Temperature effects on the dynamics of Aedes albopictus (Diptera : Culicidae) populations in the laboratory

We investigated how constant temperatures of 22, 24, and 26 degreesC experienced across the full life cycle affected the dynamics of caged populations of Aedes albopictus (Skuse). All cages were equipped with plastic beakers that served as sites for oviposition and larval development. We measured the per capita daily mortality and emergence rates of the adults and size of adult females, and estimated the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and asymptotic density (K) for each adult population. populations at 26 degreesC had greater intrinsic rates of increase and lower asymptotic densities than populations at 22 and 24 degreesC. Populations at high temperatures initially had greater daily. per capita emergence rates, and steeper. declines in per capita emergence rate as density increased over tire course of the experiment, There was no temperature effect on the size of adult females nor on the per capita daily mortality rate of adults. Results indicated that populations of Ae. albopictus occurring in regions with relatively high summer temperatures are likely to have hiyh rates of population growth with populations of adults peaking early in the season. These populations mn)l attain relatively. low peak densities of adults. Populations occurring in regions with low summer temperatures are likely to experience slow, steady production of adults throughout the season with population size peaking later in the season, and may attain higher peal, densities of adults. Nigh temperature conditions, associated with climate change, may increase the rate of spread of Ae, albopictus by increasing rates of increase and by. enhancing colonization due to rapid population growth

Precipitation and temperature effects on populations of Aedes albopictus (Diptera : Culicidae): Implications for range expansion

We investigated how temperature and precipitation regime encountered over the life cycle of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) affects populations. Caged populations of A. albopictus were maintained at 22, 26, and 30 degreesC. Cages were equipped with containers that served as sites for oviposition and larval development. All cages were assigned to one of three simulated precipitation regimes: (1) low fluctuation regime - water within the containers was allowed to evaporate to 90% of its maximum before being refilled, (2) high fluctuation regime - water was allowed to evaporate to 25% of its maximum before being refilled, and (3) drying regime - water was allowed to evaporate to complete container dryness before being refilled. Greater temperature and the absence of drying resulted in greater production of adults. Greater temperature in combination with drying were detrimental to adult production. These precipitation effects on adult production were absent at 22 C. Greater temperatures and drying treatments yielded higher and lower eclosion rates, respectively and, both yielded greater mortality. Development time and size of adults decreased with increased temperatures, and drying produced larger adults. Greater temperatures resulted in greater egg mortality. These results suggest that populations occurring in warmer regions are likely to produce more adults as long as containers do not dry completely. Populations in cooler regions are likely to produce fewer adults with the variability of precipitation contributing less to variation in adult production. Predicted climate change in North America is likely to extend the northern distribution of A. albopictus and to limit further its establishment in arid regions

Chemotropic guidance facilitates axonal regeneration and synapse formation after spinal cord injury.

A principal objective of spinal cord injury (SCI) research is the restoration of axonal connectivity to denervated targets. We tested the hypothesis that chemotropic mechanisms would guide regenerating spinal cord axons to appropriate brainstem targets. We subjected rats to cervical level 1 (C1) lesions and combinatorial treatments to elicit axonal bridging into and beyond lesion sites. Lentiviral vectors expressing neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) were then injected into an appropriate brainstem target, the nucleus gracilis, and an inappropriate target, the reticular formation. NT-3 expression in the correct target led to reinnervation of the nucleus gracilis in a dose-related fashion, whereas NT-3 expression in the reticular formation led to mistargeting of regenerating axons. Axons regenerating into the nucleus gracilis formed axodendritic synapses containing rounded vesicles, reflective of pre-injury synaptic architecture. Thus, we report for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the reinnervation of brainstem targets after SCI and an essential role for chemotropic axon guidance in target selection

Invertebrate carcasses as a resource for competing Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti (Diptera : Culicidae)

