Cooler Months Research Articles

Evaluating the U.S. Air Quality Index as a risk communication tool: Comparing associations of index values with respiratory morbidity among adults in California

BackgroundThe Air Quality Index (AQI) in the United States is widely used to communicate daily air quality information to the public. While use of the AQI has led to reported changes in individual behaviors, such behavior modifications will only mitigate adverse health effects if AQI values are indicative of public health risks. Few studies have assessed the capability of the AQI to accurately predict respiratory morbidity risks.Methods and findingsIn three major regions of California, Poisson generalized linear models were used to assess seasonal associations between 1,373,165 respiratory emergency department visits and short-term exposure to multiple metrics between 2012–2014, including: daily concentrations of NO2, O3, and PM2.5; the daily reported AQI; and a newly constructed health-based air quality index. AQI values were positively associated (average risk ratio = 1.03, 95% CI 1.02–1.04) during the cooler months of the year (November-February) in all three regions when the AQI was very highly correlated with PM2.5 (R2 ≥ 0.89). During the warm season (March-October) in the San Joaquin Valley region, neither AQI values nor the individual underlying air pollutants were associated with respiratory morbidity. Additionally, AQI values were not positively associated with respiratory morbidity in the Southern California region during the warm season, despite strong associations of the individual underlying air pollutants with respiratory morbidity; in contrast, health-based index values were observed to be significantly associated with respiratory morbidity as part of an applied policy analysis in this region, with a combined risk ratio of 1.02 (95% CI: 1.01–1.03).ConclusionsIn regions where individual air pollutants are associated with respiratory morbidity, and during seasons with relatively simple air mixtures, the AQI can effectively serve as a risk communication tool for respiratory health risks. However, the predictive ability of the AQI and any other index is contingent upon the monitored values being representative of actual population exposures. Other approaches, such as health-based indices, may be needed in order to effectively communicate health risks of air pollution in regions and seasons with more complex air mixtures.

Camera trap serendipity and citizen science point to broader effects of urban heat islands on food webs

Urban heat islands affect animal behavior broadly, but their effects on food webs are less understood. In November 2018, camera trap serendipity led to the detection of a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) preying upon an eastern worm snake (Carphophis amoenus amoenus) in Washington, D.C. – a previously undescribed trophic interaction. While red-tailed hawk activity is known to peak in cooler months, above-ground snake activity is expected to cease as winter approaches. We hypothesized this previously undescribed interaction was facilitated by the urban heat island effect prolonging the warm season in urban areas. To explore this hypothesis, we paired eastern worm snake observations from the iNaturalist platform with the monthly average temperatures from their nearest weather monitoring stations. Worm snake observations in areas at least 1 °C cooler than the average monthly urban temperature occurred between April and September. In contrast, observations in warmer, more developed areas (i.e. the urban heat island) occurred between March and December. Though other factors may be at play, we propose that relatively warmer winter temperatures found in urban ecosystems will continue to prompt novel trophic interactions as urban landscapes become more prolific.

Evaluating the utility of high-resolution air pollution data: Comparing the importance of temporal and spatial variability in estimating local air pollution exposures in California from 2015-2018

Background: For many years, air quality researchers have focused heavily on improving the spatial resolution of outdoor pollution estimates. This has been accomplished through improved satellite remote sensing technologies combined with complex models, currently producing surface-level estimates down to the kilometer and sub-kilometer scales. However, as resolutions grow increasingly refined, it is important to evaluate how much new information additional resolution provides and compare the relative importance of spatial and temporal variability in assigning pollution exposures to study populations. Methods: Daily PM2.5 estimates at a 1 km2 resolution, derived from NASA’s MODIS satellite instrument and the MAIAC algorithm, were estimated for 2015-2018 and linked to California ZIP codes using spatial interpolation weighting factors. Within- and between-ZIP code spatial and temporal variations were calculated for all cities with at least three ZIP codes, then aggregated and analyzed using time-series and GIS analyses. Results: Variation of PM2.5 concentrations within ZIP codes is negligible, with much greater variation observed between ZIP codes in the same city. Within and between ZIP code variation did show strong seasonal influences with greater variation observed during the cooler months of the year, particularly in Northern California which is heavily influenced by local emissions sources. In all cases, temporal variability was much greater than spatial variability at the sub-urban spatial resolutions included in this study. Conclusions: For much of the year, there is little additional information gained by using spatial resolutions more refined than ZIP code level estimates in California during the study period. However, during specific seasons there may be additional value in assigning exposures based on resolutions down to 1 km2. As air quality research moves forward, there may be diminishing returns from further improvements in spatial resolution for PM2.5 and efforts may be better allocated to other areas of exposure assessment.

