Electrophysiological and Behavioral Responses of an Ambrosia Beetle to Volatiles of its Nutritional Fungal Symbiont.

Ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) cultivate their fungal symbiont within host substrates as the sole source of nutrition on which the larvae and adults must feed. To investigate a possible role for semiochemicals in this interaction, we characterized electrophysiological and behavioral responses of Xylosandrus germanus to volatiles associated with its fungal symbiont Ambrosiella grosmanniae. During still-air walking bioassays, X. germanus exhibited an arrestment response to volatiles of A. grosmanniae, but not antagonistic fungi Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium brunneum, Trichoderma harzianum, the plant pathogen Fusarium proliferatum, or malt extract agar. Solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 2-phenylethanol, methyl benzoate and 3-methyl-1-butanol in emissions from A. grosmanniae; the latter two compounds were also detected in emissions from B. bassiana. Concentration-responses using electroantennography documented weak depolarizations to A. grosmanniae fungal volatiles, unlike the comparatively strong response to ethanol. When tested singly in walking bioassays, volatiles identified from A. grosmanniae elicited relatively weak arrestment responses, unlike the responses to ethanol. Xylosandrus germanus also exhibited weak or no long-range attraction to the fungal volatiles when tested singly during field trials in 2016-2018. None of the fungal volatiles enhanced attraction of X. germanus to ethanol when tested singly; in contrast, 2-phenylethanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol consistently reduced attraction to ethanol. Volatiles emitted by A. grosmanniae may represent short-range olfactory cues that could aid in distinguishing their nutritional fungal symbiont from other fungi, but these compounds are not likely to be useful as long-range attractants for improving detection or mass trapping tactics.

Symbiont selection via alcohol benefits fungus farming by ambrosia beetles.

Animal-microbe mutualisms are typically maintained by vertical symbiont transmission or partner choice. A third mechanism, screening of high-quality symbionts, has been predicted in theory, but empirical examples are rare. Here we demonstrate that ambrosia beetles rely on ethanol within host trees for promoting gardens of their fungal symbiont and producing offspring. Ethanol has long been known as the main attractant for many of these fungus-farming beetles as they select host trees in which they excavate tunnels and cultivate fungal gardens. More than 300 attacks by Xylosandrus germanus and other species were triggered by baiting trees with ethanol lures, but none of the foundresses established fungal gardens or produced broods unless tree tissues contained in vivo ethanol resulting from irrigation with ethanol solutions. More X. germanus brood were also produced in a rearing substrate containing ethanol. These benefits are a result of increased food supply via the positive effects of ethanol on food-fungus biomass. Selected Ambrosiella and Raffaelea fungal isolates from ethanol-responsive ambrosia beetles profited directly and indirectly by (i) a higher biomass on medium containing ethanol, (ii) strong alcohol dehydrogenase enzymatic activity, and (iii) a competitive advantage over weedy fungal garden competitors (Aspergillus, Penicillium) that are inhibited by ethanol. As ambrosia fungi both detoxify and produce ethanol, they may maintain the selectivity of their alcohol-rich habitat for their own purpose and that of other ethanol-resistant/producing microbes. This resembles biological screening of beneficial symbionts and a potentially widespread, unstudied benefit of alcohol-producing symbionts (e.g., yeasts) in other microbial symbioses.

Community Mental Health Professionals' Perceptions About Engaging Underserved Populations.

This study explored mental health professionals' perceptions about barriers and facilitators to engaging underserved populations. Responses were coded using an iterative thematic analysis based on grounded theory. Results revealed that many professionals endorsed barriers to engaging ethnic minorities and families receiving social services. Client-provider racial and linguistic matching, therapy processes and procedures (e.g., nonjudgmental stance), and implementation supports (e.g., supervision) were commonly nominated as engagement facilitators. Many professionals felt that an organizational culture focused on productivity is detrimental to client engagement. Findings shed light on professionals' perceived barriers to delivering high-quality care to underserved communities and illuminate potential engagement strategies.

Lesion Localization of Poststroke Lateropulsion.

