Site percolation threshold of composite square lattices and its agroecology applications.

We analyze the percolation threshold of square lattices comprising a combination of sites with regular and extended neighborhoods. We found that the percolation threshold of these composed systems smoothly decreases with the fraction of sites with extended neighbors. This behavior can be well-fitted by a Tsallis q-Exponential function.

Percolation-intercropping strategies to prevent dissemination of phytopathogens on plantations.

Phytophthora is one of the most aggressive and worldwide extended phytopathogens that attack plants and trees. Its effects produce tremendous economical losses in agronomy and forestry since no effective fungicide exists. We propose to combine percolation theory with an intercropping sowing configuration as a non-chemical strategy to minimize the dissemination of the pathogen.

BLAST-XYPlot Viewer: A Tool for Performing BLAST in Whole-Genome Sequenced Bacteria/Archaea and Visualize Whole Results Simultaneously.

One of the most commonly used tools to compare protein or DNA sequences against databases is BLAST. We introduce a web tool that allows the performance of BLAST-searches of protein/DNA sequences in whole-genome sequenced bacteria/archaea, and displays a large amount of BLAST-results simultaneously. The circular bacterial replicons are projected as horizontal lines with fixed length of 360, representing the degrees of a circle.

Effects of Kaolin on Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and Its Compatibility With the Natural Enemy, Trichogramma cacoeciae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae).

Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is an important grapevine pest in Europe recently encountered in America. Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is amongst the most effective parasitoids for Lepidopteran species. Studies to evaluate the effect of kaolin, an inert, nontoxic mineral, on oviposition, egg hatch, and neonate mortality of these species were carried out.

Antifeedant and phagostimulant activity of extracts and pure compounds from Hymenoxys robusta on Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae.

In this study, the insecticidal and antifeedant activities of compounds from the leaves of Hymenoxys robusta on Spodoptera exigua, also known as armyworm, are reported. The methanol extract possessed suppressive activity, as well as a high antifeedant activity, suggesting that this extract has toxic effects on larvae. Compounds isolated from the plant show that a derivative of inositol and hymenolides stimulate the feeding, while vermeerin shows a high antifeedant effect.

A review of recent patents on macroorganisms as biological control agents.

The indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides has brought undesired problems to human health, agriculture, and the environment. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Biological Control (BC) programs, which are based on minimum use of pesticides, are seen as alternative, more ecological solutions to the unintended problems associated with pesticide use. These programs combine the introduction, augmentation, and/or conservation of pest natural enemies, with other protection tools.

New saponins from Sechium mexicanum.

The chemical study of Sechium mexicanum roots led to the isolation of the two new saponins {3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2beta,3beta,16alpha,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside} (1) and {3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2beta,3beta,16alpha,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-[beta-D-apiosyl-(1 --> 3)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside} (2), together with the known compounds {3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2beta,3beta,6beta,16alpha,23-pentahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside} (3), tacacosides A(1) (4) and B(3) (5). The structures of saponins 1 and 2 were elucidated using a combination of (1)H and (13)C 1D-NMR, COSY, TOCSY, gHMBC and gHSQC 2D-NMR, and FABMS of the natural compounds and their peracetylated derivates, as well as by chemical degradation. Compounds 1-3 are the first examples of saponins containing polygalacic and 16-hydroxyprotobasic acids found in the genus Sechium, while 4 and 5, which had been characterized partially by NMR, are now characterized in detail.