Living Plants in Hawaii Attacked by Coptotermes formosanus

Forty-seven species of living plants in 27 families were found infested by Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki in Hawaii. The symptoms caused by the infestations were dependent on the mode of attack. Although an actual value was not placed on the economic losses caused by the attacks, evidence indicates that the losses are substantial

Effects of non-linearities on magnetic field generation

Magnetic fields are present on all scales in the Universe. While we understand the processes which amplify the fields fairly well, we do not have a "natural" mechanism to generate the small initial seed fields. By using fully relativistic cosmological perturbation theory and going beyond the usual confines of linear theory we show analytically how magnetic fields are generated. This is the first analytical calculation of the magnetic field at second order, using gauge-invariant cosmological perturbation theory, and including all the source terms. To this end, we have rederived the full set of governing equations independently. Our results suggest that magnetic fields of the order of $10^{-30}$ G can be generated (although this depends on the small scale cut-off of the integral), which is largely in agreement with previous results that relied upon numerical calculations. These fields are likely too small to act as the primordial seed fields for dynamo mechanisms.Comment: 21 pages; v2: minor changes, added references; v3: version accepted for publication in JCA

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

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

Microenvironmental Factors Regulating the Flight of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki in Hawaii (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Wind velocity, light intensity, soil temperature, vapor pressure deficit in the colony, vapor pressure deficit at the surface of the flight slits, and vapor pressure deficit at 1 m above the soil were measured during the swarming season. The vapor pressure deficits and soil temperature were not critical factors for flight since they were in a favorable range during the observation period. Light intensity had to drop to 10.8 lumen/m2 before flight was initiated. Flight was terminated when the light was reduced to 0.14 lumen/m2. Light intensity, however, was not limiting since the intensity dropped every evening. The key microenvironmental factor regulating flight was the wind velocity at the flight slits. Flight was initiated if the wind velocity was below 3.7 km/h. If the wind increased to over 3.7 km/h after flight was started, flight was terminated

Sudan Red 7B, a Dye Marker for Coptotermes formosanus

Of 9 dyes fed to workers of Coptotermes formosanus, only oil soluble Deep Black BB and Sudan Red 7B stained the termites sufficiently and were retained long enough to be useful as markers. Workers fed Red 7B, however, absorbed the dye faster, retained the dye longer and had a lower mortality rate than those fed Deep Black BB. Red 7B was found in the fat bodies, mid- and hindguts, muscles, brain, and in the protozoa, but not in Malpighian tubules and tracheal matrix. The density of the termites in the staining chamber seemed to affect the depth of staining and the numbers of protozoa in the termite. The termites stained at a density of 900 individuals per petri dish stained more deeply and better than those stained at 100 individuals per petri dish. Moreover, the numbers of protozoa in the termites stained at the 900 termite density were higher than in termites stained at 100 per petri dish. Red 7B demonstrated all the characteristics required for a suitable marker for C formosanus

Routine Prophylactic Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Head and Neck Cancers with Bilateral Neck Irradiation: A Regional Cancer Experience in New Zealand

Abstract Introduction Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are particularly susceptible to dysphagia and malnutrition. Prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement is a method used to manage these issues, but practices vary among institutions. At Midcentral District Health Board, patients receiving radiotherapy to the primary and bilateral neck regions routinely undergo prophylactic PEG placement. This study aimed to review the nutritional and PEG‐related outcomes of these patients. Methods Records of 49 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Their demographics, tumour and treatment characteristics were recorded. We evaluated patient weight loss, non‐elective hospitalisation, treatment interruption rates, PEG‐related complications, usage, dependency rates and late dysphagia rates. Results Oropharyngeal cancers were the most common primary site (61.2%), and 83.7% of patients received primary chemoradiotherapy. Mean weight loss at treatment completion was 5.6% ± 4.3 (4.6 kg ± 3.9). The rate of non‐elective hospitalisations was 26.5%, and only 2% of patients had treatment interruptions. Peristomal infection was the most frequent PEG complication (20.4%). No PEG‐related mortality was reported. Median duration of PEG dependency was 97 days (14–388 days). Two patients remained permanently dependent at 3 years due to grade 3 dysphagia, and six patients experienced grade ≥2 late dysphagia. Conclusion Our study showed that prophylactic PEG tube placement was relatively safe, with a high utilisation rate and low long‐term dependence on PEG tubes after treatment completion. However, complications related to their use should be addressed through a multidisciplinary approach, with careful assessment by clinicians. The weight loss and hospitalisation rates observed were consistent with earlier studies that utilised prophylactic PEG tubes