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A Simple PCR Assay for Discrimination of Dengue Vectors from Nsukka LGA, Nigeria
Get PDFMosquitoes of Aedes species are vectors of several arboviral diseases which continue to be a major public health problem in Nigeria. This study among other things, morphologically identified Aedes mosquitoes collected from Nsukka LGA and used an allele specific PCR amplification for discrimination of dengue vectors. Larval sampling, BG-sentinel traps and modified human landing catches were used for mosquito sampling in two selected autonomous communities of Nsukka LGA (Nsukka and Obimo). A total of 124 Aedes mosquitoes consisting of five (5) different species were collected from April to June, 2019 in a cross-sectional study that covered 126 households, under 76 distinct geographical coordinates. Larvae was mainly collected from plastic containers 73% (n=224), metallic containers 14% (n=43), earthen pots 9% (n=29) and used car tyres 3% (n=9), reared to adult stage 69.35% (n=86), and all mosquitoes were identified using standard morphological keys. Five (5) Aedes mosquito species were captured; Aedes aegypti 83(66.94%), Aedes albopictus 33(26.61%), Aedes simpsoni (4.48%), Aedes luteocephalus (≤1%) and Aedes vittatus (≤1%). Nsukka autonomous community had higher species diversity than Obimo. Allele specific amplification confirmed dengue vectors, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species on a 2% agarose gel. Since the most recent re-emergence of arboviral diseases is closely associated with Aedes species, findings of this study therefore, give further evidence about the presence of potential arboviral vectors in Nigeria and describe the role of a simple PCR in discriminating some. Further entomological studies should integrate PCR assays in mosquito vector surveillance
Identification of Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) Collected from Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Endemic Focus in the Ho Municipality, Ghana
Get PDFLeishmaniasis, is a vector-borne disease transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female sand flies. Active and continuous monitoring of the sand fly is an important aspect of disease control. Thus, the correct identification of its vectors is paramount in this regard. Objective: The study was conducted to morphologically and molecularly identify female sand fly species in a cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic focus collected in three villages in the Ho Municipality of the Volta region. CDC light traps and sticky paper traps was used for the collection of the sand flies. The morphologically identified sand flies was molecularly confirmed by running PCR with the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase gene subunit I (COI) primers and DNA sequenced. A total of 537 sand flies was collected, made up of 363 females and 174 males. Eleven different species of sand flies was morphologically identified – one Phlebotomus species and ten Sergentomyia species. The PCR amplified products showed bands of molecular weights 658 base pairs for the primers. The molecular identification using the 658-bp fragment of the (COI) gene was congruent with the morphological identification
Static, Free Vibration and Buckling Analysis of Composite Panels; A Review
Get PDFA composite material is generally a combination of materials differing in composition or form on a macro scale for the purposes of attaining specific characteristics and properties. The developments in the field of composite materials have granted significant weight reduction in structural design. When compared to metallic materials, composites offer many advantages, especially high strength, stiffness to weight ratio, excellent fatigue properties, and corrosion resistance. Plates, curved panels, the cylindrical shell-shaped forms of models are being broadly used in many structural packages of engineering structure. For design the structure, it is important to know the behaviour of these under static, free vibration, buckling condition. The present paper aims to review the literature on static, free vibration, and buckling analysis of composite flat panel, curved panel, and cylindrical shell. Further, the testing procedure of laminate, design guidelines of laminates and cost estimations with mechanical properties comparison of laminate with metal, CLT (classical lamination theory) basis including thermal and moisture expansion for stiffness evaluation are also summarised in this paper
Evaluation of Wood Ash as Additive for Cow Manure Composting
