bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumer acceptance of and willingness to pay for animal food products from livestock fed insects in the United States
Authors: Fukuda E.P. , Omana Sudhakaran P. , Drewery M.L.
Published: November 2023

Insects have potential to be integrated into livestock feeding systems to enhance sustainability of food production. However, Western consumers generally oppose insects as food and it is unknown if U.S. consumers will accept animal food products from livestock fed insects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate U.S. consumers’ acceptance of and willingness to pay (WTP) for animal products from livestock fed insects with an emphasis on identifying underlying drivers that shape acceptance. We developed a questionnaire-based survey that was distributed via convenience sampling to adult U.S. consumers (n = 361). A multinomial logit model was used to identify drivers affecting consumer acceptance of insects as livestock feed; the dependent variable had three categories representing consumer attitude: supportive, neutral, or opposing. Of respondents, 34% accepted insects as livestock feed, 15% were opposed, and 52% were neutral. Respondents more likely to accept insects as livestock feed were younger (18-24 vs 35-44 years; ), had higher average household income ($50,000-$100,000 vs <$25,000; ), and higher educational attainment (master’s degree vs high school diploma; ). The factors that, if true, would most strongly influence consumer acceptance of insects as livestock feed were: ‘If I knew the insects were healthy for the livestock’ (74% of respondents); ‘If I knew it would not affect the balance of our eco-system’ (66%); and ‘If I knew it would lessen the environmental impact of livestock production’ (61%). For WTP, 21% of respondents were willing to pay less for animal products from livestock fed insects, 72% of were willing to pay the same, and 7% were willing to pay more. Our findings outline demographics of most likely U.S. consumers for animal products from livestock fed insects and indicate that outreach should highlight environmental, animal welfare, and economic benefits of insects as livestock feed to increase U.S. consumer adoption.
Dietary application of Hermetia illucens larvae meal negatively affected the fillet quality and fatty acid metabolism of pearl gentian grouper
Authors: Huang B. , Zhang Y. , Zhang S. , Dong X. , Chi S. , Yang Q. , Liu H. , Deng J. , Tan B. , Xie S.
Published: November 2023

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) (BSF) is an insect that can be fed with food waste, and its larval meal is now studied as a feed ingredient to reduce the use of fish meal. However, adding BSF into the feed of pearl gentian grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ߻ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ߼) did not give good results. Higher levels of BSF substitution caused disorders of fatty acid metabolism, leads to fatty liver, and caused oxidative damage in the liver. Also, higher levels of BSF substitution reduced percentage of thick myofibers and significantly affected 40 of metabolites, including dodecanoic acid, D-lyxose, D-aspartic acid, and glutathione in the muscle, which did no positive effect on the improvement of fish meat. Therefore, BSF may require further processing, such as degreasing, in order to be better used.
Analytical and numerical characterisation of terminal velocities of Tenebrio molitor larvae in a new, asymmetrical zigzag based separation system
Authors: Baur A. , Batmaz E. , Gatternig B. , Delgado A.
Published: November 2023

Separation of Tenebrio molitor larvae from unwanted residues, like frass, feed or exuviae is a key process step for an industrial scale plant. One method to separate larvae from residues is using a zigzag air classifier. For designing and for an efficient operation of a zigzag air classifier, the terminal velocity is a key parameter to separate larvae from different residues with a high separation sensitivity. In this work, the terminal velocities of different larvae sizes are evaluated analytically, numerically and experimentally. For this, the sizes of 3 week to 12 week old larvae were used to calculate and simulate the terminal velocity. To validate the results, an experiment was carried out and compared with the analytical and numerical data. For this, a model for T. molitor larvae was designed to calculate the surface and volume of a larva to produce equivalent spheres with the same physical properties as a real larva. The results are showing similar curves with terminal velocities from 5 m/s for young larvae (3 weeks old) to 12 m/s for older larvae (12 weeks old). The deviations between each method are 1 m/s for smaller larvae and 1.5 m/s for bigger larvae. In further experiments and simulations, approaches with calculation methods for non-spherical particles are necessary to achieve results closer to reality due to the cylindrical shape of T. molitor larvae.
Does the addition of edible insects affect the formation of acrylamide during bread baking?
Authors: Burešová B. , Kotı́ková Z. , Paznocht L. , Lachman J. , Podhorecká K. , Martinek P. , Kurečka M. , Škvorová P. , Lampová B. , Kouřimská L.
Published: November 2023

The effect of insect powder addition on the acrylamide formation in leavened and unleavened wheat bread and on the content of its main precursors in raw material was investigated. The samples under study were prepared form wholemeal wheat flour supplemented with 5, 8, and 12% of field cricket or yellow mealworm powder. The addition of both insects increased the content of reducing sugars and free amino acids, except for asparagine, the limiting factor of acrylamide formation in cereal products, which was lower in the samples with the greatest cricket and mealworm supplementation than in the control wheat flour (242.4 and 177.9 vs 249.6 mg/kg). For unleavened bread, an increase in acrylamide was recorded with the highest share of cricket and mealworm compared to the control (up to 14.03 and 29.52 vs 11.02 μg/kg). Conversely, for leavened bread, the variants most supplemented with cricket and mealworm exhibited the lowest acrylamide content relative to the control (64.84 and 68.78 vs 82.47 μg/kg). It is indicated by the results that the supplementation of bakery products with insects enriches their nutritional value and does not pose a risk of increased acrylamide intake by consumers.
Impact of instant controlled pressure drop texturing on the drying of yellow mealworms
Authors: El Hajj R. , Mhemdi H. , Khashayar S. , Lefrançois V. , Allaf K. , Vorobiev E.
Published: November 2023

Insects are increasingly being evaluated as promising protein sources for the food and feed sectors. However, to be accepted as a viable food source, insects must undergo proper processing. Drying is a crucial step in insect processing, as it inhibits the growth of harmful microorganisms, improves their stability and extends their shelf life. After drying, insects can be further processed into various forms, to make them more socially acceptable as food and feed. During drying, biological materials are prone to shrinking, which usually affects their quality. Shrinkage of dried biological material results in a compact structure and causes a significant reduction in water diffusivity. It is typically escorted with unsatisfactory organoleptic quality and problems with grinding. Therefore, including retexturing and structure-expanding techniques in regular drying procedures is becoming essential. The instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) technique was suggested as a texturing technique for yellow mealworms. DIC treatment successfully overcame shrinkage at treatment conditions of 0.194 MPa/32 s and above, resulting in enhanced water diffusivity of 1,833 and 682% for DIC-treated larvae at 0.45 MPa/25 s, dried at 50 and 60 °C, respectively, as compared to blanched larvae. Furthermore, DIC caused a 125% increase in the specific surface area of the dried meal, and a more uniform particle size distribution, both of which reflect the influence of this pretreatment on grinding and, consequently, the end product’s quality. Finally, experimental data of sorption isotherms at 20, 30, and 40 °C were fitted with Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB), and Oswin models to represent the sorption behaviour.
Animal performance and meat quality of two slow-growing chicken genotypes fed insects reared on municipal organic waste
Authors: Altmann B.A. , Geisler S. , Morthorst F. , Angeli S. , Bortolini S. , Gauly M. , Hummel J. , Sünder A. , Mörlein D. , Traulsen I. , Ammer S.
Published: November 2023

To keep up with increasing demand for animal protein, alternative protein sources will need to be included in current animal production systems. The efficient growth of Hermetia illucens larvae combined with municipal waste as a substrate has the potential to increase the sustainability of protein feed production. Therefore, this study partially substituted soymeal with H. illucens larval meal (reared on municipal waste) in broiler diets to determine the effect on slow-growing broiler (ISA-JA-757 and Les Bleues) production. Growth and slaughter performance, as well as animal welfare and meat quality parameters were evaluated. No influence of H. illucens larvae meal in the diet was found for weight gain, feed efficiency and slaughter performance. Animal welfare was also not influenced by diet. Fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat was influenced by the inclusion of H. illucens in the broiler diets; however not uniformly across meat cut. Differences between animal genotype and animal sex often influenced parameters under investigation more than diet itself. Overall, H. illucens can be regarded as a suitable protein source in slow-growing broiler diets.
Comparison of oil quality characteristics of Locusta migratoria, Allomyrina dichotoma, and Tenebrio molitor obtained using different extraction methods
Authors: Lee G.E. , Kim Y.J. , Jang H.B. , Cha J.Y. , Choi Y.-S. , Jang H.W.
Published: November 2023

In preparation of future food shortages, edible insects are receiving more attention as alternative foods. However, research on the fat of edible insects and the newly permitted Locusta migratoria in South Korea has been insufficient. In this study, Soxhlet and three-phase partitioning (TPP) methods were used to extract the oils of L. migratoria, Allomyrina dichotoma, and Tenebrio molitor L., which are permitted as edible insects in South Korea. After measuring the yield of the extracted oils and comparing the difference between the species of edible insects and the extraction methods, the yield of T. molitor was the highest, followed by those of A. dichotoma and L. migratoria. In addition, yields were higher when oils were extracted using the Soxhlet method. The composition of fatty acids and volatile chemicals in the oils was measured using GC-FID and SPME-Arrow-GC-MS, respectively. Volatile concentrations extracted using the Soxhlet method were higher than those obtained using TPP and the major groups in the three oils were acids and pyrazines. The findings of this study can support more intensive research on edible insect oil and food utilisation.
Prospects of edible insects as sustainable protein for food and feed – a review
Authors: Siddiqui S.A. , Osei-Owusu J. , Yunusa B.M. , Rahayu T. , Fernando I. , Shah M.A. , Centoducati G.
Published: November 2023

