Surface Modification of Magnetoactive Elastomers by Laser Micromachining.

It has been recently demonstrated that laser micromachining of magnetoactive elastomers is a very convenient method for fabricating dynamic surface microstructures with magnetically tunable properties, such as wettability and surface reflectivity. In this study, we investigate the impact of the micromachining process on the fabricated material's structural properties and its chemical composition. By employing scanning electron microscopy, we investigate changes in size distribution and spatial arrangement of carbonyl iron microparticles dispersed in the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix as a function of laser irradiation.

Resistance and inhibitor testing on (Linnaeus) (Culicidae: Diptera) populations in the Florida Keys.

is the species of greatest concern for mosquito-borne disease in the Florida Keys. Previous locally transmitted dengue outbreaks in Key West (2009-2010) and Key Largo (2020) illustrate the need for an immediate and effective response plan to maintain populations below threshold levels. An important part of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District's vector response plan is adulticide application because it can provide an immediate reduction in adults in the community.

Dynamically tunable lamellar surface structures from magnetoactive elastomers driven by a uniform magnetic field.

Stimuli responsive materials are key ingredients for any application that requires dynamically tunable or on-demand responses. In this work we report experimental and theoretical investigation of magnetic-field driven modifications of soft-magnetic elastomers whose surface was processed by laser ablation into lamellar microstructures that can be manipulated by a uniform magnetic field. We present a minimal hybrid model that elucidates the associated deflection process of the lamellae and explains the lamellar structure frustration in terms of dipolar magnetic forces arising from the neighbouring lamellae.

Mosquito Surveillance and Insecticide Resistance Monitoring Conducted by the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, Monroe County, Florida, USA.

Mosquito control programs in the State of Florida are charged with protecting human and animal health, fostering economic development of the State, permitting enjoyment of the natural attractions in Florida, and improving the quality of life of citizens. Mosquito control programs must accomplish these tasks in such a manner as will protect the environment and terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems. The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District provides a science-based Integrated Pest Management mosquito control program to the residents of the Florida Keys, Monroe County, Florida.

Aedes pertinax, A Lost and Found New Species Record for Monroe County, Florida.

Aedes pertinax, a little-studied tropical mosquito that has found its way into the USA, has recently been discovered to have existed in the Florida Keys for almost 25 years. A 2021 collection of Ae. pertinax adult females in Key Largo, FL, sparked a retrospective search for stored specimens collected in 1998 on Big Pine Key, FL.

Microstructured Magnetoactive Elastomers for Switchable Wettability.

We demonstrate the control of wettability of non-structured and microstructured magnetoactive elastomers (MAEs) by magnetic field. The synthesized composite materials have a concentration of carbonyl iron particles of 75 wt.% (≈27 vol.

The Influence of the Processing Parameters on the Laser-Ablation of Stainless Steel and Brass during the Engraving by Nanosecond Fiber Laser.

In this paper, we investigate the influence of the following parameters: pulse duration, pulse repetition rate, line-to-line and pulse-to-pulse overlaps, and scanning strategy on the ablation of AISI 316L steel and CuZn37 brass with a nanosecond, 1064-nm, Yb fiber laser. The results show that the material removal rate () increases monotonically with pulse duration up to the characteristic repetition rate () where pulse energy and average power are maximal. The maximum is reached at a repetition rate that is equal or slightly higher as .

Ground Applications of Vectobac® WDG with A1 Super-Duty Mist Sprayer® and Micronair® AU5000 Atomizer for Suppression of Aedes aegypti Populations in the Florida Keys.

Since 2011, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) has used the WALS® application strategy with VectoBac® WDG containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis via helicopter in Key West for the control of Aedes aegypti larval populations. In 2018, FKMCD conducted a study to determine the effectiveness of using a trailer-mounted A1 Super Duty Mist Sprayer® (A1 Mist Sprayers) with a Micronair® AU5000 (Micron Group) atomizer to apply VectoBac WDG by ground at the rate of 0.5 lb/acre (0.

Florida Keys Mosquito Control District Comprehensive Hurricane Plan.

The hurricane plan developed by the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District and approved by vote of the Board of Commissioners is presented. The plan is intended to facilitate prompt resumption of services after a tropical cyclone (tropical storm or hurricane) and to give direction and instructions to District staff who evacuate before a storm makes landfall. Specific procedures are documented for before and after storms, including communication, preparation of buildings and vehicles, and evacuation.

Characterization of Pyrethroid Resistance Mechanisms in Aedes aegypti from the Florida Keys.

The status of insecticide resistance in Aedes aegypti is of concern in areas where Aedes-borne arboviruses like chikungunya, dengue, and Zika occur. In recent years, outbreaks involving these arboviruses have occurred, for which vaccines do not exist; therefore, disease prevention is only through vector control and personal protection. Aedes aegypti are present on every inhabited island within the Florida Keys.

Dataset for mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from Vaca Key, Monroe County, Florida USA.

Background: The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District has used dry ice-baited light traps to monitor mosquito populations on Vaca Key since 1998. The first site sampled was monitored continuously for almost 20 years until all vegetation was removed.

