scholarly journals Mosquito Guttersnipe: A New Sampling Tool for Roof Gutters, Tree Holes, and Other Elevated Mosquito Habitats

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-112
Author(s):  
Mark P. Leonard ◽  
Jonathan D. Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Health Risks ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Tree Holes ◽  
Current Sampling

ABSTRACT Mosquitoes pose health risks to human populations by serving as vectors of diseases. Mosquito control organizations are responsible for inspecting and controlling vector populations to reduce the risk of infection of these diseases. Current sampling methods are effective for numerous types of mosquito habitat, but not conducive for sampling small overhead habitat such as roof gutters or tree holes. We have developed and tested a tool called the Mosquito GutterSnipe to sample these overhead habitats. Volumetric and larval capacity testing of the tool prototype demonstrated comparable sampling integrity to standard mosquito dipping methods. The GutterSnipe can be employed as a reliable way to sample previously overlooked mosquito habitat. Its current model is cost effective and easy to produce for mosquito control organizations and easy to use for inspectors.

scholarly journals Efficient phasing and imputation of low-coverage sequencing data using large reference panels

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Rubinacci ◽  
D.M. Ribeiro ◽  
R. Hofmeister ◽  
O. Delaneau
Keyword(s):  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Rare Variants ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Snp Arrays ◽  
Genomic Studies ◽  
Low Coverage ◽  
The Impact

AbstractLow-coverage whole genome sequencing followed by imputation has been proposed as a cost-effective genotyping approach for disease and population genetics studies. However, its competitiveness against SNP arrays is undermined as current imputation methods are computationally expensive and unable to leverage large reference panels.Here, we describe a method, GLIMPSE, for phasing and imputation of low-coverage sequencing datasets from modern reference panels. We demonstrate its remarkable performance across different coverages and human populations. It achieves imputation of a full genome for less than $1, outperforming existing methods by orders of magnitude, with an increased accuracy of more than 20% at rare variants. We also show that 1x coverage enables effective association studies and is better suited than dense SNP arrays to access the impact of rare variations. Overall, this study demonstrates the promising potential of low-coverage imputation and suggests a paradigm shift in the design of future genomic studies.

scholarly journals Culicidae-centric metabarcoding through targeted use of D2 ribosomal DNA primers

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro M. Pedro ◽  
Jandui Amorim ◽  
Martha V.R. Rojas ◽  
Ivy Luizi Sá ◽  
Allan Kardec Ribeiro Galardo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Pcr Primers ◽  
Degraded Dna ◽  
Ribosomal Operon ◽  
Dna Pools ◽  
Current Sampling ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Dna Primers ◽  
Generation Sequencing

A practical limitation to many metabarcoding initiatives is that sampling methods tend to collect many non-target taxa, which become “amplicon noise” that can saturate Next Generation Sequencing results and lead to both financial and resource inefficiencies. An available molecular tool that can significantly decrease these non-target amplicons and decrease the need for pre-DNA-extraction sorting of bycatch is the design of PCR primers tailored to the taxa under investigation. We assessed whether the D2 extension segment of the 28S ribosomal operon can limit this shortcoming within the context of mosquito (Culicidae) monitoring. We designed PCR primers that are fully conserved across mosquitos and exclude from amplification most other taxa likely to be collected with current sampling apparatuses. We show that, given enough sequencing depth, D2 is an effective marker for the detection of mosquito sequences within mock genomic DNA pools. As few as 3,050 quality-filtered Illumina reads were able to recover all 17 species in a bulk pool containing as little as 0.2% of constituent DNA from single taxa. We also mixed these mosquito DNA pools with high concentrations of non-Culicidae bycatch DNA and show that the component mosquito species are generally still recoverable and faithful to their original relative frequencies. Finally, we show that there is little loss of fidelity in abundance parameters when pools from degraded DNA samples were sequenced using the D2 primers.

scholarly journals Larval breeding habitats and ecological factors influence the species composition of mosquito (Diptera : Culicidae) in the parks of Dhaka city, Bangladesh

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afroza Sultana ◽  
Sharmin Hasan ◽  
Mosharraf Hossain ◽  
Abdul Alim ◽  
Mohammad Al Mamun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Coconut Shell ◽  
Larval Abundance ◽  
Tree Hole ◽  
Breeding Habitats ◽  
Tree Holes

