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The developing world continues to face substantial obstacles to achieving affordable and dependable electricity access. This issue is especially pertinent for Nigeria, where diesel generators are widely relied upon in urban and rural regions because of an underdeveloped and unreliable national grid. The lack of grid reliability is worsened in Northeastern Nigeria, an area plagued by conflict, extreme poverty, and grid infrastructure deterioration. This study investigates the feasibility of implementing community-scale microgrids in rural areas without grid connection access. It focuses on assessing the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of utilizing these microgrids to deliver inexpensive and dependable electricity to underserved populations to increase energy access. A case study was conducted in Kabuiri, a village with an estimated population of 2,300 residents and an estimated load demand of 610 kWh per day. A hybrid microgrid system was designed and optimized to meet the community's load demand using HOMER software, sized to produce 610 kWh/day of electricity with a renewable penetration of 99%. The optimal solar PV/battery/generator system had a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of $ 0.093 per kWh, a net present cost (NPC) of $266,709, and an annual operating cost of $9,110. The system contributed 1,624 kg CO2 eq/year of global warming potential and 56.81 kg O3 eq/year of smog formation during operation. Sensitivity analysis showed that the system could effectively react to or adapt to substantial increases in diesel prices, requiring only marginal increases in photovoltaic capacity and reduced generator usage to maintain the most cost-efficient operation. Additionally, the system model can be adapted based on the population of the remote community without substantially impacting the LCOE, however, the NPC increases with increase in population size. This research will aid in increasing energy access in remote locations by providing insights to stakeholders and energy access project developers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This summary discusses a research article that explores the implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in construction projects, specifically in remote and challenging locations. The article focuses on a case study of a road and bridge project in the Mentawai Islands and highlights the use of AEC software from Autodesk to support BIM goals. The research emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation in construction companies and the role of BIM in overcoming construction challenges in remote areas. The article provides insights into the methods and tools used in the project, highlighting cost estimation, data accessibility, visualization, and collaboration. The implementation of BIM is seen as a significant contribution to infrastructure development and the construction industry. The article also discusses various aspects of BIM, such as creating digital twins, monitoring information delivery plans, generating shop drawings, and implementing 4D schedules. It emphasizes the benefits of BIM in improving coordination, reducing errors, and enhancing project efficiency. The integration of BIM with software like Microsoft Project and Navisworks is also mentioned for schedule monitoring and collaboration. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of effective coordination and regular progress reporting in construction projects. The specific content of the article is not provided, so further exploration of the underlying text is necessary for more information. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Effectiveness of delayed hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) for decompression illness (DCI) and factors affecting treatment delays have not been studied in large groups of patients. Methods: This retrospective study included 546 DCI patients treated in Finland in the years 1999-2018 and investigated factors associated with recompression delay and outcome. Treatment outcome was defined as fully recovered or presence of residual symptoms on completion of HBOT. The symptoms, use of first aid oxygen, number of recompression treatments needed and characteristics of the study cohort were also addressed. Results: Delayed HBOT (> 48 h) remained effective with final outcomes similar to those treated within 48 h. Cardiopulmonary symptoms were associated with a shorter treatment delay (median 15 h vs 28 h without cardiopulmonary symptoms, P < 0.001), whereas mild sensory symptoms were associated with a longer delay (48 vs 24 h, P < 0.001). A shorter delay was also associated with only one required HBOT treatment (median 24 h vs 34 h for those requiring multiple recompressions) (P = 0.002). Tinnitus and hearing impairment were associated with a higher proportion of incomplete recoveries (78 and 73% respectively, P < 0.001), whereas a smaller proportion of cases with tingling/itching (15%, P = 0.03), nausea (27%, P = 0.03), motor weakness (33%, P = 0.05) and visual disturbances (36%, P = 0.04) exhibited residual symptoms. Patients with severe symptoms had a significantly shorter delay than those with mild symptoms (median 24 h vs 36 h respectively, P < 0.001), and a lower incidence of complete recovery. Conclusions: Delayed HBOT remains an effective and useful intervention. A shorter delay to recompression is associated with fewer recompressions required to achieve recovery or recovery plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ticks identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) have been recorded in Australia since 1896. It is now recognized that ticks identified as R. sanguineus belong to