Effects of low and high molecular mass PEG incorporation into different types of poly(ether-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-amide) copolymers on the permeation properties of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Blend membranes were prepared by incorporating two types of polyethylene glycol (PEG) (molecular masses of 400 and 1000 g mol^?1) into three grades of poly(ether-block-amide) (PEBAX), namely PEBAX 1074, PEBAX 1657, and PEBAX 2533. The PEGs, which were used as blending agents, were employed at mass fractions ranging from 10 to 40 wt.% based on the mass of PEBAX. The gas separation performance of each neat or blend membrane, comprising its CO₂ and CH₄ permeabilities and its ideal CO₂/CH₄ selectivity, was studied at room temperature (25 °C) and at pressures of 2–8 bar. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) analyses were used to determine the crystallinities of and the chemical bonds in the prepared membranes, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also utilized to observe the morphologies of the membranes. The results obtained from experimental investigations showed that the incorporation of low molecular mass PEG significantly increased the permeability but only slightly affected the ideal CO₂/CH₄ selectivity, while the incorporation of high molecular mass PEG decreased the permeability considerably but sharply increased the ideal CO₂/CH₄ selectivity. This behavior intensified as the polyether content of the PEBAX was decreased.

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Graphical abstract

     

SiO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/SiN<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> multilayers for photovoltaic and photonic applications

Microstructural, electrical, and optical properties of undoped and Nd³⁺-doped SiO _x /SiN _y multilayers fabricated by reactive radio frequency magnetron co-sputtering have been investigated with regard to thermal treatment. This letter demonstrates the advantages of using SiN _y as the alternating sublayer instead of SiO₂. A high density of silicon nanoclusters of the order 10¹⁹ nc/cm³ is achieved in the SiO _x sublayers. Enhanced conductivity, emission, and absorption are attained at low thermal budget, which are promising for photovoltaic applications. Furthermore, the enhancement of Nd³⁺ emission in these multilayers in comparison with the SiO _x /SiO₂ counterparts offers promising future photonic applications.     

Synthesis and characterization of rubbery/glassy blend membranes for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> gas separation

A series of blend membranes made from the rubbery polyether block amide (Pebax®1657) and a glassy polymer, polyethersulfone (PES) or Matrimid 5218, were fabricated by solution casting with different ratios (10–40 %), in order to combine high permeability of the former with high selectivity of the latter polymer for CO₂/CH₄ gas separation. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and stress–strain tests. These blend membranes showed two distinct T _g s, indicating their immiscible nature as confirmed by SEM images. However, weak intermolecular interaction between polymers, as illustrated by the FTIR results, corresponds to some degree to their compatibility and improved mechanical strength, compared to the pure Pebax®. TGA analysis revealed that addition of glassy polymer improved membranes’ thermal stability. Effect of feed pressure on membrane separation, investigated by three different pressures (4, 8, and 12 bar), indicated increased permeability for higher pressures for both CO₂ and CH₄. Gas separation tests also pointed to improved separation properties of the blend membranes compared to those of the neat polymers, prepared the same way.     

Synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Bold">-</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-type Gels Doped with Ionic Charge Carriers

In this study, we synthesized the new kinds of semiconducting polymeric gels having negative (n-type) and positive (p-type) counter ions as charge carriers. The polyacrylamide gel was doped with pyranine (8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid, trisodium salt), having \textSO₃ ^- {\text{SO}}_{3}^{ - } ions as side groups and Na⁺ as counter ions, so-called p-type semiconducting gel. The doping process was performed during the polymerization where the pyranine binds to the polymer strands over OH group chemically via radical addition. In a similar way, N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) gel was doped with methacrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (MAPTAC), having Cl⁻ as counter ions, so-called n-type semiconducting gel. Here MAPTAC was embedded by copolymerization within the polymer network (NIPA). These semiconducting gels can show different electrical properties by changing the concentration of the doping agents, swelling ratio etc. We have shown that the pn junction, formed by combining p-type and n-type gels together in close contact, rectifies the current similar to the conventional Si and Ge diodes.     

Ultralow ppm <Emphasis Type="Italic">se</Emphasis>ATRP synthesis of PEO-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-PBA copolymers

Poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(butyl acrylate) copolymers were prepared via simplified electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (seATRP) utilizing only 1 ppm of Cu^II complex, which is the limit of a successful well-controlled polymerization. The presented seATRP system works under potentiostatic and galvanostatic conditions. The polymerization results showed similar molecular weight evolution while maintaining a narrow molecular weight distribution throughout the reactions. ¹H NMR results confirm chemical structure of synthesized diblock copolymers. This ultralow ppm technique is promising candidate for polymerization from nanoparticles, flat surfaces, proteins, and DNA.     

