Experimental validation of opto-thermo-elastic modeling in OOFELIE Multiphysics

The objective of this work is to demonstrate the correlation between a simple laboratory test bench case and the predictions of the Oofelie MultiPhysics software in order to deduce modelling guidelines and improvements. For that purpose two optical systems have been analysed. The first one is a spherical lens fixed in an aluminium barrel, which is the simplest structure found in an optomechanical system. In this study, material characteristics are assumed to be well known: BK7 and aluminium have been retained. Temperature variations between 0 and +60°C from ambient have been applied to the samples. The second system is a YAG laser bar heated by means of a dedicated oven. For the two test benches thermo-elastic distortions have been measured using a Fizeau interferometer. This sensor measures wavefront error in the range of 20 nm to 1 μm without physical contact with the optomechanical system. For the YAG bar birefringence and polarization measurements have also been performed using a polarimetric bench. The tests results have been compared to the predictions obtained by Oofelie MultiPhysics which is a multiphysics toolkit treating coupled problems of optics, mechanics, thermal physics, electricity, electromagnetism, acoustics and hydrodynamics. From this comparison modelling guidelines have been issued with the aim of improving the accuracy of computed thermo-elastic distortions and their impact on the optical performances

Contribución al conocimiento de la distribución y aspectos biológicos de algunas especies de mosquitos en Haití

El terremoto de 2010 en Haití agravó las condiciones higiénicas sanitarias y ambientales, al aumentar la disponibilidad de sitios de cría de mosquitos vectores. Ante esta situación, como parte de la ayuda que Cuba brinda a este país, se incluyó la vigilancia y lucha antivectorial como un componente importante en el control de las enfermedades vectoriales. En el presente estudio se realizó un muestreo larval de mosquitos en 35 comunas, distribuidas en los 10 departamentos de Haití en el período entre Junio 2010 - Junio, 2011, utilizándose la metodología recomendada por la OMS. Se identificaron 21 especies. Las más abundantes y de mayor distri- bución fueron Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles albimanus y Culex nigripalpus, constituyendo el 90,1% del total. Durante este trabajo, se detectó la presencia de Aedes albopictus, que constituyó el primer reporte de esta especie para Haití. Estos resultados actualizados constituyen un aporte al conocimiento de la fauna de mosquito en Haití

Malaria vector research and control in Haiti: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Haiti has a set a target of eliminating malaria by 2020. However, information on malaria vector research in Haiti is not well known. This paper presents results from a systematic review of the literature on malaria vector research, bionomics and control in Haiti. METHODS: A systematic search of literature published in French, Spanish and English languages was conducted in 2015 using Pubmed (MEDLINE), Google Scholar, EMBASE, JSTOR WHOLIS and Web of Science databases as well other grey literature sources such as USAID, and PAHO. The following search terms were used: malaria, Haiti, Anopheles, and vector control. RESULTS: A total of 132 references were identified with 40 high quality references deemed relevant and included in this review. Six references dealt with mosquito distribution, seven with larval mosquito ecology, 16 with adult mosquito ecology, three with entomological indicators of malaria transmission, eight with insecticide resistance, one with sero-epidemiology and 16 with vector control. In the last 15 years (2000–2015), there have only been four published papers and three-scientific meeting abstracts on entomology for malaria in Haiti. Overall, the general literature on malaria vector research in Haiti is limited and dated. DISCUSSION: Entomological information generated from past studies in Haiti will contribute to the development of strategies to achieve malaria elimination on Hispaniola. However it is of paramount importance that malaria vector research in Haiti is updated to inform decision-making for vector control strategies in support of malaria elimination

Contribution to knowledge of distribution of mosquitoes and some biological aspects of mosquitoes in Haiti

El terremoto de 2010 en Haití agravó las condiciones higiénicas sanitarias y ambientales, al aumentar la disponibilidad de sitios de cría de mosquitos vectores. Ante esta situación, como parte de la ayuda que Cuba brinda a este país, se incluyó la vigilancia y lucha antivectorial como un componente importante en el control de las enfermedades vectoriales. En el presente estudio se realizó un muestreo larval de mosquitos en 35 comunas, distribuidas en los 10 departamentos de Haití en el período entre Junio 2010 - Junio, 2011, utilizándose la metodología recomendada por la OMS. Se identificaron 21 especies. Las más abundantes y de mayor distribución fueron Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles albimanus y Culex nigripalpus, constituyendo el 90,1% del total. Durante este trabajo, se detectó la presencia de Aedes albopictus, que constituyó el primer reporte de esta especie para Haití. Estos resultados actualizados constituyen un aporte al conocimiento de la fauna de mosquito en Haití.ABSTRACT:The earthquake occurred in Haiti in 2010 led to a worsening of health and environmental sanitation, since the availability of breeding sites for mosquito vectors were increased. In this situation, as part of aid that Cuba offers to this country, a rapid field assessment of entomological surveillance, was included as an important component in the control of vector-borne diseases. The larval sampling was conducted in 35 districts distributed over 10 departments of Haiti in the period June 2010 - June, 2011, using the methods recommended by the WHO. 21 species of mosquito were identified. The most abundant and widely distributed species were Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex nigripalpus and Anopheles albimanus, accounting for 90.1% of total samples. During the realization of this entomological survey was carried out the first record of Aedes albopictus in Haiti. These updated results are a contribution to the knowledge of the mosquitoes fauna in Haiti

Prevalence of malaria parasitemia and accuracy of microscopic diagnosis in Haiti, October 1995

In October 1995 the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Haiti surveyed 42 health facilities for the prevalence and distribution of malaria infection. They examined 1 803 peripheral blood smears from patients with suspected malaria; the overall slide positivity rate was 4.0% (range, 0.0% to 14.3%). The rate was lowest among 1- to 4-year-old children (1.6%) and highest among persons aged 15 and older (5.5%). Clinical and microscopic diagnoses of malaria were unreliable; the overall sensitivity of microscopic diagnosis was 83.6%, specificity was 88.6%, and the predictive value of a positive slide was 22.2%. Microscopic diagnoses need to be improved, and adequate surveillance must be reestablished to identify areas where transmission is most intense. The generally low level of malaria is encouraging and suggests that intensified control efforts targeted to the areas of highest prevalence could further diminish the effect of malaria in Haiti