Average and worst-case specifications of precipitating auroral electron environment

The precipitation electrons in the auroral environment are highly variable in their energy and intensity in both space and time. As such they are a source of potential hazard to the operation of the Space Shuttle and other large spacecraft operating in polar orbit. In order to assess these hazards both the average and extreme states of the precipitating electrons must be determined. Work aimed at such a specification is presented. First results of a global study of the average characteristics are presented. In this study the high latitude region was divided into spatial elements in magnetic local time and corrected geomagnetic latitude. The average electron spectrum was then determined in each spatial element for seven different levels of activity as measured by K sub p using an extremely large data set of auroral observations. Second a case study of an extreme auroral electron environment is presented, in which the electrons are accelerated through field aligned potential as high as 30,000 volts and in which the spacecraft is seen to charge negatively to a potential approaching .5 kilovolts

Using Mobile Phones to Improve Vaccination Uptake in 21 Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Systematic Review

Background: The benefits of vaccination have been comprehensively proven, however disparities in coverage persist due to poor health system management, limited resources and parental knowledge and attitudes. Evidence suggests that health interventions that engage local parties in communication strategies improve vaccination uptake. As mobile technology is widely used to improve health communication, mobile health (mHealth) interventions might be used to increase coverage. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the available literature on the use of mHealth to improve vaccination in low and middle income countries with large numbers of unvaccinated children. Methods: In February 2017, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science, and three health organization websites; Communication Initiative Network, TechNet-21, and PATH, were searched to identify mHealth intervention studies on vaccination uptake in 21 countries. Results: Ten peer-reviewed studies and eleven studies from white or grey literature were included. Nine took place in India, three in Pakistan, two each in Malawi and Nigeria, and one each in Bangladesh, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya. Ten peer-reviewed studies and seven white/grey studies demonstrated improved vaccination uptake after interventions, including appointment reminders, mobile phone apps and pre-recorded messages. Conclusions: While the potential for mHealth interventions to improve vaccination coverage seems clear, the evidence for such interventions is not. The dearth of studies in countries facing the greatest barriers to immunization impedes the prospects for evidence-based policy and practice in these settings.The study was funded by the Medical Research Council, British Heart Foundation, and Homerton College, Cambridge

Environmental influences on Aedes aegypti catches in Biogents Sentinel traps during a Californian "rear and release" program: implications for designing surveillance programs

As Aedes aegypti continues to expand its global distribution, the diseases it vectors (dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever) are of increasing concern. Modern efforts to control this species include "rear and release" strategies where lab-reared mosquitoes are distributed throughout the landscape to replace or suppress invasive populations. These programs require intensive surveillance efforts to monitor their success, and the Biogents Sentinel (BGS) trap is one of the most effective tools for sampling adult Ae. aegypti. BGS trap catches can be highly variable throughout landscapes, so we investigated the potential impacts of environmental factors on adult Ae. aegypti capture rates during a "rear and release" program in California to better understand the relative contributions of true variability in population density across a landscape and trap context. We recorded male and female Ae. aegypti catches from BGS traps, with and without CO2, throughout control sites where no mosquitoes were released and in treatment sites where males infected with Wolbachia were released. BGS trap catches were positively influenced by higher proportions of shade or bushes in the front yard of the premises as well as the presence of potential larval habitats such as subterranean vaults. In contrast, an increase in residential habitat within a 100 m radius of trap locations negatively influenced BGS trap catches. For male Ae. aegypti, increased visual complexity of the trap location positively influenced capture rates, and the presence of yard drains negatively affected catch rates in control sites. Lastly, for BGS traps using CO2, higher catch rates were noted from traps placed greater than one meter from walls or fences for both male and female mosquitoes. These results have important implications for surveillance programs of Ae. aegypti throughout the Californian urban environment including adult monitoring during "rear and release" programs

