Evaluation of an ivermectin-based attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) against Aedes aegypti in Tanzania.

Background The control of vector borne arboviral diseases such as Dengue is mainly achieved by reducing human-vector contact and controlling the vectors through source reduction and environmental management. These measures are constrained by labour intensity, insecticide resistance and pro-active community participation. The current study intended to develop and test an ivermectin-based attractive-targeted sugar bait (ATSB) against Aedes aegypti. Methods The 48hour lethal concentration (LC90) of ivermectin against Ae. aegypti was determined through serial dilution experiment where five 30cm x 30cm x 30cm cages were set; into each, a 10% sugar solution treated with ivermectin were introduced. 40 Ae. aegypti were released into each cage and observed for mortality after 4, 8, 24 and 48 hours. The ivermectin-based ATSB was evaluated in a semi field system where ATSB and attractive sugar bait (ASB) were deployed into each compartment of the semi field and 100 female Ae. aegypti were released every day and recaptured the next day through human land catch and Bio-gent sentinel trap. The developed and semi-field tested ATSB was further tested in the field by deploying them in garages. Results The ivermectin 48hr LC90 of male and female Ae. aegypti was found to be 0.03% w/v. In the semi field system, the ATSB significantly reduced a free-flying population of Ae. aegypti within 24 hours (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.62; [95% confidence interval (95%CI); 0.54-0.70] and p-value < 0.001). However, in the field, the ATSBs required the addition of yeast as a carbon dioxide source to efficiently attract Ae. aegypti mosquitoes to feed. Conclusion Ivermectin is an active ingredient that can be used in an ATSB for Ae. aegypti depopulation. However, further research is needed to improve the developed and tested ATSB to compete with natural sources of sugar in a natural environment.

No evidence for a productive Hallett-Mossop process so far

&lt;p&gt;Mixed-phase clouds are essential elements in Earth&amp;#8217;s weather and climate system. Atmospheric observation of mixed-phase clouds occasionally demonstrated a strong discrepancy between the observed ice particle and ice nucleating particle number concentration of one to four orders of magnitude at modest supercooling [1-3, 5, 7]. Different secondary ice production (SIP) mechanisms have been hypothesized which can increase the total ice particle number concentration by multiplication of primary ice particles and hence might explain the observed discrepancy [2, 4, 6].&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;In this study we focus on SIP as a result of droplet-ice collisions, commonly known as Hallett-Mossop [9] or rime-splintering process. Our main objectives are (i) to quantify secondary ice particles and (ii) to learn more about the underlying physics. Therefore, we develop a new experimental set-up (Ice Droplets splintEring on FreezIng eXperiment, IDEFIX) in which quasi-monodisperse supercooled droplets collide with a fixed ice particle. IDEFIX is designed to simulate atmospheric relevant conditions such as temperature, humidity, impact velocities and collision rates. The riming process is observed with high-speed video microscopy and an infrared measuring system. Further, the produced secondary ice particles are counted via impaction on a supercooled sugar solution. Preliminary results from a first measurement campaign suggest that we observed single SIP events but did not found evidence for a productive Hallett-Mossop process so far.&amp;#160; We plan to continue with rime-splintering experiment in order to gain better statistics and to expand the parameter space (e.g., droplet size distribution).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;[1] Crosier, J., et al. 2011, DOI: 10.5194/acp-11-257-2011.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;[2] Field, P.R., et al. 2016, DOI: 10.1175/amsmonographs-d-16-0014.1.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;[3] Hogan, R.J., et al. 2002, DOI: 10.1256/003590002321042054.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;[4] Korolev, A. and T. Leisner 2020, DOI: 10.5194/acp-20-11767-2020.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;[5] Mossop, S.C. 1985, DOI: 10.1175/1520-0477(1985)066&lt;0264:toacoi&gt;2.0.co;2.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;[6] Sotiropoulou, G., et al. 2020, DOI: 10.5194/acp-20-1301-2020.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;[7] Taylor, J.W., et al. 2016, DOI: 10.5194/acp-16-799-2016.&lt;/p&gt;

Measuring refractive index gradient of sugar solution

To measure refractive index at a particular altitude in a solution with vertical refractive index gradient, a transparent wedge-shaped container was constructed altogether with the development of mathematical formula derived from the Snell’s law. The refractive index of the solution can be calculated by measuring the angles of incoming and outgoing laser beams relative to respective normal line. By varying height of the laser beam, the refractive index as a function of height of a sugar solution was obtained. This technique is applied to investigate Fata Morgana which is a kind of superior mirage resulting from bending of light in a medium with density gradient.

