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The intensification of production processes, resulting from the rise in pork production, contributes to environmental changes and increased interaction between humans, animals, and wildlife. This favorable scenario promotes the spread of potent viral species, such as PCV3, increasing the potential for the emergence of new pathogenic agents and variants. These changes in the epidemiology and manifestation of PCV3 highlight the need for enhanced understanding and control. The current literature presents challenges in the classification of PCV3, with different groups proposing diverse criteria. Establishing common terminology is crucial to facilitate comparisons between studies. While consensus among experts is valuable, new approaches must be transparent and comparable to existing literature, ensuring reproducible results and proper interpretation, and positively impacting public health. This study aims to review the literature on PCV3 infection, exploring its key aspects and highlighting unanswered questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first records in the literature compiled on the parasitic fauna of amphibians in Northeastern Brazil date back to the 1990s. Since then, several new studies have been published on parasite-host relationships, parasite communities, and descriptions of new taxa. However, only in the last decade has there been a significant increase in these studies. Given this growth, we aim to provide a complete and updated compilation of helminth records associated with amphibians from the Brazilian Northeastern region and to analyse the dynamics and network structure formed between parasites and their hosts. Therefore, 33 studies were found in the specialized literature that addressed data from eight families, 15 genera, and 34 species of anuran amphibians, distributed mainly in areas of the morphoclimatic domain of the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest remnants in the Brazilian Northeast. These data correspond to 35% of the total known species of the Caatinga, with Leptodactylidae being the most representative taxon. Regarding helminths, 51 species were recorded, belonging to 20 families and 32 genera. To evaluate the structure of the network, we used measures of connectivity, nestedness, modularity, and centrality, that were considered to identify key species. The web presented 247 interactions with a highly connected structure formed by two parasite generalist species, non-nested and non-modular. We concluded that anuran amphibians from the Brazilian Northeast possess a high parasitic diversity, being Bufonidae and Leptodactylidade taxa considered fundamental for the network structure. Herein, we provided the first analysis of the global framework of parasite communities in amphibians from Brazilian Northeast, by using antagonistic network interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat fragmentation and host community composition are implicated as key drivers of changing tick populations and tick‐borne pathogen dynamics, altering infection risk through coupled socioecological pathways that mediate interactions between tick vectors, vertebrate hosts, and humans. Patterns of host diversity may be particularly idiosyncratic across urbanized landscapes, due to trade‐offs between extreme fragmentation that reduces habitat suitability and access, and human activities that artificially increase resource availability for wildlife. We used camera and hair trap surveys and tick sampling to identify links between landscape composition and configuration, the mammalian host community, and the presence of three tick vector species at a human–wildlife interface in New York City, an emerging area within an endemic region for several tick‐borne diseases. We found that human infrastructures, such as the presence of fences in yards, could affect mammal host community composition by changing the "hardness" of edges between urban greenspaces and residential areas. We identified yard‐ and broader landscape‐level features associated with the presence of urban mammal species, and identified cascading effects of host community composition on tick distribution in yards, suggesting management implications for the mitigation of human exposure to tick‐borne pathogens. In particular, we identified a possible role of ubiquitous mesomammals, such as raccoons (Procyon lotor), in transporting Amblyomma americanum ticks between parks and neighboring residential yards, and confirmed the key role of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for introducing Ixodes scapularis ticks into yards. Our results challenge assumptions that biodiversity loss in human‐modified areas always increases the risk for tick‐borne diseases. Instead, we found many residential sites had higher mammal species richness and higher detection of low reservoir competent ("dilution") hosts for Borrelia burgdorferi, such as opossums (Didelphis virginiana), than paired forested greenspaces. Our study highlights the importance of disentangling the mechanisms mediating tick‐borne disease hazard as a critical first step toward reducing urban tick‐borne disease risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomes are membrane-bound structures released by cells into the external environment that carry a significant amount of important cargo, such as proteins, DNA, RNA, and lipids. They play a crucial role in intercellular communication. Parasites have complex life cycles and can release exosomes at different stages. Exosomes released by parasitic pathogens or infected cells contain parasitic nucleic acids, antigenic molecules, virulence factors, drug-resistant proteins, proteases, lipids, etc. These components can regulate host gene expression across species or modulate signaling pathways, thereby dampening or activating host immune responses, causing pathological damage, and participating in disease progression. This review focuses on the means by which parasitic exosomes modulate host immune responses, elaborates on the pathogenic mechanisms of parasites, clarifies the interactions between parasites and hosts, and provides a theoretical basis and research directions for the prevention and treatment of parasitic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Morphological and ecological attributes of parasite species did not contribute to parasite beta-diversity. • Contribution of parasite species to their beta-diversity depended on mean abundance and/or prevalence. • The effect of host sex or age on their contribution to parasite beta-diversity was detected in a few species only. We searched for common patterns in