Bacterial community survey of Solenopsis invicta Buren (red imported fire ant) colonies in the presence and absence of Solenopsis invicta virus (SINV).

Insect bacterial symbionts contribute to many essential biological functions of their hosts and can also influence host fecundity and fitness. The physiological contribution symbionts provide can aid in immune response and xenobiotic detoxification. Both of these immune factors can directly impact strategies aimed at managing insect populations.

Ant-fungus species combinations engineer physiological activity of fungus gardens.

Fungus-gardening insects are among the most complex organisms because of their extensive co-evolutionary histories with obligate fungal symbionts and other microbes. Some fungus-gardening insect lineages share fungal symbionts with other members of their lineage and thus exhibit diffuse co-evolutionary relationships, while others exhibit little or no symbiont sharing, resulting in host-fungus fidelity. The mechanisms that maintain this symbiont fidelity are currently unknown.

First Report of 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' on Pepper in Honduras.

In April and May of 2012, bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants exhibiting symptoms that resembled those of the bacterium 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' infection (2,4) were observed in commercial pepper fields in several departments in Honduras, including Francisco Morazán, Ocotepeque, El Paraíso, and Olancho. Many of the fields were infested with the psyllid Bactericera cockerelli, a vector of 'Ca. L.

Low-level detection of candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum in Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) by 16s rRNA Pyrosequencing.

Accurate detection and quantification of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLs), the putative causal agent of zebra chip disease of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), in the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc), has become necessary to better understand the biology of the disease cycle. Studies on the transmission efficiency of potato psyllids have shown inconsistencies with field surveys.

First Report of 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' Infecting Eggplant in Honduras.

In May of 2012, eggplant (Solanum melongena) plants in an experimental research plot located at Zamorano in the Department of Francisco Morazán, Honduras, were observed with symptoms that included leaf chlorosis and cupping, overall stunting, and production of small and malformed fruits. The research plot was planted next to a commercial tomato field heavily infested with the psyllid Bactericera cockerelli, a vector of 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (1,2,3). This bacterium severely affects potato and other solanaceous species and is the putative causal agent of zebra chip disease (2,3).

Influence of atrazine on the scalation of Marcy's checkered gartersnake, Thamnophis m. marcianus (Baird and Girard, 1853).

Atrazine is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the United States. Despite the effectiveness of atrazine in eliminating broadleaf and grassy weeds, there has been growing concern over the potential impacts this chemical may have on non-target organisms. Little research has been conducted on the exposure of reptiles to this chemical.

First Report of "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" on Tomato in Honduras.

Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) crops grown in several departments of Honduras and heavily infested with the psyllid Bactericera cockerelli were observed in April of 2012 with plant symptoms suggestive of "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" infection. B. cockerelli is a serious pest of potato, tomato, and other solanaceous plants and a vector of "Ca.

First Report of "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" on Tobacco in Honduras.

In April of 2012, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants with symptoms resembling those associated with viral infection were observed in commercial fields in the Department of El-Paraíso, Honduras. Symptoms on affected plants included apical leaf curling and stunting, overall chlorosis and plant stunting, young plant deformation with cabbage-like leaves, wilting, and internal vascular necrosis of stems and leaf petioles.

First Report of "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" on Tomato in El Salvador.

In April of 2012, tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) grown near the town of Yuroconte in the municipality of La Palma, Chalatenango, El Salvador, were observed with symptoms resembling those of "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" infection. The symptoms included overall chlorosis, severe stunting, leaf cupping, excessive branching of axillary shoots, and leaf purpling and scorching (1,2,3). Disease incidence in several fields in the area ranged from 40 to 60%.

First Report of "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" Associated with Psyllid-Infested Tobacco in Nicaragua.

In April of 2012, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants with symptoms resembling those caused by viral infection were observed in commercial fields in several departments in Nicaragua, including Esteli and Nueva Segovia. Heavy infestations of the psyllid Bactericera cockerelli, a major insect pest of potato and other solanaceous crops and vector of the bacterium "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" (Lso) (2,3), were observed in the affected fields. All cultivars grown were affected and 5 to 100% of plants in each field were symptomatic.

First Report of Zebra Chip and 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' on Potatoes in Nicaragua.

In September 2011, potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers grown in Nicaragua outside of Estelí and Jinotega were observed with internal discoloration suggestive of zebra chip (ZC); and the plants showed foliar symptoms of chlorosis, leaf scorching, wilting, vascular discoloration, swollen nodes, twisted stems, and aerial tubers (3). Disease incidence ranged from 50 to 95% in eight fields ranging from 5 to 12 ha in the Estelí and Jinotega regions of Nicaragua. Leaf samples and psyllids were collected from two fields, and total DNA was purified from the leaves of 17 symptomatic and 10 asymptomatic plants.

