Rapid wing size evolution in African fig flies () following temperate colonization.

Invasive species often encounter novel selective pressures in their invaded range, and understanding their potential for rapid evolution is critical for developing effective management strategies. is an invasive drosophilid native to Africa that reached Florida in 2005 and likely re-establishes temperate North American populations each year. We addressed two evolutionary questions in this system: first, do populations evolve phenotypic changes in the generations immediately following colonization of temperate environments? Second, does evolve directional phenotypic changes along a latitudinal cline? We established isofemale lines from wild collections across space and time and measured twelve ecologically relevant phenotypes, using a reference population as a control.

Fit Testing Failure of Reprocessed "Duckbill"-Type N95 Masks.

Objectives: In response to worldwide shortages of N95 masks during the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 pandemic, various strategies have been used. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend several strategies, including simple isolation to reprocessing methods using vaporized hydrogen peroxide to guide reuse of masks up to five times. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) quantitative fit testing was performed after five trials of donning and doffing in one cohort of new masks and two cohorts of repeatedly sterilized "duckbill"-type N95 masks.

A small survey of introduced Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in orchards of the eastern United States.

The African fig fly, Zaprionus indianus (Gupta), is a generalist fruit fly that typically breeds in decaying fruits from over 70 plant species. The species has spread globally from its native range in tropical Africa, becoming an invasive pest on ripening figs in Brazil. First reported in the United States in 2005 in Florida, Z.

Spatial and temporal variation in abundance of introduced African fig fly () (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in the eastern United States.

The African fig fly, (Gupta), has spread globally from its native range in tropical Africa, becoming an invasive crop pest in select areas such as Brazil. was first reported in the United States in 2005 and has since been documented as far north as Canada. As a tropical species, is expected to have low cold tolerance, likely limiting its ability to persist at northern latitudes.

Communication is crucial: Lessons from COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy.

The morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 infection are higher in pregnant women compared to their nonpregnant counterparts. As real-world evidence accumulates demonstrating there is no increased risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, guidelines have evolved from a case-by-case benefit-risk decision through to clear recommendation in April 2021 for COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. However, vaccine hesitancy is a barrier to uptake, especially among the younger population and individuals of ethnic minority backgrounds; pregnant women have additional concerns.

Using a Brief Intervention to Improve Partner-Focused Conversation in Adolescents with Autism.

Individuals on the autism spectrum often experience pragmatic social conversation difficulties that include showing interest in their conversational partners. This may become particularly evident during adolescence when conversation with peers is the primary medium for social interaction. This study used a multiple baseline design across participants to investigate the effects of a brief intervention package on the partner-focused conversation of three adolescents with autism.

Ebola virus antibody decay-stimulation in a high proportion of survivors.

Neutralizing antibody function provides a foundation for the efficacy of vaccines and therapies. Here, using a robust in vitro Ebola virus (EBOV) pseudo-particle infection assay and a well-defined set of solid-phase assays, we describe a wide spectrum of antibody responses in a cohort of healthy survivors of the Sierra Leone EBOV outbreak of 2013-2016. Pseudo-particle virus-neutralizing antibodies correlated with total anti-EBOV reactivity and neutralizing antibodies against live EBOV.

The Epilepsy Risk Awareness (ERA) Scale: A New Era for Holistic Risk Assessment in Epilepsy.

Best care in epilepsy balances protecting people with epilepsy from risks and avoiding undue restrictions in order to improve quality of life. To date, no single risk assessment tool has been widely adopted by both people with epilepsy and health-care professionals such as specialist epilepsy nurses. The present research refined the Epilepsy Risk Awareness (ERA) Scale, a validated and holistic risk assessment tool, by assessing test-retest reliability of each question and incorporating suggestions from patients regarding design and content.

An assessment of achievements of the WEEE Directive in promoting movement up the waste hierarchy: experiences in the UK.

Rapidly developing technology and an increasing number of products containing electrical or electronic functions, has led to discarded electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) being one of the fastest growing waste streams. The European Union (EU) has enacted several iterations of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive to address this complex waste stream. However, recycling dominates treatments for e-waste, despite the established 'waste hierarchy' showing waste prevention and reuse are generally preferable to recycling.

An evaluation of rational prescribing in hospital outpatient practice in Sierra Leone and assessment of affordability of a prescription as an outcome.

