Observations of Intercastes in Solenopsis Invicta Buren

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, exhibits classical polymorphism, which is defined as the coexistence of 2 or more functionally different castes of the same sex (Wilson 1971). The 2 basic castes are the worker and the female sexuals

The sero-epidemiology of Rift Valley fever in people in the Lake Victoria Basin of western Kenya

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic arbovirus affecting livestock and people. This study was conducted in western Kenya where RVFV outbreaks have not previously been reported. The aims were to document the seroprevalence and risk factors for RVFV antibodies in a community-based sample from western Kenya and compare this with slaughterhouse workers in the same region who are considered a high-risk group for RVFV exposure. The study was conducted in western Kenya between July 2010 and November 2012. Individuals were recruited from randomly selected homesteads and a census of slaughterhouses. Structured questionnaire tools were used to collect information on demographic data, health, and risk factors for zoonotic disease exposure. Indirect ELISA on serum samples determined seropositivity to RVFV. Risk factor analysis for RVFV seropositivity was conducted using multi-level logistic regression. A total of 1861 individuals were sampled in 384 homesteads. The seroprevalence of RVFV in the community was 0.8% (95% CI 0.5–1.3). The variables significantly associated with RVFV seropositivity in the community were increasing age (OR 1.2; 95% CI 1.1–1.4, p<0.001), and slaughtering cattle at the homestead (OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.0–10.5, p = 0.047). A total of 553 slaughterhouse workers were sampled in 84 ruminant slaughterhouses. The seroprevalence of RVFV in slaughterhouse workers was 2.5% (95% CI 1.5–4.2). Being the slaughterman, the person who cuts the animal’s throat (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.0–12.1, p = 0.047), was significantly associated with RVFV seropositivity. This study investigated and compared the epidemiology of RVFV between community members and slaughterhouse workers in western Kenya. The data demonstrate that slaughtering animals is a risk factor for RVFV seropositivity and that slaughterhouse workers are a high-risk group for RVFV seropositivity in this environment. These risk factors have been previously reported in other studies providing further evidence for RVFV circulation in western Kenya

De-industrialization: a case study of Dundee, 1951–2001, and its broad implications

Using a case study of one Scottish city, Dundee, this article addresses some of the tensions involved in the use of the concept of ‘de-industrialization’. Widely used to try to understand economic and social change in the post-war years, this term is complex and controversial. This article unravels some of this complexity, arguing that the term is potentially very helpful, but needs careful definition, nuanced application and recognition of its limits. The focus here is on the impact of changing industrial structures on the labour market. After analysing the processes of firm births and deaths, the study looks at the decline of the ‘old staple’ industry, jute manufacturing in Dundee. The next sections assess the role of multinational enterprises in re-shaping the employment structure of the city, before looking at the contraction of some of the city’s other industries. Attention then turns to the impact of all these changes on the economic welfare of the city. The final section draws conclusions about our general understanding of de-industrialization from the Dundee case

Queen Pheromone Production and Its Physiological Correlates in Fire Ant Queens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Treated with Fenoxycarb

Biological assays were used to evaluate the effect of the insect growth regulator fenoxycarb (ethyl (2-p-phenoxyphenoxy) ethyl carbamate) on production of queen-derived dealation inhibitory pheromone and the queen recognition pheromone of Solenopsis invicta Buren. Treated virgin and mated queens weighed less and were less capable of inhibiting dealation by female alates than were nontreated controls. Virgin queens that gained weight during the experimental trials produced more dealation inhibitory pheromone and more queen recognition pheromone than virgin queens that lost weight. Treated virgin queens with fenoxycarb-induced ovary dysfunction inhibited de alation in proportionally fewer alates than treated virgin queens of similar weight that possessed functional ovaries. However, complete ovarian dysfunction in fenoxycarb-treated virgin queens was not associated with reduced quantities of queen recognition pheromone in queen poison sacs. These data support the views that nutritional as well as endocrine factors regulate queen pheromone release and that dissemination of both queen pheromone components is a function of oviposition rate

Enterprise education: the role of headteachers

In the UK there have been recent policy developments in enterprise education, following the Davies Report (2002). In Scotland there has been the launch of a comprehensive enterprise education programme, the Determined to Succeed Strategy (Scottish Executive, 2003) for all schools in Scotland. This Strategy represented the Executive’s response to a working party review of education and enterprise. The review, Determined to Succeed, 2002 represented a comprehensive overview of requirements in order to provide enterprise education in all schools in Scotland. The aim stated is to “take an innovative and experimental approach in developing key themes in the initiative around the professional development of teachers, the engagement of disengaged school students and the promotion of a focused and resource-intensive approach to Enterprise in Education” (Scottish Executive, 2004). This paper reviews developments in enterprise education and the role of Head Teachers and Deputy Head Teachers (school principals and vice-principals). It reports the findings from research conducted with a Leadership Academy, delivered by the Columba 1400 organisation, with Head and Deputy Head Teachers for the Scottish Executive and assesses their critical role in enterprise education

Profiles of small firm performance A qualitative analysis of entrepreneurs in small manufacturing firms

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:8318.182345(21) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo