New Results on the π+π−\pi^{+}\pi^{-} Electroproduction Cross Sections off Protons

In these proceedings we present preliminary $\pi^{+}\pi^{-}$ electroproduction cross sections off protons in the kinematical area of 1.4 GeV $< W <$ 1.8 GeV and 0.4 GeV$^{2}$ $< Q^{2} < 1.1$ GeV$^{2}$. Our results extend the kinematical coverage for this exclusive channel with respect to previous measurements. Furthermore, the $\pi^{+}\pi^{-}$ electroproduction cross sections were obtained for $Q^2$-bins of much smaller size. The future analysis of this data within the framework of the JLAB-MSU reaction model (JM) will considerably improve our knowledge on the $Q^2$ evolution of the transition $\gamma_{v}NN^*$ electrocouplings, in particular for the resonances with masses above 1.6 GeV.Comment: Will be published in proceedings of NSTAR 2011 conference. 4 pages, 4 figure

Studies on the critical water mass, rehydration capability and potential, acute chill tolerance and supercooling point of Argas (Persicargas) walkerae (Acari: Argasidae)

The critical water mass, defined as the water mass remaining in a dehydrated tick in the non-ambulatory state, differed only slightly between light and heavy mass groups of Argas walkerae and averaged 23.6% and 23.2%, respectively, in males and 28.4% and 28.0%, respectively, in females. All ticks survived dehydration of 50%, 75% or 100% of their critical water mass, and 95% of them rehydrated during their subsequent incubation at 95% relative humidity (RH) and 28 degrees C for 14 days and regained their ambulatory status. Unfed adults were able to balance water loss frequently over a period of several months. When ticks were repeatedly dehydrated at 0% RH for 14 days, females and males suffered 50% mortality after 16 and 19 cycles of dehydration and rehydration, respectively, over a period of 278 days and 337 days, respectively. Water itself was not attractive to either dehydrated or non-dehydrated ticks and drinking was not observed. After submergence in water for 3 days, most of the dehydrated adult ticks gained mass. Judged by 50% mortality, larvae tolerated short-term extreme chilling to -24 degrees C, nymphs I to -22 degrees C, nymphs II to -20 degrees C, females and males to -19 degrees C. None survived tissue freezing. At a chilling rate of 0.3 degreesC/min, mean supercooling points (SCP) ranged from -25.9 degrees C in eggs to -16.5 degrees C in unfed females. The SCP of all other stages was significantly higher than that of eggs. Mean SCPs of unfed adult ticks dehydrated to 50% or 75% of their critical water mass were significantly lower than that of fully hydrated ticks. The SCPs of ticks acclimated by several weeks exposure to 0 degrees C or 38 degrees C were significantly lower than those of adult ticks kept constantly at 28 degrees C.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat v.9 was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.mn201

Studies on the ability of different strains or populations of female Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (Acarina: Ixodidae) to produce paralysis in sheep

Simultaneous infestation of 3-6 month-old Black-head sheep with 15 South African wild strains of Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi males and females as well as a strain from Rwanda clearly showed that all strains are capable of inducing paralysis. Assessment of the infestation-rate of engorging female ticks during the period that their mass ranged between 15 and 21 mg/kg sheep body mass indicated that toxicity is quantitatively identical and exhibits no intraspecific gradations. The period between the beginning of infestation to the manifestation of the first clinical symptoms is, however, strain dependent: 4 days for ticks from Warmbaths, and at least 5 days for all other strains.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.mn201

Electromagnetic N->Delta transition and neutron form factors

The C2/M1 ratio of the electromagnetic N->Delta(1232) transition, which is important for determining the geometric shape of the nucleon, is shown to be related to the neutron elastic form factor ratio G_C^n/G_M^n. The proposed relation holds with good accuracy for the entire range of momentum transfers where data are available.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure