Solar roads - a new potential renewable energy for Great Britain.

Global warming has become a much more realised issue and an immediate threat, accelerating due to the anthropogenic carbon release associated with escalating energy demand. Consequently, pressures are building up to reduce anthropogenic carbon footprint by employing renewable energy resources, among which solar energy is the main. Solar roads are a new and innovative concept as they do not require land to be specifically allocated. This is because the road infrastructure already exists. Therefore, this emerging technique of embedding solar panels into pavements and roadways is becoming a more attractive proposition. However, a hurdle to its successful application is the lack of knowledge regarding its feasibility and viability. This study aims to evaluate the potential of solar roads to inform future feasibility and viability studies in varying contexts and implications. Within the scope of this study, the case of Great Britain is considered to evaluate the potential of how much energy can be generated via the solar roads technology that can be embedded in the country's road infrastructure. A mathematical exercise is performed in which calculations are executed to develop a basic numerical model of the potential. Therefore, the study is quantitative, and the factors considered include seasonal changes, average daily traffic covering roads, tree and building shades, road types and sizes, solar irradiance, solar panel types, and alike. It is estimated that solar roads may supply up to 96.42% of the UK's total electricity, which is a substantially promising potential.

Optimizing the Application Timing and Dosage of Metarhizium brunneum (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) as a Biological Control Agent of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae.

Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) is the principal vector of dengue and other viruses that cause disease among 100 to 400 million people each year. The recent development of widespread insecticidal resistance has led to the rapid development of biological control solutions aimed at larval control. While the efficacy of Metarhizium brunneum has been shown against Aedes larvae, the impact of larval population dynamics will need to be determined to formulate effective control strategies. In this study, larvae were subjected to four concentrations of M. brunneum (105, 106, 107, 108 conidia ml-1). Larvae were found to be susceptible to M. brunneum with dose-dependent efficacy. When constant larval immigration was added as a parameter, peak mortality was consistently found to occur on the fourth day, before a significant reduction in control efficacy linked to a decline in conidial availability within the water column. This suggests that M. brunneum treatments should be applied at a concentration 1 × 107 conidia ml-1 every four days to effectively control mosquito larvae in the field, regardless of the fungal formulation, water volume, or larval density. Understanding fungal-mosquito dynamics is critical in developing appropriate control programs as it helps optimize the fungal control agent's dose and frequency of application.

Framework for preliminary risk assessment of brownfield sites.

The complexity of hazards, risk and environmental legislation surrounding the reuse of brownfield sites necessitates a preliminary risk assessment prior to their redevelopment. Most prevailing efforts have been targeted at indepth site investigations, which are often costly, time-consuming, and may not be required at the early stages of a site development. However, there is a collective absence of knowledge, methods and computer models that can present a complete framework to carry out a preliminary risk assessment that is simpler, quicker and sufficient, not only for risk assessor but also effectively communicative for a diverse range of stakeholders with or without risk assessment expertise. Therefore, this study aims to bridge this gap by designing and creating a framework, by not only identifying hazards but also exposing the degree of presence. Sixty-five potential hazards have been identified from a comprehensive literature review. A questionnaire survey was then shared with brownfield site experts (n = 76) that asked then to rank the priority of the potential hazards. Kendall's W test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were subsequently conducted to determine the level of agreement among the respondents. Mean weightings were calculated by using the Voting Analytic Hierarchy Process (VAHP) to prioritize the potential hazards from 'more likely' to 'least likely'. Based on this information, the framework has been developed. It is anticipated that the framework can assist professionals to conduct a preliminary assessment of brownfield sites, which enables them to gain informative and rapid guidance on any potential liabilities or risks related to a site's suitability for acquisition or redevelopment. In this context, the framework outlines a systematic structure to collect appropriate data and information in the three main categories which are sources, pathways and receptors.

A systematic review of risk assessment tools for contaminated sites - Current perspectives and future prospects.

