1. Manipulating behaviour with substrate-borne vibrations - potential for insect pest controlJernej Polajnar, Anna Eriksson, Andrea Lucchi, Gianfranco Anfora, Meta Virant-Doberlet, Valerio Mazzoni, 2015, review article Abstract: This review presents an overview of the potential use of substrate-borne vibrations for the purpose of achieving insect pest control in the context of integrated pest management. Although the importance of mechanical vibrations in the life of insects has been fairly well established, the effect of substrate-borne vibrations has historically been understudied, in contrast to sound sensu stricto. Consequently, the idea of using substrate-borne vibrations for pest control is still in its infancy. This review therefore focuses on the theoretical background, using it to highlight potential applications in a field environment, and lists the few preliminary studies that have been or are being performed. Conceptual similarities to the use of sound, as well as limitations inherent in this approach, are also noted. © 2014 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. Keywords: insects, behaviour, pest control, substrate-borne vibrations Published in DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Views: 89; Downloads: 73
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2. Scaphoideus titanus forecasting and management : quo vadis?Elena Gonella, Giovanni Benelli, Nathalie Arricau-Bouvery, Domenico Bosco, Meta Virant-Doberlet, 2024, review article Abstract: Scaphoideus titanus Ball (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is a major pest for European viticulture due to its high efficiency in the transmission of one of the most destructive pathogens for grapevine, namely flavescence dorée phytoplasmas. Although it plays a major role in spreading this disease, S. titanus is part of a complex epidemiological cycle involving several alternative vectors with variable relevance for phytoplasma spread. Here we provide an updated review on S. titanus monitoring and modelling, as well as the available tools for management of this pest and for limiting phytoplasma transmission and, thus, also spread. Insecticide-based control is examined; additional emphasis is placed on innovative and low-impact control approaches, such as vibrational mating disruption, biocontrol, and methods to reduce vector competence. We also discuss the main emerging challenges to the implementation of effective and sustainable control programs against S. titanus. Keywords: epidemiology, pest monitoring, modelling, Integrated Pest Management, vibrational mating disruption, biological control, plant resistance elicitors, RNA-interference, symbiotic control, entomology, insects, plant protection Published in DiRROS: 23.07.2024; Views: 123; Downloads: 110
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3. Validating the potential of double-stranded RNA targeting Colorado potato beetle mesh gene in laboratory and field trialsMarko Petek, Anna Coll Rius, Rok Ferenc, Jaka Razinger, Kristina Gruden, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is an agricultural pest of solanaceous crops, notorious for its rapid resistance development to chemical pesticides. Foliar spraying of dsRNA formulations is a promising innovative technology providing highly specific and environmentally acceptable option for CPB management. We designed dsRNA to silence CPB mesh gene (dsMESH) and performed laboratory feeding trials to assess impacts on beetle survival and development. We compared the effectiveness of in vivo and in vitro produced dsRNA in a series of laboratory experiments. We additionally performed a field trial in which the efficacy of dsRNA sprayed onto potato foliage was compared to a spinosad-based insecticide. We showed that dsMESH ingestion consistently and significantly impaired larval growth and decreased larval survival in laboratory feeding experiments. In vivo produced dsRNA performed similarly as in vitro synthesized dsRNA in laboratory settings. In the field trial, dsMESH was as effective in controlling CPB larvae as a commercial spinosad insecticide, its activity was however slower. We discuss limitations and benefits of a potential dsMESH-based CPB management strategy and list some important RNAi based CPB research topics, which will have to be addressed in future. Keywords: RNA interference, RNA interference feeding, ds RNA, gene silencing, RNAi pest control, survival analysis, field trial Published in DiRROS: 22.07.2024; Views: 136; Downloads: 51
