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The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), is widespread across tropical and subtropical regions, affecting hundreds of cultivated and wild plant species. Because the species transmits a variety of viruses, the whitefly has become one of the most economically significant insect pests in the world. Determining a pest's population growth potential as a function of temperature is critical for understanding a species population dynamics, predicting the potential range of the species and its associated diseases, and designing adaptive pest management strategies. The life history of B. tabaci MEAM1 was studied in life-table experiments at 7 constant temperatures ranging from 12 to 35 °C. Nonlinear equations were fitted to development, mortality, and reproduction data and compiled into an overall phenology rate-summation model using Insect Life Cycle Modeling (ILCYM) software, to simulate life-table parameters based on temperature. Life tables of B. tabaci MEAM1 observed at naturally variable temperature in La Molina, Lima, during different seasons, covering the entire temperature range of the species' predicted performance curve, were used to validate the model. Simulations predicted population growth within temperature between 13.9 and 33.4 °C, revealing a maximum finite rate of population increase (λ = 1.163), with a generation time of 33.3 days at 26.4 °C. Predicted species performance agreed well when compared against observed life tables and published data. The process-based physiological model presented here for B. tabaci MEAM1 should prove useful to predict the potential spatial distribution of the species based on temperature and to adjust pest control measures taking different population growth potentials due to prevailing temperature regimes into account., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

A multitude of alterations in the old immune system impair its functional integrity. Closely related, older individuals show, for example, a reduced responsiveness to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines. However, systematic strategies to specifically improve the efficacy of vaccines in the old are missing or limited to simple approaches like increasing the antigen concentration or injection frequencies. We here asked whether the intrinsic, trimeric structure of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) antigen and/or a DNA- or protein-based antigen delivery platform affects priming of functional antibody responses particularly in old mice. The used S-antigens were primarily defined by the presence/absence of the membrane-anchoring TM domain and the closely interlinked formation/non-formation of a trimeric structure of the receptor binding domain (S-RBD). Among others, we generated vectors expressing prefusion-stabilized, cell-associated (TM + ) trimeric "S2-P" or secreted (TM - ) monomeric "S6-P ΔTM " antigens. These proteins were produced from vector-transfected HEK-293T cells under mild conditions by Strep-tag purification, revealing that cell-associated but not secreted S proteins tightly bound Hsp73 and Grp78 chaperones. We showed that both, TM-deficient S6-P ΔTM and full-length S2-P antigens elicited very similar S-RBD-specific antibody titers and pseudovirus neutralization activities in young (2-3 months) mice through homologous DNA-prime/DNA-boost or protein-prime/protein-boost vaccination. The trimeric S2-P antigen induced high S-RBD-specific antibody responses in old (23-24 months) mice through DNA-prime/DNA-boost vaccination. Unexpectedly, the monomeric S6-P ΔTM antigen induced very low S-RBD-specific antibody titers in old mice through homologous DNA-prime/DNA-boost or protein-prime/protein-boost vaccination. However, old mice efficiently elicited an S-RBD-specific antibody response after heterologous DNA-prime/protein-boost immunization with the S6-P ΔTM antigen, and antibody titers even reached similar levels and neutralizing activities as in young mice and also cross-reacted with different S-variants of concern. The old immune system thus distinguished between trimeric and monomeric S protein conformations: it remained antigen responsive to the trimeric S2-P antigen, and a simple change in the vaccine delivery regimen was sufficient to unleash its reactivity to the monomeric S6-P ΔTM antigen. This clearly shows that both the antigen structure and the delivery platform are crucial to efficiently prime humoral immune responses in old mice and might be relevant for designing "age-adapted" vaccine strategies., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Pflumm, Seidel, Klein, Groß, Krutzke, Kochanek, Kroschel, Münch, Stifter and Schirmbeck.)

