Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), prepared in 1% methanol and applied at micro-molar doses, decreased Heterodera glycines infective second-stage juvenile (J2) movement, hatching and reproduction on soybean. Glycine max. Direct exposure of J2 to 30 ßM BITC caused an immediate decrease (17%) in J2 movement relative to 1% methanol controls, and within 3 h exposure eliminated >99% of movement. Continuous exposure of H. glycines eggs to 30 ßU or 60 /xM BITC significantly decreased percentage hatch of J2 measured at 7 days (30 ßU, 15.8 ± 2.4%; 60 ßU, 7.9 ± 2.2%) relative to controls (44.9 ± 4.1%). Control percentage hatch increased between days 7 and 14 (87.5 ± 2.3%), whereas there was no significant increase in hatch after Day 7 in either treatment group. The effect of BITC on hatch was rapid and persistent. Following 4 h exposure of eggs to either 30 ßM or 60 ßM BITC and transfer to water, percentage hatch at Day 14 was 51.3 ± 6.3% and 15.6 ± 1.4%, respectively. Each value was significantly less than the control percentage hatch (96.5 ± 0.2%). The same treatment method also resulted in decreased reproduction. The mean number of cysts per plant harvested 5 weeks after inoculation with control eggs (173.0 ± 12.1) was significantly greater than the numbers from plants inoculated with either 30 ^M (78.9 ± 8.2) or 60 ßM (38.3 ± 4.5) BITC treated eggs. Reduction of hatch and reproduction were strongly correlated, with r^ > 0.60 for both 30 ßM or 60 ßM BITC treatments. The effects of BITC were primarily on the early embryo. The percent of all embryos in the multicellular stage at Day 14 in control eggs was 4.9 ± 0.7%, but increased to 35.1 ± 4.3% (30 ßM) and 56.3 ± 4.5% (60 ßM) in BITC treated eggs. BITC has multiple effects on H. glycines, affecting both infective juvenile movement and embryonic development, and decreasing reproduction.

A program was undertaken to develop an improved internal cleaning procedure for high pressure turbine blades. HP turbine blades, such as JT8D and JT9D 1st stage blades, experience a build up of Si-Ca rich dirt/debris during engine service that inhibits the flow of cooling air creating localized “hot spots”. These “hot spots” lead to accelerated internal corrosion that may cause through-wall material failure. Autoclave processes, utilizing heated, pressurized caustic, are ineffective at removing large amounts of internal debris. A new process, called the TURBO-CLEAN℠ process (patent pending), effectively removes large deposits of internal debris in as few as 2 hours. This process involves pumping heated caustic at pressures approaching 400psi through the internal cavities of turbine blades. The increased caustic flow from this process, compared to autoclave processes, improves cleaning effectiveness. This new process does not harm the parent material or damage protective aluminide coatings. The development of this process has led to reduced repair costs for JT8D 1st blades by improving part yield during repair.