However, little is known of the role of these carcasses in other containers, which also receive leaf fall and stemflow inputs. This experiment investigated effects of accumulated invertebrate carcasses as a resource for two competing mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Aedes aegypti (L.) whether either species differentially benefited from accumulated carcasses, and if such a benefit affected interspecific competition. First, we measured accumulation of invertebrate carcasses in standard containers at a field site. We then used a replacement series with five different species ratios at the same total density: and varied the input of invertebrate carcasses [dead Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen) ] in three levels: none, the average input from our field site, or the maximum input recorded at our field site. Survivorship, development time, and mass were measured for each mosquito species as correlates of population growth, and were used to calculate a population performance index, lambda\u27. There were strong positive effects of invertebrate carcass additions on all growth correlates and lambda\u27. Differences in performance between species were pronounced in small or no carcass additions and absent in large inputs of invertebrate carcasses, but there was little evidence that inputs of invertebrate carcasses altered the competitive advantage in this system. These results suggest that terrestrial invertebrate carcasses may be an important resource for many types of container communities, and large accumulations of dead invertebrates may: reduce resource competition between these mosquitoes. thus favoring coexistence. We propose that the total amount of resource, including accumulated invertebrate carcasses, may explain observed patterns of replacement involving these mosquitoes

Linking Nutrient Stoichiometry to Zika Virus Transmission in a Mosquito

Food quality and quantity serve as the basis for cycling of key chemical elements in trophic interactions; yet the role of nutrient stoichiometry in shaping host–pathogen interactions is under appreciated. Most of the emergent mosquito-borne viruses affecting human health are transmitted by mosquitoes that inhabit container systems during their immature stages, where allochthonous input of detritus serves as the basal nutrients. Quantity and type of detritus (animal and plant) were manipulated in microcosms containing newly hatched Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae. Adult mosquitoes derived from these microcosms were allowed to ingest Zika virus-infected blood and then tested for disseminated infection, transmission, and total nutrients (percent carbon, percent nitrogen, ratio of carbon to nitrogen). Treatments lacking high-quality animal (insect) detritus significantly delayed development. Survivorship to adulthood was closely associated with the amount of insect detritus present. Insect detritus was positively correlated with percent nitrogen, which affected Zika virus infection. Disseminated infection and transmission decreased with increasing insect detritus and percent nitrogen. We provide the first definitive evidence linking nutrient stoichiometry to arbovirus infection and transmission in a mosquito using a model system of invasive Ae. aegypti and emergent Zika virus

Entre Iguais e Diferentes: a Mediação Intercultural

Doutor Miguel Prata Gomes (Representante Institucional na RESMI), Participação nas I Jornadas da Rede de Ensino Superior em Mediação Intercultural em representação da Escola Superior de Educação de Paula Frassinetti. Lisboa: Alto Comissariado para as Migrações (ACM) e RESMI.Nota de Abertura Pedro Calado, Alto-comissário para as Migrações Os contextos de diversidade cultural significativa precisam, frequentemente, de mediação. Mediação enquanto processo que contribui para melhorar a comunicação intercultural, a relação e a integração de pessoas ou grupos presentes num território, visando sobretudo a coesão social, o desenvolvi-mento e a vivência plena da cidadania. A mediação surgiu, desde cedo, como uma metodologia estratégica do Alto Comissariado para as Migrações na implementação de políticas públicas em matéria de migrações, uma vez que facilita, simultaneamente, os processos de integração e o diálogo intercultural. Ao longo dos anos, têm sido implementa-das práticas de mediação nos Centros Nacionais e Locais de Apoio à Integração de Migrantes, em serviços públicos essenciais aos cidadãos (saúde, educação, segurança social) e, mais recentemente, na criação de Equipas Municipais de Mediação trabalhando com comunidades migrantes e ciganas. A centralidade das práticas de mediação intercultural requer que esta área seja aprofundada, enquanto universo concetual e metodológico, e que se estruturem ofertas formativas de qualidade que enquadrem novos profissio-nais de mediação nos mais variados contextos e campos de ação. É neste âmbito que se constitui a RESMI – Rede de Ensino Superior para a Mediação In-tercultural, rede dinamizada pelo Alto Comissariado para as Migrações com oobjetivo de congregar esforços e interesses no aprofundamento do conheci-mento e implementação de práticas de mediação intercultural, potenciando sinergias nas áreas da formação, da investigação e da consultoria a projetos no terreno. O presente documento colige as comunicações apresentadas nas I Jornadas RESMI “Entre Iguais e Diferentes: a Mediação Intercultural”, realizadas em Lisboa a 21 de maio de 2015, evento que formalizou a adesão de mais de 20 entidades do ensino superior à RESMI e o primeiro momento conjunto e público de partilha de abordagens em torno do conceito e práticas de mediação intercultural