Mosquito larval ecology is prerequisite for determining the larval abundance and species assemblage in mosquito control program. The study explored the association of five mosquito species with their breeding habitat diversity and species distribution in three selected parks from May to October, 2015. A total of 3217 mosquito larvae were reported from six breeding habitats, namely tree hole, leaf axils, water bottle, tire, drain and coconut shell. The frequency of the three species (Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus and Ar. subalbatus) coexistence was higher in tree holes (82.4%) than that of the other coexisting species. Pearson Chi-square result revealed that the association of species was significantly dependent on the breeding habitats. ANOVA further suggested that mosquito density varied across habitats where among the highest density of Cx. quinquefasciatus (3.87 ± 0.22) found in drain, followed by both Ae. albopictus (2.02 ± 0.17) and Ar. subalbatus (0.50 ± 0.09) in tree holes and Ae. aegypti (1.25 ± 0.23) in coconut shell. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus occurred in drain with the least observed density (0.03 ± 0.01). CCA results suggested that Aedes species were likely preferred to oviposit in shaded habitats where pH was associated with Ae. albopictus and dissolved oxygen was with Ae. aegypti and Ar. subalbatus. Culex species were positively associated with the habitats characterizing muddy bottom and emerging vegetation but not with any of the physico-chemical parameters. These findings concluded that ecological factors influence mosquito species to favor their breeding habitats can be helpful in controlling targeted vector species as well as the mosquito borne diseases.Bangladesh J. Zool. 45(2): 111-122, 2017

Mapping seagrass cost-effectively in the Coral Triangle: Sabah, Malaysia as a case study

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leela Rajamani ◽  
Helene Marsh
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Coral Triangle ◽  
Thalassia Hemprichii ◽  
Seagrass Meadows ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Halophila Ovalis ◽  
Seagrass Mapping ◽  
Cymodocea Rotundata ◽  
Syringodium Isoetifolium

Knowledge of the distribution and relative abundance of seagrass communities in the Coral Triangle is limited, despite their global significance and the vital ecosystem services they perform for local human populations, threatened species such as dugongs and green turtles, as well as the role of being a globally significant carbon stock. To address this gap and investigate cost-effective methods in data-poor regions, we conducted seagrass mapping near two islands off the coast of Sabah in Malaysia: Banggi Island (7°15′N, 117°12′E) and Mantanani Island (6°43′N, 116°21′E). We used a staged approach that included: (1) interview surveys, (2) manta tow and spot surveys, and (3) comprehensive transect surveys. Approximately 415 ha and 112 ha of seagrass meadows were mapped off Banggi Island and Mantanani Island respectively. We found 10 species of seagrasses from two families: Halophila ovalis, Halodule uninervis (broad and thin leaf varieties), Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea rotundata, Halophila decipiens, Halophila spinulosa, Cymodocea serrulata, Syringodium isoetifolium, Enhalus acoroides and Halophila sp. nov. Our methodology proved cost-effective and the resultant information should be relevant to conservation planners.

scholarly journals The Digital Design Coach Enhancing Design Conversations in Architectural Education

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Rohan O'Neil Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Design Education ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Digital Design ◽  
Architectural Education ◽  
Abstract Thinking ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Student Dialogue ◽  
Fit For Purpose ◽  
The Many

<p>Changes in society, technology, and practice have created a significant demand for architectural graduates who can balance practical concerns with critical and abstract thinking. The current model of architectural education as it exists in academia, is hard pressed to supply this demand. This thesis seeks to redress this situation by connecting three maxims: 1) Strengthening the master-student dialogue is key to adequately exposing student designers to the issues involved in designing buildings that are fit for purpose, cost effective, sustainable and a delight to clients and users. 2) Sketching, a "designerly" way of thinking, is an integral part of this dialogue. 3) The computer in design education should directly contribute to helping students design buildings that are fit for purpose, cost effective, sustainable and a delight to clients and users. The thesis argues that due to the myriad of issues connected with architecture in today's society, the effectiveness of the student/master dialogue in architectural education has been weakened somewhat. At the centre of this dialogue is the sketch - a conversation between head and hand. The thesis will argue that by furnishing students with an "expert hand", the sketch becomes so empowered as to enrich the dialogue, raising the level of students' exposure to architectural issues. The suggested medium for this empowerment is the computer. Moving sketching into the digital realm as a direct means of thinking and learning is an innovative way of providing students with an "expert" digital hand. The sketch, for the student, becomes an intelligent conscious tool that supports and informs exploration. In turn, the empowered sketch presents the student with the many issues that comprise contemporary design problems. The result of this upliftment is a richer dialogue between student and teacher about architecture that is fit for purpose, economical and environmentally aware.</p>

