Monitoring Dermacentor reticulatus Host-Seeking Activity in Natural Conditions

Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites of humans and animals. These arthropods employ different strategies in their host-seeking activity; most often, it is the “nest”- and “pasture-questing” behaviour. Some species, e.g., Dermacentor reticulatus, exhibit both types of activity depending on their developmental stage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the host-seeking activity of adult D. reticulatus ticks in the eastern part of Poland. To this end, ticks were collected with the flagging method during their seasonal activity in three different types of habitat. Active specimens were marked with a permanent marker and then released. This was repeated consistently at 7-day intervals using a different colour of the marker each time, which allowed tracking the questing activity of the specimens. Most frequently, repetitive tick activity (repeated up to seven times) was noted in a locality surrounded by urban developments. In an agriculturally unused open meadow habitat, 69.9% of D. reticulatus ticks were found to undertake questing activity only once. D. reticulatus females proved to be more aggressive and determined to find a host than the males of this species. Adult D. reticulatus ticks are able to stay in the habitat for a long time and undertake multiple host-seeking activities. The greatest threat of attacks on animals, including domestic animals, and sporadically humans, by these ticks occurs in meadow habitats, which are preferred by this species.

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Social approach based on infractions, penalties and fines for animal abuse in Latin America

Centro Sur ◽

10.37955/cs.v5i4.208 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Sebastián Andrés Ortega Peñafiel ◽

María Diana Maldonado Cabrera ◽

Leiner Geanella Bejarano Paz ◽

Victoria Elizabeth Freire Goyes

Keyword(s):

Latin America ◽

Legal Protection ◽

Domestic Animals ◽

Animal Abuse ◽

Social Approach ◽

Legal Norms ◽

Different Types ◽

Long Time ◽

The Subject

Our society suffers different types of violence, among which we find the mistreatment of domestic animals, facts that by their nature have remained a long time in impunity for various aspects such as: considering animals as things lacking legal protection, enforcement of pecuniary penalties and light custodial penalties for the perpetrators of the various behaviors that range from abandonment to the death of the animal. The methodology to be used is the bibliographic review in recent and documentary publications with the different legal norms of each country referring to the subject. The method used is descriptive - argumentative, the collection of information starts with the use of databases, Radalyc, Proquest and Scopus. Results obtained are shown in the table of the analysis of infractions, sanctions and penalties in Latin America for animal abuse. With the conclusions it can be shown that, in Latin America animal abuse is one of the greatest problems facing our society, animals must be protected as subjects of rights, respecting their condition of vulnerability. Discussion, to prevent and eradicate animal abuse, not only sanctioning norms are enough, education from home, educational centers and society is important.

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Gonoactivity of Culex (Culex) (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes During Winter in Temperate Argentina

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjaa295 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

María Florencia Branda ◽

Magdalena Laurito ◽

Andrés Mario Visintin ◽

Walter Ricardo Almirón

Keyword(s):

Developmental Stage ◽

Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽

Culex Pipiens ◽

Life Cycles ◽

Morphological Identification ◽

Dry Ice ◽

Culex Pipiens Pipiens ◽

Host Seeking ◽

Baited Traps ◽

The City

Abstract The subgenus Culex L. includes species involved in summer–autumn arbovirus transmission but studies during winter are scarce in temperate Argentina. Female specimens were collected host-seeking at dry-ice-baited traps during autumn–winter–spring at two sites in Córdoba City during 2016 and 2017. The specimens were morphologically identified and dissected to determine the follicular developmental stage (gonotrophic activity). Females with advanced follicular stages (≥III) were subjected to molecular procedures to confirm or re-identify previous morphological identification. Five species (Culex apicinus Philippi (Diptera: Culicidae), Culex dolosus (Lynch-Arribálzaga) (Diptera: Culicidae), Culex maxi Dyar (Diptera: Culicidae), Culex pipiens pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae), and Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae)) were collected and found gonoactive during winter; showing that a high proportion of Culex (Culex) females remain reproductively active during the unfavorable season for mosquito populations. Among them, it is worth noting the collection of Cx. quinquefasciatus, vector of the St. Louis encephalitis virus (endemic in the city), a specimen of Cx. p. pipiens, and a hybrid of Cx. p. pipiens/Cx. quinquefasciatus (during autumn). The study of this community during winter should continue because a high gonoactive female proportion with advanced follicular stages was found: 29.12 and 13.07% in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Local studies such as this one provide evidence about ornithophilic Culex species with active year-round life cycles, species that could favor arbovirus overwintering.