different lineages. Recently, the so‐called temperate lineage has been redescribed as R. sanguineus sensu stricto with a designated neotype. In Australia, the evidence suggests that only R. sanguineus sensu lato tropical lineage exists. We present a genetic evaluation of R. sanguineus sensu Roberts (1965) from museum material that was evaluated or identified by Roberts. We evaluated 12 museum specimens collected between 1913 and 1964, from various locations around Australia at the molecular level. DNA isolation was successful for 4/12 specimens. All four museum specimens were 100% identical to each other and to the reference R. sanguineus s.l. tropical lineage. Measurements of morphologically significant structures for male and female museum and contemporary tick specimens were obtained. The morphologically significant structures revealed there was no significant difference (ANOVA, P > 0.05) between these groups of male and female ticks. This study updates and supplement the comprehensive descriptions provided by Roberts (1965), which genetically belong to R. sanguineus s.l. tropical lineage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Providing basic human needs like water and household electricity is a challenging task at remote locations. To support both needs, this study presents the development of a multipurpose battery‐assisted solar water pumping system (SWPS). The system consists of only two power electronics converter, viz., bidirectional DC–DC converter, and three‐phase voltage source inverter (VSI). The detailed control system is presented, where the DC–DC converter controls the battery power and also ensures the maximum utilisation of stand‐alone solar photovoltaic source. In pumping operation, the VSI is operated as a variable frequency motor drive and rotates an induction motor (IM) at the rated power to deliver rated water discharge. In power supply operation, the household electrical load is connected between the mid‐point of DC‐bus and the star point of an IM winding. The VSI, along with motor inductance, realises the single‐phase inverter, which is controlled with synchronous sine pulse‐width modulation to deliver single‐phase output. The motor does not rotate during this operation and the motor winding acts as a current filter. This multipurpose SWPS assures rated water discharge during the irrigation period and availability of electrical power in the remaining period. A prototype is developed and extensive experiments are performed to investigate system performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing popularity of recreational scuba diving, rare complications are becoming more commonly encountered. Although diving is generally safe, novice divers may be unfamiliar with the potential hazards of scuba diving and the resulting sequelae. Dive-related injuries are commonly due to barotrauma or from breathing gas at increased pressures, resulting in decompression illness (DCI), a term that includes both decompression sickness (DCS) and arterial gas embolism (AGE). Symptoms can range from minor aches and pains to neurologic or cardiopulmonary complications resulting ABSTRACT in death. Clinical symptoms and diagnosis may initially go unrecognized and can present in a delayed manner, often remote to the diving location. When DCI is suspected standard treatment with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy should be considered immediately. Current literature questions the efficacy of delayed HBO2 therapy longer than 24-48 hours after symptom onset. Here we present a case of two divers who simultaneously experienced DCS and were both successfully treated after receiving delayed HBO2 therapy nearly eight days after initiation of symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Environmental calamities such as tanker truck crashes and pipeline leaks do not always occur in well populated areas. Tanker truck crashes can occur on remote mountain passes or lonely stretches of highway. Pipeline leaks can occur in distant areas of open range or other isolated locations. Treatment of these spills requires the ability to clean up the contamination with very few standard resources. Often these sites will not have access to electricity or cellular service and just getting to the location of the spill can require a long drive from the nearest town. These restrictions can often limit treatment options to those that can be completed quickly and without needing long term access to the site. The remediation of petroleum fuels spilled during several tanker truck roll-overs will be discussed below, along with the obstacles presented by each site and the innovations needed to complete the remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governments, corporations, and other organizations are expanding further into remote locations, such as polar regions, space, and other relatively inaccessible areas with minimal development. However, with this increased interest in remote areas, there is a shortage of scholarly work to draw upon for operating in these regions. Therefore, this presents an opportunity to fill an academic gap, and the article asks, 'How can sustainability be a source of competitive advantage for logistics in remote locations?' To explore this question and to serve as a resource for future researchers, the article defines key terms, utilizes an interdisciplinary framework by integrating the academic disciplines of business and sustainability, and supplies a detailed literature review. From this groundwork, the article follows a qualitative methodology whereby three hypotheses emerge. The research results offer that sustainability can be a source of competitive advantage for logistics in remote locations by: sustainable logistics innovation; reducing, reusing, and recycling; and optimizing supply networks. Finally, the article closes with a discussion and summary, by recognizing research limitations and by contributing recommendations for future dialogue and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Divers suspected of suffering decompression illness (DCI) in locations remote from a recompression chamber are sometimes treated with in-water recompression (IWR). There are no data that establish the benefits of IWR compared to conventional first aid with surface oxygen and transport to the nearest chamber. However, the theoretical benefit of IWR is that it can be initiated with a very short delay to recompression after onset of manifestations of DCI. Retrospective analyses of the effect on outcome of increasing delay generally do not capture this very short delay achievable with IWR. However, in military training and experimental diving, delay to recompression is typically less than two hours and more than 90% of cases have complete resolution of manifestations during the first treatment, often within minutes of recompression. A major risk of IWR is that of an oxygen convulsion resulting in drowning. As a result, typical IWR oxygen-breathing protocols use shallower maximum depths (9 metres' sea water (msw), 191 kPa) and are shorter (1-3 hours) than standard recompression protocols for the initial treatment of DCI (e.g., US Navy Treatment Tables 5 and 6). There has been no experimentation with initial treatment of DCI at pressures less than 60 feet' sea water (fsw; 18 msw; 286 kPa; * see footnote) a since the original development of these treatment tables, when no differences in outcomes were seen between maximum pressures of 33 fsw (203 kPa; 10 msw) and 60 fsw or deeper. These data and case series suggest that recompression treatment comprising pressures and durations similar to IWR protocols can be effective. The risk of IWR is not justified for treatment of mild symptoms likely to resolve spontaneously or for divers so functionally compromised that they would not be safe in the water. However, IWR conducted by properly trained and equipped divers may be justified for manifestations that are life or limb threatening where timely recompression is unavailable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guidelines for the pre-hospital management of decompression illness (DCI) had not been formally revised since the 2004 Divers Alert Network/Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society workshop held in Sydney, entitled "Management of mild or marginal decompression illness in remote locations." A contemporary review was initiated by the Divers Alert Network and undertaken by a multinational committee with members from Australasia, the USA and Europe. The process began with literature reviews by designated committee members on: the diagnosis of DCI; first aid strategies for DCI; remote triage of possible DCI victims by diving medicine experts; evacuation of DCI victims; effect of delay to recompression in DCI; pitfalls in management when DCI victims present at hospitals without diving medicine expertise and in-water recompression. This was followed by presentation of those reviews at a dedicated workshop at the 2017 UHMS Annual Scientific Meeting, discussion by registrants at that workshop and, finally, several committee meetings to formulate statements addressing points considered of prime importance to the management of DCI in the field. The committee placed particular emphasis on resolving controversies around the definition of "mild DCI" arising over 12 years of practical application of the 2004 workshop's findings, and on the controversial issue of in-water recompression. The guideline statements are promulgated in this paper. The full workshop proceedings are in preparation for publication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practice of a 'gender-smart safety' is an important part of recognizing and responding to specific risks faced by women in workplaces. This is a relatively new concept within the discourse of workplace safety, and one that is challenging traditional views about what safety is, how it should be managed and who should be included in this management. This article explores the findings of a research project that looks at the safety of women who have experience of working in remote locations in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Drawing on both qualitative and quantitative data, it highlights some of the gaps that exist in employers' responses to the risks faced by female employees. It identifies what businesses are doing to support women's safety and how the careers of women have been affected by workplace safety risks (perceived and real). It discusses how a desire to protect women from risks and the call for 'real men' to support women are both approaches that fail to challenge gender norms, especially the lower social status of women. This research has helped inform new programming for the Business Coalition for Women in PNG. It has resulted in the development of a 'Gender Smart Safety' training programme that is now being offered to businesses to promote greater attention to the safety needs of their female employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guidelines for the pre-hospital management of decompression illness (DCI) had not been formally revised since the 2004 Divers Alert Network/Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society workshop held in Sydney, entitled "Management of mild or marginal decompression illness in remote locations". A contemporary review was initiated by the Diver's Alert Network and undertaken by a multinational committee with members from Australasia, the USA and Europe. The process began with literature reviews by designated committee members on: the diagnosis of DCI; first aid strategies for DCI; remote triage of possible DCI victims by diving medicine experts; evacuation of DCI victims; effect of delay to recompression in DCI; pitfalls in management when DCI victims present at hospitals without diving medicine expertise and in-water recompression. This was followed by presentation of those reviews at a dedicated workshop at the 2017 UHMS Annual Meeting, discussion by registrants at that workshop and finally several committee meetings to formulate statements addressing points considered of prime importance to the management of DCI in the field. The committee placed particular emphasis on resolving controversies around the definition of "mild DCI" arising over 12 years of practical application of the 2004 workshop's findings, and on the controversial issue of in-water recompression. The guideline statements are promulgated in this paper. The full workshop proceedings are in preparation for publication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Having long depended on fossil fuels for energy generation, South Africa is now investing in renewable energy. Like its mining operations, its renewable energy plants will have local implications. Renewable energy companies are therefore required by government to engage with communities to contribute to socioeconomic development. We present seven lessons we believe the renewable energy sector can learn from the mining industry. We argue that the new industry must: manage social disruption, understand community complexities, create responsive institutions and the capacity to support industry practice, employ trained community practitioners, be clear about the aims of local development, encourage economic diversification in remote areas and, importantly, in view of problems caused by downscaling in the mining industry, plan for the possible closure of projects. Renewable energy projects could then serve and shape local development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online Orchestra is a telematic performance project, aimed at enabling young and amateur musicians in geographically remote locations to make music together over the Internet. This article describes the contexts out of which the project emerged, including an overview of the benefits of ensemble performance, and a survey of precedent telematic performance projects. It goes on to describe how the starting premises of Online Orchestra respond to these contexts and ends with a summary of Online Orchestra's approach, and its key findings. The article describes in particular how many recent telematic performance projects rely on specialist networks and equipment, and that alternative design solutions are necessary, and possible, in order to reach young and amateur musicians in their own remote locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injuries suffered as a result of a rebreather oxygen explosion and fire occurred to a diver on vacation in the island state of Chuuk, Micronesia. The medical and logistical management of the diver in a remote location are described. The mechanism of both the fire and the subsequent blast and burn injuries are discussed. Prevention of and preparation for such incidents are discussed in the context of the increasing frequency of dive and adventure travel to remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have seen a trend towards 'professionalising' volunteering in Australia to enhance the effectiveness and accountability of volunteer organisations. These changes are part of the emergence of neoliberal-inspired managerialist logics that support the introduction of businesslike practices that emphasise efficiency, strategy and competitiveness and a strong focus on volunteer management. This paper examines experiences of volunteers operating in remote regions of Western Australia and problematises the seeming disconnect between their needs and aspirations and what can be seen as the managerialisation of volunteering. The intention is to stimulate discussion about the future direction of volunteering in Australia and the unintended consequences of the managerialist agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of multiple renewable energy resources to meet the energy needs of the consumers in remote locations with better reliability is a major challenge due to inherent characteristics of available renewable sources namely unpredictability and variability. This requires development of effective micro‐grid controllers to manage power balance between load and generation. In this study, a micro‐grid controller integrating the output from multiple types of renewable energy conversion systems, namely, wind and solar along with diesel generator as well as battery storage has been developed with source and load control features using field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The load controller facilitates load management (switching ON/OFF non‐critical loads) based on the generation availability and energy storage capacity. The source controller facilitates source management based on the load requirement and battery status. The various parameters of these different power generation sources and loads are displayed on visual screen using FPGA for online condition monitoring of the micro‐grid. It also includes the communication between source and load controllers using Ethernet for exchange of monitored data for a suitable control action. This innovative work has been developed in such a manner that it will be replicable in the field to bring it on the large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Inert gas accumulated after multiple recreational dives can generate tissue supersaturation