Effect Of Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) And Spinosad (Conserve®) On Western Flower Thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), Populations In Transvaal Daisy Flowers

Western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a major insect pest of greenhouse-grown horticultural crops. Greenhouse producers typically apply insecticides to suppress WFT populations. However, continual reliance on insecticides can lead to the development of resistant in WFT populations. The insidious flower bug, Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), is a commercially available predatory bug of WFT that offers an alternative to using insecticides for WFT suppression. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of one or two O. insidiosus adults compared to spray applications of the standard insecticide, spinosad (Conserve®) in suppressing WFT adult populations in transvaal daisy (Gerbera jamesonii), cut-flowers under greenhouse conditions. Percent adult WFT mortality was significantly lower when one or two O. insidiosus adults were released into the flowers (mean range: 32 to 34%; n=747), compared to the untreated and water control (8 to 9%; n=431). The highest percent mortality of WFT adults was associated with the spinosad (Conserve®) treatment (100%; n= 203)

Terrorists, Zombies, and Robots: The Political Unconscious, Thematics, and Affectual Structures of the Post-9/11 American Fear Narrative

This dissertation examines the post-9/11 American fear narrative across media and genre. First, it proposes the concepts of the fear narrative, the primary fear theme, and the secondary fear theme. Second, it proposes that the fear narrative has a long tradition in American culture, in which its themes have adapted and evolved in historically sedimented layers of development. Third, it proposes that American fear themes change depending on its historical context of production, its cultural regime, its genre, and the form of media in which it is expressed. To help uncover the political unconsciousness of the American fear narrative, it employs the methodology of Fredric Jameson’s three horizons of interpretation. At the first horizon, this methodology interprets a text by focusing on a formal contradiction in the narrative as a symbolic resolution to an irresolvable real-world contradiction. At the second horizon, this contradiction is re-interpreted as a social conflict between two different ideological positions in the text. At the third horizon, this is re-interpreted as a contradiction between sedimented layers of genres, and at this point the text can be interpreted as expressing both oppressive and Utopian ideological content. To analyze the post-9/11 American fear narrative, this study turns to a variety of genres in several media forms. First, it examines the genre of the 9/11 novel. Here, it is noted how fear narratives use the ten primary fear themes this study has identified to access their contradictions and that these narratives seem to have either ambiguous or hopeful endings. Second, it analyzes the zombie narrative, noting the role of five secondary fear themes that are more specific to this genre. Third, it examines the science fiction fear narrative to note how these texts after 9/11 often explored the secondary fear theme of the hybrid character, expressing an intertwining of anxiety and hope as cultures such as the East and West intermix after the terrorist attacks. This study notes an ongoing discourse among post-9/11 American fear narratives on how America as a Utopian project should move forward into the future

Establishing National Ocean Service Priorities for Estuarine, Coastal, and Ocean Modeling: Capabilities, Gaps, and Preliminary Prioritization Factors

This report was developed to help establish National Ocean Service priorities and chart new directions for research and development of models for estuarine, coastal and ocean ecosystems based on user-driven requirements and supportive of sound coastal management, stewardship, and an ecosystem approach to management. (PDF contains 63 pages

Management of insect and mite pests of greenhouse floral crops

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311

A Breast Prosthesis Infection Update: Two-Year Incidence, Risk Factors and Management at Single Institution