Effect of osmotic dehydration combined with citric acid on bioactive compounds in freeze-dried MD2 pineapple

The use of freeze drying process to prolong the shelf life of food products is considered mainstream in food industries due to its capability to retain the nutritional value. Citric acid and osmotic solution were used as a pre-treatment in this study to produce high-quality dried products. Four treatment groups were observed, including untreated (control), 1% citric acid (CA), 1% CA with 20% sugar solution (CAOD 20%), and 1% CA with 60% sugar solution (CAOD 60%). Physical properties such as moisture content; pH; total soluble solid; colour value; and bioactive compounds, such as vitamin C, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities were evaluated in freeze-dried pineapples. The result showed that CAOD 60% demonstrated a positive effect, with the least moisture content and the lowest value of colour changes (ΔE) at 5.69 ± 0.04% and 33.76 ± 2.17, respectively, as compared with that of other samples. In terms of phytochemical, the control and CA groups recorded higher retention of vitamin C, TPC, and TFC compared with other osmotic dehydration samples; however, there was no significant effect (p<0.05) on TPC and TFC. Interestingly, CAOD 60% possessed strong antioxidant activity, with the lowest IC50 value of 85.85 ± 5.93. From these findings, it was found that CAOD 60% resulted in positive effect on both the physical qualities and preservation of antioxidant activity, making it a recommended condition for pre-treatment in fruit preservation, which is essential in ensuring both the food security aspect and maintenance of its nutritional value.

The effects of vacuum cooling to post-pasteurized honey on diastase enzyme activity and physical properties of Riau Forest Honey

Honey is defined as a traditional natural liquid which usually has a sweet taste derived from the nectar of flowers. The main component of honey is a natural saturated sugar solution consisting of a mixture of complex carbohydrates and contains various important micro-nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and organic compounds. These micro-nutrients are very susceptible to damage during the honey processing process. In this study, a cooling method in the form of vacuum cooling was applied with the aim of maintaining the micro-nutrients in honey. Vacuum cooling that is applied after the pasteurization process aims to release the latent heat trapped in the honey in a relatively short time and minimize damage to micronutrient, especially the diastase enzyme. The research design consisted of 2 factors, namely the volume chamber consisting of 12.5%, 25%, and 50%. The second factor is the cooling method which consists of conventional and vacuum cooling. The samples from the research were tested on diastase enzyme activity and the physical properties of honey such as moisture content, density, and acidity. The results showed that cooling with the vacuum cooling method had lower water content, low acidity, high density, and better diastase enzyme activity compared to conventional cooling.

The utilization of new products formulated from water coconut, palm sap sugar, and fungus to increase nutritional feed quality, feed efficiency, growth, and carcass of gurami sago (Osphronemus goramy Lacepède, 1801) juvenile

Background: Giant gourami (Osphronemus goramy Lacepede, 1801) has become popular aquaculture in Indonesia. However, information on the feed used is minimal. This study analyzed the change in feeding nutrition, fish growth, feed efficiency, and body-carcass using product formulated from water coconut, palm sap sugar, and fungus. Methods: A total of 2,000 ml coconut water and 1,000 ml of palm sap sugar solution were formulated. Each product formulated was added with 6 g of Aspergillus niger (called product P1), 6 g of Rhizopus oligosporus (called product P2), and 6 g of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (called product P3). Commercial feeds supplemented with P1, P2, and P3 products are designated P1, P2, and P3 diets. Commercial feed added to freshwater is called the P4 diet (placebo). Their dosage is 300 ml/kg of feed. Gurami sago juveniles (initial weight 50±2.5 g and length 13.2±0.4 cm) were stocked in triplicate nets (2×1×1 m) in a freshwater concrete pond with a stocking density of 30 fish/net, an initial feeding rate of 3% per day until study termination. Results: Our results support our hypothesis that different product formulations have a significant effect (p<0.05) on growth performance and feed efficiency. At the same time, supplementing commercial feed with varying formula products has a significant impact (p<0.05) on the fatty acid composition of the diets and carcass body of gurami sago. Conclusion: Diet P2 contains a higher concentration of fatty acids to increase body weight, feed efficiency, and the best carcass fatty acid composition than other experiments for sago gurami reared in freshwater concrete ponds.

Osmosis dehydration of sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata.) kernel with trehalose solution

Osmosis dehydration is a process of reducing water content by immersing the material in a hypertonic solution. It usually uses a sugar solution likes mono-saccharide or disaccharide. Trehalose is one type of disaccharide that can be used as a solute. Trehalose is able to maintain the nutrition content of food material and the aroma of horticulture products because it maintains and stabilizes complex molecules. Immersing of sweet corn kernel in trehalose solution was expected to maintain kernel sweet corn quality in relation to the next process. The objective of the research is to investigate the effects of the different immersing temperatures and trehalose concentrations on the physical quality of sweet corn. This study used solution with concentrations of 4%, 8%, and 12% trehalose. The variations of immersing temperature were 30°C, 40°C, and 50°C. The experiment was done with a factorial completely randomized design. The first factor was immersing temperature and the second factor was the concentration of trehalose solution. The data was analyzed using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) method. The temperature treatment of 50°C and trehalose concentration of 12% showed the highest weight reduction (6.18%), solid gain (4.5%), and water loss (10.38%). The lowest water content of corn kernel was also obtained in this treatment i.e 78.7%.