The residual population growth imposes an increase in food demand, driving humans to practice agricultural intensification on a large scale. Paradoxically, food and feed production may end up causing various environmental problems. At the same time, about 2.37 billion people in the World currently lack basic food security insurance. As a consequence, alternative sources that can substantially address the demand for food and feed sustainably are needed. Insect farming may offer an environmentally friendly solution for mitigating global food and feed challenges. The article aims to explore the potential of insects as sustainable food and feed sources while assessing their environmental impact, offering innovative solutions for global food security challenges. By highlighting the benefits of edible insects, the article supports informed decision-making and promotes sustainable practices. Mass production of edible insects has seen record growth over the decade, and their demand as future proteins is projected to reach up to 3 million tons in 2030. Additionally, insect farming is evidenced to be economically viable. To meet the demand for edible insects, a breakthrough such as the internet of things can be used to scale up production and processing. However, detailed environmental impact assessments are needed to predict scenarios of large-scale insect farming. Life cycle assessments of some edible insect production systems have validated that insect farming has various beneficial environmental impacts. The utilization of edible insects as food and feed is promising for significantly improving food security and the environmental sustainability of food.
Sesame cake diet enhances the nutritional value of Tenebrio molitor (mealworm)
Authors: Park J.-S. , Yun H. , Park C.H. , Kim D.W. , Kim H.J. , Kim Y.W. , Shin W.S. , Kim S.W.
Published: November 2023

Mealworms (MWs) are a potentially environment-friendly, nutrient-rich, alternative food source. MWs can be fed various food by-products, including sesame cakes, a by-product of sesame oil. We studied the impact of a sesame cake diet on the nutritional value of MWs, specifically to determine the possibility of the transfer of nutritional value through feed sources. MWs were fed diets containing wheat bran-based substrates with different percentages of sesame cake (0, 10, 30, and 50%). A correlation between the nutrient composition of MWs and concentration of sesame cakes in their diets was observed. In addition, the ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl radical scavenging activity increased by 53% and 29%, respectively, in MWs fed a 50% sesame cake diet compared with those in MWs not fed with sesame cakes. Furthermore, an increase in sesame cake concentration enhanced the biological activity of MWs fed with sesame cake, such as the inhibition of lipolysis and α-glucosidase; particularly in MWs fed with a 50% sesame cake diet, the efficacy of these processes increased by 1.2- and 1.3-fold, respectively, compared with those in MWs not fed a sesame cake diet. To assess these changes, the profiles of MW compounds were analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, where MWs fed with 50% sesame cake diets and those not fed sesame cake diets were compared. Choline content in MWs fed sesame cakes was high. Our results indicate that a sesame cake diet enhances the nutritional and economic values of MWs, validating their use as an alternative food source.
Edible Lepidoptera as human foods – a comprehensive review
Authors: Siddiqui S.A. , Ngah N. , Eddy-Doh A.M. , Ucak I. , Afreen M. , Fernando I. , Singh S. , Shah M.A. , Povetkin S.N. , Castro-Muñoz R.
Published: November 2023

As the global population continues to grow, traditional protein sources like meat and fish are becoming increasingly unsustainable due to their environmental impact. Edible insects, on the other hand, are highly nutritious, require minimal resources to produce, and emit significantly fewer greenhouse gases than traditional livestock. Lepidoptera, one of the most diverse insect orders, contains some popular edible species that have been consumed traditionally for centuries across the globe. Based on this review, about 24 families with a total of about 350 edible lepidopteran species were recorded. They are often praised for their excellent nutritional value, such as having high protein and healthy fat content. Edible lepidopterans also contain minerals, essential amino acids, and vitamins, making them a nutritious addition to a balanced diet. They also contain bioactive compounds which have various nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties. Furthermore, some edible lepidopterans can be farmed and require minimal space and resources. However, there are significant challenges associated with their use as food. One of the primary challenges is the lack of regulations governing their production and distribution, which creates uncertainty for consumers and businesses alike. Consumer acceptance is also a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of insects as food. To overcome these challenges, there is a need for clear regulations that ensure the safety and quality of insect-based products. Furthermore, it is important to raise awareness about the nutritional and environmental benefits of edible insects as sustainable food for the future to promote their acceptance among consumers.
Safety of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae reared on waste streams of animal and vegetal origin and manure
Authors: Hoek-van den Hil E.F. , Meijer N.P. , Van Rozen K. , Elissen H. , van Wikselaar P.G. , Brust H. , Te Loeke N.A.J.M. , de Rijk T. , Tienstra M. , van de Schans M.G.M. , Wanrooij J. , Van der Weide R. , Veldkamp T. , van der Fels-Klerx H.J.
Published: November 2023