Health and safety hazards associated with the redevelopment of contaminated sites can be complex and pose considerable risks. A systematic literature review was conducted on risk assessment tools for contaminated sites. These tools have been identified from searching through leading academic databases and other professional sources. For each of the identified tools the relevant risk assessment stages, harm type, hazard category, receptor type and pathways are reported. Findings reveal that despite growing interest in the development of risk assessment tools, there are persistent knowledge gaps identified in this study, which serve as a basis for future research direction to where more advanced practical tools could be invented. For instance, it is evidenced there is a shortfall in practical tools available to contaminated site assessors conducting investigations at the preliminary risk assessment stage. Addressing this opening can benefit the planning process, coordinated between relevant stakeholders and, moreover, reduce uncertainty in the decision-making of contaminated site developers.

Virulence of Metarhizium brunneum (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) Strains Against Stinkbugs Euschistus heros and Dichelops furcatus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

Three strains of fungi belonging to the genus Metarhizium Sorokin (ARSEF 4556, ARSEF 3297, native strain) were assayed against adults and nymphs of the Neotropical brown stinkbug Euschistus heros (F.) and the green-belly stinkbug Dichelops furcatus (F.). The most virulent strain, ARSEF 4556, caused over 90% mortality. The average survival time of the second and fifth instar nymphs and adults following immersion in 1 × 108 conidia ml-1 was 4.8, 5.7, and 5.2 d, respectively. The second instar nymphs were more susceptible than the adults. The LC50 values and median survival times for second instar and adult E. heros were 1.6 × 107 and 3.1 × 107 conidia ml-1 and 6 and 8 d, respectively. Eggs of E. heros and the closely related stinkbug, D. furcatus, were highly susceptible to ARSEF 4556 with the mean mortality of eggs immersed in 1 × 108 conidia ml-1 being 77.4% and 89.7%, respectively. The strain 3297 showed also good aptitudes for stinkbugs control with mortalities higher than 80% against nymphs and adults and eggs mortalities of 75.5% for E. heros and 79.6% for D. furcatus. This study has shown that it is possible to have a two-pronged control strategy, targeting adults and to reduce oviposition and targeting egg clusters to prevent emergence and dispersal of nymphs. Besides early instars of nymphs have been shown to be more susceptible to the fungal strains than late instars and adults.

Differential Pathogenicity of Metarhizium Blastospores and Conidia Against Larvae of Three Mosquito Species.

Biorational insecticides are being increasingly used in integrated pest management programs. In laboratory bioassays, the pathogenicity of blastospores and conidia of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum ARSEF 4556 was evaluated against larvae of three mosquito species. Three propagule concentrations (1 × 106, 1 × 107, and 1 × 108 spores ml - 1) were used in the bioassays. Results showed that Aedes aegypti had lower survival rates when exposed to blastospores than when exposed to conidia, whereas the converse was true for Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. Anopheles stephensi larvae survival rates were similar when exposed to blastospores and conidia, except at the higher doses, where blastospores were more virulent. Several assays showed little difference in mortalities when using either 1 × 107 or 1 × 108 spores ml - 1, suggesting a threshold above which no higher control levels or economic benefit would be achieved. When tested at the lowest dose, the LT50 of Cx. quinquefasciatus using blastospores, wet conidia, and dry conidia was 3.2, 1.9, and 4.4 d, respectively. The LT50 of Ae. aegypti using blastospores, wet conidia, and dry conidia was 1.3, 3.3, and 6.2 d, respectively. The LT50 of An. stephensi using blastospores, wet conidia, and dry conidia was 2.0, 1.9, and 2.1 d, respectively. These observations suggest that for optimized control, two different formulations of the fungus may be needed when treating areas where there are mixed populations of Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex.

The burden, epidemiology, costs and treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: an evidence review.

