Level of involvement of four selected cytochrome P450s (CYPs) in pyrethroid-resistant () and across Côte d'Ivoire.

In Côte d'Ivoire, there is a high intensity of pyrethroid resistance in malaria vectors which may threaten successful vector control. Molecular studies of the target site mutation in the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) show that the gene frequencies of these mutations are high, widely spread across Côte d'Ivoire, and even fixed in some areas. To further characterize insecticide resistance in Côte d'Ivoire beyond target site mutations, the metabolic resistance mechanism was explored.

Improving strategic planning for nature: Panacea or pandora's box for the built and natural environment?

This paper assesses how strategic planning for nature can be improved for England's built and natural environment using mainstreaming and landscape-scale concepts. Whilst both concepts feature in academic literature, there has been limited attention on their role as catalytic agents for strategic planning. Addressing this gap, evidence is used from two stakeholder workshops involving 62 senior policy experts managing a range of operational and hypothetical strategic spatial planning challenges.

Pre-Younger Dryas megafaunal extirpation at Rancho La Brea linked to fire-driven state shift.

The cause, or causes, of the Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions have been difficult to establish, in part because poor spatiotemporal resolution in the fossil record hinders alignment of species disappearances with archeological and environmental data. We obtained 172 new radiocarbon dates on megafauna from Rancho La Brea in California spanning 15.6 to 10.

Efficacy of partial spraying of SumiShield, Fludora Fusion and Actellic against wild populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l. in experimental huts in Tiassalé, Côte d'Ivoire.

From August 2020 to June 2021, we assessed the efficacy of SumiShield 50WG (clothianidin), Fludora Fusion 56.25WP-SB (mixture of clothianidin and deltamethrin) and Actellic 300CS (pirimiphos-methyl) in experimental huts when partially sprayed against wild, free-flying populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l.

Multi-centre discriminating concentration determination of broflanilide and potential for cross-resistance to other public health insecticides in Anopheles vector populations.

Novel insecticides are urgently needed to control insecticide-resistant populations of Anopheles malaria vectors. Broflanilide acts as a non-competitive antagonist of the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor and has shown prolonged effectiveness as an indoor residual spraying product (VECTRON T500) in experimental hut trials against pyrethroid-resistant vector populations. This multi-centre study expanded upon initial discriminating concentration testing of broflanilide, using six Anopheles insectary colonies (An.

Enhancing the Quality of Spray Application in IRS: Evaluation of the Micron Track Sprayer.

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) has changed little since its introduction in the 1940s. Manual spraying is still prone to variation in insecticide dose. To improve the application of IRS in experimental hut trials, an automated track sprayer was developed, which regulates the speed of application and the distance of the nozzle from the wall, two key sources of variation.

Implementing OECD GLP principles for the evaluation of novel vector control tools: a case study with two novel LLINs, SafeNet and SafeNet NF.

Background: To sustain high universal Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) coverage, affordable nets that provide equivalent or better protection than standard LLINs, are required. Test facilities evaluating new LLINs require compliance to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards to ensure the quality and integrity of test data. Following GLP principles allows for the reconstruction of activities during the conduct of a study and minimizes duplication of efficacy testing.

Large-scale (Phase III) evaluation of broflanilide 50WP (VECTRON™ T500) for indoor residual spraying for malaria vector control in Northeast Tanzania: study protocol for a two-arm, non-inferiority, cluster-randomised community trial.

Background: Indoor residual spraying (IRS) is a major method of malaria vector control across sub-Saharan Africa. Effective control is being undermined by the rapid spread of insecticide resistance. There is major investment in development of new insecticides for IRS that possess novel modes of action, long residual activity, low mammalian toxicity and minimal cross-resistance.

Colonization and Authentication of the Pyrethroid-Resistant s.s. Muleba-Kis Strain; an Important Test System for Laboratory Screening of New Insecticides.

Background: The emergence and spread of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors to major classes of insecticides call for urgent innovation and application of insecticides with novel modes of action. When evaluating new insecticides for public health, potential candidates need to be screened against both susceptible and resistant mosquitoes to determine efficacy and to identify potential cross-resistance to insecticides currently used for mosquito control. The challenges and lessons learned from establishing, maintaining, and authenticating the pyrethroid-resistant s.

Ripple effects of research capacity strengthening: a study of the effects of a project to support test facilities in three African countries towards Good Laboratory Practice certification.

Strengthening capacity for public health research is essential to the generation of high-quality, reliable scientific data. This study focuses on a research capacity strengthening project supporting seven test facilities in Africa conducting studies on mosquito vector control products towards Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) certification. It captures the primary effects of the project on each facility's research capacity, the secondary effects at the individual and institutional level, and the ripple effects that extend beyond the research system.

Efficacy of indoor residual spraying with broflanilide (TENEBENAL), a novel meta-diamide insecticide, against pyrethroid-resistant anopheline vectors in northern Tanzania: An experimental hut trial.

Novel chemistry for vector control is urgently needed to counter insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. Here a new meta-diamide insecticide, broflanilide (TENEBENALTM), was evaluated in East African experimental huts in Moshi, northern Tanzania. Two consecutive experimental hut trials with broflanilide 50WP were conducted; the first evaluating the efficacy of three concentrations, 50 mg/m2, 100 mg/m2, and 200 mg/m2 using a prototype formulation, and the second trial evaluating an improved formulation.

Developing laboratory capacity for Good Laboratory Practice certification: lessons from a Tanzanian insecticide testing facility.

