scholarly journals Development and Validation of a Three-Dimensional Printed Multifunctional Trap for Surveillance of Mosquitoes

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-75
Author(s):  
Drew David Reinbold-Wasson ◽  
Michael Hay Reiskind
Keyword(s):  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Disease Monitoring ◽  
Life History Stage ◽  
Mosquito Trap ◽  
Host Seeking ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Development And Validation ◽  
Better Than

ABSTRACT An essential component of vector-borne disease monitoring programs is mosquito surveillance. Surveillance efforts employ various collection traps depending on mosquito species and targeted life-history stage, i.e., eggs, larvae, host-seeking, resting, or gravid adults. Surveillance activities often use commercial traps, sometimes modified to accept specific mosquito species attractants. The advent of widely available and affordable 3D printing technology allows the construction of novel trap designs and components. The study goal was to develop and assess a cost-effective, multipurpose, 6-volt mosquito trap integrating features of both host-seeking and gravid mosquito traps to collect undamaged live specimens: a multifunctional mosquito trap (MMT). We tested the MMT in comparison to commercial traps, targeting gravid Aedes albopictus, host-seeking Ae. albopictus, and total number of host-seeking mosquitos regardless of species. Field evaluations found the MMT performed as well as or better than comparable commercial traps. This project demonstrates an easy to construct, inexpensive, and versatile mosquito trap, potentially useful for surveying multiple mosquito species and other hematophagous insects by varying attractants into the MMT.

scholarly journals Mosquito diversity and dog heartworm prevalence in suburban areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith R. Spence Beaulieu ◽  
Jennifer L. Federico ◽  
Michael H. Reiskind
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Suburban Areas ◽  
Host Seeking ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Wake County

Abstract Background Urbanization is occurring rapidly on a global scale and is altering mosquito communities, creating assemblages that are characteristically less diverse. Despite high rates of urbanization and ample examples of vector-borne diseases transmitted by multiple species, the effects of urbanization-driven mosquito diversity losses on disease transmission has not been well explored. We investigated this question using the dog heartworm, a filarial parasite vectored by numerous mosquito species. Methods We trapped host-seeking mosquitoes in undeveloped areas and neighborhoods of different ages in Wake County, North Carolina, USA, analyzing captured mosquitoes for heartworm DNA. We compared within-mosquito heartworm infection across land-use types by Kruskal–Wallis and likelihood ratio tests. Using zip code level data acquired from dogs in a local shelter, we performed linear regressions of within-host heartworm prevalence by within-mosquito heartworm prevalence as well as by three mosquito diversity measures. We also determined the best predictor of host-level prevalence among models including within-mosquito infection, mosquito diversity and abundance, and socioeconomic status as variables. Results Suburban areas had lower within-mosquito heartworm prevalence and lower likelihood of heartworm-positive mosquitoes than did undeveloped field sites, although no differences were seen between suburban and undeveloped wooded sites. No relationships were noted between within-mosquito and within-host heartworm prevalence. However, mosquito diversity metrics were positively correlated with host heartworm prevalence. Model selection revealed within-host prevalence was best predicted by a positive relationship with mosquito Shannon–Wiener diversity and a negative relationship with household income. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that decreases in mosquito diversity due to urbanization alter vector-borne disease risk. With regard to dog heartworm disease, this loss of mosquito diversity is associated with decreased heartworm prevalence within both the vector and the host. Although the response is likely different for diseases transmitted by one or few species, mosquito diversity losses leading to decreased transmission could be generalizable to other pathogens with multiple vectors. This study contributes to better understanding of the effects of urbanization and the role of vector diversity in multi-vectored pathosystems.

scholarly journals Rapid ageing and species identification of natural mosquitoes for malaria surveillance

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doreen J. Siria ◽  
Roger Sanou ◽  
Joshua Mitton ◽  
Emmanuel P. Mwanga ◽  
Abdoulaye Niang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Malaria Surveillance ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe malaria parasite, which is transmitted by several Anopheles mosquito species, requires more time to reach its human-transmissible stage than the average lifespan of a mosquito. Monitoring the species-specific age structure of mosquito populations is critical to evaluating the impact of vector control interventions on malaria risk. We developed a rapid, cost-effective surveillance method based on deep learning of mid-infrared spectra of mosquitoes’ cuticle that simultaneously identifies the species and the age of three main malaria vectors, in natural populations. Using over 40,000 ecologically and genetically diverse females, we could speciate and age grade An. gambiae, An. arabiensis, and An. coluzzii with up to 95% accuracy. Further, our model learned the age of new populations with minimal sampling effort and detected the impact of control interventions on simulated mosquito populations, measured as a shift in their age structures. We anticipate our method to be applied to other arthropod vector-borne diseases.

