Digital Commons Network^™

Diagnostic Efficacy And Clinical Impact Of Image-Guided Core Needle Biopsy Of Suspected Vertebral Osteomyelitis, Winston L Winkler, Ige A George, Sumanth Gandra, Jonathan C Baker, Anderanik Tomasian, Benjamin Northrup, Theodore L Vander Velde, Travis J Hillen, Chongliang Luo, Resten Imaoka, Gino M Dettorre, Jack W Jennings

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVES: The diagnostic yield and clinical impact of image-guided core needle biopsy (ICNB) of suspected vertebral osteomyelitis in adults is heterogenous in published studies owing to small sample sizes, indicating the need for large cohort studies.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of ICNBs was performed from 2010 to 2021 for patients with imaging findings consistent with vertebral osteomyelitis. For each biopsy, a series of factors were analyzed, as well as if histopathology was diagnostic of osteomyelitis and if microbiological cultures were positive. In addition, it was recorded in what way biopsy influenced clinical management regarding antimicrobial treatment. A multivariate statistical analysis …

Revised Draft Final Quarterly Operations And Maintenance Report Butte Treatment Lagoon System – Fourth Quarter 2022, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

A Survey Of Availability And Affordability Of Polypills For Cardiovascular Disease In Selected Countries, Gautam Satheesh, Bishal Gyawali, Marie France Chan Sun, Mark D Huffman, Amitava Banerjee, Pablo Perel, Adrianna Murphy

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: The recent inclusion of polypills-fixed-dose combinations of antihypertensive medicines and a statin with or without aspirin-in the World Health Organization's Essential Medicines List (EML) reiterates the potential of this approach to improve global treatment coverage for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Although there exists extensive evidence on the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of polypills, there has been no research to date assessing the real-world availability and affordability of polypills globally.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey, based on the WHO/Health Action International methodology, in 13 countries around the world. In the surveyed countries, we first ascertained whether any polypill was authorised …

Genetic Correlations Between Liver Fat Content, Metabolic Health, And Adiposity Distribution In The Fels Longitudinal Study, Ariana L. Garza, Miryoung Lee, John Blangero, Cici X. Bauer, Stefan A. Czerwinski, Audrey C. Choh

School of Medicine Publications

Highlights

• Steatosis and all other related phenotypes examined were significantly heritable.

• Liver fat showed significant genetic correlation with various phenotypes.

• The strongest genetic correlation of liver fat was with insulin resistance.

• Glucose homeostasis phenotypes were also genetically correlated to adiposity traits.

Abstract

Background and aims

Hepatic steatosis is known to be heritable, but its genetic basis is mostly uncharacterized. Steatosis is associated with metabolic and adiposity features; recent studies hypothesize that shared genetic effects between these traits could account for some of the unexplained heritability. This study aimed to quantify these genetic associations in a family-based sample of non-Hispanic white …

A Lipidomic Based Metabolic Age Score Captures Cardiometabolic Risk Independent Of Chronological Age, Tingting Wang, Habtamu B. Beyene, Changyu Yi, Michelle Cinel, Natalie A. Mellett, Gavriel Olshansky, Thomas G. Meikle, Jingqin Wu, Aleksandar Dakic, John Blangero

School of Medicine Publications

Background

Metabolic ageing biomarkers may capture the age-related shifts in metabolism, offering a precise representation of an individual’s overall metabolic health.

Methods

Utilising comprehensive lipidomic datasets from two large independent population cohorts in Australia (n = 14,833, including 6630 males, 8203 females), we employed different machine learning models, to predict age, and calculated metabolic age scores (mAge). Furthermore, we defined the difference between mAge and age, termed mAgeΔ, which allow us to identify individuals sharing similar age but differing in their metabolic health status.

Findings

Upon stratification of the population into quintiles by mAgeΔ, we observed that participants in the …

Persevering Through Communication Challenges: A Qualitative Descriptive Exploration Of Communication Experiences In Aphasia, Tyson G. Harmon, Camille Williams, Garrett Cardon, William S. Evans

Faculty Publications

Background

People with aphasia often experience activity limitations and participation restrictions despite wanting to engage in communication activities that are satisfying and meaningful. Communication partner support, the complexity of the communication environment, and the thoughts and feelings of people with aphasia have important implications for both language processing and communicative participation. The perspectives of PWA about the role that environmental and personal factors (e.g. thoughts and feelings) play in their communication experiences could inform clinical practice.

