161 research outputs found

    Genetic variability of the neogregarine apicystis bombi, an etiological agent of an emergent bumblebee disease

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    The worldwide spread of diseases is considered a major threat to biodiversity and a possible driver of the decline of pollinator populations, particularly when novel species or strains of parasites emerge. Previous studies have suggested that populations of introduced European honeybee (Apis mellifera) and bumblebee species (Bombus terrestris and Bombus ruderatus) in Argentina share the neogregarine parasite Apicystis bombi with the native bumblebee (Bombus dahlbomii). In this study we investigated whether A. bombi is acting as an emergent parasite in the non-native populations. Specifically, we asked whether A. bombi, recently identified in Argentina, was introduced by European, non-native bees. Using ITS1 and ITS2 to assess the parasite's intraspecific genetic variation in bees from Argentina and Europe, we found a largely unstructured parasite population, with only 15% of the genetic variation being explained by geographic location. The most abundant haplotype in Argentina (found in all 9 specimens of non-native species) was identical to the most abundant haplotype in Europe (found in 6 out of 8 specimens). Similarly, there was no evidence of structuring by host species, with this factor explaining only 17% of the genetic variation. Interestingly, parasites in native Bombus ephippiatus from Mexico were genetically distant from the Argentine and European samples, suggesting that sufficient variability does exist in the ITS region to identify continent-level genetic structure in the parasite. Thus, the data suggest that A. bombi from Argentina and Europe share a common, relatively recent origin. Although our data did not provide information on the direction of transfer, the absence of genetic structure across space and host species suggests that A. bombi may be acting as an emergent infectious disease across bee taxa and continents

    Identifying a Window of Vulnerability during Fetal Development in a Maternal Iron Restriction Model

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    It is well acknowledged from observations in humans that iron deficiency during pregnancy can be associated with a number of developmental problems in the newborn and developing child. Due to the obvious limitations of human studies, the stage during gestation at which maternal iron deficiency causes an apparent impairment in the offspring remains elusive. In order to begin to understand the time window(s) during pregnancy that is/are especially susceptible to suboptimal iron levels, which may result in negative effects on the development of the fetus, we developed a rat model in which we were able to manipulate and monitor the dietary iron intake during specific stages of pregnancy and analyzed the developing fetuses. We established four different dietary-feeding protocols that were designed to render the fetuses iron deficient at different gestational stages. Based on a functional analysis that employed Auditory Brainstem Response measurements, we found that maternal iron restriction initiated prior to conception and during the first trimester were associated with profound changes in the developing fetus compared to iron restriction initiated later in pregnancy. We also showed that the presence of iron deficiency anemia, low body weight, and changes in core body temperature were not defining factors in the establishment of neural impairment in the rodent offspring

    Deliberate self-harm and attachment: mediating and moderating roles of depression, anxiety, social support and interpersonal problems among Pakistani school going adolescents

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    Introduction: In Pakistan there is dearth of research on deliberate self-harm (DSH) and its predictors among adolescents. While the lack of research in Pakistan can be partly attributed to the sacrilegious status, criminalization and stigmatization attached to DSH, it is also an attribute of paucity of Urdu versions of the standardized psychological instruments. Previous research in developed countries has indicated that attachment theory can be used as a useful framework to understand the development of austere psychopathologies like DSH, as well as for studying pathways of interaction of interpersonal and intrapersonal factors of psychopathologies. In this study, standardized psychological instruments are translated into Urdu language as a first step. These instruments are then used to study pathways of interaction of interpersonal and intrapersonal factors of DSH, conceptualized within attachment framework. Method: The study was conducted in two steps. In step 1, Youth Health Risk Behavior Survey (YHRB), Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-32 (IIP-32) and Significant Others Scale (SOS), were translated into Urdu language. Along with these scales, Urdu translated versions of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Adolescent Relationship Scales Questionnaire (ARSQ), Life Events scale (LES) from CASE questionnaire and Family Affluence Scale-II (FAS-II) were reviewed for accuracy of translation through expert judgement and psychometric evaluation. Secondly, a cross sectional survey was conducted with 1290 adolescents (10 - 19 years age) using the translated Urdu versions of the instruments and demographic pro forma. Structural equation modelling was used to study the pathways of associations between predictors of DSH. Results: The extensive process of translation resulted in establishment of semantic, content, technical and construct equivalence of the translated instruments with the original English versions. Multiple imputation was performed to account for missing values in SPSS 20. Important structural adaptations were made in the scales based on factor analyses conducted in M plus. After modifications, all scales showed satisfactory CFI (≥ 0.90) and RMSEA (≤ 0.06). Results of the survey indicated that the prevalence of DSH (with, without and ambivalent suicidal intentions) was 7%. Two SEM models were constructed involving both mediation and moderation pathways. Results of Model 1 showed association of attachment with DSH was double mediated by social support, depression and anxiety. Model 2 also confirmed association of attachment with DSH with double mediation through relationship style problems, depression and anxiety. In order to understand the contextual picture of the concepts studied in this research both SEM models were also constructed by controlling for demographic factors. This resulted in confirming age, gender and family affluence as significant contributors but with very small effects. Discussion and conclusion: In the present study translation of the instruments helped in building a reservoir for future research. The results of translation and validation of instruments indicated that cultural differences, language needs and age must be accounted for while using standardized psychological instruments. Taking into consideration specific cultural and demographic background of Pakistan, this study also confirms the key role of attachment in influencing interaction of predictors of DSH. It is suggested that intrapersonal and interpersonal factors are influential points of intervention for designing clinical, school and community based awareness and prevention programs for DSH. The thesis also discusses the implications for policy guidelines along with recommendations for future research and other applications of the study