parasite ecology by investigating species and host contributions to the beta-diversity of infracommunities (=assemblages of parasites harboured by a host individual) in helminths of three species of South African ungulates and fleas of 11 species of South American rodents, assuming that a comparison of patterns in distinctly different parasites and hosts would allow us to judge the generality or, at least, commonness of these patterns. We used data on species' composition and numbers of parasites and asked whether (i) parasite species' attributes (life cycle, transmission mode, and host specificity in helminths; possession of sclerotized combs, microhabitat preference, and host specificity in fleas) or their population structure (mean abundance and/or prevalence) and (ii) host characteristics (sex and age) affect parasite and host species' contributions to parasite beta-diversity (SCBD and HCBD, respectively). We found that parasite species' morphological and ecological attributes were mostly not associated with their SCBD. In contrast, parasite SCBD, in both ungulates and rodents, significantly increased with either parasite mean abundance or prevalence or both. The effect of host characteristics on HCBD was detected in a few hosts only. In general, parasite infracommunities' beta-diversity appeared to be driven by variation in parasite species rather than the uniqueness of the assemblages harboured by individual hosts. We conclude that some ecological patterns (such as the relationships between SCBD and parasite abundance/prevalence) appear to be common and do not differ between different host-parasite associations in different geographic regions, whereas other patterns (the relationships between SCBD and parasite species' attributes) are contingent and depend on parasite and host identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S. litura is dreaded polyphagous insect pest in Asian tropics. The fundamental and applied research always requires laboratory rearing of insects. This study investigated the effects of natural hosts (castor, cauliflower, cabbage and tomato) and meridic diet on biological, reproductive physiology and demographic parameters of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The castor and meridic diet gave better results in several parameters than other hosts. The total developmental period was shortest on castor. Though, it was longest on meridic diet, but the pupal weight and eupyrene sperm bundle counts were on par in both the cases. The fecundity was superior (1791.7 ± 65.64 per/female) in castor, followed by meridic diet (1718.3 ± 95.80). The demographic parameters and biotic potential were highest in castor, whereas the gross reproductive rate was highest on meridic diet. The study showed that the meridic diet may be an alternate choice in the absence of natural hosts for mass rearing of S. litura throughout the year. The demographic parameters calculated were linked to prediction of population structure on different hosts in developing life-table based simulations for use in pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of host-parasite interactions can be measured in ecologically relevant ways through behavioural indicators based on foraging theory. These include, assessing how parasites alter foraging aptitudes, harvest rates, and risk management of foragers. Consequences of infection can be measured from individuals to ecosystems. At the individual level, sick animals need to trade-off finding food with remaining safe from predators, while potentially facing debilitating effects from infection. This potentially results in reduced foraging efficiencies, compromised risk awareness, and increased apprehension. To investigate this, we assessed how a Mycoplasma bacterial infection impacted individual Allenby’s gerbils’ foraging aptitudes, resource harvest rates, and anti-predator responses. We monitored individuals through three stages, from uninfected, to acutely (newly) and finally chronically (long term) infected. We identified three distinct responses. While acutely infected, some individuals increased their foraging effort in patches and spent less time vigilant. This may reflect increased future value of food for these individuals. Some individuals immediately reduced their foraging effort and displayed increased apprehension while acutely infected. This likely reflects a lethargy, where sick individuals are compromised in their ability to harvest seeds efficiently while also remaining vigilant. As all individuals became progressively sicker with a chronic infection, their foraging declined and apprehension levels increased. Two individuals employed a ‘grab and go’ foraging strategy to minimize time spent in patches. Foraging costs of long-term infection increase dramatically over time. These findings point to some behavioural plasticity in response to initial infection, yet the consequences of long-term infection are similar for all individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original city hospitality experience (CHX) model outlined essential components of urban visitor experiences and the dynamics inherent in guest–host relationships. Its primary aim was to comprehend the essence of hospitality in destinations, striving to establish a harmonious equilibrium among diverse engaged stakeholders. A new model appears necessary to respond more effectively to societal developments, the escalating complexity of city hospitality within urban contexts, and the evolving academic discourse on customer experiences. Meta-theoretical research provided a conceptual basis for the new CHX model. Recognizing the multitude of perspectives and stakeholder interests, an initial iteration of the revised model was disseminated among scholars and practitioners, prompting valuable input and recommendations that helped to refine the model. The new CHX model encompasses further elements including relationships between stimuli and responses and evaluative outcomes, while acknowledging contextual and contingency factors. The new model adds to the urban tourism literature and supports practitioners to understand how city hospitality experiences arise and develop. From a societal perspective, the new model enables understanding, measuring and sustaining experiences of stakeholders. It aims to support destinations addressing major challenges, such as having hospitable, open and friendly images of places that offer safe, yet stimulating experiences, in a responsible manner, while recognizing the interests of visitors, residents and businesses. The model helps to explain the impact of developments in digitization, sustainability and overtourism through a multi-stakeholder experience lens. Furthermore, the new CHX model serves as a framework for designing and testing specific interventions that lead to a balanced experience while fostering positive community effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Anaplasma includes A. marginale, A. centrale, A. bovis, A. ovis, A. platys, and A. phagocytophilum transmitted by ticks, some of which are zoonotic and cause anaplasmosis in humans and animals. In 2012, a new species was discovered in goats in China. In 2015, the same agent was detected in humans in China, and it was provisionally named Anaplasma capra, referring to 2012. The studies conducted to date have revealed the existence of A. capra in humans, domestic animals, wild animals, and ticks from three different continents (Asia, Europe, and Africa). Phylogenetic analyses based on gltA and groEL sequences show that A. capra clearly includes two different genotypes (A. capra genotype-1 and A. capra genotype-2). Although A. capra human isolates are in the genotype-2 group, goat, sheep, and cattle isolates are in both groups, making it difficult to establish a host genotype-relationship. According to current data, it can be thought that human isolates are genotype-2 and while only genotype-1 is found in Europe, both genotypes are found in Asia. Anaplasma capra causes clinical disease in humans, but the situation is not yet sufficient to understand the zoonotic importance and pathogenicity in animals. In the present review, the history, hosts (vertebrates and ticks), molecular prevalence, pathogenic properties, and genetic diversity of A. capra were evaluated from a broad perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bombyliidae, a large Dipteran family, includes over 5380 species globally. Adults are frequently the primary pollinators of a wide variety of flowering plants, and larvae are predators of other holometabolous insects' immature stages. While 50 species of the family have been recorded in the UAE, a comparison with recent studies in neighboring countries suggests that this number underestimates the true diversity of Bombylliid fauna in the UAE. Results: In the present study, eleven species, classified in nine genera, five tribes, and three subfamilies are added to the UAE's bombyliid fauna for the first time. These species are Geron (Geron) gibbosus (Olivier, 1789) [subfamily Toxophorinae], Heterotropus aegyptiacus Paramonov, 1929, H. bisglaucus Bezzi, 1925 [subfamily Heterotropinae], Anthrax dentatus (Becker, 1906), A. zohrayensis El‐Hawagry, 2002, Satyramoeba bipunctata (Fabricius, 1805), Spogostylum incisurale (Macquart, 1840), Heteralonia (Zygodipla) submucorea Greathead, 1980, Exhyalanthrax triangularis (Bezzi, 1924), Petrorossia letho (Wiedemann, 1828), and Xeramoeba near salwae El Hawagry, 2001 [subfamily Anthracinae]. Three of the genera, Geron, Heterotropus and Satyramoeba, and two of the subfamilies, Toxophorinae and Heterotropinae, are recorded for the first time in the UAE. Distributions, diagnoses, remarks on feeding habits and photographs of recorded species are provided. Conclusion: The present study adds eleven species to the UAE's bombyliid fauna, classified in nine genera, five tribes, and three subfamilies. This boosts the overall recorded number of bombyliid species in the UAE to 61 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensification of production processes, resulting from the rise in pork production, contributes to environmental changes and increased interaction between humans, animals, and wildlife. This favorable scenario promotes the spread of potent viral species, such as PCV3, increasing the potential for the emergence of new pathogenic agents and variants. These changes in the epidemiology and manifestation of PCV3 highlight the need for enhanced understanding and control. The current literature presents challenges in the classification of PCV3, with different groups proposing diverse criteria. Establishing common terminology is crucial to facilitate comparisons between studies. While consensus among experts is valuable, new approaches must be transparent and comparable to existing literature, ensuring reproducible results and proper interpretation, and positively impacting public health. This study aims to review the literature on PCV3 infection, exploring its key aspects and highlighting unanswered questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Habitat fragmentation and host community composition are implicated as key drivers of changing tick populations and tick‐borne pathogen dynamics, altering infection risk through coupled socioecological pathways that mediate interactions between tick vectors, vertebrate hosts, and humans. Patterns of host diversity may be particularly idiosyncratic across urbanized landscapes, due to trade‐offs between extreme fragmentation that reduces habitat suitability and access, and human activities that artificially increase resource availability for wildlife. We used camera and hair trap surveys and tick sampling to identify links between landscape composition and configuration, the mammalian host community, and the presence of three tick vector species at a human–wildlife interface in New York City, an emerging area within an endemic region for several tick‐borne diseases. We found that human infrastructures, such as the presence of fences in yards, could affect mammal host community composition by changing the “hardness” of edges between urban greenspaces and residential areas. We identified yard‐ and broader landscape‐level features associated with the presence of urban mammal species, and identified cascading effects of host community composition on tick distribution in yards, suggesting management implications for the mitigation of human exposure to tick‐borne pathogens. In particular, we identified a possible role of ubiquitous mesomammals, such as raccoons (Procyon lotor), in transporting Amblyomma americanum ticks between parks and neighboring residential yards, and confirmed the key role of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for introducing Ixodes scapularis ticks into yards. Our results challenge assumptions that biodiversity loss in human‐modified areas always increases the risk for tick‐borne diseases. Instead, we found many residential sites had higher mammal species richness and higher detection of low reservoir competent (“dilution”) hosts for Borrelia burgdorferi, such as opossums (Didelphis virginiana), than paired forested greenspaces. Our study highlights the importance of disentangling the mechanisms mediating tick‐borne disease hazard as a critical first step toward reducing urban tick‐borne disease risk.