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the novel class of mRNA vaccines has been granted first-time approval for active immunization against SARS-CoV-2 alongside the already established viral vector-based vaccines. In this prospective single-center study, we set out to determine the vaccine-induced humoral immune response in a population of 1512 health care employees after the second and third vaccination, respectively. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) and nucleocapsid antigen antibody concentrations were assessed using commercially available immunoassays. We could show that, in particular, young study subjects aged below 30 years, as well as those with a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, developed significantly higher antibody concentrations. Our data further suggest that being in physically close contact with formerly SARS-CoV-2-positive people positively affects the post-vaccination response. Surprisingly, study subjects with a BMI > 30 produced the highest anti-S-RBD Ig antibody levels if they had recently received their third vaccination. Also, heterologous dual vaccine regimens consisting of a BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 n-CoV-19, a homologous triple combination of BNT162b2, and an application of mRNA-1273 as the third vaccine, were most efficient at eliciting a humoral immune response. Our study substantiates existing evidence, but beyond that, scrutinizes the impact of vaccine agents and their respective combinations, as well as different time intervals on humoral immunogenicity.

In light of the decreasing immune protection against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection after initial vaccinations and the now dominant immune-evasive Omicron variants, 'booster' vaccinations are regularly performed to restore immune responses. Many individuals have received a primary heterologous prime-boost vaccination with long intervals between vaccinations, but the resulting long-term immunity and the effects of a subsequent 'booster', particularly against Omicron BA.1, have not been defined. We followed a cohort of 23 young adults, who received a primary heterologous ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 BNT162b2 prime-boost vaccination, over a 7-month period and analysed how they responded to a BNT162b2 'booster'. We show that already after the primary heterologous vaccination, neutralization titers against Omicron BA.1 are recognizable but that humoral and cellular immunity wanes over the course of half a year. Residual responsive memory T cells recognized spike epitopes of the early SARS-CoV-2 B.1 strain as well as the Delta and BA.1 variants of concern (VOCs). However, the remaining antibody titers hardly neutralized these VOCs. The 'booster' vaccination was well tolerated and elicited both high antibody titers and increased memory T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 including BA.1. Strikingly, in this young heterologously vaccinated cohort the neutralizing activity after the 'booster' was almost as potent against BA.1 as against the early B.1 strain. Our results suggest that a 'booster' after heterologous vaccination results in effective immune maturation and potent protection against the Omicron BA.1 variant in young adults., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Seidel, Zanoni, Groß, Krnavek, Erdemci-Evin, von Maltitz, Albers, Conzelmann, Liu, Weil, Mayer, Hoffmann, Pöhlmann, Beil, Kroschel, Kirchhoff, Münch and Müller.)

Background: Heterologous COVID-19 vaccination regimens combining vector- and mRNA-based vaccines are already administered, but data on solicited adverse reactions, immunological responses and elicited protection are limited., Methods: To evaluate the reactogenicity and humoral as well as cellular immune responses towards most prevalent SARS-CoV-2 variants after a heterologous ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 BNT162b2 prime-boost vaccination, we analysed a cohort of 26 clinic employees aged 25-46 (median 30.5) years who received a ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 prime followed by a BNT162b2 boost after an 8-week interval. Serological data were compared to a cohort which received homologous BNT162b2 vaccination with a 3-week interval (14 individuals aged 25-65, median 42)., Findings: Self-reported solicited symptoms after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 prime were in line with previous reports and more severe than after the BNT162b2 boost. Antibody titres increased significantly over time resulting in strong neutralization titres two weeks after the BNT162b2 boost and subsequently slightly decreased over the course of 17 weeks. At the latest time point measured, all analysed sera retained neutralizing activity against the currently dominant Delta (B.1.617.2) variant. Two weeks post boost, neutralizing activity against the Alpha (B.1.1.7) and immune-evading Beta (B.1.351) variant was ∼4-fold higher than in individuals receiving homologous BNT162b2 vaccination. No difference was observed in neutralization of Kappa (B.1.617.1). In addition, heterologous vaccination induced CD4 + and CD8 + T cells reactive to SARS-CoV-2 spike peptides of all analysed variants; Wuhan-Hu-1, Alpha, Beta, Gamma (P.1), and Delta., Interpretation: In conclusion, heterologous ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 / BNT162b2 prime-boost vaccination is not associated with serious adverse events and induces potent humoral and cellular immune responses. The Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Kappa variants of spike are potently neutralized by sera from all participants and reactive T cells recognize spike peptides of all tested variants. These results suggest that this heterologous vaccination regimen is at least as immunogenic and protective as homologous vaccinations and also offers protection against current variants of concern., Funding: This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, the German Research Foundation, the BMBF, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung, the county of Lower Saxony, the Ministry for Science, Research and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and the National Institutes of Health., Competing Interests: Declaration of interest The authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Worldwide, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the third most important food crop after rice and wheat. Its production is however constrained by several virus diseases. The occurrence and distribution of the economically important viruses and associated insect vectors is however not known for Rwanda and Burundi, where potato is an important food security and income crop. We surveyed 194 potato fields for viruses and insect vectors. Aphids were commonly found infesting farmers' potato fields in contrast to whiteflies. Testing by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for six potato viruses identified five viruses: potato leafroll virus (PLRV), potato virus X, S, M and Y (PVX, PVS, PVM, PVY) in Rwanda and two viruses (PLRV and PVS) in Burundi. A subset of samples were analyzed using small RNA sequencing and assembly (sRSA) and additionally revealed presence of PVX and for the first time, tobacco rattle virus (TRV) in Burundi. PLRV and PVS were most common while PVY was rare and not found in Burundi, which is highly unusual. To our knowledge, this is the first report of TRV infecting potatoes in sub-Saharan Africa. Phylogenetic analysis of 14 complete viral genomes determined by sRSA suggested multiple introductions of viruses into the region., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Care facilities are particularly challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides others this includes human and structural resources., Objective: This cross-sectional study evaluated the occurrence of infections, psychosocial stress and the different strategies to handle the COVID-19 pandemic in care facilities., Material and Methods: Data collection took place in 7 care facilities in Baden-Württemberg, Germany between 17 July and 25 August 2020. This included a SARS-CoV‑2 PCR and antibody testing and a questionnaire for residents and staff. Care facilities were questioned on interventions and preventive measures taken., Results: Out of 829 SARS-CoV‑2 PCR tests all remained negative. Only 2 asymptomatic subjects had detectable SARS-CoV‑2 antibodies. All subjects (n = 6) with a history of positive PCR had no detectable antibodies. Healthcare workers were mainly worried about infecting family, friends and especially residents (54.4%) with less fear to infect themselves (27.2%). Individual stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: 17.1% exhaustion, 16% financial burden and 13.1% sleeping disorders. Coping strategies included a moderate increase of harmful behavior (+3.3% alcohol, +4.3% nicotine). This was relevantly more important in staff aged under 35 years (+13% alcohol, +12.7% nicotine). Women reported a 2.4% increased use of medication, 49.8% of respondents reduced their social contacts, 76.8% changed their individual hygiene behavior. Care facilities felt prepared to a limited extent for the challenges faced by the pandemic., Conclusion: Even with a low prevalence of infections at the time of the survey the COVID-19 pandemic challenged care facilities at multiple levels. This should result in better preventive management and coping strategies., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Highly sensitive and specific platforms for the detection of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies are becoming increasingly important for evaluating potential SARS-CoV-2 convalescent plasma donors, studying the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections, and identifying individuals with seroconversion. This study provides a comparative validation of 4 anti-SARS-CoV-2 platforms. A unique feature of the study is the use of a representative cohort of convalescent patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and a mild to moderate disease course. All platforms showed significant correlations with a SARS-CoV-2 plaque reduction neutralization test, with highest sensitivities for the Euroimmun and the Roche platforms, suggesting their preferential use for screening persons at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a serious pest of many fruits, vegetables and ornamental crops in sub-tropical regions and in greenhouses worldwide. Potato is a secondary host of the species but the major threat from this insect in the Andean region for potato is the transmission by this insect of a crinivirus causing Potato yellow vein disease. Determination of the pest's temperature-dependent population growth potential is crucial knowledge for understanding the population dynamics and spread potential of the species and the diseases it can transmit, as well as for designing effective pest management strategies. Trialeurodes vaporariorum development, mortality and reproduction were studied at seven constant temperatures ranging from 10 to 32 °C. The Insect Life Cycle Modeling (ILCYM) software was used to fit nonlinear equations to the data and establish an overall phenology model to simulate life-table parameters based on temperature. In addition, life tables of T. vaporariorium were established at daily fluctuating temperature in two different environments: Cusco (5 °C-35 °C) and La Molina, Lima (13.7 °C-24.9 °C), and used to adjust and validate the model. The insect only completed its life cycle at constant temperatures above 15 °C and below 32 °C although the cycle was completed at daily fluctuating temperatures between 5 °C and 35 °C. The overall model portrayed population development within the temperature range of 14° to 32 °C with a maximum finite rate of population increase (= 1.14) at 23 °C. However, the model revealed poor convergence with life tables established at fluctuating temperatures indicating an influential effect of temperature fluctuations on the whitefly life history parameters, particularly on adult survival time and reproduction. Therefore, we adjusted the model for convergence with a single life table observed at fluctuating temperature. The adjusted model gave good predictions when compared with remaining observed life tables and published data. The adjusted model predicted population development within the temperature range of 11.5 °C-35.5 °C, and maximum population growth at around 24 °C with a finite rate of increase, λ, of 1.137 and a population doubling time of 5 days. The established process-based physiological model presented here for T. vaporariorum can be used for predicting the species distribution potential based on temperature worldwide and should prove helpful in adjusting pest management measures. Moreover, the information obtained will be used to predict the spread potential of potato yellow vein disease., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The geographic pattern of cropland is an important risk factor for invasion and saturation by crop-specific pathogens and arthropods. Understanding cropland networks supports smart pest sampling and mitigation strategies. We evaluate global networks of cropland connectivity for key vegetatively propagated crops (banana and plantain, cassava, potato, sweet potato, and yam) important for food security in the tropics. For each crop, potential movement between geographic location pairs was evaluated using a gravity model, with associated uncertainty quantification. The highly linked hub and bridge locations in cropland connectivity risk maps are likely priorities for surveillance and management, and for tracing intraregion movement of pathogens and pests. Important locations are identified beyond those locations that simply have high crop density. Cropland connectivity risk maps provide a new risk component for integration with other factors-such as climatic suitability, genetic resistance, and global trade routes-to inform pest risk assessment and mitigation., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Institute of Biological Sciences.)