Feed intake of selected vegetables and fruits by coconut lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) in a colony system

Prijono SN,Rachmatika R, Maharani S. 2021. Feed intake of selected vegetables and fruits by coconut lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) in a colony system. Biodiversitas 22: 4818-4828. Coconut lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus (Linnaeus 1771)) is nectarivorous bird. An imbalanced diet is a common problem with lorikeet were kept in captivity. The research method was completely randomized design arranged in a factorial with two factors. The first factor consisted of five types of vegetables or five types of fruits while the second factor consisted of five height levels of feed cup placement (30 cm, 60 cm, 90 cm, 120 cm and, 150 cm from the roof). This study aimed to get information on the feed intake of selected vegetables and fruits that have high attractiveness to meet nutrient requirements and balanced diet for coconut lorikeets kept in a colony aviary. The feed intake of vegetable soybean (26.68 g) was higher than yardlong bean (21.63 g), green cabbage (19.12 g), red cabbage (16.24 g), and broccoli (14.27 g), while the feed intake of plum (14.15 g) was higher than apple (12.31 g), pomegranate (10.88 g), papaya (10.55 g) and guava (9.82 g). Vegetable and fruit intake by six coconut lorikeets in a colony system were 20.80% of the daily diet, and the siwalan sugar solution was 79.20% of the daily diet. It was suggested that the coconut lorikeets should be fed more vegetables than fruits. A good quality, varied and balanced diet will make the coconut lorikeets healthy and it will support future conservation effort.

Spectrophotometric Determination of the Honey Bee Quality

Honey produced by bees from nectar in flowers and plants, is an aqueous supersaturated sugar solution, mainly monosaccharide (fructose and glucose) (70%–80%) and water (10%–20%). 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) content in honey bee is an indicator of the purity. High concentration of 5-HMF in honey bee indicates overheating and poor storage conditions (The chemical properties of honey, free acids and total acids) significantly in correlation with the HMF content and provides parameters that are used to make quick assessments of honey quality (Khalil et al., 2010). The recommended value of 5-HMF (Alinorm 01/25, 2000) and the European Union (Directive 110/2001) in honey usually should not exceed 80 or 40 mg/kg, respectively. This work aims to examine the concentration of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) content in different Qatari honey bee samples as an indicator of the honey bee quality by using the reference White Method.

The Magnitude of Pre-lacteal Feeding Practice and its Influencing Factors Among Mothers with Children Under the Age of Two Years in Afar Region of Ethiopia: A Community based Quantitative and Qualitative Study

Background: Pre-lacteal feeding is a barrier to implement optimal breastfeeding practices and caused new-born disease. Pre-lacteal feeding is primarily practiced in developing countries, where cultural and social structures are based on descent and relationships. The aim of study was to determine the magnitude of pre-lacteal feeding practice and its influencing factors among mothers with children under the age of 2-years in Afar region of Ethiopia. Method: A community based cross sectional study supplemented by qualitative study was employed. In the quantitative study, 235 study participants were included, whereas seventeen study subjects participated in the qualitative study. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with pre-lacteal feeding practice. The qualitative data was analyzed using thematic approach. Result: The magnitude of pre-lacteal feeding was 36.6%. Being a housewife (AOR=4.1, 95% CI: 1.4-12.2) and having male indexed child (AOR=4.9, 95% CI: 1.8-13.5) were more likely to practice pre-lacteal feeding than those of trade and female, respectively. However, pre-lacteal feeding practice decreased in those mothers with three and above ante natal care visits (AOR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.1-0.9), delivered at health institutes (AOR=0.1, 95% CI: 0.02-0.3), starting breastfeeding within one hour (AOR=0.04, at 95% CI: 0.01-0.1) and getting breast feeding counseling (AOR=0.21, at 95%CI: 0.06-0.7). Milk, plain water, sugar solution, honey, butter, dates (‘temir'), a leaf, and condo pepper were the most common pre-lacteal foods reported by study participants. Cultural beliefs and the assumption of cleaning new-born throat and bowel were the most common reason to practice pre-lacteal feeding. Conclusion: The magnitude of pre-lacteal feeding was high due to socio-cultural and maternal health service utilization factors. Water, milk products, sweet foods and some of plant types were the most common pre-lacteal foods. Key words: Pre-lacteal feeding, factors, mother, children