Large-scale IPM validation in whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)-prone cotton (Gossypium spp.) fields adjoining kinnow orchards

Whitefly [Bemisia tabaci (Gen)] is a serious sucking pest of cotton in the north zone of India. Cotton (Gossypium spp.) fields adjoining kinnow orchards used to have a quite higher incidence of whiteflies compared to the fields away from orchards. Therefore, the study was carried out at ICAR-National Centre for Integrated Pest Management, New Delhi during 2017–19 to implement integrated pest management (IPM) validation trial in cotton fields located adjoining the kinnow orchards in the village Nihalkhera of district Fazilka, Punjab in farmers’ participatory (FP). The IPM strategy consists of weed removal from orchards, timely sowing of recommended cotton hybrid, 4 foliar sprays of 2% potassium nitrate, use of azadirachtin 1500 ppm @5 ml/litre, conservation of natural enemies by avoidance of insecticides that are harmful (IOBC Class-4) to natural enemies and judicious use of safer pesticides (IOBC class1 and 2). The IPM adoption resulted in the successful management of whitefly and other sucking pests along with a two to three-fold increase in predator population compared to FP. IPM recorded a substantial reduction in the use of pesticide active ingredients (86%) and the number of sprays (58%) along with high parasitization (35.32–45.98%) of whitefly nymphs by Encarsia sp. IPM provided a significant increase in yield (23%), net return (57.5%) along with a high benefit cost (B:C) ratio of 2.65

Salt-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors (KABs) among Victorian adults following 22-Months of a consumer awareness campaign

The Australian population consumes more salt than recommended and this increases the risk of raised blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. In 2015, a state-wide initiative was launched in the Australian state of Victoria to reduce population salt intake. This study examines whether salt-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors (KABs) of Victorian adults changed following the first 22 months of a consumer awareness campaign targeting parents. Repeated cross-sectional surveys of adults (18-65 years) recruited from research panels. Analyses were weighted to reflect the Victorian population. In both surveys mean age of participants (1584 in 2015 and 2141 in 2018) was 41 years, and 51% were female. This includes 554 parents/caregivers in 2015 and 799 in 2018. Most indicators of KAB remained unchanged. Among parents/caregivers the percentage who agreed limiting salt in their child's diet was important increased by 8% (p = 0.001), and there was a 10% reduction in the percentage who reported placing a saltshaker on the table and a 9% reduction in those who reported their child added salt at the table (both p < 0.001). Some small adverse effects on other indicators were also observed. During the first 22 months of a salt reduction consumer awareness campaign, there were limited changes in KAB overall, however the target audience reported positive changes regarding their children, which aligned with the campaign messages

Global Monitoring of Atmospheric Trace Gases, Clouds and Aerosols from UV/vis/NIR Satellite Instruments: Currents Status and Near Future Perspectives

A new generation of UV/vis/near‐IR satellite instruments like GOME (since 1995), SCIAMACHY (since 2002), OMI (since 2004), and GOME‐2 (since 2006) allows to measure several important stratospheric and tropospheric trace gases like O_3, NO_2, OClO, HCHO, SO_2, BrO, and H_2O as well as clouds and aerosols from space. Because of its extended spectral range, the SCIAMACHY instrument also allows the retrieval of Greenhouse gases (CO_2, CH_4) and CO in the near IR. Almost all of the tropospheric trace gases are observed by these instruments for the first time. From satellite data it is possible to investigate the temporal and spatial variation. Also different sources can be characterised and quantified. The derived global distributions can serve as input and for the validation of atmospheric models. Here we give an overview on the current status of these new instruments and data products and their recent applications to various atmospheric and oceanic phenomena

A computationally efficient symmetric diagonally dominant matrix projection-based Gaussian process approach

Although kernel approximation methods have been widely applied to mitigate the O(n3) cost of the n × n kernel matrix inverse in Gaussian process methods, they still face computational challenges. The ‘residual’ matrix between the covariance and the approximating component is often discarded as it prevents the computational cost reduction. In this paper, we propose a computationally efficient Gaussian process approach that achieves better computational efficiency, O(mn2), compared with standard Gaussian process methods, when using m n data. The proposed approach incorporates the ‘residual’ matrix in its symmetric diagonally dominant form which can be further approximated by the Neumann series. We have validated and compared the approach with full Gaussian process approaches and kernel approximation based Gaussian process variants, both on synthetic and real air quality data

Evaluation of a Salt-Reduction Consumer Awareness Campaign Targeted at Parents Residing in the State of Victoria, Australia