Get PDFThis study was conducted to produce high-quality compost using both cow manure and wood ash that can specifically be used to increase the fertility of soils in tropical regions. Increased proportions of wood ash were co-composted with cow manure. During composting, the composts produced presented the classical composting temperature curve and attain a thermophilic composting phase (about 60 oC). After 117 days of composting, the produced composts (CMA 0%; CMA 5%; CMA 10% and CMA15%) had a C/N ratio between 16 and 30, and their pH, was basic, indicating maturity. They were rich in minerals (Mg; Ca; K+; and Na+) and poor in heavy metals (Zn; Cu and Pb). Wood ash addition raise the fungal communities except for CMA 0% and did not impair significantly on bacteria communities; however, addition of high amounts of wood ash could reduce the metabolism of the microbial communities including cellulase activity that showed a proportional decrease according to the added amount except for CMA 15%. The composts showed a germination index greater than 80% at all concentrations, indicating the absence of phytotoxicity. Therefore, co-composting of cow manure with wood ash (<15%) allowed to obtain a good organic fertilizer with higher liming potential, nutrient content, and less hazardous material which could be used in farms to remediate acidity of tropical soils
Ovicidal and Larvicidal Activities of Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Three Botanicals Against the Malaria Vector - Anopheles Gambiae
Get PDFMalaria, transmitted by Anopheles gambiae, has been a major public health concern in Africa. Chemicals used in the control of A. gambiae have caused a lot of havoc in the environment and to non-target organisms. More so, a high rate of resistance by these mosquitoes has been recorded. This study evaluated the ovicidal and larvicidal activities of ethanolic leaf extracts of Duranta erecta, Tridax procumbens and Pennisetum purpureum against A. gambiae. Phytochemical analysis of these plants revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkanoids, flavonoids, glycosides and anthroquinone. Ground dry leaves of each plant material were concentrated in 7 litres of 95% ethanol for 72 hours followed by filtration and evaporation. D. erecta, T. procumbens and P. purpureum yielded 617.2g, 598.3g and 552g of extracts respectively. The WHO standard for mosquito bioassay was adopted and concentrations 40, 100, 140 and 200 parts per million (PPM) were tested against 20 eggs and 25 larvae using emersion method. The hatching rate and % larval mortality of the extracts were recorded in which a concentration dependent increase was observed. High ovicidal activity (low egg hatchability) was recorded in D. erecta (LC50 -10.037 PPM) followed by P. purpureum and T. procumbens with LC50 values of 17.380 and 39.198 respectively. The highest larvicidal activity was observed in D. erecta (LC50 -76.943 PPM) compared to P. purpureum and T. procumbens (LC50 - 213.410 PPM and 214.217 PPM). Evidently, D. erecta ethanolic leaf extracts showed the best efficacy in the control of A. gambiae in this study. D. erecta is an environmentally friendly alternative in reducing the use of chemicals for mosquito control
Brain Evidence in Nursing Research: EEG Methodology
Get PDFThis aim of the mini-review paper is to introduction the bio-physiologic measures of resting state EEG for nursing scientist. Article specifically addresses the emotional domain as clarified by concepts of brain evidence-based nursing research reviewed that the emotion aspect documented a strong link to frontal brain alpha activities asymmetry. Extensive nursing research has been performed in emotional, behavioral, and/or psychological matters for healthy and unhealthy populations. Evidence-based nursing can transform the way that data is used to improve health and healthcare. One core role of nursing practice is to promote healthy behaviors. Previous researches have shown out that the brain is the main ambassador of behavioral change. The electroencephalogram (EEG) is an efficient tool to study brain-behavior relations. Evidences show that frontal alpha asymmetry is an important marker suggests that EEG is beneficial for assessment emotional capacities and appraises nursing efficiency. The basic resting alpha frontal asymmetry provides a reliable instrument in conducting nursing researches in order to strengthen the quality of nursing. Furthermore, we provide a viewpoint to show progress in the novel research issue probably for clinical applications. To integrate biological measures in order to gain highly accurate and precise advantages of EEG and beneficial assessment of the emotional capacities are suggested. Nursing promotes healthy behaviors including emotional health. Human behavior changes originate in the brain. EEG enables objective and biological insights into the cognitive process. As a foundation, the neuroscience research requires profound knowledge and tools to analyze bio-physiological data. Creating Cross-disciplinary cooperation must be inevitable alliances to advance nursing research
Assessment of Different Seedling Production Techniques of Euterpe edulis
