Avoiding predation is one of the most important challenges that an animal faces. Several anti-predation behaviours can be employed, yet simply using the presence of conspecifics can be a good signal of safety in an environment with potential predation hazards. Here, we show, for the first time, that past experience of predation causes bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) to aggregate with conspecific...

BACKGROUND: Beauveria bassiana is an important entomopathogenic fungus currently under development as a bio-control agent for a variety of insect pests. Although reported to be non-toxic to vertebrates, the potential allergenicity of Beauveria species has not been widely studied. METHODS: IgE-reactivity studies were performed using sera from patients displaying mould hypersensitivity by immunob...

PURPOSE The cockroach (CR) is an important cause of respiratory allergic disorders. We prepared a German CR extract in a standardized way and analyzed its allergenic properties. METHODS The extract was prepared from German CR (Blattella germanica) obtained from a Korean colony, and its allergenic activity was compared with that of the commercial Hollister-Stier (HS) extract. The concentration...

during past few years, the cupressus arizonica has been abundantly planted in tehran, causing a significant increase of allergic diseases from the middle of winter to the beginning of spring. the aim of this study was the comparison of pollen protein content in two major varieties of c. arizonica planted in tehran, including c. arizonica var. arizonica and c. arizonica var. glabra , in order to...

PURPOSE The sensitization rate to Japanese Hop (Hop J) in respiratory allergy patients has increased in recent years in Korea. We evaluated changes in the allergenic potency of Hop J pollen collected in 1998 and 2009. METHODS Thirty-five patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma were enrolled. Group I included 21 subjects sensitized to Hop J at an initial visit and group II included 14 su...

Herein, we report a facile synthesis, characterization and dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) application of flower-shaped ZnO nanostructures. The flower-shaped ZnO nanostructures were synthesized by low-temperature hydrothermal process and characterized in detail by several techniques. The detailed morphological studies confirmed that the flower-shaped structures are formed by the accumulation o...

by several observers for other rusts (2) has often been dletected in the distillates derived from stem rust uredospores. The fishy odor of fresh distillates frequently gives place upon dilution or storage to an odor more like the fragrance of flowers. If the odors and the biological activities of the preparations discussed in this paper are properties of the same compound(s), then the widesprea...

Textiles are a common material in healthcare facilities; therefore it is important that they do not pose as a vehicle for the transfer of pathogens to patients or hospital workers. During the course of use hospital textiles become contaminated and laundering is necessary. Laundering of healthcare textiles is most commonly adequate, but in some instances, due to inappropriate disinfection or sub...

The objective of this paper is to assess the impact of garment exports on male-female wage inequality in Sri Lanka. A general equilibrium model is used treating female and male labor as specific factors of production in garment sector and rest of the economy respectively. Returns to specific factors are assessed under two scenarios: lower garment price and higher tariffs on textiles. Model is c...

Major advances in the development and use of antimicrobial textiles to control bacterial proliferation on wound beds continue. However, wound dressings are, in general, not included in standardized regimens for measuring and monitoring their antimicrobial effectiveness. This work adapts these methods to assess the antibacterial activity of textiles designed for wound healing purposes. Environme...