Exploring the Multidimensional Facets of Authoritarianism: Authoritarian Aggression and Social Dominance Orientation

2008 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Passini
Keyword(s):  
Social Dominance ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Social Dominance Orientation ◽  
Model Fit ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
The One ◽  
Better Than

The relation between authoritarianism and social dominance orientation was analyzed, with authoritarianism measured using a three-dimensional scale. The implicit multidimensional structure (authoritarian submission, conventionalism, authoritarian aggression) of Altemeyer’s (1981, 1988) conceptualization of authoritarianism is inconsistent with its one-dimensional methodological operationalization. The dimensionality of authoritarianism was investigated using confirmatory factor analysis in a sample of 713 university students. As hypothesized, the three-factor model fit the data significantly better than the one-factor model. Regression analyses revealed that only authoritarian aggression was related to social dominance orientation. That is, only intolerance of deviance was related to high social dominance, whereas submissiveness was not.

A Three-Dimensional Tetraphenylethylene-Based Fluorescence Covalent Organic Framework for Molecular Recognition

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junxia Ren ◽  
Yaozu Liu ◽  
Xin Zhu ◽  
Yangyang Pan ◽  
Yujie Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Recognition ◽  
Fluorescence Probe ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Covalent Organic Framework ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Organic Framework

<p><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a>The development of highly-sensitive recognition of </a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a>hazardous </a>chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is of significant importance because of their widespread social concerns related to environment and human health. Here, we report a three-dimensional (3D) covalent organic framework (COF, termed JUC-555) bearing tetraphenylethylene (TPE) side chains as an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorescence probe for sensitive molecular recognition.<a></a><a> </a>Due to the rotational restriction of TPE rotors in highly interpenetrated framework after inclusion of dimethylformamide (DMF), JUC-555 shows impressive AIE-based strong fluorescence. Meanwhile, owing to the large pore size (11.4 Å) and suitable intermolecular distance of aligned TPE (7.2 Å) in JUC-555, the obtained material demonstrates an excellent performance in the molecular recognition of hazardous chemicals, e.g., nitroaromatic explosives, PAHs, and even thiophene compounds, via a fluorescent quenching mechanism. The quenching constant (<i>K</i><sub>SV</sub>) is two orders of magnitude better than those of other fluorescence-based porous materials reported to date. This research thus opens 3D functionalized COFs as a promising identification tool for environmentally hazardous substances.</p>

The Scientific Basis for the Prevention of Zooanthroponoze Vector-Borne Diseases Spread by Parasitic Arthropods of the Center of the East European Plain

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-88
Author(s):  
Fedor I. Vasilevich ◽  
Anna M. Nikanorova
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Culex Pipiens ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Piperonyl Butoxide ◽  
East European Plain ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Kaluga Region

The purpose of the research is development of preventive measures against zooanthroponoze vector-borne diseases spread by parasitic arthropods in the Kaluga Region. Materials and methods. The subject of the research was Ixodidae, mosquitoes, and small mammals inhabiting the Kaluga Region. The census of parasitic arthropods was carried out on the territory of all districts of the Kaluga Region and the city of Kaluga. Open natural habitat and human settlements were investigated. Weather conditions from 2013 to 2018 were also taken into account. For the purposes of the study, we used standard methods for capturing and counting arthropods and mouse-like rodents. In order to obtain mathematical models of small mammal populations, a full factorial experiment was conducted using the collected statistical data. In-process testing of the drug based on s-fenvalerate and piperonyl butoxide were carried out under the conditions of the agricultural collective farm “Niva” of the Kozelsky District, the Kaluga Region, and LLC “Angus Center of Genetics” of the Babyninsky District, the Kaluga Region. Results and discussion. In the Kaluga Region, two species of ixodic ticks are found, namely, Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus, which have two activity peaks. Mosquito may have 3-4 generations in a year in the Kaluga region. The most common mosquito species in the Kaluga Region are Aedes communis, Ae. (Och.) togoi and Ae. (Och.) diantaeus, Culex pipiens Culex Linnaeus, 1758 (Diptera, Culicidae) (Culex pipiens): Cx. pipiens f. pipiens L. (non-autogenic form) and Cx. p. f. molestus Fors. (autogenic form), which interbreed, and reproductively isolated in the Region. The developed mathematical models make it possible to quantify the risks of outbreaks of zooanthroponoze vector-borne diseases without the cost of field research, and allow for rational, timely and effective preventive measures. Medications based on s-fenvalerate and piperonyl butoxide and based on cyfluthrin showed high insecto-acaricidal efficacy and safety.