From 2015 to 2020 a state-wide salt-reduction initiative was launched in Victoria, Australia, including an awareness campaign focused on parents with children <18 years of age. To evaluate the impact of the campaign on salt-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors (KABs) we have assessed trends in salt-related KAB pre- and post-delivery of the campaign in parents, as well as within the wider adult population. Cross-sectional surveys of adults aged 18–65 years were undertaken pre- (2015: n = 821 parents; n = 1527 general sample) and post-campaign (2019: n = 935 parents; n = 1747 general sample). KABs were assessed via an online survey. Data were analyzed with regression models and adjusted for covariates. Among parents, around one-quarter of salt-related KABs shifted in a positive direction, but changes were small: there was a 6% (95% CI 2, 11%) increase in the percentage who knew the main source of salt in the diet and reductions in the percentage who reported placing a salt shaker on the table (−8% (95%CI −12, −3)) and that their child added salt at the table (−5% (95% −9, −0.2)). Among the wider adult sample, even fewer shifts in KAB were observed, with some behaviors worsening at follow-up. These findings indicate that this consumer awareness campaign had minimum impact

Magnetic resonance imaging in non-conditional pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS: There is growing evidence that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning in patients with non-conditional cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) can be performed safely. Here, we aim to assess the safety of MRI in patients with non-conditional CIEDs. METHODS AND RESULTS: English scientific literature was searched using PubMed/Embase/CINAHL with keywords of 'magnetic resonance imaging', 'pacemaker', 'implantable defibrillator', and 'cardiac resynchronization therapy'. Studies assessing outcomes of adverse events or significant changes in CIED parameters after MRI scanning in patients with non-conditional CIEDs were included. References were excluded if the MRI conditionality of the CIEDs was undisclosed; number of patients enrolled was 0.5 V and impedance >50Ω was seen in 1.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7-1.8%] and 4.8% (95% CI 3.3-6.4%) respectively. The incidence of reduction in P- and R-wave sensing by >50% was 1.5% (95% CI 0.6-2.9%) and 0.4% (95% CI 0.06-1.1%), respectively. Battery voltage reduction of >0.04 V was reported in 2.2% (95% CI 0.2-6.1%). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis affirms the safety of MR imaging in non-conditional CIEDs with no death or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks and extremely low incidence of lead or device-related complications.Dian A. Munawar, Joel E.Z. Chan, Mehrdad Emami, Kadhim Kadhim, Kashif Khokhar, Catherine O’Shea ... et al

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 2030 - A Program to Accelerate the Implementation of World Health Organization Framework Convention for Tobacco Control in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation

Data Availability: The data belongs to the WHO and cannot be made freely available. Any request for data should be directed to Trinette Lee (WHO FCTC secretariat) at [email protected] Material: A Contributorship Form detailing each author’s specific involvement with this content, as well as any supplementary data, are available online at https://academic.oup.com/ntr .Background: Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) 2030 Program (2017-2021) was launched to accelerate World Health Organization (WHO) FCTC implementation in 15 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We evaluated the Program in six domains: Governance; Smoke-Free Policies; Taxation; Packaging and Health Warnings; Tobacco Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship (TAPS) bans; and International and Regional Cooperation. Aims and Methods: Following a mixed-methods design, we surveyed (June-September 2020) FCTC focal persons in 14 of the 15 countries, to understand the Program's financial and technical inputs and progress made in each of the six domains. The data were coded in terms of inputs (financial = 1, technical = 1, or both = 2) and progress (none = 1, some = 2, partial = 3, or strong = 4) and a correlation was computed between the inputs and progress scores for each domain. We conducted semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in five countries. We triangulated between the survey and interview findings. Results: FCTC 2030 offered substantial financial and technical inputs, responsive to country needs, across all six domains. There was a high positive correlation between technical inputs and progress in five of the six domains, ranging from r = 0.61 for taxation (p <. 05) to r = 0.91 and for smoke-free policies (p <. 001). The interviews indicated that the Program provided timely and relevant evidence and created opportunities for influencing tobacco control debates. Conclusions: The FCTC 2030 Program might have led to variable, but significant progress in advancing FCTC implementation in the 15 countries. As expected, much of the progress was in augmenting existing structures and resources for FCTC implementation. The resulting advances are likely to lead to further progress in FCTC policy implementation. Implications: What this study adds: In many LMICs, WHO FCTC policies are not in place; and even when enshrined in law, they are poorly enforced. It is not clear how financial and technical assistance to high tobacco-burden LMICs can most effectively accelerate the implementation of WHO FCTC policies and offer value for money. Bespoke and responsive assistance, both financial and technical, to LMICs aimed at accelerating the implementation of WHO FCTC policies are likely to lead to progress in tobacco control.Independent External Evaluation of the FCTC 2030. The reference number is 2020/993019-1 received from the WHO