scholarly journals Application of Relational Bayesian Networks to Vector Control in New York City

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Bayesian Networks ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Adult Mosquito ◽  
Temporal Data ◽  
Source Reduction ◽  
Best Fit ◽  
Ground Spraying

We propose a novel way of rapidly formulating hypotheses describing the efficacy of West Nile virus (WNV) control campaigns using relational Bayesian Networks (RBN). RBN takes advantage of both quantitative information and expert opinion. We used multiyear, geo-referenced, and temporal data about dead birds, mosquitoes and humans, to infer probable relationships using proprietary software (CleverSet® Modeler) and discover the RBN that best fit the data for our initial models. Additional expert knowledge was later utilized for augmenting subsequent models. The final RBM was created after relating all the variables of interest that correlate to the occurrence of human cases, positive birds, and positive mosquitoes. The findings of this research suggest that WNV positive birds are valuable indicators of WNV activity. The most probable core organisms are bird-feeding Culex and ground-dwelling birds. WNV preventive measures such as public education, source reduction, and larviciding may be supplemented by adult mosquito control by ground spraying. To effectively interrupt the chain of transmission, careful effort must be devoted to ensuring that fewer mosquitoes remain the day after spray.

scholarly journals Guided Spatial Transformers for Facial Expression Recognition

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 7217
Author(s):  
Cristina Luna-Jiménez ◽  
Jorge Cristóbal-Martín ◽  
Ricardo Kleinlein ◽  
Manuel Gil-Martín ◽  
José M. Moya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Facial Expression ◽  
Facial Expression Recognition ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Visual Saliency ◽  
Expression Recognition ◽  
Spatial Transformations ◽  
Facial Landmarks ◽  
Saliency Maps ◽  
Best Fit

Spatial Transformer Networks are considered a powerful algorithm to learn the main areas of an image, but still, they could be more efficient by receiving images with embedded expert knowledge. This paper aims to improve the performance of conventional Spatial Transformers when applied to Facial Expression Recognition. Based on the Spatial Transformers’ capacity of spatial manipulation within networks, we propose different extensions to these models where effective attentional regions are captured employing facial landmarks or facial visual saliency maps. This specific attentional information is then hardcoded to guide the Spatial Transformers to learn the spatial transformations that best fit the proposed regions for better recognition results. For this study, we use two datasets: AffectNet and FER-2013. For AffectNet, we achieve a 0.35% point absolute improvement relative to the traditional Spatial Transformer, whereas for FER-2013, our solution gets an increase of 1.49% when models are fine-tuned with the Affectnet pre-trained weights.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Petiveria Alliacea (Linneaus) leaf and root bark powder in the control of filariasis vector Culex Quinquefasciatus

2021 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Olarewaju Akintan ◽  
Joseph Onaolapo Akinneye ◽  
Oluwatosin Betty Ilelakinwa
Keyword(s):  
Synergistic Effect ◽  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Exposure Period ◽  
Botanical Insecticides ◽  
Adult Mosquito ◽  
Root Bark ◽  
Plant Powders ◽  
Petiveria Alliacea ◽  
Feeding Activities

Abstract Background Mosquitoes are vectors of parasitic diseases such as malaria, lymphatic filariasis, yellow fever, and dengue fever among others. They are well known as public enemies for their noise nuisance, biting annoyance, sleeplessness, allergic reactions, and diseases transmission during the biting and feeding activities. This then necessitate the search for insecticides of plant origin which are bio-degradable, non-toxic, and readily available for man use. Result This study, evaluated the fumigant efficacy of the powder of P. alliacea to control the adult stage of Culex mosquito. Powder of Petiveria alliacea were administered at different dose of (1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g, and 5 g), respectively. Result obtained shows the fumigant effect of the powder were effective with percentage mortality of 18.33–60.00% for the leaf powder and 23.30–71.60% for the root powder within 2 h post-treatment period (P < 0.05). The synergistic effect of the leaf and root powder was also investigated. The lethal dosage (LD50) of the leaf, root, and synergistic effect of leaf and root bark powder required to kill 50% of the adult Culex quinquefasciatus was 3.76 g, 2.86 g, and 2.63 g, respectively. However, 25.06 g, 15.25 g, and 12.94 g of the leaf, root, and leaf and root powder were required to kill 90% (LD90) after a 2-h exposure period. Conclusion These finding suggested P. alliacea powder could be a good source of insecticide which may be used for the production of biopesticides. The present findings have important implications in the practical control of adult mosquito by using botanical insecticides. These plant powders are easy to prepare, inexpensive, and safe for use in mosquito control.

