Using electric fields to control insects: current applications and future directions

Chemical-based interventions are mostly used to control insects that are harmful to human health and agriculture or that simply cause a nuisance. An overreliance on these insecticides however raises concerns for the environment, human health, and the development of resistance, not only in the target species. As such, there is a critical need for the development of novel nonchemical technologies to control insects. Electrocution traps using UV light as an attractant are one classical nonchemical approach to insect control but lack the specificity necessary to target only pest insects and to avoid harmless or beneficial species. Here we review the fundamental physics behind electric fields (EFs) and place them in context with electromagnetic fields more broadly. We then focus on how novel uses of strong EFs, some of which are being piloted in the field and laboratory, have the potential to repel, capture, or kill (electrocute) insects without the negative side effects of other classical approaches. As EF-insect science remains in its infancy, we provide recommendations for future areas of research in EF-insect science.

Automated detection and correction of eye blink and muscular artefacts in EEG signal for analysis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neural development disorder affecting the information processing capability of the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses interconnect and organize. Electroencephalograph or EEG signals records the electrical activity of the brain from the scalp which can be utilized to identify and investigate the brain wave pattern which are specific to individuals with ASD. Therefore, the analysis of ASD can be done by scrutinizing the specific bands (Theta, Mu and Beta) of the EEG signal. However, EEG signals are mainly contaminated by Ocular (Eye-blink) and Myogenic artefacts which pose problems in EEG interpretation. In this paper an automated real-time method for detection and removal of Ocular and Myogenic artefacts for multichannel EEG signal is proposed which would enhance the diagnostic accuracy. The proposed methodology has been validated against 20 subjects from Caltech, Physionet, Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience and the computed average correlation and regression are 0.7574 and 0.6992 respectively.

In vitro control of fasciation in proliferating nucellar embryos of Mangifera indica L. var totapari red small for cloning

Nucellar tissue contained in ovular halves of young fruits of Mangifera indica L. totapari red small, a dwarfing rootstock, differentiated fasciated embryonal structures in presence of 6-benzylaminopurine [BAP(0.15 mg l(-1))], 6-(gamma-gamma-dimethylallylamino) purine [2iP(0.15 mg l(-1))] and indole-3-acetic acid [(IAA(0.5 mg l(-1))] incorporated in the semisolid medium during 50-60 days. Due to embryonal fasciation, hardly 2-3 well-formed embryos could be obtained per culture of proliferating embryos. Of the 3 ethylene inhibitors [L-alpha-(2-aminoethoxyvinyl)-glycine-HCl (AVG), AgNO3 and salicylic acid (SA)] used, embryonal fasciation and necrosis of intervening tissue was completely controlled by 3-4 subcultures of fasciated mass of embryos under the influence of AVG (0.05 mg l(-1)) in presence of adenine sulphate [AdS (50 mg l(-1))] incorporated in the same medium. Almost synchronized development of isolated embryos, measuring ca 2 cm in length, was observed in a different medium used in liquid stationary state and supplemented, particularly with stress-producing substances [abscisic acid (ABA, 0.01 mg l(-1)); and polyethylene glycol (PEG, 100 mg l(-1))] besides certain other modifications. About 34% convertibility of processed embryos was obtained during a period of 90 days. The plantlets had well-developed roots along with laterals which were longer than leafy shoots. In vitro raised plants survived ex vitro for about 2 months.