The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is an invasive pest affecting urban and rural communities, agricultural production and wildlife. Its complex biology and genetics is reflected in the existence of two different colony forms: monogyne and polygyne. We focus our studies on the polygyne form more abundant in Texas, characterized by the presence of multiple queens that co-operate for colony success. Our conceptual framework resides in the hypothesis that understanding gene networks linking nutrition and reproduction may reveal critical signaling pathways that could be disrupted to manage fire ants. In the pre-omics era we began by systematically cloning and characterizing the expression of genes and proteins important for reproduction and signaling and that we believe participate in the fire ant ‘genetic tool kit’. Our earlier studies focused on the vitellogenin receptor (VgR) and in the application of RNAi to reduce VgR gene expression as proof of principle that gene silencing in queens could lead to impaired egg production. Signaling systems related to reproduction and nutrition were also studied, such as the insulin receptors and the sNPF receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor. We have immunolocalized the sNPF receptor in the brain of queens and workers and found correlations in its neuronal gene expression in both castes with respect to the presence or absence of brood in the colony. We have generated and compared transcriptomes of mated and virgin queen brains and ovaries and identified a few differentially expressed genes. Most recently, with the release of the new fire ant genome in the Fall of 2018, we mined the genome to compile and curate the annotation of G protein-coupled receptors. The lecture will summarize key aspects of the biology of fire ants and morphological and functional differences among colony members. Experimental approaches utilized to begin to understand regulation of colony growth at the molecular level will be presented. It is our goal to unravel the endocrinological control of the fire ant colony with the hope of identifying novel targets to impair queen maturation, ovarian development, colony nutrition and brood production.

In this study, FDS fire simulation experiments and measured wind speed by applying the exterior installation portion for blocking the spread of the fire was investigated. As a result, aluminum composite panels installed in the lower and the upper part of the panel to remove all the lower side, and then the maximum wind speed 0.24 m/s and the upper side 0.58 m/s were measured. In the FDS, the measured wind speed difference air currents are approximately 3.7 times in 12 seconds, the occurrence of 17 seconds early moment wind 2.2 m/s was measured from. Before and after the fire occurred in early of the air velocity about 39 seconds was 3.5 times difference. Such air currents caused by the temperature of the building but also by the building height was found. Turbulent flame of fire by expanding the vertical extent of damage become greatly important factor. Therefore, through the exterior installation portion of the block that can delay the spread of fire is expected that this should be taken.

Considering heat insulation and beautiful sight of construction, making use of exterior panels is increasing. Recently the exterior panels now are weak very much, and so in consequence of the weakness fire spreads rapidly. Compared with internal fire, external vertical fire spread rate goes rapidly and it is extensive in spread range, therefore it is dangerous very much. Accordingly, under present condition of poor standard of exterior panels, it is required to take measure to meet the appropriate situation. In this study, by making use of FDS(Fire Dynamic Simulation) program about external vertical fire of high rise building, fire behavior is searched by computer. It is important that realizing by computer fire modeling about external vertical fire must be included certainly in procedure of fire performance design in the future. In modeling program, FDS version 5 is available, and aluminium composite panel is applied in external panels. In this study, for realizing of actual fire condition, FDS is applied by details of fire scenarios considering influence of wind.