Determining the prevalence of sudden and unexplained death in childhood (SUDC): a national Australian perspective.

Sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC) is defined as the unexplained death of a child over the age of 12months. The National Coronial Information System (NCIS) Australia was used to access data for deaths of children aged 1 to 4years over the period 2010 to 2014. Cases were classified as those in which the cause of death was determined and those in which the child died suddenly and unexpectedly, and the cause of death remained undetermined. Categorical information was extracted for each case to determine risk factors associated with the cause of death. The overall rate of death in Australian children aged 1 to 4years and for whom coronial data was available from 2010 to 2014 was 9.69/100,000 children. A cause of death was determined in 87% of cases with the average rate of death in this group being 8.49/100,000. Death remained undetermined in 13% of cases. The study determined that the SUDC rate in Australian children aged 1 to 4years was 0.02/100,000. However, this rate may be as high as 0.40/100,000 children should further investigation be undertaken. These children tended to be 18-20months of age and male, with death occurring primarily while prone during a sleep period in cooler months, thus having similar characteristics to sudden infant death syndrome.

The ultraviolet offense: Germicidal UV lamps destroy vicious viruses. New tech might put them many more places without harming humans

WALK INTO THE CAMBRIDGE, ONT., OFFICE of health-care equipment company PrescientX and you probably wouldn't suspect you're entering one of the most sanitary places in North America. • In this otherwise-ordinary Toronto-area office suite, you can disinfect your keys, phone, and other portables at the reception area's ultraviolet-sterilization stand. In cooler months, the air you breathe is cleansed of mold and bacteria in UV-sterilized heating units as well as blasted by UV fixtures in the office air ducts to eliminate viruses. In-room UV fixtures pointing at the ceiling disinfect the air, while other UV lights that turn on only when no one's in the room zap pathogens on desks, keyboards, and high-touch surfaces in bathrooms and work spaces. • The office, says PrescientX founder and CEO Barry Hunt, represents a possible future in which pandemics like COVID-19 are more commonplace — but in which germicidal ultraviolet light is one of the most potent weapons we have to face them down.

2020 Cool-Season Forage Variety Recommendations for Florida

Perennial warm-season pasture grasses used in Florida become dormant in late fall and winter because of short days, cooler temperatures, and frosts. Many livestock producers may choose to establish cool-season annual pasture species to supplement their forage production. These plants are usually higher in total digestible nutrients (TDN) and crude protein (CP) than summer perennial grasses, translating into greater animal performance (Dubeux et al., 2016). Planting and growing these forage crops can involve considerable expense and is somewhat risky because rainfall is often unpredictable during the fall establishment period. The species and varieties for potential use vary in the distribution of production during the cooler months and in the type of soils where they are best adapted. This publication provides the most up-to-date information on current adapted cool-season forage varieties. The recommendation of varieties is based on multi-location, multi-year cultivar evaluation experiments that may include trials in Georgia and other states.
 Previous version:
 Wallau, Marcelo, Ann Blount, Esteban Rios, Joao Vendramini, Jose Dubeux, Md Babar, and Kevin Kenworthy. 2019. “2019 Cool-Season Forage Variety Recommendations for Florida”. EDIS2019 (August). https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/115513.

