Control of Aedes vectors of dengue in three provinces of Vietnam by use of Mesocyclops (Copepoda) and community-based methods validated by entomologic, clinical, and serological surveillance

We describe remarkable success in controlling dengue vectors, Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse), in 6 communes with 11,675 households and 49,647 people in the northern provinces of Haiphong, Hung Yen, and Nam Dinh in Vietnam. The communes were selected for high-frequency use of large outdoor concrete tanks and wells. These were found to be the source of 49.6-98.4% of Ae. aegypti larvae, which were amenable to treatment with local Mesocyclops, mainly M. woutersi Van der Velde, M. aspericornis (Daday) and M. thermocyclopoides Harada. Knowledge, attitude, and practice surveys were performed to determine whether the communities viewed dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever as a serious health threat; to determine their knowledge of the etiology, attitudes, and practices regarding control methods including Mesocyclops; and to determine their receptivity to various information methods. On the basis of the knowledge, attitude, and practice data, the community-based dengue control program comprised a system of local leaders, health volunteer teachers, and schoolchildren, supported by health professionals. Recycling of discards for economic gain was enhanced, where appropriate, and this, plus 37 clean-up campaigns, removed small containers unsuitable for Mesocyclops treatment. A previously successful eradication at Phan Boi village (Hung Yen province) was extended to 7 other villages forming Di Su commune (1,750 households) in the current study. Complete control was also achieved in Nghia Hiep (Hung Yen province) and in Xuan Phong (Nam Dinh province); control efficacy was greater than or equal to 99.7% in the other 3 communes (Lac Vien in Haiphong, Nghia Dong, and Xuan Kien in Nam Dinh). Although tanks and wells were the key container types of Ae. aegypti productivity, discarded materials were the source of 51% of the standing crop of Ae. albopictus. Aedes albopictus larvae were eliminated from the 3 Nam Dinh communes, and 86-98% control was achieved in the other 3 communes. Variable dengue attack rates made the clinical and serological comparison of control and untreated communes problematic, but these data indicate that clinical surveillance by itself is inadequate to monitor dengue transmission.

Rapid genotyping of loci involved in antifolate drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum by primer extension

Current methods used to genotype point mutations in Plasmodium falciparum genes involved in resistance to antifolate drugs include restriction digestion of PCR products, allele-specific amplification or sequencing. Here we demonstrate that known point mutations in dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase can be scored quickly and accurately by single-nucleotide primer extension and detection of florescent products on a capillary sequencer. We use this method to genotype parasites in natural infections from the Thai-Myanmar border. This approach could greatly simplify large-scale screening of resistance mutations of the type required for evaluating and updating antimalarial drug treatment policies. The method can be easily adapted to other P. falciparum genes and will greatly simplify scoring of point mutations in this and other parasitic organisms. © 2002 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rock fracture mean trace length estimation and confidence interval calculation using maximum likelihood methods

There has been a resurgence of interest in the mean trace length estimator of Pahl for window sampling of traces. The estimator has been dealt with by Mauldon and Zhang and Einstein in recent publications. The estimator is a very useful one in that it is non-parametric. However, despite some discussion regarding the statistical distribution of the estimator, none of the recent works or the original work by Pahl provide a rigorous basis for the determination a confidence interval for the estimator or a confidence region for the estimator and the corresponding estimator of trace spatial intensity in the sampling window. This paper shows, by consideration of a simplified version of the problem but without loss of generality, that the estimator is in fact the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) and that it can be considered essentially unbiased. As the MLE, it possesses the least variance of all estimators and confidence intervals or regions should therefore be available through application of classical ML theory. It is shown that valid confidence intervals can in fact be determined. The results of the work and the calculations of the confidence intervals are illustrated by example. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stereological and other methods applied to rock joint size estimation - Does Crofton's theorem apply?

A number of authors concerned with the analysis of rock jointing have used the idea that the joint areal or diametral distribution can be linked to the trace length distribution through a theorem attributed to Crofton. This brief paper seeks to demonstrate why Crofton's theorem need not be used to link moments of the trace length distribution captured by scan line or areal mapping to the moments of the diametral distribution of joints represented as disks and that it is incorrect to do so. The valid relationships for areal or scan line mapping between all the moments of the trace length distribution and those of the joint size distribution for joints modeled as disks are recalled and compared with those that might be applied were Crofton's theorem assumed to apply. For areal mapping, the relationship is fortuitously correct but incorrect for scan line mapping.

Selecting methods to solve multi-well master equations

There are several competing methods commonly used to solve energy grained master equations describing gas-phase reactive systems. When it comes to selecting an appropriate method for any particular problem, there is little guidance in the literature. In this paper we directly compare several variants of spectral and numerical integration methods from the point of view of computer time required to calculate the solution and the range of temperature and pressure conditions under which the methods are successful. The test case used in the comparison is an important reaction in combustion chemistry and incorporates reversible and irreversible bimolecular reaction steps as well as isomerizations between multiple unimolecular species. While the numerical integration of the ODE with a stiff ODE integrator is not the fastest method overall, it is the fastest method applicable to all conditions.

