark for 10 days. In comparison, the reference solar cell with PEDOT:PSS layer shows complete failure within 10 days. This MoO₃‐PEDOT:PSS implies the potential for low‐cost roll‐to‐roll fabrication of high‐efficiency polymer solar cells with long‐term stability at ambient conditions.     

Antennal and behavioral responses of female Maruca vitrata to the floral volatiles of Vigna unguiculata and Lablab purpureus

In many herbivorous insects, the attraction to suitable host plants is in part mediated by similar olfactory cues from different host plants. This study investigated the electrophysiological and behavioral responses of female Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) to floral volatiles from two host plants, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walpers and Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet (both Fabaceae). Qualitative and quantitative differences were found between the odor profiles of two host plants by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Nine electroantennography‐active compounds were detected in the headspace collections of the two host plants by means of coupled GC‐electroantennographic detection. In a wind tunnel, female behaviors (upwind flight and source approach) were not affected by stimuli or their interaction with host plants, but the behaviors were influenced by host plants. A mixture of the nine bioactive compounds, including limonene, 1,3‐diethylbenzene, benzaldehyde, acetophenone, 4‐ethylbenzaldehyde, 1‐(4‐ethylphenyl)‐ethanone, 2‐methyl‐3‐phenylpropanal, 1H‐indol‐4‐ol, and 1,1′‐(1,4‐phenylene)bis‐ethanone mimicking L. purpureus (in a ratio of 0.4:9.7:2.4:5.7:78.1:4.8:100:0.6:30.3) attracted significantly more females approaching the sources compared with the mixture of compounds mimicking V. unguiculata (in a ratio of 0.3:1.4:1.6:3.7:50.8:3.2:100:4.2:16.7). Further bioassays revealed that a subtractive 4‐component blend [limonene, 1,3‐diethylbenzene, 4‐ethylbenzaldehyde, and 1‐(4‐ethylphenyl)‐ethanone in a ratio of 0.4:9.7:78.1:4.8] was essential for maximal attraction. Our study suggested that female M. vitrata might use similar odors from V. unguiculata and L. purpureus to locate suitable hosts and that an artificial lure, containing the major floral volatiles released by the two host plants, might be useful in exploring efficiency monitoring and/or control strategies of this moth in the field.     

Development and application of a rapid and efficient CZE method coupled with correction factors for determination of monosaccharide composition of acidic hetero-polysaccharides from Ephedra sinica

Introduction – Ephedrine alkaloids cannot account for all the effects of Ephedra sinica and the polysaccharides are also demonstrated to be one of the main bioactive constituents of E. sinica. However, no work has been reported on the analysis of monosaccharide composition of purified polysaccharides isolated from the stem of E. sinica. Objective – To develop a rapid and efficient capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method based on pre‐column derivatisation with 1‐phenyl‐3‐methyl‐5‐pyrazolone for the simultaneous determination of neutral and acidic sugars of purified polysaccharides from E. sinica. Methodology – Three polysaccharides (ESP‐A3, ESP‐A4 and ESP‐B4) were isolated and purified by ion exchange and gel‐filtration chromatography from the stem of E. sinica. The effects of background electrolyte pH and concentration, applied voltage and temperature on the separation were investigated. Meanwhile, factors affecting the hydrolysis of ESP‐B4 with sulphuric acid were investigated by changing the hydrolysis time, acid concentration and hydrolytic temperature to achieve complete hydrolysis. The standard curves coupled with correction factors were used to calculate molar ratios. Results – The optimal CZE method coupled with correction factors was successfully applied to the determination of molar ratios of three purified polysaccharides and their corresponding partial acid hydrolysis products. ESP‐A3, ESP‐A4 and ESP‐B4 were all typical acidic hetero‐polysaccharides and consisted of xylose, arabinose, glucose, rhamnose, mannose, galactose, glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid, and their corresponding molar ratios were 6.8:7.5:1.0:14.0:13.7:22.3:10.2:3.8 for ESP‐A3, 1.2:4.1:1.0:5.1:1.6:17.3:3.1:2.2 for ESP‐A4, and 1.0:4.5:1.0:2.0:1.0:5.5:1.5:50.0 for ESP‐B4. Conclusion – The results provided scientific evidence for the further study of the structure and bioactivity of complex acidic E. sinica polysaccharides. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Begomoviruses Associated with Yellow Leaf Curl Disease of Tomato in Iran*

