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Bursaphelenchus juglandis n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), an associate of walnut twig beetle, Pityophthorus juglandis, the vector of thousand cankers disease
No full textBursaphelenchus juglandis n. sp. was isolated from the walnut twig beetle, Pityophthorus juglandis. and walnut trees, Juglans spp. with symptoms of thousand cankers disease, in California, USA. Based on analysis of three rRNA genes and morphological features (three lines in lateral field, small arched vulva] flap in female, broad spicule with two lines along blade and small cucullus, digitate dorsally bent condylus, male tail pattern of five papilliform papillae and one pair of glandpapillae (P5). and curved conical female tail). the new species belongs to the Abietinus group within Bursaphelenchus. It differs from similar species of this group by the presence of a cephalic disc with lateral labial sensilla at the disc border, and in having thick spicules with the capitulum surface almost parallel to a virtual direct line extending from the spicule end. An emended diagnosis, tabular polytomous identification key and compendium of species with the lists of their vectors, plant hosts, and distribution are provided for the Abietinus group. The diagnostics of the propagative developmental stages is given, including sex differences; the transmission dauer stage was identified as the third stage and its description given with sexual differences. A molecular phylogeny of Bursaphelenchus is provided based on partial 18S rRNA. ITS rRNA and the D2-D3 expansion fragments of 28S rRNA gene sequences. A PCR with a species-specific primer was developed for detection of B. juglandis n. sp
Bacterial Diversity in Old Hydrocarbon Polluted Sediments of Ecuadorian Amazon River Basins
No full textThe Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest stands out as one of the world's most biodiverse regions, yet faces significant threats due to oil extraction activities dating back to the 1970s in the northeastern provinces. This research investigates the environmental and societal consequences of prolonged petroleum exploitation and oil spills in Ecuador's Amazon. Conducted in June 2015, the study involved a comprehensive analysis of freshwater sediment samples from 24 locations in the Rio Aguarico and Napo basins. Parameters such as water and air temperature, conductivity, soil pH, and hydrocarbon concentrations were examined. Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations ranged from 9.4 to 847.4 mg kg-1, with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels varying from 10.15 to 711.1 mg kg-1. The pristane/phytane ratio indicated historic hydrocarbon pollution in 8 of the 15 chemically analyzed sediments. Using non-culturable techniques (Illumina), bacterial analyses identified over 350 ASV, with prominent families including Comamonadaceae, Chitinophagaceae, Anaeromyxobacteraceae, Sphingomonadaceae, and Xanthobacteraceae. Bacterial diversity, assessed in eight samples, exhibited a positive correlation with PAH concentrations. The study provides insights into how microbial communities respond to varying levels of hydrocarbon pollution, shedding light on the enduring impact of oil exploitation in the Amazonian region. Its objective is to deepen our understanding of the environmental and human well-being in the affected area, underscoring the pressing need for remedial actions in the face of ongoing ecological challenges
Measuring familism in dementia family caregivers: the revised familism scale
No full textObjectives: Familism is a cultural value that has been shown to be important for understanding the dementia caregiving process. The aim of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties of the Revised Familism Scale (RFS). Method: Face-to-face assessments were done with 199 dementia family caregivers. Exploratory factor analysis, discriminant validity, and reliability analyses of the RFS were carried out. Results: The results suggest that the RFS has good psychometric properties and is composed of three factors: Familial interconnectedness, Familial obligations, and Extended family support. Conclusion: The RFS seems to be a reliable measure of familism, a multidimensional construct measuring a relevant cultural value for dementia family caregivers
An Experimental Methodology for Introducing Educational Robotics and Storytelling in Therapeutical Activities for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
No full textEducational robotics is a valuable tool in education and therapy for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), especially when introduced in activities, combined with gamification and storytelling elements. However, the lack of familiarity of therapists with the technologies involved makes their widespread introduction difficult and leads to case-specific rather than more generalizable methods. In this paper, we present an experimental methodology which provides a guide for the introduction of these elements in therapeutical activities with children with NDD. Providing a common framework reduces the gap between the different expertise of therapists, educators, and engineers. While establishing a common vocabulary and objectives, the methodology provides a guide for designing activities and evaluating their therapeutic effectiveness. We provide an example with a pilot study using a low-cost robot (Ozobot) in a therapeutic environment. Results regarding the children's task involvement, level of attention, and use of social skills were positive. In addition, the attitude of some children changed throughout the sessions, improving frustration tolerance. The discussion of the pilot study provides clues for improving future implementations of the presented methodology, which serves as a framework for the design of future experiments that include therapeutic activities with educational robotics, gamification, and storytelling
Morphology, phylogeny and taxonomy of the genus Sectonema (Nematoda, Aporcelaimidae)
