Insects under different stimuli from the environment modify behavioural responses due to changes in the sensitivity of neurons at the peripheral and/or at the central level of the nervous system. This phenomenon is called neuronal plasticity, and sensory adaptation is an example of it. An insect repellent is a chemical that produces oriented movements of the insects away from its source. In thi...

This research focuses on the novel synthesis of polyurethane (PU) foam surface functionalized with diatomaceous earth (DE) particles and non-fluoro octadecylsilane (C18), for use in enhanced clean-up oil spill contaminants from water. The modified PU has improved hydrophobicity, wettability, water repellency, biodegradability, which eliminates some drawbacks such as its hygroscopic nature, limi...

The rapid warming of the Arctic is changing conditions for agricultural activity in southwest Greenland markedly, which necessitates studies physical properties soil resource. Soil water repellency (SWR) a property that changes functional behaviour across soil-specific range water-content (W). Although SWR occurs worldwide, it has not been studied sub-arctic pasture and grass fields. Thus, aim ...

Liquid super-repellent surfaces, characterized by a low liquid–solid contact fraction, allow various liquids to bead up and freely roll off. Apart from liquid repellency, these surfaces feature several unique properties, including inter alia, self-cleaning, low-friction, anti-icing, anti-biofouling, making them valuable for vast array of applications involving liquids. Essential achieve such su...

This study determined the effects of contact with DEET on guinea pig skin on mortality, probing time, blood feeding rate, engorgement time, and fecundity responses in female Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say. Exposure, in this manner, to 10% DEET (in ethanol) for 5 min, resulted in 98% mortality in mosquitoes after 24h. The median probing time (PT(50)) required by females, when exposed to 0.1%, 1.0...

Piperonal, once used co kill lice in Australian hospitals, was acclaimed as an effective pediculicide (Corlecce, 1925) by the standards ofthe day. It is unusual in also exhibiting a repellent actionagainstlice,apropertyonlyrecentlyrealisedAnew,easy to use, low-fragrance, pump action spray, which incorporates 1% piperonal, was tested in die laboratory using clothing lice in an arena cesc and was...