scholarly journals A Simple and Cheap Aerosol Penetrometer for Filter Testing Using an Electronic Cigarette

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Lifka ◽  
Ivan Ponomarev ◽  
Agnes Weth ◽  
David Baumgartner ◽  
Bernd Lamprecht ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Scattering ◽  
General Population ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Health Protection ◽  
Electronic Cigarette ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Reliable Estimation ◽  
Permeability Changes

During the COVID-19 pandemic face masks grew in importance as their use by the general population was recommended by health officials in order to minimize the risk of infection and prevent further spread of the virus. To ensure health protection of medical personal and other system relevant staff, it is of considerable interest to quickly test if a certain lot of filtering facepiece masks meets the requirements or if the permeability changes under different conditions. As certified penetrometers are rather expensive and were difficult to obtain during the COVID-19 pandemic, we describe two quite simple and cheap methods to quickly test the filter permeability based on an electronic cigarette. The first method uses a precision scale, the second method uses a light scattering detector to measure the filter penetration. To make sure these two methods yield reliable results, both were tested with freshly cut filter samples covering the range of approx. 7% to 60% permeability and compared to the results of a certified penetrometer. The comparison of the two methods with the certified penetrometer showed a good correlation and therefore allow a quick and rather reliable estimation of the permeability. Several examples about the use of faulty masks and the resulting health risks show that simple, fast, cheap and broadly available methods for filter characterization might be useful in these days.

scholarly journals An overview on nano-materials as mosquito controlling agents against Anopheles stephensi

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Anopheles Stephensi ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Nano Materials ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Plant Parts

Mosquitoes are very obnoxious insects and vectors of many diseases like malaria, filariasis, dengue, yellow fever, encephalitis etc. Among these, malaria is transmitted by Anopheles stephensi mainly in urban areas across the temperate country. So, there is an imperative requirement to imply some mechanisms to reduce the mosquito vector to facilitate the reduction of vector borne diseases throughout the globe. But, mosquito control strategies are now in front of a threat because mosquito populations get resistance against the available synthetic insecticides. Besides the chemical insecticides, several other ways to control the vector population proved unsuccessful in most of the cases. Now, various researchers are trying to develop an alternate effective approach to eradicate malaria from the earth by controlling its vector by using a product which is ecofreindly, cost effective, biodegradable, non-toxic and selective in nature. So, by the amalgamation of the two fields namely the nanotechnology and the vector managements, a new field is now opened up for decades, “the green synthesized nanoparticles as mosquito control agents”. The plant-based, fabricated nanoparticles are beneficial over the synthetic one since it is economical, eco-friendly and non-toxic to nature. Silver, gold, zinc, cobalt, copper etc. nanoparticles are green fabricated with different plant parts, fungi as well as bacteria. These nano-materials are of less than 100 nm in diameter and are currently used in various fields of industry. So, adapting the nano-biotechnology to control the mosquito vector is the need of the hour. In this present review we focused on potential role of nano-materials as mosquito control agent against An. stephensi at different life stages of it.

scholarly journals The price of gold: The KU Leuven Fund for Fair Open Access

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Demmy Verbeke ◽  
Laura Mesotten
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Scholarly Communication ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Traditional Model ◽  
Academic Institutions ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Unrestricted Access