Background and Purpose- Hemispheric stroke studies associating lateropulsion (pusher syndrome) with the location of brain lesions have had mixed results from small, unmatched samples. This study was designed to determine whether lateropulsion localizes to specific brain regions across patients with stroke using a case-control design. Methods- Fifty patients with lateropulsion after stroke were matched with 50 stroke patients without lateropulsion using age, time since onset of stroke, admission motor Functional Independence Measure score, lesion side, and gender. The primary analysis included multivariate lesion symptom mapping using sparse canonical correlations to identify regions most associated with lateropulsion as assessed with the Burke Lateropulsion Scale. Secondary analyses included evaluating paired comparisons for lesion volume, degree of motor impairment, motor and cognitive Functional Independence Measure scores. Results- The lesion symptom mapping analysis of all lesions mapped onto a common hemisphere produced an overall significant model ( P<5×10-5) with a regional peak at the inferior parietal lobe at the junction of the post-central gyrus (Brodmann Area 2) and Brodmann Area 40 as the lesion location most associated with lateropulsion. Lesion volume was larger for patients with lateropulsion. Despite adequate matching, motor performance and total Functional Independence Measure scores differed at a group level between patients with and without lateropulsion. Conclusions- This analysis implicated lesion involvement of the inferior parietal lobe as a key neuroanatomical determinant of developing lateropulsion. A better understanding of the anatomic underpinnings of lateropulsion may improve rehabilitation efforts, including the potential for informing noninvasive neuromodulation approaches.

Managing and Adapting Practice: Provider Perceptions of an Evidence-Informed Framework for Delivering Mental Health Services.

This study examined providers' reflections on delivering managing and adapting practice (MAP), an evidence-informed framework that guides decision-making from scientific and client data. Consensual qualitative research methods were used to analyze the reflections of 201 youth mental health providers. Results indicated that providers approached MAP according to their own preferences and particular cases. While most appeared to approach MAP from a practice management standpoint, when faced with challenging cases, providers used coordination and outcomes management resources. Regardless of approach, most providers came to appreciate the full framework through reflective practice. Their diverse approaches offer lessons for evidence-based practice implementation and sustainment.

Sinusoidal Transcranial Direct Current Versus Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation for Treatment of Lateropulsion Poststroke.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) versus Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS) on Lateropulsion following stroke. METHODS: Patients with Stroke and Burke Lateropulsion Scale (BLS) scores greater than or equal to 2 gave informed consent to receive sinusoidal 1 Hz DC (0-2 mA) anodal stimulation over the affected parietal cortex versus similar GVS with ipsilesional mastoidal anode. Seated haptic center of pressure (COP-X) was measured using an AMTI analog-to-digital forceplate. An inclinometer (Biopac ) measured lateral thoracic tilt. COP-X Power Spectra were analyzed over 3 frequency intervals: 0-.3 Hz, .3-1 Hz, and 1-3 Hz. RESULTS: Six males/4 females age 66 ± 9.5 standard deviation with admission BLS scores of 5.4 ± 3.7 within 8.6 ± 8.1 days poststroke were enrolled. COP-X medial-lateral speed increased for both the tDCS and the GVS protocols compared to sham condition. Fourier Analysis of COP-X velocity for 0-.3 Hz responses showed a significant increase for tDCS stimulation. The .3-1 Hz responses for the tDCS condition were decreased from baseline. Lateral thoracic tilt showed significant improvement for tDCS compared to Sham stimulation at 10 minutes and for GVS versus Sham at 15 minutes. DISCUSSION: Anodal tDCS over the ipsilesional PIVC increases low frequency postural responses usually attributed to visual control with down regulation of median frequency vestibular responses, biasing postural control toward more dependence on visual as opposed to vestibular control. CONCLUSIONS: 2 mA sinusoidal 1 Hz anodal tDCS over the ipsi-lesional PIVC or similar ipsi-lesional anodal GVS improve Lateropulsion following stroke.

Case-Control Study of Impairments Associated with Recovery from "Pusher Syndrome" after Stroke: Logistic Regression Analyses.

