Biologically Informed Individual-Based Network Model for Rift Valley Fever in the US and Evaluation of Mitigation Strategies

Citation: Scoglio, C. M., Bosca, C., Riad, M. H., Sahneh, F. D., Britch, S. C., Cohnstaedt, L. W., & Linthicum, K. J. (2016). Biologically Informed Individual-Based Network Model for Rift Valley Fever in the US and Evaluation of Mitigation Strategies. Plos One, 11(9), 26. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0162759Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic disease endemic in sub-Saharan Africa with periodic outbreaks in human and animal populations. Mosquitoes are the primary disease vectors; however, Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) can also spread by direct contact with infected tissues. The transmission cycle is complex, involving humans, livestock, and multiple species of mosquitoes. The epidemiology of RVFV in endemic areas is strongly affected by climatic conditions and environmental variables. In this research, we adapt and use a network-based modeling framework to simulate the transmission of RVFV among hypothetical cattle operations in Kansas, US. Our model considers geo-located livestock populations at the individual level while incorporating the role of mosquito populations and the environment at a coarse resolution. Extensive simulations show the flexibility of our modeling framework when applied to specific scenarios to quantitatively evaluate the efficacy of mosquito control and livestock movement regulations in reducing the extent and intensity of RVF outbreaks in the United States

Average mass of seeds encountered by foraging dabbling ducks in Western Europe

Many dabbling ducks Anas spp. are largely granivorous, consuming a variety of seeds chiefly from aquatic plants. To assess the relative value and carrying capacity of wetlands for dabbling ducks, species-specific information about seed mass is needed, but it is still largely missing or scattered in the literature. By combining weights of seeds collected in the field with a literature review, we provide a reference table for seed mass of 200 western European plant taxa frequently encountered by foraging dabbling ducks. Seeds collected in the field were sampled in microhabitats and at depths at which ducks were observed to forage, and study sites represent wintering, staging as well as breeding areas within a flyway in western Europe. When combined with calorimetric data, the present reference table will aid managers and scientists in assessing the importance of seed food resources at different sites and during different parts of the annual cycle.</p

Experimental functional response and inter-individual variation in foraging rate of teal (Anas crecca)

The functional response, i.e. the change in per capita food intake rate per time unit with changed food availability, is a widely used tool for understanding the ecology and behaviour of animals. However, waterfowl remain poorly explored in this context. In an aviary experiment we derived a functional response curve for teal (Anascrecca) foraging on rice (Oryzasativa) seeds. We found a linear relationship between intake rate and seed density, as expected for a filter-feeder. At high seed densities we found a threshold, above which intake rate still increased linearly but with a lower slope, possibly reflecting a switch from filter-feeding to a scooping foraging mode. The present study shows that food intake rate in teal is linearly related to food availability within the range of naturally occurring seed densities, a finding with major implications for management and conservation of wetland habitats.</p

Design of a Custom Secondary On-Board Computer for the NEUDOSE CubeSat Mission

The NEUtron DOSimetry & Exploration (NEUDOSE) CubeSat is the first small satellite mission from McMaster University. The mission includes two on-board computers (OBCs): a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) board as the primary OBC, and a custom student-designed board, the secondary on-board computer (SOBC), as a secondary payload to the mission

Chemiluminescence of the Reaction System Ce(IV) - Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Containing Europium(III) Ions and its Application to the Determination of Naproxen in Pharmaceutical Preparations and Urine

The chemiluminescence (CL) of oxidation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by Ce(IV) ions, was recorded in the presence and absence europium(III) ions, in solution of pH ~ 4 of solution. Kinetic curves and CL emission spectra of the all studied systems were discussed. CL of measurable intensity was observed in the Ce(IV)–NP–Eu(III) reaction system only in acidic solutions. The CL spectrum rcegistered for this system shows emission bands, typical of Eu(III) ions, with maximum at λ ~ 600 nm. The chemiluminescent method, based on Eu(III) emission in reaction system of NP-Ce(IV)–Eu(III) in acid solution was therefore used for the determination of naproxen in mixture of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Revision of the risk of secondary leukaemia after mitoxantrone in multiple sclerosis populations is required

The objective in this paper is to compare the cumulative incidence and incidence density of therapy-related acute myeloid leukaemia in two cohorts of patients with multiple sclerosis treated with mitoxantrone, and with previously reported data in the literature. Six new cases of acute myeloid leukaemia were observed by prospectively following two Spanish series of 142 and 88 patients with worsening relapsing multiple sclerosis and secondary-progressive disease treated with mitoxantrone. A literature review shows 32 further cases of acute myeloid leukaemia reported, 65.6% of which are therapy-related acute promyelocytic leukaemia. Five cases in the cohorts fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for acute promyelocytic leukaemia, and one patient was diagnosed with pre-B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Acute myeloid leukaemia latency after mitoxantrone discontinuation was 1 to 45 months. The accumulated incidence and incidence density was 2.82% and 0.62%, respectively, in the Valencian cohort, and 2.27% and 0.44% in the Catalonian cohort. In the only seven previously reported series, the accumulated incidence varied from 0.15% to 0.80%. The real incidence of acute myeloid leukaemia after mitoxantrone therapy in the multiple sclerosis population could be higher as evidenced by the growing number of cases reported. Haematological monitoring should continue for at least 5 years after the last dose of mitoxantrone. These data stress the necessity of re-evaluating this ris

CHLOROPHYLLS: FROM EVANTABYPRODUCT TO NATURAL PORPHYRIN SOURCE

EnglishEvanta (Galipea longiflora) is a medicinal specie used as antiparasitic agent by the Tacana Amazonian community. The total alkaloids of this plant have showed interesting results in clinical studies for the treatment of cutaneous Leishmaniasis. During the alkaloids isolation and purification processes, chlorophylls, together with non-useful fractions, are eliminated. Chlorophylls represent an important natural source of porphyrins, which have huge potential applications in many fields (materials, catalysis, nanotechnology, diagnostic and photo- and sono-dynamic therapy). They also possess biological and pharmacological activity (antitumoral, antioxidant and antifungal properties). This work is aimed to isolate, purify and characterize chlorophylls contained in evanta leaves.Italiano L’evanta (Galipea longiflora) è una specie medicinale utilizzata come agente antiparassitario dalla comunità amazzonica tacana. Gli alcaloidi di questa pianta hanno mostrato risultati interessanti negli studi clinici per il trattamento della leishmaniosi cutanea. Durante i processi di isolamento e purificazione degli alcaloidi, le clorofille, insieme alle frazioni non utili, vengono eliminate. Le clorofille potrebbero costituire un'importante fonte naturale di porfirine, le quali hanno potenziali applicazioni in molti campi (materiali, catalisi, nanotecnologie, diagnostica e terapia foto- e sono-dinamica). Posseggono inoltre attività biologica e farmacologica (antitumorali, antiossidanti e antifungini). Questo lavoro è volto ad isolare, purificare e caratterizzare le clorofille presenti nelle foglie di evanta