scholarly journals Microbiota identified from preserved Anopheles

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca E Silva ◽  
Zvifadzo Matsena Zingoni ◽  
Lizette L. Koekemoer ◽  
Yael L. Dahan-Moss
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Diversity ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Anopheles Funestus ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Culture Independent ◽  
Culture Dependent

Abstract Background Mosquito species from the Anopheles gambiae complex and the Anopheles funestus group are dominant African malaria vectors. Mosquito microbiota play vital roles in physiology and vector competence. Recent research has focused on investigating the mosquito microbiota, especially in wild populations. Wild mosquitoes are preserved and transported to a laboratory for analyses. Thus far, microbial characterization post-preservation has been investigated in only Aedes vexans and Culex pipiens. Investigating the efficacy of cost-effective preservatives has also been limited to AllProtect reagent, ethanol and nucleic acid preservation buffer. This study characterized the microbiota of African Anopheles vectors: Anopheles arabiensis (member of the An. gambiae complex) and An. funestus (member of the An. funestus group), preserved on silica desiccant and RNAlater® solution. Methods Microbial composition and diversity were characterized using culture-dependent (midgut dissections, culturomics, MALDI-TOF MS) and culture-independent techniques (abdominal dissections, DNA extraction, next-generation sequencing) from laboratory (colonized) and field-collected mosquitoes. Colonized mosquitoes were either fresh (non-preserved) or preserved for 4 and 12 weeks on silica or in RNAlater®. Microbiota were also characterized from field-collected An. arabiensis preserved on silica for 8, 12 and 16 weeks. Results Elizabethkingia anophelis and Serratia oryzae were common between both vector species, while Enterobacter cloacae and Staphylococcus epidermidis were specific to females and males, respectively. Microbial diversity was not influenced by sex, condition (fresh or preserved), preservative, or preservation time-period; however, the type of bacterial identification technique affected all microbial diversity indices. Conclusions This study broadly characterized the microbiota of An. arabiensis and An. funestus. Silica- and RNAlater®-preservation were appropriate when paired with culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques, respectively. These results broaden the selection of cost-effective methods available for handling vector samples for downstream microbial analyses.

scholarly journals Heat Exchanger Network Retrofit of an Oleochemical Plant through a Cost and Energy Efficiency Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Valli Trisha ◽  
Kai Seng Koh ◽  
Lik Yin Ng ◽  
Vui Soon Chok
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Capital Cost ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Annual Saving ◽  
Heat Exchanger Network ◽  
First Case ◽  
Payback Time ◽  
Better Than

Limited research of heat integration has been conducted in the oleochemical field. This paper attempts to evaluate the performance of an existing heat exchanger network (HEN) of an oleochemical plant at 600 tonnes per day (TPD) in Malaysia, in which the emphases are placed on the annual saving and reduction in energy consumption. Using commercial HEN numerical software, ASPEN Energy Analyzer v10.0, it was found that the performance of the current HEN in place is excellent, saving over 80% in annual costs and reducing energy consumption by 1,882,711 gigajoule per year (GJ/year). Further analysis of the performance of the HEN was performed to identify the potential optimisation of untapped heating/cooling process streams. Two cases, which are the most cost-effective and energy efficient, were proposed with positive results. However, the second case performed better than the first case, at a lower payback time (0.83 year) and higher annual savings (0.20 million USD/year) with the addition of one heat exchanger at a capital cost of USD 134,620. The first case had a higher payback time (4.64 years), a lower annual saving (0.05 million USD/year) and three additional heaters at a capital cost of USD 193,480. This research has provided a new insight into the oleochemical industry in which retrofitting the HEN can further reduce energy consumption, which in return will reduce the overall production cost of oleochemical commodities. This is particularly crucial in making the product more competitive in its pricing in the global market.

scholarly journals Do 3D Face Images Capture Cues of Strength, Weight, and Height Better than 2D Face Images do?

