Infection by spotted fever rickettsiae in people, dogs, horses and ticks in Londrina, Parana State, Brazil

Spotted fever is a disease caused by bacteria from the genus Rickettsia of the spotted fever group (SFG). Rickettsia rickettsii is likely the main agent of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF). With the objective of gathering information on the circulation of SFG rickettsiae in Londrina, Parana state, ticks from dogs and horses and also blood from dogs, horses and humans were collected in a neighbourhood of the city which presented potential for circulation of rickettsiae between hosts and vectors. Amblyomma cajennense, Dermacentor nitens, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction targeting a fragment of the Rickettsia gltA gene. This specific gene encodes the enzyme citrate synthase of Rickettsia spp., and results on all ticks were negative. Human and animal sera were tested by Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay in which R. rickettsii and R. parkeri were used as antigens. Sera from 4.7% human, 2.7% canine and 38.5% equine were positive for R. rickettsii. For R. parkeri, 0.9% human, 2.7% canine and 11.5% equine samples were positive. All samples reactive to R. parkeri also reacted to R. rickettsii. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied, but there were no statistically significant results. Comparison of our serological results with previous studies in Brazil, among BSF endemic and non-endemic areas, indicates that there is no established rickettsial infection in the study area, a statement corroborated with our molecular analysis. Nonetheless, as humans of the present study are highly exposed to tick infestations, health education within the population is needed to obtain efficient tick control.     

Efficacy of a diet containing caseinate hydrolysate on signs of stress in dogs

The purpose of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a diet containing caseinate hydrolysate (CH) on signs of stress in 2 groups of dogs (defined as Anxious and Nonanxious), using physiological (serum cortisol and lysozyme, N:L ratios and heart rate) and behavioral parameters.From an initial group of 40 female Beagle dogs, ranging in age from 10 months to 4 years (mean = 1.47 years; SD = 0.53) belonging to a dog colony, 32 were selected for this study according to their level of anxiety. A group of 16 Anxious dogs and a group of 16 Nonanxious dogs were identified.A baseline period, aimed to obtain reference values of investigated parameters, preceded the experimental phase. Both groups (Anxious and Nonanxious) were divided into a treatment group, which received the diet containing CH, and a control group which received a placebo diet (PD). Anxious CH and PD groups were balanced for anxiety level. Each dog was evaluated 3 times a day at 4 weeks intervals (T1-T2-T3). Each evaluation lasted 2 days and involved a Reactivity Evaluation Form, a blood sampling, heart rate recording, and a 10-minute behavioral video recording. Results from Reactivity Evaluation Form scores showed that although at T1 Anxious dogs had significantly higher scores (Mann–Whitney test, P < 0.001) compared with Nonanxious dogs, no difference was found between Anxious dogs fed with CH diet and Nonanxious fed with PD or CH diet at T3. Behavioral observations evidenced some signs of improvement in Anxious dog fed with CH diet. Cortisol level significantly decreased in Anxious dogs fed with CH diet (Friedman test, P < 0.05). Individual differences in physiological measures of stress responses may have contributed to the large variability, making interpretation of these measures difficult. These results suggest that CH may be used as a functional ingredient alleviating stress in dogs.     

Validation of a sequential sampling plan for wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) at sugarcane planting

Wireworms in Florida are primarily a pest in newly planted sugarcane, and growers usually apply a soil insecticide at planting to protect germinating seedpieces from wireworm damage. However, studies have suggested that this application in many cases may not be necessary. The objective of this research was to test a sequential sampling method to determine the need for soil insecticide at sugarcane planting. Testing was conducted on fields located on King Ranch near South Bay, Florida. Wireworm samples were taken in a transect across the length of each field. We used an economic injury level of nine or more wireworms per 25 samples. Sugarcane yield parameters for each whole field were obtained through standard commercial harvesting procedures. Using our sampling method, 38 fields were judged as not needing insecticide application. There was no significant difference in yield in these fields with versus those without insecticide application.     

Images of asteroid 21 Lutetia: a remnant planetesimal from the early Solar System

Images obtained by the Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System (OSIRIS) cameras onboard the Rosetta spacecraft reveal that asteroid 21 Lutetia has a complex geology and one of the highest asteroid densities measured so far, 3.4 ± 0.3 grams per cubic centimeter. The north pole region is covered by a thick layer of regolith, which is seen to flow in major landslides associated with albedo variation. Its geologically complex surface, ancient surface age, and high density suggest that Lutetia is most likely a primordial planetesimal. This contrasts with smaller asteroids visited by previous spacecraft, which are probably shattered bodies, fragments of larger parents, or reaccumulated rubble piles.     

Frequency of consumption,familiarity and preferences for chestnuts in Missouri

A study of frequency of consumption and familiarity with preparing chestnuts was conducted in the state of Missouri from 2003 to 2008. A conjoint analysis of chestnut attributes was completed in 2008 to expand on previous consumer preference research. Information from final consumers was collected during the annual Missouri Chestnut Roast festival at the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center in New Franklin, Missouri. The study tracks changes in frequency of consumption and consumer familiarity with preparing chestnuts. The conjoint analysis evaluated pair-wise profiles to quantify the effects of origin, production process and price on consumer preferences. Results show improvements in the frequency of consumption and familiarity with cooking chestnuts in Missouri. Findings suggest the festival has influenced consumption patterns among return visitors. The conjoint analysis identified locality of produce and organic certification to be major drivers behind consumer preferences. Price is also an important attribute influencing consumer preferences. Conjoint analysis results indicate that chestnuts grown in Missouri or the U.S. carrying an organic label can capture price premiums.     