Aims

To qualitatively explore the communication experiences of people with aphasia and how environmental demands and personal factors (especially emotional responses) affect these experiences. …

Multi-Link Prediction For Mmwave Wireless Communication Systems Using Liquid Time-Constant Networks, Long Short- Term Memory, And Interpretation Using Symbolic Regression, Vishnu S. Pendyala, Milind Patil

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

A significant challenge encountered in mmWave and sub-terahertz systems used in 5G and the upcoming 6G networks is the rapid fluctuation in signal quality across various beam directions. Extremely high-frequency waves are highly vulnerable to obstruction, making even slight adjustments in device orientation or the presence of blockers capable of causing substantial fluctuations in link quality along a designated path. This issue poses a major obstacle because numerous applications with low-latency requirements necessitate the precise forecasting of network quality from many directions and cells. The method proposed in this research demonstrates an avant-garde approach for assessing the quality of multi-directional …

Drosophila Nhe2 Overexpression Induces Autophagic Cell Death, Jobelle Peralta, Blake Dupriest, Daniel Orozco, Juan Reyna Pacheco, Laura Martins, Rachel Ann Soriano, Alan Wong, Ramy Wong, Bree Grillo-Hill

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process where double membrane-bound structures form around macromolecules or organelles targeted for degradation. Autophagosomes fuse with lysosomes to facilitate degradation and macromolecule recycling for homeostasis or growth in a cell autonomous manner. In cancer cells, autophagy is often up-regulated and helps cancer cells survive nutrient deprivation and stressful growth conditions. Here, we propose that the increased intracellular pH (pHi) common to cancer cells is sufficient to induce autophagic cell death. We previously developed tools to increase pHi in the Drosophila eye via overexpression of DNhe2, resulting in aberrant patterning and reduced tissue size. We examined …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of A Passive Exoskeleton For Enhancing Ergonomics In Manufacturing, Fatemeh Davoudi Kakhki, Armin Moghadam, Arnold Nieto, Hardik Vora

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Featured Application: This study explores the integration of an occupational passive back-support exoskeleton in manufacturing, demonstrating its potential to reduce physical discomfort and physical exertion and enhance ergonomic practices. It highlights the role of the exoskeleton as a proactive tool for improving occupational health and safety in industrial settings. Manual material handling (MMH) significantly impacts worker health and productivity, often leading to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) primarily in the lower back. As a novel assistive technology, exoskeletons may serve as ergonomic tools to mitigate these work-related MSDs. It is essential to examine exoskeletons from the users’ perspectives before their widespread implementation …

A Sleep Health Education Intervention Improves Sleep Knowledge In Social Work Students, Christine E. Spadola, Danielle Groton, Minjaal Raval, Cassie J. Hilditch, Kerry Littlewood, Philip Baiden, Suzanne Bertisch, Eric S. Zhou

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Introduction: Social workers, the largest group of mental health clinicians in the United States, play a pivotal role in mental health promotion. Despite the importance of sleep for mental health, there is no empirical research on sleep education interventions for social workers. Method: We designed an online sleep health education intervention to equip social work students to promote healthy sleep practices among their clients. An interdisciplinary team of experts devised the 90 min intervention using an empirically supported behavioral change theoretical model (COM-B). The intervention discusses multi-level factors that impact sleep and emphasizes considerations for health disparities in populations commonly …

Exploring Principal Turnover In Oklahoma, Brett Bradley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Schools that maintain the same principal for 5 or more years report increased student achievement, increased teacher retention, and a positive school culture. The problem is that over 70% of principals will not remain in the same school for 5 years and the average principal turnover rate in the United States is 22%. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore

principal turnover in Oklahoma from 2011–2024 by answering the following research questions: What is the average principal turnover rate for principals in Oklahoma? Is there a significant difference in elementary and secondary principal turnover rates? Is there a …

Characteristics And Treatment Of Acute Myeloid Neoplasms With Cutaneous Involvement In Infants Up To 6 Months Of Age: A Retrospective Study., Juliette Renaud, Bianca F. Goemans, Franco Locatelli, Martina Pigazzi, Shelagh Redmond, Claudia E. Kuehni, Alice Destaillats, Todd A. Alonzo, Robert B. Gerbing, Alan S. Gamis, Richard Aplenc, Raffaele Renella, Todd Cooper, Francesco Ceppi

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Myeloid neoplasms account for 50% of cases of pediatric leukemias in infants. Approximately 25%-50% of patients with newborn leukemia have cutaneous extramedullary disease (EMD). In less than 10% of patients, aleukemic leukemia cutis or isolated extramedullary disease with cutaneous involvement (cEMD) occurs when skin lesions appear prior to bone marrow involvement and systemic symptoms. Interestingly, in acute myeloid leukemia with cutaneous EMD (AML-cEMD) and cEMD, spontaneous remissions have been reported.