In Europe, commercial and scientific interest in black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens) as a new feed source has grown substantially, primarily because this species can be reared on waste-streams which are otherwise unsuitable. However, before BSFL may legally be reared on such materials, and subsequently fed to livestock animals, safety must be guaranteed. Many hazards could be relevant, depending on the origin of the waste stream. Small- and large-scale experiments were performed in which BSFL were reared on the organic wet fraction of municipal household waste (OWF), kitchen/fast food waste (FFW), mushroom feet stems (MF), pig manure liquid slurry mixed with roadside silage grass (PMLSG), pig manure solids (PMS), and secondary sludge from slaughter waste (SW). Larval yields were highest on the control (chicken feed + water) and the FFW. Substrates and larvae were analysed to determine the presence of heavy metals, acrylamide, pesticides, veterinary drugs, and pathogenic bacteria. Cadmium (Cd) bioaccumulated in larvae reared on all substrates, in line with previous research. Some pesticides and veterinary drugs were found in the substrates: concentrations in the larvae were low, but potential formation of metabolites could be studied further. Acrylamide was present in the FFW, but not in the larvae reared on it: more research is needed to determine the (metabolic) fate. Bacillus cereus and traces of Salmonella spp. were found on some larval samples, but appropriate processing is anticipated to minimize potential risks. Based on these results, we conclude that most tested substrates are suitable for rearing BSFL, and do not appear to present major safety concerns, aside from the need for monitoring Cd concentrations in the substrates, and control measures for pathogenic bacteria. Further verification to account for variance in contamination of substrates is needed for definitive conclusions on the safety.
Utilisation of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) oil in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) diet
Authors: Eom G. , Shin J. , Lee K.J.
Published: November 2023

Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) and their derivatives are sustainable ingredients in aquaculture feeds. This study evaluated the effect of fish oil (FO) replacement with mealworm oil (MO) on growth performance, non-specific immune responses and disease resistance against Vibrio parahaemolyticus for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). FO in a control diet (Con) was replaced with MO at levels of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% (designated as MO25, MO50, MO75 and MO100, respectively). A total of 480 shrimp (initial mean body weight, 0.884 ± 0.004 g) were randomly distributed into 20 acrylic tanks (240 L) in quadruplicates groups and fed the experimental diets for 58 days. Growth performance was significantly higher in all MO groups than in Con group. Shrimp fed MO50 and MO75 diets showed significantly improved feed utilisation efficiency than shrimp fed Con diet. Lipid metabolism related-gene expressions of fatty acid binding protein and triacylglycerol lipase in hepatopancreas were significantly downregulated by increment of MO in the diets. Digestibility of protein, lipid, energy and dry matter were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments, while digestibility of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were significantly decreased by dietary MO supplementation. The levels of n-3 PUFA in muscle and hepatopancreas were significantly decreased with increasing MO levels in the diets. Cumulative survival of shrimp in a challenge test against V. parahaemolyticus was higher in all MO groups and significantly higher in MO25 group than in Con group. Non-specific immune responses were significantly enhanced in all MO groups than in Con group. Replacement of FO with MO in the diets significantly increased haemolymph cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Our findings suggest that MO could be utilised as a promising substitute for FO in the diets of L. vannamei and optimal FO replacement level would be 50% for growth and 25% for disease resistance against V. parahaemolyticus.
Attitudes to consumption of edible insects by indigenous Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand: future commercial opportunities
Authors: O’Connor C.T. , Gathercole J. , Finlay-Smits S. , McNeill M.R. , Bowie M. , van Koten C. , Morton J.D.
Published: November 2023

Entomophagy (eating insects) can be a sustainable and efficient source of protein, prevalent in many cultures worldwide. However, there is limited research on the perceptions of entomophagy in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly indigenous Māori perceptions. This work explores Māori perspectives on entomophagy, gaining understanding of the history of entomophagy in Māori culture, how entomophagy is currently perceived, and the potential of edible insect-derived products amongst Māori. An online survey was conducted via Qualtrics™ in 2021 recruiting via close contacts and social media platforms. Within the sample (n = 172), 42% of participants indicated insects play a significant role in Māori culture as food, and 10% as rongoā (traditional Māori medicine). Additionally, insects were described as part of cultural narratives. For insects as food, 47% of participants have eaten or know of their whānau (family) eating insects, with the huhu grub (larvae of a large wood-eating beetle) being the most consumed. We also found that 87% of participants were willing to consume insects in some form. Age had little effect on the likelihood of participants eating insects, except for those aged over 55 who were less likely to consume them. Participants with a flexitarian diet were significantly more willing to consume insects than those with a meat-eating or pescatarian diet. Conversely, participants with a vegetarian diet were more likely to say they would not eat insects. Participants were significantly more likely to consume insects if they were native to Aotearoa New Zealand or fed rongoā rākau (medicinal plants) and farmed sustainably, or if they knew that the type of insect was once eaten by Māori. Our findings show that indigenous Māori already recognise insects as being culturally significant and are relatively open to consuming insects. This presents an opportunity for Māori-led businesses or collaborations with Māori to revitalise insects as a food source.
Evaluation of the ultrafiltration method to obtain a high-value protein concentrate from the edible insect Tenebrio molitor
Authors: Ribeiro J.C. , Coscueta E.R. , Cunha L.M. , Pintado M.E.
Published: November 2023

