Lygus rugulipennis on chrysanthemum: Supplemental prey effects and an evaluation of trap plants

The European tarnished plant bug, Lygus rugulipennis Poppius, is considered a major pest in chrysanthemum nurseries in The Netherlands. Adults puncture plant's apical meristem, after which the growing point splits and growth is inhibited. Flower buds and flowers can also be severely damaged. Both types of damage result in economic losses for growers. Despite the importance of this pest for chrysanthemum nurseries, there is only very limited information about L. rugulipennis development on chrysanthemum plants, Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat., and whether L. rugulipennis can be controlled using trap plants is not known. We investigated whether: (1) L. rugulipennis could develop from egg to adult on the vegetative and flowering stages of chrysanthemum; (2) their performance was enhanced when a supplemental prey source (Ephestia kuehniella Zeller eggs) or another common pest (the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae Sulzer) was present; and (3) there were alternative plant species more attractive than chrysanthemum for use as trap plants for local pest control or monitoring of L. rugulipennis. L. rugulipennis developed on both vegetative and flowering chrysanthemum stages without any additional food source. Nonetheless, when chrysanthemum was supplemented with E. kuehniella eggs, L. rugulipennis achieved the best performance in terms of the number of adults developed and faster developmental time. Interestingly, L. rugulipennis developed faster on chrysanthemum infested with the aphid M. persicae compared to non-infested plants, however, there was no difference in the number of adults developed. In a trap plant experiment with 16 plant species in the vegetative stage, we found that white mustard, Sinapis alba L., was significantly more attractive than chrysanthemum to both adult and nymph L. rugulipennis. Further research is needed to evaluate the potential of S. alba as a trap plant for monitoring L. rugulipennis and how the presence of prey in the crop influences L. rugulipennis

Changes in the Content of Pediatric Physical Therapy for Infants:A Quantitative, Observational Study

AIMS: The aim of our observational longitudinal study is to evaluate changes over time in standard pediatric physical therapy (PPT) for infants at risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. METHODS: Treatment sessions in two time periods (2003-2005 [n = 22] and 2008-2014 [n = 16]) were video recorded and analyzed quantitatively in five categories: neuromotor actions, educational actions, communication, position, and situation of treatment session. Differences in percentages of time spent on therapeutic actions between periods were tested with Mann-Whitney U and Hodges Lehmann's tests. RESULTS: No significant changes appeared in the main categories of neuromotor actions. Time spent on not-specified educational actions toward caregivers (median from 99% to 81%, p = .042) and not-specified communication (median from 72% to 52%, p = .002) decreased. Consequently, time spent on specific educational actions (caregiver training and coaching; median from 1% to 19%, p = .042) and specific communication (information exchange, instruct, provide feedback; median from 21% to 38%, p = .007) increased. Infant position changed only minimally: time spent on transitions-that is, change of position-decreased slightly over time (median from 7% to 6%, p = .042). Situation of treatment session did not change significantly over time. CONCLUSIONS: Neuromotor actions in PPT remained largely stable over time. Specific educational actions and communication increased, indicating larger family involvement during treatment sessions

Deficit Irrigation Programs for Water Conservation in the Management of Bermudagrass Fairways in Texas

Golf course water use in Texas has become increasingly regulated in the past decade due to persistent drought conditions, diminishing water supplies, and rapidly a growing population. Many golf courses have been faced with considerable cutbacks in irrigation allocations, but information is limited regarding critical levels needed for maintaining adequate turf quality, persistence, and recovery from divots and traffic. Furthermore, the effects of irrigation water quality on minimal irrigation requirements has not been fully resolved. A series of field and greenhouse studies were conducted over the course of two years in College Station, TX, to determine the effects of continuous reference evapotranspiration (ET_(o))- based deficit irrigation levels on quality of bermudagrass fairway turf. Turf quality evaluations from both seasons showed that in the absence of traffic, irrigation levels of 0.3 x ET_(o) were sufficient to maintain acceptable turfgrass quality during summer months (at a 3-day per week irrigation frequency). Canopy temperatures increased considerably as irrigation was reduced; with up to a 20℃ increase detected between irrigated and unirrigated plots. Upon resumption of full irrigation levels in September, unirrigated and deficit-irrigated plots quickly recovered to ~90% green cover within 8 weeks in year 1. However, unirrigated plots were much slower to recover in the second season, only reaching ~30% green cover by 8 weeks. The delayed ability of unirrigated plots to rebound following successive years without irrigation suggests a cumulative effect of drought stress on bermudagrass health and vigor. Traffic treatments delayed recovery across all irrigation levels. Greenhouse investigations into irrigation water quality (reverse osmosis (RO), saline, and sodic) and plant growth regulator trinexapac-ethyl (TE) effects on bermudagrass evapotranspiraton and tolerance to deficit irrigation were also undertaken. Irrigation water quality failed to significantly influence minimal irrigation requirements, but turf irrigated with sodic irrigation did exhibit considerably higher evapotranspiration (ET) rates relative to those receiving saline or RO irrigation. TE improved bermudagrass quality and delayed leaf firing under the soil moisture stress from deficit irrigation. The findings from this research provide timely and practical information for turf managers who must increasingly utilize ET-based irrigation scheduling and/or low-quality water sources in the management of golf course turfgrass systems

