Phenology of Eastern Grape Leafhopper, Erythroneura comes (Say), and Abundance on Grape Cultivars, with Notes on Other Leafhoppers of Importance

Eastern grape leafhopper, Erythroneura comes (Say), is an important pest of grapes in the eastern half of the United States, capable of causing reductions in the quality and quantity of the crop. I investigated the phenology (i.e., seasonal development) of this insect using a growing degree-day (GDD) model. Growing degree days were calculated above a lower developmental threshold of 10°C (50°F) using the single sine wave method. Leafhopper nymphs were counted weekly on grape leaves from 2016 to 2018 at a vineyard in Perkins, OK. Differential abundance was observed across eight cultivars: Cynthiana, Chambourcin, Chardonel, Frontenac-Gris, Niagara, Noiret, Rubaiyat, and Traminette. The cultivars Noiret and Traminette had the highest abundance of nymphs, while Niagara and Cynthiana had the lowest abundance. In 2016, there were three peaks in population abundance, indicating three separate generations of the insect, while in 2017, there were three and possibly a partial fourth generation. In 2018, three peaks occurred. I report and discuss degree day calculations for generational peaks, as well as establish GDD-based recommendations for monitoring practices for this leafhopper in Oklahoma vineyards. The presence of the leafhoppers Erythroneura ziczac Walsh and Empoasca fabae (Harris) is also reported

SNAP-PLUS – NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE FOR WISCONSIN 1/

The new CNMP program of the NRCS requires simultaneous integration of five components: A conservation plan (RUSLE2); A nutrient management plan (NRCS 590 – P based); A record keeping program (CNMP); A manure/wastewater manager (CNMP); A feed management program (CNMP). Most of these components are prepared tediously, by hand, often independently of each other. We have linked software programs that deal with conservation planning, nutrient management, record keeping, and manure management into a single software tool called SNAP-Plus, which has a simple user interface and output forms. The outputs of this tool can then be combined into a CNMP. The SNAP-Plus software is based on a widely accepted and easy to use nutrient management tool, SNAP2000; to which we have added the new Wisconsin P Index (PI); a P and K balancer; and the soil erosio

Recruitment, growth and mortality of an Antarctic hexactinellid sponge, Anoxycalyx joubini.

Polar ecosystems are sensitive to climate forcing, and we often lack baselines to evaluate changes. Here we report a nearly 50-year study in which a sudden shift in the population dynamics of an ecologically important, structure-forming hexactinellid sponge, Anoxycalyx joubini was observed. This is the largest Antarctic sponge, with individuals growing over two meters tall. In order to investigate life history characteristics of Antarctic marine invertebrates, artificial substrata were deployed at a number of sites in the southern portion of the Ross Sea between 1967 and 1975. Over a 22-year period, no growth or settlement was recorded for A. joubini on these substrata; however, in 2004 and 2010, A. joubini was observed to have settled and grown to large sizes on some but not all artificial substrata. This single settlement and growth event correlates with a region-wide shift in phytoplankton productivity driven by the calving of a massive iceberg. We also report almost complete mortality of large sponges followed over 40 years. Given our warming global climate, similar system-wide changes are expected in the future

Production of fatty-acyl-glutamate biosurfactant by Bacillus subtilis on soybean co-products

Fatty-acyl-glutamate (FA-Glu), a surfactin variant has been successfully produced using a genetically modified strain of Bacillus subtilis grown on glucose. However, yields with soybean hulls (SBH) replacing glucose were lower. This work was undertaken to reduce the yield loss when using SBH as the carbon source and to evaluate two other soy by-products, namely fiber and skim from aqueous oil extraction as alternative carbon and nitrogen sources. Fermentation of soybean hulls, fibers and skim at various concentrations produced lower FA-Glu titers compared to S-7 medium. Neither increasing their amount nor supplementing with glucose increased the FA-Glu titer, suggesting the presence of an inhibitor in these feedstocks. By using a mixture of polysaccharide-degrading enzymes, over 65% of SBH solids were converted to soluble carbohydrates. FA-Glu titers obtained from SBH hydrolysates containing residual hull solids were still low; however, with the removal of the solids, cell growth improved and FA-Glu yield was 60% higher than with glucose. Thus, this low-cost material can be converted to a substrate for production of FA-Glu biosurfactant. Unmodified fiber and skim components of aqueous oil extraction were not beneficial

Recruitment, Growth and Mortality of an Antarctic Hexactinellid Sponge, Anoxycalyx joubini

Polar ecosystems are sensitive to climate forcing, and we often lack baselines to evaluate changes. Here we report a nearly 50-year study in which a sudden shift in the population dynamics of an ecologically important, structure-forming hexactinellid sponge, Anoxycalyx joubini was observed. This is the largest Antarctic sponge, with individuals growing over two meters tall. In order to investigate life history characteristics of Antarctic marine invertebrates, artificial substrata were deployed at a number of sites in the southern portion of the Ross Sea between 1967 and 1975. Over a 22-year period, no growth or settlement was recorded for A. joubini on these substrata; however, in 2004 and 2010, A. joubini was observed to have settled and grown to large sizes on some but not all artificial substrata. This single settlement and growth event correlates with a region-wide shift in phytoplankton productivity driven by the calving of a massive iceberg. We also report almost complete mortality of large sponges followed over 40 years. Given our warming global climate, similar system-wide changes are expected in the future

Can Audio Enhance Visual Perception and Performance in a Virtual Environment?

Does the addition of audio enhance visual perception and performance within a virtual environment? To address this issue we used both a questionnaire and an experimental test of the effect of audio on recall and recognition of visual objects within different rooms of a virtual environment. We tested 60 college-aged students who had normal visual acuity, color vision, and hearing. The between-participants factor was audio condition (none, low fidelity, and high fidelity). The questionnaire results showed that ambient sounds enhanced the sense of presence (or "being there") and the subjective 3D quality of the visual display, but not the subjective dynamic interaction with the display. We also showed that audio can enhance recall and recognition of visual objects and their spatial locations within the virtual environment. These results have implications for the design and use of virtual environments, where audio sometimes can be used to compensate for the quality of the visual display