The fractionation of edible insects is one of the major topics related to using insects as food. Developing adequate protein recovery methods is essential to guarantee acceptable incorporation of insect protein fractions into functional food products, which in turn is essential to the development of insect-based products with higher consumer acceptance. This research aimed to produce high-purity protein concentrates from Tenebrio molitor larvae with favourable techno-functional properties, through membrane ultrafiltration with a 50 kDa cut-off, while also comparing with protein concentrates obtained through isoelectric point precipitation (IP). The protein fractions were evaluated for extraction efficiency (protein content, yield, and recovery rate), protein profile (size exclusion chromatography), and techno-functional properties (colour, foaming, and emulsifying properties, and water/oil absorption capacities). The >50 kDa fraction had a protein content above 80% (although lower than the IP fraction), while the <50 kDa fraction only had a protein content of 44.2%. Despite its high protein content, the >50 kDa fraction only attained a protein recovery rate of 27.9%, comparable to the IP fraction recovery rate. The >50 kDa fraction had higher (lightness) and (yellowness) colour than the IP, defatted fraction and powder samples (dried and ground T. molitor). However, all the obtained protein fractions presented a higher Browning Index than the defatted fraction. Additionally, the protein fractions presented better techno-functional properties than the powder or defatted samples, with the >50 kDa fraction presenting better properties than commercial protein concentrates (whey or pea protein). The protein isolation method based on ultrafiltration led to a protein concentrate with high purity and acceptable techno-functional properties, presenting itself as an alternative to the more common method based on isoelectric point precipitation.
Effects of post-harvesting practices on heavy metal levels of mopane caterpillar (Gonimbrasia belina) products and associated risk assessment
Authors: Murefu T.R. , Muriithi A.N. , Musundire R.
Published: November 2023

Mopane caterpillars (Gonimbrasia belina) are one of the most consumed edible insects in Southern Africa, and they contribute nutritional benefits to human health. However, their contribution to the food and nutritional security can be hindered by food safety concerns due to heavy metal contamination associated with harvesting, processing and poor post-harvest practices. This study investigated the effectiveness of post-harvest practices (degutting, charcoal roasting and sun drying, boiling, frying and open pan roasting) in reducing the heavy metal contaminants (cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), aluminium (Al), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe)) in mopane caterpillar sourced from Gwanda district in Zimbabwe. The post-harvest practice categories used in this study included: unprocessed (ungutted and naturally degutted samples), processed (manually degutted, and charcoal roasted and sun-dried), and cooked (boiled and salted; boiled, salted and roasted, and boiled, salted and fried) samples. An atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used for quantification of metals and the values detected were used to assess health risks to consumers using a quantitative risk assessment calculation method. The unprocessed and manually degutted samples showed higher levels Cd and traces of Pb, while charcoal roasting and sun drying resulted in elevated levels of Al, Zn, Cu and Fe. Hg and Ni were not detected in any of the unprocessed, processed or cooked samples. Cooking processes resulted in reduction of the concentrations of detected metals to levels within the permissible values. The health risk assessment disclosed noncarcinogenic risks based on the high hazard index (HI) values (HI > 1) in unprocessed, processed, boiled and salted, and boiled, salted and roasted samples, indicating that caution should be taken. The overall findings from the study shows that by cooking mopane caterpillars through boiling and frying, health risks associated with heavy metal contamination can be reduced.
Effect of temperature on the oviposition and egg hatching performance of Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors: Ormanoğlu N. , Baliota G.V. , Rumbos C.I. , Athanassiou C.G.
Published: November 2023

The commercial accessibility of insect biomass for food and feed necessitates a systematic examination of the various factors that can potentially hinder the efficiency of insect farming. This study focuses on identifying the optimal thermal requirements for the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), an edible insect species of particular interest due to its significant potential as a food and feed source. Adults of the species were left to oviposit continuously for 45 days, under controlled laboratory conditions at 20, 25, 30 and 32 °C. The number of eggs laid by the adults, as well as the larval emergence was recorded during this period. Based on the findings, the reproduction output, expressed as the cumulative number of eggs per adult and the cumulative larval hatching rate, was affected by the temperature levels tested here. It has been determined that the optimal reproductive output of A. diaperinus can be attained by maintaining newly emerged adults within a temperature range of 25 to 30 °C for a period of 42 days. During this period, it is anticipated that each adult will yield an average of 73 eggs, while an estimated hatchability rate of 69 and 58% at 25 and 30 °C, respectively. Our study is one of the few that evaluate the efficacy of retaining parental adults of A. diaperinus for oviposition under commercial mass-rearing conditions, taking into account egg and larval production.
Cyber Slavery, Port Cities and Systemic Cruelty
Authors: Liu Joyce C.H.
Published: November 2023