Introduction: Medicines are the most frequently used intervention in healthcare. Rational and cost-effective prescribing is especially important in countries where access to effective medicines may be challenged by affordability issues. This study describes the prescribing patterns of doctors in government hospitals in Freetown, Sierra Leone, considering the scope for rationalising prescribing and reducing cost to the patient.

Enhancing Social Skills of Young Children With ADHD: Effects of a Sibling-Mediated Intervention.

Children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at risk for experiencing problems with social functioning that are associated with adverse outcomes in adolescence and adulthood. To date, the most common ADHD treatments for children, psychostimulants and adult-mediated interventions, have had limited success reducing social impairments associated with ADHD. Using a non-concurrent multiple baseline across participants design, we examined the efficacy of a sibling-mediated social intervention for reducing negative and increasing positive social behaviors of three children with ADHD.

Detection, characterization, and enrollment of donors of Ebola convalescent plasma in Sierra Leone.

Background: Passive therapy with convalescent plasma provides an early opportunity to intervene in Ebola virus disease (EVD). Methods for field screening and selection of potential donors and quantifying plasma antibody are needed.

Study Design And Methods: Recombinant Ebola virus glycoprotein (EBOV GP) was formatted into immunoglobulin G-capture, competitive, and double-antigen bridging enzyme immunoassays (EIAs).

An assessment of healthcare professionals' knowledge about and attitude towards influenza vaccination in Freetown Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Vaccinating healthcare professionals against influenza is considered an effective infection control measure. However, there is a low uptake of influenza vaccine among healthcare professionals around the globe. Currently, it is unknown whether healthcare professionals in Sierra Leone are aware of, and have been vaccinated against influenza.

Development of the Epilepsy Risk Awareness scale (ERA scale) for people with epilepsy.

Purpose: Quality of life in people with epilepsy depends on balancing protection from risks and avoiding unnecessary restrictions. The Epilepsy Risk Awareness Checklist (ERAC) was developed to summarise an individual's safety, health care and quality of life and to facilitate communication between professionals. Although effective, the existing Checklist required quantification and shortening to increase its utility, particularly as a longitudinal tool for measuring and communicating changes over time.

Dermal Titanium Dioxide Deposition Associated With Intralesional Triamcinolone Injection.

Cutaneous discoloration secondary to dermal deposition of titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles is recognized but seldom reported in the literature. In this report, the authors describe the case of a 61-year-old gentleman, with a long history of alopecia areata, who presented with numerous, discrete dark blue macules on the scalp. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analysis ultimately identified the macules as deposits of TiO2.

Accuracy and confidence in the clinical diagnosis of basal cell cancer using dermoscopy and reflex confocal microscopy.

Background: Diagnosis of suspected basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is typically confirmed with incisional biopsy before referral to final surgery.

Objective: To investigate the clinical confidence and accuracy of physicians making a diagnosis of BCC based on dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) features.

Methods: This study was designed as a simulation to determine the certainty and willingness to refer to surgery without previous biopsy confirmation of BCC.

An evaluation of the prescribing patterns for under-five patients at a Tertiary Paediatric Hospital in Sierra Leone.

Purpose: There is limited information on pediatric prescribing in Sierra Leone. This study evaluated prescribing patterns for under-five patients at Ola During Children's Hospital (ODCH) and assessed the extent of rational prescribing.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study of 294 prescriptions, selected by systematic random sampling was conducted at the outpatient department of ODCH.

The impact of Local Authorities' interventions on household waste collection: a case study approach using time series modelling.

At a local Government level there have been many interventions and changes made to household waste collection services to meet new regulatory requirements. These changes include separate collection of recyclable and organic materials. This paper has used a time series model to quantify the success of interventions introduced by a LA.

Use of a peer support intervention for promoting academic engagement of students with autism in general education settings.

Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been shown to benefit from being educated in general education classrooms that provide interactions with typically developing peers. However, behaviors exhibited by students with ASD frequently lead to their return to segregated special education settings. Evidence-based interventions that are both cost-efficient and easy to use in general education settings are needed.

Histopathologic evaluation of the sentinel lymph node for malignant melanoma: the unstandardized process.

Metastasis from malignant melanoma (MM) usually first presents in the draining lymph node basin and thus sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a staging tool used to predict risk of metastases and death in higher risk tumors and has become the standard of care. Differences in the processing and methods used in the histopathological examination of SLNs can affect the positivity rate for metastatic MM because isolated MM deposits may be small and variably distributed in the SLN. The examination of SLNs is not standardized.