Publishing data to support the fight against human vector-borne diseases

Vector-borne diseases are responsible for more than 17% of human cases of infectious diseases. In most situations, effective control of debilitating and deadly vector-bone diseases (VBDs), such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika and Chagas requires up-to-date, robust and comprehensive information on the presence, diversity, ecology, bionomics and geographic spread of the organisms that carry and transmit the infectious agents. Huge gaps exist in the information related to these vectors, creating an essential need for campaigns to mobilise and share data. The publication of data papers is an effective tool for overcoming this challenge. These peer-reviewed articles provide scholarly credit for researchers whose vital work of assembling and publishing well-described, properly-formatted datasets often fails to receive appropriate recognition. To address this, GigaScience 's sister journal GigaByte partnered with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to publish a series of data papers, with support from the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Here we outline the initial results of this targeted approach to sharing data and describe its importance for controlling VBDs and improving public health

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

DEFINITION OF EFFICIENT REFERENCES FOR REGULATORY BENCHMARKING OF DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES DEFINICIÓN DE UNA REFERENCIA DE EFICIENCIA PARA LA REGULACIÓN POR COMPARACIÓN DE EMPRESAS DE DISTRIBUCIÓN

The data envelopment analysis and the p-median methodology are formulated as tools to determine efficient references for regulatory benchmarking of electrical distribution companies. Distribution typical areas are determined for the purpose of establishing distribution tariffs in a process whose regulatory core is based on the efficient company concept. Its application within the framework of the last Chilean regulatory process is illustrated.Se formula un procedimiento basados en el análisis envolvente de datos y la metodología p-mediana para determinar una empresa de referencia eficiente para el proceso de regulación de las empresas de distribución eléctricas. Se determinan las áreas de distribución típicas para establecer las tarifas de distribución en un proceso cuyo núcleo regulador está basado en el concepto de empresa eficiente. Se aplica dentro del marco del último proceso regulador chileno

FEEDER RECONFIGURATION AND CAPACITOR PLACEMENT IN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS: AN APPROACH FOR SIMULTANEOUS SOLUTION USING A GENETIC ALGORITHM RECONFIGURACIÓN Y UBICACIÓN DE CONDENSADORES EN SISTEMAS DE DISTRIBUCIÓN: METODOLOGÍA DE SOLUCIÓN SIMULTÁNEA USANDO ALGORITMOS GENÉTICOS

This paper presents an effective approach to simultaneous solution of capacitor placement and feeder reconfiguration for power-energy loss cost minimization and voltage profile enhancement in radial distribution systems. Considering a time variation load, an optimization method using a genetic algorithm is proposed to determine the optimal location and size of fixed and switchable capacitors, as well as the open/closed states of the sectionalizing and tie switches. Reduction of overall power and energy losses and capacitor costs are involved in problem formulation. The proposed approach is demonstrated using example systems from the literature and results show that taken into account both capacitor placement and feeder reconfiguration simultaneously can generate around 10% more energy and peak loss reduction than considering them separately. Simulations results are presented for a 16 bus IEEE system and for a 733 bus practical distribution network.Este trabajo presenta una metodología para la solución simultánea de los problemas de ubicación de condensadores y reconfiguración de alimentadores en sistemas eléctricos de distribución radiales, con el fin de mejorar el perfil de voltaje de la red y, al mismo tiempo, reducir los costos asociados a las pérdidas de energía y potencia. Considerando un perfil de carga dado, se propone un método de optimización usando un algoritmo genético para determinar el tamaño óptimo, ubicación, tipo y número de condensadores fijos o conmutables, así como los estados abierto/cerrado de las llaves (switches) seccionadoras y de interconexión. La formulación del problema considera la minimización de los costos totales, incluyendo costos fijos y variables de los bancos de condensadores. El método propuesto se ha probado en diversas redes y los resultados muestran que considerando ambos problemas simultáneamente los costos debidos a las pérdidas se pueden minimizar hasta un 10% más que tomando dichos problemas por separado. Se presentan los resultados obtenidos en un sistema IEEE de 16 barras y una red de distribución real de 733 barras

A facile and efficient four-step enantioselective synthesis of (+)-vernolepin from (+)-minimolide, the major germacranolide of Mikania minima

Enantiomerically pure (+)-vemolepin was semi-synthesized for the first time using the synthon (6S,7R,8S)-8,14-diacetoxy-15-hydroxygermacra-1(10),4,11(13)-trien-6, 12-olide [(+)-minimolide], the major sesquiterpene lactone of the Argentinean vine Mikania minima. After performing four consecutive reactions (Cope rearrangement, two oxidations, and selective hydrolysis of the acetate groups) on the synthon (+)-minimolide, a (+)-vernolepin yield of ca. 40% was achieved, proving to be a suitable semi-synthetic strategy for the production of quantities between 0.5-1.0 g of (+)-vernolepin. The transformations described here mimetize the biogenetic pathway for the production of (+)-vernolepin in the genus Vernonia. The synthesized (+)-vernolepin, but not its precursors, shows antifungal activity similar to amphotericin B. The semi-synthesis reported here combines affordable and easily available chemical reagents with classical organic methodologies.Fil: Bach, Sandra M.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Díaz, Fernando R.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Bach, Horacio. University of British Columbia; CanadáFil: Catalan, Cesar Atilio Nazareno. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; Argentin

Ceratocystis fimbriata Ellis & Halst.f.sp. spathodense (new specialization): causal agent of wilt in Spathodea campanulata Beauv. in Cuba

El informe de Ceratocystis fimbriata Hell.& Halst., que afecta la especie exótica invasora Spathodea campanulata Beauv., en la localidad de Tope de Collantes, macizo montañoso Guamuhaya en la región central de Cuba, conllevó a estudios posteriores con el fin de definir la ubicación taxonómica de esta posible nueva cepa especializada, así como demostrar su especificidad sobre S. campanulata como especie hospedante. Para ello, se analizaron y se describieron los aislados obtenidos a partir de tejidos afectados de estas plantas. Se realizaron inoculaciones artificiales de este hongo en S.campanulata y en otras especies de plantas de importancia económica y ecológica que son comunes en estos ecosistemas montañosos. Los resultados de los análisis sugieren la presencia de una nueva forma especial de este hongo, lo que se confirmó al evaluar las inoculaciones realizadas en los hospedantes, donde solo se produjo afectación en S.campanulata. Se propone la clasificación del agente causal de la marchitez de S.campanulata en Cuba como Ceratocystis fimbriata f. sp. spathodense