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Occurrence and Abundance of Dermacentor reticulatus in the Habitats of the Ecological Corridor of the Wieprz River, Eastern Poland

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12020096 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 96

Author(s):

Zbigniew Zając ◽

Aleksandra Sędzikowska ◽

Weronika Maślanko ◽

Aneta Woźniak ◽

Joanna Kulisz

Keyword(s):

Relative Abundance ◽

Tick Species ◽

Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽

Natural Vegetation ◽

High Abundance ◽

Migration Routes ◽

Ecological Corridors ◽

Tick Activity ◽

Ecological Corridor

Ecological corridors are zones of natural vegetation, which connect with other vegetation strips to create migration routes for animals and plants. The aim of our study was to investigate the occurrence and relative abundance of Dermacentor reticulatus in various habitats of the ecological corridor of the Wieprz River in eastern Poland. Ticks were collected using the flagging method in seven sites within the ecological corridor of the Wieprz River, i.e., one of the longest uninterrupted vegetation strips in eastern Poland. The presence of D. reticulatus adults was confirmed in each of the examined sites. The autumn peak of tick activity dominated in most plots. During this period, on average up to 309.7 individuals were collected within 30-min. The results of our study show that, due to the high abundance of local D. reticulatus populations, the habitats located in the ecological corridor of the Wieprz River can be regarded as preferred habitats of this tick species.

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Synthetic Pyrethroid, Natural Product, and Entomopathogenic Fungal Acaricide Product Formulations for Sustained Early Season Suppression of Host-Seeking Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) and Amblyomma americanum Nymphs

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjaa248 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Terry L Schulze ◽

Robert A Jordan

Keyword(s):

Natural Product ◽

Ixodes Scapularis ◽

Tick Control ◽

Amblyomma Americanum ◽

Synthetic Pyrethroid ◽

Activity Period ◽

Synthetic Pyrethroids ◽

Seasonal Activity ◽

Early Season ◽

Host Seeking

Abstract We compared the ability of product formulations representing a synthetic pyrethroid acaricide (Talstar P Professional Insecticide), a natural product-based acaricide (Essentria IC3), and an entomopathogenic fungal acaricide (Met52 EC Bioinsecticide) to suppress Ixodes scapularis Say and Amblyomma americanum (L.) nymphs when applied following USEPA approved manufacturers’ label recommendations for tick control using hand-pumped knapsack sprayers before the beginning of their seasonal activity period in the spring. We applied Met52 EC Bioinsecticide (11% Metarhizium anisopliae Strain F52) to five 100 m2 plots (10.6 ml AI/plot) in mid-April 2020. Two weeks later at the end of April 2020, we treated an additional five 100 m2 plots each with either Talstar P Professional Insecticide (7.9% bifenthrin @ 2.5 ml AI/plot) or Essentria IC3 (10% rosemary oil, 5% geraniol, and 2% peppermint oil @ 86.6 ml AI/plot). Weekly sampling of all plots through the end of June 2020 showed that both Met52 EC Bioinsecticide and Essentria IC3 failed to maintain a 90% suppression threshold for I. scapularis, compared to control plots, and required two additional applications over the course of the trial. In contrast, Talstar P Professional Insecticide suppressed 100% of I. scapularis nymphs and ≥96 and 100% of A. americanum nymphs and adults, respectively. Such pre-season applications of synthetic pyrethroids significantly reduce the early season acarological risk for exposure to host-seeking ticks as well as the frequency of acaricide applications.