This article presents a theoretical analysis of the logistics of neoliberal slavery in the 21st century, focusing on the role of the port cities as the hinge in the supply chain through the case of the cyber scam industry of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone. The hinge, in a metonymic and metaphorical way, connects a complex mobile networking system with a multi-dimensional and topological dynamism. The overlaid networks consist of a tripartite operation—the production, the market, and the law—and explains the persistence of human interest in profiting from surplus values through human labor extraction, and the violence and cruelty inherent in this. The logic of circulation no longer follows Marx’s analysis of M-C-M or M-M+, but the formula of V-M+. Through void with no cost, and violence with no law, there is no limit to the multiplication of capital.
Additional data on the fauna of Psilidae (Diptera) of France, with description of three new species of Chamaepsila and updated keys
Authors: CLAUDE JOCELYN , TISSOT BRUNO
Published: November 2023

Since the first faunistic overview of the Psilidae (Diptera) of mainland France published in 2021 with data up to 2019, new material from 26 natural sites and three collections has been examined by the authors. 2663 specimens collected in continental France were identified, representing 37 species. From this material, three species from three mountain national natural reserves are described as new to science: Chamaepsila withersi sp. nov., Chamaepsila massanea sp. nov. and Chamaepsila ristolasiensis sp. nov. Chamaepsila andreji (Shatalkin, 1996) is mentioned for the first time in France. Keys to the species of Chamaepsila Hendel, 1917 from Europe are updated and provided in English and French. Illustrations of the genitalia of the males of Chamaepsila limbatella (Zetterstedt, 1847) and Chamaepsila strigata (Collin, 1959) are provided for the firt time. Male terminalia of Chamaepsila andreji (Shatalkin, 1996), Chamaepsila bicolor (Meigen, 1826), Chamaepsila ephippium (Zetterstedt, 1847), Chamaepsila luteola (Collin, 1944), Chamaepsila obscuritarsis (Loew, 1856), Chamaepsila quadrilineata (Strobl, 1898) and Chamaepsila villosula (Meigen, 1826) are redrawn from the authors’ material, more complete and more precise. Additional faunistic data are presented for all French species of Psilidae, derived from the 2600+ specimens identified since 2019.
A new species of planthopper in the genus Anotia (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Derbidae) from the Los Angeles cloud forest in Costa Rica
Authors: BAHDER BRIAN W. , ECHAVARRIA MARCO A. ZUMBADO , BARRANTES EDWIN A. BARRANTES , HELMICK ERICKA E. , KUNZ GERNOT , BARTLETT CHARLES R.
Published: November 2023

Recent survey work in Costa Rica has resulted in the discovery of new species of derbid and cixiid planthoppers associated with palms. During this survey, one species belonging to the genus Anotia has been discovered and described, A. firebugia. A second species was collected while sweeping trailside vegetation in the Los Angeles cloud forest in Costa Rica and determined to represent a new species of Anotia. Herein, Anotia cerebro sp. n. is described and supplemental molecular data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 18S rRNA gene and D9-D10 expansion region of the 28S rRNA gene are provided.
A revision of the genus Ima Tindale (Mantodea: Nanomantidae: Fulciniinae) with the description of a new genus
Authors: CONNORS MATTHEW G. , YEELES PETER , LACH LORI , RENTZ DAVID C.F.
Published: November 2023

Ima fusca is one of a number of unusual and infrequently collected Australian mantises about which relatively little is known. Long considered a single species, morphological studies instead revealed the presence of a second cryptic species. We here describe this species as Ima corymbia sp. nov. and redescribe both Ima and Ima fusca in detail. Additionally, we describe a unique, robust species allied to Ima that was discovered with the aid of citizen science, Inimia nat gen. et sp. nov. In light of this discovery, we provide keys to both the Australian Fulciniini genera and to the species of Ima. Finally, we provide detailed behavioural and ecological records for all three species, including the peculiar host plant specificity of Ima spp. We document and discuss this specificity in depth and suggest several possible reasons for its occurrence.
Zherikhinia matobai sp. nov., a second species of the genus Zherikhinia Alonso-Zarazaga (Coleoptera, Brentidae, Nanophyinae) from the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan
Authors: YASUKAWA SATOSHI
Published: November 2023

Zherikhinia matobai Yasukawa sp. nov., a member of the subfamily Nanophyinae (Coleoptera, Brentidae), is described from the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. It is the second species of this genus known. Zherikhinia distylia Alonso-Zarazaga, 1989 and Z. matobai can be easily distinguished by the body color (Z. matobai is reddish-brown and glossy) and the femoral teeth (Z. matobai has one large tooth and a smaller, grain-like tooth).
Analysis on Performances and Flow Fields of a Single Waterjet Propeller Based on SST k −ω Model
Authors: Zhang Lingfei , Hou Longfeng , Tao Yihao
Published: November 2023