It is well documented that COVID-19 increased poverty and food insecurity all over the world, especially in fragile contexts. However, it is still unclear how its effects were transmitted to these two outcomes. This paper aims to identify the mechanisms through which COVID-19 affected poverty and food insecurity in refugee-hosting districts in Uganda. We use path analysis with household fixed effects to identify the main pathways, differentiating between refugee and host households, and considering the heterogeneity among them in terms of income source (agricultural vs. non-agricultural households), and market position (food net-buyers vs. net-sellers vs. self-sufficient households). The analysis shows that COVID-19 significantly affected labour participation and increased food value chain disruption, increasing poverty and food insecurity. Refugees have been affected more than hosts by the COVID-19 direct and indirect effects. Host households could benefit from the increase in food prices, while refugees were mainly affected by the effect on the labour market. As expected, net-buyers are the group most affected by food value chain disruption and, along with non-agricultural households, the ones that were most affected in terms of food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With 1.5 million refugees and a refugee policy that promotes long-term settlement and self-sufficiency, understanding the impact of refugees on host communities in Uganda is a critical issue. Of particular concern – not only in Uganda, but all refugee-hosting countries – is the economic impact of refugees; while refugees attract aid money into the local economy, the mass distribution of in-kind goods can drive local prices and wages down. Moreover, little is known about the role of economic integration between refugees and hosts, especially in situations of protracted displacement. Using a mixed methods approach with panel survey data and semi-structured interviews, we show significant integration between refugees and hosts that is widely perceived as positive. Results indicate that refugees provide goods and services at lower costs to hosts and often of higher quality than found elsewhere. Yet, these interactions, especially through markets, create competition and may lower prices and wages since proximity to refugees is associated with lower host labor participation and earnings from crop production. The net welfare effect for hosts of being close to refugees are found to be ambiguous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses poverty dynamics and checks for the existence of poverty traps among refugee and host communities living close to each other in Uganda. Although some non-linearities emerge in asset dynamics, there is convergence towards one stable equilibrium for the whole sample that suggests the existence of a structural poverty trap. However, households are quite heterogeneous: when analysing refugees and hosts separately, refugees converge to a lower own-group equilibrium than hosts. The household size and education are asset growth enablers for both communities. Noticeably, access to land, past history and social cohesion are also significant correlates of refugees' asset dynamics. From a policy perspective, structural poverty traps are bad news, because standard anti-poverty interventions would not unlock the trap. Our results stress the need of more structural approaches aimed at promoting economic growth in the whole area where refugee and host communities live, targeting both communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied latitudinal patterns in the species richness (SR), the phylogenetic diversity (PD), and the functional diversity (FD) of fleas and their mammalian hosts. We asked whether these patterns in either fleas, hosts, or both 1) conform to a classical latitudinal gradient; 2) vary geographically; and 3) differ between fleas and hosts. We also asked whether the patterns of PD and FD follow those of SR. We collected data on the latitudinal distribution of 1022 flea and 900 mammal species from literature sources and calculated the SR, PD, and FD of both groups in 1° latitude bands. Then, we used broken‐stick regression models to analyse separately the latitudinal variation of 1) each diversity facet and 2) fleas and hosts in each geographic quadrant. The classical latitudinal gradient pattern was not found in either fleas or hosts across any facet of diversity or geographic quadrant, except for the PD of fleas in the southeastern quadrant and the FD of hosts in the southwestern quadrant. Latitudinal patterns of the SR, PD and FD of fleas and hosts differed substantially between geographic quadrants. Furthermore, the latitudinal distributions of flea and host SR were similar in three of four quadrants (except the northeastern quadrant), whereas the latitudinal distributions of flea and host PD were similar in the southwestern quadrant only. No similarity in flea versus host FD was revealed. The latitudinal patterns of flea and host PD and FD mostly did not follow those of their SR. We conclude that latitudinal gradients of species richness and phylogenetic and functional diversity appeared not to be universal phenomena. Instead, the latitudinal distributions of these diversity facets represent an interplay of ecological (current and past) and historical processes. For parasites, the processes acting on hosts add another layer of complexity underlying their latitudinal diversity patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the Amazon region, several species of triatomines occur in the natural environments. Among them, species of the genus Rhodnius are a risk to human populations due to their high rates of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. The aim of this study was to identify the T. cruzi genotypes in Rhodnius specimens and their relationship with sylvatic hosts from different environments in the Brazilian Amazon. Methods: A total of 492 triatomines were collected from the municipalities of Monte Negro, Rondônia state, and Humaitá, Amazonas state, 382 of them being nymphs and 110 adults. Genotyping of T. cruzi in six discrete typing units (DTUs) was performed using conventional multilocus PCR. The triatomines that were positive for T. cruzi and engorged with blood were also targeted for amplification of the cytochrome B (cytB) gene to identify bloodmeal sources. Results: Of the 162 positive samples, the identified DTUs were TcI (87.65%) and TcIV (12.35%). It was observed that 102 specimens were engorged with a variety of bloodmeals. Triatomines infected with TcI were associated with DNA of all identified vertebrates, except Plecturocebus brunneus. TcIV was detected in triatomines that fed on Coendou prehensilis, Didelphis marsupialis, Mabuya nigropunctata, P. brunneus, Pithecia irrorata, Sapajus apella, and Tamandua tetradactyla. Conclusion: Results highlight the need to understand the patterns of T. cruzi genotypes in Rhodnius spp. and their association with sylvatic hosts to better elucidate their role in the transmission of Chagas disease in the Amazon region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxilli Herba (TH) is famous for semi-parasitic feature, with hundreds of host species. The content of bioactive constituents varies in TH from different hosts. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms of the synthesis and accumulation of bioactive constituents in TH from different hosts, we performed proteomics combined with metabolomics to investigate TH from two common hosts of Morus alba L. and Liquidambar formosana Hance. Tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics were used for analysis. A total of 533 differentially expressed proteins were detected, of which 259 were significantly up-regulated and 274 significantly down-regulated in expression levels. DEPs were shown to be mostly engaged in cellular process and metabolic process by GO analysis. DEPs were considerably abundant in amino acid metabolic pathways, according to KEGG pathway analysis. 