BACKGROUND: Comparing cohorts with similar functional and motor status at admission to inpatient rehabilitation may delineate demographics or impairments associated with recovery from lateropulsion, also known as "pusher syndrome," after stroke based on lesion side. The aim of this case-control study was to determine how demographics and severity of stroke impairments at admission to inpatient rehabilitation distinguish patients who recover from lateropulsion from those who do not. METHODS: Patients with admission motor Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores less than 31 and contralesional lower extremity Fugl-Meyer motor scores less than 19 out of 34 were included. Burke Lateropulsion Scales score of 2 or higher at the time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation indicated persistent lateropulsion; a score of 0 or 1 indicated resolved lateropulsion. Logistic regression tests included age, gender, admission Motricity Index score, limb placement error, and cognitive FIM score. χ2 analyses compared groups for neglect. RESULTS: For patients with left brain lesion, older age and worse admission motor status distinguished those with persistent lateropulsion at discharge. For right brain lesion, related factors were older age, greater admission limb placement error, and lower cognitive FIM scores. Visuospatial neglect did not influence recovery from lateropulsion. CONCLUSIONS: Older age and severe impairments were associated with delayed recovery from lateropulsion in a manner specific to lesion side in a sample with motor and functional deficits. The study provides evidence that lesion side and admission characteristics are useful in early decision making for the duration of rehabilitation, selection of interventions, and discharge planning.

Managing In-Session "Surprises:" Provider Responses to Emergent Life Events during Evidence-Based Treatment Implementation.

This study aimed to: (1) pilot a psychotherapy coding system for provider responses to emergent life events (ELEs; unexpected events that have a significant negative impact on the client), (2) examine the impact of ELEs on evidence-based treatment (EBT) delivery in community settings. Raters coded 30 randomly-sampled EBT session recordings with and without reported ELEs. Inter-rater reliability and validity for the system were generally high. When an ELE occurred, providers were significantly less likely to deliver the EBT, and when they did, they rarely linked the EBT to the event. Findings highlight the potential for ELEs to disrupt EBT implementation.

Service Use Findings from the Child STEPs Effectiveness Trial: Additional Support for Modular Designs.

This study expands upon the Chorpita et al. (J Consult Clin Psychol 81:999-1009, 2013) findings by examining the impact of treatment protocol on youths' service utilization up to 2 years after starting an episode of: standard manualized treatment (Standard); modular treatment (Modular); or usual care (UC). Results showed that youths who received Modular accessed fewer service settings at their one-year follow-up relative to youths who received Standard or UC. Findings suggest that modular treatment may offer an advantage over standardized treatment manuals and UC in terms of sustained clinical benefits, and highlight the importance of treatment design considerations for service systems.

Movement of Xylosandrus germanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Ornamental Nurseries and Surrounding Habitats.

Some exotic ambrosia beetles are damaging pests in ornamental nurseries. Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford) is the most problematic ambrosia beetle in Ohio nurseries. Movement of X. germanus in nurseries has not been characterized, and knowledge is lacking on whether infestations originate from within nurseries or surrounding habitats. Flight activity of X. germanus was monitored in nurseries and adjacent wooded areas to determine the source of beetles infesting nurseries, and characterize their movement within nurseries. Ethanol-baited bottle traps were positioned within wooded areas adjacent to commercial nurseries and within nurseries at various distances from the nursery woodlot interface. Flight activity of overwintered X. germanus occurred in wooded areas adjacent to nurseries before occurrence within nurseries. There was a direct relationship between degree-days and the distance from woodlots when X. germanus were first found in traps in spring, with earlier captures closest to wooded areas and latest ones furthest away into the nursery. X. germanus appeared to move into nurseries from adjacent wooded areas, with numbers trapped within nurseries decreasing with distance away from wooded areas. Trees in the interior of nurseries would appear to be subjected to less attack pressure than trees near the nursery border. Intercepting beetles as they move into nurseries might be an effective strategy to reduce attack pressure on valuable trees.

Rare excitatory amino acid from flowers of zonal geranium responsible for paralyzing the Japanese beetle.

The Japanese beetle (JB), Popillia japonica, exhibits rapid paralysis after consuming flower petals of zonal geranium, Pelargonium x hortorum. Activity-guided fractionations were conducted with polar flower petal extracts from P. x hortorum cv. Nittany Lion Red, which led to the isolation of a paralysis-inducing compound. High-resolution-MS and NMR ((1)H, (13)C, COSY, heteronuclear sequential quantum correlation, heteronuclear multiple bond correlation) analysis identified the paralytic compound as quisqualic acid (C(5)H(7)N(3)O(5)), a known but rare agonist of excitatory amino acid receptors. Optical rotation measurements and chiral HPLC analysis determined an L-configuration. Geranium-derived and synthetic L-quisqualic acid demonstrated the same positive paralytic dose-response. Isolation of a neurotoxic, excitatory amino acid from zonal geranium establishes the phytochemical basis for induced paralysis of the JB, which had remained uncharacterized since the phenomenon was first described in 1920.