Misuse and poor handling of chemical pesticides in agriculture is hazardous to the health of farmers, consumers, and to the environment. We studied the pest and disease management practices and the type of pesticides used in four root, tuber, and banana (RTB) crops in Rwanda and Burundi through in-depth interviews with a total of 811 smallholder farmers. No chemical pesticides were used in banana in either Rwanda and Burundi, whereas the use of insecticides and fungicides in potato was quite frequent. Nearly all insecticides and about one third of the fungicides used are moderately hazardous. Personal protective equipment was used by less than a half of the interviewed farmers in both countries. Reported cases of death due to self- or accidental-poisoning among humans and domestic animals in the previous 12 months were substantial in both countries. Training of farmers and agrochemical retailers in safe use of pesticide and handling and, use of integrated pest management approaches to reduce pest and disease damage is recommended.

Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) is an economically important and highly polyphagous worldwide pest. To establish a temperature-dependent phenology model, essential for understanding the development and growth of the pest population under a variety of climates and as part of a pest risk analysis, L. huidobrensis life-table data were collected under laboratory conditions at seven constant temperatures on its host faba bean (Vicia faba L.). Several nonlinear equations were fitted to each life stage to model the temperature-dependent population growth and species life history and finally compile an overall temperature-dependent pest phenology model using the Insect Life Cycle Modeling (ILCYM) software. Liriomyza huidobrensis completed development from egg to adult in all temperatures evaluated, except at 32 °C, which was lethal to pupae. Eggs did not develop at 35 °C. Mean development time of all immature stages decreased with increasing temperature. Nonlinear models predicted optimal temperature for immature survival between 20-25 °C (32-38% mortality of all immature stages). Life-table parameters simulated at constant temperatures indicated that L. huidobrensis develops within the range of 12-28 °C. Simulated life-table for predicting the population dynamics of L. huidobrensis under two contrasting environments showed that lowland temperatures at the coast of Peru (250 m.a.s.l.) presented better conditions for a potential population increase than highland (3,400 m.a.s.l.) conditions. The presented model linked with Geographic Information Systems will allow pest risk assessments in different environmental regions to support the regulation of pest movement to prevent pest entry into not-yet invaded regions as well as to implement effective management strategies., (© The Authors 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America.)

Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) is native to South America but has expanded its range and invaded many regions of the world, primarily on flowers and to a lesser extent on horticultural product shipments. As a result of initial invasion into an area, damage caused is usually significant but not necessarily sustained. Currently, it is an economic pest in selected native and invaded regions of the world. Adults cause damage by puncturing abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces for feeding and egg laying sites. Larvae mine the leaf parenchyma tissues which can lead to leaves drying and wilting. We have recorded 365 host plant species from 49 families and more than 106 parasitoid species. In a subset of the Argentinian data, we found that parasitoid community composition attacking L. huidobrensis differs significantly in cultivated and uncultivated plants. No such effect was found at the world level, probably due to differences in collection methods in the different references. We review the existing knowledge as a means of setting the context for new and unpublished data. The main objective is to provide an update of widely dispersed and until now unpublished data, evaluate dispersion of the leafminer and management strategies in different regions of the world, and highlight the need to consider the possible effects of climate change on further regional invasions or expansions., (© The Authors 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America.)

Background: Existing reports of the environmental aspects of recovery from mental illness have been confined to consideration of community spaces and the natural environment., Aims: This paper aims to extend this literature by assessing the role of psychiatric settings in recovery., Methods: Nineteen inpatients from the psychiatric unit of a large inner city hospital in Melbourne, Australia, took part in the study, which involved semi-structured interviews and focus groups., Results: Analysis identified three major themes concerning consumers' experience within the unit: the importance of staff; lack of clear architectural identity resulting in confused or confusing space; and limited amenity due to poor architectural design., Conclusions: These findings have important implications for the delivery of care in psychiatric environments in ways that promote well being within these settings, and align with relevant mental health policy recommendations.

In response to increased pest and disease problems, potato farmers use pesticides, which could raise environmental and health concerns. This study sought to promote proper and safe pesticide-handling practices by providing data needed to guide pesticide regulation policy and training for extension staff and farmers. A household survey was conducted in three major potato-growing agroecological zones of Uganda. Two hundred and four potato farmers were interviewed about the type and source of pesticides they use in potato cultivation, the frequency of applications, the use of protective clothing, and cases of pesticide poisoning. The types of pesticides used in potato were fungicides (72%), insecticides (62%), and herbicides (3%). Overall, use of personal protective equipment was low, that is, gumboots (73%), gloves (7%), face masks (16%), and long sleeve shirts (42%). Forty-three percent of farmers who applied pesticides reported having experienced skin itching, 25% skin burning sensation, 43% coughing, 60% a runny nose, 27% teary eyes, and 42% dizziness. An IPM approach involving only moderately to slightly hazardous pesticides when pest and disease incidence has reached economic injury levels and by considering all safety measures during application and storage would be environmentally recommendable and result in reduced health risks.

Maize (Zea mays) is a major staple food in Africa. However, maize production is severely reduced by damage caused by feeding lepidopteran pests. In East and Southern Africa, Chilo partellus is one of the most damaging cereal stem borers mainly found in the warmer lowland areas. In this study, it was hypothesized that the future distribution and abundance of C. partellus may be affected greatly by the current global warming. The temperature-dependent population growth potential of C. partellus was studied on artificial diet under laboratory conditions at six constant temperatures (15, 18, 20, 25, 28, 30, 32 and 35 °C), relative humidity of 75±5% and a photoperiod of L12:L12 h. Several non-linear models were fitted to the data to model development time, mortality and reproduction of the insect species. Cohort updating algorithm and rate summation approach were stochastically used for simulating age and stage structure populations and generate life-table parameters. For spatial analysis of the pest risk, three generic risk indices (index of establishment, generation number and activity index) were visualized in the geographical information system component of the advanced Insect Life Cycle modeling (ILCYM) software. To predict the future distribution of C. partellus we used the climate change scenario A1B obtained from WorldClim and CCAFS databases. The maps were compared with available data on the current distribution of C. partellus in Kenya. The results show that the development times of the different stages decreased with increasing temperatures ranging from 18 to 35 °C; at the extreme temperatures, 15 and 38 °C, no egg could hatch and no larvae completed development. The study concludes that C. partellus may potentially expands its range into higher altitude areas, highland tropics and moist transitional regions, with the highest maize potential where the species has not been recorded yet. This has serious implication in terms of food security since these areas produce approximately 80% of the total maize in East Africa.

