Exploratory serosurvey for antibodies to avian pathogens in backyard chickens from a satellite community of Jalapa City, Guatemala

An exploratory serosurvey was conducted to determine the presence of circulating antibodies to avian pathogens in backyard chickens from Los Achiotes (LAC), a satellite community of Jalapa City, located in eastern Guatemala. Blood samples from 51 adult chickens belonging to 51 households were taken and investigated for the presence of antibodies to Avian Influenza (AI), Newcastle Disease (ND), Infectious Bronchitis (IB), Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and M. synoviae (MS). Antibodies for AI, ND, were investigated by Hemagglutination Inhibition, for IB and IBD by ELISA (BioChek®) and for MG and MS by a rapid serum plate agglutination test. The cut-off point for positive titers was 1:4 for AI and ND and a 0.2 S/P ratio for IB and IBD. All sampled chickens were positive for concomitant antibodies to various pathogens. Over half of the chickens were positive reactors to antibodies to all six tested pathogens; about a third carried antibodies to five and the rest to four or three. The frequencies of positive reactors were: AI = 27 (53%); ND = 49 (96.1%); IB = 50 (98%); IBD = 51 (100%); MG = 45 (88%) and MS = 48 (94%). The results show that the dynamic population of backyard chickens in LAC could be a potential threat to backyard poultry, farm poultry, wild birds and human population. The need to develop interventions and policies following the One Health approach (animal health to achieve human health) is stressed

La crianza de animales domésticos de traspatio en las comunidades del lago de Atitlán, Guatemala The raising of backyard animals in communities of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

El presente reporte de caso expone las prácticas de un grupo de mujeres de orígenes tz’utujil, kaqchikel y k’iche’, respecto a la crianza de animales de traspatio en la cuenca del Lago de Atitlán, Sololá, Guatemala. Lo anterior, es el resultado de observaciones de campo, realizadas por estudiantes de medicina veterinaria y zootecnia. Además, se presenta brevemente la experiencia de organizar, capacitar y asistir de manera técnica a un grupo 35 mujeres. Se reconoce que la crianza de animales de traspatio en los alrededores del Lago de Atitlán involucra pequeñas cantidades de gallinas (Gallus gallus) y cerdos (Sus scrofa), a los que se alimenta principalmente de maíz y de excedentes de comida del hogar. Los animales son albergados en refugios que se construyen con materiales locales de bajo costo y el tratamiento de las enfermedades se basa en la utilización de plantas. La medicina farmacológica y las vacunas son la segunda opción para atender las enfermedades. Se discuten las oportunidades que presenta la crianza de traspatio para mujeres de pueblos originarios en esta región y se propone a las epizootias como la principal amenaza de este medio de vida

Azimuthal anisotropy of charged jet production in root s(NN)=2.76 TeV Pb-Pb collisions

We present measurements of the azimuthal dependence of charged jet production in central and semi-central root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV Pb-Pb collisions with respect to the second harmonic event plane, quantified as nu(ch)(2) (jet). Jet finding is performed employing the anti-k(T) algorithm with a resolution parameter R = 0.2 using charged tracks from the ALICE tracking system. The contribution of the azimuthal anisotropy of the underlying event is taken into account event-by-event. The remaining (statistical) region-to-region fluctuations are removed on an ensemble basis by unfolding the jet spectra for different event plane orientations independently. Significant non-zero nu(ch)(2) (jet) is observed in semi-central collisions (30-50% centrality) for 20 <p(T)(ch) (jet) <90 GeV/c. The azimuthal dependence of the charged jet production is similar to the dependence observed for jets comprising both charged and neutral fragments, and compatible with measurements of the nu(2) of single charged particles at high p(T). Good agreement between the data and predictions from JEWEL, an event generator simulating parton shower evolution in the presence of a dense QCD medium, is found in semi-central collisions. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Peer reviewe

Production of He-4 and (4) in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV at the LHC

Results on the production of He-4 and (4) nuclei in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S = 2.76 TeV in the rapidity range vertical bar y vertical bar <1, using the ALICE detector, are presented in this paper. The rapidity densities corresponding to 0-10% central events are found to be dN/dy4(He) = (0.8 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.3 (syst)) x 10(-6) and dN/dy4 = (1.1 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.2 (syst)) x 10(-6), respectively. This is in agreement with the statistical thermal model expectation assuming the same chemical freeze-out temperature (T-chem = 156 MeV) as for light hadrons. The measured ratio of (4)/He-4 is 1.4 +/- 0.8 (stat) +/- 0.5 (syst). (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Pseudorapidity and transverse-momentum distributions of charged particles in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

The pseudorapidity (eta) and transverse-momentum (p(T)) distributions of charged particles produced in proton-proton collisions are measured at the centre-of-mass energy root s = 13 TeV. The pseudorapidity distribution in vertical bar eta vertical bar <1.8 is reported for inelastic events and for events with at least one charged particle in vertical bar eta vertical bar <1. The pseudorapidity density of charged particles produced in the pseudorapidity region vertical bar eta vertical bar <0.5 is 5.31 +/- 0.18 and 6.46 +/- 0.19 for the two event classes, respectively. The transverse-momentum distribution of charged particles is measured in the range 0.15 <p(T) <20 GeV/c and vertical bar eta vertical bar <0.8 for events with at least one charged particle in vertical bar eta vertical bar <1. The evolution of the transverse momentum spectra of charged particles is also investigated as a function of event multiplicity. The results are compared with calculations from PYTHIA and EPOS Monte Carlo generators. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Peer reviewe

Elliptic flow of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays at forward rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=2.76TeV

The elliptic flow, v(2), of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays at forward rapidity (2.5 <y <4) is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)= 2.76TeVwith the ALICE detector at the LHC. The scalar product, two- and four-particle Q cumulants and Lee-Yang zeros methods are used. The dependence of the v(2) of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays on the collision centrality, in the range 0-40%, and on transverse momentum, p(T), is studied in the interval 3 <p(T)<10 GeV/c. A positive v(2) is observed with the scalar product and two-particle Q cumulants in semi-central collisions (10-20% and 20-40% centrality classes) for the p(T) interval from 3 to about 5GeV/c with a significance larger than 3 sigma, based on the combination of statistical and systematic uncertainties. The v(2) magnitude tends to decrease towards more central collisions and with increasing pT. It becomes compatible with zero in the interval 6 <p(T)<10 GeV/c. The results are compared to models describing the interaction of heavy quarks and open heavy-flavour hadrons with the high-density medium formed in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Centrality evolution of the charged-particle pseudorapidity density over a broad pseudorapidity range in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=2.76TeV

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Dimensiones humanas del manejo de perros domésticos en áreas rurales: implicancias para el control poblacional, ecología de enfermedades y el manejo de perros problema

Tesis (Doctor en Medicina de la Conservación)The research developed in Southern Chile was funded by Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Doctorado, Universidad Andres Bello (UNAB DI-382-13/R). The research in northern Guatemala was funded by the Dirección General de Investigación, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (Partida: 4.8.63.8.98), the Guatemalan chapter of the Wildlife Conservation Society-WCS, and the Centro de Estudios en Salud of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (CES-UVG). I was funded by a doctoral fellowship from Universidad Andres Bello (UNAB), Santiago, Chile and an Initiation research grant (UNAB DI-618-14/I).Los perros domésticos están presentes en todo el mundo, especialmente en las zonas rurales. En estas áreas, los perros desempeñan papeles importantes—como la protección, la caza y el acompañamiento—para los humanos. Sin embargo, el hecho de que los perros rurales puedan alcanzar altas abundancias y, a menudo, carecen de restricción de movimiento, hace que sean de importancia tanto para la salud pública humana y para la conservación de la vida silvestre. Los perros rurales son reconocidos como reservorios de enfermedades tanto para los humanos como para la vida silvestre. Además, los perros rurales son reconocidos como amenazas importantes para los animales silvestres en peligro. En consecuencia, los perros en las zonas rurales y los problemas causados por estos perros necesitan ser manejados. Las estrategias de manejo para poblaciones de perros, sus enfermedades y para perros problemáticos, incluyen el control reproductivo, la vacunación y la eutanasia, entre otros. Sin embargo, la efectividad de estas estrategias puede verse severamente limitada por acciones humanas que afectan directamente no solo las poblaciones de perros y el comportamiento de perros individuales, sino también las políticas de manejo. El objetivo de este trabajo de tesis fue determinar cuándo y cómo las acciones de los dueños de perros y sus actitudes hacia las estrategias de manejo de perros se convierten en un punto crítico cuando se trata de controlar a los perros y sus enfermedades, en entornos rurales. Específicamente, buscamos estudiar la aceptación social del control letal de perros problemáticos, el movimiento de perros por humanos a través de paisajes y su efecto en la demografía local y el manejo reproductivo, y cómo la demografía mediada por humanos puede afectar el manejo de enfermedades de perros, a través de la vacunación masiva (en este caso contra la rabia). Para abordar el primer y segundo objetivo, realicé un estudio en el sur de Chile, donde los perros representan una amenaza para la vida silvestre, pero también un problema para la salud pública y la producción animal. Realice una encuesta que recopiló información acerca de la demografía de los perros, la influencia humana en los parámetros clave (e.g., mortalidad, nacimientos, movimiento a lo largo del paisaje) y las actitudes de las personas hacia el manejo letal de perros problemáticos. Mis hallazgos muestran que una gran proporción de perros en áreas rurales eran traídos de otros lugares, especialmente de áreas urbanas. Teniendo en cuenta la conexión humana entre las poblaciones rurales y urbanas, y el hecho de que los perros pueden ser traídos de lugares distantes, sugiero que las intervenciones de gestión, como la castración, se realicen a escala regional o idealmente a escala nacional, incluidas las rurales y urbanas juntos. La población local manifestó actitudes negativas hacia el control letal de los perros problema, especialmente cuando se trataba de situaciones en las que podían afectar a los animales silvestres. Las actitudes fueron más positivas para las intervenciones dirigidas al propietario, específicamente aplicando multas, pero nuevamente las actitudes fueron menos positivas en los escenarios donde los perros afectaron a la vida silvestre. Mis resultados sugieren que las personas colocan la responsabilidad por la mala conducta en el dueño del perro, no en el perro, y tienen una preocupación mucho mayor por los intereses humanos que por la vida silvestre. Para el tercer objetivo, realicé un estudio en un paisaje rural de Guatemala, donde las características demográficas de los perros (nacimiento-mortalidad) y las interacciones entre perro y vida silvestre son altas y están fuertemente influenciadas por los dueños de perros. En este país, la vacunación masiva durante más de 20 años no ha tenido éxito en la eliminación de la rabia. Encontré altas tasas de mortalidad y reclutamiento que muy probablemente limitan alcanzar inmunidad colectiva de largo plazo. Los resultados de mi estudio sugieren que las estrategias comúnmente usadas para manejar poblaciones de perros y problemas derivados (por ejemplo, control letal, control reproductivo de poblaciones, vacunación masiva); tienen pocas posibilidades de éxito si las dimensiones humanas del problema del perro no se consideran en el diseño de tales estrategias.Domestic dogs are ubiquitous around the world, especially in rural areas. In this areas dogs play important roles—like guarding, hunting and companion—for humans. However, the fact that rural dogs may reach high abundances and often lack movement restriction makes them both, a concern for human public-health and for wildlife conservation. Rural dogs are recognized as reservoirs of disease for both humans and wildlife. In addition, rural dogs are recognized as significant threats for imperiled wild animals. Consequently, dogs in rural areas, and the problems caused by these dogs need to be managed. Management strategies for dog populations, their diseases, and problematic dogs, include reproductive control, vaccination and euthanasia, among others. However, the effectiveness of these strategies can be severely limited by human actions that affect directly not only dog populations and the behavior of individual dogs, but also management policies. The objective of this dissertation was to determine when and how dog-owners’ actions and their attitudes towards dog management strategies become a critical point when aiming to manage dogs and their diseases, in rural settings. Specifically, we aimed to study the social acceptance of lethal control of problem dogs, the human-driven movement of dogs across landscapes and its effect on local demographics and reproductive management, and how human-driven demographics can affect the management of diseases of dogs, through mass vaccination (in this case against rabies). To address the first and second objectives, I conducted a study in southern Chile where dogs represent a threat to wildlife, but also a problem for public health and animal production. The survey collected information about the demography of dogs, human influence on key parameters (e.g., mortality, births, movement between locations) and people´s attitudes towards lethal management of problem dogs. My findings show that a high proportion of dogs in rural areas were brought by people from other locations, especially from urban areas. Considering the human-driven connection between rural and urban populations, and the fact that dogs can be brought from distant locations, I suggest that management interventions—such as neutering—should be performed at regional or ideally at national scale, including rural and urban areas together. Local people manifested negative attitudes towards the lethal control of problem dogs, especially when in scenarios where they could affect wild animals. Attitudes were more positives to interventions that target the owner—specifically applying fines—but again attitudes were less positive in scenarios where dogs affected wildlife. My results suggest that people place responsibility for misbehavior on the dog owner, not the dog, and they have significantly more concern for human interests than over wildlife. For the third objective, I conducted a study in a rural landscape of Guatemala, where dog demographics (birth-mortality) and dog-wildlife interactions are all high and strongly influenced by dog-owners. Here, mass vaccination for more than 20 years has not been successful in eliminating rabies. I found high mortality and recruitment rates that are most likely affecting the long-term herd immunity. The results of my study suggest that the strategies commonly used to manage dog populations and derived problems (e.g., lethal control, reproductive control of populations, mass vaccination); have low chances of success if the human dimensions of the dog-problem are not considered in the design of such strategies

Agent-based simulation and cooperation theory: The role of sanction | Simulazione ad agenti e teoria della cooperazione. Il ruolo della sanzione

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