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4. Does regular quality control improve the quality of surgery in Slovenian breast cancer screening program?Andraž Perhavec, Sara Milićević, Barbara Perić, Janez Žgajnar, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of our study was to evaluate the quality of surgery of Slovenian breast cancer screening program (DORA) using the requested EU standards. Furthermore, we investigated whether regular quality control over the 3-year period improved the quality of surgical management. Patients and methods. Patients who required surgical management within DORA between January 1st, 2016 and December 31st, 2018 were included in the retrospective study. Quality indicators (QIs) were adjusted mainly according to European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA) and European Breast Cancer Network (EBCN) recommendations. Five QIs for therapeutic and two for diagnostic surgeries were selected. Additionally, variability in achieving the requested QIs among surgeons was analysed. Results. Between 2016 and 2018, 14 surgeons performed 1421 breast procedures in 1398 women. There were 1197 therapeutical (for proven breast cancer) and 224 diagnostic surgical interventions respectively. Overall, the minimal standard was met in two QIs for therapeutic and none for diagnostic procedures. A statistically significant improvement in three QIs for therapeutic and in one QI for diagnostic procedures was observed however, indicating that regular quality control improves the quality of surgery. A high variability in achieving the requested QIs was observed among surgeons, which remained high throughout the study period. Conclusions. Adherence to all selected surgical QIs in patients from screening program is difficult to achieve, especially to those specifically defined for screen-detected lesions. Regular quality control may improve results over time. Reducing the number of surgeons dedicated to breast pathology may reduce variability of management inside the institution. Keywords: breast surgery, mammography, screening program, quality control Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 119; Downloads: 47
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5. Subunits of an E3 ligase complex as degrons for efficient degradation of cytosolic, nuclear, and membrane proteinsAnže Verbič, Tina Lebar, Arne Praznik, Roman Jerala, 2024, original scientific article Keywords: synthetic biology, degrons, control of protein expression, E3 ligase Published in DiRROS: 05.07.2024; Views: 188; Downloads: 148
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6. Thermal fatigue degradation progress in SiMo ductile cast iron under oxidation conditionsMilan Terčelj, Jaka Burja, Goran Kugler, Primož Mrvar, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: metallurgical engineering, exhaust manifolds, cast irons, casting, microscopic characterization and microanalysis, thermal fatigue, material defect, microstructural control Published in DiRROS: 07.02.2024; Views: 456; Downloads: 270
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7. Quality control of thermally modified timber using dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) analysisMiha Humar, Rožle Repič, Davor Kržišnik, Boštjan Lesar, Romana Cerc Korošec, Christian Brischke, Lukas Emmerich, Gregor Rep, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: The importance of thermal modification is increasing worldwide. Increased use of thermally modified timber (TMT) has resulted in a need for reliable quality control, comprising control of variation of the production within defined limits, allowing third-party control in the case of certification and the regulation of customer complaints and claims. Techniques are thus needed to characterise the modification of quality in terms of improved target properties of TMT during industrial production, and of TMT products that have been in service for an arbitrary time. In this study, we aimed to utilise dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) for this purpose. Norway spruce (Picea abies) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) samples were thermally modified at different temperatures according to different heat treatment techniques: (1) the Silvapro process based on an initial vacuum; (2) an air heat treatment, whereby samples were wrapped in aluminium foil; (3) thermal modification of wood samples in the ambient atmosphere in a laboratory oven. Wood samples from closed processes were analysed for validation. TMT was characterised with respect to mass loss, colour and density. Mass loss of wood due to modification (MLTM) was correlated with factors derived from DVS analysis. The present DVS measurements suggest that the equilibrium wood moisture content (EMC95% RH), the time to reach 10% wood moisture content (t10% MC), and the elongation factor, c, derived from a logarithmic function, can serve as alternative parameters to characterise the quality of several thermal modification processes. Further studies are recommended using other wood species, different modification processes and further parameters gained from DVS measurements to understand the robustness and the predictive power of the applied technique Keywords: thermal modification, quality control, dynamic vapour sorption, wood, moisture content Published in DiRROS: 31.08.2023; Views: 521; Downloads: 248