    Análisis de correlación canónica para relacionar caracteres de la planta con componentes del rendimiento en genotipos de pimiento rojo (Capsicum annuum L. var. conoides (Mill.) Irish)

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    In this study, a canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was used to estimate relationships between plant characters (X set-fruit length (FL), fruit width (FW), fruit wall thickness (FWT), placenta length, stem thickness, plant height (PH), leaf length, leaf width, flowering time (50%), and time to maturity), and yield components (Y set-total fruit weight per plant (FW/P), average fruit weight and number of fruits per plant (FN/P)) of 56 red peppers (Capsicum annuum L. var. conoides (Mill.) Irish) in populations collected from the Samsun province in the Black Sea Region of Turkey. All canonical correlation coefficients (0.708, 0.635, 0.413) between the pairs of canonical variables were found to be significant (P < 0.01). The findings obtained from the CCA indicate that FN/P had the largest contribution for the explanatory capacity of canonical variables estimated from yield components of 56 red pepper populations when compared with other yield components. FL and PH had largest contribution for the explanatory capacity of canonical variables estimated from plant characters when compared with other characters. The results of this study show that PH, FWT and FW should be used with the aim of increasing yield per plant in red pepper genotypes.En este estudio se utilizó un análisis de correlación canónica (CCA) para estimar las relaciones existentes entre caracteres de la planta (X set -longitud del fruto (FL), anchura del fruto (FW), espesor de la pared del fruto (FWT), longitud de la placenta, espesor del tallo, altura de la planta (PH), longitud y anchura de la hoja, tiempo a 50% de floración y tiempo de madurez), y componentes del rendimiento (Y set-peso de frutos total por planta (FW/P), peso y número medio de frutos por planta (FN/P)) de 56 pimientos rojos (Capsicum annuum L. var. conoides (Mill.) Irish) en poblaciones recolectadas en la provincia Samsun de la región del Mar Negro de Turquía. Se encontró que todos los coeficientes de correlación canónica (0,708; 0,635; 0,413) entre las parejas de variables canónicas fueron significativos (P < 0,01). El CCA indicó que, entre los componentes del rendimiento, la relación FN/P fue la que más contribuyó en la capacidad explicatoria de las variables canónicas estimadas de las 56 poblaciones de pimiento. En el caso de los caracteres de la planta, FL y PH fueron los que más contribuyeron en la capacidad explicatoria de las variables canónicas estimadas. Este estudio muestra que se deben usar los caracteres PH, FWT y FW para incrementar el rendimiento de los genotipos de pimiento rojo

    De politiële surveillance van ras en etniciteit

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    The racialization of ethnic minority police officers and researchers: on positionality and (auto)ethnographic fieldwork

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    This article reflects on the personal, epistemological and methodological dilemmas of conducting (auto)ethnographic fieldwork within the police organisation. The argument is that positionality and ascribed identities complicate existing dilemmas of using participant observation within the police context, such as maintaining a researcher’s role, acceptance, building trust and coping with ostracism. The article also deals with the tension of being a member of the organisation and a researcher at the same time, as well as the pains, but also the gains, of doing auto-ethnographic fieldwork within the police organisation as a frequently racialized (male) member of an ethnic minority
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