Objective: This research was conducted in order to explore the experience of care and outcomes for people entering a bed-based step-up/step-down Prevention and Recovery Centre (PARC)., Methods: An audit of files for PARC participants in 2010 collected demographic (age, gender, and marital, housing, employment and education/training status) and clinical measures (length of stay, entry and exit outcome measures, psychiatric hospital use). Participants were also invited to a feedback group to discuss their PARC experience., Results: In 2010, 118 people entered PARC. Most were single and unemployed and 35% were in temporary housing or homeless. In the six months following PARC exit, participants spent significantly less time in psychiatric hospital than in the six months prior to entry (p<0.001). Significant reductions in clinician-rated difficulties were documented at exit (p<0.001). For 40 episodes of care with self-report measures at entry and exit, significant reductions in difficulties with relating to self/others (p=0.004), daily living/role functioning (p=0.006), and depression/anxiety (p=0.019) were seen. Twelve participants attended a feedback group. Positive aspects of PARC included: supportive and caring staff; help with practical issues or community access; therapeutic activities and learning about health; and socialization opportunities., Conclusions: A step-up/step-down PARC can facilitate recovery for people with mental illness through promoting independence and illness self-management., (© The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2014.)

The manner in which people with mental illness are supported in a crisis is crucial to their recovery. The current study explored mental health consumers' experiences with formal crisis services (i.e. police and crisis assessment and treatment (CAT) teams), preferred crisis supports, and opinions of four collaborative interagency response models. Eleven consumers completed one-on-one, semistructured interviews. The results revealed that the perceived quality of previous formal crisis interventions varied greatly. Most participants preferred family members or friends to intervene. However, where a formal response was required, general practitioners and mental health case managers were preferred; no participant wanted a police response, and only one indicated a preference for CAT team assistance. Most participants welcomed collaborative crisis interventions. Of four collaborative interagency response models currently being trialled internationally, participants most strongly supported the Ride-Along Model, which enables a police officer and a mental health clinician to jointly respond to distressed consumers in the community. The findings highlight the potential for an interagency response model to deliver a crisis response aligned with consumers' preferences., (© 2014 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.)

Insect pests are among the most important constraints limiting sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) production in Africa. However, there is inadequate information about farmers' knowledge, perceptions and practices in the management of key insect pests. This has hindered development of effective pest management approaches for smallholder farmers. A standard questionnaire was used to interview individual sweetpotato farmers (n = 192) about their perception and management practices regarding insect pests in six major sweetpotato producing districts of Uganda. The majority (93%) of farmers perceived insect pests to be a very serious problem. With the exception of Masindi and Wakiso districts where the sweetpotato butterfly (Acraea acerata) was the number one constraint, sweetpotato weevils (Cylas puncticollis and C. brunneus) were ranked as the most important insect pests. Insecticide use in sweetpotato fields was very low being highest (28-38% of households) in districts where A. acerata infestation is the biggest problem. On average, 65% and 87% of the farmers took no action to control A. acerata and Cylas spp., respectively. Farmers were more conversant with the presence of and damage by A. acerata than of Cylas spp. as they thought that Cylas spp. root damage was brought about by a prolonged dry season. Different levels of field resistance (ability of a variety to tolerate damage) of sweetpotato landraces to A. acerata (eight landraces) and Cylas spp. (six landraces) were reported by farmers in all the six districts. This perceived level of resistance to insect damage by landraces needs to be investigated. To improve farmers' capabilities for sweetpotato insect pest management, it is crucial to train them in the basic knowledge of insect pest biology and control.

