Chlamydia psittaci infection in canaries heavily infested by Dermanyssus gallinae

Dermanyssus gallinae is a haematophagous ectoparasite responsible for anemia, weight loss, dermatitis and a decrease in egg production. Dermanyssus gallinae may play a role in the modulation of the host immune system, maybe predisposing the host to some bacterial infections such as chlamydiosis. This is an important zoonosis. Humans are exposed to Chlamydia psittaci through inhalation of the agent dispersed from the infected birds. In this study, a syndrome observed in an aviary of canaries was investigated. A heavy infestation by D. gallinae was reported. Simultaneously, a C. psittaci infection was molecularly confirmed in the canaries. Combined therapy was applied successfully. The association of C. psittaci with the examined mites has been confirmed. Therefore, we think that D. gallinae have played a role in the spreading of C. psittaci infection among the canaries. Moreover, D. gallinae could have played an important role predisposing the canaries to the development of chlamydiosis, by inducing anemia and debilitation. The control of mites in the aviaries may represent a crucial step for the prevention of important infection such as chlamydiosis in birds and humans

A 32 mV/69 mV input voltage booster based on a piezoelectric transformer for energy harvesting applications

This paper presents a novel method for battery-less circuit start-up from ultra-low voltage energy harvesting sources. The approach proposes for the first time the use of a Piezoelectric Transformer (PT) as the key component of a step-up oscillator. The proposed oscillator circuit is first modelled from a theoretical point of view and then validated experimentally with a commercial PT. The minimum achieved start-up voltage is about 69 mV, with no need for any external magnetic component. Hence, the presented system is compatible with the typical output voltages of thermoelectric generators (TEGs). Oscillation is achieved through a positive feedback coupling the PT with an inverter stage made up of JFETs. All the used components are in perspective compatible with microelectronic and MEMS technologies. In addition, in case the use of a ∼40 μH inductor is acceptable, the minimum start-up voltage becomes as low as about 32 mV

Microelectronic Design with Integrated Magnetic and Piezoelectric Structures

This thesis investigates the possibility of integrating the standard CMOS design process with additional microstructures enhancing circuit functionalities. More specifically, the thesis faces the problem of miniaturization of magnetic and piezoelectric devices mostly focused on the application field of EH (Energy Harvesting) systems and ultra-low power and ultra-low voltage systems. It shows all the most critical aspects which have to be taken into account during the design process of miniaturized inductors for PwrSoC (Power System on Chip) or transformers. Furthermore it shows that it is possible to optimize the inductance value and also performances by means of a proper choice of the size of the planar core or choosing a different layout shape such as a serpentine shape in place of the classic toroidal one. A new formula for the correct evaluation of the MPL (Magnetic Path Length) was also introduced. Concerning the piezoelectric counterpart, it is focused on the design and simulation of various MEMS PTs based on a SOI (Silicon on Insulator) structure with AlN (Alluminum Nitride) as active piezoelectric element, in perspective of having a SoC with embedded MEMS devices and circuitry. Furthermore it demonstrates for the first time the use of a PT (Piezoelectric Transformer) for ultra-low voltage EH applications. A new boost oscillator based on a discrete PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate) PT instead of a MT (Magnetic Transformer) has been modelled and tested on a circuit made up by discrete devices, showing performances comparable to commercial solutions like the LTC3108 from Linear. Furthermore this novel boost oscillator has been designed in a 0.35μm technology by ST Microelectronics, showing better performances as intuitively expected by the developed mathematical model of the entire system

Coronavirus–associated enteritis in a quail farm

An enteric syndrome observed in semi-intensively reared quails is described. The affected birds showed depression, severe diarrhoea and dehydration. The mortality occurred particularly in young birds. At necropsy, the prominent lesion was catarrhal enteritis. Laboratory investigations demonstrated the presence of coronavirus in the gut of dead animals. No additional pathogens were detected. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence for the presence of CoVs in quail with enteritis

Phospholipase activity of yeasts from wild birds and possible implications for human disease

Over the last decades, reports on yeast infections in humans have increased especially with respect to immunocompromised individuals. Phospholipases are enzymes which may be associated with pathogenic processes caused by opportunistic yeasts. Phospholipase activity (ph.a.) was investigated in 163 isolates of 13 species of yeasts. A total of 133 isolates were obtained through the screening of a total of 768 cloacae of wild birds (Group I: 182 birds of prey; Group II: 165 passeriformes and Group III: 421 other wild migratory birds), while 30 isolates were recovered from the droppings of birds housed in 32 distinct aviaries (Group IV). Phospholipase production was evaluated and quantified at 2 and 5 day pre-incubation (Pr.t) and incubation times (I.t). Isolates from cloacae (48.1%) and excreta (73.3%) produced ph.a. with the highest values registered after 5 days of I.t. Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. lusitaniae, C. pelliculosa, Cryptococcus albidus, C. laurentii, Trichosporon beigelii, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae displayed the highest ph.a. after 2 days of Pr.t while Candida famata, C. guilliermondii and Cryptococcus neoformans after 5 days of Pr.t. Ph.a. was never found in Rhodotorula rubra isolates recovered from the cloacae of wild birds. Isolates (73.3%) from bird droppings showed a higher ph.a. than those from cloacae thus indicating that wild birds not only act as carriers but may also spread phospholipase-producing yeasts in the environment

