Uncrewed Aerial Spray Systems For Mosquito Control: Efficacy Studies For Space Sprays.

Achieving an appropriate droplet size distribution for adulticiding has proved problematic for unmanned aerial spray systems (UASSs). The high-pressure pumping systems utilized on crewed aircraft conflict with the weight constraints of UASSs. The alternative is a lightweight rotary atomizer, which when run at a maximum rpm with a minimal flow rate can achieve the appropriate droplet size distribution. For this study a UASS was calibrated to discharge an appropriate droplet size distribution (Dv0.5 of 48 µm and Dv0.9 of 76 µm). Spray was released from an altitude of 23 m (75 ft). The spray plume was shown to effectively disperse through the sampling zone. To achieve the appropriate application rate, the flight speed was 3 m/sec (6.7 mph) with an assumed swath of 150 m (500 ft). The objective of this project was not to conduct an operational application; instead only 1 flight line was used so that the effective swath width could be confirmed and the appropriate flightline separation defined. This study showed that control was achieved across distances of 100-150 m. Considering a swath width of 150 m (500 ft), ground deposition was 13-36% of applied material. Spray deposition corresponded well with the mortality data, which helped improve confidence in the data. The overall conclusion from this study is that aerial adulticiding is feasible with the system presented here. Further work is required to improve the atomization system to allow operational flight speeds and to determine the interaction between release altitude and droplet size in order to minimize ground deposition of application material.

UNCREWED AERIAL SPRAY SYSTEMS FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL: EFFICACY STUDIES FOR SPACE SPRAYS.

Achieving an appropriate droplet size distribution for adulticiding has proved problematic for unmanned aerial spray systems (UASSs). The high-pressure pumping systems utilized on crewed aircraft conflict with the weight constraints of UASSs. The alternative is a lightweight rotary atomizer, which when run at a maximum rpm with a minimal flow rate can achieve the appropriate droplet size distribution. For this study a UASS was calibrated to discharge an appropriate droplet size distribution (Dv0.5 of 48 µm and Dv0.9 of 76 µm). Spray was released from an altitude of 23 m (75 ft). The spray plume was shown to effectively disperse through the sampling zone. To achieve the appropriate application rate, the flight speed was 3 m/sec (6.7 mph) with an assumed swath of 150 m (500 ft). The objective of this project was not to conduct an operational application; instead only 1 flight line was used so that the effective swath width could be confirmed and the appropriate flightline separation defined. This study showed that control was achieved across distances of 100-150 m. Considering a swath width of 150 m (500 ft), ground deposition was 13-36% of applied material. Spray deposition corresponded well with the mortality data, which helped improve confidence in the data. The overall conclusion from this study is that aerial adulticiding is feasible with the system presented here. Further work is required to improve the atomization system to allow operational flight speeds and to determine the interaction between release altitude and droplet size in order to minimize ground deposition of application material.

Identifying complications requiring re-operation following primary hip or knee arthroplasty: a consecutive series of 98 patients.

BACKGROUND: The number of hip and knee arthroplasties completed is expected to double over the next decade. In public hospitals, regular post-arthroplasty orthopaedic review has commonly occurred for the duration of a patient's life, which requires substantial outpatient resources. However, there is limited evidence regarding the utility of these reviews for identifying complications. The current study investigated when and where complications requiring re-operation were identified following primary hip or knee arthroplasty. METHODS: The medical records of all patients requiring re-operation for complications following primary hip arthroplasty (n = 48, 2004 to 2015) or knee primary arthroplasty (n = 50, 1998 to 2015) at a large regional health service were evaluated. Data were extracted by one of four investigators using a standardised electronic data extraction tool. Variables of interest included the health setting where the complication was initially identified, how long following the original operation the complication was identified and whether the complication was symptomatic. RESULTS: Routine post-arthroplasty orthopaedic appointments identified 15 (15.3%) complications requiring re-operation; all were identified in the first-year post-surgery. For each complication identified in the first-year post-surgery, approximately 1000 orthopaedic outpatient appointments were required. After the first year, all complications were identified in Emergency Departments (n = 30, 30.6%), General Practice (n = 24, 24.5%) or non-routine orthopaedic outpatient appointments (n = 19, 19.4%). All patients with complications reported symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Routine post-arthroplasty review appointments were an inefficient mechanism for identifying complications requiring re-operation more than one year following surgery. Public health services should consider assessing and redesigning post-arthroplasty review services to reduce the burden on patients and the demand for outpatient appointments.