Flonicamid (IKI220; N-cyanomethyl-4-trifluoromethylnicotinamide), a pyridinecarboxamide compound, is a novel systemic insecticide with selective activity against hemipterous pests, such as aphids and whiteflies, and thysanopterous pests. The purpose of this study is to clarify the biological properties of flonicamid against aphids. Flonicamid is very active against aphids, regardless of differences in species, stages and morphs. This compound inhibited the feeding behaviour of aphids within 0.5 h of treatment without noticeable poisoning symptoms such as convulsion, and this antifeeding activity was not recoverable until death. The nymphs born from adults exposed to flonicamid for 3 h showed high mortality. The effect of flonicamid on the feeding activity of an individual aphid was studied using electronic monitoring of insect feeding behaviour (EMIF). Although the treated aphid attached the head of its proboscis to the leaf surface, salivation and sap feeding were strongly inhibited. These results suggest that the main insecticidal mechanism of flonicamid is starvation based on the inhibition of stylet penetration to plant tissues.

Design concepts of a newly developed multi-wavelength, micro Raman spectroscopy system for non-contact and non-destructive characterization of semiconductor materials and its performance are introduced. The system is designed to sequentially measure Raman signals under various excitation wavelengths without sample movement or calibration between switching of excitation wavelengths. Area maps of Raman shift, full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) and intensity from an advanced memory device were generated and stacked in the order of wavelength (or penetration depth). This unique display of Raman shift, FWHM and intensity, corresponding to crystalline stress, crystallinity and/or scattering probability provides powerful insights into the sample under characterization.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the physiological responses and RPE during water walking using the Flowmill, which has a treadmill at the base of a water flume, in order to obtain basic data for prescribing water walking for people of middle and advanced age. Twenty healthy female volunteers with an age of 59.1 ± 5.2 years took part in this study. They belonged to the same swimming club and regularly swam and exercised in water. Walking in water took place in the Flowmill. Subjects completed four consecutive bouts of 4 min duration at progressively increasing speeds (20, 30, 40 and 50 m/min) with 1 min rest between each bout. In addition, water velocity was adjusted to the walking speed of each bout. Subjects were instructed to swing both arms in order to maintain their balance during walking in water. The water depth was to the level of the xiphoid process and the water temperature was 30.31 ± 0.08°C. Both heart rate (HR) and oxygen • uptake (VO2) increased exponentially as walking speed • increased. HR was 125 ± 15 bpm, and VO2 was 18.10 ± 2.72 ml/kg·min -1 during walking in water at 50 m/ min, which was the highest speed. The exercise intensity at this speed was equivalent to 5.2 ± 0.8 Mets. The• relationship between HR and VO2 during walking in water showed a highly significant linear relationship in each subject. There was also a highly significant linear • relationship in the mean HR and VO2 of all subjects. Blood lactate concentration (LA) measured at rest and immediately after each bout was 1.1 ± 0.4 mmol/l at rest, 1.0 ± 0.2 mmol/l at 20 m/min, 1.0 ± 0.3 mmol/l at 30 m/ min, 1.1 ± 0.2 mmol/l at 40 m/min, and 2.4 ± 0.7 mmol/ l at 50 m/min. LA at 50 m/min was significantly higher than at rest and at the other speeds. The relationship between HR and RPE during walking in water showed a highly significant linear relationship. The relationship between walking speed and energy expenditure calculated• from VO2 and the respiratory exchange ratio (R) showed a high significant exponential relationship. These results suggested that HR and RPE can be effective indices for exercise prescription during Flowmill walking as with land walking.