Oocyte recruitment and fecundity type in fishes: Refining terms to reflect underlying processes and drivers

Only with new technology and the ability to simulate systems are we beginning to understand fish reproductive processes at the individual scale over time. Traditionally, oocyte recruitment and fecundity type in fishes have been based on a “snapshot” approach, that is a histological micrograph and/or oocyte size frequency distribution of a spawning capable female has been assumed to indicate oocyte recruitment processes over time. This has important implications as the asynchronous and group‐synchronous oocyte recruitment patterns are associated with indeterminate and determinate fecundity types, respectively, and thus affect estimates of reproductive potential and spawning biomass (if using egg production methods). However, a historic review of these terms revealed that they are not applied consistently, with the same oocyte recruitment pattern often assigned to both of these by different scientists. The intent of this study is to develop a conceptual model of oocyte recruitment processes over time, key drivers, and resulting “snapshots” to refine oocyte recruitment terms, definitions, and the methods needed to identify them.     

Forecasting of jack mackerel landings (Trachurus murphyi) in central‐southern Chile through neural networks

In the present study, the performance of neuronal networks models in monthly landing forecasting of jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) in central‐southern Chile (32°S–42°S) was assessed. Thus, monthly estimations for 10 environmental variables, fishing effort (fe) and jack mackerel landings for the period 1973–2008 were used. A preliminary analysis was done in order to remove strongly correlated variables. Sea surface temperature (SST) and fe are established as input variables, then, a non‐linear cross correlation analysis was performed to estimate the lag between the input variables and jack mackerel landings. Two models were adjusted: model one includes both training and testing cases randomly selected using all data involved in the analysed period; for model 2, the data is divided into two time series: the first from 1973 to 2002 used for training and the second between 2003 and 2008 used for validation. The external validation process for model 1 showed an explained variance of 92%, with a standard forecasting error of 30%. The explained variance for model 2 was 81%, with a standard forecasting error of 38%. Finally, the sensitivity analysis for both models showed the fe as the most influential variable to jack mackerel landings, which presents functionality depending on anthropogenic effects rather than environmental conditions.     

Acute toxicity of ammonia in Pacu fish (Piaractus mesopotamicus,Holmberg, 1887) at different temperatures levels

Piaractus mesopotamicus juveniles (total length 12 ± 0.5 mm) were exposed to different concentrations of ammonia‐N (un‐ionized plus ionized ammonia as nitrogen), using the static renewal method at different temperature levels (15, 20 and 25°C) at pH 7. The 24, 48, 72, 96 h LC₅₀ values of ammonia‐N in P. mesopotamicus juveniles were 5.32, 4.19, 3.79 and 2.85 mg L^?1 at 15°C; 4.81, 3.97, 3.25 and 2.50 mg L^?1 at 20°C; and 4.16, 3.79, 2.58 and 1.97 mg L^?1 at 25°C respectively. The 24, 48, 72, 96 h LC₅₀ values of NH₃‐N (un‐ionized ammonia as nitrogen) were 0.018, 0.014, 0.013, 0.009 mg L^?1 at 15°C temperature; 0.023, 0.019, 0.016 and 0.012 mg L^?1 at 20°C; 0.029, 0.026, 0.018 and 0.014 mg L^?1 at 25°C. The temperature increase from 15 to 25°C caused an increase of ammonia‐N susceptibility by 21.80%, 9.55%, 31.92% and 30.87%, after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h exposure respectively. Furthermore, we found that exposure of fish to ammonia‐N caused an elevation in total haemoglobin and blood glucose with an increase of 2 mg L^?1 concentration. Ammonia levels tolerated, especially in different temperatures levels, have important implications for the management of aquaculture.     

Lambari fish Deuterodon iguape as an alternative to live bait for estuarine recreational fishing

Fishing tourism is growing steadily in Brazil. Artisanal fishers meeting the demand for recreational fishing are capturing live juvenile shrimp in the estuaries and selling them for live bait, preventing the recruitment of a larger contingent into the ocean. This study compares the efficiency of using lambari, Deuterodon iguape Eigenmann, as live bait with the shrimp, Penaeus schmitti Burkenroad, while fishing for common snook (Centropomus spp.), as well as to evaluate the swimming behaviour of D. iguape in different salinities. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the live baits used (P. schmitti vs D. iguape). The month, the period of the day and salinity presented differences. The size of the species did not depend on the type of bait used. There was no statistical difference in swimming behaviour, but there was a trend of increased speed and displacement in the group exposed to a salinity of 10 g/L. In conclusion, D. iguape appears as effective as P. schmitti and can be successfully used as live bait; and from an ecological point of view, it reduces the impact of fishing on juvenile shrimp.