New Analytical Model for Optimal Placement of Wind Turbines in Power Network under Pool and Reserve Markets Conditions

In this paper a new market based analytical model is proposed for optimal placement of Wind Turbines (WTs) in power systems. In addition to wind turbines, thermal units (THUs) and Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plants (PSHPPs) owners participate in power market. Objective function is defined as participants’ social welfare achieved from power pool and ancillary markets in yearly horizon. Wind turbines have been modeled by probability-generation tree scenarios based on statistical information. We concentrate on investment profits of WTs numbers and its generation capacity beside to PSHPPs and THUs power plants in power systems due to increase in high flexible tools for Independent system operator into the planning and operation planning time interval. For effectiveness evaluation of proposed model, simulation studies are applied on 14-Bus IEEE test power system.

Evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis to Control Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) under Laboratory Conditions

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is among the most destructive pests that attack tomato in many countries. In this study, the efficiency of three suspensions (106;105;104 cell/ml) of Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki was tested on T. absoluta larvae 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar was assessed to study the effect of these suspensions on larval mortality. Results showed that the concentration 106 cell/ml resulted in the highest mortality of all instars larvae with an average mortality of 20%, 22.66%, 18.66% and 23.33% was recorded for the first, second, third and fourth instar, respectively. The greatest percentage of mortality occurred in the third day after the larvae fed with leaves treated with suspension B. thuringiensis.

Assessment of Two <i>Trichogramma</i>Species with <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i>var. krustaki for the Control of the Tomato Leafminer <i>Tuta absoluta</i>Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Iran

In this study, we investigated the efficiency of T. brassicae and T. embryophagum in combination with bacterial suspension of B. thuringiensis against the tomato leafminer T. absoluta eggs in cage inside greenhouse (semi field) experiments. Four treatments were used (T. brassicae or T. embryophagum + T. absoluta) (T1), (B. thuringiensis + T. absoluta) (T2), (T. brassicae or T. embryophagum + B. thuringiensis + T. absoluta) (T3) and control (T4). The lowest number of T. absoluta mines (6.1, 0.5 mine per plant) were recorded in T3 for T. brassicae and T. embryophagum were significantly lower than those of all other treatments which were followed by T1 and T2, while the highest number of mines per plant (50.70) were recorded in control (T4). In addition, the parasitism rate, adults’ emergence, the number of females and adult longevity of two parasitoids were investigated. According to the obtained results, the highest parasitism rate was obtained for T. embryophagum when treated with Bt reared in the T. absoluta eggs (31.18%). However, no significant differences were detected between T. brassicae and T. embryophagum in mortality and adult emergence rates were found when they were treated with/ without Bt reared in the T. absoluta eggs in cage inside greenhouse. Also, the longevity of T. embryophagum was significantly better than T. brassicae p = 0.000. This is the first study to investigate T. embryophagum in cage inside greenhouse for parasitizing the eggs of T. absoluta and results of present study suggested that T. embryophagum with Bt could be more efficient for biocontrol of T. absoluta.

Decrease of memory retention in a parasitic wasp： an effect of host manipulation by Wolbachia？

Several factors, such as cold exposure, aging, the number of experiences and viral infection, have been shown to affect learning ability in different organisms. Wol- bachia has been found worldwide as an arthropod parasite/mutualist symbiont in a wide range of species, including insects. Differing effects have been identified on physiology and behavior by Wolbachia. However, the effect of Wolbachia infection on the learning ability of their host had never previously been studied. The current study carried out to compare learning ability and memory duration in 2 strains of the parasitoid Trichogramma brassicae： 1 uninfected and I infected by Wolbachia. Both strains were able to associate the novel odors with the reward of an oviposition into a host egg. However, the percentage of females that responded to the experimental design and displayed an ability to learn in these conditions was higher in the uninfected strain. Memory duration was longer in uninfected wasps （23.8 and 21.4 h after conditioning with peppermint and lemon, respectively） than in infected wasps （18.9 and 16.2 h after conditioning with peppermint and lemon, respec- tively）. Memory retention increased in response to the number of conditioning sessions in both strains, but memory retention was always shorter in the infected wasps than in the uninfected ones. Wolbachia infection may select for reduced memory retention because shorter memory induces infected wasps to disperse in new environments and avoid compe- tition with uninfected wasps by forgetting cues related to previously visited environments, thus increasing transmission of Wolbachia in new environments.