and bubble formation when ambient pressure decreases. We hypothesized that this could happen even if divers respected the currently recommended 24 hour pre-flight surface interval (PFSI). Methods: We performed transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) on a group of 56 healthy scuba divers (39 male, 17 female) as follows: first echo - during the outgoing flight, no recent dives; second echo - before boarding the return flight, after a multiday diving week in the tropics and a 24-hour PFSI; third echo - during the return flight at 30, 60 and 90 minutes after take-off. TTE was also done after every dive during the week's diving. Divers were divided into three groups according to their 'bubble-proneness': non-bubblers, occasional bubblers and consistent bubblers. Results: During the diving, 23 subjects never developed bubbles, 17 only occasionally and 16 subjects produced bubbles every day and after every dive. Bubbles on the return flight were observed in eight of the 56 divers (all from the 'bubblers' group). Two subjects who had the highest bubble scores during the diving were advised not to make the last dive (increasing their PFSI to approximately 36 hours), and did not demonstrate bubbles on the return flight. Conclusions: Even though a 24-hour PFSI is recommended on the basis of clinical trials showing a low risk of decompression sickness (DCS), the presence of venous gas bubbles in-flight in eight of 56 divers leads us to suspect that in real-life situations DCS risk after such a PFSI is not zero. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a challenging situation for both physician and patient, as it requires a very disciplined lifestyle with regular monitoring and follow-up. It becomes even more difficult when facilities are limited. Manipur has a difficult terrain and due to lack of adequate facilities patients face frequent hypoglycemic episodes and hyperglycemic crises. Continuous availability of insulin is not possible at all times. The health care workers in the state are not fully aware of right practices and incorrect injection sites and erroneous techniques are also quite prevalent. Some quacks and traditional healers claim that they can cure diabetes by their indigenous preparation.

The regional economic growth promoted by air transportation has fomented investigation into regional air transportation and the required incentives for its development. According to the types of financing used and the results of the investments, several countries have established particular subsidy strategies aiming to integrate their regions through air services. On the other hand, a few studies have explained the physical attributes of the served areas, demonstrating their reliance on air transport as it is the only feasible means of transportation. This article aims to distinguish the geographical characteristics of these areas, revealing the circumstances that explain the necessity of subsidies for air transport operation. The socio-economic information was collected from 1365 subsidized routes in 28 countries in the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The profiles of the served communities were divided into nine clusters. The results reveal that 51.36% of the subsided flights connect as lifelines to isolated populations in either remote or inaccessible regions mainly to satisfy social and humanitarian services. Many of these areas depend on air transport because they are sparsely occupied or home to an underprivileged population. However, this service may be commercially unfeasible. This situation legitimizes air service subsidization as a crucial requirement to guarantee the population's access to places where they may meet essential needs. • Geographical characteristics justify needs for subsidized routes •Remote locations depend on lifelines to connectivity •Lifelines can be classified under a utility function [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents analysis, design and implementation of a microcontroller based electronic load controller (ELC) for efficient voltage regulation of a three‐phase self‐excited induction generator (SEIG) feeding single‐phase loads in remote locations. The proposed ELC has an uncontrolled rectifier, a filtering capacitor, an insulated gate bipolar transistor switch and a series dump load. The pulse‐width modulation (PWM) pulses with appropriate duty cycle are generated using the dsPIC30F6010 microcontroller. The duty ratio is determined based on the closed‐loop control scheme which decides the amount of power diverted to the dump load. The proposed SEIG–ELC system demonstrates an effective power switching between the main load and the dump load thereby providing an efficient voltage regulation at the machine terminals. The controller is modelled in Matlab/Simulink and the simulated results are validated by experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change is expected to alter the Arctic bioregion markedly in coming decades. As a result, monitoring of the expected and actual changes has assumed high scientific significance. Many marine science objectives are best supported with the use of scientific diving techniques. Some important keystone environments are located in extremely remote locations where land-based expeditions offer high flexibility and cost-effectiveness over ship-based operations. However, the extreme remoteness of some of these locations, coupled with complex and unreliable land, sea and air communications, means that there is rarely quick access (< 48 h) to any specialized diving medical intervention or recompression. In 2009, a landbased expedition to the north end of Baffin Island was undertaken with the specific aim of establishing an inventory of the diversity of seaweeds