Edge-control and surface-smoothness in sub-aperture polishing of mirror segments

This paper addresses two challenges in establishing a new process chain for polishing hexagonal segments for extremely large telescopes:- i) control of edge and corner profiles in small-tool polishing of hexagons, and ii) achieving the required smoothness of the bulk aspheric form. We briefly describe the performance of a CNC-grinding process used to create the off-axis asphere, which established the input-quality for subsequent processing. We then summarize processes for smoothing ground mid-spatials and pre- and corrective polishing using Zeeko CNC machines. The impact of two cases is considered; i) all processing stages are performed after the segment is cut hexagonal, and ii) final rectification of a hexagon after cutting from an aspherised roundel, as an alternative to ionfiguring. We then report on experimental results on witness samples demonstrating edges and corners close to the EELT segment specification, and results on a full-aperture spherical segment showing excellent surface smoothness. © 2012 SPIE

Microscopic analysis of the microbiota of three commercial Phytoseiidae species (Acari: Mesostigmata)

Microbes associated with the external and internal anatomy of three commercially available predatory mite species, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Typhlodromips (=Amblyseius) swiskii, and Neoseiulus (=Amblyseius) cucumeris were examined using light microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). Four microbe morphotypes were observed on external body regions. These included three microfungi-like organisms (named T1, T2 and T3) and rod-shaped bacteria (T4). Morphotypes showed unique distributions on the external body regions and certain microbes were found only on one host species. Microfungi-like T1 were present in all three species whereas T2 and T3 were present in only P. persimilis and T. swirskii respectively. T1 and T2 microbes were most abundant on the ventral structures of the idiosoma and legs, most frequently associated with coxae, coxal folds, ventrianal shields and epigynal shields. T3 microbes were most abundant on legs and dorsal idiosoma. T4 microbes were less abundant and were attached to epigynal shields of N. cucumeris and T. swirskii. Significant differences in distribution between seasons (spring and winter) suggest that there are fluctuations in the microbiota of phytoseiids in mass reared systems. FISH using the EUB338 (I-III) probes showed bacteria within the alimentary tract, in Malpighian tubules and anal atria. It is possible these have a role in absorbing excretory products or maintaining gut physiology. We suggest how microbes might be transmitted to offspring and throughout populations. The implications of these findings for commercial mass rearing are discussed. This study highlights the necessity of understanding the intrinsic microbiota of Phytoseiidae and other Acari

Fast manufacturing of E-ELT mirror segments using CNC polishing

We report on the first-ever demonstration of grinding and polishing full-size, off-axis aspheric, mirror segments as prototypes for an extremely large telescope, processed entirely in the final hexagonal shape. We first describe the overall strategy for controlling form and mid spatial frequencies, at levels in the vicinity of <10nm RMS surface. This relies first on direct CNC grinding of the base-form of these 1.4m segments, using the Cranfield BoX™ machine. The segments are then mounted on a custom designed (Optic Glyndwr Optoelectronic Engineering Group) three segment hydraulic support, and CNC polished on a Zeeko IRP 1600 machine using a variety of custom tooling. We overview the fullaperture and sub-aperture metrology techniques used to close the process-loop and certify quality, all of which operate with the segment in-situ on the IRP1600. We then focus on the pristine edge-definition achieved by the combination of tool-lift and smoothing operations; results never previously demonstrated on full-size pre-cut hexagonal segments. Finally, the paper discusses the feasibility of scaling the process to deliver 931 segments in seven years, as required for the E-ELT project. © 2013 SPIE