Background: Infection following augmentation and prosthetic-based breast reconstruction can cause significant physical and psychological distress for patients. It may delay adjuvant therapies and compromise aesthetic outcomes. The aim of this study is to identify modifiable risk factors for infection and identify common bacterial isolates to achieve optimal outcomes for patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed for patients undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction over a 2-year period. In each case, we documented demographics, co-morbidities, complications and antibiotic use. We reviewed treatments, infectious species cultured where applicable and all outcomes. Results: A total of 292 patients met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-five patients (19%) developed an infection. Univariate analysis showed a significantly increased infection rate with longer operative times (P = 0.001) and use of tissue expanders (P = 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed drain use and elevated body mass index (BMI) as risk factors (odds ratio [OR] 2.427 and 1.061, respectively). After controlling for BMI, smoking status and radiation, we found an increased odd of infection with allograft use (OR 1.838) and a decreased odd with skin preparation using 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl (OR 0.554), though not statistically significant. Forty of 55 patients with infections had cultures, with 62.5% of isolates being Gram-positive species and 30% Gram-negative species. The median time to clinical infection was 25 days. Implant salvage with surgical interventions was achieved in 61.5% of patients. Conclusions: This study identified judicious use of drains and efficiency in the operating room as modifiable risk factors for infections following implant-based breast reconstruction. Prospective trials to analyse techniques for infection prevention are warranted. Implant salvage following infection is a possible end-point in the appropriate patient

Predation by Insidious Flower Bug, Orius insidiosus, Adults on Western Flower Thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, Adults under Laboratory and Greenhouse Conditions

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Perg.), is a major insect pest of greenhouse production systems. A widely-used plant protection strategy is biological control, which entails releasing natural enemies; such as parasitoids and predators, that are commercially available from suppliers or distributors. Studies to assess predation of predatory mites and predatory bugs against specific prey are typically conducted under laboratory conditions. However, results obtained under laboratory conditions may not be equivalent to results observed under field conditions; including greenhouses when plants are present. Therefore, the goal of our study was to compare predation by insidious flower bug, Orius insidiosus Say, adults under laboratory and greenhouse conditions to determine if flower morphology of transvaal daisy, Gerbera jamesonii, cut flowers affects predation by adult insidious flower bugs on western flower thrips adults

Introducing the JMBE themed issue on science communication

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Chitotriosidase as a biomarker of cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is an X-linked peroxisomal disorder characterized by the abnormal beta-oxidation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA). In 35-40% of children with ALD, an acute inflammatory process occurs in the central nervous system (CNS) leading to demyelination that is rapidly progressive, debilitating and ultimately fatal. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can halt disease progression in cerebral ALD (C-ALD) if performed early. In contrast, for advanced patients the risk of morbidity and mortality is increased with transplantation. To date there is no means of quantitating neuroinflammation in C-ALD, nor is there an accepted measure to determine prognosis for more advanced patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>As cellular infiltration has been observed in C-ALD, including activation of monocytes and macrophages, we evaluated the activity of chitotriosidase in the plasma and spinal fluid of boys with active C-ALD. Due to genotypic variations in the chitotriosidase gene, these were also evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We document elevations in chitotriosidase activity in the plasma of patients with C-ALD (n = 38; median activity 1,576 ng/mL/hr) vs. controls (n = 16, median 765 ng/mL/hr, p = 0.0004), and in the CSF of C-ALD patients (n = 38; median activity 4,330 ng/mL/hr) vs. controls (n = 16, median 0 ng/mL/hr, p < 0.0001). In addition, activity levels of plasma and CSF chitotriosidase prior to transplant correlated with progression as determined by the Moser/Raymond functional score 1 year following transplantation (p = 0.002 and < 0.0001, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These findings confirm elevation of chitotriosidase activity in patients with active C-ALD, and suggest that these levels predict prognosis of patients with C-ALD undergoing transplantation.</p

Putting the Customer Back in the Center of SOA with Service Design and User-Centered Design

This article introduces a methodology used for designing the online presence of a Swiss SME providing Cloud Services. The Web application used for the purchasing and administration, backed by a Service-Oriented Architec-ture (SOA), has been designed to be customer-centric using a combination of different techniques borrowed from the fields of ethnomethodology, service de-sign and user-centered design. The tools employed include service blueprint de-sign and affinity diagram analysis followed by prototyping and subsequent usa-bility evaluation. This collaborative methodology explained with the help of the applied research project use case is seen to yield excellent results in terms of customer-orientation