Resolving the Dust Bowl paradox of grassland responses to extreme drought

During the 1930s Dust Bowl drought in the central United States, species with the C3 photosynthetic pathway expanded throughout C4-dominated grasslands. This widespread increase in C3 grasses during a decade of low rainfall and high temperatures is inconsistent with well-known traits of C3 vs. C4 pathways. Indeed, water use efficiency is generally lower, and photosynthesis is more sensitive to high temperatures in C3 than C4 species, consistent with the predominant distribution of C3 grasslands in cooler environments and at higher latitudes globally. We experimentally imposed extreme drought for 4 y in mixed C3/C4 grasslands in Kansas and Wyoming and, similar to Dust Bowl observations, also documented three- to fivefold increases in C3/C4 biomass ratios. To explain these paradoxical responses, we first analyzed long-term climate records to show that under nominal conditions in the central United States, C4 grasses dominate where precipitation and air temperature are strongly related (warmest months are wettest months). In contrast, C3 grasses flourish where precipitation inputs are less strongly coupled to warm temperatures. We then show that during extreme drought years, precipitation-temperature relationships weaken, and the proportion of precipitation falling during cooler months increases. This shift in precipitation seasonality provides a mechanism for C3 grasses to respond positively to multiyear drought, resolving the Dust Bowl paradox. Grasslands are globally important biomes and increasingly vulnerable to direct effects of climate extremes. Our findings highlight how extreme drought can indirectly alter precipitation seasonality and shift ecosystem phenology, affecting function in ways not predictable from key traits of C3 and C4 species.

Movement patterns and habitat use of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) across ontogeny in the Gulf of Mexico.

The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is globally distributed with established coastal and open-ocean movement patterns in many portions of its range. While all life stages of tiger sharks are known to occur in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), variability in habitat use and movement patterns over ontogeny have never been quantified in this large marine ecosystem. To address this data gap we fitted 56 tiger sharks with Smart Position and Temperature transmitting tags between 2010 and 2018 and examined seasonal and spatial distribution patterns across the GoM. Additionally, we analyzed overlap of core habitats (i.e., 50% kernel density estimates) among individuals relative to large benthic features (oil and gas platforms, natural banks, bathymetric breaks). Our analyses revealed significant ontogenetic and seasonal differences in distribution patterns as well as across-shelf (i.e., regional) and sex-linked variability in movement rates. Presumably sub-adult and adult sharks achieved significantly higher movement rates and used off-shelf deeper habitats at greater proportions than juvenile sharks, particularly during the fall and winter seasons. Further, female maximum rate of movement was higher than males when accounting for size. Additionally, we found evidence of core regions encompassing the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration designated Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (i.e., shelf-edge banks) during cooler months, particularly by females, as well as 2,504 oil and gas platforms. These data provide a baseline for future assessments of environmental impacts, such as climate variability or oil spills, on tiger shark movements and distribution in the region. Future research may benefit from combining alternative tracking tools, such as acoustic telemetry and genetic approaches, which can facilitate long-term assessment of the species’ movement dynamics and better elucidate the ecological significance of the core habitats identified here.

Spatial and Thermal Ecology of Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) in a Small, Dystrophic Lake in Central Michigan

Understanding the interface between spatial and thermal ecology is integral to understanding energy acquisition and the life histories of ectotherms. Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) occupy a wide range of habitats that vary greatly in their thermal properties. We studied activity, movements, and thermoregulation of C. serpentina in a small, land-locked lake in central Michigan, USA, using radiotelemetry. Consistent with our a priori predictions, turtles were active within core areas along the lake's edge, showed both diurnal and nocturnal activity, and did not make extensive interwetland movements. Turtles left the lake only for nesting or to hibernate in Sphagnum peat or in the banks of a nearby stream. Home range and core area size estimates of C. serpentina were small compared with other previously studied populations, perhaps in part because of the small dimensions of our lake. Contrary to our prediction of a broad Tset (thermoregulatory set-point) range for a large-bodied, habitat generalist turtle, we found a comparatively low and narrow laboratory-determined Tset range (22°C–26°C). Turtle body temperatures (Tb) cycled between May and August and attained maximal values during the evening hours, a pattern that likely results from thermal inertia, the selection of aquatic thermal patches, or both, as Te (operative temperatures) declined. Turtles most effectively maintained Tb within Tset during July and August when thermal conditions were most favorable. Throughout most of the active season the highly aquatic habits of C. serpentina apparently negated the effects of variations in daily weather conditions and their effects on incoming levels of solar radiation on variation in Tb. However, turtles maintained higher average Tb on sunny days compared with overcast days in April and May, the coolest months of the study. Diel Tb cycling ceased during September and October and average Tb declined despite favorable thermal conditions, at least during September, a pattern that could reflect a downward shift in the Tset range. Comparatively, C. serpentina is less effective at thermoregulating than is a small-bodied species at a similar latitude (Chrysemys picta marginata). Apparently, thermal inertia and lack of atmospheric basking proclivities influenced the thermoregulatory precision in our turtles.

IMPLICATIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE INDUCED COPING AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES ON SEAWEED PRODUCTION IN TANZANIA: A CASE OF JAMBIANI VILLAGE, UNGUJA ISLAND

Climate change remains to be the biggest challenge of 21st century threatening to negatively impacts seaweed production levels in Tanzania. Seaweed farmers have coped and adapted to the impacts of the changes for several years but the implication of their efforts measured by the level of seaweed production is still not documented. The study investigated implications of various coping and adaptation strategies employed by farmers on seaweed production. A cross sectional study was adopted to collection information’s September-November, 2016. Primary data collection tools includes Questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion from 100 seaweed farmers and analyzed by means of descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency and variation, and liner regression model at 5% confidence level. The results indicated that, seaweed farmers continued to employ documented and have recently developed new undocumented coping and adaptation strategies, documented for the first time by this study which include, setting seaweed plot in partially drilled area and tying of big sized seedling as well as planting plenty of seaweeds during cooler months. Nevertheless, production level declined from 80 to 130 sacks per harvest before notable environmental changes to 20 sacks per harvest in a situation of weather and climate changes. It was shown that only planting plenty of seaweeds during cooler months slightly improved seaweed production and others, none at all. The study recommends initiation of ceased extension services to offer technical education and services to seaweed farmers on the best ways to integrate available coping and adaptation strategies on seaweed production as well as developing the best alternative coping and adaptation strategies.

Effect of nitrogen fertilisation during the cool season on daily growth rate, botanical composition and selected nutritive characteristics of a mixed grass-clover pasture in the Winelands sub-region of the Western Cape

Nitrogen effects the productivity, botanical composition and quality of grass-clover pastures. Responses to N fertilisation are area and season specific and must be quantified to ensure optimal economical pasture production. A grass-clover pasture mixture was established under irrigation at Elsenburg Research Farm with the aim of developing nitrogen fertiliser management strategies for grass-clover pastures during the cooler months. The mixture consisted of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schreb.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L), red clover and white clover (Trifolium pratense L and Trifolium repens L). The effect of different fertiliser N rates (0, 20, 40 or 60 kg ha–1) and season of application (autumn, early winter, late winter and early spring) on daily growth rate, botanical composition and selected nutritive characteristics were evaluated. Autumn applications of 40 and 60 kg N ha–1 during the first year of the study and 60 kg N ha–1 during the second year increased primary daily growth rate. Except for autumn in Year 1, N fertiliser application rate did not influence residual daily growth rate. The nutritive characteristics – dry matter content (DM), crude protein content (CP) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) – remained within the expected range. However, pasture CP content was very high in the first year (> 30 %). The low response efficiencies to N fertiliser and resultant high cost of producing the extra pasture render most treatments uneconomical compared to buying in feed barley or oats as grain.

The influence of water temperature, salinity and food availability on nacre deposition rates in shells and pearls of Japanese and hybrid pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata ( )