No full textThis contribution provides new insights in the phylogeny and taxonomy of the nematode genus Sectonema with an integrative approach. A brief historical outline of the matter is presented. Then, the morphological pattern of the genus is revised and illustrated, the nature of its stomatal protruding structure, either a reduced odontostyle or a mural tooth, being its most relevant diagnostic feature. The existence of cilia- or seta-like structures in the perioral area and/or at the anterior part of cheilostom of some species is evidenced by SEM observations for the first time. Available molecular data (D2-D3 LSU-rRNA gene) are analysed, including two new sequences of S. septentrionale from Spain. The monophyly of the genus is confirmed, and two species groups with geographical projection are tentatively identified. A close relationship with Metaporcelaimus is also demonstrated as both taxa constitute a highly supported clade. A likely polyphyly of the family Aporcelaimidae is once more demonstrated. Finally, an updated taxonomy of the genus is proposed, including revised diagnosis, list of species, identification key and a compendium of their main morphometrics
Performance of commercial growing-finishing pigs fed supplemental isoquinoline alkaloids: a statistical process control analysis
No full textBackground Statistical Process Control (SPC) is a powerful statistical tool that can be used in animal production to evaluate the evolution of production parameters overtime in response to the implementation of a specific strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing growing-finishing pigs with isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) on growth performance parameters by using the SPC method. IQ are natural secondary plant metabolites which have been extensively investigated in food animals due to their efficacy in supporting growth performance and the overall health status. Performance parameters and medication usage were collected from 1,283,880 growing-finishing pigs fed the same basal diet, 147,727 of which were supplemented with IQ from day 70 of life until slaughter.Results Supplementation with IQ improved feed conversion ratio, while feed intake and daily gain were maintained.Conclusion SPC methods are useful statistical tools to evaluate the effect of using a new feed additive in the feed of pigs on growth performance at a commercial level. Additionally, IQ supplementation improved growth performance and it can be considered as a good strategy to reduce feed conversion in growing-finishing pigs
High Strain Rate Behavior of Liquid Crystal Elastomers
No full textLiquid crystal elastomers are rubbery solids that couple liquid crystalline order and deformation. This coupling leads to properties that are attractive for a number of applications in soft robotics and energy absorption. This paper is motivated by the latter application, and provides a systematic experimental study of a particular class of liquid crystal elastomers – the isotropic genesis polydomain liquid crystal elastomers – over a wide range of strain rates in tension and compression. An important aspect of this study is a novel tensile drop-tower that enables tensile strain rates of 100 s−1 that are important to application but previously inaccessible. The paper also extends a recently proposed constitutive model to the high strain rate regime, and shows that it can be fit to describe the observed behavior across the spectrum of examined behavior
Technical report. Young people's perception of self-harm: media, social networks and their codes
No full textProject “Media representation of self-harm by minors in the media and Networks” (PID2021-124550OB-I00) framed within the call for Knowledge Generation Projects
2021, subsidized by the National Plan of the Ministry of Science and Innovation.This technical report aims to gather data on self-harm, its presence in the media, and the specific language or codes used on social networks to discuss this behavior, based on the results of a survey conducted among young people
Migration, Inclusiveness and Sustainability Nexus Thinking for Transformational Change
No full textMigration, Inclusiveness and Sustainability examines the relationships between migration, inclusiveness and sustainability in Europe, through nexus thinking. It identifies inclusiveness and sustainability as key pillars of transformational change as defined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The book’s approach recognizes that appropriate strategies for one objective must equally consider the others because of the existence of intrinsic interlinkages between these goals. Relevant questions explored include: How can inclusiveness be conceptualized and operationalized in migration systems? How can migration governance best promote sustainable development? How do inclusiveness and sustainability relate to each other as political objectives? In order to respond to these and related questions, this book is structured around three parts. Each part focuses on a specific nexus (the Migration-Inclusiveness Nexus, the Migration-Sustainability Nexus and the Inclusiveness-Sustainability Nexus). The conclusion directly addresses the Migration-Inclusiveness-Sustainability Nexus within the framework of transformational development promoted by the SDGs.
A novel analysis of two typically separate and distinct scholarly fields of research, this volume will be of great interest to students and scholars of International Relations, Politics, Sustainable Development, Public Policy, Migration and Refugee Studies, Human Rights and Development Studies.Regional Integration and Social Cohesion-social Elevation (RISC-RISE) Consotium, Department of Politics and International Relations; University of Johannesbourg.
Grupo de Investigación en Problemas Sociales SEJ 129, Departamento de Sociología, Universidad de Granada.
Grupo de Investigación en Metodología de la Investigación Social Aplicada (Methaodos). Departamento de Ciencias de la Comunicación y Sociología; Universidad Rey Juan Carlos.
Key Research Area "Migration and Inclusive Societies" Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; University of Luxembourg