Characterization system for research on energy storage capacitors.

In this work a characterization system for high energy-density capacitors is described and demonstrated. Capacitors are being designed using thin-film technology in an attempt to achieve higher energy-density levels by operating the devices at a high voltage. These devices are fabricated from layers of 100 nm aluminum and a layer of polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene on a polyethylene naphthalate plastic substrate.

Ferrofilm in a magnetic field.

A vertically draining thin ferrofilm under the influence of gravity and a nonuniform magnetic field is considered. It is observed experimentally that the presence of the magnetic field greatly alters the drainage of the film. A mathematical model is developed to describe the behavior.

Identification and location of symbionts associated with potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) lifestages.

The potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli, Sulc) is an invasive pest of solenaceous plants including potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.)and tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.).

Culture independent survey of the microbiota of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis) using 454 pyrosequencing.

The glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar), is an invasive pest that has spread across the southern and western United States. H. vitripennis is highly polyphagous and voracious, feeding on at least 100 plant species and consuming up to 100 times its weight in xylem fluid daily.

Age determination of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis, using wing pigmentation.

A red pigment is contained in the wing veins of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). This insect is the main vector of the plant-pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa Wells (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae), the causal agent of Pierce's disease of grapevines. Over the course of the H.

Life style and home environment are associated with racial disparities of asthma and allergy in Northeast Texas children.

A high prevalence and racial disparities in asthma and allergy have been observed in American children. This study aimed to identify risk factors for asthma and allergy among children, and their contribution to racial disparities in allergy prevalence. A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out among children aged 1-8 years in Northeast Texas 2008-2009.

Can commonly-used fan-driven air cleaning technologies improve indoor air quality? A literature review.

Air cleaning techniques have been applied worldwide with the goal of improving indoor air quality. The effectiveness of applying these techniques varies widely, and pollutant removal efficiency is usually determined in controlled laboratory environments which may not be realized in practice. Some air cleaners are largely ineffective, and some produce harmful by-products.

Finding meaning in suffering.

Nurses commonly encounter pain and suffering, and alleviation of pain and suffering is a focus of the nurse's job. Spirituality and religion may assist patients who are suffering, and understanding the relationship between spiritual influences and suffering can help nurses better care for patients. Finding meaning in suffering has been described as a transcendent experience.

Fatigue, self-efficacy, physical activity, and quality of life in women with breast cancer.

Background: More than 192 000 US women faced the challenge of living with breast cancer in 2009. Although exercise may help combat treatment-related symptoms, cancer-related fatigue has been identified as a potential barrier to engaging in physical activity. Self-efficacy has been proposed to mediate the impact of cancer-related fatigue on physical activity and subsequently improve quality of life (QOL).

Detection and analysis of the bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, in glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis, populations in Texas.

The glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripeninis Germar (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is a xylophagous insect that is an endemic pest of several economically important plants in Texas. H. vitripennis is the main vector of Xylella fastidiosa Wells (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae), the bacterium that causes Pierce's disease of grapevine and can travel long distances putting much of Texas grape production at risk.

The relationship between the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and olfaction in patients referred for a dementia evaluation.

The current study examined the relationship between a standardized dementia battery (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status [RBANS]) and a test of olfactory discrimination (University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test [UPSIT]) in a heterogeneous sample of patients referred for a dementia assessment (N = 103). Significant moderate correlations were found between the UPSIT and each of the RBANS indexes, with the strongest correlation for Total Scale score, followed by the Delayed Memory Index and the Language Index. Significant moderate correlations were also found between the UPSIT and 11 of the 12 subtests of the RBANS.

Attention shaping as a means to improve emotion perception deficits in outpatients with schizophrenia and impaired controls.

Deficits in emotion perception are common in people with schizophrenia and current research has focused on improving these deficits. In our previous research, we demonstrated that directing attention to salient facial features via attention shaping can improve these deficits among inpatients. In this study, we examined the efficacy of an enhanced attention shaping program that contains 192 emotional expressions from which 25 are randomly presented for training.

Dichotomous scoring of Trails B in patients referred for a dementia evaluation.

The Trail Making Test is a popular neuropsychological test and its interpretation has traditionally used time-based scores. This study examined an alternative approach to scoring that is simply based on the examinees' ability to complete the test. If an examinee is able to complete Trails B successfully, they are coded as "completers"; if not, they are coded as "noncompleters.

Discovery and effects of Texas Solenopsis invicta virus [SINV-1 (TX5)] on red imported fire ant populations.

Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), the red imported fire ant is native to South America but has invaded areas of the southeastern US, and parts of Southern California. The S. invicta virus-1 (SINV-1) is a positive sense, single-stranded RNA picorna-like virus that only affects Solenopsis species.