Two field data sets of near‐bed velocity, pressure, and sediment concentration are analyzed to study the influence of infragravity waves on sand suspension and cross‐shore transport. On the moderately sloping Sand Motor beach (≈1:35), the local ratio of infragravity wave height to sea‐swell wave height is relatively small (HIG/HSW<0.4), and sand fluxes are related to the correlation of the infragravity‐wave orbital motion with the sea‐swell wave envelope, r0. When the largest sea‐swell waves are present during negative infragravity velocities (bound wave, negative correlation r0), most sand is suspended here, and the infragravity sand flux qIG is offshore. When r0 is positive, the largest sea‐swell waves are present during positive infragravity velocities (free wave), and qIG is onshore directed. For both cases, the infragravity contribution to the total sand flux is, however, relatively small (<20%). In the inner surf zone of the gently (≈1:80) sloping Ameland beach, the infragravity waves are relatively large (HIG/HSW>0.4), most sand is suspended during negative infragravity velocities, and qIG is offshore directed. The infragravity contribution to the total sand flux is considerably larger and reaches up to ≈60% during energetic conditions. On the whole, HIG/HSW is a good indicator for the infragravity‐related sand suspension mechanism and the resulting infragravity sand transport direction and relative importance.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, Amblyomma ticks are vectors of heartwater disease in domestic ruminants, caused by the rickettsial pathogen Ehrlichia ruminantium. Immature tick stages often bite humans, whereby they act as vectors of tick-bite fever caused by Rickettsia africae. Moreover, Amblyomma ticks cause damage to livestock due to their feeding behaviour. In South Africa, we studied the abundance of Amblyomma hebraeum ticks on goats of emerging farmers in Mpumalanga Province. A selected number of A. hebraeum nymphs and adult ticks was tested for co-infection with E. ruminantium and R. africae.Methods: A total of 630 indigenous goats, belonging to farmers in the Mnisi Community area, were examined for ticks in 2013 and 2014. All ticks were identified, and a selected number was tested by PCR with reverse line blot hybridisation. Results:In total, 13,132 ticks were collected from goats distributed over 17 different households. Amblyomma hebraeum was the predominant species, followed by R. microplus. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, R. simus and R. zambeziensis were also identified. Amblyomma hebraeum was present throughout the year, with peak activity of adults in summer (November) and nymphs in winter (July). The ratio between adults and nymphs ranged from 1:2.7 in summer to 1:55.1 in winter. The mean prevalence of infection for E. ruminantium by PCR/RLB in adult ticks was 17.4% (31/178), whereas 15.7% (28/178) were infected with R. africae. In pooled nymphs, 28.4% were infected with E. ruminantium and 38.8% carried R. africae infection. Co-infections of E. ruminantium and R. africae in adult and pooled nymphal ticks were 3.9% (7/178) and 10% (14.9), respectively. Lameness of goats due to predilection of ticks for the interdigital space of their feet was observed in 89% of the households.

13913). A calculation of the methylene proton chemical shift difference in the solid using the McGlinchey method is in progress to compare that difference with the NMR experimental data.References BROCARD, J., LACONI, A. & COUTURIER, D. (1984) Abstract.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, ticks of the genus Amblyomma are vectors of heartwater disease in domestic ruminants, caused by the rickettsial pathogen Ehrlichia ruminantium. Immature stages of these ticks often bite humans, whereby they act as vectors of tick-bite fever caused by Rickettsia africae. Moreover, Amblyomma ticks cause considerable damage to livestock due to their feeding behaviour. In South Africa, we studied the relative abundance of Amblyomma hebraeum ticks on goats of emerging farmers in Mpumalanga Province. A selected number of A. hebraeum nymphs and adult ticks was tested for co-infection with E. ruminantium and R. africae. Methods: A total of 630 indigenous goats, belonging to farmers in the Mnisi Community area, were examined for ticks in 2013 and 2014. All ticks were identified, and a selected number was tested by PCR with reverse line blot hybridisation (RLB).Results: In total, 13,129 ticks were collected from goats distributed over 17 different households. Amblyomma hebraeum was the predominant species collected, followed by Rhipicephalus microplus. Small numbers of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus simus and Rhipicephalus zambeziensis were also identified. A. hebraeum was present throughout the year, with peak activity of adults in summer (November) and nymphs in winter (July). The ratio between adults and nymphs ranged from 1:2.7 in summer to 1:55.1 in winter. The mean prevalence of infection for E. ruminantium by PCR/RLB in adult ticks was 17.4% (31/178), whereas 15.7% (28/178) were infected with R. africae. In nymphs, 28.4% were infected with E. ruminantium and 38.8% carried R. africae infection. Co-infections of E. ruminantium and R. africae in adult and nymphal ticks were 3.9% (7/178) and 10% (14.9), respectively. Lameness of goats due to predilection of ticks for the interdigital space of their feet was observed in 89% of the households.Conclusions: Goats act as important alternative hosts for cattle ticks, which underscored the necessity to include goats in tick control programs. It is suggested to use acaricide-impregnated leg-bands as a sustainable method to kill ticks and prevent lameness in goats. The continuous challenge of goats by considerable numbers of E. ruminantium- infected ticks is a major obstacle for upgrading the indigenous goat breeds. Humans appear to be at risk to contract tick-bite fever in this area.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is in humans and cats a malignant cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma, whereas in dogs it possibly has a more benign behaviour. It may be cytologically confused with round cell tumours such as lymphoma because of its striking cytomorphologic similarity. Although MCC is considered to arise from Merkel cells, recent findings indicated that primitive (epi‐)dermal stem cells, early B‐cells or dermal fibroblasts were the origin of human MCC. The aim of our study was to evaluate a possible lymphoid origin in feline and canine MCCs. Specific analysis of CD3, PAX‐5, KIT and PARR assay were performed in 3 feline and 3 canine MCCs. All MCCs (6/6) were negative for CD3 and PAX‐5. KIT was expressed in all MCCs (6/6). Assessment of clonality by PARR assay exhibited a polyclonal B‐ and T‐cell receptor rearrangement in all five cases tested. In conclusion, a lymphoid origin of feline and canine MCCs could not be demonstrated. This is in contrast with human MCCs, that often express early B‐cell lineage markers.