Synthesis of cathode material LiNi<Subscript>1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> by a simplified combustion method

The optimum conditions for synthesizing LiNi_1-y Co _y O₂ (y=0.1, 0.3 and 0.5) by a simplified combustion method, in which the preheating step is omitted, and the electrochemical properties of these materials were investigated. The optimum condition for synthesizing LiNi_0.9Co_0.1O₂ by the simplified combustion method is calcination at 800 °C for 12 h in air in 3.6 mole ratio of urea to nitrate. The LiNi_0.9Co_0.1O₂ synthesized under these conditions shows the smallest R-factor{(I ₀₀₆+I ₁₀₂)/I ₁₀₁} and the largest I ₀₀₃/I ₁₀₄, indicating better hexagonal ordering and less cation mixing, respectively. The LiNi_0.7Co_0.3O₂ synthesized at 800 °C for 12 h in air in 3.6 mole ratio of urea to nitrate has the largest first discharge capacity 156.2 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.5C and shows relatively good cycling performance. This sample shows better hexagonal ordering and less cation mixing than the other samples. The particle size of the LiNi_0.7Co_0.3O₂ is relatively small and its particles are spherical with uniform particle size.     

Effects of Cu<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>TiO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> nanometer particles on biological toxicity during zebrafish embryogenesis

This study investigated the toxicity of Cu (1, 10, 15, and 25 mol%) loaded TiO₂ and pure TiO₂ nanometersized photocatalysts during the development of zebrafish embryogenesis. The hatch rate decreased in the Cu _x TiO _y nanoparticles exposed groups (10, 20 ppt) compared to pure TiO₂ nano-particles (10, 20 ppt) exposed or control groups. These Cu _x TiO _y and TiO₂ nanoparticles led to developing mutated embryos with abnormal notochord formation, no tail, damaged eyes and abnormal heart development. Exposure to Cu _x TiO _y and pure TiO₂ nanoparticles led to glutathione increase, catalase activity increase, GST increase and GSR increase than control. Penetration of the Cu _x TiO _y and pure TiO₂ nanoparticles to the embryo was also tested. It was observed that Cu _x TiO _y and pure TiO₂ nanoparticles penetrated into cells. Moreover Cu _x TiO _y penetrated into the skin, nerve and yolk sac epithelium cells on the zebrafish larvae as aggregated particles, which may induce the direct interaction between nanoparticles and cell to cause adverse biological responses. As a result, the Cu-loaded TiO₂ nanoparticles had the toxicity of zebrafish embryo and larvae in the water environment.     

Anisotropic Ti<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Sn<Subscript>1-</Subscript><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanostructures prepared by magnetron sputter deposition

Regular arrays of Ti _x Sn_{1- x} O₂ nanoflakes were fabricated through glancing angle sputter deposition onto self-assembled close-packed arrays of 200-nm-diameter polystyrene spheres. The morphology of nanostructures could be controlled by simply adjusting the sputtering power of the Ti target. The reflectance measurements showed that the melon seed-shaped nanoflakes exhibited optimal properties of antireflection in the entire visible and ultraviolet region. In addition, we determined their anisotropic reflectance in the direction parallel to the surface of nanoflakes and perpendicular to it, arising from the anisotropic morphology.     

Effects of Elevated CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on the Swainsonine Chemotypes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astragalus lentiginosus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astragalus mollissimus</Emphasis>

Rapid changes in the Earth’s atmosphere and climate associated with human activity can have significant impacts on agriculture including livestock production. CO₂ concentration has risen from the industrial revolution to the current time, and is expected to continue to rise. Climatic changes alter physiological processes, growth, and development in numerous plant species, potentially changing concentrations of plant secondary compounds. These physiological changes may influence plant population density, growth, fitness, and toxin concentrations and thus influence the risk of toxic plants to grazing livestock. Locoweeds, swainsonine-containing Astragalus species, are one group of plants that may be influenced by climate change. We evaluated how two different swainsonine-containing Astragalus species responded to elevated CO₂ concentrations. Measurements of biomass, crude protein, water soluble carbohydrates and swainsonine concentrations were measured in two chemotypes (positive and negative for swainsonine) of each species after growth at CO₂ levels near present day and at projected future concentrations. Biomass and water soluble carbohydrate concentrations responded positively while crude protein concentrations responded negatively to elevated CO₂ in the two species. Swainsonine concentrations were not strongly affected by elevated CO₂ in the two species. In the different chemotypes, biomass responded negatively and crude protein concentrations responded positively in the swainsonine-positive plants compared to the swainsonine-negative plants. Ultimately, changes in CO₂ and endophyte status will likely alter multiple physiological responses in toxic plants such as locoweed, but it is difficult to predict how these changes will impact plant herbivore interactions.     