ANOMALY DETECTION IN VESSEL TRACKING – A BAYESIAN NETWORKS (BNs) APPROACH

2021 ◽  
Vol 157 (A3) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Handayani ◽  
W Sediono ◽  
A Shah
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Bayesian Networks ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Automatic Identification ◽  
Identification System ◽  
International Convention ◽  
Learning Techniques ◽  
Reporting Data ◽  
Vessel Anomaly

The paper describes the supervised method approach to identifying vessel anomaly behaviour. The vessel anomaly behaviour is determined by learning from self-reporting maritime systems based on the Automatic Identification System (AIS). The AIS is a real world vessel reporting data system, which has been recently made compulsory by the International Convention for the Safety of Life and Sea (SOLAS) for vessels over 300 gross tons and most commercial vessels such as cargo ships, passenger vessels, tankers, etc. In this paper, we describe the use of Bayesian networks (BNs) approach to identify the behaviour of the vessel of interest. The BNs is a machine learning technique based on probabilistic theory that represents a set of random variables and their conditional independencies via directed acyclic graph (DAG). Previous studies showed that the BNs have important advantages compared to other machine learning techniques. Among them are that expert knowledge can be included in the BNs model, and that humans can understand and interpret the BNs model more readily. This work proves that the BNs technique is applicable to the identification of vessel anomaly behaviour.

scholarly journals Larvicidal effect of some natural products on mosquito and some aquatic predators in Gezira State, Sudan: Field assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 078-082
Author(s):  
Abdelmonem Eltiyab Houmida Ali ◽  
Mutaman Ali A. Kehail
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Mosquito Larvae ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Stagnant Water ◽  
Source Reduction ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Field Assessment ◽  
Neem Leaves ◽  
Aquatic Predators

There are many methods used for mosquito control. Depending on the situation, source reduction (removing stagnant water), bio-control (importing natural predators), trapping, and insecticides to kill larvae or adults may be used. Some aquatic predators were reputed as biological control agents for mosquito larvae. Hence they have to be considered when experimenting on the lethal effects of any material on mosquito larvae. The objectives of this study were to study the effects of neem leaves and usher latex against Anopheles and Culex larvae and some of their aquatic predators (hemipteran boatman (HB), tadpole (T), swimming beetle larvae (SBL) and adult (SBA) and mayfly naiad (MF)) in some breeding sites around Wad Medani Town. Gezira State, Sudan. Two villages were selected for conducting this study. The count of the mosquito larvae and the aquatic predators continued for four days from applying natural products. The results showed that, mosquito’s larvae were affected more than the aquatic by Neem leaves and Ushar latex. The study of the microclimates in the breeding sites will help to correlate toxicity to any level of any environmental factor.

scholarly journals Qualitative Modelling for Bridging Expert-Knowledge and the Social-Ecological Dynamics of an East African Savanna

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilien Cosme ◽  
Christelle Hély ◽  
Franck Pommereau ◽  
Paolo Pasquariello ◽  
Christel Tiberi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Dynamic Modelling ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
East African ◽  
African Savanna ◽  
Qualitative Modelling ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Economic Transitions

Sub-Saharan social-ecological systems are undergoing changes in environmental conditions, including modifications in rainfall pattern and biodiversity loss. Consequences of such changes depend on complex causal chains which call for integrated management strategies whose efficiency could benefit from ecosystem dynamic modelling. However, ecosystem models often require lots of quantitative information for estimating parameters, which is often unavailable. Alternatively, qualitative modelling frameworks have proved useful for explaining ecosystem response to perturbations, while requiring fewer information and providing more general predictions. However, current qualitative methods have some shortcomings which may limit their utility for specific issues. In this paper, we propose the Ecological Discrete-Event Network (EDEN), an innovative qualitative dynamic modelling framework based on &quot;if-then&quot; rules which generates many alternative event sequences (trajectories). Based on expert knowledge, observations and literature, we use this framework to assess the effect of permanent changes in surface water and herbivores diversity on vegetation and socio-economic transitions in an East African savanna. Results show that water availability drives changes in vegetation and socio-economic transitions, while herbivore functional groups had highly contrasted effects depending on the group. This first use of EDEN in a savanna context is promising for bridging expert knowledge and ecosystem modelling.

Bionomics of Anopheles Arabiensis from Mamfene in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa): An Area of High Malaria Transmission in the Province

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajendra Maharaj ◽  
Vishan Lakan ◽  
Kiash Maharaj
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Vector Control ◽  
Anopheles Arabiensis ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Adult Mosquito ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Larval Control ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Although great strides have been made in controlling malaria, the disease is of significant public health importance. Historically, efforts to control the vector has concentrated on adult vector control targeting the female Anopheles mosquitoes. As there is now a focus on eliminating residual malaria from KwaZulu-Natal, new strategies are being investigated to increase the impact of malaria elimination strategies. Greater attention is now being given to larval control, as a complementary measure to indoor residual spraying. However, there is a large gap in knowledge of the bionomics of the larval stages of this mosquito vector of malaria in South Africa. In order to focus on both larval and adult mosquito control methods, larval development and the reproductive stages of the vector were investigated since these variables influences our ability to impact mosquito populations through larval control. This study was therefore conducted to determine the peak eruption times and the emergent sex ratios, as well as the peak egg oviposition time in order to attack the mosquito when it is at its most vulnerable and when control interventions will have the most impact.Results: Oviposition studies showed two peaks corresponding with late evening and again just before dawn. Most eggs were also laid in the first half of the night (18h00 – midnight). Most mosquitoes erupted just after sunset and the sex ratios showed that twice as many females as males emerged. Females readily took a bloodmeal after oviposition or just after erupting. Hatch rate to viable first instar larvae was 74.5%.Conclusions: The results of this study have provided information as to when interventions would be most effective in controlling mosquito populations and have provided information that highlights the value of larval control as a complementary measure to adult mosquito control. The most vulnerable stages of the female Anopheles arabiensis are when they have just emerged or when they have just oviposited. Vector control strategies should be designed to target these vulnerable stages at the breeding sites in order to have maximum impact.

Impact of adult mosquito control on dengue prevalence in a multi-patch setting: A case study in Kolkata (2014–2015)

2019 ◽  
Vol 478 ◽  
pp. 139-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Senapati ◽  
Tridip Sardar ◽  
Krishnendra Sankar Ganguly ◽  
Krishna Sankar Ganguly ◽  
Asis Kumar Chattopadhyay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Adult Mosquito

scholarly journals Using UPLC–MS/MS to Evaluate the Dissemination of Pyriproxyfen by Aedes Mosquitoes to Combat Cryptic Larval Habitats after Source Reduction in Kaohsiung in Southern Taiwan

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying-An Chen ◽  
Yi-Ting Lai ◽  
Kuo-Chih Wu ◽  
Tsai-Ying Yen ◽  
Chia-Yang Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Communities ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Insect Growth Regulator ◽  
Source Reduction ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Complementary Approach ◽  
Cryptic Habitats ◽  
Southern Taiwan

The policy regarding mosquito control strategies in Taiwan is based on integrated vector management (IVM). The major approach is source reduction via collaboration by both residents and governments. However, small and cryptic habitats of dengue vectors are hard to find and eliminate in urban communities. Therefore, this study evaluated a complementary approach that targeted cryptic habitats by utilizing mosquitoes themselves as vehicles to transfer an insect growth regulator, pyriproxyfen (PPF), to their breeding sites; the amount of PPF in breeding water was determined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS). A bioassay conducted by introducing ten late-instar larvae into PPF solution was performed to assess emergence inhibition (EI). PPF was found at 0.56 ± 0.04 ng in 25 mL of water by dissemination via ten Aedes aegypti mosquitoes exposed to 0.01% PPF, leading to 100% EI. After the community-level source reduction, a field trial in Kaohsiung in Southern Taiwan showed that 30.8–31.5% of cryptic ovitraps reached EI ≥ 50% one month after spraying 0.01% PPF in microhabitats favored by mosquitoes. IVM in parallel with residual spraying of PPF on resting surfaces of mosquitoes could serve as a simple and complementary approach to reduce cryptic larval sources in urban communities in Southern Taiwan.

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