Providers' attitudes toward evidence-based practices: is it just about providers, or do practices matter, too?

Evidence-based practice (EBP) attitudes were measured in a sample of Los Angeles County mental health service providers. Three types of data were collected: provider demographic characteristics, attitudes toward EBP in general, and attitudes toward specific EBPs being implemented in the county. Providers could reliably rate characteristics of specific EBPs, and these ratings differed across interventions. Preliminary implementation data indicate that appealing features of an EBP relate to the degree to which providers use it. These findings suggest that assessing EBP-specific attitudes is feasible and may offer implementation-relevant information beyond that gained solely from providers' general attitudes toward EBP.

Influence of Ethanol Grade on Captures of Ambrosia Beetles in Tree Fruit Orchards, Ornamental Nurseries, and Lumber Yards.

Ambrosia beetles, particularly invasive species within the tribe Xyleborini, such as Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford, 1894), pose significant threats to various ecosystems and managed habitats worldwide. Monitoring these invaders is vital for effective pest management, typically accomplished through ethanol-baited traps. We compared trap efficacy using denatured ethanol versus absolute ethanol in orchards, tree nurseries, and lumber yards in northeastern Ohio, USA, finding that absolute ethanol traps captured significantly more X. germanus. Analysis revealed acetone, ethanol, and methyl isobutyl ketone in the denatured ethanol, likely impacting trap efficacy. Our study underscores the importance of using pure denatured ethanol without acetone for effective monitoring, especially for X. germanus. Exotic xyleborines dominated trap captures across various habitats, emphasizing the need for tailored pest management strategies. Further research is warranted to explore the chemical ecology of ambrosia beetles and the influence of ethanol impurities on trap effectiveness.

Monitoring attack and flight activity of Xylosandrus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae): the influence of temperature on activity.

Wood-boring ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), including Xylosandrus spp., are key pests in ornamental nurseries. Knowledge of their activity in spring is important for nursery growers to effectively time their protective sprays. We measured the reliability of ethanol-baited bottle traps for monitoring emergence of overwintered Xylosandrus spp. in ornamental nurseries. Detection of initial flight activity by traps was compared with initial attacks on ethanol-injected trap trees. To develop tools for forecasting Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford) activity, the relationships between temperature and their attack and flight activity were examined, and the bloom sequence of ornamental plants was examined as phenological indicators of X. germanus emergence in Ohio. Captures of X. germanus coincided with attacks on trap trees on seven of eight occasions over 2 yr in four nurseries. Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motshulsky) were detected in only one nursery and captures coincided with attacks each year. There was a strong relationship between maximum daily temperatures 20 and 21degrees C and X. germanus attack and flight activity. No attack or flight activity were detected in a monitoring period unless there were 1 or 2 d of at least 20 degrees C. Emergence of X. germanus always began after and within 6 d of full bloom on Cornelian cherry dogwood, and usually after and within 4 d of first bloom on Norway maple and full bloom on border forsythia. The traps or phenological indicators can be used by growers to monitor emergence of X. germanus to time their initial protective sprays. The relationship between X. germanus activity and temperature can be used by growers to make decisions on timing subsequent treatments.

Ethanol injection of ornamental trees facilitates testing insecticide efficacy against ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae).

