Latent Tuberculosis and Active Tuberculosis Disease Rates among the Homeless, New York, New York, USA, 1992–2006

We conducted a retrospective study to examine trends in latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and TB disease rates among homeless persons in shelters in New York, NY, 1992–2006. Although TB case rates fell from 1,502/100,000 population to 0, a 31% LTBI rate in 2006 shows the value of identifying and treating TB in the homeless

Self-Assembly Monolayer Molecules for the Improvement of the Anodic Interface in Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

AbstractSelf-assembly monolayer (SAM) molecules were immobilized onto the surface of indium tin oxide (ITO) for the improvement of organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs). For bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells, several key factors were considered in the choice of molecules for the improvement of the anodic ITO as follows: effects of anchoring groups, dipole moments, and aromatic bulk to photovoltaic properties. In particular, improvements of power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 4.5-4.7 times were observed from unmodified ITO with the use of benzoic acid and 4-cyanobenzoic acid monolayers

Assessing Municipal Lawn Care Reform: The Case of a Lawn Pesticide By-Law in the Town of Caledon, Ontario, Canada

This paper explores the significance of the rapid increase in municipal by-laws restricting the use of pesticides on lawns and their support by the courts and higher political jurisdictions in Canada. Using a review on the literature of lawn management, recent policy events in Canada, and a case study of the Town of Caledon in Ontario, the study confirms the power of local democratic forces in support of such initiatives, but cautions against an overly positive view. Selective community backing, the continued endorsement of an industrial lawn aesthetic, and the continued strength of the pesticide industry sector and its supporters, can compromise both the extent and quality of the effectiveness of a by-law. The study points to the value and urgency of further research and assessments of individual municipal by-laws and their local and cumulative impacts

Cercarial fauna of freshwater snails in selected agricultural areas in Laguna, Philippines

© 2019 Institute of Parasitology, SAS, Košice. Freshwater snails serve as one of trematodes’ intermediate hosts. Previous studies on trematode larval stages in the Philippines have largely focused on species with public health importance. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of cercarial morphotypes in several freshwater snail species found in different habitat types (rice field, irrigation canals, and residential area) in selected agricultural areas in Los Baños and Bay in Laguna. Cercarial emergence was induced through exposure to artificial light. A total of 2,720 freshwater snails were collected and were represented by seven species, namely, Melanoides tuberculata Muller 1774 (n = 1229), Radix quadrasi von Moellendorf (n = 630), Tarebia granifera Lamarck, 1816 (n = 417), Pomacea canaliculata Lamarck 1819 (n = 257), Vivipara angularis philippinensis Nevill (n = 18), Stenomelania sp. (n = 104), Thiara scabra Muller 1774 (n = 65). A 2.57 % over-all prevalence was recorded; the infected snail species were M. tuberculata (2.21 %), R. quadrasi (0.21 %), T. granifera (0.11 %). Four cercarial morphotypes, namely, Parapleurolophocercous cercaria (1.80 %), Virgulate xiphidiocercaria (0.26 %), Megalu-ruous cercaria (0.29 %), and Echinostome cercaria (0.22 %) were recovered from the infected snail species. Prevalence of cercarial infection was significantly different (p \u3c 0.05) among habitat types

Combining Surface-Based Electromyography and Motion Sensing for Detection of Human Falling

The study of falling; especially for the elderly; is a very critical problem in geriatric care and medicine. This study investigated the potential role of a surface-based electromyography (sEMG) and inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor package for analyzing and detecting humans falling. Previous studies have only relied on motion sensors only; such as accelerometers and gyroscopes; detecting falling; which completely ignores the muscular force reaction of extremities during the precise moment before a person actually falls. This experiments conducted in this study show promising results of combining the sEMG and accelerometer signals to describe the muscular activity generated as the reflex reaction of the subjects in their arms as they grab onto something to prevent the fall. Further simulations of falling were conducted at a foam pit; specifically deliberate falling and surprised falling. Similar findings were obtained in this scenario where the subjects did not have anything to grab onto upon falling; which cancan be attributed to the fact that the subjects feel the same sensation of reflex and panic whether deliberately falling or surprised falling

Cercarial fauna of freshwater snails in selected agricultural areas in Laguna, Philippines

Freshwater snails serve as one of trematodes’ intermediate hosts. Previous studies on trematode larval stages in the Philippines have largely focused on species with public health importance. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of cercarial morphotypes in several freshwater snail species found in different habitat types (rice field, irrigation canals, and residential area) in selected agricultural areas in Los Baños and Bay in Laguna. Cercarial emergence was induced through exposure to artificial light. A total of 2,720 freshwater snails were collected and were represented by seven species, namely, Melanoides tuberculata Muller 1774 (n = 1229), Radix quadrasi von Moellendorf (n = 630), Tarebia granifera Lamarck, 1816 (n = 417), Pomacea canaliculata Lamarck 1819 (n = 257), Vivipara angularis philippinensis Nevill (n = 18), Stenomelania sp. (n = 104), Thiara scabra Muller 1774 (n = 65). A 2.57 % over-all prevalence was recorded; the infected snail species were M. tuberculata (2.21 %), R. quadrasi (0.21 %), T. granifera (0.11 %). Four cercarial morphotypes, namely, Parapleurolophocercous cercaria (1.80 %), Virgulate xiphidiocercaria (0.26 %), Megaluruous cercaria (0.29 %), and Echinostome cercaria (0.22 %) were recovered from the infected snail species. Prevalence of cercarial infection was significantly different (p < 0.05) among habitat types