METHOD: This is a multicentric retrospective cohort study aiming to describe characteristics, treatment, and outcome of infants with either cEMD or presence of cutaneous disease with involvement of the …

Use Of Clearguard Hd Caps In Pediatric Hemodialysis Patients., Amy E. Nau, Troy Richardson, Diana Cardwell, Jennifer Ehrlich, Jyothsna Gattineni, Melisha Hanna, Mahima Keswani, Emily Neibauer, Kelly Nitz, Raymond Quigley, Michelle Rheault, Rebekah Sims, Mayna Woo, Bradley A. Warady

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a leading cause of hospitalizations and mortality among patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) therapy, especially those with a central venous catheter (CVC) for dialysis access. The use of chlorhexidine impregnated catheter caps (ClearGuard) has been associated with a decrease in the rate of HD catheter-related BSIs (CA-BSIs) in adults; similar data have not been published for children.

METHODS: We compared CA-BSI data from participating centers within the Standardizing Care to Improve Outcomes in Pediatric Endstage Kidney Disease (SCOPE) collaborative based on the center's use of ClearGuard caps for patients with HD catheter access. Centers were characterized …

Efficacy And Safety Of Odevixibat In Patients With Alagille Syndrome (Assert): A Phase 3, Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial., Nadia Ovchinsky, Madeleine Aumar, Alastair Baker, Ulrich Baumann, Philip Bufler, Mara Cananzi, Piotr Czubkowski, Özlem Durmaz, Ryan T. Fischer, Giuseppe Indolfi, Wikrom W. Karnsakul, Florence Lacaille, Way S. Lee, Giuseppe Maggiore, Philip Rosenthal, Mathias Ruiz, Etienne Sokal, Ekkehard Sturm, Wendy Van Der Woerd, Henkjan J. Verkade, Andrew Wehrman, Christine Clemson, Qifeng Yu, Quanhong Ni, Jessica Ruvido, Susan Manganaro, Jan P. Mattsson

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: In patients with Alagille syndrome, cholestasis-associated clinical features can include high serum bile acids and severe pruritus that can necessitate liver transplantation. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor odevixibat versus placebo in patients with Alagille syndrome.

METHODS: The ASSERT study was a phase 3, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial that enrolled patients at 21 medical centres or hospitals in ten countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Poland, Türkiye, the UK, and the USA). Eligible patients had a genetically confirmed diagnosis of Alagille syndrome, a history of significant pruritus, and …

Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome In Children: The Impact Of Smad4 And Bmpr1a Mutations On Clinical Phenotype And Polyp Burden., Shlomi Cohen, Anat Yerushalmy-Feler, Isabel Rojas, Claudia Phen, David A. Rudnick, Colleen B. Flahive, Steven H. Erdman, Ramit Magen-Rimon, Ivana Copova, Thomas M. Attard, Andrew Latchford, Warren Hyer

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: A constitutional disease-causing variant (DCV) in the SMAD4 or BMPR1A genes is present in 40%-60% of patients with juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS). The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical course and polyp burden in children with DCV-positive JPS compared to DCV-negative JPS.

METHODS: Demographic, clinical, genetic, and endoscopic data of children with JPS were compiled from eight international centers in the ESPHGAN/NASPGHAN polyposis working group.

RESULTS: A total of 124 children with JPS were included: 69 (56%) DCV-negative and 55 (44%) DCV-positive (53% SMAD4 and 47% BMPR1A) with a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 4 (2.8-6.4) …

Risk Factors For Postpartum Depression And Severe Distress Among Mothers Of Very Preterm Infants At Nicu Discharge., Julie A. Hofheimer, Elisabeth C. Mcgowan, Lynne M. Smith, Samantha Meltzer-Brody, Brian S. Carter, Lynne M. Dansereau, Steven Pastyrnak, Jennifer B. Helderman, Charles R. Neal, Sheri A. Dellagrotta, Thomas Michael D O'Shea, Barry M. Lester

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE:  To identify psychological, medical, and socioenvironmental risk factors for maternal postpartum depression (PPD) and severe psychological distress (SPD) at intensive care nursery discharge among mothers of very preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN:  We studied 562 self-identified mothers of 641 infants born(NOVI) conducted in nine university-affiliated intensive care nurseries. Enrollment interviews collected socioenvironmental data, depression, and anxiety diagnoses prior to and during the study pregnancy. Standardized medical record reviews ascertained prenatal substance use, maternal and neonatal medical complications. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Brief Symptom Inventory were administered at nursery discharge to screen for PPD and SPD symptoms, respectively.

