Moving interdisciplinary science forward: integrating participatory modelling with mathematical modelling of zoonotic disease in Africa

This review outlines the benefits of using multiple approaches to improve model design and facilitate multidisciplinary research into infectious diseases, as well as showing and proposing practical examples of effective integration. It looks particularly at the benefits of using participatory research in conjunction with traditional modelling methods to potentially improve disease research, control and management. Integrated approaches can lead to more realistic mathematical models which in turn can assist with making policy decisions that reduce disease and benefit local people. The emergence, risk, spread and control of diseases are affected by many complex bio-physical, environmental and socio-economic factors. These include climate and environmental change, land-use variation, changes in population and people’s behaviour. The evidence base for this scoping review comes from the work of a consortium, with the aim of integrating modelling approaches traditionally used in epidemiological, ecological and development research. A total of five examples of the impacts of participatory research on the choice of model structure are presented. Example 1 focused on using participatory research as a tool to structure a model. Example 2 looks at identifying the most relevant parameters of the system. Example 3 concentrates on identifying the most relevant regime of the system (e.g., temporal stability or otherwise), Example 4 examines the feedbacks from mathematical models to guide participatory research and Example 5 goes beyond the so-far described two-way interplay between participatory and mathematical approaches to look at the integration of multiple methods and frameworks. This scoping review describes examples of best practice in the use of participatory methods, illustrating their potential to overcome disciplinary hurdles and promote multidisciplinary collaboration, with the aim of making models and their predictions more useful for decision-making and policy formulation

The Electrode Properties of Mg1.9Al0.1Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1 Alloy by Mechanical Grinding with Ni Powders

A modified magnesium alloy of composition Mg1.9Al0.1Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1 was prepared by mechanical grinding with Ni powder for periods up to 120 h. The resulting structures of the Mg1.9Al0.1Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1 alloys were found to be amorphous. The electrodes of the modified Mg1.9Al0.1Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1 alloys had large discharge capacities. At a discharge current rate of 50 mA/g, the capacity was 630 mAh/g after 50 h of mechanical grinding and 510 mAh/g after 120 h of mechanical grinding

Nickel Hydroxide as an Active Material for the Positive Electrode in Rechargeable Alkaline Batteries

Spherical nickel hydroxide powders coprecipitated with the additives Ca(OH)2, Co(OH)2, and Zn(OH)2 were prepared through a spraying technique. These powders, which have a higher tapping density and a much smaller pore volume and crystalline size than conventional powders, were used as the active materials of nickel hydroxide electrodes. The effects of the Ca(OH)2, Co(OH)2, and Zn(OH)2 additions on electrode properties such as charge-discharge, reversibility of the electrode reaction, and cycle life, were studied. The relationship between the electrode swelling and the formation of g-NiOOH was also investigated. The results show that nickel hydroxide powders having a smaller crystallite size show better electrode characteristics such as lower overpotential, higher plateau discharge potential, and higher capacity. The utilization of the active material in the electrodes illustrates that for general use it is better to add Co21, while for a wider temperature range, it would be better to consider the addition of Ca21. The cycle life of the electrode containing Zn21 was improved obviously because there was less electrode swelling due to much reduced formation of g-NiOOH

A generalised and scalable framework for modelling incursions, surveillance and control of plant and environmental pests

Invasive plant and environmental pests can seriously impact environment, economy, health and amenity. It is challenging to form response policies given the diversity of pest species; complex spatiotemporal interplay between arrival, spread, surveillance, and control; and limited field data when pests are rare/absent. Models can provide useful decision support through the exploration of incursion pathways and comparison of surveillance and control strategies. However, increased use of quantitative models to inform pest management requires adaptable modelling frameworks. The new Australian Priority Pest and Disease modelling framework (APPDIS) allows pest models to be constructed through user configuration choices for a broad range of different pest types. Pest populations may be defined as point incursions, established populations, or estimated mechanistically from environmental criteria. Spread occurs at multiple scales, through either simple mathematical kernels, or more complex spatial pathways, depending on data availability and pest type. Useful experiments can be conducted on general surveillance, specific surveillance, and treatment regimes. Control activities are dynamically resource-constrained and costed for relative comparisons in terms of benefit and cost. A case study on a tramp ant incursion is provided for illustrative purposes

Detection of Breakaway for a High-Temperature Oxidation of Pure Zirconium Using Acoustic Emission Correlated to Thermogravimetry

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