Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae, Hermetia illucens L., develops on organic wastes, reducing ecological pollution and converting waste biomass into protein and fat rich insect biomass. BSF can replace increasingly expensive protein sources used in poultry, aquaculture and livestock compound diet formulation, such as fish meal and soybean meal, which holds the potential to alleviate future food and feed insecurity. The fate of nutritional spectra in BSF during its life cycle phases is still poorly understood. This study assessed metabolic changes in nutrition composition of BSF from egg to adult. A rapid increase of crude fat content was observed since the development of 4–14 days of larvae with its maximum level reaching 28.4% in dry mass, whereas the crude protein displayed a continuous decreasing trend in the same development phases with minimum level of 38% at larval phase (12 days) and peak level of 46.2% at early pupa stage. A sharp drop in crude fat was noticed from early prepupae to late pupae (24.2%, 8.2% respectively). However crude protein shows its maximum value being 57.6% at postmortem adult stage with 21.6% fat level. In addition, fatty acids, amino acids, minerals and vitamins composition in different development stages of BSF were presented and compared. Findings from this study could provide podium to food and feed industry for framing a strategy for specific molecular nutritional component intake into the diets of humans, aquaculture and animals. It is also indicated that BSF is a possible insect which can be applied to combating the food scarcity of countries where micronutrient deficiency is prevalent. Moreover it contributes to advance exploring for developmental and metabolic biology of this edible insect.

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The interaction of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by fluorescence (FL), ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) absorption, Raman, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Results indicated that MNPs quench BSA FL mainly by a static quenching mechanism. The FL quenching constants KSV were obtained as 2.44x10(8), 2.41x10(8), and 2.40x10(8) L.mol(-1) at 291, 298, and 313 K, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters of enthalpy change DeltaH(theta), entropy change DeltaS(theta), and free energy change DeltaGtheta were -0.90 kJ.mol(-1), 157.38 J.mol(-1).K(-1), and -47.80 kJ.mol(-1) (298 K), respectively. The association constant (KA) and the number of binding sites (n) were 7.64x10(7) L.mol(-1) and 46.55 at higher concentration of MNPs, and 1.35x10(6) L.mol(-1) and 284.74 at lower concentration of MNPs. The analysis results suggested that the interaction was spontaneous and the electrostatic interactions played key roles in the reaction process. In addition, the Raman and CD spectra proved secondary structure alteration of BSA in the presence of MNPs.

Advanced traffic management systems (ATMS) and advanced traveler information systems (ATIS) are promising technologies for achieving efficiency in the operation of transportation systems. A simulation-based laboratory environment, MITSIMLab, is presented that is designed for testing and evaluation of dynamic traffic management systems. The core of MITSIMLab is a microscopic traffic simulator (MITSIM) and a traffic management simulator (TMS). MITSIM represents traffic flows in the network, and the TMS represents the traffic management system under evaluation. An important feature of MITSIMLab is its ability to model ATMS or ATIS that generate traffic controls and route guidance based on predicted traffic conditions. A graphical user interface allows visualization of the simulation, including animation of vehicle movements. An ATIS case study with a realistic network is also presented to demonstrate the functionality of MITSIMLab.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationship between ethical leadership and employee organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), specifically the mechanisms through which ethical leadership impacts employee OCB, and the moderating role of workplace ostracism. Design/methodology/approach The study used the survey-based dyad data collected from middle management team members and their immediate subordinates in Chinese companies. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the research hypothesis. Findings The empirical findings indicate that ethical leadership positively influences employee OCB. Organizational commitment mediates the relationship between ethical leadership and employee OCB. Furthermore, the effect of ethical leadership on employee OCB directly and indirectly (via organizational commitment) is moderated by workplace ostracism. Originality/value This paper adds to knowledge about the relationship between ethical leadership and employee OCB and contributes to better understand workplace ostracism.