Design of low-voltage integrated step-up oscillators with microtransformers for energy harvesting applications

This paper describes the modeling of startup circuits in battery-less micropower energy harvesting systems and investigates the use of bond wire micromagnetics. The analysis focuses on step-up Meissner oscillators based on magnetic core transformers operating with input voltages down to ≈100 mV, e.g. from thermoelectric generators. As a key point, this paper examines the effect of core losses and leakage inductances on the startup requirements obtained with the classical Barkhausen criterion, and demonstrates the minimum transconductance for oscillations to occur. For validation purposes, a step-up oscillator IC is fabricated in a STMicroelectronics 0.32 μm technology, and connected to two bond-wire microtransformers, respectively, with a 1:38 MnZn ferrite core and with a 1:52 ferromagnetic low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) core. Coherently with the proposed model, experimental measurements show a minimum startup voltage of 228 mV for the MnZn ferrite core and of 104 mV for the LTCC core

Virulence - associated genes in Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli of turkey

50 Escherichia coli (APEC-Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli) strains and 15 E. coli (AFEC-Avian Faecal Escherichia coli) from turkeys affected by colibacillosis and from healthy turkeys were tested for the presence of eight different virulence-associated genes. Besides, APEC were serotyped. O78 has been the most detected serotyped. The presence of the tested virulence genes was prevalently related to the APEC isolates. With reference to serogroup, all the tested O78 resulted iss and irp2 positive. Besides, tsh e cva/cvi were respectively present in 88.9 and 83.3% of O78. Nevertheless, the finding of a not typeable strains equipped with all the eight tested virulence genes among the APEC isolates suggest the importance of a careful and complete characterisation of the isolate to evaluate the real potential pathogenic attitude of the bacterium

Typing of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli isolated from laying hens during the production cycle

C. jejuni and C. coli isolated on three layer farms during the production cycle were typed by PCR-RFLP flagellin gene profiling. Three typical restriction patterns were detected for C. coli (H, O, R), 5 for C. jejuni (I, P, Q, T, S) and 8 were common for both. The D profile was present in all three flocks. C fla-type was detected on farms A and B. The results of the study suggest that some genotypes tend to prevail and persist more than others on farms and in certain geographic areas

The impact of the transition from sailing to steam navigation on the Argentine coast at the end of the 19th century

En este artículo se analiza el impacto de la transición de las embarcaciones de vela a las de vapor en el litoral argentino. Para ello, en primer lugar, realizamos una introducción acerca de los totales de embarcaciones, fluviales y marítimas de las últimas décadas del siglo XIX y de las primeras del XX que transitaron la región. En segundo lugar, nos centramos en el transito fluvial y por último en la participación de los distintos puertos en la dinámica, estableciendo su participación en la circulación en valores y de las distintas mercancías transportadas. Nuestro objetivo es establecer el impacto que tuvo en el territorio esta transición. Las fuentes con las que se abordó la investigación son oficiales: Censos, Anuarios de Comercio Exterior e Informes comerciales.This article analyzes the impact of the transition from sailing to steamships on the Argentine coast. To do this, first, we make an introduction about the totals of boats, fluvial and maritime of the last decades of the nineteenth century and the first decades of the twentieth that traveled the region. Secondly, we focus on river traffic and finally on the participation of the different ports in the dynamics, establishing their participation in the circulation of values and of the different goods transported. Our goal is to establish the impact that this transition had on the territory. The sources with which the research was approached are official: Censuses, Foreign Trade Yearbooks and Trade Reports.Fil: Camarda, Maximiliano. Universidad Nacional de Entre Rios. Instituto de Estudios Sociales. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Estudios Sociales.; Argentina. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos; ArgentinaFil: Mateo, Jose Antonio. Universidad Nacional de Entre Rios. Instituto de Estudios Sociales. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Estudios Sociales.; Argentin

Virulence-associated genes in Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli of turkey

50 Escherichia coli (APEC-Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli) strains and 15 E. coli (AFEC-Avian Faecal Escherichia coli) from turkeys affected by colibacillosis and from healthy turkeys were tested for the presence of eight different virulence-associated genes. Besides, APEC were serotyped. O78 has been the most detected serotyped. The presence of the tested virulence genes was prevalently related to the APEC isolates. With reference to serogroup, all the tested O78 resulted iss and irp2 positive. Besides, tsh e cva/cvi were respectively present in 88.9 and 83.3% of O78. Nevertheless, the finding of a not typeable strains equipped with all the eight tested virulence genes among the APEC isolates suggest the importance of a careful and complete characterisation of the isolate to evaluate the real potential pathogenic attitude of the bacterium