As a special method of ship propulsion, waterjet propeller has been widely used in military and civilian fields due to its advantages of simple structures and high propulsion efficiency. Affected by waves of sea and rotation of impeller, the internal flow of waterjet propeller is extremely
complex on three dimensions. When waterjet propeller works, its turbulent flow is often accompanied with unstable phenomena like flow separation, secondary flow, and backflow. On the other hand, the impeller of the propeller will be easily cavitated if it runs at high speed. That has a serious
impact on performance and structure of the propeller. Therefore, understanding the open water performance and cavitation characteristics is imperative. In this study, we analyze the performance and flow field of a single marine external waterjet propeller based on the SST k−ω
model. We focus on examining its performance under various advance coefficients in open water conditions. The experimental results show that the distributions of streamline and inlet velocity are more uniform at the highest efficiency point than other operating conditions. The loss for the
generation of entropy is relatively low at the same time. The analysis on cavitation shows that the volume of the cavitation bubble will increase gradually as the cavitation number of the propeller decreases. Meanwhile, the performance of the propeller decreases obviously at the blade tip
extending from the rim to the hub.
Effect of Diffusion on Charge Transport in Organic Photovoltaic Blends
Authors: Wang L. G. , Liu Z. H. , Wang L. Z. , Zhang L.
Published: November 2023

Charge transport is one of the key factors in the operation of organic photovoltaic devices. Non-fullerene acceptor materials have recently attracted significant attention in organic photovoltaics due to their great potential to realize high power conversion efficiencies. In this paper,
we investigate the effect of diffusion on charge transport in a variety of binary and ternary organic photovoltaic materials, including both polymer: fullerene and polymer:non-fullerene blends. It is shown that the temperature dependent current density-voltage characteristics from the drift-diffusion
simulations incorporating the extended Gaussian disorder model (EGDM) are more consistent with experimental data in comparison with those obtained from the only drift model for all these material systems. Furthermore, it is found that the effect of diffusion on charge transport is more pronounced
at low voltages and seems to be negligible when the applied voltage exceeds 1 V. The deviation of calculated curves from experimental measurements gradually increases with increasing temperature. It is of great importance to the influence of diffusion effect on charge transport in both polymer:fullerene
and polymer:non-fullerene blends.
Fabrication of YBa2Cu3O7-y Bulk Superconductor Through Melt Growth
Authors: Lee Sang Heon
Published: November 2023

A YBa2Cu3O7-y bulk with the crystal orientation identical with that of single seed was grown from the seed by the application of melt growth, wherein YBa2Cu3O7-y superconductive green compact was placed
on the upper part of Sm 123 superconductive seed single crystal. Field cooling was employed as the condition for the measuring magnetic levitation; it was measured at the temperature of liquid nitrogen, utilizing a Nd–Fe-B permanent magnet with the force of 3.86 kG. The magnetic levitation
measurements yielded values of 23.537 N on the surface of the upper part and 30.562 N at the bottom of superconductive bulk magnet. The trapped magnetic forces on the surfaces of superconducting specimens were measured using a permanent magnet with a surface magnetic force of 5.25 kG. The
measurements yielded values of 1.74 kG on the upper surface and 1.82 kG at the bottom of the superconducting bulk magnet. Superconducting single crystals were grown from specimens obtained from the upper and bottom parts of the bulk magnet. These specimens were prepared using the melt reaction
process. The superconducting properties, such as magnetic levitation and trapped magnetic force, were found to be higher in the region that came into contact with the seed crystal.
Enhancing Electro-Hydraulic Load Simulator Performance Through Variable Arm Length and Particle Swarm-Optimized Controllers
Authors: Li Jianying , Kong Lingbing , Liang Heng , Li Weidong , Aldosary Saad
Published: November 2023

This study presents a novel approach to improve the loading characteristics of an electro-hydraulic load simulator by introducing a variable arm length mechanism and employing advanced control strategies rooted in Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The design enhancements focus on optimizing
the physical connection between the steering gear system and the load system, resulting in an electro-hydraulic load simulator equipped with adjustable arm length. Through a meticulous analysis of the ideal pivot position for the rocker lever, a fuzzy Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID)
controller based on PSO has been developed for the steering gear system. In recognition of the PSO algorithm’s susceptibility to local optima convergence, a fuzzy PID controller employing Single-Particle Random Search (SSPSO) has also been devised for the load system. To assess the effectiveness
of this innovative hardware configuration and controller implementation in mitigating over-suppression, comprehensive joint simulation experiments were conducted. The results unequivocally indicate that the incorporation of the variable arm length structure, along with the PSO-based fuzzy
PID controller optimized using binding factors, substantially enhances the dynamic loading performance of the electro-hydraulic load simulator. This enhancement translates into superior loading accuracy and overall performance metrics, establishing this research as a valuable reference for
future investigations in this field.
Optical Fiber Sensor with Novel Structure and Its Applications in Oil and Gas Exploration
Authors: Xie Yuhua , Zhao Kun , Li Hengle
Published: November 2023