The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the influence of environmental factors (water temperature, food availability [chlorophyll-a], salinity) on nacre deposition rate and tablet thickness at different positions in shells of two strains of pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata (Gould, 1850)—one from Japan, and one a Hybrid between this Japanese strain and another from China; 2) compare nacre deposition rates and tablet thickness in different shell positions within and between these two pearl oyster strains; and 3) determine relationships between shell nacre deposition rate and tablet thickness in host oysters of these two strains with those of their pearls. Nacre and tablet thickness were measured at three positions along the mantle pallial line (anterior, middle, and posterior), and one position close to the hinge, on the left valve of each oyster. Water temperature and chlorophyll-a were positively correlated (p < .001, Spearman's rho >0.75) and salinity was negatively correlated (p < .001, Spearman's rho < −0.7) with nacre deposition rate at all shell positions in both pearl oyster strains. Only water temperature below 13 °C influenced nacre tablet thinning. Significant differences in total nacre deposition occurred between the four sampling positions on the shell in both strains (p < .001), with deposition at the hinge area the slowest for both Hybrid (373.212 μm) and Japanese (569.248 μm) oysters. Nacre tablet thickness in the middle position on the shell increased most steadily over time, and was thinnest in the coolest months (0.151 μm and 0.167 μm for Hybrid and Japanese oysters, respectively). No significant difference (p > .05) in nacre tablet thickness was apparent between strains. Correlation analysis of nacre deposition rate between the shell and pearls showed that all shell positions were highly correlated with their respective pearls (p < .001, Spearman's Rho >0.75). Environmental factors influence shell nacre deposition and thickness, and because shell nacre deposition is related to pearl nacre, pearl growth also. This influence varies in different shell positions, with nacre deposition in the posterior position on the shell the fastest, and the middle position showing the most stable and thin nacre tablet. Japanese pearl oysters exhibit better nacre deposition than Hybrid oysters and would be more appropriate as host oysters in Ago Bay, Japan, should culture occur in environmental conditions comparable to those in this study.

Extreme precipitation events are becoming less frequent but more intense over Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Are shifting weather regimes the cause?

AbstractThis study analyses the connection between extreme rainfall events in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and synoptic‐scale weather patterns over the Arabian Peninsula. Mean rainfall follows a decreasing trend; however, the number of rainy days has increased. Interestingly, extreme rainfall is becoming less frequent but shows an increased intensity. Here we utilize self‐organizing maps (SOMs) to identify the weather patterns of the most intense rainy days and the synoptic systems causing extreme rainfall in the Jeddah region. Three main weather patterns that cause heavy rainfall events over Jeddah during the cooler months (November–April) are identified, all reflect tropical‐extratropical interactions. Extreme events in the early period (1979–1998) are characterized by a stronger tropical influence and local precipitation patterns, while a stronger extratropical forcing and higher extreme rainfall amounts are spotted in the late period (1999–2018). Our results suggest that in recent decades, the mechanism causing extreme rainfall over the city of Jeddah has shifted toward a weather regime with stronger extratropical influence.

Atmospheric Trace Metal Deposition from Natural and Anthropogenic Sources in Western Australia

Aerosols from Western Australia supply micronutrient trace elements including Fe into the western shelf of Australia and further afield into the Southern and Indian Oceans. However, regional observations of atmospheric trace metal deposition are limited. Here, we applied a series of leaching experiments followed by total analysis of bulk aerosol samples to a unique time-series of aerosol samples collected in Western Australia to determine atmospheric concentrations and solubilities of Fe and V, Mn, Co, Zn, and Pb. Positive matrix factorisation analysis indicated that mineral dust, biomass burning particulates, sea salt, and industrial emissions were the major types of aerosols. Overall, natural sources dominated Fe deposition. Higher atmospheric concentrations of mineral dust (sixfold) and biomass burning emissions were observed in warmer compared to cooler months. The fraction of labile Fe (0.6–6.0%) was lower than that reported for other regions of Australia. Bushfire emissions are a temporary source of labile Fe and may cause a peak in the delivery of its more easily available forms to the ocean. Increased labile Fe deposition may result in higher ocean productivity in regions where Fe is limiting, and the effect of aerosol deposition on ocean productivity in this region requires further study.

Seasonal and diurnal variation of marine wind characteristics based on lidar measurements