Despite its theoretical prominence and sound principles, integrated pest management (IPM) continues to suffer from anemic adoption rates in developing countries. To shed light on the reasons, we surveyed the opinions of a large and diverse pool of IPM professionals and practitioners from 96 countries by using structured concept mapping. The first phase of this method elicited 413 open-ended responses on perceived obstacles to IPM. Analysis of responses revealed 51 unique statements on obstacles, the most frequent of which was "insufficient training and technical support to farmers." Cluster analyses, based on participant opinions, grouped these unique statements into six themes: research weaknesses, outreach weaknesses, IPM weaknesses, farmer weaknesses, pesticide industry interference, and weak adoption incentives. Subsequently, 163 participants rated the obstacles expressed in the 51 unique statements according to importance and remediation difficulty. Respondents from developing countries and high-income countries rated the obstacles differently. As a group, developing-country respondents rated "IPM requires collective action within a farming community" as their top obstacle to IPM adoption. Respondents from high-income countries prioritized instead the "shortage of well-qualified IPM experts and extensionists." Differential prioritization was also evident among developing-country regions, and when obstacle statements were grouped into themes. Results highlighted the need to improve the participation of stakeholders from developing countries in the IPM adoption debate, and also to situate the debate within specific regional contexts.

The present study presents the results of farmers' field surveys of the sweetpotato butterfly, Acraea acerata Hew., and the two African sweetpotato weevils, Cylas puncticollis Boheman and C. brunneus F. infestation and damage. The objectives of this study were to determine (i) occurrence and distribution of A. acerata and Cylas spp. as well as infestation and losses in sweetpotato ( Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.), and (ii) the occurrence and abundance of parasitoids of A. acerata in the Lake Albert Crescent (LAC) agro-ecological zone of Uganda. Field surveys were conducted in 240 sweetpotato fields in eight subcounties in Masindi and Buliisa districts at the end of each of the two cropping seasons of 2012 (March to May and September to November). A. acerata and Cylas spp. occurred in 17% and 90% of the fields, respectively. A. acerata did not occur in two subcounties of Buliisa district. A. acerata infestation was low, with up to two and four larvae per plant in the first and second cropping season, respectively, causing minor defoliation of up to 4.1% of the sweetpotato plant. Larvae of Cylas spp. caused root yield losses of up to 56.5% and 47.5% in the first and second cropping seasons, respectively. Parasitism rates of A. acerata larvae ranged from 0.0% to 15.1% in season 1 and 0.0% to 6.3% in season 2. Out of a total of 1020 larvae collected, 8.43% were found to be parasitized. Parasitoids occurred in 56% of fields infested by its host. Charops spp. was the main parasitoid. It was evident that Cylas spp. were more prevalent than A. acerata in the LAC agro-ecological zone of Uganda. Conservation of A. acerata natural enemies may contribute to better management of this pest. Urgent attention for management of Cylas spp. is required., Competing Interests: As a requirement of publication the authors have provided signed confirmation of their compliance with ethical and legal obligations including but not limited to compliance with ICMJE authorship and competing interests guidelines, that the article is neither under consideration for publication nor published elsewhere, of their compliance with legal and ethical guidelines concerning human and animal research participants (if applicable), and that permission has been obtained for reproduction of any copyrighted material. This article was subject to blind, independent, expert peer review. The reviewers reported no competing interests., (© 2013 SAGE Publications.)