New Information: This paper describes a dataset compiled over almost 20 years of continuous trapping along Manor Lane on Vaca Key, Florida.

Dataset for mosquito collections on Big Pine Key, Florida, USA.

The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District has deployed dry ice-baited light traps to monitor mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) populations throughout the Florida Keys starting in 1998. American Biophysics Company traps were deployed throughout the year at the same collection point. Traps were placed in the late afternoon and collected the following morning.

Males as Vehicles for Insecticide Delivery.

continues to spread globally and remains a challenge to control, in part due to its 'cryptic behavior' in that it often deposits eggs (oviposits) in larval habitats that are difficult to find and treat using traditional methods. Auto-dissemination strategies target these cryptic breeding sites by employing mosquitoes to deliver lethal doses of insecticide. This report describes the initial field trials of an application known as Autodissemination Augmented by Males (ADAM), utilizing males dusted with pyriproxyfen (PPF).

Long-Term Influence of Laser-Processing Parameters on (Super)hydrophobicity Development and Stability of Stainless-Steel Surfaces.

Controlling the surface wettability represents an important challenge in the field of surface functionalization. Here, the wettability of a stainless-steel surface is modified by 30-ns pulses of a Nd:YAG marking laser (λ = 1064 nm) with peak fluences within the range 3.3⁻25.

Establishment of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Florida Keys, 2001-2017.

The presence of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) was first reported in the Florida Keys in 1993. Despite extensive surveillance, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) only collected specimens occasionally on a few islands, some years finding no evidence of the invasive species. In 2013-2017, FKMCD witnessed a sudden increase in population size and geographic extent of Ae.

Effects of Mosquito Control Adulticides on Sterile Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

Effects of mosquito control adulticides on sterile screwworm flies, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), were investigated via bottle bioassays, outdoor cage tests, and exposure to treated vegetation. In bottle bioassays, 43 μg of permethrin via dilution of Evoluer, 474.56 μg of malathion via dilution of Fyfanon, and 25 μg of naled via dilution of Dibrom Concentrate were used to challenge screwworm flies.

A Large Scale Biorational Approach Using Bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis (Strain AM65-52) for Managing Aedes aegypti Populations to Prevent Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika Transmission.

Background: Aedes aegypti is a container-inhabiting mosquito and a vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. In 2009 several cases of autochthonous dengue transmission were reported in Key West, Florida, USA prompting a comprehensive response to control A. aegypti.

Description of a New Species of the Genus Psectrosciara and a New Record of Parascatopse sonorensis (Diptera: Scatopsidae) From Florida.

Psectrosciara floridensis sp. nov. belonging to the scatopsiformis group is described and illustrated.

Larviciding offshore islands reduces adulticidal treatment of populated areas adjacent to national wildlife refuges.

The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District has conducted larvicide missions on uninhabited offshore islands of the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge and the National Key Deer Refuge since 2003. The objective of these missions is to reduce the need to apply adulticides on nearby populated islands where private lands are interspersed with refuge lands that support a diverse assemblage of native butterflies and insect-pollinated plants on Big Pine Key, No Name Key, Little Torch Key, Middle Torch Key, and Big Torch Key (the Torch Keys). More than 800 visits were made to refuge islands by Florida Keys Mosquito Control District personnel; 334 aerial larvicide missions were flown.

Aerial ultra-low-volume application of naled: impact on nontarget imperiled butterfly larvae (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) and efficacy against adult mosquitoes (Aedes taeniorhynchus).

We assessed the exposure and acute toxicity of naled, applied aerially as an ultra-low-volume spray for mosquito control, on late instar larvae of the Miami blue (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) (Comstock and Huntington 1943) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), an imperiled South Florida butterfly. We concurrently evaluated the control efficacy against caged adult female salt-marsh mosquitoes (Aedes taeniorhynchus) (Wiedemann 1821) (Diptera: Culicidae). This 3-yr study was conducted in north Key Largo (Monroe County, FL) beginning in 2006.

The association between meteorological variables and the abundance of Aedes taeniorhynchus in the Florida Keys.

The black salt marsh mosquito, Aedes taeniorhynchus, is a serious nuisance pest and a potential vector of a number of arboviruses. This study examined the effect of wind direction, wind speed, temperature, and time of year on the abundance of Ae. taeniorhynchus collected in CO₂ -baited light traps at 12 sites in the Florida Keys during 2004.

Mosquito fauna of wilderness islands within the National Key Deer Refuge and the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, Monroe County, Florida.

Dry ice-baited light traps, counts of mosquitoes biting and landing on technicians, and larval surveillance were used to determine mosquito species abundance on Annette Key, Little Knockem-down Key, Little Pine Key, Raccoon Key, and the Water Keys, all of which are located offshore, within the National Key Deer Refuge and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge in Monroe County, FL. Due to the close proximity of these wilderness islands to the inhabited islands of the Florida Keys, it is important to understand the abundance and composition of the mosquitoes and the effects they may have on populations on inhabited islands. Thirty different species were collected during 2004-2008.