Insecticidal effect of essential oils from mediterranean plants upon Acanthoscelides Obtectus Say (Coleoptera, Bruchidae), a pest of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

cited By 76International audienceThe bioactivity of 22 essential oils from aromatic and medicinal plants was tested upon Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera, Bruchidae), a pest of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The insecticidal effect was evaluated by determination of 24- and 48-hr LC50 and LC50 (from 1.50 mg/ dm3 to more than 1000 mg/dm3). Isoprenoids and phenylpropanoids were identified by gas chromatography. The most efficient essential oils were extracted from plants belonging to Labiatae. Origanum marjorana and Thymus serpyllum essential oils were the most toxic

MEASURING UNMET NEEDS OF INTERCITY BUS TRANSPORTATION

Federal funding for intercity bus programs is available to states under Section 5311(f) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. The act requires that 15% of all federal funding for public transportation in nonurbanized areas be expended for intercity bus transportation, unless the state governor certifies that the intercity bus service needs are adequately met. A demand-supply-deficiency analysis was undertaken to assess whether intercity bus needs are being met in Illinois. The analysis indicates that some larger city-to-city routes could use additional service. In addition, many smaller urban places have no access to rail or bus service, especially in southern Illinois, and many of these have no Section 5311(f) recipients. Without state support for intercity bus programs, it is unlikely that people in these places will have access to such service in the foreseeable future

Micro-scale preparation and characterization of isotopically enriched monomethylmercury

cited By 34International audienceA synthesis method for the micro-scale laboratory preparation of isotopically enriched monomethylmercury (MMHg) has been successfully established. This compound is an important standard for species-specific isotope dilution analysis. The isotopically enriched MMHg has been synthesized from commercially available mercury oxide (201HgO) using methylcobalamin coenzyme as methylating agent. The time required is less than 2 h and the final yield is about 90%. The proposed method is faster than those previously reported in the literature. It allows work on a micro scale to control the use of expensive enriched isotope standard. It also allows control of unintentional formation of dimethylmercury. The enriched mercury-containing reaction products were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography coupled to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer after derivatization with sodium tetraethylborate. The isotopic composition, concentration, purity and stability of the synthesized, enriched MMHg have been investigated in order to establish standard protocols for MMHg isotope dilution analysis or isotope labeling incubation experiments. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

The Role of Religious Beliefs and Behaviors in Predicting Underage Alcohol Use

Religious beliefs have consistently emerged as significantly and inversely related to alcohol use. This article seeks further understanding of this relationship by exploring the role of religious behaviors in this relationship in three ways. First, we aim to determine whether the relationship between religious beliefs and alcohol use differs with regard to frequency of participation in religious behaviors. Next, we seek to explore the role of religious behavior as a moderator of the relationship between religious beliefs and alcohol use. We find support for the hypothesis that individuals who possess strong religious beliefs but do not frequently take part in religious practices (e.g., attend services, engage in prayer) would report more frequent alcohol use than those who profess similar beliefs but more frequently participate in religious practices

1978 diffuse auroral boundaries and a derived auroral boundary index /

DMSP/F2 and F4 precipitating electron data are used to determine statistically the systematic variations of the equatorward boundary with Kp as a function of local time. The boundaries were chosen by hand for every DMSP/F2 satellite pass in 1978. These in turn are used to assess an algorithm developed to choose the boundaries automatically. From the statistical variations each boundary is projected to a midnight boundary. The projected midnight boundary served as an index of auroral activity-the Auroral Boundary Index. Listing of the 1978 hand- and computer-chosen boundaries and the Auroral Boundary Index for 1978 are included in appendices.Space Physics Division Project 2311.ADA130175 (from http://www.dtic.mil)."28 December 1982."Includes bibliographical references (page 59).DMSP/F2 and F4 precipitating electron data are used to determine statistically the systematic variations of the equatorward boundary with Kp as a function of local time. The boundaries were chosen by hand for every DMSP/F2 satellite pass in 1978. These in turn are used to assess an algorithm developed to choose the boundaries automatically. From the statistical variations each boundary is projected to a midnight boundary. The projected midnight boundary served as an index of auroral activity-the Auroral Boundary Index. Listing of the 1978 hand- and computer-chosen boundaries and the Auroral Boundary Index for 1978 are included in appendices.Mode of access: Internet