16 bioactive constituents were quantitatively determined by ultrafast liquid chromatography simultaneously coupled with triple quadrupole/linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-QTRAP-MS/MS). Meanwhile, the changes in the contents of 16 bioactive constituents were mostly compatible with the expression patterns of relevant structural proteins. The results of this study will provide basic information about the role of protein in the secondary metabolism biosynthesis pathway and the molecular mechanism of the quality formation of TH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a zoonotic disease caused by the rodent-transmitted orthohantaviruses (HVs), with China possessing the most cases globally. The virus hosts in China are Apodemus agrarius and Rattus norvegiens, and the disease spread is strongly influenced by global climate dynamics. To assess and predict the spatiotemporal trends of HFRS from 2005 to 2098, we collected historical HFRS data in mainland China (2005-2020), historical and projected climate and population data (2005-2098), and spatial variables including biotic, environmental, topographical, and socioeconomic. Spatiotemporal predictions and mapping were conducted under 27 scenarios incorporating multiple integrated representative concentration pathway models and population scenarios. We identify the type of magistral HVs host species as the best spatial division, including four region categories. Seven extreme climate indices associated with temperature and precipitation have been pinpointed as key factors affecting the trends of HFRS. Our predictions indicate that annual HFRS cases will increase significantly in 62 of 356 cities in mainland China. Rattus regions are predicted to be the most active, surpassing Apodemus and Mixed regions. Eighty cities are identified as at severe risk level for HFRS, each with over 50 reported cases annually, including 22 new cities primarily located in East China and Rattus regions after 2020, while 6 others develop new risk. Our results suggest that the risk of HFRS will remain high through the end of this century, with Rattus norvegieus being the most active host, and that extreme climate indices are significant risk factors. Our findings can inform evidence-based policymaking regarding future risk of HFRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field and laboratory investigations were carried out during 2022-23 to study the bioecology and efficacy of plant extracts for the phytophagous coccinellid, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (F.) for understanding them properly to devise ecology based management techniques. Besides damaging the brinjal a significant population of H. vigintioctopunctata beetle was recorded from the solanaceous weeds like Solanum nigrum and Physalis spp. Biology of H. vigintioctopunctata on S. nigrum under laboratory conditions was conducted and the results revealed that the beetle completed its life cycle in 23.1±3.5 days and the mean fecundity was 220 ± 33.0 revealing that the beetle can very successfully breed on this host plant. Morphological and taxonomical descriptions of the immature as well as adult stages of these beetles were studied and for proper identification the male genitalia was dissected. The population fluctuation of H. vigintioctopunctata in relation to weather parameters was also monitored under field conditions and was observed to have significant influence altogether on the pest population in brinjal but not in alternate hosts. The methanolic extracts of Polygonum hydropiper and tobacco decoction were found moderately effective in lowering the leaf damage by the beetle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metallic lithium (Li) is considered the "Holy Grail" anode material for the next‐generation of Li batteries with high energy density owing to the extraordinary theoretical specific capacity and the lowest negative electrochemical potential. However, owing to inhomogeneous Li‐ion flux, Li anodes undergo uncontrollable Li deposition, leading to limited power output and practical applications. Carbon materials and their composites with controllable structures and properties have received extensive attention to guide the homogeneous growth of Li to achieve high‐performance Li anodes. In this review, the correlation between the behavior of Li anode and the properties of carbon materials is proposed. Subsequently, we review emerging strategies for rationally designing high‐performance Li anodes with carbon materials, including interface engineering (stabilizing solid electrolyte interphase layer and other functionalized interfacial layer) and architecture design of host carbon (constructing three‐dimension structure, preparing hollow structure, introducing lithiophilic sites, optimizing geometric effects, and compositing with Li). Based on the insights, some prospects on critical challenges and possible future research directions in this field are concluded. It is anticipated that further innovative works on the fundamental chemistry and theoretical research of Li anodes are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensification of production processes, resulting from the rise in pork production, contributes to environmental changes and increased interaction between humans, animals, and wildlife. This favorable scenario promotes the spread of potent viral species, such as PCV3, increasing the potential for the emergence of new pathogenic agents and variants. These changes in the epidemiology and manifestation of PCV3 highlight the need for enhanced understanding and control. The current literature presents challenges in the classification of PCV3, with different groups proposing diverse criteria. Establishing common terminology is crucial to facilitate comparisons between studies. While consensus among experts is valuable, new approaches must be transparent and comparable to existing literature, ensuring reproducible results and proper interpretation, and positively impacting public health. This study aims to review the literature on PCV3 infection, exploring its key aspects and highlighting unanswered questions.

This study was carried out in the Kızılırmak Delta Cernek Bird Ringing Station, Central Black Sea Region, during August and September 2020, to survey the louse species found on shorebirds (Aves: Charadriiformes). A total of 241 birds belonging to 13 species were searched for chewing lice. Eleven species in six genera of the family Scolopacidae (Actitis hypoleucos, Arenaria interpres, Calidris alba, Calidris alpina, Calidris falcinellus, Calidris ferruginea, Calidris minuta, Gallinago gallinago, Tringa glareola, Tringa totanus, Xenus cinereus) and two species in one genus of the family Charadriidae (Charadrius dubius, Charadrius hiaticula) were examined. Birds were caught alive with mist-nets, ringed, searched for lice, and released. A total of 153 birds (63.49%) were infested with lice belonging to 16 species, five amblycerans: Actornithophilus bicolor, Actornithophilus ochraceus, Actornithophilus totani, Actornithophilus umbrinus, Austromenopon lutescens, and eleven ischnocerans: Carduiceps fulvofasciatus, Carduiceps meinertzhageni, Carduiceps zonarius, Lunaceps actophilus, Lunaceps falcinellus, Lunaceps schismatus, Quadraceps hiaticulae, Quadraceps obscurus, Quadraceps ravus, Quadraceps strepsilaris and Saemundssonia platygaster frater. These eight species are new records for Turkey: Ac. bicolor, Ac. ochraceus, Ca. fulvofasciatus, Lu. falcinellus, Lu. schismatus, Qu. ravus, Qu. strepsilaris and Sa. platygaster frater. In addition, Qudraceps hiaticulae was recorded from Little ringed plovers (Charadrius dubius) for the first time in the world in this study. According the lice checklist of wild birds in Turkey, a total of 188 bird species examined and 122 of them were infested, and a total of 217 chewing lice species has been recorded.