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-219
Author(s):  
Iris J Holzleitner ◽  
Alex L Jones ◽  
Kieran J O’Shea ◽  
Rachel Cassar ◽  
Vanessa Fasolt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
3D Images ◽  
3D Face ◽  
Face Images ◽  
Similar Accuracy ◽  
2D And 3D ◽  
2D Images ◽  
Better Than

Abstract Objectives A large literature exists investigating the extent to which physical characteristics (e.g., strength, weight, and height) can be accurately assessed from face images. While most of these studies have employed two-dimensional (2D) face images as stimuli, some recent studies have used three-dimensional (3D) face images because they may contain cues not visible in 2D face images. As equipment required for 3D face images is considerably more expensive than that required for 2D face images, we here investigated how perceptual ratings of physical characteristics from 2D and 3D face images compare. Methods We tested whether 3D face images capture cues of strength, weight, and height better than 2D face images do by directly comparing the accuracy of strength, weight, and height ratings of 182 2D and 3D face images taken simultaneously. Strength, height and weight were rated by 66, 59 and 52 raters respectively, who viewed both 2D and 3D images. Results In line with previous studies, we found that weight and height can be judged somewhat accurately from faces; contrary to previous research, we found that people were relatively inaccurate at assessing strength. We found no evidence that physical characteristics could be judged more accurately from 3D than 2D images. Conclusion Our results suggest physical characteristics are perceived with similar accuracy from 2D and 3D face images. They also suggest that the substantial costs associated with collecting 3D face scans may not be justified for research on the accuracy of facial judgments of physical characteristics.

scholarly journals Investigations of polyethylene of raised temperature resistance service performance using autoclave test under sour medium conditions

e-Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 346-354
Author(s):  
Guoquan Qi ◽  
Hongxia Yan ◽  
Dongtao Qi ◽  
Houbu Li ◽  
Lushi Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Service Performance ◽  
Degree Of Branching ◽  
Temperature Resistance ◽  
Temperature Conditions ◽  
Dimensional Network ◽  
Gas Medium ◽  
Better Than

Abstract The chapter deals with the performance evaluation of the polyethylene of raised temperature resistance (PE-RT) and polyethylene (PE) using autoclave test under sour oil and gas medium conditions. The analyses of performance changes showed that PE-RT has good media resistance at 60°C. As the temperature increases, its mechanical properties decrease, accompanied by an increase in weight. Comparative analyses showed that no matter what temperature conditions are, PE-RT media resistance is better than PE80. The better media resistance of PE-RT depends on its higher degree of branching. Short branches are distributed between the crystals to form a connection between the crystals, thereby improving its heat resistance and stress under high-temperature conditions. PE-RT forms an excellent three-dimensional network structure through copolymerization, ensuring that it has better media resistance than PE80. However, the mechanical performance will be attenuated due to the high service temperature.

scholarly journals Cyber-Physical Systems Improving Building Energy Management: Digital Twin and Artificial Intelligence

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 2338
Author(s):  
Sofia Agostinelli ◽  
Fabrizio Cumo ◽  
Giambattista Guidi ◽  
Claudio Tomazzoli
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Automation System ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Digital Twin ◽  
Building Energy Management ◽  
Computing Paradigm

The research explores the potential of digital-twin-based methods and approaches aimed at achieving an intelligent optimization and automation system for energy management of a residential district through the use of three-dimensional data model integrated with Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and machine learning. The case study is focused on Rinascimento III in Rome, an area consisting of 16 eight-floor buildings with 216 apartment units powered by 70% of self-renewable energy. The combined use of integrated dynamic analysis algorithms has allowed the evaluation of different scenarios of energy efficiency intervention aimed at achieving a virtuous energy management of the complex, keeping the actual internal comfort and climate conditions. Meanwhile, the objective is also to plan and deploy a cost-effective IT (information technology) infrastructure able to provide reliable data using edge-computing paradigm. Therefore, the developed methodology led to the evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of integrative systems for renewable energy production from solar energy necessary to raise the threshold of self-produced energy, meeting the nZEB (near zero energy buildings) requirements.

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