Entomological characterization of malaria in northern Colombia through vector and parasite species identification, and analyses of spatial distribution and infection rates

Background: Malaria remains a worldwide public health concern and, in Colombia, despite the efforts to stop malaria transmission, the incidence of cases has increased over the last few years. In this context, it is necessary to evaluate vector diversity, infection rates, and spatial distribution, to better understand disease transmission dynamics. This information may contribute to the planning and development of vector control strategies. Results: A total of 778 Anopheles mosquitoes were collected in fifteen localities of Córdoba from August 2015 to October 2016. Six species were identified and overall, Anopheles albimanus was the most widespread and abundant species (83%). Other species of the Nyssorhynchus subgenus were collected, including Anopheles triannulatus (13%), Anopheles nuneztovari (1%), Anopheles argyritarsis (< 1%) and two species belonging to the Anopheles subgenus: Anopheles pseudopunctipennis (3%) and Anopheles neomaculipalpus (< 1%). Four species were found naturally infected with two Plasmodium species: Anopheles nuneztovari was detected naturally infected with Plasmodium falciparum and Anopheles pseudopunctipennis with Plasmodium vivax, whereas An. albimanus and An. triannulatus were found infected with both parasite species and confirmed by nested PCR. Conclusions: In general, the obtained results were contrasting with previous studies in terms of the most abundant and widespread collected species, and regarding infection rates, which were higher than those previously reported. A positive relationship between mosquito local abundance at the locality level and human infection at the municipality level was found. Mosquito local abundance and the number of houses with mosquitoes in each village are factors explaining malaria human cases in these villages. The obtained results suggest that other factors related to the apparent variation in malaria eco-epidemiology in northern Colombia, must be identified, to provide health authorities with better decision tools aiming to design control and prevention strategies

Characterization of a Mediterranean flash flood event using rain gauges, radar, GIS and lightning data

Flash flood events are very common in Catalonia, generating a high impact on society, including losses in life almost every year. They are produced by the overflowing of ephemeral rivers in narrow and steep basins close to the sea. This kind of floods is associated with convective events producing high rainfall intensities. The aim of the present study is to analyse the 12–14 September 2006 flash flood event within the framework of the characteristics of flood events in the Internal Basins of Catalonia (IBC). To achieve this purpose all flood events occurred between 1996 and 2005 have been analysed. Rainfall and radar data have been introduced into a GIS, and a classification of the events has been done. A distinction of episodes has been made considering the spatial coverage of accumulated rainfall in 24 h, and the degree of the convective precipitation registered. The study case can be considered as a highly convective one, with rainfalls covering all the IBC on the 13th of September. In that day 215.9 mm/24 h were recorded with maximum intensities above 130 mm/h. A complete meteorological study of this event is also presented. In addition, as this is an episode with a high lightning activity it has been chosen to be studied into the framework of the FLASH project. In this way, a comparison between this information and raingauge data has been developed. All with the goal in mind of finding a relation between lightning density, radar echoes and amounts of precipitation. Furthermore, these studies improve our knowledge about thunderstorms systems

Coupled two-core integrated waveguides modal analysis

We present a modal analysis of coupled two-core integrated waveguides fabricated by femtosecond laser writing as a function of the core-to-core distance, illuminating position and input light wavelength. In order to do that we use the correlation filter method, implementing the computer generated holograms in a phase-only spatial light modulator. Due to the two-core waveguide symmetry, we prove it is not necessary to encode the complex amplitude in a phase-only device as long as the cores are not strongly coupled. A comparison between experimental and numerical modal weights is presented, showing that simple phase-only match filters allow the modal decomposition of two-core waveguides output beams

Time Series Clustering with Deep Reservoir Computing

This paper proposes a method for clustering of time series, based upon the ability of deep Reservoir Computing networks to grasp the dynamical structure of the series that is presented as input. A standard clustering algorithm, such as k-means, is applied to the network states, rather than the input series themselves. Clustering is thus embedded into the network dynamical evolution, since a clustering result is obtained at every time step, which in turn serves as initialisation at the next step. We empirically assess the performance of deep reservoir systems in time series clustering on benchmark datasets, considering the influence of crucial hyperparameters. Experimentation with the proposed model shows enhanced clustering quality, measured by the silhouette coefficient, when compared to both static clustering of data, and dynamic clustering with a shallow network

Successful acclimatization of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) translocated to Conkouati-Douli National Park, Republic of Congo, as measured by fecal glucocorticoid metabolites