Smart tourism innovations are changing tourism. Tourists are increasingly demanding more authentic experiences and non-traditional accommodations (e.g., Airbnb) that offer closer connections to hosts and locals. Airbnb presents lodgings ranging from shared rooms and apartments to treehouses. Peer-to-peer accommodations create value for customers via reasonable prices, flexibility, ease of use, and local-guest interactive communication. Smart tourism has facilitated this new business ecosystem's development within the sharing economy. This study sought to examine guests' experiences in Bucharest Airbnb apartments and the main themes associated with these tourists' subjective well-being. The sample of 750 online reviews were analysed using Leximancer, which revealed five themes-apartment, stay, old, host, and nice (view)-and their positive outcomes-recommend(ation), thank you(s), and value (for money). The results reveal that hosts' friendliness contributes the most to guests' affective well-being, which has theoretical and practical implications for Romania's tourism industry.

Exosomes are membrane-bound structures released by cells into the external environment that carry a significant amount of important cargo, such as proteins, DNA, RNA, and lipids. They play a crucial role in intercellular communication. Parasites have complex life cycles and can release exosomes at different stages. Exosomes released by parasitic pathogens or infected cells contain parasitic nucleic acids, antigenic molecules, virulence factors, drug-resistant proteins, proteases, lipids, etc. These components can regulate host gene expression across species or modulate signaling pathways, thereby dampening or activating host immune responses, causing pathological damage, and participating in disease progression. This review focuses on the means by which parasitic exosomes modulate host immune responses, elaborates on the pathogenic mechanisms of parasites, clarifies the interactions between parasites and hosts, and provides a theoretical basis and research directions for the prevention and treatment of parasitic diseases.

Spanish television is increasingly subject to transmedia consumption. Faced with traditional models in which journalists limited themselves to rigorously transmitting information to strengthen their audiences, the networks' commitment to infotainment, as well as the competition with platforms or with figures from YouTube and Twitch, forces professionals to reinvent themselves, often by resorting to entertainment and show business resources. TV programs such as El intermedio (La Sexta, 2006) and El hormiguero (Antena3, 2006) have been working for years to bring journalists and comedians together in the same space, and others such as Todo es mentira (Cuatro, 2019) interact with audiences through social networks such as Twitter and Instagram. The question is whether these efforts are sufficient or whether we are witnessing a transition period in which interviews conducted by content creators such as Ibai Llanos or Jordi Wild will end up being more highly valued than those of a journalist. To answer these questions, six professionals from the current audiovisual scene were interviewed: Vicente Vallés, Antonio Castelo, Cristina Pardo, Rocío Vidal (La Gata de Schrödinger), José Antonio Lavado, and Jorge Gallardo Camacho, and their reflections were contrasted with those of three focus groups with audiences of different ages. It was concluded that the professionals recognize the necessity of adapting to the digital era and to the new needs of their audiences, but prioritize traditional journalistic rigor and do not fear competition from figures such as Ibai Llanos. However, the audience focus groups consulted, especially the younger ones, admit that they consume more audiovisual content on the Internet than on television. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart tourism innovations are changing tourism. Tourists are increasingly demanding more authentic experiences and non-traditional accommodations (e.g., Airbnb) that offer closer connections to hosts and locals. Airbnb presents lodgings ranging from shared rooms and apartments to treehouses. Peer-to-peer accommodations create value for customers via reasonable prices, flexibility, ease of use, and local-guest interactive communication. Smart tourism has facilitated this new business ecosystem's development within the sharing economy. This study sought to examine guests' experiences in Bucharest Airbnb apartments and the main themes associated with these tourists' subjective well-being. The sample of 750 online reviews were analysed using Leximancer, which revealed five themes--apartment, stay, old, host, and nice (view)--and their positive outcomes--recommend(ation), thank you(s), and value (for money). The results reveal that hosts' friendliness contributes the most to guests' affective wellbeing, which has theoretical and practical implications for Romania's tourism industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: How parasitoids distinguish hosts from non‐hosts remains an unknown question. Chouioia cunea Yang (Eulophidae) is an important fall webworm parasitoid that attacks many forest and agricultural pests. To study the differences in the chemical clues used by C. cunea to distinguish host and non‐host plants, we used gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to identify volatile compounds of two C. cunea hosts (Hyphantria cunea and Helicoverpa armigera) and two non‐hosts (Spodoptera exigua and Spodoptera frugiperda). Additionally, we used behavioral assays to compare the attraction of C. cunea to various compounds. RESULTS: The two natural host species were more attractive than the two non‐host species, in the following order: Hyphantria cunea > Helicoverpa armigera > S. exigua = S. frugiperda. The pupae of the natural hosts contained 1‐dodecene, which was not produced by the two natural non‐hosts. When the 'attractants' based on the difference between the species‐specific blend emitted by pupae and the optimal blend were sprayed onto the natural non‐host pupae, they significantly improved the attraction of C. cunea to the non‐host pupae. CONCLUSION: These results revealed that specific host‐produced volatile compounds guide C. cunea to distinguish between natural hosts and non‐hosts. Overall, this study provides a foundation for developing a behavior‐modifying strategy to re‐direct C. cunea attacks to control important non‐host pests. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Metallic lithium (Li) is considered the “Holy Grail” anode material for the next‐generation of Li batteries with high energy density owing to the extraordinary theoretical specific capacity and the lowest negative electrochemical potential. However, owing to inhomogeneous Li‐ion flux, Li anodes undergo uncontrollable Li deposition, leading to limited power output and practical applications. Carbon materials and their composites with controllable structures and properties have received extensive attention to guide the homogeneous growth of Li to achieve high‐performance Li anodes. In this review, the correlation between the behavior of Li anode and the properties of carbon materials is proposed. Subsequently, we review emerging strategies for rationally designing high‐performance Li anodes with carbon materials, including interface engineering (stabilizing solid electrolyte interphase layer and other functionalized interfacial layer) and architecture design of host carbon (constructing three‐dimension structure, preparing hollow structure, introducing lithiophilic sites, optimizing geometric effects, and compositing with Li). Based on the insights, some prospects on critical challenges and possible future research directions in this field are concluded. It is anticipated that further innovative works on the fundamental chemistry and theoretical research of Li anodes are needed.