Needs, problems and rehabilitation goals of young children with cerebral palsy as formulated in the rehabilitation activities profile for children

Objective: To describe the content of needs, problems and goals of 41 Dutch children with cerebral palsy using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY) as a classification system. To evaluate the adherence of formulations of needs, problems and goals to specifications of the Rehabilitation Activities Profile for Children. Methods: Raw text data were extracted and organized. Two raters independently weighed the entries' quality against the specifications and linked the extracted content to ICF-CY categories. Results: In 12% of the reports no needs, and in 24% no principal goals, were formulated. Needs mostly pertained to the activities-and-participation domain (65%), whereas problems and goals covered all 3 ICF-CY domains. None of the needs were prioritized and 79% met the quality criterion of description of a problem/desire. Twenty-four percent of the problems were described in the activity-and-participation domain and 83% referred to a treatable problem. Fifty-six percent of the goals were formulated in terms of intended result/effect and 63% as child/parent actions. Conclusion: Insight is provided into the content of rehabilitation programmes for children with cerebral palsy. To optimize the quality of the reports, research on reasons for non-adherence to specifications of the Rehabilitation Activities Profile is needed

Alpine altitude climate treatment for severe and uncontrolled asthma: an EAACI position paper

Currently available European Alpine Altitude Climate Treatment (AACT) programs combine the physical characteristics of altitude with the avoidance of environmental triggers in the alpine climate and a personalized multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation approach. The reduced barometric pressure, oxygen pressure, and air density, the relatively low temperature and humidity, and the increased UV radiation at moderate altitude induce several physiological and immunological adaptation responses. The environmental characteristics of the alpine climate include reduced aeroallergens such as house dust mites (HDM), pollen, fungi, and less air pollution. These combined factors seem to have immunomodulatory effects controlling pathogenic inflammatory responses and favoring less neuro-immune stress in patients with different asthma phenotypes. The extensive multidisciplinary treatment program may further contribute to the observed clinical improvement by AACT in asthma control and quality of life, fewer exacerbations and hospitalizations, reduced need for oral corticosteroids (OCS), improved lung function, decreased airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), improved exercise tolerance, and improved sinonasal outcomes. Based on observational studies and expert opinion, AACT represents a valuable therapy for those patients irrespective of their asthma phenotype, who cannot achieve optimal control of their complex condition despite all the advances in medical science and treatment according to guidelines, and therefore run the risk of falling into a downward spiral of loss of physical and mental health. In the light of the observed rapid decrease in inflammation and immunomodulatory effects, AACT can be considered as a natural treatment that targets biological pathways

Mixed Feelings of Children and Adolescents with Unilateral Congenital Below Elbow Deficiency: An Online Focus Group Study

The existing literature is inconsistent about the psychosocial functioning of children and adolescents with Unilateral Congenital Below Elbow Deficiency (UCBED). The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the psychosocial functioning of children and adolescents with UCBED in terms of their feelings about the deficiency and what helps them to cope with those feelings. Additionally, the perspectives of prosthesis wearers and non-wearers were compared, as were the perspectives of children, adolescents, parents and health professionals. Online focus group interviews were carried out with 42 children and adolescents (aged 8–12, 13–16 and 17–20), 16 parents and 19 health professionals. Questions were asked about psychosocial functioning, activities, participation, prosthetic use or non-use, and rehabilitation care. This study concerned remarks about psychosocial functioning. Children and adolescents with UCBED had mixed feelings about their deficiency. Both negative and positive feelings were often felt simultaneously and mainly depended on the way people in the children’s environment reacted to the deficiency. People staring affected the children negatively, while support from others helped them to cope with the deficiency. Wearing a prosthesis and peer-to-peer contact were also helpful. Non-wearers tended to be more resilient than prosthesis wearers. Wearers wore their prosthesis for cosmetic reasons and to prevent them from negative reactions from the environment. We recommend that rehabilitation teams make parents aware of their great influence on the psychosocial functioning of their child with UCBED, to adjust or extend the currently available psychosocial help, and to encourage peer-to-peer contact