Papers of the Second Palo Alto Conference

Introduction -- Conference Program -- Reconsideraciones sobre la guerra entre México y los Estados Unidos / Josefina Zoraida Vázquez -- La beligerencia mexicana durante la guerra con los Estados Unidos/ Jesús Velasco -Márquez -- James K. Polk and Presidential War Powers: An Unexplored Field of the Constitution / Kathleen O\u27Kray Peltier -- A Thread of Brittle Texture : Ann Chase and Manifest Destiny / Shannon L. Baker -- We Shall Beat Them Wherever We Meet Them : Civil War Officer Perceptions of Mexico; 1846-48 / Christopher S. Stowe -- Encountering the Other: American Soldiers in the Mexican - American War, 1846-48 / Frank F. Koscielski -- War Correspondents on the Rio Grande: The Press and America\u27s First Foreign War / Mitchel Roth -- Women and the Mexican War / Linda Vance -- The Immigrant Soldier in the Regular Army During the Mexican War / Dale R. Steinhauer -- The Regiment of Voltigeurs, U.S.A .: A Case Study of the Mexican - American War / Erik D. France -- Mr. Polk\u27s Generals / Richard Bruce Winders -- Cerro Gordo Shout : David E. Twiggs and the United States Mexican War / Jeanne T. Heidler & David S. Heidler -- Buena Vista : All Wool and a Mile Wide / Bob Burk -- The New Mexican Revolt of 1847 and its Effect on American Jurisprudence, 1850-1912 / Robert J. Torrez -- Ho! For Yucatan ! : Los voluntarios norteamericanos después de la guerra con México / Lorena Careaga Viliesid -- Josiah Turner, Juan Cortina, and Carlos Esparza: Veterans of the Mexican War Along the Lower Rio Grande / Carlos Larralde -- The Texas Devils: McNelly\u27s Rangers and the Palo Alto Fight of 1875 / Michael Collins -- Biology of the Palo Alto Battlefield Site: A Summary / Norman L. Richard & Alfred Richardson -- Palo Alto : A Symbol and Sacred Ground / Joseph O\u27Bell

Exploring the barriers and facilitators to use of point of care tests in family medicine clinics in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care tests (POCTs) are increasingly used in family medicine clinics in the United States. While the diagnostics industry predicts significant growth in the number and scope of POCTs deployed, little is known about clinic-level attitudes towards implementation of these tests. We aimed to explore attitudes of primary care providers, laboratory and clinic administrative/support staff to identify barriers and facilitators to use of POCTs in family medicine. METHODS: Seven focus groups and four semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 52 clinic staff from three family medicine clinics in two US states. Qualitative data from this exploratory study was analyzed using the constant comparison method. RESULTS: Five themes were identified which included the impact of POCTs on clinical decision-making; perceived inaccuracy of POCTs; impact of POCTs on staff and workflow; perceived patient experience and patient-provider relationship, and issues related to cost, regulation and quality control. Overall, there were mixed attitudes towards use of POCTs. Participants believed the added data provided by POCT may facilitate prompt clinical management, diagnostic certainty and patient-provider communication. Perceived barriers included inaccuracy of POCT, shortage of clinic staff to support more testing, and uncertainty about their cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: The potential benefits of using POCTs in family medicine clinics are countered by several barriers. Clinical utility of many POCTs will depend on the extent to which these barriers are addressed. Engagement between clinical researchers, industry, health insurers and the primary care community is important to ensure that POCTs align with clinic and patient needs