A comparison of two methods for the calculation of accumulated oxygen deficit

The aim of this study was to compare accumulated oxygen deficit data derived using two different exercise protocols with the aim of producing a less time-consuming test specifically for use with athletes. Six road and four track male endurance cyclists performed two series of cycle ergometer tests. The first series involved five 10 min sub-maximal cycle exercise bouts, a (V) over dotO(2peak) test and a 115% (V) over dotO(2peak) test. Data from these tests were used to estimate the accumulated oxygen deficit according to the calculations of Medbo et al. (1988). In the second series of tests, participants performed a 15 min incremental cycle ergometer test followed, 2 min later, by a 2 min variable resistance test in which they completed as much work as possible while pedalling at a constant rate. Analysis revealed that the accumulated oxygen deficit calculated from the first series of tests was higher (P< 0.02) than that calculated from the second series: 52.3 +/- 11.7 and 43.9 +/- 6.4 ml . kg(-1), respectively (mean +/- s). Other significant differences between the two protocols were observed for (V) over dot O-2peak, total work and maximal heart rate; all were higher during the modified protocol (P

Adequação e verificação de procedimentos para determinação de mercúrio em amostras de fígado e rim de rato utilizando a técnica CV-GF AAS

O mercúrio é um elemento que ainda necessita constante monitoramento devido sua capacidade tóxica em concentrações em níveis de traço com possibilidade de contaminação e exposição por uma variedade de formas e compostos presentes no ambiente. Esse estudo possuiu como objetivo a obtenção de um procedimento simplificado e eficiente para a determinação de teores de mercúrio em tecidos de rato Wistar a partir da otimização de um método de determinação, utilizando um sistema de geração de vapor frio acoplado a espectrometria de absorção atômica com forno de grafite (CV-GF AAS). Houve a comparação entre métodos de digestão, comparação de métodos de amalgamação, otimização, verificação do método a partir da obtenção de figuras de mérito e análise de amostras de fígado e rins de ratos tratados com exposição crônica ao mercúrio. Os resultados comprovaram que o método de digestão em bloco digestor, a utilização de amalgamação por recobrimento de tubo em ouro em conjunto com rede de ouro e adição pré-análise à solução de simeticona e isopropanol apresentou os melhores resultados, com teores de recuperação médios entre 92 e 114 %, viabilizando a utilização do procedimento proposto.

Desenvolvimento e avaliação da acurácia do sistema de filtração (BacFil 6.0) na detecção de bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes em amostras de lavado broncoalveolar de pacientes com suspeita de tuberculose

A baciloscopia é o principal método diagnóstico da tuberculose (TB) em razão do seu baixo custo, rapidez e facilidade de execução. Porém sua sensibilidade é baixa, principalmente nas formas paucibacilares da doença. Nesse sentido, novas metodologias que resultem no aumento da sensibilidade da baciloscopia tornam-se absolutamente necessárias. Neste estudo, nos propusemos a aprimorar e padronizar o sistema de filtração BacFil e avaliar sua performance e acurácia em amostras paucibacilares (lavado broncoalveolar). Para alcançar esses objetivos desenvolvemos o estudo em duas fases. Na primeira fase, foram realizados ensaios para definir: 1) utilização de membranas brancas para visualização de BAAR corados por Auramina-O; 2) aumento do volume de NALC, utilização de pérolas de vidro no processo de digestão das amostras e mudança no sistema do suporte do pré-filtro; 3) meios de fixação da membrana de filtração na lâmina de microscopia; 4) limite de detecção da técnica; 5) aumento do volume de NaOCl e a influência desse aumento na visualização de BAAR na membrana. Verificou-se que: a membrana de policarbonato branca tem a mesma eficiência da membrana de policarbonato preta na visualização de BAAR fluorescentes; o método modificado utilizando maior concentração de NALC, pérolas de vidro e sistema de pré-filtro baseado em orifícios obteve 98% de passagem das amostras pelo sistema; a melhor forma de fixação da membrana na lâmina foi obtida por intermédio da utilização de fita dupla face; o limite de detecção da técnica de filtração utilizando o sistema BacFil versão 6.0 foi de 2 a 9 BAAR por mililitro de suspensão bacteriana com D.O de 0,250 ± 0,01 a 625nm; o aumento da concentração de NaOCl para 10% ajuda na passagem de um maior volume de amostra pelo sistema, porém ocasiona a diminuição da quantidade BAAR na membrana de filtração após o período necessário para todo o processo. Na segunda fase foi avaliado acurácia da técnica padronizada em 101 amostras de lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) de pacientes com suspeita de TB provenientes do Hospital Universitário Cassiano Antônio de Moraes. Observou-se que a sensibilidade da técnica de filtração (BacFil versão 6.0) foi de 76% e especificidade de 95%. A sensibilidade obtida foi significativamente maior do que a observada na baciloscopia após centrifugação que foi de 59% (p = 0,001). No entanto, constatou-se uma diminuição de especificidade na técnica de filtração (95%) em relação a técnica de 8 centrifugação (99%). Concluímos que as modificações realizadas nos sistema de filtração permitiu sanar os problemas técnicos apresentados nas versões anteriores e aumentar a sensibilidade da baciloscopia de amostras paucibacilares (lavado broncoalveolar) para o diagnóstico da TB pulmonar.

