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.

Miniaturized Optimal Incident Light Angle-fitted Dark Field System for Contrast-enhanced Real-time Monitoring of 2D/3D-projected Cell Motions

In the field of biology, dark field microscopy provides superior insight into cells and subcellular structures. However, most dark field microscopes are equipped with a dark field filter and a light source on a 2D-based specimen, so only a flat sample can be observed in a limited space. We propose a compact cell monitoring system with built-in dark field filter with an optimized incident angle of the light source to provide real-time cell imaging and spatial cell monitoring. 2D/3D projected darkfield images are optimized for 2D/3D samples as they rely on darkfield filters, and incident light. 2D projection imaging was implemented using a modular condenser lens to acquire high-contrast images. This enabled the long-term monitoring of cells, and the real-time monitoring of cell division and death. This system was able to image, by 2D projection, cells on the surface thinly coated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes, as well as living cells that migrated along the surface of glass beads and hydrogel droplets with a diameter of about 160 μm. The Optimal incident light angle-fitted dark field system combines high-contrast imaging sensitivity and high spatial resolution to even image cells on three-dimensional surfaces.

Engineering non-classical correlation and teleportation with Robust fidelity using Jaynes–Cummings model

In this paper, we propose a model to describe the geometry of quantum correlations and entanglement through their distinct physical significance in quantum information processing and modern communications. However, geometric discord, using trace, Hilbert–Schmidt distances, and entanglement of formation, is engineered to be a well-defined non-classical correlation measure of an atomic field system. It consists of employing Jaynes–Cummings model to study the interaction between an excited atom at two levels and a single electromagnetic field mode inside an electrodynamic cavity in two cases, namely resonance and non-resonance. In fact, the dynamics of these measures depends decisively on the atom-field initial parameters where, importantly, the field parameters can be specified as control settings to implement an optimal teleportation protocol. The obtained results reveal that the behaviors of teleported geometric quantum discord and entanglement are similar to those displayed for maximum fidelity in terms of fully entanglement fraction. Therefore, since fidelity always exceeds the classical limit, one can design a quantum teleportation scheme with robust fidelity superior to any conventional communication protocol.

A deformed model for N-type four-level atom and a single mode field system in the presence of the Kerr medium

The aim of this paper is to study the interaction between a single mode field and four-level atom in N - configuration under nonlinear medium effect. The non-resonance case and the deformation forms in the coupling interaction between the field and the atom are included. The wave function of the proposed system is obtained when the atom is prepared initially in its excited state while the field is prepared in a coherent state. The effect of the deformation and nonlinear medium on the temporal behavior of collapse-revival, field entropy and geometric phase of the system are examined. The results show that the presence of the intensity of the coupling interaction and the non-linear medium have an important influence on the properties of these phenomena.

Transfluthrin eave-positioned targeted insecticide (EPTI) reduces human landing rate (HLR) of pyrethroid resistant and susceptible malaria vectors in a semi-field simulated peridomestic space

Background Volatile pyrethroids (VPs) are proven to reduce human–vector contact for mosquito vectors. With increasing resistance to pyrethroids in mosquitoes, the efficacy of VPs, such as transfluthrin, may be compromised. Therefore, experiments were conducted to determine if the efficacy of transfluthrin eave-positioned targeted insecticide (EPTI) depends on the resistance status of malaria vectors. Methods Ribbons treated with 5.25 g transfluthrin or untreated controls were used around the eaves of an experimental hut as EPTI inside a semi-field system. Mosquito strains with different levels of pyrethroid resistance were released simultaneously, recaptured by means of human landing catches (HLCs) and monitored for 24-h mortality. Technical-grade (TG) transfluthrin was used, followed by emulsifiable concentrate (EC) transfluthrin and additional mosquito strains. Generalized linear mixed models with binomial distribution were used to determine the impact of transfluthrin and mosquito strain on mosquito landing rates and 24-h mortality. Results EPTI treated with 5.25 g of either TG or EC transfluthrin significantly reduced HLR of all susceptible and resistant Anopheles mosquitoes (Odds Ratio (OR) ranging from 0.14 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) [0.11–0.17], P < 0.001) to 0.57, (CI [0.42–0.78] P < 0.001). Both TG and EC EPTI had less impact on landing for the resistant Anopheles arabiensis (Mbita strain) compared to the susceptible Anopheles gambiae (Ifakara strain) (OR 1.50 [95% CI 1.18–1.91] P < 0.001) and (OR 1.67 [95% CI 1.29–2.17] P < 0.001), respectively. The EC EPTI also had less impact on the resistant An. arabiensis (Kingani strain) (OR 2.29 [95% CI 1.78–2.94] P < 0.001) compared to the control however the TG EPTI was equally effective against the resistant Kingani strain and susceptible Ifakara strain (OR 1.03 [95% CI 0.82–1.32] P = 0.75). Finally the EC EPTI was equally effective against the susceptible An. gambiae (Kisumu strain) and the resistant An. gambiae (Kisumu-kdr strain) (OR 0.98 [95% CI 0.74–1.30] P = 0.90). Conclusions Transfluthrin-treated EPTI could be useful in areas with pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes, but it remains unclear whether stronger resistance to pyrethroids will undermine the efficacy of transfluthrin. At this dosage, transfluthrin EPTI cannot be used to kill exposed mosquitoes.