and their pathogens that was broadly representative of a high Arctic marine environment. This account highlights some of the logistical considerations taken on that expedition; specifically it outlines the non-recompression treatment pathway that would have been adopted in the event of a diver suffering decompression illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tonle Sap Lake (Cambodia) is the largest freshwater lake in SE Asia, and is reported to have one of the highest freshwater fish productions anywhere. During the dry season (November-April) the lake drains through a tributary to the Mekong River. The flow in the connecting tributary completely reverses during the wet monsoon (May-October), adding huge volumes of water back to the lake, increasing its area about fourfold. We hypothesize that nutrients are at least partially delivered via groundwater discharge, especially during the draining portion of the annual flood cycle. We surveyed over 200 km in the northern section of the lake using a customized system that measures natural Rn (radon), temperature, conductivity, GPS coordinates and water depth while underway. Results showed that there were portions of the lake with significant enrichments in radon, indicating likely groundwater inputs. These same areas were generally characterized by lower electrical conductivities. Samples collected from nearby wells also showed a general inverse relationship between radon and conductivity. Our data suggest that groundwater pathways are important, accounting for roughly 10-20 % of the freshwater flow of the Tonle Sap tributary (connection to the Mekong River), the largest single source of fresh water to the lake. Nutrient inputs from these inputs, because of higher concentrations in groundwater, will be correspondingly higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, network operators have been able to gain significant revenue through roaming charges. Pressure from the European Commission and consumer demand for transparent pricing has had some impact, placing caps on the charges that operators can apply, although currently consumers are still paying a premium. The importance attached to owning and even carrying a mobile phone at all times is still growing and consumers are getting used to being in an 'always on' or connected society. Traditionally, roaming has been complex to manage, mainly due to volume as there are over 700 global system for mobile communications (GSM) operators worldwide. In recent times the GSM Association has introduced new systems to simplify the process of setting up agreements which in turn will improve the network coverage, protection and billing accuracy for customers, thereby encouraging them to roam. Maritime roaming can offer new revenue opportunities as the industry works in a similar way. Land-based operators can set up agreements with a maritime telecommunications specialist in order that their customers can continue to receive a seamless mobile phone service while at sea. Currently, Navitas Telecom is working worldwide to deploy mobile services in remote locations. In this paper, Navitas outlines the current GSM roaming landscape and discusses new possibilities for operators to gain revenue through maritime roaming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to monitor the abundance and diversity of tabanid flies over wide areas requires effective and low-cost surveillance methods. Such monitoring activities help to quantify the risk of transmission of pathogens by tabanids. Here we examine the effectiveness and practicality of two types of trap (canopy traps and Nzi traps) and two types of attractant (octenol and carbon dioxide) for monitoring tabanid flies in tropical Australia. The Nzi trap consistently caught more tabanids and more species of tabanids than the canopy trap. It was also more robust and therefore required less maintenance in remote locations. The use of attractants substantially increased capture rates, both of individuals and species, and traps using both attractants were consistently the most effective. However, in remote locations, where it is not possible to check traps frequently, the use of attractants may not be feasible. When attractants were not used, the canopy trap caught very few tabanids, but the Nzi trap remained effective enough to be useful as a monitoring device. In addition, the number of tabanid species caught by the Nzi traps remained high, and included those that were most abundant. We therefore conclude that, in this region, Nzi traps are preferable for tabanid monitoring and that attractants greatly improve their effectiveness. However, for longterm monitoring, especially in remote locations, Nzi traps without attractants are a satisfactory option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Many parts of the world as well as the western US are rural in nature and consequently do not have electrical distribution lines in many parts of villages, farms, and ranches. Distribution line extension costs can run from USD 10,000 to USD 16,000/km, thereby making availability of electricity to small water pumping projects economically unattractive. But, ground water and sunlight are available, which make solar photovoltaic (SPV) powered water pumping more cost effective in these areas’ small scale applications. Many western states including Wyoming are passing through the sixth year of drought with the consequent shortages of water for many applications. The Wyoming State Climatologist is predicting a possible 5–10 years of drought. Drought impacts the surface water right away, while it takes much longer to impact the underground aquifers. To mitigate the effect on the livestock and wildlife, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal initiated a solar water pumping initiative in cooperation with the University of Wyoming, County Conservation Districts, Rural Electric Cooperatives, and ranching organizations. Solar water pumping has several advantages over traditional systems; for example, diesel or propane engines require not only expensive fuels, they also create noise and air pollution in many remote pristine areas. Solar systems are environment friendly, low maintenance, and have no fuel cost. In this paper the design, installation, site selection, and performance monitoring of the solar system for small-scale remote water pumping will be presented. This paper also presents technical, environmental, and economic benefits of the SPV water pumping system compared to stand alone generator and electric utility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Research indicates that staffing teachers in remote and rural parts of Australia is a steadily increasing issue which impacts on the quality of education offered for remote indigenous settings. Anecdotal evidence, as mentioned in The Collins Review (1999), suggests that teachers in remote central Australian schools stay on average seven months or less. Such a review demonstrates that many teachers in remote areas are ill equipped to deal with the challenges that they face. This in turn impacts upon the quality of schooling offered to indigenous young people which affects both their academic and social success. Story Writing in Remote Locations (SWIRL) is one program that provides preservice teachers with a range of opportunities to experience and teach in remote indigenous settings. Offered by Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia, the SWIRL program provides preservice teachers, staff, community members and indigenous participants with an alternative approach to dealing with engagement in literacy and ICT learning. Most importantly the SWIRL program offers an opportunity to develop sustainable partnerships that nurture innovative teaching and learning practices from a community connected point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In the case of rapid outbreaks of infectious diseases in remote locations, the lack of real-time information from the field and rapid spread of misinformation can be a major issue. To improve situational awareness and decision-making at all levels of operational deployment, there is an urgent need for accurate, reliable, and timely results from patients from the affected area. This requires a robust and fast channel of communication connecting first responders on-site, crisis managers, decision-makers, and the institutions involved in the survey of the crisis at national, regional, and international levels. This has been the rationale sustaining the development of advanced communication tools in the Biological Light Fieldable Laboratory for Emergencies (B-LiFE). The benefit of terrestrial (TETRA, LTE, 5G, and Wi-Fi-Fi) and SatCom communications is illustrated through a series of missions and exercises conducted in the previous five years. These tools were used by B-LiFE operators to provide accurate, comprehensive, timely, and relevant information and services in real time. The focus of this article is to discuss the development and benefits of the integration of multi-mission, multi-user nomadic, rapidly deployable telecommunication nodes for emergency uses (TEN) in the capacity of B-LiFE. Providing reliable communication channels through TEN enables the development and use of an ICT toolbox called MIML&#95;LIMS (multi-institution, multi-mission, multi-laboratory LIMS), a tool which is mandatory for efficient and secure data management and data sharing by a mobile laboratory.

The brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) is the most widely distributed tick species globally. Throughout the world there are at least two divergent lineages on dogs that are traditionally grouped into what was known as R. sanguineus. The species R. sanguineus was recently redescribed using a neotype reported from countries with a temperate climate. The second lineage distributed in countries with primarily tropical climates is currently designated R. sanguineus s.l. tropical lineage. Here, we present a comprehensive genetic evaluation of Australian brown dog ticks from across the continent that complements the morphological study of R. sanguineus sensu Roberts (1965). A total of 294 ticks were collected from dogs around Australia ― including New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia ― for morphological identification. All ticks were morphologically identified as R. sanguineus sensu Roberts (1965). DNA was isolated from a single leg from morphologically characterised individuals from New South Wales (n = 14), Queensland (n = 18), Northern Territory (n = 7) and Western Australia (n = 13), together with ticks from Fiji (n = 1) and the Seychelles (n = 1) for comparison with Australian ticks. The study revealed three cox 1 haplotypes clustered only with R. sanguineus s.l. tropical lineage'. An updated distribution of R. sanguineus sensu Roberts (1965) is compared to the 1965 distribution. In the Australian context, R. sanguineus s.l. has appeared in north-western New South Wales but remains absent from coastal New South Wales. Despite both temperate and tropical climates being present in Australia, only R. sanguineus s.l. tropical lineage was found. The evidence does not support the presence of the strictly defined brown dog tick, R. sanguineus by Nava et al. (2018) in Australia, because the examined ticks are genetically and morphologically distinct. We recommend using the term brown dog tick, R. sanguineus sensu Roberts (1965) for specimens from Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]