AbstractThe accurate assessment of marine wind characteristics is receiving increasing attention because of its practical importance in diverse areas. However, the reliable measurement of marine winds is often insufficient mainly because of the limitation of the instrumentation used. In the present study, four year lidar measurement data, recorded continuously from March 2012 to November 2015, are collected at an offshore platform near Lamma Island in Hong Kong, China, to obtain useful marine meteorological information, with a particular interest in the seasonal and diurnal variations of wind speed, wind shear co‐efficient (WSC) and veering wind angle. It is shown that the wind speed and Weibull parameters generally exhibit evident monthly variation. The maximum monthly wind speed occurs in February, with values between 7.41 and 8.13 m·s−1 depending on the height, and the monthly minimum occurs in August, with values between 4.66 and 5.27 m·s−1. The Weibull scale parameter shows a similar monthly pattern with wind speed, while the Weibull shape parameter peaks in June. Furthermore, the diurnal pattern of both wind speed and Weibull parameters is closely tied to seasonality. The WSC covering the bottom and top layers of the wind turbine is likewise examined. Larger WSCs are obtained during hotter months, while smaller WSCs are associated with cooler months. The diurnal pattern of the WSC shows reasonable agreement among different seasons, although the magnitude is somewhat different. The veering angle generally increases with height. Its monthly pattern reveals a maximum in May, reaching up to 17.8° within the height of concern. Pronounced monthly and diurnal patterns of veering angles are observed at higher altitudes.

Life history, phenology, host range and natural enemies of Acria meyricki Shashank and Ramamurthy (Lepidoptera: Depressariidae): an emerging defoliator of oil palm, Elaeis guineenis Jacq. In India

Oil palm leaf webworm, Acria meyricki Shashank and Ramamurthy (Lepidoptera: Depressariidae) is emerging as serious defoliator of oil palm, Elaeis guineensis Jacq. in India. It damages oil palm of all ages, from nursery to adult palms. A study was conducted in the laboratory to understand the biology and morphometrics of A. meyricki. Abundance and population dynamics of leaf webworm and its parasitoids were studied in oil plantations in Andhra Pradesh, India. Pest density (number of larvae / leaf) and parasitism rates of parasitoids were quantified. Influences of weather factors viz., maximum and minimum temperature, morning and evening relative humidity and rainfall on the abundance of leaf webworm and its parasitoids were assessed. A female moth laid about 101.60 eggs in its life time. The caterpillars developed through six to seven instars. Total life cycle completed in 32.9 days (egg to adult). Leaf webworm preferred to defoliate the older and intermediate leaves of the palms. Early stage caterpillars of feed on green parenchymatous tissues of the leaflets from under surface leaving a thin parchment like upper epidermis undamaged, while, the later stages defoliate the leaves. In severe cases, leaflets appear widely eroded, thus curling, bending and drying consequently to the pest infestation. The activity of the pest in oil palm plantations was limited to cooler months of the year i.e. October to March. Pearson Co-efficient of correlation analysis showed that minimum and maximum temperatures had significant negative effect on the development of pest population (larval density). Three parasitoids viz., Dolichogenidea (=Apanteles) hyposidrae (Wilkinson), Elasmus brevicornis Gahan and Brachymeria albotibialis (Ashmead) were identified during the study and their role in the pest population changes is discussed. Correlation analysis indicated that the parasitoids, D. hyposidrae and B. albotibialis were significantly and positively correlated with abundance of host larvae and pupae respectively. Results of feeding tests indicated that oil palm was the best host known of all species tested, with higher rate of larval pupation and adult emergence and the lower duration of time to pupation and adult emergence, which was followed by cocoa. The practical implications of this knowledge are discussed.

Prevalence of Rickettsial infections in a tertiary care centre

: Rickettsial infections are the most covert re-emerging infections of the present times. They are considered one of the important causes of Pyrexia of Unknown origin (PUO). They are often under diagnosed due to low index of suspicion, nonspecific signs and symptoms and absence of widely available sensitive and specific diagnostic tests. These diseases have a high mortality, which can be averted if diagnosed and treated early. Weil- Felix test is the cheapest and widely used test for diagnosis in India.The present study was undertaken with the objective of evaluating the patients with Febrile illness, for rickettsial infection using Weil- Felix test and study their demographic and clinical profile.: Weil-Felix test was done on serum samples of 120 patients with fever since 7-10 days, from October 2017 to October 2019 and evaluated for Rickettsial infection. Detailed history, signs, symptoms were recorded.: Out the 120 patients, 25 showed a titre of &amp;#62;1:80 in OX2, OX19 and 5 cases showed titre of &amp;#62;1:160 in OX K. The disease was more common in children and in the cooler months. Fever, rash, headache, vomiting and pain abdomen were common symptoms. Most common signs were rash (27 cases) and conjunctival congestion (19 cases).: Though the sensitivity and specificity of Weil-Felix test is low, it is done even today as it is the most convenient and economical test available for the diagnosis of Rickettsial infections. Prevalence of Rickettsial diseases is significant in this region and greater clinical awareness in the differential diagnosis of fevers is required for early diagnosis and treatment.