BACKGROUND: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a rapidly progressive, lethal neuromuscular disorder, present from birth, which occurs almost exclusively in males. We have reviewed contemporary evidence of burden, epidemiology, illness costs and treatment patterns of DMD. This systematic review adhered to published methods with information also sought from the web and contacting registries. Searches were carried out from 2005 to June 2015. The population of interest was individuals with clearly defined DMD or their carers. RESULTS: Nine thousand eight hundred fifty titles were retrieved from searches. Fifty-eight studies were reviewed with three assessed as high, 33 as medium and 22 as low quality. We found two studies reporting birth and four reporting point prevalence, three reporting mortality, 41 reporting severity and/or progression, 18 reporting treatment patterns, 12 reporting quality of life, two reporting utility measures, three reporting costs of illness and three treatment guidelines. Birth prevalence ranged from 15.9 to 19.5 per 100,000 live births. Point prevalence per 100,000 males was for France, USA, UK and Canada, 10.9, 1.9, 2.2 and 6.1 respectively. A study of adult DMD patients at a centre in France found median survival for those born between 1970 and 1994 was 40.95 years compared to 25.77 years for those born between 1955 and 1969. Loss of ambulation occurred at a median age of 12 and ventilation starts at about 20 years. There was international variation in use of corticosteroids, scoliosis surgery, ventilation and physiotherapy. The economic cost of DMD climbs dramatically with disease progression - rising as much as 5.7 fold from the early ambulatory phase to the non-ambulatory phase in Germany. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first systematic review of treatment, progression, severity and quality of life in DMD. It also provides the most recent description of the burden, epidemiology, illness costs and treatment patterns in DMD. There are evidence gaps, particularly in prevalence and mortality. People with DMD seem to be living longer, possibly due to corticosteroid use, cardiac medical management and ventilation. Future research should incorporate registry data to improve comparability across time and between countries and to investigate the quality of life impact as the condition progresses.

Baseline study and risk analysis of landfill leachate - Current state-of-the-science of computer aided approaches.

For the successful completion of a risk analysis process, its foundation (i.e. a baseline study) has to be well established. For this purpose, a baseline study needs to be more integrated than ever, particularly when environmental legislation is increasingly becoming stringent and integrated. This research investigates and concludes that no clear evidence of computer models for baseline study has been found in a whole-system and integrated format, which risk assessors could readily and effectively use to underpin risk analyses holistically and yet specifically for landfill leachate. This is established on the basis of investigation of software packages that are particularly closely related to landfills. Holistic baseline study is also defined along with its implications and in the context of risk assessment of landfill leachate. The study also indicates a number of factors and features that need to be added to baseline study in order to render it more integrated thereby enhancing risk analyses for landfill leachate.

Effect of stress on heat shock protein levels, immune response and survival to fungal infection of Mamestra brassicae larvae.

Although the utilisation of fungal biological control agents to kill insect pests is desirable, it is known that the outcome of infection may be influenced by a number of criteria, including whether or not the target insect is stressed. In the current work, topical treatment of larvae of the lepidopteran pest, Mamestra brassicae, with conidia of Beauveria bassiana, followed by a heat stress (HS; 37°C for 1h) 48h later, resulted in a similar level of larval survival to that occurring for no heat stress (No-HS), fungus-treated larvae. By contrast, when the HS was applied 24h after fungal treatment, larval survival was significantly increased, indicating that the HS is protecting the larvae from B. bassiana. Similarly, exposure of larvae to a HS provided protection against Metarhizium brunneum (V275) at 48h (but not 24h) after fungal treatment. To elucidate the mechanism(s) that might contribute to HS-induced increases in larval survival against fungal infection, the effects of a HS on key cellular and humoral immune responses and on the level of selected heat shock proteins (HSP) were assessed. When larvae were kept under control (No HS) conditions, there was no significant difference in the haemocyte number per ml of haemolymph over a 24h period. However, exposure of larvae to a HS, significantly increased the haemocyte density immediately after (t=0h) and 4h after HS compared to the No HS controls, whilst it returned to control levels at t=24h. In addition, in vitro assays indicated that haemocytes harvested from larvae immediately after (0h) and 4h (but not 24h) after a HS exhibited higher rates of phagocytosis of FITC-labelled B. bassiana conidia compared to haemocytes harvested from non-HS larvae. Interestingly, the HS did not appear to increase anti-fungal activity in larval plasma. Western blot analysis using antibodies which cross react with Drosophila melanogaster HSP, resulted in a relatively strong signal for HSP 70 and HSP 90 from extracts of 50,000 and 100,000haemocytes, respectively, harvested from No-HS larvae. By contrast, for HSP 60, a lysate derived from 200,000haemocytes resulted in a relatively weak signal. When larvae were exposed to a HS, the level of all three HSP increased compared to the No HS control 4h and 16h after the HS. However, 24h after treatment, any heat stress-mediated increase in HSP levels was minimal and not consistently detected. Similar results were obtained when HSP 90, 70, and 60 levels were assessed in fat body harvested from heat stressed and non-heat stressed larvae. With regard to HSP 27, no signal was obtained even when a lysate from 200,000haemocytes or three times the amount of fat body were processed, suggesting that the anti-HSP 27 antibody utilised does not cross-react with the M. brassicae HSP. The results suggest that a HS-mediated increase in haemocyte density and phagocytic activity, together with an upregulation of HSP 90 and 70, may contribute to increasing the survival of M. brassicae larvae treated with B. bassiana and M. brunneum (V275).

