scholarly journals EVALUATION OF DYNATRAP® DT160 AS AN INEXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVE TO CDC TRAPS FOR ADULT MOSQUITO MONITORING IN MALI, WEST AFRICA

2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-47
Author(s):  
Mohamed M. Traore
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Light Trap ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Adult Mosquito ◽  
Trap Catch ◽  
Vector Ecology ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Monitoring Traps ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Mosquito Monitoring

Mosquito monitoring traps (i.e., CDC light traps) are crucial tools for basic vector ecology research, risk assessment, and vector control programs. Unfortunately, they are expensive which is often an issue in projects conducted in developing countries. Therefore, it would be desirable to have reliable but inexpensive alternatives based on existing consumer products. We compared an off-the-shelf DynaTrap (model DT160, CCFL tube 365 ± 3 nm UV) modified to fit a CDC trap collection bag and to use a 12V power supply, with two commonly used CDC traps: CDC Miniature Light Trap Model 512 (incandescent light, 6 Volt) and CDC Miniature Downdraft Blacklight (UV) Trap Model 912 (4-Watt blue-black-light tube, 12 Volt), in different ecological settings in southwest (Kenieroba) and northwest (Nioro du Sahel) Mali, West Africa. In northwest Mali, the modified DynaTrap caught a mean of 20.67 ± 2.8 females and 5.38 ± 1.0 male Aedes aegypti which was 16.55% and 10.78% more, respectively, than the CDC incandescent trap (control). The DynaTrap caught a mean of 29.75 ± 2.8 female and 17.92 ± 3.5 male Culex quinquefasciatus. which was 47.76% and 20.70% more than the control CDC incandescent trap. The DynaTrap caught a mean of 2.46 ± 0.5 females and 1.63 ± 0.6 males and 10.16% and 2.45% more female and male An. gambiae s.l., respectively, than the CDC incandescent trap. Trap and catch means were lower at the southwest Mali site. However, trap catch proportions by sex were similar to those in the northwest. The modified DynaTrap outperformed both CDC monitoring traps for less than one third of the cost including the cost of the DynaTrap modifications.

scholarly journals Identification of mosquito species and determination of population density in the Taif governorate, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T.S. Alghamdi ◽  
M. Al Zahrani ◽  
F.N. Gharsan ◽  
K.M. Al Ghamdi ◽  
J.A. Mahyoub
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Environmental Temperature ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Light Trap ◽  
Adult Mosquito ◽  
Primary Method ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Medical Importance

The surveillance of mosquitoes is the primary method for protecting humans from the spread of dangerous diseases such as malaria and dengue fever transmitted by certain mosquito species. The present study aimed to survey and identify mosquito species in the Taif governorate to determine their medical importance and monitor their distribution across seasons. A black hole light trap was used to collect adult mosquitoes, with four readings per month over an entire year recorded. A total of 3796 adult mosquitoes were collected, and 12 species were identified. All species belonged to the following genera: Culex, Aedes, Anopheles, Culiseta, and Lutzia; however, mosquito genera of medical importance (i.e., Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles) were examined in the present study. Adult mosquito species occurred throughout the entire year, with peaks of density and activity during summer and autumn (24-30°C), confirming that environmental temperature plays a key role in mosquito existence and distribution. This study might provide evidence regarding the spread of mosquitoes and creates a database of the mosquito species in the Taif governorate, which would assist in pest control programs.

The Cowrie Currencies of West Africa Part I

1970 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Johnson
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Currency Area ◽  
The Cost

This part of the paper deals with the cowrie shells and their import into West Africa, and the cost of their transport in West Africa; with the cowrie currency area and its changes; with the oddities of cowrie arithmetic; and with the final decline of the cowrie currency. A second part will deal with the value of cowries at various times and places, and with cowrie economics.

Cholesterol, Children, and Heart Disease: An Analysis of Alternatives

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 721-730
Author(s):  
Donald M. Berwick ◽  
Shan Cretin ◽  
Emmett Keeler
Keyword(s):  
Screening Program ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Improve Efficiency ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Policy Choices ◽  
Targeted Screening ◽  
Analysis Of Alternatives ◽  
Cholesterol Control ◽  
The Cost ◽  
High Risk Children

Cost-effectiveness analysis is used to compare proposed cholesterol control programs. The analysis employs estimates of such biologic variables as effect of diet on cholesterol level, stability of level, and change in morbidity with level. Sensitivity analysis identifies the biologic and behavioral uncertainties that most critically affect policy choices. At a discount rate of 5%, a cholesterol-screening program for all 10-year-old children would cost about $10,000 per year of life saved. Rescreening would not improve efficiency. Targeted screening of high-risk children could improve efficiency by 25%, but would benefit only one sixth as many people. Community-wide interventions without screening may be more efficient by a factor of 3. The cost per year of life saved is most affected by the rate of discount and the dollar cost of changing behavior, but is insensitive to stability of cholesterol rank order and to the cost of screening.

scholarly journals Physiological and molecular correlates of the screwworm fly attraction to wound and animal odors

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul V. Hickner ◽  
Omprakash Mittapalli ◽  
Anjana Subramoniam ◽  
Agustin Sagel ◽  
Wes Watson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Florida Keys ◽  
The United States ◽  
Screwworm Fly ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Olfactory Responses ◽  
Synthetic Chemicals ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Monitoring Traps

AbstractThe screwworm fly, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), was successfully eradicated from the United States by the sterile insect technique (SIT). However, recent detection of these flies in the Florida Keys, and increased risk of introductions to the other areas warrant novel tools for management of the flies. Surveillance, a key component of screwworm control programs, utilizes traps baited with rotting liver or a blend of synthetic chemicals such as swormlure-4. In this work, we evaluated the olfactory physiology of the screwworm fly and compared it with the non-obligate ectoparasitic secondary screwworm flies, C. macellaria, that invade necrotic wound and feed on dead tissue. These two species occur in geographically overlapping regions. C. macellaria, along with other blowflies such as the exotic C. megacephala, greatly outnumber C. hominivorax in the existing monitoring traps. Olfactory responses to swormlure-4 constituents between sex and mating status (mated vs unmated) in both species were recorded and compared. Overall, responses measured by the antennograms offered insights into the comparative olfactory physiology of the two fly species. We also present detailed analyses of the antennal transcriptome by RNA-Sequencing that reveal significant differences between male and female screwworm flies. The differential expression patterns were confirmed by quantitative PCR. Taken together, this integrated study provides insights into the physiological and molecular correlates of the screwworm’s attraction to wounds, and identifies molecular targets that will aid in the development of odorant-based fly management strategies.

scholarly journals Thermoformed Containers Based on Starch and Starch/Coffee Waste Biochar Composites

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 6034
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Diaz ◽  
Rahul Ketan Shah ◽  
Tyler Evans ◽  
Thomas A. Trabold ◽  
Kathleen Draper
Keyword(s):  
Food Service ◽  
Thermoplastic Starch ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Thermochemical Conversion ◽  
Stable Form ◽  
Thermoplastic Material ◽  
Elongation At Break ◽  
Soil Burial ◽  
Coffee Grounds ◽  
The Cost

Biodegradable containers support zero-waste initiatives when alternative end-of-life scenarios are available (e.g., composting, bio digestion). Thermoplastic starch (TPS) has emerged as a readily biodegradable and inexpensive biomaterial that can replace traditional plastics in applications such as food service ware and packaging. This study has two aims. First, demonstrate the thermoformability of starch/polycaprolactone (PCL) as a thermoplastic material with varying starch loadings. Second, incorporate biochar as a sustainable filler that can potentially lower the cost and enhance compostability. Biochar is a stable form of carbon produced by thermochemical conversion of organic biomass, such as food waste, and its incorporation into consumer products could promote a circular economy. Thermoformed samples were successfully made with starch contents from 40 to 60 wt.% without biochar. Increasing the amount of starch increased the viscosity of the material, which in turn affected the compression molding (sheet manufacturing) and thermoforming conditions. PCL content reduced the extent of biodegradation in soil burial experiments and increased the strength and elongation at break of the material. A blend of 50:50 starch:PCL was selected for incorporating biochar. Thermoformed containers were manufactured with 10, 20, and 30 wt.% biochar derived from waste coffee grounds. The addition of biochar decreased the elongation at break but did not significantly affect the modulus of elasticity or tensile strength. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using starch and biochar for the manufacturing of thermoformed containers.

scholarly journals A Chronological List of References on Switched Capacitor Circuits

1982 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Vandewalle
Keyword(s):  
Signal Processing ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Switched Capacitor ◽  
Switched Capacitor Circuits ◽  
The Cost

A chronological list of 440 references on switched capacitor circuits is compiled. Such circuits have cut the cost of filters and signal processing devices for telecommunications, speech and consumer products because they can be easily integrated on a chip. The bibliography shows the explosion of interest since 1977 by IC designers, CAD developers and circuit and filter theorists and practitioners alike.Very specialized publications as well as elementary papers and books have been included.