Get PDFEuterpe edulis is an endangered species with high importance ecologically and economically. Seedling production seems to be one of the most important alternatives to population recovery. Besides that, the knowledge of seedling production methods' influence over germination is very restricted. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of parent populations, germination conditions, and the substrate to commercial seedling production of E. edulis. Nine thousand seven hundred and thirteen seeds were distributed between the heated water and control, greenhouse and open-field treatments. The parent population presented high differences between most of the germination indexes. Influencing the germination rate, mean germination time and germination speed, but not affecting synchrony and uncertainty indexes. Heated water treatment did not affect any of the studied indexes, presenting a close pattern of germination over time, indicating it is an appropriate method for seedling production. Greenhouse and open-field treatment presented variations at the same indexes affected in the parent population analysis. The most profitable method for E. edulis seed germination was the greenhouse production method, which provided the best indexes results
Patterns of Social Reactions to COVID-19 Pandemic; Reasons & Proposed Ways to Overcome
Get PDFThis study on the patterns of social reactions to a pandemic has been done amid the spread of COVID-19 globally. Worldwide, everyone reacts differently to every single situation that takes place, especially those as serious as a pandemic. Every individual builds a social reaction unique to his/her concerns. The purpose of this study is to explore the types of reactions people have been showing amid the pandemic from COVID-19, which could help policy makers all over the world to figure out and adapt to the situation according to their own needs and concerns rather than applying a single solution universally. Due to novelty of the topic, and hence limited availability of formal research, this study mostly relies upon reports in print and electronic media about the emerging situation. The study suggests that worldwide, there have been four broad categories of social reactions to a pandemic which include fear, panic, indifference and fatalism. After studying these social reactions, the research comes up with strategies to help resolve these concerns which will eventually help everyone accept the situation and tackle it wisely
Using Artificial Intelligence Techniques for Prediction and Estimation of Photovoltaic System Output Power
Get PDFTwo artificial intelligence methods, namely, support vector machines (SVM) and gene expression programming (GEP), were explored for prediction and estimation of the Photovoltaic (PV)output power. Measured values of temperature T (°C) and irradiance E (kWh/㎡) were used as inputs (independent variables) and PV output power P (Kw) was used as output (dependent variable). The statistical metrics were used to assess the predictive performances of the methods. The results of the two models were estimated and compared. The results showed that the two techniques performances are better and similar. Using GEP technique, the relationships between the two parameters and output power were established. Importance of each parameter as contributor to PV output power was also investigated. The results indicated that the SVM and GEP would become the powerful tools that could help estimate the PV output power capacity reserve
Validation and Optimization of Thermophysical Properties for Thermal Conductivity and Viscosity of Nanofluid Engine Oil using Neural Network
Get PDFIn this study, the thermophysical properties of thermal conductivity and viscosity of a motor oil nanofluid were investigated using experimental data and artificial neural network. NSGA II optimization algorithm was used to maximize thermal conductivity and minimum viscosity with changes in temperature and volume fraction of nanofluids. Also, to obtain the viscosity and thermal conductivity values in terms of nanofluid temperature and volume fraction with 174 experimental data, neural network modeling was performed. Input data include temperature and volume fraction, and output is viscosity and thermal conductivity. Various indices such as R squared and Mean Square Error (MSE) have been used to evaluate the accuracy of modeling in the prediction of viscosity and thermal conductivity of nanofluids. The coefficient of determination R squared is 0.9989 indicating acceptable agreement with the experimental data. In order to optimize and finally results as an objective function, the optimization algorithm is presented and the Parto front and its corresponding optimum points are presented where the maximum optimization results of thermal conductivity and viscosity occur at 1% volume fraction