With increasing insecticide resistance in malaria-endemic countries there is an urgent need for safe and effective novel vector control products. To improve the capacity of facilities that test insecticides in sub-Saharan Africa, a programme is supporting seven facilities towards Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) certification, the globally recognized standard for quality management system (QMS) for the conduct of non-clinical and environmental studies. The World Health Organization (WHO) GLP Handbook provides guidance on a stepwise approach to implement a GLP compliant QMS.

Stability Series for the Complexation of Six Key Siderophore Functional Groups with Uranyl Using Density Functional Theory.

Determining stability constants of uranyl complexes with the principal functional groups in siderophores and identifying stability series is of great importance to predict which siderophore classes preferentially bind to U and, hence, impact uranium speciation in the environment. It also helps to develop resins for scavenging U from aqueous solutions. Here, we apply a recently developed computational approach to calculate log β values for a set of geochemically relevant uranium organometallic complexes using Density Functional Theory (DFT).

Three-dimensional rendering of trabecular bone microarchitecture using a probabilistic approach.

In the past, researchers have attempted to model trabecular bone using computational techniques. However, only a few of these models are visually similar, but not representative of the microstructural characteristics of real trabecular bones. In this study, we hypothesized that probabilistic modeling approaches could be used to generate representative digital models that capture the microstructural features of real trabecular bones.

Correction to: Monitoring changes in malaria epidemiology and effectiveness of interventions in Ethiopia and Uganda: Beyond Garki Project baseline survey.

Please be advised that one of the author names is incorrectly spelled in the published article: 'Irene Kyomuhagi' should be 'Irene Kyomuhangi'.

Movement and habitat selection of the western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) in southern California.

Agricultural activity, urban development and habitat alteration have caused the disappearance of the western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) from 80% of its geographic range in southern California. Despite the western spadefoot's continuing decline, little research has been conducted on its natural history. The home range of adult spadefoots is unknown, and their use of upland habitat is poorly understood.

Reduced mosquito survival in metal-roof houses may contribute to a decline in malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa.

In The Gambia, metal-roof houses were hotter during the day than thatched-roof houses. After 24 h, the mortality of Anopheles gambiae, the principal African malaria vector, was 38% higher in metal-roof houses than thatched ones. During the day, mosquitoes in metal-roof houses moved from the hot roof to cooler places near the floor, where the temperature was still high, reaching 35 °C.

Computational Tools for Calculating log β Values of Geochemically Relevant Uranium Organometallic Complexes.

Uranium (U) interacts with organic ligands, subsequently controlling its aqueous chemistry. It is therefore imperative to assess the binding ability of natural organic molecules. We evidence that density functional theory (DFT) can be used as a practical protocol for predicting the stability of U organic ligand complexes, allowing for the development of a relative stability series for organic complexes with limited experimental data.

Commonality in the microarchitecture of trabecular bone: A preliminary study.

Understanding the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical function of trabecular bone is critical for prediction and prevention of bone fragility fractures. However, a detailed understanding of the structural design of trabecular microarchitecture is still missing. This study hypothesized that there exists a commonality in the underlying probabilistic distributions of microstructural features of trabecular bones, whereas the microstructural differences among individuals are primarily describe by a set of scalar parameters.

Insecticide resistance patterns in Uganda and the effect of indoor residual spraying with bendiocarb on kdr L1014S frequencies in Anopheles gambiae s.s.

Background: Resistance of malaria vectors to pyrethroid insecticides has been attributed to selection pressure from long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), and the use of chemicals in agriculture. The use of different classes of insecticides in combination or by rotation has been recommended for resistance management. The aim of this study was to understand the role of IRS with a carbamate insecticide in management of pyrethroid resistance.

Evidence for coseismic subsidence events in a southern California coastal saltmarsh.

Paleoenvironmental records from a southern California coastal saltmarsh reveal evidence for repeated late Holocene coseismic subsidence events. Field analysis of sediment gouge cores established discrete lithostratigraphic units extend across the wetland. Detailed sediment analyses reveal abrupt changes in lithology, percent total organic matter, grain size, and magnetic susceptibility.

Phase III evaluation of the insecticidal efficacy and durability of a deltamethrin-treated polypropylene long-lasting net LifeNet®, in comparison with long-lasting nets made from polyester and polyethylene: study protocol.

Background: Universal coverage of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LNs) made from polyester or polyethylene fibres has been adopted as the standard of care to control malaria among at-risk populations. To obtain a WHO recommendation, LNs must undergo prospective monitoring of insecticidal efficacy against mosquito vectors over 3 years of household use. The retention of bioefficacy and physical durability of a LN is influenced by net usage practices, textile polymer material and insecticide treatment technology.

Interceptor® long-lasting insecticidal net: phase III evaluation over three years of household use and calibration with Phase II experimental hut outcomes.

Background: Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LN) are an effective tool for malaria prevention. The World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme has established evaluation criteria to facilitate registration for public use. A household randomised trial was conducted in Tanzania according to WHOPES Phase III procedures to evaluate the alpha-cypermethrin coated Interceptor® LN (BASF) over three years' use.

Can the buck always be passed to the highest level of clustering?

Background: Clustering commonly affects the uncertainty of parameter estimates in epidemiological studies. Cluster-robust variance estimates (CRVE) are used to construct confidence intervals that account for single-level clustering, and are easily implemented in standard software. When data are clustered at more than one level (e.