Development of a conceptual framework of holistic risk assessment - Landfill as a particular type of contaminated land.

Landfills can be regarded as a particular type of contaminated land that has a potential to directly and indirectly pollute all of the four main spheres of the environment which are the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and eventually adversely impact the biosphere. Therefore, environmental risk assessment of a landfill has to be more integrated and holistic by virtue of its nature of being a multidimensional pollutant source. Despite this, although various risk assessment approaches have been adopted for landfill waste disposal sites, there are still wide-ranging knowledge gaps and limitations which need to be addressed. One important knowledge gap and limitation of current risk assessment approaches is the inability to fully identify, categorise and aggregate all individual risks from all combinations of hazards, pathways and targets/receptors (e.g. water, air, soil and biota) in connection to a certain landfill leachate and yet at any stage of the landfill cycle. So such an approach is required that could not only integrate all possible characteristics of varying scenarios but also contain the ability to establish an overall risk picture, irrespective of the lifecycle stage of the landfill (e.g. planning stage/pre-operation, in-operation or post-operation/closed). One such approach to address the wide-breadth of landfill impact risks is by developing a more holistic risk assessment methodology, whose conceptual framework is presented in this paper for landfill leachate in a whole-system format. This conceptual framework does not only draw together various constituting factors and sub-factors of risk assessment in a logical sequence and categorical order, but also indicates the "what, why, when and how" outputs of and inputs to these factors and sub-factors can be useful. The framework is designed to identify and quantify a range of risks associated with all stages of the landfill lifecycle, and yet in a more streamlined, logical, categorical and integrated format, offering a more standardised and unified whole-system approach.

Entomopathogenic Fungi: New Insights into Host-Pathogen Interactions.

Although many insects successfully live in dangerous environments exposed to diverse communities of microbes, they are often exploited and killed by specialist pathogens. Studies of host-pathogen interactions (HPI) provide valuable insights into the dynamics of the highly aggressive coevolutionary arms race between entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and their arthropod hosts. The host defenses are designed to exclude the pathogen or mitigate the damage inflicted while the pathogen responds with immune evasion and utilization of host resources. EPF neutralize their immediate surroundings on the insect integument and benefit from the physiochemical properties of the cuticle and its compounds that exclude competing microbes. EPF also exhibit adaptations aimed at minimizing trauma that can be deleterious to both host and pathogen (eg, melanization of hemolymph), form narrow penetration pegs that alleviate host dehydration and produce blastospores that lack immunogenic sugars/enzymes but facilitate rapid assimilation of hemolymph nutrients. In response, insects deploy an extensive armory of hemocytes and macromolecules, such as lectins and phenoloxidase, that repel, immobilize, and kill EPF. New evidence suggests that immune bioactives work synergistically (eg, lysozyme with antimicrobial peptides) to combat infections. Some proteins, including transferrin and apolipophorin III, also demonstrate multifunctional properties, participating in metabolism, homeostasis, and pathogen recognition. This review discusses the molecular intricacies of these HPI, highlighting the interplay between immunity, stress management, and metabolism. Increased knowledge in this area could enhance the efficacy of EPF, ensuring their future in integrated pest management programs.

