Search

Spatial repellent (SR) products are envisioned to complement existing vector control methods through the continual release of volatile active ingredients (AI) providing: (i) protection against day-time and early-evening biting; (ii) protection in enclosed/semi-enclosed and peri-domestic spaces; (iii) various formulations to fit context-specific applications; and (iv) increased coverage over traditional control methods. SR product AIs also have demonstrated effect against insecticide-resistant vectors linked to malaria and Aedes-borne virus (ABV) transmission. Over the past two decades, key stakeholders, including World Health Organization (WHO) representatives, have met to discuss the role of SRs in reducing arthropod-borne diseases based on existing evidence. A key focus has been to establish a critical development path for SRs, including scientific, regulatory and social parameters that would constitute an outline for a SR target product profile, i.e. optimum product characteristics. The principal gap is the lack of epidemiological data demonstrating SR public health impact across a range of different ecological and epidemiological settings, to inform a WHO policy recommendation. Here we describe in brief trials that are designed to fulfill evidence needs for WHO assessment and initial projections of SR cost-effectiveness against malaria and dengue.

This article reviews two books, "The Beloved Republic" by Steven Harvey and "Remembering the Alchemists" by Richard Hoffman. The authors explore the concept of the "beloved republic" as an alternative to the dominant narrative of conquest and empire. They discuss the role of personal essays in creating intimacy and moral imagination, drawing on their own experiences and struggles. The authors also examine the construction of memory and the importance of honesty in writing personal essays and memoirs. They believe in the power of language and the personal essay to connect with readers and evoke empathy. The article also discusses the impact of lyric prose, highlighting its ability to provide comfort and alleviate feelings of loneliness. [Extracted from the article]

Cu2BaGe1−xSnxSe4 (CBGTSe) represents an exemplary system within the I2–II–IV–X4 (I = Ag, Cu; II = Sr, Ba; IV = Ge, Sn; X = S, Se) family, which has been introduced to target suppressing the formation of anti-site defects and associated defect clusters within the analogous kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4. Previous studies on CBGTSe films showed relatively low hole carrier densities (<1013 cm−3), which may limit their corresponding application as active layers within photovoltaic, thermoelectric, and optoelectronic devices. In the current study, we explore the incorporation of alkali elements (Li, Na, K, and Rb) into CBGTSe films as prospective dopants to address the low hole carrier density and to allow for property tunability. First, incorporation of Na-, K-, and Rb-dopants noticeably increases the average grain sizes for CBGTSe films, while the Li-dopant has relatively limited impact. In addition, the alkali-dopants lead to a 1 to 3 orders of magnitude increase in hole carrier density (up to 1015 cm−3 is achieved using K doping, corresponding to the alkali element yielding the highest doping efficiency). The alkali-doped films show slightly lower minority carrier lifetimes and carrier mobility values than the non-doped samples, and these values are found to follow an approximate universal dependence with carrier density (also considering data derived from other previously explored vacuum-deposited I2–II–IV–X4 chalcogenide films). As alkali-doping can significantly increase carrier densities, alkali elements can be considered useful p-type dopants for CBGTSe, as well as prospectively for other analogous I2–II–IV–X4 systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing efforts to promote cleaner fuels have not achieved exclusive use. We investigated whether receiving 12 months of free liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and behavioral support could motivate continued purchase and use. The Cardiopulmonary outcomes and Household Air Pollution (CHAP) trial enrolled 180 women. Half were randomly assigned to an intervention group, which included free LPG delivered in months 1–12 followed by a post-intervention period in which they no longer received free fuel (months 13–24). For the purposes of comparison, we also include months 1–12 of data from control participants. We tracked stove use with temperature monitors, surveys, and observations, and conducted in-depth interviews with 19 participants from the intervention group at the end of their post-intervention period. Participants from the intervention group used their LPG stove for 85.4 % of monitored days and 63.2 % of cooking minutes during the post-intervention months (13–24) when they were not receiving free fuel from the trial. They used a traditional stove (fogón) on 45.1 % of days post-intervention, which is significantly lower than fogón use by control participants during the intervention period (72.2 % of days). In months 13–24 post-intervention, participants from the intervention group purchased on average 12.3 kg and spent 34.1 soles (10.3 USD) per month on LPG. Continued LPG use was higher among participants who said they could afford two tanks of LPG per month, did not cook for animals, and removed their traditional stove. Women described that becoming accustomed to LPG, support and training from the project, consistent LPG supply, choice between LPG providers, and access to delivery services facilitated sustained LPG use. However, high cost was a major barrier to exclusive use. A 12-month period of intensive LPG support achieved a high level of sustained LPG use post-intervention, but other strategies are needed to sustain exclusive use. • Exclusive clean fuel use is necessary for realizing full health and other benefits. • Mixed methods investigation to inform achievement of sustained LPG use in Peru • One year of free fuel motivated sustained (but not exclusive) LPG use post-trial. • Sustained use motivated by becoming accustomed to LPG and training during trial • Consistent LPG supply, multiple distributors, and delivery services were also key. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]