Contrasts in the basins of attraction of structurally identical iterative root finding methods

A numerical comparison is performed between three methods of third order with the same structure, namely BSC, Halley’s and Euler–Chebyshev’s methods. As the behavior of an iterative method applied to a nonlinear equation can be highly sensitive to the starting points, the numerical comparison is carried out, allowing for complex starting points and for complex roots, on the basins of attraction in the complex plane. Several examples of algebraic and transcendental equations are presented.

Combining Formal Methods and Functional Strategies Regarding the Reverse Engineering of Interactive Applications

Abstract. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) make software easy to use by providing the user with visual controls. Therefore, correctness of GUI’s code is essential to the correct execution of the overall software. Models can help in the evaluation of interactive applications by allowing designers to concentrate on its more important aspects. This paper describes our approach to reverse engineer an abstract model of a user interface directly from the GUI’s legacy code. We also present results from a case study. These results are encouraging and give evidence that the goal of reverse engineering user interfaces can be met with more work on this technique.

Methods to classify maize cultivars in use efficiency and response to nitrogen

n plant breeding programs that aim to obtain cultivars with nitrogen (N) use efficiency, the focus is on methods of selection and experimental procedures that present low cost, fast response, high repeatability, and can be applied to a large number of cultivars. Thus, the objectives of this study were to classify maize cultivars regarding their use efficiency and response to N in a breeding program, and to validate the methodology with contrasting doses of the nutrient. The experimental design was a randomized block with the treatments arranged in a split-plot scheme with three replicates and five N doses (0, 30, 60, 120 and 200 kg ha-1) in the plots, and six cultivars in subplots. We compared a method examining the efficiency and response (ER) with two contrasting doses of N. After that, the analysis of variance, mean comparison and regression analysis were performed. In conclusion, the method of the use efficiency and response based on two N levels classifies the cultivars in the same way as the regression analysis, and it is appropriate in plant breeding routine. Thus, it is necessary to identify the levels of N required to discriminate maize cultivars in conditions of low and high N availability in plant breeding programs that aim to obtain efficient and responsive cultivars. Moreover, the analysis of the interaction genotype x environment at experiments with contrasting doses is always required, even when the interaction is not significant.

Impacts of vinasse and methods of sugarcane harvesting on the availability of K and carbon stock of an Argisol

ABSTRACT Soils of tropical regions are more weathered and in need of conservation managements to maintain and improve the quality of its components. The objective of this study was to evaluate the availability of K, the organic matter content and the stock of total carbon of an Argisol after vinasse application and manual and mechanized harvesting of burnt and raw sugarcane, in western São Paulo.The data collection was done in the 2012/2013 harvest, in a bioenergy company in Presidente Prudente/SP. The research was arranged out following a split-plot scheme in a 5x5 factorial design, characterized by four management systems: without vinasse application and harvest without burning; with vinasse application and harvest without burning; with vinasse application and harvest after burning; without vinasse application and harvest after burning; plus native forest, and five soil sampling depths (0-10 10-20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50 cm), with four replications. In each treatment, the K content in the soil and accumulated in the remaining dry biomass in the area, the levels of organic matter, organic carbon and soil carbon stock were determined. The mean values were compared by Tukey test. The vinasse application associated with the harvest without burning increased the K content in soil layers up to 40 cm deep. The managements without vinasse application and manual harvest after burning, and without vinasse application with mechanical harvesting without burning did not increase the levels of organic matter, organic carbon and stock of total soil organic carbon, while the vinasse application and harvest after burning and without burning increased the levels of these attributes in the depth of 0-10 cm.

Comparison of methods for classification of the coefficient of variation in papaya

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to study the distribution of values of the coefficient of variation (CV) in the experiments of papaya crop (Carica papaya L.) by proposing ranges to guide researchers in their evaluation for different characters in the field. The data used in this study were obtained by bibliographical review in Brazilian journals, dissertations and thesis. This study considered the following characters: diameter of the stalk, insertion height of the first fruit, plant height, number of fruits per plant, fruit biomass, fruit length, equatorial diameter of the fruit, pulp thickness, fruit firmness, soluble solids and internal cavity diameter, from which, value ranges were obtained for the CV values for each character, based on the methodology proposed by Garcia, Costa and by the standard classification of Pimentel-Gomes. The results obtained in this study indicated that ranges of CV values were different among various characters, presenting a large variation, which justifies the necessity of using specific evaluation range for each character. In addition, the use of classification ranges obtained from methodology of Costa is recommended.