Compared to electronic sensors, Optical Fiber Sensors (OFSs) have received increasing attention due to their advantages, such as small size, light weight, anti-electromagnetic interference, easy reuse, and remote sensing. This paper proposes a novel all-fiber mode interferometer. This
interferometer excites higher-order cladding modes through mode mismatch between standard single-mode fibers and thin cores. There is interference between higher-order cladding mode and core layer mode, resulting in interference fringes used as sensing signals. Sensitivity testing is conducted
on the designed OFS to demonstrate whether it meets the application requirements for petroleum exploration. Transmission-type Thin-Core Fiber Modal Interferometers (TCFMIs) with different lengths of Thin-Core Fibers (TCFs) (20 mm, 40 mm, and 60 mm) are produced in the experiment. Among them,
TCFMIs at 60 mm TCF length can obtain ideal sensing signals. The TCFMI (with a length of 20 mm TCF) is encapsulated in a self-made aluminum groove in rosin to test its Refractive Index (RI). The results show that as the RI increases, the central wavelength shifts towards the long wavelength
direction. Its sensitivity reaches 146 nm/R.I.U. When the temperature is increased, the central wavelength shifts towards the long wavelength direction, resulting in lower temperature sensitivity. In the sensitivity test, the phase change obtained by designing OFSs is proportional to the vibration
acceleration. It is fixed on the vibration table to keep the acceleration of the vibration table constant and adjust the vibration frequency of the vibration table. The results show that the vibration spectral line of the sensor is relatively flat within 100 Hz, and resonance occurs within
the range of 200 Hz to 350 Hz. Through phase demodulation, sensors loaded with different oscillator masses increase linearly in the low-frequency range. When the vibration frequency approaches the resonance frequency of the sensor, the phase sensitivity of the sensor increases nonlinearly.
Enhancing Cardiac Disease Prediction Through Data Recovery and Deep Learning Analysis of Electronic Sensor Data
Authors: Shaman Faisal , Alshehri Aziz , Badr Mohammed Mehdi , Selvam K. , Ahmed Mohammed Mohsin , Mushtaque Nazneen , Gangopadhyay Amit , Islam Asharul , Irshad Reyazur Rashid
Published: November 2023

Remote health monitoring plays a pivotal role in tracking the health of patients outside traditional clinical settings. It facilitates early disease detection, preventive interventions, and cost-effective healthcare, relying on electronic sensors to collect essential data. The accuracy
of medical data analysis is paramount for early disease identification, patient treatment, and optimizing social services, particularly as data utilization expands within the biomedical and healthcare sectors. However, the presence of incomplete or inconsistent data hampers the accuracy of
analysis. This paper introduces a novel approach, employing Grey Wolf Optimization-based Convolutional Neural Networks (GW-CNN), to recover missing data and enhance cardiac disease identification. The proposed method combines data imputation techniques for identifying and predicting missing
values in electronic sensor data, followed by feature extraction to capture relevant information. The CNN model leverages Grey Wolf Optimization to improve its predictive capabilities for cardiac disease. Comparative evaluation against existing models assesses the new model’s performance
in terms of specificity, accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score.
Improving the Forecasting of El Niño Amplitude Based on an Ensemble Forecast Strategy for Westerly Wind Bursts
Authors: Ji Chaopeng , Mu Mu , Fang Xianghui , Tao Lingjiang
Published: November 2023

The forecasting of El Niño amplitude remains uncertain, with false alarms or underestimations often occurring. It has been suggested that westerly wind bursts (WWBs) are crucial atmospheric stochastic forcing that affects the development, amplitude, and predictability of El Niño. Effectively capturing the influence of WWBs in El Niño forecasting systems to mitigate El Niño forecast uncertainties continues to be a widely discussed topic. In this work, two El Niño ensemble forecast scenarios incorporating WWBs were devised utilizing an intermediate coupled model capable of simulating the rational features of El Niño–Southern Oscillation and a refined WWB parameterization scheme. To start with, both the seasonal variations and the dependence on the oceanic background state were considered to improve the parameterization of WWBs. Furthermore, considering the short intrinsic predictability limit of WWBs with respect to the interannual scale of El Niño evolution, a WWB ensemble forecast strategy was designed to obtain their occurrence probability and the statistical features of their magnitude and central location. With this in mind, an ensemble forecast of El Niño events occurring during 1979–2021 based on a WWB ensemble forecast was established (termed WWB-based). For comparison, a conventional El Niño ensemble forecast based on initial condition (IC) perturbations was also conducted (termed IC-based). Results indicated that the WWB-based approach shows better performance in forecasting the El Niño amplitude than the IC-based one. The present approach suggests that an ensemble forecast with proper consideration of the scale interaction between the fast WWBs and interannual variations is more physically consistent.

Significance Statement

Westerly wind bursts (WWBs) are believed to influence the growth and amplitude of El Niño events. Unfortunately, the short intrinsic predictability limit of WWBs brings considerable uncertainty to the forecasting of El Niño amplitude. In this study, a refined parameterization scheme for WWBs, along with an ensemble forecast strategy designed to obtain the occurrence probability of WWBs and the statistical features of their magnitude and central location, was employed in an intermediate coupled model to produce an ensemble forecast for the El Niño events occurring during 1979–2021. The results showed that an ensemble forecast of El Niño based on WWB ensemble forecast can fully consider WWBs’ potential impact on the El Niño system and improve El Niño forecasts.