The occurrence of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV; genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae) in the major tomato‐growing areas of Iran was determined using TAS‐ELISA and PCR. The nucleotide sequences of the coat protein (CP) gene and intergenic region (IR) of eight Iranian isolates were determined. CP nucleotide identities among the Iranian isolates were 96–98%, and showed 94–96% identity with TYLCV‐IR [IR:Ira:98] and TYLCV‐IL [IL:Reo:86]. However, they showed low identity (68–69%) with ToLCIRV‐[IR:Ira]. Sequence analyses of IR indicated that seven Iranian isolates had sequence identity of 93–100% with each other, and 76% identity with the Jiroft isolate; identities of 75–79% with TYLCV‐IR[IR:Ira:98] were observed in every case, and 59–62% identity with ToLCIRV‐[IR:Ira]. The IR nucleotide sequences of Iranian isolates showed 92–93% identity with TYLCV‐IL[IL:Reo:86], except the Jiroft isolate (75%). The CP and IR sequence analyses suggested that eight Iranian TYLCV isolates probably differ from ToLCIRV‐[IR:Ira]. Based on IR sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analyses, the Iranian isolates were divided into two groups. The first major group (A), consists of seven virus isolates, was most closely related to TYLCV‐IL[IL:Reo:86], and relatively divergent from TYLCV‐IR [IR:Ira:98] and ToLCIRV‐[IR:Ira]. However, the Jiroft isolate from group B did not show high similarity with TYLCV‐IR[IR:Ira:98], ToLCIRV‐[IR:Ira], and TYLCV‐IL[IL:Reo:86], suggesting that the isolate may be a divergent variant. The differences are in a range that suggests different strains or species from TYLCV‐IR[IR:Ira:98] and ToLCIRV‐[IR:Ira] are probably associated with tomato yellow leaf curl disease in Iran.     

Antennal and behavioural responses of Heortia vitessoides females to host plant volatiles of Aquilaria sinensis

This study investigated volatiles from Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg (Thymelaeaceae) leaves that attracted Heortia vitessoides Moore (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Volatiles from young and old A. sinensis leaves were identified and quantified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and gas chromatography‐electroantennogram detection. Both wind tunnel bioassays and field tests were conducted to measure the attraction of adults to synthetic blends of volatiles from leaves of different maturations. Consistent electroantennographic activity was obtained for nine and three compounds from headspace collections of young and old A. sinensis leaves, respectively. Qualitative and quantitative differences were found among two odour profiles. In wind tunnel experiments, the fresh young leaves proved to be more attractive to females than old leaves. A nine‐component mixture, including hexanal, limonene, 2‐hexanol, octanal, (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol, nonanal, decanal, and 2,6,10‐trimethyl‐dodecane (with a ratio of 2:16:9:4:63:100:13:10:5) from young leaves attracted moths significantly more than the three‐component mixture of nonanal, decanal, and 2,6,10‐trimethyl‐dodecane (with a ratio of 11:14:26) from old leaves. Further subtractive bioassays conducted in the wind tunnel showed that both the complete nine‐component mixture and a subtracted four‐component mixture of hexanal, (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, nonanal, and decanal (with a ratio of 2:63:13:10) elicited equivalent responses in females. All components in the four‐component blend were essential for optimal attraction. In a field trial using the nine‐ and four‐component blends, more moths were captured using both blends than in traps baited with hexane only. Our study indicates that the odour blends of young leaves play an important role in H. vitessoides host plant recognition. The mechanisms behind host recognition and age‐dependent changes in leaf chemistry are discussed.     

Female sex pheromone components of Helicoverpa gelotopoeon: first heliothine pheromone without (Z)-11-hexadecenal

Helicoverpa gelotopoeon Dyar is a very important pest of economic importance on cotton in Argentina. Analysis of female pheromone gland extracts prepared from 1‐ to 2‐day‐old virgin female moths demonstrated the presence of a 1 : 0.84 blend of hexadecanal (16:Ald) and (Z)‐9‐hexadecenal (Z9‐16:Ald), with trace quantities of tetradecanal in some samples, 2.4% of 16:Ald. The average quantity of Z9‐16:Ald extracted per female was estimated to be 33 ng, with a range of 18.9–46.4 ng per female when collected 2–3 h into the scotophase. In field trials conducted in both cotton and tomato crops in Santiago del Estero, Argentina 1 : 1 blends of 16:Ald and Z9‐16:Ald caught significantly more male H. gelotopoeon than Z9‐16:Ald alone, although there was no significant difference between blends containing between a 0.2 : 1 and 2 : 1 ratio of 16:Ald and Z9‐16:Ald. There was no analytical evidence for the presence of (Z)‐11‐hexadecenal (Z11‐16:Ald) in pheromone gland extracts, although this compound has been identified in all female sex pheromones of Heliothinae to date. In field trials, the addition of Z11‐16:Ald at the 1% level to either a 1 : 1 blend of 16:Ald and Z9‐16:Ald or Z9‐16:Ald alone significantly reduced the catch of male H. gelotopoeon. Sympatric Heliothis virescens were not caught in any of the blends tested for H. gelotopoeon, but were caught in low numbers in traps baited with a 4 : 100 blend of (Z)‐9‐tetradecenal and (Z)‐11‐hexadecenal.     