The Behaviour and Mortality of Anopheles maculatus and Culex fatigans in experimental Huts treated with DDT and BHC

1951 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Wharton
Keyword(s):  
Light Trap ◽  
Trap Catch ◽  
Water Dispersible ◽  
Experimental Huts ◽  
Culex Fatigans ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Biting Rate ◽  
Window Traps ◽  
Mansonia Uniformis ◽  
Outdoor Resting

Experimental huts fitted with window traps, of the same basic design as those described by Thomson (1948), modified for Malayan conditions, were used in studying the behaviour and mortality of A. maculatus in relation to DDT and BHC. Other species of Anophelines formed a large proportion of the human bait trap catch but rarely entered the huts.In untreated huts, A. maculatus fed at all hours of the night with a peak between 9 p.m. and midnight. The large majority left before 8 a.m. in search of outdoor resting places, at least 50 per cent. before dawn. It appeared that attraction to light was the strongest, but not the only factor influencing exit from the huts.Large numbers of Culicines (mostly Culex fatigans) were recovered. In untreated huts about 80 per cent. were blood fed ; 28 per cent. were in the window traps.DDT (33 per cent.) and BHC (“ Gammexane P530 and P520 ”) water dispersible powders were tested.An application of 100 mg. DDT and 20 mg. γ BHC (P530) per sq. ft. was unsuccessful, due in part to the small numbers of mosquitos recovered. No conclusions are drawn from the results.DDT at 200 mg. and BHC (P520) at 40 mg. γ isomer per sq. ft. were both effective for at least 12 to 16 weeks against A. maculatus. With DDT, 63 per cent. initial, and 83 per cent. 24-hour corrected mortalities were recorded over 16 weeks. With BHC, though the initial mortality dropped from 100 per cent. in weeks 1–4 to 19 per cent. in weeks 12–16, the 24-hour mortality, almost 100 per cent. for weeks 1–10, was still 88 per cent. for weeks 12–16.DDT apparently had little effect on the feeding of A. maculatus ; with BHC there was a reduction in the percentage fed.DDT was relatively non-lethal to C. fatigans, but had a marked irritant effect driving them into the light trap and the biting rate was reduce to 45 per cent. BHC killed all C. fatigans which entered for 2 weeks but most of its toxic effects were lost by the eighth week. The biting rate was reduced to 27 per cent. for weeks 1 to 8 and the majority of mosquitos were recovered in the light trap.Ants, cockroaches, spiders, etc., were found to affect the number of mosquitos recovered and special precautions had to be taken against losses.The results suggested that BHC when freshly applied acts as a repellent to mosquitos.Mansonia uniformis was shown to be susceptible to both DDT and BHC residual deposits.

scholarly journals Mycobacterium bovis: From Genotyping to Genome Sequencing

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana M. S. Guimaraes ◽  
Cristina K. Zimpel
Keyword(s):  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Mycobacterium Bovis ◽  
Bovine Tuberculosis ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Outbreak Response ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Wildlife Reservoirs ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Current Standards

Mycobacterium bovis is the main pathogen of bovine, zoonotic, and wildlife tuberculosis. Despite the existence of programs for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) control in many regions, the disease remains a challenge for the veterinary and public health sectors, especially in developing countries and in high-income nations with wildlife reservoirs. Current bTB control programs are mostly based on test-and-slaughter, movement restrictions, and post-mortem inspection measures. In certain settings, contact tracing and surveillance has benefited from M. bovis genotyping techniques. More recently, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has become the preferential technique to inform outbreak response through contact tracing and source identification for many infectious diseases. As the cost per genome decreases, the application of WGS to bTB control programs is inevitable moving forward. However, there are technical challenges in data analyses and interpretation that hinder the implementation of M. bovis WGS as a molecular epidemiology tool. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe M. bovis genotyping techniques and discuss current standards and challenges of the use of M. bovis WGS for transmission investigation, surveillance, and global lineages distribution. We compiled a series of associated research gaps to be explored with the ultimate goal of implementing M. bovis WGS in a standardized manner in bTB control programs.

Light-trap catches of African armyworm moths, Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in relation to rain and wind

1983 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Tucker
Keyword(s):  
East Africa ◽  
Light Trap ◽  
Spodoptera Exempta ◽  
Trap Catch ◽  
Early Season ◽  
African Armyworm ◽  
Light Wind ◽  
Trap Catches ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae ◽  
Very High

AbstractThe association between weather and light-trap catches of Spodoptera exempta (Wlk.) was examined for four traps in East Africa, using whole–night catches and several years' data. Large increases in trap catch were found to be (1) significantly associated with rain at all four traps for the period December–March, but not for later in the season; (2) significantly associated with light wind periods at Muguga for December–May, but not later in the year, and not at Nakuru, due to the very high overall frequency of light winds there; and (3) not significantly associated with windshifts at either Muguga or Nakuru. These results suggest that high densities of flying moths, which may give rise to caterpillar outbreaks early in the year, often occur where the rather infrequent early–season rains fall.

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