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Phosphate and Ammonium Removal from Wastewaters Using Natural-Based Innovative Bentonites Impacting on Resource Recovery and Circular Economy

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26216684 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (21) ◽

pp. 6684

Author(s):

Miltiadis Zamparas ◽

Grigorios L. Kyriakopoulos ◽

Marios Drosos ◽

Vasilis C. Kapsalis

Keyword(s):

Circular Economy ◽

Low Cost ◽

Resource Recovery ◽

Sem Analysis ◽

Langmuir Model ◽

Treated Wastewater ◽

Ammonium Removal ◽

Different Types ◽

Long Time ◽

Ph Range

The research objective of the study is the estimation of a novel low-cost composite material f-MB (Fe-modified bentonite) as a P and N adsorbent from wastewaters. Τhe present study aimed at examining the phosphate and ammonium removal efficiency from different types of wastewater using f-MB, by conducting bench-scale batch experiments to investigate its equilibrium characteristics and kinetics. The SEM analysis revealed that the platelets of bentonite in f-MB do not form normal bentonite sheets, but they have been restructured in a more compact formation with a great porosity. Regarding the sorption efficiencies (Qm), the maximum phosphate sorption efficiencies (Qm) calculated using the Langmuir model were 24.54, 25.09, 26.13, 24.28, and 23.21 mg/g, respectively, for a pH range of 5 to 9. In addition, the maximum NH4+-N adsorption capacities (Qm) calculated from the Langmuir model were 131.8, 145.7, 168.5, 156.7, and 159.6 mg/g, respectively, for a pH range from 5 to 9. Another important finding of this study is that f-MB can recover P from treated wastewater impacting on resource recovery and circular economy (CE). The modified clay f-MB performed the phosphate and ammonium recovery rates of 80% and 78.5%, respectively. Finally, f-MB can slowly release the largest proportion of phosphate and ammonium ions for a long time, thus extending the application of the f-MB material as a slow-release fertilizer and soil improver.

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Seasonal activity of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in the era of progressive climate change in eastern Poland

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-99929-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zbigniew Zając ◽

Joanna Kulisz ◽

Aneta Woźniak ◽

Katarzyna Bartosik ◽

Adil Khan

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Local Population ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽

Seasonal Activity ◽

Saturation Deficit ◽

Annual Basis ◽

Questing Ticks ◽

The Mean

AbstractDermacentor reticulatus ticks are one of the most important vectors and reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens in Europe. Changes in the abundance and range of this species have been observed in the last decade and these ticks are collected in areas previously considered tick-free. This may be influenced by progressive climate change. Eastern Poland is an area where the local population of D. reticulatus is one of the most numerous among those described so far. At the same time, the region is characterized by a significant increase in the mean air temperature in recent years (by 1.81 °C in 2020) and a decrease in the average number of days with snow cover (by 64 days in 2020) and in the number of days with frost (by 20 days in 2020) on an annual basis compared to the long-term average. The aim of our research was to investigate the rhythms of seasonal activity and the population size of D. reticulatus in the era of progressive climate change. To this end, questing ticks were collected in 2017–2020. Next, the weather conditions in the years of observation were analyzed and compared with multi-year data covering 30 years preceding the study. The research results show that, in eastern Poland, there is a stable population of D. reticulatus with the peak of activity in spring or autumn (up to a maximum of 359 individuals within 30 min of collection) depending on the year of observation. Ticks of this species may also be active in winter months. The activity of D. reticulatus is influenced by a saturation deficit.

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Evaluations of All-in-One, Polycarboxylate-Based Superplasticizer with Viscosity Modifying Agents for the Application of Normal-Strength, High-Fluidity Concrete

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app112311141 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (23) ◽

pp. 11141

Author(s):

Tae-Woong Kong ◽

Hyun-Min Yang ◽

Han-Seung Lee ◽

Chang-Bok Yoon

Keyword(s):

Compressive Strength ◽

Rheological Properties ◽

Yield Stress ◽

Lower Yield ◽

Lower Yield Stress ◽

Slump Flow ◽

Different Types ◽

Long Time ◽

Normal Strength ◽

Physical Phenomena

High fluidity concrete exhibits an excellent self-compacting property. However, the application of typical high-fluidity concrete is limited in the normal strength range (18~35 MPa) due to the large amount of binder. Therefore, it is important to solve these problems by adding a viscosity modifying agent (VMA) with a superplasticizer (PCE), which helps to improve the fluidity of the concrete. In addition, the rheology and stability of the concrete with VMA can be improved by preventing bleeding and segregation issues. Current studies focused on the physical phenomena of concrete such as the fluidity, rheological properties, and compressive strength of normal-strength, high-fluidity concrete (NSHFC) with different types of a polycarboxylate-based superplasticizer (NPCE). The obtained results suggested that the combinations of all-in-one polycarboxylate-based superplasticizers (NPCE) did not cause any cohesion or sedimentation even stored for a long time. The combination of three types of VMA showed the best fluidity (initial slump flow of 595~630 mm) without any segregation and bleeding, and the compressive strength at 28 days was also found to be the highest: 34–37 MPa. From these results, the combination of PCE (2.0%) + HPMC (0.3%) + WG (0.1%) + ST (0.1%) showed an 18% higher plastic viscosity and -4.4% lower yield stress than Plain.

