Modeling the Effects of Passive Immunity in Birds for the Disease Dynamics of West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that circulates among birds but also affects humans. Migrating birds carry these viruses from one place to another each year. WNV has spread rapidly across the continental United States resulting in numerous human infections and deaths. Several studies suggest that larval mosquito control measures should be taken as early as possible in a season to control the mosquito population size. Also, adult mosquito control measures are necessary to prevent the transmission of WNV from mosquitoes to birds and humans. To better understand the effective strategy for controlling affected larvae mosquito population, we have developed a mathematical model using a system of first order differential equations to investigate the transmission dynamics of WNV in a mosquito-bird-human community. We also incorporated vertical transmission in mosquitoes and passive immunity in birds to more accurately simulate the spread of the disease

Well flow and dilution measurements for characterization of vertical hydraulic conductivity structure of a carbonate aquifer

The paper aims to characterize vertical variations in horizontal hydraulic properties in a fractured carbonate aquifer, the Cretaceous Chalk in East Yorkshire, UK. Two approaches are used: an inverse model of well flow applied to flow logs of pumped open wells, and open well dilution testing. In this case study, transmissivity in the unconfined part of the aquifer is dominated by the highly permeable zone of water table fluctuation, where carbonate dissolution has occurred enhancing fracture aperture; a similar enhanced permeability zone is present at the top of the aquifer where it is confined beneath glacial deposits, although periglacial physical weathering during Quaternary cold periods, rather than carbonate dissolution, is responsible. The aquifer is also shown to contain deeper permeable horizons of stratigraphic origin, which are better developed in the unconfined section

Description and Evaluation of an Environmental Education Program in Madagascar

The Duke Lemur Center (DLC) is a founding member of the Madagascar Fauna Group (MFG), a consortium of zoos and botanical gardens that promotes biodiversity conservation in Madagascar. The MFG’s in-country programs include an environmental education component with a cascade training program that targets upper level regional staff (Chef ZAPs). This program trains the Chef ZAPs in the hopes that they will disseminate information on ecology and environmental issues to teachers, who will then pass the information along to their students. Although the program has been in place for more than 20 years, no formal description or evaluation had previously been undertaken. The DLC is in the process of implementing the MFG’s model in a fledgling training program in another region of Madagascar. Our research seeks to provide recommendations to the DLC’s new program by evaluating the MFG’s existing environmental education platform. A review of literature regarding accepted practices in environmental education and evaluation was compiled to inform the evaluation. Using a mixed-methods approach, interviews with key informants, participant surveys, and material culture were analyzed. Five interviews were conducted with MFG and DLC staff members. Surveys were designed to garner the opinion of Malagasy participants and were juxtaposed with the statements made by interviewees. The qualitative analyses of interviews and surveys were conducted using Nvivo 9 software, and additional quantitative analysis of Likert Scale responses was completed using Stata 12 statistical software. This analysis informed the final recommendations made to our client, the Duke Lemur Center. Our recommendations focus on shifts in organizational and programmatic structure that are important considerations for the expansion of the program within the SAVA region. The suggestions fall into two categories: administrative and field. We hope these recommendations will allow the DLC to build upon the successes seen in the current Chef ZAP training program. In this evaluation, we identify challenges which we found to pose a hindrance to the evolution and future success of the environmental education program; and we suggest recommendations that ensure that the future environmental education programs in Madagascar can contribute to long-term social and environmental change

Description and Evaluation of an Environmental Education Program in Madagascar

The Duke Lemur Center (DLC) is a founding member of the Madagascar Fauna Group (MFG), a consortium of zoos and botanical gardens that promotes biodiversity conservation in Madagascar. The MFG’s in-country programs include an environmental education component with a cascade training program that targets upper level regional staff (Chef ZAPs). This program trains the Chef ZAPs in the hopes that they will disseminate information on ecology and environmental issues to teachers, who will then pass the information along to their students. Although the program has been in place for more than 20 years, no formal description or evaluation had previously been undertaken. The DLC is in the process of implementing the MFG’s model in a fledgling training program in another region of Madagascar. Our research seeks to provide recommendations to the DLC’s new program by evaluating the MFG’s existing environmental education platform. A review of literature regarding accepted practices in environmental education and evaluation was compiled to inform the evaluation. Using a mixed-methods approach, interviews with key informants, participant surveys, and material culture were analyzed. Five interviews were conducted with MFG and DLC staff members. Surveys were designed to garner the opinion of Malagasy participants and were juxtaposed with the statements made by interviewees. The qualitative analyses of interviews and surveys were conducted using Nvivo 9 software, and additional quantitative analysis of Likert Scale responses was completed using Stata 12 statistical software. This analysis informed the final recommendations made to our client, the Duke Lemur Center. Our recommendations focus on shifts in organizational and programmatic structure that are important considerations for the expansion of the program within the SAVA region. The suggestions fall into two categories: administrative and field. We hope these recommendations will allow the DLC to build upon the successes seen in the current Chef ZAP training program. In this evaluation, we identify challenges which we found to pose a hindrance to the evolution and future success of the environmental education program; and we suggest recommendations that ensure that the future environmental education programs in Madagascar can contribute to long-term social and environmental change

Description and Evaluation of an Environmental Education Program in Madagascar

The Duke Lemur Center (DLC) is a founding member of the Madagascar Fauna Group (MFG), a consortium of zoos and botanical gardens that promotes biodiversity conservation in Madagascar. The MFG’s in-country programs include an environmental education component with a cascade training program that targets upper level regional staff (Chef ZAPs). This program trains the Chef ZAPs in the hopes that they will disseminate information on ecology and environmental issues to teachers and who in turn will pass the information on to their students. Although the program has been in place for more than 20 years, no formal description or evaluation had previously been undertaken. The DLC is in the process of implementing the MFG’s model in a fledgling training program in another region of Madagascar. Our research seeks to provide recommendations to the DLC’s new program by evaluating the MFG’s existing environmental education platform. A review of literature regarding accepted practices in environmental education and evaluation was compiled to inform the evaluation. Using a mixed-methods approach, interviews with key informants, participant surveys, and material culture were analyzed. Five interviews were conducted with MFG and DLC staff members. Surveys were designed to garner the opinion of Malagasy participants and were juxtaposed with the statements made by interviewees. Qualitative analyses of interviews and surveys were conducted using Nvivo 9 software, and additional quantitative analysis of Likert Scale responses was completed using Stata 12 statistical software. This analysis informed the final recommendations made to our client, the Duke Lemur Center. Our recommendations range from small to large changes, and focus on shifts in organizational and programmatic structure that are important to consider for the expansion of the program within the SAVA region. The recommendations fall into two categories: administrative and field. These recommendations will allow the DLC to build upon the successes seen in the current Chef ZAP training program, such as the tremendous level of enthusiasm and positivity Chef ZAPs associate with the trainings. In this evaluation, we identify challenges which we found to pose a hindrance to the evolution and future success of the environmental education program; and we suggest recommendations to the DLC to address these challenges and ensure that the future environmental education programs in Madagascar can contribute to long-term social and environmental change