Exotic ambrosia beetles are damaging pests in ornamental tree nurseries in North America. The species Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motshulsky) and Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford) are especially problematic. Management of these pests relies on preventive treatments of insecticides. However, field tests of recommended materials on nursery trees have been limited because of unreliable attacks by ambrosia beetles on experimental trees. Ethanol-injection of trees was used to induce colonization by ambrosia beetles to evaluate insecticides and botanical formulations for preventing attacks by ambrosia beetles. Experiments were conducted in Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia. Experimental trees injected with ethanol had more attacks by ambrosia beetles than uninjected control trees in all but one experiment. Xylosandrus crassiusculus and X. germanus colonized trees injected with ethanol. In most experiments, attack rates declined 8 d after ethanol-injection. Ethanol-injection induced sufficient pressure from ambrosia beetles to evaluate the efficacy of insecticides for preventing attacks. Trunk sprays of permethrin suppressed cumulative total attacks by ambrosia beetles in most tests. Trunk sprays of the botanical formulations Armorex and Veggie Pharm suppressed cumulative total attacks in Ohio. Armorex, Armorex + Permethrin, and Veggie Pharm + Permethrin suppressed attacks in Tennessee. The bifenthrin product Onyx suppressed establishment of X. germanus in one Ohio experiment, and cumulative total ambrosia beetle attacks in Virginia. Substrate drenches and trunk sprays of neonicotinoids, or trunk sprays of anthranilic diamides or tolfenpyrad were not effective. Ethanol-injection is effective for inducing attacks and ensuring pressure by ambrosia beetles for testing insecticide efficacy on ornamental trees.

Acute toxicity of plant essential oils to scarab larvae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and their analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Larvae of scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are important contaminant and root-herbivore pests of ornamental crops. To develop alternatives to conventional insecticides, 24 plant-based essential oils were tested for their acute toxicity against third instars of the Japanese beetle Popillia japonica Newman, European chafer Rhizotrogus majalis (Razoumowsky), oriental beetle Anomala orientalis (Waterhouse), and northern masked chafer Cyclocephala borealis Arrow. Diluted solutions were topically applied to the thorax, which allowed for calculating LD50 and LD90 values associated with 1 d after treatment. A wide range in acute toxicity was observed across all four scarab species. Of the 24 oils tested, allyl isothiocyanate, cinnamon leaf, clove, garlic, and red thyme oils exhibited toxicity to all four species. Allyl isothiocyanate was the most toxic oil tested against the European chafer, and among the most toxic against the Japanese beetle, oriental beetle, and northern masked chafer. Red thyme was also comparatively toxic to the Japanese beetle, oriental beetle, European chafer, and northern masked chafer. Interspecific variability in susceptibility to the essential oils was documented, with 12, 11, 8, and 6 of the 24 essential oils being toxic to the oriental beetle, Japanese beetle, European chafer, and northern masked chafer, respectively. Analysis of the active oils by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed a diverse array of compounds, mostly consisting of mono- and sesquiterpenes. These results will aid in identifying active oils and their constituents for optimizing the development of plant essential oil mixtures for use against scarab larvae.

Preharvest quarantine treatments of chlorantraniliprole, clothianidin, and imidacloprid-based insecticides for control of Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and other scarab larvae in the root zone of field-grown nursery trees.

Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), is an important quarantine pest of nurseries. Nursery plant movement from P. japonica-infested regions is regulated by the U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (DJHP), which classifies states by risk categories. Treatments for category 2 states include preharvest soil surface treatment of nursery plants grown in field soil using Discus SC, Marathon (1G or 60 WP), or Flagship (0.22G or 25 WG). In this study, Discus, Marathon 60 WP, or Flagship 0.22G DJHP standards were compared with labeled rates of non-DJHP-approved insecticides, including neonicotinoids clothianidin (Arena 50WDG), generic imidacloprid (Quali-Pro Imidacloprid 2 F T&O Insecticide, Mallet 2 F T&O Insecticide, and Lada 2 F Insecticide), and imidacloprid + bifenthrin (Allectus SC), as well as the anthranilic diamide, chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn Insecticide). Arena provided 100% P. japonica control in May, June, and July over four test years, but had one larva recovered during August in two of those 4 yr. Acelepryn did not provide DJHP-acceptable P. japonica control. During July, Allectus provided 100% P. japonica control in three of four test years, but had four larvae in one test year. Other treatments tested only during July, which provided 100% P. japonica control, included Discus (five tests); Marathon, Quali-Pro, and Mallet (two tests); and Lada and Flagship (one test). Generic imidacloprid 2 F formulations were equivalent in P. japonica control to DJHP-approved insecticides. Insecticides generally performed poorly on other scarabs or curculionid larvae. The study supports Arena, Allectus, and generic imidacloprid 2 F products as suitable candidates for the DJHP.

Attraction of Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to Volatiles Emitted From the Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana.

Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin infects a wide variety of insects, including the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Volatiles emitted from B. bassiana can act as semiochemical attractants or repellents, with most responses reported to date resulting in insects avoiding B. bassiana. Since insects can detect 'enemy-specific volatile compounds', we hypothesized the preference behavior of M. persicae would be influenced by volatile emissions from B. bassiana. We conducted Petri dish and Y-tube olfactometer bioassays to characterize the preference of M. persicae to B. bassiana strain GHA. During Petri dish bioassays, more apterous and alate M. persicae were recorded in the vicinity of agar colonized by B. bassiana compared to agar, or Fusarium proliferatum (Matsushima) Nirenberg and Ambrosiella grosmanniae Mayers, McNew, & Harrington as representatives of nonentomopathogenic fungi. Petri dish bioassays also determined that apterous and alate M. persicae preferred filter paper saturated with 1 × 107, 1 × 106, and 1 × 105B. bassiana conidia/ml compared to Tween 80. Y-tube bioassays documented that more apterous and alate M. persicae oriented upwind to volatiles from B. bassiana mycelia compared to agar. Apterous and alate Myzus persicae were also preferentially attracted to 1 × 107 and 1 × 106B. bassiana conidia/ml compared to Tween-80 during Y-tube bioassays. These results complement a previous finding that the mosquito Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae) Liston is attracted to volatiles from B. bassiana. Future studies aimed at characterizing the olfactory mechanism leading to the attraction of M. persicae to B. bassiana could aid in optimizing lure-and-kill strategies.

Type and duration of water stress influence host selection and colonization by exotic ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Fungus-farming ambrosia beetles in the tribe Xyleborini tunnel into plants and trees to establish chambers for cultivating their nutritional fungal mutualists and rearing offspring. Some xyleborine ambrosia beetles preferentially infest and perform better in living but weakened trees. Flood stress predisposes horticultural tree crops to infestation, but the impact of drought stress has not been well studied. Our objectives were to compare the effects of flood stress vs. drought stress on host selection and colonization by xyleborine ambrosia beetles and to assess the duration of flooding. Container-grown Cornus florida L. trees were flood stressed using a pot-in-pot system to submerge the roots in water while drought-stressed conditions were imposed by withholding irrigation and precipitation. When experimental trees were held under field conditions for 14 days, 7.5 × more ambrosia beetles landed on stems of the flood-stressed than on the drought-stressed trees. During two additional experiments over 14 and 22 days, ambrosia beetles tunneled into the flood-stressed trees but not the drought-stressed or standard irrigation trees. By simultaneously deploying trees that were flood stressed for varying lengths of time, it was found that more tunnel entrances, and xyleborine adults and offspring were recovered from trees that were flooded for 1-16 days and 7-22 days than from trees that were flooded for 14-29 days and 28-43 days. These results indicate that acute and severe drought stress does not predispose C. florida to infestation, but flood stress and the duration of flooding influence ambrosia beetle host selection and colonization. Understanding the role of host quality on ambrosia beetle preference behavior will assist with predicting the risk of infestation of these opportunistic insects in horticultural tree crops.

Ecosystem focused therapy in poststroke depression: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: Poststroke depression (PSD) occurs in the context of abrupt, often catastrophic disability that finds the patient and his or her family unprepared. We developed the ecosystem focused therapy (EFT), a systematic intervention aimed to increase the PSD patient's and his or her ecosystem's abilities to address the "psychosocial storm" of PSD and utilize available treatments effectively and efficiently. This is a preliminary study of its efficacy. DESIGN: A total of 24 PSD patients were randomly assigned to receive weekly sessions of EFT or a comparison condition consisting of systematic Education on Stroke and Depression and their treatment for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Ecosystem Focused Therapy may be more efficacious than Education on Stroke and Depression in reducing depressive symptoms and signs, in leading to a higher remission rate, and in ameliorating disability in PSD. Reduction of disability in the early part of the trial mediated later improvement in depressive symptomatology. Similarly, reduction in depressive symptoms and signs early on mediated later improvement in disability. CONCLUSION: These encouraging findings require replication. Beyond its potential direct benefits in PSD, EFT may provide an appropriate context for efficient and timely administration of pharmacotherapy and of physical, speech, and occupational therapy thus maximizing their efficacy.