Literature review of baseline study for risk analysis - the landfill leachate case.

There is growing awareness and public concern about environmental impacts of waste management and disposal. Environmental policy instruments have been strengthened and associated governmental programmes have increased in recent years, resulting in high level strategies for waste management. Risk assessment is now an essential tool in the prioritisation of environmental and human health protection. However, regulators need to compare the full range of risks on a sound and consistent basis. Comparing risks from such diverse sources poses a significant challenge, and traditional hazard and risk assessments are no longer sufficient. Consideration now needs to be given to a much wider range of factors if risk assessment is to be used as an aid to more integrated decision-making process. For this purpose, baseline study - the foundation of risk assessment - can play a crucial role. To date limited research has been conducted on the need, parameters, requirements, and constituents of baseline study particularly in the context of how, why, and what information is to be collated in order to render risk assessments more appropriately integrated and complete. To establish the 'state-of-the-art' of baseline study, this paper comprehensively reviews the literature regarding environmental risk assessment in general terms, and then proceeds to review work that is specifically related to landfills and landfill leachate, thereby identifying knowledge gaps and shortfall areas. This review concludes that a holistic baseline study procedure for waste disposal sites, which risk assessors could use for carrying out risk analyses specifically for landfill leachate, does not as yet exist.

More than a colour change: insect melanism, disease resistance and fecundity.

A 'dark morph' melanic strain of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, was studied for its atypical, heightened resistance to infection with the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana. We show that these insects exhibit multiple intraspecific immunity and physiological traits that distinguish them from a non-melanic, fungus-susceptible morph. The melanic and non-melanic morphs were geographical variants that had evolved different, independent defence strategies. Melanic morphs exhibit a thickened cuticle, higher basal expression of immunity- and stress-management-related genes, higher numbers of circulating haemocytes, upregulated cuticle phenoloxidase (PO) activity concomitant with conidial invasion, and an enhanced capacity to encapsulate fungal particles. These insects prioritize specific augmentations to those frontline defences that are most likely to encounter invading pathogens or to sustain damage. Other immune responses that target late-stage infection, such as haemolymph lysozyme and PO activities, do not contribute to fungal tolerance. The net effect is increased larval survival times, retarded cuticular fungal penetration and a lower propensity to develop haemolymph infections when challenged naturally (topically) and by injection. In the absence of fungal infection, however, the heavy defence investments made by melanic insects result in a lower biomass, decreased longevity and lower fecundity in comparison with their non-melanic counterparts. Although melanism is clearly correlated with increased fungal resistance, the costly mechanisms enabling this protective trait constitute more than just a colour change.

Risk assessment--encapsulation of both the built and natural environments.

Although various risk assessment approaches have been adopted for landfill waste disposal sites, there are still wide-ranging knowledge gaps and limitations which need addressing by developing a holistic risk assessment methodology. This paper conceptually presents only a framework of such a risk analysis methodology for landfill leachate in a holistic format, thereby attempting to bridge these knowledge gaps. The conceptual framework or structure does not only draw together various sections and sub-sections of holistic risk assessment in one place but also categorizes and arranges them in a logical sequence. The holistic structure is to assist in performing the process of a risk analysis from start to end. Also, in order to place Risk Assessment (RA) in a broader perspective of the decision-making process, relationships between Risk Management (RM), Hazard Assessment (HA), and Risk Estimation (R Esti) are also presented. Although this paper attempts to cover the whole of the risk analysis methodology in the form of a fundamental framework, the study does not engage in in-depth detail of sections and sub-sections of the methodology due to brevity.

Effects of successive subculturing on stability, virulence, conidial yield, germination and shelf-life of entomopathogenic fungi.

