Human Babesia microti Incidence and Ixodes scapularis Distribution, Rhode Island, 1998–2004

Distribution of nymphal Ixodes scapularis in Rhode Island was used as a logistical regressor for predicting presence of human babesiosis. Although the incidence of babesiosis is increasing in southern Rhode Island, large areas of the state are free of babesiosis risk

Letter from Sarah Mather to Frances Benson explaining the failure of farming at Lauderdale, Van Diemen's Land, 1838

Letter from Sarah Mather (daughter of Ann Mather and later wife of George Washington Walker) to Frances Benson, explaining the failure of farming at Lauderdale. Quaker Collection

Duration of Exposure to Suboptimal Atmospheric Moisture Affects Nymphal Blacklegged Tick Survival

The biological processes affecting Ixodes scapularis Say survival are complex. Understanding these processes will be beneficial for predicting tick distribution and population dynamics. This research shows that the duration for which nymphal ticks are exposed to drying air is an important factor for their survival. Experimental analysis of variance results show that duration of exposure to dry air (duration) is as important as vapor pressure deficit (relative humidity) (duration, relative humidity, P \u3c 0.0001). Ticks do not survive when exposed to dry air for long periods; however, the return of humid air within 4–8 h has as large a positive impact on tick survival, as does constant humid air. This experiment exposes nymphal ticks to conditions of suboptimal humidity for different durations and then returns them to saturated conditions that are more typical of daily relative humidity fluctuations experienced during summer in southern New England forests

Seasonal Variation in Nymphal Blacklegged Tick Abundance in Southern New England Forests

In the northeastern United States, risk of human exposure to tick transmitted disease is primarily a function of the abundance of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say. We assessed seasonal variability in the abundance of nymphal stage I. scapularis over 13 yr, collected from several forested areas throughout Rhode Island. Specifically, we examined intraseasonal differences by using two temporally distinct tick collections made during the peak nymphal tick season. Intraseasonal factors significantly impacted tick abundance, with the June tick rate (mean = 40.42, SD = 14.79) significantly more abundant than the July tick rate (mean = 27.64, SD = 15.47). The greater variability in July (coefficient of variation: June, 36.61%; July, 55.95%) lead us to conclude June tick rates are relatively stable from year to year, whereas July tick rates contribute more to intraseasonal and yearly variation

Sarah Benson Mather and Edward Cotton, Tasmania, 1875

Poem on printed sheet for Sarah Benson Mather which has 'She was the fiancee of Edward O. Cotton and died on the day they were to be married' written on it. Photographs of E.O. Cotton and S.B. Mather. DX19/138(i), DX19/266(3)(4

Letter and memorial on the death of Ann Mather by her daughter Sarah Benson Mather, Van Diemen's Land, 1831

Letter and memorial note on the death of Ann Mather. From Walker Family Scrapbook compiled by Peter Benson Walker. Private collection

Photograph of gravestone of Sarah Benson Mather, West Hobart, Tasmania

Photograph of gravestone of Sarah Benson Mather taken in the Quaker (Society of Friends) Burial Ground established in 1836 at Mellifont Street, West Hobart, Tasmania until it was closed in 1912. The gravestones have been moved to the edge of what is now the Friends' Park, a recreational park and children's playground. Inscription reads: 'Sarah Benson Mather - Died 12th of the 3rd Month 1875? Aged 28 Years 10 Month

Reference to the index of papers of Robert and Ann Mather (Benson), 1821 -1835.

Robert and Ann Mather and four children arrived in Tasmania in 1822. Ann Mather (1786-1831) was the daughter of Rev. Joseph Benson (1749-1821), a prominent Methodist minister and friend of John Wesley. She married Robert Mather (1782-1855), a draper of London, son of Mather of Lauder near Berwick-on-Tweed, UK in 1811.In 1821 Robert Mather joined a group of members of the Wesleyan Methodist Society who proposed to charter a ship to proceed to VDL, and many of the papers are business papers relating to this proposal and the subsequent delays when the ship 'Hope' was seized by H M Customs as being unseaworthy and held in Ramsgate until the party was eventually transferred to the 'Heroine' in 1822. Ann Mather's letters to her brother, Rev Samuel Benson (Curate of St. Saviour's, Southwark) and sisters, Isabella Whytall and Sarah Benson (later Mrs Hammond) give some idea of the family's early life in Tasmania

Phrenology report of Miss Sarah Benson Mather by A.S. Hamilton, Van Diemen's Land, 1833

Sketch of the character of Miss Sarah Benson Mather by A.S. Hamilton, who practised phrenology. M19/2

Poem 'Drab Bonnets' in Sarah Benson Mather's Common-Place Book, Tasmania 1828

Poem about Quaker 'Drab Bonnets' by Bernard Barton in Sarah Benson Mather's Common-Place Book, 1828. Quaker Collection