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Factors Influencing the Stillbirth Rates in Single and Multiple Births in Sweden, 1869 to 1967

Twin Research and Human Genetics ◽

10.1375/twin.9.4.591 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 591-596 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Aldur W. Eriksson ◽

Johan Fellman

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Temporal Variations ◽

Multiple Births ◽

Stillbirth Rate ◽

Rural Regions ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Different Types ◽

Long Time ◽

Married Mothers ◽

The Difference

AbstractTemporal variations in the stillbirth rate among singletons, twins and triplets in Sweden between 1869 and 1967 were studied. Both among single and multiple births there were marked secular decreasing trends in the stillbirth rates. Based on our long time series since 1869, this study confirms that among twins and triplets the stillbirth rate was higher among same-sexed than among opposite-sexed sets. Comparisons between the stillbirth rates among twin births in urban and rural regions indicate higher stillbirth rates in rural areas. In addition, the stillbirth rates among twins of unmarried mothers were higher than those of twins of married mothers. These findings also hold for both same-sexed and opposite-sexed twin pairs. Analyses of the stillbirth rates for singletons and for different types of twins indicate that up to 1950 the risk of stillbirth among males was almost constantly between 15% to 20% higher than among females. After that the difference in the risk decreased. Comparisons with other populations were performed.

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Design and interpretation of cell trajectory assays

Journal of The Royal Society Interface ◽

10.1098/rsif.2013.0630 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (88) ◽

pp. 20130630 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Lucie G. Bowden ◽

Matthew J. Simpson ◽

Ruth E. Baker

Keyword(s):

Cell Biology ◽

Time Interval ◽

Short Time Interval ◽

Trajectory Data ◽

Time Intervals ◽

Different Types ◽

Long Time ◽

A Cell ◽

Cell Trajectory ◽

Short Time

Cell trajectory data are often reported in the experimental cell biology literature to distinguish between different types of cell migration. Unfortunately, there is no accepted protocol for designing or interpreting such experiments and this makes it difficult to quantitatively compare different published datasets and to understand how changes in experimental design influence our ability to interpret different experiments. Here, we use an individual-based mathematical model to simulate the key features of a cell trajectory experiment. This shows that our ability to correctly interpret trajectory data is extremely sensitive to the geometry and timing of the experiment, the degree of motility bias and the number of experimental replicates. We show that cell trajectory experiments produce data that are most reliable when the experiment is performed in a quasi-one-dimensional geometry with a large number of identically prepared experiments conducted over a relatively short time-interval rather than a few trajectories recorded over particularly long time-intervals.

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Palatal Morphology and Type of Clefting

The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal ◽

10.1597/1545-1569_1996_033_0477_pmatoc_2.3.co_2 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 33 (6) ◽

pp. 477-482 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Pauli V.J. Kilpeläinen ◽

Maija T. Laine-Alava ◽

Seppo Lammi

Keyword(s):

Cleft Palate ◽

Developmental Stage ◽

Multiple Regression ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Missing Teeth ◽

Secondary Palate ◽

Different Types ◽

Primary Palate

In this study, the variation in palatal dimensions, particularly for height, width, and depth, were evaluated in subjects with different types of cleft palate using the moiré technique. The sample consisted of 95 subjects with cleft palate and 68 noncleft individuals. Effects of cleft type, gender, developmental stage of the dentition, missing teeth, and 11 skeletal and pharyngeal cephalometric variables on palatal dimensions were assessed using multiple-regression analyses. The typing of clefts had an effect on the all palatal dimensions. The palate was shallower in subjects with clefts involving the secondary palate than in other types of clefts or in none left individuals. The palatal width was decreased in subjects with cleft in the primary palate, and the palatal depth was affected by all cleft types except submucous cleft. Gender, developmental stage of the dentition, missing teeth, and some of the cephalometric variables also had a certain effect on the palatal dimensions.

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