AIMS: To determine the stability and conidial yield of two strains of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae and one strain of M. brunneum, being developed for the control of insect pests. METHODS AND RESULTS: The conidial yields and the shelf-life of the conidia of two commercially viable strains of M. anisopliae V275 (=F52) and ARSEF 4556 and one strain of M. brunneum (ARSEF 3297) were determined after harvesting conidia from in vitro subcultures on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and broken basmati rice. The strains were stable and showed no decline in virulence against Tenebrio molitor, even when subcultured successively 12 times on SDA. Conidia-bound Pr1 protease activity decreased in conidia harvested from SDA and mycosed cadavers after the 1st subculture, but increased in conidia produced on rice. The C:N ratio of conidia from mycosed cadavers was lower than that of conidia from rice or SDA. Irrespective of the number of subcultures, strain ARSEF 4556 produced significantly higher conidial yields than ARSEF 3297 and V275. The 12th subculture of V275 and ARSEF 3297 produced the lowest conidial yield. Shelf-life studies showed that conidia of strain ARSEF 4556 had a higher conidial viability than V275 and ARSEF 3297 after 4 months, stored at 4°C. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows that determining strain stability and conidial yield through successive subculturing is an essential component for selecting the best strain for commercial purposes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study to compare quality control parameters in the production of conidia on rice, and it shows that the level of Pr1 is comparatively high for inoculum produced on rice.

An analysis and comparison of commonly available United Kingdom prescribing resources.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Safe prescribing requires accurate and practical information about drugs. Our objective was to measure the utility of current sources of prescribing guidance when used to inform practical prescribing decisions, and to compare current sources of prescribing guidance in the UK with idealized prescribing guidance. METHODS: We developed 25 clinical scenarios. Two independent assessors rated and ranked the performance of five common sources of prescribing guidance in the UK when used to answer the clinical scenarios. A third adjudicator facilitated review of any disparities. An idealized list of contents for prescribing guidance was developed and sent for comments to academics and users of prescribing guidance. Following consultation an operational check was used to assess compliance with the idealized criteria. The main outcome measures were relative utility in answering the clinical scenarios and compliance with the idealized prescribing guidance. RESULTS: Current sources of prescribing guidance used in the UK differ in their utility, when measured using clinical scenarios. The British National Formulary (BNF) and EMIS LV were the best performing sources in terms of both ranking [mean rank 1·24 and 2·20] and rating [%excellent or adequate 100% and 72%]. Current sources differed in the extent to which they fulfilled criteria for ideal prescribing guidance, but the BNF, and EMIS LV to a lesser extent, closely matched the criteria. DISCUSSION: We have demonstrated how clinical scenarios can be used to assess prescribing guidance resources. Producers of prescribing guidance documents should consider our idealized template. Prescribers require high-quality information to support their practice. CONCLUSION: Our test was helpful in distinguishing between prescribing resources. Producers of prescribing guidance should consider the utility of their products to end-users, particularly in those more complex areas where prescribers may need most support. Existing UK prescribing guidance resources differ in their ability to provide assistance to prescribers.

Managing hypertension in the very elderly: effect of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) on achieving targets.

The Hypertension in the Very Elderly trial (HYVET), demonstrated the benefit of antihypertensive treatment in patients >or=80 years. However, patients in this age group are at increased risk of drug interactions and adverse effects. We conducted a retrospective cohort study, in hypertensive patients aged >or=80 years, to determine whether it is possible to follow the HYVET guidelines in an everyday clinical setting. We identified 100 patients aged >or=80 years referred to the Hypertension Clinic, University Hospital Birmingham, over a 10-year period. Most patients were referred to the clinic because of poorly controlled blood pressure despite treatment and all had 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) as part of their assessment. All patients tolerated ABPM, and a 'white coat' effect was demonstrated in 33 patients. In 64 out of 100 patients (57 on treatment), the ABPM confirmed poor blood pressure control. Despite this, 26 of these patients had an antihypertensive either stopped (15), and /or reduced (3) or left unchanged (9) at clinic because of documented adverse drug reactions (ADRs). In 36 out of 100 patients, no additional antihypertensive therapy was needed because the blood pressure was either well-controlled on treatment (28), over-treated (4), or normotensive with a white coat effect (4). Despite this, antihypertensive agents were either stopped (10), and or reduced (5) because of ADRs in half the patients (14) from the well-controlled group. In conclusion, 40% patients had documented ADRs overall which limited further intervention, suggesting that implementation of the HYVET recommendations in clinical practice may be difficult.