Comparison of Coptotermes formosanus and Coptotermes gestroi (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) Field Sites and Seasonal Foraging Activity in Hawaii

Field surveys were carried out from January 2010 to June 2011 to record the environmental properties of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and C. gestroi (Wasmann) (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) field sites on the island of Oahu, Hawaii; and to document seasonal patterns in C. formosanus and C. gestroi foraging activity. The two field sites selected differed in elevation, soil characteristics, vegetation, and mean temperature and humidity patterns. The C. formosanus colony was located on the Manoa campus of the University of Hawaii, near Miller Hall; while the C. gestroi colony was located 40 km away at the Barber’s Point Horse Stables in Kalaeloa, Oahu (formerly Barber’s Point Naval Housing). Mean temperature and humidity were recorded monthly at each field site using a Hobo® data logger (1000-1100h), soil samples were taken from each site and analyzed for physical properties, and vegetation type/s were observed, photographed, and samples brought to laboratory for identification. During each site visit, the number of active termite collection traps (termites present) out of a total of 22 traps per site were counted. The C. gestroi field site was generally warmer than that of C. formosanus. Both termite species exhibited irregular activity throughout the year, although C. formosanus was more active in general during cooler months (winter) than C. gestroi; while C. gestroi was generally more active during late spring and summer months. These results, as well as introduction histories, may help to explain C. gestroi distribution patterns in Hawaii

Do Tunnel Patterns of Coptotermes formosanus and Coptotermes gestroi (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) Reflect Different Foraging Strategies?

Tunnel network construction and time to food (wood) discovery by Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) (formerly known as Coptotermes vastator Light in the Pacific region) was examined when wood was present in a clumped distribution that mimics field conditions in the subtropical and temperate regions where C. formosanus naturally occurs. Previous research has noted that the tropical species C. gestroi constructs a highly branched tunnel network, while the subtropical C. formosanus constructs longer tunnels with few branches. Grace et al. (2004) hypothesized that this difference in tunneling behavior may relate to a more homogenous distribution of woody resources in the tropics vs. a disjunct and clumped distribution of fallen wood in the cooler subtropics. Thus, C. gestroi may exhibit a thorough search of the immediate area where wood is initially located, while it may be more energetically efficient for C. formosanus to tunnel greater distances in search of scattered resources. To test this hypothesis, we placed two wood resources at the opposite ends of laboratory foraging arenas, and released 1500 termites (1350 workers: 150 soldiers) into each arena. Arenas were observed every 24 hours for 14 days. We measured the total daily tunnel length, number of tunnels created in each quadrant of the arenas, and average time to discover food at both ends. Total daily tunnel length was relatively longer with C. formosanus and average time to discover food at either end was longer for C. gestroi. Although replication was limited in this study, these observations lend support to the hypothesis that C. formosanus is able to locate distant resources more efficiently than C. gestroi

P02-07. High Concentrations of Interleukin-15 and Low Concentrations of CCL5 in Breast Milk are Associated with Protection against Postnatal HIV Transmission

Background: Natural variations in IL-15 concentration have not been investigated for an association with an immune-protection against HIV. Given IL-15's central role in anti-HIV immunity, we hypothesized that higher concentrations of IL-15 in breast milk may protect against postnatal mother-to-child HIV transmission. Methods: In a case-control study nested within a clinical trial in Zambia, we compared IL-15 concentrations in breast milk of 22 HIV-infected women who transmitted HIV to their infants through breastfeeding with those of 72 who did not, as well as 18 HIV-uninfected women. Breast milk HIV RNA quantity, sodium, CXCL12, CCL5, and IL-8 concentrations were measured as well as maternal plasma HIV RNA concentrations and CD4 cell count. We used logistic regression modeling to adjust for potential confounders. Results: Higher concentrations of IL-15 in breast milk (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.01 per log10 pg/ml increase, 95% confidence interval [CI]: <0.001 to 0.3) were associated with protection against postnatal HIV transmission in univariate analysis and after adjusting for maternal CD4 cell counts, breast milk HIV RNA, CCL5, CXCL12, and IL-8 concentrations. Breast milk IL-15 concentration correlated with breast milk sodium, the other cytokines and HIV RNA concentration. It was inversely correlated with infant birth weight and tended to be higher in 1 week than in 1 month post-partum samples. Breast milk CCL5 concentrations were associated with increased risk of HIV transmission (AOR: 12.7 95% CI: 1.6 to 102.0) in adjusted analysis. Breast milk CXCL12 and IL-8 concentrations were not independently associated with transmission. Conclusion: High concentration of IL-15 were associated with a protection against breastfeeding HIV transmission after adjusting for other pro-inflammatory cytokines, HIV RNA in breast milk, and maternal CD4 cell count. These results corroborate a protective role of IL-15-mediated cellular immunity against HIV transmission during breastfeeding. They are informative for vaccination studies using IL-15 as an adjuvant

Using Computer-assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) to Re-examine Traditionally Analyzed Data: Expanding our Understanding of the Data and of Ourselves as Scholars

As diverse members of a college of education evaluation committee one of our charges is to support faculty as we document and improve our teaching. Our committee asked faculty to respond to three qualitative questions, documenting ways in which interdepartmental and cross-department conversations are used to promote reflective thinking about our practice. Three of us investigated the use of CAQDAS to provide an additional level of analysis and how we learned more about ourselves as scholars through this collaboration. Our findings include recommendations regarding the use of CAQDAS to support collaborative efforts by diverse scholars

Specimen records of benthic macroinvertebrate samples collected by Norman H. Anderson in the vicinity of Mount St. Helens, 1980-1990

A private collection of 903 vials containing mostly aquatic macroinvertebrates is presented from Dr. Norman Herbert Anderson, Professor of Entomology at Oregon State University from 1962-1995. The majority of these specimens were collected from multiple freshwater streams during his research at Mount St. Helens (WA, USA) soon after the May 18, 1980 eruption. This collection also includes 15 vials containing specimens collected by Luis A. Fusté from the Muddy River (WA, USA) on March 29, 1980, less than 2 months before the eruption. The vast majority of these vials include a label indicating the sampling location, the date collected, and taxonomic identification

Telehealth Benefits in Rural Areas: Occupational Therapy

This paper focuses on the efficacy of occupational-based interventions administered via telehealth within a rural-dwelling adult (18 years and older) population with mental health conditions. The main factors to consider in this scenario are the mental health services in rural areas, the features of the rural population, and the role of occupational therapy (OT) and telehealth in rural mental health. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework defined health management as “activities related to developing, managing, and maintaining health and wellness routines, including self-management, with the goal of improving or maintaining health to support participation and other occupation” (AOTA, 2020, p.32)

Using a Grid-Enabled Wireless Sensor Network for Flood Management

Flooding is becoming an increasing problem. As a result there is a need to deploy more sophisticated sensor networks to detect and react to flooding. This paper outlines a demonstration that illustrates our proposed solution to this problem involving embedded wireless hardware, component based middleware and overlay networks