Combining the biogeography and phylogenetic patterns of parasite-host associations allows a better understanding of the history of parasite–host interactions, which can be achieved via biogeographic regionalization incorporating phylogenetic information. Recently, the concepts of evoregions (regions where a majority of species evolved from one or several ancestors inhabiting these regions) and evolutionary transition zones (regions of high phylogenetic turnover) have been proposed, coupled with a classification approach for these concepts. We applied this approach to 206 flea species and 265 host species of the Palearctic and aimed to identify evoregions and evolutionary transition zones for both fleas and hosts and to understand whether these evoregions and transition zones match each other. We identified 5 evoregions with 3 transition zones for either fleas or hosts, but neither the positions and boundaries of the flea and host evoregions nor the transition zones coincided. Indications of multiple geographic centres of diversification of the same flea lineages suggested that (a) the common evolutionary history of fleas and hosts was characterized by multiple events other than codiversification and that (b) dispersal played an important role in flea and host assemblies. Barriers to dispersal could be represented by landscape features (deserts and mountain ranges) and/or climate differences.

We investigated phylogenetic patterns in flea assemblages from 80 regions in 6 biogeographic realms and asked whether (a) flea phylogenetic turnover is driven by host phylogenetic turnover, environmental dissimilarity or geographic distance; (b) the relative importance of these drivers differs between realms; and (c) the environmental drivers of flea phylogenetic turnover are similar to those of host phylogenetic turnover. We also asked whether the phylogenetic originality of a flea species correlates with the degree of its host specificity and whether the phylogenetic originality of a host species correlates with the diversity of its flea assemblages. We found that host phylogenetic turnover was the best predictor of flea phylogenetic turnover in all realms, whereas the effect of the environment was weaker. Environmental predictors of flea phylogenetic turnover differed between realms. The importance of spatial distances as a predictor of the phylogenetic dissimilarity between regional assemblages varied between realms. The responses of host turnover differed from those of fleas. In 4 of the 6 realms, geographic distances were substantially better predictors of host phylogenetic turnover than environmental gradients. We also found no general relationship between flea phylogenetic originality and its host specificity in terms of either host species richness or host phylogenetic diversity. We conclude that flea phylogenetic turnover is determined mainly by the phylogenetic turnover of their hosts rather than by environmental gradients. Phylogenetic patterns in fleas are manifested at the level of regional assemblages rather than at the level of individual species.

Background: Student nurses in high-income countries are increasingly taking opportunities to undertake international clinical placements in low- and middle-income countries as part of their pre-registration studies. Objectives: This review aimed to identify and evaluate existing research explores what local people in low- and middle-income countries think of international clinical placements taking place in their localities. This includes a range of local stakeholders, such as clinicians (including midwives, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and academics), healthcare students (from any discipline), patients, carers, and community members. Considering the limited research focused specifically on local individuals exposed to nursing students, we sought to review the wider research exploring the perceptions of local people in low- and middle-income countries who have been exposed to any type of travelling pre-registration healthcare students. The aim of this review was to assess the size and scope of available research literature, establish research priorities, and provide generalizable findings relevant to all international clinical placements, including those undertaken by nursing students. Design: Electronic databases were used to search for published results of previous research, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Medline Ovid, and the Cochrane Library. Thirteen peer-reviewed articles were included after the screening process. The results of the original studies were analysed using a thematic synthesis. Results: Themes identified included learning (with subthemes of travelling students learning from local people, local people learning from travelling students, and optimising learning), prestige, travelling student behaviour, and resource use (with subthemes of enhancing resources, draining resources and improvements via partnership working). Whilst challenges and drawbacks of international clinical placements were identified, on balance, local people across all the studies were positive about receiving travelling students and keen for this to continue. Conclusion: This work has found that the current body of research exploring perceptions of international clinical placements was heavily focused on local clinicians who have been exposed to travelling medical students. Some of the themes identified may be generalisable to all stakeholders of all types of international clinical placements. These include the central concern regarding reciprocity and the desire that international placements should be beneficial for all involved, rather than solely the travelling student. However, further research is required to understand how other types of placements, such as nursing placements, are viewed by other local people (e.g., patients).

