Tungsten Oxide Nanorods Array and Nanobundle Prepared by Using Chemical Vapor Deposition Technique

Tungsten oxide (WO3) nanorods array prepared using chemical vapor deposition techniques was studied. The influence of oxygen gas concentration on the nanoscale tungsten oxide structure was observed; it was responsible for the stoichiometric and morphology variation from nanoscale particle to nanorods array. Experimental results also indicated that the deposition temperature was highly related to the morphology; the chemical structure, however, was stable. The evolution of the crystalline structure and surface morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectra and X-ray diffraction approaches. The stoichiometric variation was indicated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Genetic variants of Anaplasma phagocytophilum from 14 equine granulocytic anaplasmosis cases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (EGA) is caused by <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it>, a tick-transmitted, obligate intracellular bacterium. In Europe, it is transmitted by <it>Ixodes ricinus</it>. A large number of genetic variants of <it>A. phagocytophilum </it>circulate in nature and have been found in ticks and different animals. Attempts have been made to assign certain genetic variants to certain host species or pathologies, but have not been successful so far. The purpose of this study was to investigate the causing agent <it>A. phagocytophilum </it>of 14 cases of EGA in naturally infected horses with molecular methods on the basis of 4 partial genes (<it>16S rRNA</it>, <it>groEL</it>, <it>msp2</it>, and <it>msp4</it>).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All DNA extracts of EDTA-blood samples of the horses gave bands of the correct nucleotide size in all four genotyping PCRs. Sequence analysis revealed 4 different variants in the partial <it>16S rRNA</it>, <it>groEL </it>gene and <it>msp2 </it>genes, and 3 in the <it>msp4 </it>gene. One <it>16S rRNA </it>gene variant involved in 11 of the 14 cases was identical to the "prototype" variant causing disease in humans in the amplified part [GenBank: <ext-link ext-link-id="U02521" ext-link-type="gen">U02521</ext-link>]. Phylogenetic analysis revealed as expected for the <it>groEL </it>gene that sequences from horses clustered separately from roe deer. Sequences of the partial <it>msp2 </it>gene from this study formed a separate cluster from ruminant variants in Europe and from all US variants.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results show that more than one variant of <it>A. phagocytophilum </it>seems to be involved in EGA in Germany. The comparative genetic analysis of the variants involved points towards different natural cycles in the epidemiology of <it>A. phagocytophilum</it>, possibly involving different reservoir hosts or host adaptation, rather than a strict species separation.</p

A review on the eco-epidemiology and clinical management of human granulocytic anaplasmosis and its agent in Europe

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the agent of tick-borne fever, equine, canine and human granulocytic anaplasmosis. The common route of A. phagocytophilum transmission is through a tick bite, the main vector in Europe being Ixodes ricinus. Despite the apparently ubiquitous presence of the pathogen A. phagocytophilum in ticks and various wild and domestic animals from Europe, up to date published clinical cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) remain rare compared to the worldwide status. It is unclear if this reflects the epidemiological dynamics of the human infection in Europe or if the disease is underdiagnosed or underreported. Epidemiologic studies in Europe have suggested an increased occupational risk of infection for forestry workers, hunters, veterinarians, and farmers with a tick-bite history and living in endemic areas. Although the overall genetic diversity of A. phagocytophilum in Europe is higher than in the USA, the strains responsible for the human infections are related on both continents. However, the study of the genetic variability and assessment of the difference of pathogenicity and infectivity between strains to various hosts has been insufficiently explored to date. Most of the European HGA cases presented as a mild infection, common clinical signs being pyrexia, headache, myalgia and arthralgia. The diagnosis of HGA in the USA was recommended to be based on clinical signs and the patient’s history and later confirmed using specialized laboratory tests. However, in Europe since the majority of cases are presenting as mild infection, laboratory tests may be performed before the treatment in order to avoid antibiotic overuse. The drug of choice for HGA is doxycycline and because of potential for serious complication the treatment should be instituted on clinical suspicion alone

Report of the ICES Working Group on Marine Mammal Ecology (WGMME)

131 pages.-- This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)Five terms of reference (ToRs) were addressed at the working group. The first three terms of reference were standing ones. Under ToR A, new information on cetacean and seal population abundance, distribution, and population/stock structure, was reviewed, including information on vagrancy in cetacean and pinniped species. For cetaceans, coverage from the latest SCANS-IV survey (summer 2022) was presented as well as the results of recent regional/national surveys, particularly those in the Bay of Biscay and around the Iberian Peninsula. Updates on population estimates and distribution were provided for particular species studies, such as some coastal bottlenose dolphin populations. For seals, latest monitoring results were given for harbour, grey, and Baltic and Saimaa ringed seals. In addition, where possible, local long-term trends were illustrated for those species, based on earlier efforts by WGMME to assemble these data into a seal database. For both species’ groups, recent records of vagrant species were summarised. Under ToR B, cetacean and seal management frameworks in the North Atlantic were discussed, with an overview of the EU Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, and examples from the United Kingdom, Spain and the Faroe Islands of national management frameworks regarding marine mammals.ToR C provided an overview of new published information with regards to anthropogenic threats to marine mammal populations following on from the review by WGMME in 2015 (ICES, 2015) and subsequent updates. These were considered under the following headings: cumulative effects, fishery interactions, chemical pollution including marine debris, underwater noise, ship strikes and other physical trauma, tourism disturbance, climate change, and new pathogens (including avian influenza). ToR D focused upon bycatch. In support of WGBYC, this ToR aimed to contribute to the Roadmap for ICES PETS bycatch advice. ToR E involved liaison with other WGs. The Chairs of the newly-formed WGJCDP introduced to WGMME members, the Joint Cetacean Database Programme, which is to be hosted by the ICES Data Centre. The scope to collect information on other marine species besides cetaceans was discussed. A meeting with another newly formed ICES working group, on Marine Protected Areas, was planned but was deferred at the request of that group. On behalf of the working group, the Chairs would like to thank The Swedish Museum of Natural History for hosting the meetingN

Review of ARHCO Waste Tank Leak and Level Monitoring Systems and Material Balance Techniques

A review of selected portions of the ARHCO waste tank farm monitoring methods and systems was made. Only preliminary evaluations were made as the study was carried out over a period of only ten days. The study was requested by the Operation Support Engineering Department of ARHCO and the objectives as developed were divided into four tasks. Briefly, these were: evaluation of the waste tank dry well monitoring and data processing systems; evaluation of the accuracy (and precision) of material balance calculations for transfers from one tank to another tank; evaluation of the capabilities of material balance techniques for the detection of leaks in evaporator bottoms loop systems; and evaluation of the general operability of liquid level instrument systems currently in use and alternatives to these systems. The objectives of these tasks are restated in more detail in each of the sections below. An overview of the entire Hanford radioactive waste program including a limited description of the physical equipment involved can be found in PWM-530, Hanford Radioactive Waste Management Plans. Additional efforts have been initiated to establish an overall R and D program to more fully evaluate these systems and other factors relative to the successful operation of the ARHCO tank farm system