Predicting vertical dimension with cephalograms, for edentulous patients

Objectives: To provide information on vertical dimension (VD), occlusal plane (OP), and size of future occlusal rims, through lateral Rx and cephalometric tracings that analyse and compare hard and soft tissue. To show that these measures are compatible with methods routinely used to prescribe for full. Design: Ten patients age range 53–81. Lateral Rx, with and without dentures, were taken and traced cephalograms were used to compare hard and soft tissue angles and planes. Main outcome measures: Based on three cephalometric analyses: Rickets, and McNamara for skeletal, and Legan‐Burstone for soft tissue, to identify the following landmarks: 13 skeletal points: N, ANS, PNS, Me, Xi, Pm, FC, Or, Po, A, B, Co, Gn and four soft tissue points: G, Gv, Sn, Me′; seven skeletal planes: HP, FP, NF, N‐ANS‐Me, A‐B, ANS‐Me, Co‐Gn, and three soft tissue planes: G‐Sn, Sn‐Me′, Sn‐Gv, and six angles: N‐FC‐A, ANS‐Xi‐Pm, 1 NF, 1MP, 6 NF, interincisor angle. Results: Stability in skeletal VD was observed with the proportion of 0.8 ± 0.2 being present, between the middle third and lower third facial heights, N‐ANS/ANS‐Me. In addition, soft tissue proportion remained near 1, G‐Sn,/Sn‐Me. The length and position of first upper molar, upper and lower incisors were used to predict the OP. When compared with cephalograms of the same patient with dentures, similar measurements were observed. Conclusions: It was possible to provide information on skeletal, facial proportions, VD, OP, and rim size using cephalograms for edentulous patients.     

Occurrence of Melibiose‐Containing Glycosphingolipids in a Sample of a Sponge‐Coral Association (Desmapsamma anchorata/Carijoa riisei)

In our research on biologically active compounds from Vietnamese marine invertebrates, rare melibiose‐containing glycosphingolipids were found in a sample of a sponge‐coral association (Desmapsamma anchorata/Carijoa riisei). Melibiosylceramides were analyzed as constituents of some multi‐component RP‐HPLC fractions, and the structures of 14 new ( 1b , 3b , 4a – 4c , 6a – 6c , 8b , 9a , 9b , 10b , 11a , 11b ) and five known ( 2b , 5a – 5c , 7b ) natural compounds were elucidated using NMR, mass spectrometry, optical rotation, and chemical transformations. These α‐d ‐Galp‐(1→6)‐β‐d ‐Glcp‐(1 1)‐ceramides (presumably sponge‐derived compounds) were shown to contain phytosphingosine‐type n‐t17:0 ( 1 ), (6E)‐n‐t17:1 ( 2 ), i‐t17:0 ( 3 ), n‐t18:0 ( 4 ), (6E)‐n‐t18:1 ( 5 ), i‐t18:0 ( 6 ), (6E)‐i‐t18:1 ( 7 ), i‐t19:0 ( 8 ), (6E)‐i‐t19:1 ( 9 ), ai‐t19:0 ( 10 ), and (6E)‐ai‐t19:1 ( 11 ) backbones N‐acylated with saturated straight‐chain (2R)‐2‐hydroxy C₂₁ ( a ), C₂₂ ( b ), and C₂₃ ( c ) acids. Characteristic trends in the fragmentations of the terminal parts of tetraacetylated normal‐chain and iso‐ and anteiso‐branched sphingoid bases were observed using GC/MS. The total sum of melibiosylceramides and compound 5b caused a reduction in colony formation of human melanoma cells.     

Elevated Insulin Sensitivity in Low‐protein Offspring Rats Is Prevented by a High‐fat Diet and Is Associated With Visceral Fat

This study tests the hypothesis that a high‐fat postnatal diet increases fat mass and reduces improved insulin sensitivity (IS) found in the low‐protein model of maternal undernutrition. Offspring from Wistar dams fed either a 20% (control (CON)) or 8% (low protein (LP)) protein diet during gestation and lactation were randomly assigned to a control (con) or cafeteria (caf) diet at weaning (21 days) until 3 months of age at which point IS was measured (hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp). Fat mass, growth, energy intake (EI) and expenditure (EE), fuel utilization, insulin secretion, and leptin and adiponectin levels were measured to identify a possible role in any changes in IS. IS was increased in LP‐con in comparison to CON‐con animals. Cafeteria feeding prevented this increase in LP animals but had no effect in CON animals (insulin‐stimulated glucose infusion rates (GIRs; mg/min/kg); CON‐con: 13.9 ± 1.0, CON caf: 12.1 ± 2.1, LP‐con: 25.4 ± 2.0, LP‐caf: 13.7 ± 3.7, P < 0.05). CON‐caf animals had similar percent epididymal white adipose tissue (%EWAT; CON‐con: 1.71 ± 0.09 vs. CON‐caf: 1.66 ± 0.08) and adiponectin (µg/ml: CON‐con: 4.61 ± 0.34 vs. CON‐caf: 3.67 ± 0.18) except hyperinsulinemia and relative hyperleptinemia in comparison to CON‐con. Differently, LP‐caf animals had increased %EWAT (LP‐con: 1.11 ± 0.06 vs. LP‐caf: 1.44 ± 0.08, P < 0.05) and adiponectin (µg/ml: LP‐con: 5.38 ± 0.39 vs. LP‐caf: 3.75 ± 0.35, P < 0.05) but did not show cafeteria‐induced hyperinsulinemia or relative hyperleptinemia. An increased propensity to store visceral fat in LP animals may prevent the elevated IS in LP offspring.     

Diel activity patterns of adult female mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) determined by a novel rotated trap in northeastern Florida,U.S.A.

A novel rotator trap was evaluated to determine the diel activity patterns and physiological state of adult female mosquitoes in St. Augustine, FL, U.S.A. Culex nigripalpus were most active from 19:00‐21:00, followed by 1:00‐3:00, based on collections from the novel rotator trap. Furthermore, analysis of the physiological state of female mosquitoes collected by the novel rotator trap suggested that non‐parous (nulliparous) host‐seeking mosquitoes were more frequently active in the 21:00‐23:00 and 09:00‐19:00 time frames. Parous host‐seeking mosquitoes were more frequently collected from 19:00‐21:00 and 1:00‐3:00. A low abundance of gravid females was collected by the rotator trap, so analysis of their activity periods was inconclusive. These results indicate that the novel rotated trap could be used to detect the diel activity patterns of adult mosquitoes in mosquito control programs and more testing should be conducted in the future.     

Haplotype analysis of key genes governing grain yield and quality traits across 3K RG panel reveals scope for the development of tailor‐made rice with enhanced genetic gains

Though several genes governing various major traits have been reported in rice, their superior haplotype combinations for developing ideal variety remains elusive. In this study, haplotype analysis of 120 previously functionally characterized genes, influencing grain yield (87 genes) and grain quality (33 genes) revealed significant variations in the 3K rice genome (RG) panel. For selected genes, meta‐expression analysis using already available datasets along with co‐expression network provided insights at systems level. Also, we conducted candidate gene based association study for the 120 genes and identified 21 strongly associated genes governing 10‐grain yield and quality traits. We report superior haplotypes upon phenotyping the subset of 3K RG panel, SD1‐H8 with haplotype frequency (HF) of 30.13% in 3K RG panel, MOC1‐H9 (HF: 23.08%), IPA1‐H14 (HF: 6.64%), DEP3‐H2 (HF: 5.59%), DEP1‐H2 (HF: 37.53%), SP1‐H3 (HF: 5.05%), LAX1‐H5 (HF: 1.56%), LP‐H13 (3.64%), OSH1‐H4 (5.52%), PHD1‐H14 (HF: 15.21%), AGO7‐H15 (HF: 3.33%), ROC5‐H2 (31.42%), RSR1‐H8 (HF: 4.20%) and OsNAS3‐H2 (HF: 1.00%). For heading date, Ghd7‐H8 (HF: 3.08%), TOB1‐H10 (HF: 4.60%) flowered early, Ghd7‐H14 (HF: 42.60%), TRX1‐H9 (HF: 27.97%), OsVIL3‐H14 (HF: 1.72%) for medium duration flowering, while Ghd7‐H6 (HF: 1.65%), SNB‐H9 (HF: 9.35%) were late flowering. GS5‐H4 (HF: 65.84%) attributed slender, GS5‐H5 (HF: 29.00%), GW2‐H2 (HF: 4.13%) were medium slender and GS5‐H9 (HF: 2.15%) for bold grains. Furthermore, haplotype analysis explained possible genetic basis for superiority of selected mega‐varieties. Overall, this study suggests the possibility for developing next‐generation tailor‐made rice with superior haplotype combinations of target genes suiting future food and nutritional demands via haplotype‐based breeding.