Translocation and reintroduction are common tools in conservation management and can be very successful. However, translocation can be stressful for the animals involved, and stress is implicated as a major cause of failure in release programs. Conservation managers should therefore seek to understand how the stages of translocation impact stress physiology in the animals involved. We quantified fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCMs) as a noninvasive measure of response to potential stressors during a translocation of 15 mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) into Conkouati-Douli National Park, Republic of Congo. The mandrills were initially housed in a sanctuary, transferred to a pre-release enclosure in the National Park and then released into the forest. We collected repeated fecal samples (n = 1101) from known individuals and quantified fGCMs using a previously validated enzyme immunoassay. Transfer from the sanctuary to the pre-release enclosure correlated with a significant 1.93-fold increase in fGCMs, suggesting that transfer was a stressor for the mandrills. fGCM values decreased over time in the pre-release enclosure, suggesting that the mandrills recovered from the transfer and acclimatized to the enclosure. Release to the forest was not linked to a significant increase in fGCMs over the final values in the enclosure. Following release, fGCMs continued to decrease, fell below sanctuary values after just over a month and were about half the sanctuary values after 1 year. Overall, our results suggest that the translocation, although initially presenting a physiological challenge to the animals, was not detrimental to the well-being of the animals over the timescale of the study and, in fact, may have been beneficial. Our findings show the value of non-invasive physiology in monitoring, evaluating and designing wildlife translocations and, ultimately, contributing to their success

Dynamics of gravity driven three-dimensional thin films on hydrophilic-hydrophobic patterned substrates

We investigate numerically the dynamics of unstable gravity driven three-dimensional thin liquid films on hydrophilic-hydrophobic patterned substrates of longitudinal stripes and checkerboard arrangements. The thin film can be guided preferentially on hydrophilic longitudinal stripes, while fingers develop on adjacent hydrophobic stripes if their width is large enough. On checkerboard patterns, the film fingering occurs on hydrophobic domains, while lateral spreading is favoured on hydrophilic domains, providing a mechanism to tune the growth rate of the film. By means of kinematical arguments, we quantitatively predict the growth rate of the contact line on checkerboard arrangements, providing a first step towards potential techniques that control thin film growth in experimental setups.Comment: 30 pages, 12 figure

Multigenomic Delineation of Plasmodium Species of the Laverania Subgenus Infecting Wild-living Chimpanzees and Gorillas

Plasmodium falciparum, the major cause of malaria morbidity and mortality worldwide, is only distantly related to other human malaria parasites and has thus been placed in a separate subgenus, termed Laverania. Parasites morphologically similar to P. falciparum have been identified in African apes, but only one other Laverania species, Plasmodium reichenowi from chimpanzees, has been formally described. Although recent studies have pointed to the existence of additional Laverania species, their precise number and host associations remain uncertain, primarily because of limited sampling and a paucity of parasite sequences other than from mitochondrial DNA. To address this, we used limiting dilution polymerase chain reaction to amplify additional parasite sequences from a large number of chimpanzee and gorilla blood and fecal samples collected at two sanctuaries and 30 field sites across equatorial Africa. Phylogenetic analyses of more than 2,000 new sequences derived from the mitochondrial, nuclear, and apicoplast genomes revealed six divergent and well-supported clades within the Laverania parasite group. Although two of these clades exhibited deep subdivisions in phylogenies estimated from organelle gene sequences, these sublineages were geographically defined and not present in trees from four unlinked nuclear loci. This greatly expanded sequence data set thus confirms six, and not seven or more, ape Laverania species, of which P. reichenowi, Plasmodium gaboni, and Plasmodium billcollinsi only infect chimpanzees, whereas Plasmodium praefalciparum, Plasmodium adleri, and Pladmodium blacklocki only infect gorillas. The new sequence data also confirm the P. praefalciparum origin of human P. falciparum

Clinical and genetic characterisation of dystrophin-deficient muscular dystrophy in a family of Miniature Poodle dogs

Four full-sibling intact male Miniature Poodles were evaluated at 4–19 months of age. One was clinically normal and three were affected. All affected dogs were reluctant to exercise and had generalised muscle atrophy, a stiff gait and a markedly elevated serum creatine kinase activity. Two affected dogs also showed poor development, learning difficulties and episodes of abnormal behaviour. In these two dogs, investigations into forebrain structural and metabolic diseases were unremarkable; electromyography demonstrated fibrillation potentials and complex repetitive discharges in the infraspinatus, supraspinatus and epaxial muscles. Histopathological, immunohistochemical and immunoblotting analyses of muscle biopsies were consistent with dystrophin-deficient muscular dystrophy. DNA samples were obtained from all four full-sibling male Poodles, a healthy female littermate and the dam, which was clinically normal. Whole genome sequencing of one affected dog revealed a >5 Mb deletion on the X chromosome, encompassing the entire DMD gene. The exact deletion breakpoints could not be experimentally ascertained, but we confirmed that this region was deleted in all affected males, but not in the unaffected dogs. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction confirmed all three affected males were hemizygous for the mutant X chromosome, while the wildtype chromosome was observed in the unaffected male littermate. The female littermate and the dam were both heterozygous for the mutant chromosome. Forty-four Miniature Poodles from the general population were screened for the mutation and were homozygous for the wildtype chromosome. The finding represents a naturally-occurring mutation causing dystrophin-deficient muscular dystrophy in the dog

