Functional characterization of Niemann-Pick proteins type C2 as odorant carriers in Neoseiulus barkeri olfactory perception.

Arthropods utilize olfactory function to detect informational substances within their natural habitats, thereby facilitating essential life activities such as foraging, mating, and oviposition. Niemann-Pick protein type C2 (NPC2), a putative odorant carrier, has not been fully described in the olfactory perception of predatory mites. In this study, we characterized in detail the olfactory perception functions of NbNPC2-2 and NbNPC2-3 in the important predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri.

Expression and functional characterization of odorant-binding protein 2 in the predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri.

Olfaction plays a crucial role for arthropods in foraging, mating, and oviposition. The odorant-binding protein (OBP) gene is considered one of the most important olfactory genes. However, little is known about its functions in predatory mites.

Measurement of Personal Experienced Temperature Variations in Rural Households Using Wearable Monitors: A Pilot Study.

The time-varying data of air temperatures experienced by people in their daily lives is an important basis for studying human thermal sensation, adaptation, comfort, and health. It is also very important for designing targeted strategies to help people reduce uncomfortable experience. In this study, a small (98 mm × 49 mm × 25 mm), lightweight (~100 g), and portable temperature logger with a wide measurement range (-40 to 100 °C) and appropriate accuracy (±0.

Air pollutant emission factors of solid fuel stoves and estimated emission amounts in rural Beijing.

Solid fuels used for heating and cooking in rural households cause a large amount of pollutant emissions. Actions are being taken to replace these solid fuels with cleaner energy carriers. However, the pollutant emission amounts from solid fuels over large areas have rarely been evaluated.

Advanced household heat pumps for air pollution control: A pilot field study in Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world.

Ulaanbaatar - the coldest capital in the world - is home to half of Mongolia's population, much of which uses coal for household heating, contributing to high wintertime air pollution. We piloted two-stage air-to-air heat pumps in 2017, when temperatures dropped to -39 °C. These heat pumps were reliable and efficient, with an average coefficient of performance of 1.

Application of particle swarm optimization algorithm in the heating system planning problem.

Based on the life cycle cost (LCC) approach, this paper presents an integral mathematical model and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for the heating system planning (HSP) problem. The proposed mathematical model minimizes the cost of heating system as the objective for a given life cycle time. For the particularity of HSP problem, the general particle swarm optimization algorithm was improved.