Evidence-based vector control? Improving the quality of vector control trials.

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) such as malaria, dengue, and leishmaniasis cause a high level of morbidity and mortality. Although vector control tools can play a major role in controlling and eliminating these diseases, in many cases the evidence base for assessing the efficacy of vector control interventions is limited or not available. Studies assessing the efficacy of vector control interventions are often poorly conducted, which limits the return on investment of research funding. Here we outline the principal design features of Phase III vector control field studies, highlight major failings and strengths of published studies, and provide guidance on improving the design and conduct of vector control studies. We hope that this critical assessment will increase the impetus for more carefully considered and rigorous design of vector control studies

Conducting Research With Older Adults With Vision Impairment: Lessons Learned and Recommended Best Practices

Older adults are underrepresented in research, and a potential barrier to their participation may be the increasing prevalence of vision loss and lack of accommodation for this challenge. Although vision loss may initially pose a challenge to research participation, its effects can be mitigated with early, in-depth planning. For example, recruitment is more inclusive when best practices identified in the literature are used in the preparation of written materials to reduce glare and improve readability and legibility. Alternatives to obtaining written consent may be used. Interviews are made accessible when done verbally and the author uses cueing and good diction. Remaining vision can be optimized through seating arrangement, lighting, and magnification. Challenges encountered and resolved in a recent study with severely visually impaired older adults are offered here as exemplars. Methodology for identifying and recruiting a sample comprised exclusively of visually impaired older adults is also offered herein

Stabilized radiation pressure acceleration and neutron generation in ultrathin deuterated foils

Premature relativistic transparency of ultrathin, laser-irradiated targets is recognized as an obstacle to achieving a stable radiation pressure acceleration in the "light sail" (LS) mode. Experimental data, corroborated by 2D PIC simulations, show that a few-nm thick overcoat surface layer of high Z material significantly improves ion bunching at high energies during the acceleration. This is diagnosed by simultaneous ion and neutron spectroscopy following irradiation of deuterated plastic targets. In particular, copious and directional neutron production (significantly larger than for other in-target schemes) arises, under optimal parameters, as a signature of plasma layer integrity during the acceleration

Impact of Estradiol on γ-Aminobutyric Acid- and Glutamate-Mediated Calcium Responses of Fetal Baboon (Papio anubis) Hippocampal and Cortical Neurons

High levels of maternal estrogens are likely to gain access to the fetal brain, yet little is known regarding the role of the steroid hormone 17β-estradiol in neuronal differentiation and maturation of primate neurons. Previous research documented the presence of estrogen receptors during development in the hippocampus and cortex of the primate brain, but the functional significance of steroid exposure has not been widely investigated. Using both an in vitro preparation of primary hippocampal and frontal cortex neurons and Western blot analysis of fetal hippocampal and frontal cortex tissue, we documented the effects of in utero and acute in vitro exposure to 17β-estradiol on the development of neuronal responsiveness to the amino acid transmitters γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate in fetal baboon, Papio anubis, hippocampal, and cortical neurons. We found that in utero 17β-estradiol exposure enhanced the excitatory action of the GABAergic system on immature cortical and hippocampal neurons, as manifest by increases in intracellular calcium after transient muscimol application and changes in the relevant ion cotransporters. Acute exposure to 17β-estradiol in vitro had limited effect on GABAergic responses in cultured hippocampal and frontal cortex neurons. Moreover, there was limited effect of both prolonged in utero and acute estradiol on the response to glutamatergic system activation, consistent with previous findings in the rat. Along with documenting a prominent role for 17β-estradiol in maturation of the GABAergic system, these findings increase our understanding of neuronal differentiation and maturation in the fetal primate brain