From Surveillance To Control: Evaluation of A Larvicide Intervention Against Aedes aegypti In Brownsville, Texas

ABSTRACT South Texas is recognized as a potential area for the emergence and re-emergence of mosquito-borne diseases due to recent circulation of Zika, chikungunya, and dengue viruses. During 2017, high Aedes aegypti abundance found in the city of Brownsville, TX, in combination with the previous year's local transmission of Zika virus, triggered the activation of the Texas Department of State Health Services Emergency Mosquito Control Contingency Contract. A contract with the Clarke Environmental and Mosquito Control was a response to control Ae. aegypti, using a ground-based wide-area larvicide spray (WALS™) containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. The WALS application was evaluated through a field-based bioassay and by comparing surveillance data pre- and post-WALS application. The WALS application bioassay demonstrated that the larvicide was effective up to 60 m into the target properties. Additionally, the number of Ae. aegypti captured in traps decreased in the WALS intervention areas compared with the untreated control areas, with an estimated 29% control.

Contingency Contracts for Weight Gain of Patients with Anorexia Nervosa in Inpatient Therapy: Practice Styles of Specialized Centers

The treatment of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) is often challenging, due to a high degree of ambivalence towards recovery and weight gain these patients often express. One part of the multimodal treatment is the utilization of treatment contracts (i.e., contingency contracts) that aim to motivate patients to gain weight by applying positive and negative consequences for the (non-)achievement of weight goals. The main aim of this study is to assess and analyze current standards of contingency contracts’ utilization in German eating disorder centers. n = 76 mental health professionals of twelve specialized university centers in Germany that are currently or were formerly treating patients with AN in an inpatient setting participated. Most experts use contingency contracts in their clinic with weekly weight goals ranging between 500 and 700 g. Overall effectiveness and significance of contingency contracts for the inpatient treatment of patients with AN was rated high. Typical characteristics of a contingency contract in specialized German university hospital centers, such as the most frequent consequences, are described. The survey results assist the planning of further studies aiming to improve the multimodal treatment of patients with AN. For clinical practice, using external motivators such as contingency contracts as well as targeting internal motivation (e.g., by using motivational interviewing) is proposed.

A Theory of Credibility under Commitment

The ability to commit to a contract may increase a player's payoff. In a repeated relationship, the lack of a complete contingency contract is usually explained by the presence of contracting costs. We study optimal contracts in a specific class of credibility models: relationships in which the surplus comes solely from screening. We show that the optimal contract is to reproduce the Perfect Bayesian Equilibrium of the game without commitment. In this sense, sequential rationality constraints do not bind. Therefore, we provide an alternative explanation for why a specific class of long-term relationships may often not be contracted upon.

The Effects of Behavioural Contracting and Preferred Reinforcement on Appointment Keeping

The current study demonstrates the efficacy of using a behavioural contingency contract in conjunction with family-selected reinforcers to increase appointment keeping among low income families in a child and family therapy clinic. Three families with similar presenting problems participated. A multiple baseline across-subjects design with the addition of a reversal component was utilised. Upon treatment implementation, contracts were signed by family members stating that they would receive coupons valuing $30.00 after attending four consecutive clinic appointments. These coupons were selected by the family from a diverse menu. Results indicated increases in appointment keeping following implementation of the behavioural contract. The cost effectiveness of using a behavioural contract in conjunction with economic incentives with low-income families is discussed, and suggestions for future research on appointment keeping are made.

Contingency Contracting in the Treatment of Alcohol Abuse

Historically, contractual agreements to control alcohol consumption have been tied to religious and temperance organizations. Recently, however, contingency contracting has been developed and investigated as a behavior therapy technique. After outlining the standard components of a contingency contract, studies investigating contingency contracting with alcohol abusers are reviewed, and clinical and ethical considerations in contracting are discussed. The research investigations show that the technique has been applied successfully with different populations of alcohol abusers and various drinking and non-drinking target behaviors. Research has also studied important aspects of the contracts themselves and has begun to recognize the role of subject characteristics in contracting. The review suggests that contracting is an effective procedure that can influence drinking and related behaviors, but this technique is relatively new and more research is needed about its most effective components and the most applicable target behaviors.