In the northeastern U.S., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, the agent of Lyme disease, is maintained between vertebrate hosts and subadult deer ticks (the northern clade of Ixodes scapularis, formerly known as Ixodes dammini). Theoretical arguments suggest that the force of transmission would be greatest when infected nymphal ticks focus their bites on the same host as the uninfected larvae. Stage-specific differences in host utilization would reduce the force of transmission, but to date such differences remain understudied. We determined the host utilization differences of larval and nymphal deer ticks using bloodmeal analysis of host-seeking nymphs and adults collected from 5 field sites in New England. Matched cohorts of ticks (nymphs=506, adults=451), i.e. ticks that had fed during the same summer season, were used to control for yearly host population variations. Infection status of all ticks was determined by real time PCR. Nymphal deer ticks were more likely to have fed on birds and sciurids (13% vs 3%, and 41% vs 9%, respectively p

Electroluminescent (EL) clusters emerged rapidly, owing to their organic–inorganic hybrid character useful for comprehensive performance integration and the potential for large‐scale display and lighting applications. However, despite their good photoluminescent (PL) properties, until present, no efficient EL monodentate ligand‐based clusters were reported due to structural variation during processing and excitation and exciton confinement on cluster‐centered quenching states. Here we demonstrate an effective bulky passivation strategy for efficient cluster light‐emitting diodes with a monophosphine Cu4I4 cube named [TMeOPP]4Cu4I4. With terminal pyridine groups, an active matrix named TmPyPB supports an effective host‐cluster interplay for configuration fixation, structural stabilization, and exciton‐confinement optimization. Compared to common inactive hosts, the passivation effects of TmPyPB markedly reduce trap‐state densities by 24–40 % to suppress nonradiative decay, resulting in state‐of‐the‐art PL and EL quantum yields reaching 99 % and 15.6 %, respectively, which are significantly improved by about 7‐fold. TmPyPB simultaneously increases EL luminance to 104 nits, which is ≈100‐fold that of the non‐doped analogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are major disease vectors globally making it increasingly important to understand how altered vertebrate communities in urban areas shape tick population dynamics. In urban landscapes of Australia, little is known about which native and introduced small mammals maintain tick populations preventing host‐targeted tick management and leading to human–wildlife conflict. Here, we determined (1) larval, nymphal, and adult tick burdens on host species and potential drivers, (2) the number of ticks supported by the different host populations, and (3) the proportion of medically significant tick species feeding on the different host species in Northern Sydney. We counted 3551 ticks on 241 mammals at 15 sites and found that long‐nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta) hosted more ticks of all life stages than other small mammals but introduced black rats (Rattus rattus) were more abundant at most sites (33%–100%) and therefore important in supporting larval and nymphal ticks in our study areas. Black rats and bandicoots hosted a greater proportion of medically significant tick species including Ixodes holocyclus than other hosts. Our results show that an introduced human commensal contributes to maintaining urban tick populations and suggests ticks could be managed by controlling rat populations on urban fringes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turismo: Visão e Ação is the property of Turismo-Visao E Acao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The urgent demand for high‐energy‐density storage systems evokes the research upsurge on the alkali metal batteries with high theoretical capacities. However, the utilization of alkali metal anodes, including Li, Na, and K, is significantly hindered by notorious dendrite growth, undesirable corrosion, and unstable solid electrolyte interface. In order to resolve these issues, the carbon materials for the rational design of current collector/host that can regulate the plating/stripping behavior of alkali metal have been exploited. These carbon‐based current collectors/hosts are featured with many pivotal advantages, including mechanical integrity to accommodate the volume change, superior electronic/ionic conductivity, large available surface area, and rich functionalization chemistries to increase the affinity to alkali metal. In this review, the recent progress on various dimensional carbon‐based current collectors/hosts with different chemical components in stabilizing the alkali metal anodes through the regulation of initial deposition and subsequent growth behavior during plating/stripping process is provided. The nanostructured carbon scaffolds with self‐affinity to alkali metals, as well as the carbon frameworks with internal/external affinitive sites to alkali metals, catalogued by various dimensions, are discussed in this review. Therefore, these appealing strategies based on the carbon‐based current collectors/hosts can provide a paradigm for the realization of high‐energy‐density alkali metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal Architecture & Planning is the property of King Saud University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

More than a thousand iNaturalist NZ observations were compiled and analysed to determine common vascular epiphyte-host relationships in Hamilton, North Island, New Zealand. Dicksonia squarrosa supported the most epiphytes, followed by Salix cinerea, Melicytus ramiflorus and Cyathea medullaris. Epiphytes displaying stronger host specificity, such as Tmesipteris elongata and Phlegmariurus varius, were often on D. squarrosa. In comparison, generalist epiphytes, including Pyrrosia eleagnifolia and Lecanopteris pustulata, were mainly on M. ramiflorus and S. cinerea. A detailed study of 60 D. squarrosa in a single gully investigated factors supporting the host quality of D. squarrosa. Dicksonia squarrosa diameter at breast height (DBH), height, caudex surface area, and distance to the stream and vegetation patch edge were measured. Dicksonia squarrosa that hosted epiphytes were significantly taller, further from the patch edge and had a larger surface area. Epiphyte species richness was higher on D. squarrosa further from the patch edge. The epiphyte communities examined are likely characteristic of highly modified urban ecosystems. Future research investigating the impact of host traits and microclimate on epiphyte-host networks is required to fully elucidate these relationships in urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hantaviral diseases have been recognized as 'place diseases' from their earliest identification and, epidemiologically, are tied to single host species with transmission occurring from infectious hosts to humans. As such, human populations are most at risk when they are in physical proximity to suitable habitats for reservoir populations, when numbers of infectious hosts are greatest. Because of the lags between improving habitat conditions and increasing infectious host abundance and spillover to humans, it should be possible to anticipate (forecast) where and when outbreaks will most likely occur. Most mammalian hosts are associated with specific habitat requirements, so identifying these habitats and the ecological drivers that impact population growth and the dispersal of viral hosts should be markers of the increased risk for disease outbreaks. These regions could be targeted for public health and medical education. This paper outlines the rationale for forecasting zoonotic outbreaks, and the information that needs to be clarified at various levels of biological organization to make the forecasting of orthohantaviruses successful. Major challenges reflect the transdisciplinary nature of forecasting zoonoses, with needs to better understand the implications of the data collected, how collections are designed, and how chosen methods impact the interpretation of results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]