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8. Effect of belowground deployment of entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum on strawberry plants and aboveground pestsJaka Razinger, Darinka Koron, Špela Modic, Eva Praprotnik, Primož Žigon, Uroš Žibrat, Matej Knapič, Janez Lapajne, Andrej Vončina, Lovro Sinkovič, Nika Cvelbar Weber, 2023, other scientific articles Keywords: biological control, integrated pest management, agricultural entomology, entomopathogenic fungi, hyperspectral imaging, remote sensing, plant-microbe-pest interaction, plant physiology, rhizosphere competence Published in DiRROS: 27.07.2023; Views: 549; Downloads: 0 |
9. Potential of cover crops to control arthropod pests in organic viticultureAurora Ranca, Anne-Laure Fragnière, Sergiu Ayar Ene, Špela Modic, Vittorio Rossi, Tito Caffi, Jaka Razinger, Eugenia Rodrigo Santamalia, Daniel Wipf, Patrik Kehrli, original scientific article Keywords: conservation biological control, pest control, functional diversity Published in DiRROS: 06.09.2022; Views: 651; Downloads: 318
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10. Impact of motor-cognitive interventions on selected gait and balance outcomes in older adults : ǂa ǂsystematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsKaja Teraž, Luka Šlosar, Armin Paravlić, Eling D. de Bruin, Uroš Marušič, 2022, review article Abstract: Background: Efficient performance of most daily activities requires intact and simultaneous execution of motor and cognitive tasks. To mitigate age-related functional decline, various combinations of motor and cognitive training have shown promising results. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to evaluate the efficacy of different types of motor-cognitive training interventions (e.g., sequential and simultaneous) on selected functional outcomes in healthy older adults. Methods: Six online academic databases were used to retrieve eligible RCTs up to April 2021, following PRISMA guidelines and PICO criteria. A random-effects model was used for all meta-analyses conducted on selected functional outcomes: single- and dual-task gait speed, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score. Effect size (ES) was calculated as Hedges' g and interpreted as: trivial: <0.20, small: 0.20–0.60, moderate: 0.61–1.20, large: 1.21–2.00, very large: 2.01–4.00 or extremely large >4.00. Results: From 2,546 retrieved records, 91 RCTs were included for meta-analysis (n = 3,745 participants; 64.7–86.9 years). The motor-cognitive interventions included differed according to the type of training (e.g., sequential, simultaneous with additional cognitive task or exergame training. The results showed that motor-cognitive interventions can improve gait speed under single-task conditions (small ES = 0.34, P = 0.003). The effect of the intervention was moderated by the type of control group (Q = 6.203, P = 0.013): passive (moderate ES = 0.941, P = 0.001) vs. active controls (trivial ES = 0.153, P = 0.180). No significant effect was found for dual-task walking outcomes (P = 0.063). Motor-cognitive intervention had a positive effect on TUG (small ES = 0.42, P < 0.001), where the effect of intervention was moderated by control group [passive (moderate ES = 0.73, P = 0.001) vs. active (small ES = 0.20, P = 0.020)], but not by the type of training (P = 0.064). Finally, BBS scores were positively affected by motor-cognitive interventions (small ES = 0.59, P < 0.001) with however no significant differences between type of control group (P = 0.529) or intervention modality (P = 0.585). Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of various types of motor-cognitive interventions on performance-based measures of functional mobility in healthy older adults. With respect to significant effects, gait speed under single-task condition was improved by motor-cognitive interventions, but the evidence shows that this type of intervention is not necessarily more beneficial than motor training alone. On the other hand, motor-cognitive interventions are better at improving multicomponent tasks of dynamic balance and mobility function, as measured by the TUG. Because of substantial heterogeneity and the current limited availability of different types of interventions, the conclusions should be interpreted with caution. Keywords: motor-cognitive interventions, dual-task, elderly, mobility, postural control Published in DiRROS: 21.06.2022; Views: 725; Downloads: 502
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