Leaf extracts of Melia azedarach Linnaeus (Sapindales: Meliaceae) act as larvicide against Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) Extratos de folhas de Melia azedarach Linnaeus (Sapindales: Meliaceae) atuam como larvicida de Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae)

The objective of this study was to compare the larvicidal effect of hydroethanolic extracts of fresh and dry leaves of Melia azedarach Linnaeus (Sapindales: Meliaceae) on Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae). All the extracts evaluated induced mortality among the third and fourth instar larvae of Aedes aegypti after 24 and 48 hours of exposure to the products. Although previous studies had demonstrated the action of seeds and fruits of Melia azedarach against the larvae of different Aedes aegypti populations, the present report is the first to show the larvicidal effect of the fresh and dry leaves of this plant.<br>O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o efeito larvicida de extratos hidro-etanólicos de folhas verdes e secas de Melia azedarach Linnaeus (Sapindales: Meliaceae) em Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae). Todos os extratos avaliados induziram mortalidade em larvas de 3º e 4º estágios de Aedes aegypti, após 24 e 48 horas de exposição aos produtos. Embora estudos prévios tenham demonstrado a ação de sementes e frutos de Melia azedarach em larvas de diferentes populações de Aedes aegypti, o presente estudo é o primeiro a reportar o efeito larvicida de folhas verdes e secas desta planta

Shifting of the ontological-epistemological balance in contemporary research agendas: A critique

With greater calls for public involvement, there are now claims of methodological shifts to ‘bottom-up’, ‘politically informed’ and ‘boundary-less’ approaches. This is not accurate as there is still predominantly an emphasis on epistemological considerations (for instance, in how knowledge of ‘issues’ being investigated are created and/or discovered)—seen through various community engagement forums and/or transfer of resources to local actors. However, the ontological (concerned with problem definition, ‘what is actually the issue being investigated’, ‘what do I/we think about it’) is not effectively conceptualised and understood in the local space by local actors. Thus, in order for actual shifts to ‘bottom-up’, ‘politically informed’ and ‘boundary less’ approaches to take place, mechanisms to shape the ontology of the research problem must be facilitated in local spaces