Grand challenges in entomology: Priorities for action in the coming decades.

Entomology is key to understanding terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems at a time of unprecedented anthropogenic environmental change and offers substantial untapped potential to benefit humanity in a variety of ways, from improving agricultural practices to managing vector-borne diseases and inspiring technological advances.We identified high priority challenges for entomology using an inclusive, open, and democratic four-stage prioritisation approach, conducted among the membership and affiliates (hereafter 'members') of the UK-based Royal Entomological Society (RES).A list of 710 challenges was gathered from 189 RES members.

Proactive Effect of Algae-Based Graphene Support on the Oxygen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalytic Activity of NiFe.

The preparation of graphene materials from biomass resources is still a challenge, even more so if they are going to be employed as supports for electrocatalysts for water splitting. Herein, we describe the preparation and characterization of graphene oxides (GOs) from solid macroalgae waste obtained after processing an agar-agar residue. The structural and morphological characterization of the obtained GO confirm the presence of a lamellar material that is composed of few layers with an increased number of heteroatoms (including nitrogen) if compared with those observed in a GO obtained from graphite (reference).

Dung removal increases under higher dung beetle functional diversity regardless of grazing intensification.

Dung removal by macrofauna such as dung beetles is an important process for nutrient cycling in pasturelands. Intensification of farming practices generally reduces species and functional diversity of terrestrial invertebrates, which may negatively affect ecosystem services. Here, we investigate the effects of cattle-grazing intensification on dung removal by dung beetles in field experiments replicated in 38 pastures around the world.

Floral enhancement of arable field margins increases moth abundance and diversity.

Unlabelled: Moth populations have declined across large parts of north-western Europe since the mid-20th century due, in part, to agricultural intensification. Agri-environment schemes (AES) are widely implemented across Europe to protect biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Grass field margins enriched with wildflowers typically out-perform grass-only margins in terms of increasing insect abundance and diversity.

Population synchrony indicates functional connectivity in a threatened sedentary butterfly.

Dispersal is a key influence on species' persistence, particularly in the context of habitat fragmentation and environmental change. Previously, residual population synchrony has been demonstrated to be an effective proxy for dispersal in mobile butterflies (Powney et al. 2012).

A trait-based framework for dung beetle functional ecology.

Traits are key for understanding the environmental responses and ecological roles of organisms. Trait approaches to functional ecology are well established for plants, whereas consistent frameworks for animal groups are less developed. Here we suggest a framework for the study of the functional ecology of animals from a trait-based response-effect approach, using dung beetles as model system.

Moth declines are most severe in broadleaf woodlands despite a net gain in habitat availability.

While agricultural intensification and habitat loss are cited as key drivers of moth decline, these alone cannot explain declines observed in UK woodlands - a habitat that has expanded in area since 1968.We quantified how moth communities changed across habitats and regions and determined how species traits interacted with habitat in predicting moth abundance change. We hypothesised that, in woodlands, species more vulnerable to shading and browsing by deer (species specialising on forbs, shrubs and shade-intolerant plants) had declined more severely than other species, and that moth decline in woodlands was more severe at sites more susceptible to deer damage.

Evaluation of different internal standardization approaches for the quantification of melatonin in cell culture samples by multiple heart-cutting two dimensional liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

We evaluate here different analytical strategies for the chromatographic separation and determination of N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine (MEL) and its oxidative metabolites N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK), N1-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AMK) and cyclic 3-hydroxymelatonin (c3OHM) in cell culture samples. Two dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) in the multiple heart-cutting mode was compared with regular 1D chromatographic separations of MEL and its oxidative metabolites. Our results showed that the use of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as mobile phase modifier was required to obtain a satisfactory resolution and peak shapes particularly for c3OHM.

Reduced graphene oxide membranes in ocular regenerative medicine.

Biological membranes are currently used in Ophthalmology in order to treat different ocular disorders. These membranes have different properties such as cellular biocompatibility and promoting wound healing. Moreover, intrinsic antimicrobial properties could also be desirable because it would allow their use reducing the risk of infections.

How butterflies keep their cool: Physical and ecological traits influence thermoregulatory ability and population trends.

Understanding which factors influence the ability of individuals to respond to changing temperatures is fundamental to species conservation under climate change. We investigated how a community of butterflies responded to fine-scale changes in air temperature, and whether species-specific responses were predicted by ecological or morphological traits. Using data collected across a UK reserve network, we investigated the ability of 29 butterfly species to buffer thoracic temperature against changes in air temperature.

Multifunctional Silicone Rubber Nanocomposites by Controlling the Structure and Morphology of Graphene Material.

Multifunctional elastomer nanocomposites have been applied in several high-tech fields. The design of materials with tailored properties capable of tuning their performance is a topical challenge. Here, we demonstrate that it is possible to modulate the mechanical and transport properties of silicone rubber nanocomposites by controlling the structure, chemical composition and morphology of the graphene material.

Behavior of Listeria monocytogenes in Sliced Ready-to-Eat Meat Products Packaged under Vacuum or Modified Atmosphere Conditions.

The objective of this research was to determine the behavior of Listeria monocytogenes in three types of sliced ready-to-eat meat products packaged under vacuum or modified atmosphere conditions and stored at three temperatures. Slices of about 25 g of chorizo (a fermented dry pork sausage), jamón (cured ham), and cecina (a salted, dried beef product) were inoculated with L. monocytogenes NCTC 11994.

FATTY ACID PROFILE OF TWO CURED MEAT PRODUCTS: DRY-CURED HAM AND CECINA.

Introduction And Objectives: the aim of this study was to assess the fatty acid profile of two cured meat products of similar manufacturing processes and characteristics, dry-cured ham (JA) and cecina (CE), a type of dry-cured beef. The obtained results were discussed in terms of the effects that each singular fatty acid, when consumed, could have on human health.

Materials And Methods: for this purpose, 10 samples of 100 g of JA and CE were obtained in local food stores in León, Spain.

Dielectric behavior of ceramic-graphene composites around the percolation threshold.

Al2O3/graphene and BaTiO3/graphene composites with different concentrations of the conductive second phase, both below and above the percolation threshold, were prepared by the traditional ceramic processing route followed by spark plasma sintering. It is shown that the addition of graphene pins the grain growth of the ceramic matrix grains, leading to a change of the microstructure at low filler concentrations. As a consequence, the composites exhibit two percolation thresholds and their dielectric properties are not only determined by the dielectric properties of the constituents and their relative fractions but also the microstructure of the composite must be considered.

High-intensity ultrasonication as a way to prepare graphene/amorphous iron oxyhydroxide hybrid electrode with high capacity in lithium battery.

The preparation of graphene/iron oxyhydroxide hybrid electrode material with very homogeneous distribution and close contact of graphene and amorphous iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles has been achieved by using high-intensity ultrasonication. Due to the negative charge of the graphene surface, iron ions are attracted toward the surface of dispersed graphene, according to the zeta potential measurements. The anchoring of the FeO(OH) particles to the graphene layers has been revealed by using mainly TEM, XPS and EPR.

An approach to classification and capacitance expressions in electrochemical capacitors technology.

The proliferation of novel types and designs of electrochemical capacitors makes it necessary to obtain a better understanding of the behavior of these systems together with a more systematic classification of them. In this study a rational classification of supercapacitors based on the charge storage mechanism and the active material of each electrode is proposed. The internationally accepted terminology - the terms symmetric, asymmetric and hybrid - is also clarified in an attempt to standardize the current definitions and facilitate the systematic classification of each device.

Tailoring micro-mesoporosity in activated carbon fibers to enhance SO₂ catalytic oxidation.

Enhanced SO2 adsorption of activated carbon fibers is obtained by tailoring a specific micro-mesoporous structure in the fibers. This architecture is obtained via metal catalytic activation of the fibers with a novel precursor, cobalt naphthenate, which contrary to other precursors, also enhances spinnability and carbon fiber yield. In the SO2 oxidation, it is demonstrated that the combination of micropores and large mesopores is the main factor for an enhanced catalytic activity which is superior to that observed in other similar microporous activated carbon fibers.

Graphite felt modified with bismuth nanoparticles as negative electrode in a vanadium redox flow battery.

A graphite felt decorated with bismuth nanoparticles was studied as negative electrode in a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). The results confirm the excellent electrochemical performance of the bismuth modified electrode in terms of the reversibility of the V(3+) /V(2+) redox reactions and its long-term cycling performance. Moreover a mechanism that explains the role that Bi nanoparticles play in the redox reactions in this negative half-cell is proposed.

Surface area measurement of graphene oxide in aqueous solutions.

Graphene oxide (GO) forms persistent dispersions in aqueous solutions up to concentrations of 0.2 mg mL(-1). Addition of methylene blue (MB) to these aqueous dispersion of GO gives rise to the observation in optical spectroscopy of new absorption bands that are indicative of the formation of MB/GO conjugates.

Climate change effects on above- and below-ground interactions in a dryland ecosystem.

Individual species respond to climate change by altering their abundance, distribution and phenology. Less is known, however, about how climate change affects multitrophic interactions, and its consequences for food-web dynamics. Here, we investigate the effect of future changes in rainfall patterns on detritivore-plant-herbivore interactions in a semiarid region in southern Spain by experimentally manipulating rainfall intensity and frequency during late spring-early summer.

High performance activated carbon for benzene/toluene adsorption from industrial wastewater.

A coal-tar-derived mesophase was chemically activated to produce a high surface area (~3200 m(2)/g) carbon with a porosity made up of both micropores and mesopores. Its adsorption capacities were found to be among the highest ever reported in literature, reaching values of 860 mg/g and 1200 mg/g for the adsorption of benzene and toluene, respectively, and 1200 mg/g for the combined adsorption of benzene and toluene from an industrial wastewater. Such high values imply that the entire pore system, including the mesopore fraction, is involved in the adsorption process.

Preparation of low toxicity pitches by thermal oxidative condensation of anthracene oil.

This article describes a novel industrial procedure for producing new pitches of low toxicity from anthracene oil, a byproduct of coal tar distillation. The procedure involves oxidative treatment in order to polymerize and condense the anthracene oil components followed by thermal treatment and distillation in order to obtain a pitch with the desired parameters. This sequence (oxidative treatment/thermal treatment/distillation) was repeated four times under reaction conditions of increasing severity in four cycles of anthracene oil processing to obtain the four pitches.

Matrix-iron interactions in carbon-embedded iron oxide nanoparticles.

This study deals with the interaction between iron oxide nanoparticles and a carbon-rich source (pitch) during the carbonization process, resulting in a carbon material of high added value. The iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by different procedures in order to obtain Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 with different particle sizes. The results show that the presence of iron oxide modifies the thermal behaviour of the pitch, especially in the temperature range of 400-500 degrees C when the pre-graphitic order in the carbon matrix is formed.