The Effect of High Summer Temperatures on Reproduction in Holstein and Czech Fleckvieh

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the hot summer season on the length of service period (number of days from calving to the next conception). For the analysis was created two databases of twins. Twins had the same sire and dam and the first and second lactations took place on the same farm. In the first database (105 pairs) one of the twins was calved (and had the following service period) during the summer months and the second of the twin was calved in the cooler months. To compare the difference in service period between twins in the hot and cool seasons, it was made also second group of twin pairs with reproduction only during the cool period of the year (cool vs. cool season; 58 pairs). The data were analysed using PROC GLM of Statistica®. In addition to season, the effect of breed (Holstein, Czech Fleckvieh), milk production at 1st lactation and calving year were also taken into consideration. The results showed a significantly longer service period in the summer (133.8 days) than in the cool months (114.7 days). In the case of twins with reproduction in the cool months of the year, the difference between length of service period was shorter and insignificant (113.6 vs. 119.4 days).

The effect of clothing on decomposition and vertebrate scavengers in cooler months of the temperate southwestern Cape, South Africa

With research providing conflicting results from different habitats across the globe, the effect of clothing on decomposition is unclear; some studies indicate clothing increases decomposition rate by facilitating increased insect activity, and others conclude clothing prolongs the decay process. In South Africa, such research is lacking, with no data for the Western Cape Province, which suffers from a high murder rate with many unclaimed, unidentified bodies. Improving post-mortem interval (PMI) estimates will increase chances of correct forensic identification of decedents by narrowing the search window for police. Since no current PMI estimation method accounts for the possible influence of clothing, this study was designed to examine the effect of seasonally appropriate common clothing on decomposition rate in the thicketed Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, Cape Town, a forensically significant region. Four ∼60 kg domestic pig carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus) were used as proxies for human decomposition, two were clothed and two unclothed. The clothing, altered by a seamstress to ensure an appropriate fit, caused a notable decrease in decay rate in this initial sample. Daily weight loss was used as a quantitative measure of decomposition progression, as the clothing prevented the use of visual decomposition scoring systems. Weight loss was closely associated with scavenging activity by the Cape grey mongoose (Galerella pulverulenta), with a clear scavenger preference for unclothed carcasses. This suggests that the effect of clothing on decomposition may be better assessed in this environment by examining how scavengers interact with only a single clothed carcass.

Differences in vegetative growth of two invasive hawkweeds at temperatures simulating invaded habitats at two altitudes

Hieracium pilosella and H. aurantiacum are invading alpine regions in New South Wales, Australia. In a glasshouse experiment we investigated germination and growth rates of these two species at temperatures simulating the altitudes where invasions are occurring from autumn to spring. We measured germination rates, growth rates and the development of stolons and ramets using seedlings and plantlets from established plants. Germination was low in H. aurantiacum and unaffected by altitude or seed age. H. pilosella showed site to site variability in germination but had greater germination. No species produced flower spikes. Both species grew rapidly and put at least twice as much biomass into roots compared to shoots. H. aurantiacum could begin to produce stolons after 27 days and seedlings grew a little larger than for H. pilosella. Hieracium aurantiacum put significantly more resources into ramets, allocating between 4–15% of biomass. H. pilosella produced 2.6 stolons month−1, in contrast to 9.8 stolons month−1 for H. aurantiacum. Furthermore, plantlets from established plants had vastly different growth rates. Plantlets of H. aurantiacum produced 2.1 leaves day−1 from late summer to winter where H. pilosella was 3 times slower for the same period but faster following winter. Both species were able to maintain strong growth over cooler months suggesting hawkweeds have the capacity for fast growth in the invaded range under high nutrients and lower competition. H. aurantiacum is likely to be a more effective invader than H. pilosella spreading through stolons and the development of weed mats.