Experiencia en capacitación y transferencia de herramientas didácticas sobre el uso racional de la energía y energías renovables

Se presentan las actividades desarrolladas en el marco del Proyecto de Extensión “Capacitación y transferencia sobre mejoramiento de condiciones ambientales, uso racional de energía y energías renovables”, llevado a cabo por docentes de la cátedra de Acondicionamiento Ambiental I de la Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo de la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, con el fin de impulsar la incorporación de la temática energético-ambiental a través de contenidos y actividades en escuelas públicas de Tucumán. Las actividades planteadas buscan promover el uso racional de la energía y la aplicación de energías renovables para ahorrar energía en la escuela y en la propia casa. Se trabajó en forma articulada con la Secretaria de Medio Ambiente de la Provincia, quien a través de su “Equipo Provincial de Educación Ambiental” brindó la vinculación y coordinación con las escuelas de la Provincia. En la presentación se muestran los resultados de una experiencia piloto desarrollada con participación de directivos, docentes y alumnos de 4º y 5º grado de la escuela primaria Capitán de los Andes de nuestra provincia. Las actividades incluyeron el diseño y prueba de herramientas didácticas y transferencia del material para la implementación de la experiencia por parte de los docentes de la escuela. La experiencia piloto abarcó el planteo de contenidos y actividades en relación a las necesidades detectadas en la curricula actual, dictado de clases con apoyo audiovisual y talleres demostrativos de sistemas con aplicación de energía solar. Los principales contenidos abordados en las clases incluyen los tipos y formas de aplicación de la energía, su relación con el cambio climático. Sistemas y aplicación de energías renovables, la energía en los edificios, uso racional, posible ahorro y mejoras en las condiciones de habitabilidad. Sistemas con aplicación de energía renovable, con utilización de diferentes materiales y accesorios. También se incluyen talleres con modelos demostrativos de dos sistemas con energía solar: Horno Solar y Colector de Agua, con preparación de alimentos y de agua caliente sanitaria, factibles de ser construidos y utilizados en la escuela y en la propia casa. Conclusiones: Las actividades desarrolladas permitieron conocer las necesidades, transferir conocimiento y desarrollar pensamiento crítico en el contexto de la educación escolar primaria de Tucumán, en pro de una conciencia ambiental más eficiente que considere y evalúe en profundidad, sobre bases científicas, la incorporación de energías renovables y formas de uso racional de la energía en los ámbitos donde desarrolla diariamente sus actividades.

Experiencia en capacitación y transferencia de herramientas didácticas sobre el uso racional de la energía y energías renovables

Se presentan las actividades desarrolladas en el marco del Proyecto de Extensión “Capacitación y transferencia sobre mejoramiento de condiciones ambientales, uso racional de energía y energías renovables”, llevado a cabo por docentes de la cátedra de Acondicionamiento Ambiental I de la Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo de la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, con el fin de impulsar la incorporación de la temática energético-ambiental a través de contenidos y actividades en escuelas públicas de Tucumán. Las actividades planteadas buscan promover el uso racional de la energía y la aplicación de energías renovables para ahorrar energía en la escuela y en la propia casa. Se trabajó en forma articulada con la Secretaria de Medio Ambiente de la Provincia, quien a través de su “Equipo Provincial de Educación Ambiental” brindó la vinculación y coordinación con las escuelas de la Provincia. En la presentación se muestran los resultados de una experiencia piloto desarrollada con participación de directivos, docentes y alumnos de 4º y 5º grado de la escuela primaria Capitán de los Andes de nuestra provincia. Las actividades incluyeron el diseño y prueba de herramientas didácticas y transferencia del material para la implementación de la experiencia por parte de los docentes de la escuela. La experiencia piloto abarcó el planteo de contenidos y actividades en relación a las necesidades detectadas en la curricula actual, dictado de clases con apoyo audiovisual y talleres demostrativos de sistemas con aplicación de energía solar. Los principales contenidos abordados en las clases incluyen los tipos y formas de aplicación de la energía, su relación con el cambio climático. Sistemas y aplicación de energías renovables, la energía en los edificios, uso racional, posible ahorro y mejoras en las condiciones de habitabilidad. Sistemas con aplicación de energía renovable, con utilización de diferentes materiales y accesorios. También se incluyen talleres con modelos demostrativos de dos sistemas con energía solar: Horno Solar y Colector de Agua, con preparación de alimentos y de agua caliente sanitaria, factibles de ser construidos y utilizados en la escuela y en la propia casa. Conclusiones: Las actividades desarrolladas permitieron conocer las necesidades, transferir conocimiento y desarrollar pensamiento crítico en el contexto de la educación escolar primaria de Tucumán, en pro de una conciencia ambiental más eficiente que considere y evalúe en profundidad, sobre bases científicas, la incorporación de energías renovables y formas de uso racional de la energía en los ámbitos donde desarrolla diariamente sus actividades.Área Extensión - Eje 3 Extensión universitaria y transferencia tecnológicaFacultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism