Effect of storage time and temperature on the viability of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Listeria innocua, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium sporogenes vegetative cells and spores in vacuum-packed canned pasteurized milk cheese.

The effect of storage temperature and time on the viability of several foodborne bacterial pathogens inoculated into vacuum-packed canned pasteurized cow's milk cheese was investigated. Three popular cheese styles namely, a semi-soft white Monterey Jack style cheese, and two Cheddar cheeses vacuum packaged in mason jars were inoculated with a 3-strain cocktail of each of the following microbes at the mean concentrations listed: Escherichia coli O157:H7 (6.6 log CFU/g), Salmonella spp.

Evaluation of a brushing machine for estimating density of spider mites on grape leaves.

Direct visual inspection and enumeration for estimating field population density of economically important arthropods, such as spider mites, provide more information than alternative methods, such as binomial sampling, but is laborious and time consuming. A brushing machine can reduce sampling time and perhaps improve accuracy. Although brushing technology has been investigated and recommended as a useful tool for researchers and integrated pest management practitioners, little work to demonstrate the validity of this technique has been performed since the 1950's.

Influence of weeds on Argentine ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and obscure mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in a central California vineyard.

Obscure mealybug is a pest of grapes in the cool climate regions of coastal California, is found on some vineyard weeds, and is tended by the Argentine ant. A study was conducted at a vineyard in Arroyo Grande, CA, to evaluate the impact of weeds on ant activity on grapevines, and the role that ants and weeds have on obscure mealybug infestation in grape clusters. The incidence of the fungus Botrytis cinerea was recorded as well.

Influence of intensity and duration of regulated deficit irrigation on Erythroneura elegantula (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on grape.

We conducted studies in a Paso Robles, CA, grape (Vitis vinifera L.) vineyard in 2002 and 2003 to estimate the impact of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) intensity and duration on western grape leafhopper, Erythroneura elegantula Osborn. Treatments were based on deficit intensity, 50 and 25% of standard irrigation (moderate and severe deficits, respectively), and deficit duration, 3 or 6 wk time, initiated at the grape phenological stage of berry set.

Regulated deficit irrigation and density of Erythroneura spp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on grape.

This study looked at regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on leafhoppers in the genus Erythroneura (Erythroneura elegantula Osborn, or western grape leafhopper, and Erythroneura variabilis Beamer) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), which are serious pests of cultivated grape (Vitis vinifera L.) in California. RDI is an irrigation strategy that reduces irrigation during a critical point in the phenology of a cultivated perennial crop, to improve vegetative balance and crop quality.

Impact of sulfur on density of Tetranychus pacificus (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Galendromus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in a central California vineyard.

Sulfur is the oldest and most widely used fungicide in the vineyards of California, where it is used for control of powdery mildew (Uncinula necator [Schw.] Burr). For decades, sulfur use has been associated with outbreaks of Tetranychus pacificus McGregor (Acari: Tetranychidae) on cultivated grapes in the San Joaquin Valley.

Effects of spelling errors on the perception of writers.

The authors investigated the perceived relationship between spelling errors and cognitive abilities in a series of 3 experiments. Specifically, they examined whether college students' ratings of an author's intellectual ability, logical ability, and writing ability were affected by the presence of spelling errors. In the 1st experiment, the presence of 4 spelling errors in a short essay did not significantly affect the ratings.

Effect of Single and Repeated Electroconvulsive Shock on Body Temperature in Mice.

The time course of rectal temperature in mice was measured following a single and the last of 10 once-daily electroconvulsive shocks (ECS). In addition, temperature measurements were carried out following a single ECS 1 and 2 weeks after a course of 10 once-daily ECS treatments. After a single ECS, the animals showed a decrease of 2.