Chasing Tom Phillips

This paper gives an informal and personal view of the major impact that Tom Phillips has had on the author’s scientific career and field of research

Soybean aphids hatching on buckthorn

Reports from my colleagues around the Midwest indicate that soybean aphids are hatching on buckthorn. Bob O\u27Neil, Purdue University, is working with aphids in Illinois and noted the first hatch occurred on March 27. Chris DiFonzo, Michigan State University, found newly-hatched aphids in central Michigan on April 17. To the west of us, Tom Hunt, University of Nebraska, found soybean aphids on buckthorn in Lincoln on April 23

Regina grahamii

Number of pages=40Geological SciencesIntegrative Biolog

Genetic Structure of the Rice Blast Pathogen (Magnaporthe oryzae) over a Decade in North Central California Rice Fields.

Rice blast, caused by the ascomycete Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most destructive rice diseases worldwide. Even though the disease has been present in California since 1996, there is no data for the pathogen population biology in the state. Using amplified fragment length polymorphisms and mating-type markers, the M. oryzae population diversity was investigated using isolates collected when the disease was first established in California and isolates collected a decade later. While in the 1990 samples, a single multilocus genotype (MLG) was identified (MLG1), over a decade later, we found 14 additional MLGs in the 2000 isolates. Some of these MLGs were found to infect the only rice blast-resistant cultivar (M-208) available for commercial production in California. The same samples also had a significant decrease of MLG1. MLG1 was found infecting the resistant rice cultivar M-208 on one occasion whereas MLG7 was the most common genotype infecting the M-208. MLG7 was identified in the 2000 samples, and it was not present in the M. oryzae population a decade earlier. Our results demonstrate a significant increase in genotypic diversity over time with no evidence of sexual reproduction and suggest a recent introduction of new virulent race(s) of the pathogen. In addition, our data could provide information regarding the durability of the Pi-z resistance gene of the M-208. This information will be critical to plant breeders in developing strategies for deployment of other rice blast resistance genes/cultivars in the future

Liberalisation, incentives and Vietnamese agricultural growth

Author Che also known as Che, Nhu; Tuong Nhu Che; Che, Tuong NhuThis paper uses a dynamic model to analyse the effects of liberalisation on the longrun output and transitional growth of the Vietnamese rice sector during the period of reform from 1981 to the present. In particular, the paper attempts to allow for the incentive effects which can result if liberalisation induces individuals to work harder and use land more efficiently. Each new stage of liberalisation is shown to result in a higher steady-state level of physical capital and rice output. It is shown that, even with an assumed zero rate of growth in the ‘Solow residual’ component of total factor productivity, liberalisation may increase the long-run production of rice output by an order of two times its initial value. The analysis also predicts a significantly higher transitional growth rate of rice output for the more pervasive second stage of liberalisation than that for the first stage, suggesting that incentives and open markets matter greatly

Transparent Exopolymer Particles (TEP): an overlooked factor in the process of biofilm formation in aquatic environments

We hypothesize that transparent exopolymer particles (TEP), present in high concentrations in most sea and freshwaters, are critical agents for biofilm initiation and development in many natural and anthropogenic aquatic environments. These gel-like particles appear in many forms; amorphous blobs, clouds, sheets, filaments or clumps ranging in size from ~2 to ~200 µm. TEP are mostly polysaccharide, negatively charged, very sticky and are frequently colonized by bacteria. TEP may be considered a "planktonic" subgroup of exopolymeric substances (EPS), widely studied in biofilm research. Recognition of TEP involvement in biofilm formation has important implications for a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of this process in aquatic environments and may also contribute to the considerable efforts being made in the global water industry to mitigate the harmful effects of biofouling in water treatment and desalination plants

Academy of Accounting Historians Comparative international Accounting History consortium -- May 21-22, 1999

The First Comparative International Accounting History Research Consortium met in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on May 20-22, 1999. Tom Lee, President, and Kathy Rice, Administrative Coordinator, of The Academy of Accounting Historians organnized the Research Consortium program and schedule and hosted the program at the University of Alabama. A reception and dinnner on the evening of May 20 opened the consortium. The idea for the Research Consortium developed from discussions among Garry Carnegie, Tom Lee, Gary Previts, and others beginning in 1997 and 1998

Sheila Crotty, horn and Jennifer Dietz, flute

This junior recital from April 14, 2002 features senior Sheila Crotty (horn) and Jennifer Dietz (flute) with Jennifer Brinkley (conductor), Tom Dickey (bassoon), Brandie Goodman (horn), Alexis Ignatiou (piano), Connie Ignatiou (oboe), Clara Loy (flute), Edwin Oschner (horn), Charles Rice (horn), Julie Sheckells (clarinet) and Jason Yarcho (piano)