Background: Attract-and-kill composed of pure sex pheromones of the potato tuber moths Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) and Symmetrischema tangolias (Gyen) and the insecticide cyfluthrin resulted in 100% mortality of males under controlled laboratory conditions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of this strategy in different potato agroecologies as well as under simulated potato storage conditions., Results: Attract-and-kill was highly effective at reducing male flight activity and significantly reduced daily moth catches in pheromone-baited water traps (by 51.8-99.9%) in comparison with untreated plots. This largely depended on the field size, the attract-and-kill droplet size and the density applied per hectare. Highest efficacy, which was independent of pest density, was achieved when attract-and-kill was applied on larger potato fields using a droplet density of 2500 source points ha(-1) at a droplet size of 100 µL. Consequently, pest infestation on vegetative plant parts as well as on tubers was significantly reduced (by up to 90%) in comparison with untreated controls. Under simulated storage conditions with a high number of females and males released periodically, an efficacy of 84.1 and 87.2% was achieved in reducing tuber infestation by P. operculella and S. tangolias respectively., Conclusions: Attract-and-kill is very effective in controlling the two potato tuber moth species under both field and storage conditions; it is a new, attractive and (for storage conditions) low-cost method that can be easily integrated in potato pest management programmes, especially in small-scale agricultural systems of the tropics and subtropics., (© 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: Mental illness can be both a cause of and a reaction to being homeless. When homelessness co-exists with mental illness, the provision of care for very vulnerable people is significantly complicated. Our initiative built on a model of assertive outreach and embedded mental health staff into the daily operations of Hanover Welfare Services and Sacred Heart Mission welfare services in inner Melbourne. The initiative's aim was to facilitate closer collaboration between mental health and welfare services and develop staff capacity to better identify and support people living homeless with a mental illness., Method: The project involved studying the impact of our assertive outreach model on consumer and service outcomes. Demographic, clinical and service usage details for consumers engaged by the initiative were recorded. Changes to the rate of admission of people from both welfare services to The Alfred Inpatient Psychiatry Unit and requests for support from The Alfred Crisis Assessment and Treatment Service were also recorded., Results: People engaged by this initiative had high levels of previous emergency medical or psychiatric service usage, but relatively low levels of current community mental health engagement. There were also high levels (almost 52%) of comorbid substance misuse. The initiative was, however, able to engage more people in ongoing community mental health care, which particularly when provided in collaboration between mental health and welfare staff, achieved improvements in accommodation stability. The initiative also resulted in improved identification and prevention of mental illness crises through supporting a more rapid onsite mental health response., Conclusions: Embedding mental health staff into the daily operations of two welfare services in inner Melbourne improved inter-service collaboration and the identification and care for people living homeless with a mental illness.

Background: Sex pheromones of the potato tuber moths Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) and Symmetrischema tangolias (Gyen) are ideal tools to monitor pest flight activity but are not used as means of control. The aim of the present study was to test the suitability of an attract-and-kill strategy consisting of pure pheromones and the contact insecticide cyfluthrin as the active ingredient, formulated with plant oils and ultraviolet absorbers, and applied in droplet sizes of 100 microL., Results: Cyfluthrin at a concentration of 5 g L(-1) resulted in the highest and fastest killing of males after 48 h, with a 100% mortality after 3-4 days. In contrast, control males survived for 13 days. In olfactometer experiments, the pheromone concentration of 0.5 g L(-1) was significantly most attractive against eight virgin females. At controlled conditions (20 degrees C), no reduction in efficacy of the attract-and-kill formulation was observed for a minimum period of 36 days, whereas under natural environmental conditions the efficacy reduced gradually after day 6 of exposure. The longer the droplet was exposed, the longer was the time to reach 100% mortality of males., Conclusions: Compared with attract-and-kill studies for other pest species, the results are promising as a means of achieving highly effective control of potato tuber moths under field conditions.

The WHO has advocated monitoring adherence to the Food and Agriculture Organization's Code of Conduct to reduce use of highly hazardous pesticides in lower and middle income countries. We re-framed Code articles in terms of farmers' rights and drew on survey data, farmer focus group results, and direct observations of agrochemical stores in Ecuador and Peru to construct indicators reflecting respect for such rights. Use of highly (Ia and Ib) and moderately (II) hazardous pesticides was common. Worse indicators were observed in places with lower education, greater poverty, and more use of indigenous languages. Limited government enforcement capacity, social irresponsibility of the pesticide industry, and lack of farmers' knowledge of the Code were all factors impeding respect for farmers' rights. Addressing the power imbalance among social actors requires informed farmer and farmworker participation in monitoring adherence and active involvement of non-governmental organizations and municipal governments.