(1<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>,3<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-Chrysanthemyl Tiglate: Sex Pheromone of the Striped Mealybug, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ferrisia virgata</Emphasis>

Derivatives of 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (chrysanthemic acid) are classic natural pyrethroids discovered in pyrethrum plants and show insecticidal activity. Chrysanthemic acid, with two asymmetric carbons, has four possible stereoisomers, and most natural pyrethroids have the (1R,3R)-trans configuration. Interestingly, chrysanthemic acid–related structures are also found in insect sex pheromones; carboxylic esters of (1R,3R)-trans-(2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropyl)methanol (chrysanthemyl alcohol) have been reported from two mealybug species. In the present study, another ester of chrysanthemyl alcohol was discovered from the striped mealybug, Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell), as its pheromone. By means of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, and high-performance liquid chromatography analyses using a chiral stationary phase column and authentic standards, the pheromone was identified as (1S,3R)-(?)-cis-chrysanthemyl tiglate. The (1S,3R)-enantiomer strongly attracted adult males in a greenhouse trapping bioassay, whereas the other enantiomers showed only weak activity. The cis configuration of the chrysanthemic acid–related structure appears to be relatively scarce in nature, and this is the first example reported from arthropods.     

An Improved Method for Synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-stearoyl and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-palmitoylethanolamine

Certain N-acylethanolamines interact with cannabinoid receptors and have anorexic and neuroprotective effects. Traditional methods for the synthesis of N-acylethanolamines use fatty acid chlorides, fatty acid methyl esters, free fatty acids and triacylglycerols as acyl donors to react with ethanolamine. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility of using fatty acid vinyl esters as the acyl donor to synthesize N-stearoyl and N-palmitoylethanolamine. Theoretically, the use of fatty acid vinyl esters should lead to an irreversible reaction because the volatile acetaldehyde by-product is easily removed. Four reaction conditions, i.e. catalyst concentration, substrate ratio, temperature, and time were evaluated. The reaction performed at mild temperatures and with an excess amount of ethanolamine which acted as both reactant and solvent resulted in the formation of high purity N-stearoyl and N-palmitoylethanolamine. When 20 mmol ethanolamine was reacted with 1 mmol vinyl stearate at 80 °C for 1 h with 1% sodium methoxide as catalyst, N-stearoylethanolamine with 96% purity was obtained after the removal of excess ethanolamine without further purification, while N-palmitoylethanolamine with 98% purity was obtained by reacting with the same substrate ratio at 60 °C for 1.5 h with 3% catalyst. Complete conversion of vinyl stearate and palmitate was achieved.     

Comparison of Postprandial Oleic Acid, 9<Emphasis Type="Italic">c,</Emphasis>11<Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis> CLA and 10<Emphasis Type="Italic">t,</Emphasis>12<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis> CLA Oxidation in Healthy Moderately Overweight Subjects

Few studies report the individual effect of 9c,11t- and 10t,12c-CLA on human energy metabolism. We compared the postprandial oxidative metabolism of 9c,11t- and 10t,12c-CLA and oleic acid (9c-18:1) in 22 healthy moderately overweight volunteers. After 24 weeks supplementation with 9c,11t-, 10t,12c-CLA or 9c-18:1 (3 g/day), subjects consumed a single oral bolus of the appropriate [1-¹³C]-labeled fatty acid. 8 h post-dose, cumulative oxidation was similar for 9c-18:1 and 10t,12c (P = 0.66), but significantly higher for 9c,11t (P < 0.01).     

Production of rhamnolipids-producing enzymes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> and structural characterization

Rhamnolipids are a class of biosurfactants that have a great potential to be used in industries. Five proteins/enzymes, namely RhlA, RhlB, RhlC, RhlG and RhlI, are critical for the production of rhamnolipids in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Four of the 5 proteins except RhlC were successfully over-expressed in E. coli and three of them (RhlA, RhlB and RhlI) were purified and obtained in milligram quantities. The purified proteins were shown to be folded in solution. Homology models were built for RhlA, RhlB and RhlI. These results lay a basis for further structural and functional characterization of these proteins in vitro to favor the construction of super strains for rhamnolipids production.

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Photoluminescence characteristics of Cd<Subscript>1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Te single crystals grown by the vertical Bridgman method

In this paper, we report a systematic investigation of band-edge photoluminescence for Cd_1-x Mn _x Te crystals grown by the vertical Bridgman method. The near-band-edge emissions of neutral acceptor-bound excitons (labeled as L1) were systematically investigated as a function of temperature and of alloy composition. The parameters that describe the temperature variation of the energy were evaluated by the semiempirical Varshni relation. From the temperature dependence of the full width at half maximum of the L1 emission line, the broadening factors Γ(T) were determined from the fit to the data. The activation energies of thermal quenching were obtained for the L1 peak from the temperature dependence of the bound exciton peaks and were found to decrease with increasing Mn concentration.     

CO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>-free hydrogen and carbon nanofibers production by methane decomposition over nickel-alumina catalysts

Nickel catalysts supported on mesoporous nanocrystalline gamma alumina with various nickel loadings were prepared and employed for thermocatalytic decomposition of methane into CO _x -free hydrogen and carbon nanofibers. The prepared catalysts with different nickel contents exhibited mesoporous structure with high surface area in the range of 121.3 to 66.2m²g^?1. Increasing in nickel content decreased the pore volume and increased the crystallite size. The catalytic results revealed that the nickel content and operating temperature both play important roles on the catalytic performance of the prepared catalysts. The results showed that increasing in reaction temperature increased the initial conversion of catalysts and significantly decreased the catalyst lifetime. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the spent catalysts evaluated at different temperatures revealed the formation of intertwined carbon filaments. The results showed that increasing in reaction temperature decreased the diameters of nanofibers and increased the formation of encapsulating carbon.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lesquerella fendleri</Emphasis> protein fractionation and characterization

Lesquerella fendleri is a promising new crop whose seed contains hydroxy FATG with potential industrial uses as well as substantial amounts of valuable gums. The defatted L. fendleri seeds also contain more than 30% protein. The objective of this study is to process and characterize this protein component for possible future uses in food. Hexane-defatted seed has more than 30% protein content. Defatted lesquerella meal was extracted sequentially with 0.5 M sodium chloride (2×), water, 70% ethanol, and 0.1 N sodium hydroxide (2×). Each sodium chloride extract was dialyzed against deionized water and centrifuged to separate the water-soluble fraction (albumin) from the salt-soluble fraction (globulin) before freeze-drying. The ethanol extract and the neutralized sodium hydroxide extracts (glutelin) were dialyzed against water and freeze-dried. Albumin had the highest proportion of lysine and sulfur amino acids per 16 g nitrogen among all the fractions analyzed. Glutelin and globulin accounted for the highest amount of protein nitrogen. SDS-PAGE of the reduced albumin, globulin, and glutelin showed the presence of several protein bands with M.W. ranging from 7 to 98 kDa. Nitrogen solubility of defatted lesquerella meal from pH 2 to 12 indicated a solubility minimum of 15% around pH 4.2 and a solubility of 75% at pH 11.5. Nonprotein nitrogen of defatted meal was 12% of total nitrogen. Defatted lesquerella meal has the potential for food use based on good nitrogen solubility and good amino acid composition.     

Polysulfone membranes containing ethylene glycol monomers: synthesis,characterization, and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> separation

Copolymers based on glassy and rubbery units have been developed to take advantage of both domains to enhance solubility and diffusivity. In this study, a series of gas separation membranes from polysulfone (PSF) containing ethylene glycol were synthesized via nucleophilic substitution polycondensation. The structures of copolymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectra, and thermal gravity analysis. The permeability and selectivity of the membranes were studied at different temperatures of 25–55 °C and pressures of 0.5–1.5 atm using single gases CO₂ and CH₄. Gas permeation measurements showed that copolymers with different contents of poly(ethylene glycol) exhibited different separation performances. For example, the membrane from PSF-PEG2000-20 containing 20 wt% poly(ethylene glycol) showed better performance in terms of ideal selectivity over the other seven copolymer membranes. The highest ideal CO₂/CH₄ selectivity was 43.0 with CO₂ permeability of 6.4 Barrer at 1.5 atm and 25 °C.     