Watch the VIDEO.We need to ask ourselves why we support Open Access: is our main goal to provide free and unrestricted access to the results of scholarly research to everyone who might be interested, or is it to change the current model for scholarly communication because we consider it inefficient as well as too expensive? If our main goal is to open up research results as much as possible, there seems to be little reason to part ways with legacy publishers, who should – after initial resistance – prove to be willing partners as long as academic institutions are equally willing to pay. If, on the other hand, the intention is to introduce a new model for scholarly communication that operates according to cost-effective standards, then it seems very unlikely for academic institutions to achieve this together with the same partners, who have worked according to a commercial logic for decades. In short: do we want evolution or revolution?If we want a revolution, then it will not be brought by Green OA, which provides too little challenge for the traditional model for the publication and distribution of scholarly work. It will also not be brought by for-profit Gold OA, which is extremely expensive (even more so than the traditional model) and keeps commercial partners in control of the dissemination of research results. Therefore, an alternative model for no-profit Gold OA is on the rise, namely Fair Open Access. Publications in Fair Open Access are immediately freely available to all, are produced according to cost-effective (rather than commercial) principles and guarantee full control of researchers over the entire publication process.KU Leuven has been supporting Green OA through its institutional repository Lirias for many years already. As it is clear, however, that Green OA provides some but certainly not all of the solutions, the university was looking to intensify its efforts to maximize scholarly exchange, collaboration and innovation. This resulted in the establishment of the KU Leuven Fund for Fair Open Access in March 2018. This fund provides financial support for the production costs of OA monographs published by Leuven University Press as well as articles in selected OA journals, on the condition that these journals are published according to the Fair OA model and maintain the highest academic standards.This paper analyses current business models for OA, explains the reasoning behind the establishment of the KU Leuven Fund for Fair Open Access, discusses its day-to-day operation and presents its initial results.

scholarly journals Tracking Microbial Communities Across Aedes Albopictus Life Stages and Larval Habitat Types

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda G. Tokash-Peters ◽  
Douglas C. Woodhams
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Albopictus ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Larval Habitat ◽  
Water Type ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Tree Holes ◽  
Curtis Dissimilarity ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Aedes albopictus, the Tiger Mosquito, has been hailed as one of the most invasive arbovirus-transmitting mosquitoes globally. With the growing potential of microbial methods for mosquito control, it has become increasingly imperative to understand the factors that contribute to naturally-occurring microbiome communities. Here, we analyzed the impact of larval water type and life stage on the microbial community of Aedes albopictus. The field-collected water samples from tree holes and tires that were used to rear larval mosquitoes in the laboratory were significantly different from each other in terms of sOTU (bacterial species) richness, with tree holes having a far greater number of sOTUs. For beta diversity measures (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity) Aedes albopictus were not significantly different from adult Aedes aegypti, but mosquito sex, life stage, and overall treatment group were significantly different when analyzed by ANOSIM. Based on our findings, the environment surrounding larval mosquitoes (and subsequent adult mosquitoes from those habitats) and the life stage of mosquitoes (regardless of species) shapes mosquito microbiome assemblages. This work further supports the idea that mosquito adults maintain a microbiome specific to larval habitat, despite major reductions to their microbiome prior to eclosion, which could shape the success of implemented microbial engineering or control methods.

Insights into Large Audit Firm Sampling Policies

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. P7-P18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brant E. Christensen ◽  
Randal J. Elder ◽  
Steven M. Glover
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Sarbanes Oxley ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Audit Firms ◽  
Current Sampling ◽  
Audit Sampling

SUMMARY Changes in the audit profession after Sarbanes-Oxley, including mandatory audits of internal control over financial reporting and PCAOB oversight and inspection of audit work, have potentially changed the nature and extent of audit sampling in the largest accounting firms. In our study, “Behind the Numbers: Insights into Large Audit Firm Sampling Policies” (Christensen, Elder, and Glover 2015), we administered an extensive, open-ended survey to the national offices of the Big 4 and two other international accounting firms regarding their firm's audit sampling policies. We find variation among the largest firms' policies in their use of different sampling methods and in inputs used in the sampling applications that could result in different sample sizes. We also provide evidence of some of the sampling topics firms find most problematic, as well as changes to firms' policies regarding revenue testing due to PCAOB inspections. Our evidence provides important insights into current sampling policies, which may be helpful to audit firms in evaluating their sampling inputs and overall sampling approaches.

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