Cyanolipid-rich seed oils from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Allophylus natalensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">A. dregeanus</Emphasis>

As a continuation of our study on plants of the Sapindaceae, the chemical composition of the oil extracted from seeds of Allophylus natalensis (Sonder) De Winter and of A. dregeanus (Sonder) De Winter has been investigated. The oil from both species contained approximately equal amounts of TAG and type I cyanolipids (CL), 1-cyano-2-hydroxymethylprop-2-en-1-oldiesters, with minor amounts of type III CL, 1-cyano-2-hydroxymethylprop-1-en-3-ol-diesters. Structural investigation of the oil components was accomplished by chemical, chromatographic (TLC, CC, GC, and GC-MS), and spectroscopic (IR, NMR) means. GC and GC-MS analysis showed that C₂₀ FA were dominant in the CL components of the oil from the two species (44–80% vs. 21–26% in TAG), with cis-11-eicosenoic acid (36–46%) and cis 13-eicosenoic acid (paullinic acid, 23–37%) as the major esterified fatty acyl chains in A. natalensis and A. dregeanus, respectively. cis-Vaccenic acid was particularly abundant (11–31%) in the CL from A. dregeanus, whereas eicosanoic acid (10–22%) was also a major component of CL in both species.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>8, <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>10+<Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>9, <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>11 Conjugated Linoleic Acid Mixture on Lipid Metabolism in 3T3-L1 Cells

Evidence suggests that minor isomers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), such as trans8, cis10 CLA, can elicit unique biological effects of their own. In order to determine the effect of a mixture of t8, c10+c9, t11 CLA isomers on selected aspects of lipid metabolism, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated for 8 days in the presence of 100 μM linoleic acid (LA); t8, c10+c9, t11 CLA; t10, c12+c9, t11 CLA or purified c9, t11 CLA. Whereas supplementation with c9, t11 and t10, c12+c9, t11 CLA resulted in cellular triglyceride (TG) concentrations of 3.4 ± 0.26 and 1.3 ± 0.11 μg TG/μg protein, respectively (P < 0.05), TG accumulation following treatment with CLA mixture t8, c10+c9, t11 was significantly intermediate (2.5 ± 0.22 μg TG/μg protein, P < 0.05) between the two other CLA treatments. However, these effects were not attributable to an alteration of the Δ⁹ desaturation index. Adiponectin content of adipocytes treated with t8, c10+c9, t11 mixture was similar to the individual isomer c9, t11 CLA, and both the t8, c10+c9, t11 and c9, t11 CLA groups were greater (P < 0.05) than in the t10, c12+c9, t11 CLA group. Overall, these results suggest that t8, c10+c9, t11 CLA mixture affects TG accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells differently from the c9, t11 and t10, c12 isomers. Furthermore, the reductions in TG accumulation occur without adversely affecting the adiponectin content of these cells.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitex agnus-castus</Emphasis> is a Preferred Host Plant for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyalesthes obsoletus</Emphasis>

Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret (Homoptera: Cixiidae) is a polyphagous planthopper that transmits stolbur phytoplasma (a causative agent of yellows disease) to various weeds, members of the Solanaceae, and wine grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) in Europe and the Middle East. Planthoppers were collected by hand vacuuming eight native plant species. Vitex agnus-castus L., a shrub in the Verbenaceae, hosted the largest number of H. obsoletus, although Olea europaea L. also served as a host for adults. Using a Y-olfactometer, we compared the planthoppers relative preference for V. agnus-castus, Convolvulus arvensis, and V. vinifera. V. agnus-castus was more attractive to both male and female H. obsoletus than the other plants. H. obsoletus antennal response was stronger to volatiles collected from V. agnus-castus than from Cabernet Sauvignon variety of V. vinifera. To determine if V. agnus-castus would serve as a reservoir for the pathogen, H. obsoletus were collected from leaf and stem samples of native V. agnus-castus, and were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of phytoplasma DNA. While 14% and 25% (2003 and 2004, respectively) of the insects tested positive for phytoplasma DNA, none of the plant samples tested positive. To determine if V. agnus-castus could serve as a host plant for the development of the planthopper, we placed emergence cages beneath field shrubs and enclosed wild-caught H. obsoletus in a cage with a potted young shrub. We found adult H. obsoletus in the emergence cases and planthopper nymphs in the soil of the potted plant. We concluded that V. agnus-castus is attractive to H. obsoletus, which seems to be refractory to phytoplasma infections and warrants further testing as a trap plant near vineyards.