RESULTS: …

Perception Of Motivation On Adult Student Academic Achievement, Hailey Swanson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated how adult learners describe their educational motivation. Twenty-four adult students from two adult education programs responded to a cross-sectional survey focused on intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for pursuing continued education. The survey items consisted of both Likert scale statements and short responses. The data collected led to the conclusion that no definitive description of motivation would allow for a single reactive change to adult curriculum. The research indicates a significant overlap in intrinsic and extrinsic motivational impact. The resulting answer to the research question was that motivation is interrelated and not divided cleanly between intrinsic and extrinsic …

Transferable Skills From Faculty To Students Through A Community Of Practice, Lisa Chase

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Chase, L. (2024). Transferable Skills from Faculty to Students through a Community of Practice

This dissertation investigates the impact of a community of practice summer faculty on the transfer of nursing caring science principles to the student-faculty relationship. It contributes to the literature by examining how faculty members leverage their knowledge to foster better understanding within the student-faculty dynamic. Employing a convergent parallel design, the research utilizes student surveys and interviews to explore the experiences students have in the courses taught by participating faculty members. The central research question focuses on how an in-person community of practice influences faculty-student classroom …

Beyond Four Walls: Outdoor Recess As A Complement To Classroom Engagement, Valerie Mulvenna

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods study examined the impact of increased outdoor recess on elementary students' classroom engagement following the implementation of Illinois' 2021 The Right to Play Every Day Act. The study is driven by two main research questions: (1) Does increased outdoor recess influence a student’s classroom engagement? (2) What are educators' perspectives on the implementation of the Act? Quantitative data was collected through classroom observations of 16 third-grade students over six weeks, measuring on-task behavior before and after recess periods. Qualitative data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with five elementary educators. While statistical analysis yielded inconclusive results regarding the relationship …

Preeclampsia, Fetal Growth Restriction, And 24-Month Neurodevelopment In Very Preterm Infants., Jennifer Check, Coral Shuster, Julie Hofheimer, Marie Camerota, Lynne M. Dansereau, Lynne M. Smith, Brian S. Carter, Sheri A. Dellagrotta, Jennifer Helderman, Howard Kilbride, Cynthia M. Loncar, Elisabeth Mcgowan, Charles R. Neal, T Michael O'Shea, Steven L. Pastyrnak, Stephen J. Sheinkopf, Barry M. Lester

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

IMPORTANCE: Preeclampsia has direct influences on a developing fetus and may impact postnatal health, and fetal growth restriction (FGR) is often seen co-occurring with preeclampsia. The development of children born very preterm after preeclampsia diagnosis with and without FGR is not well characterized.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations of preeclampsia and FGR with developmental and/or behavioral outcomes in a cohort of very preterm infants.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this cohort study, infants in the prospective Neonatal Neurobehavior and Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants study were enrolled between April 2014 and June 2016 from 9 US university-affiliated neonatal intensive care …

The Impact Of Explicit Instruction In Phonics And Phonological Awareness On Kindergarten English Learners’ Reading Scores, Emily Goranson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Goranson, E. (2024). The Impact of Explicit Instruction in Phonics and Phonological Awareness on Kindergarten English Learners’ Reading Scores

Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling, or LETRSR, is a popular professional development course among early elementary teachers, which promises to restructure the teaching of literacy. An English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher inquired if LETRSR-endorsed practices would benefit the reading growth of English language learners. This research posed the question, How does explicit and systematic instruction in phonics and phonological awareness impact reading growth for kindergarten students who qualify for English language services? The LETRSR framework seems …

The Use Of Hearing Tests To Assess Otitis Media With Effusion In Children With Down Syndrome., Mackenzie O'Donnell, Nasrin Sultana, Nasreen Talib, Jason May, Michael Slogic

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Down syndrome is associated with an increased risk for otitis media with effusion (OME), a childhood condition in which fluid accumulates in the middle ear, potentially leading to hearing loss. The American Academy of Pediatrics Down syndrome guidelines and the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery OME guidelines recommend hearing testing to assess the hearing status of children with Down syndrome diagnosed with OME.

METHODS: Through an Institutional Review Board approved retrospective chart review at Children's Mercy, this project assessed how clinical factors affect the frequency in which children with Down syndrome receive hearing testing after …

Including Young Children In Their Food Allergy Care: A Pilot Study., Jodi Shroba, Susan F. Mcelroy

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

RATIONALE: Food allergy education is often directed toward adult caregivers. However, once children go to school, they must participate in their food allergy care to remain safe. The purpose of this study was to assess food allergy knowledge and test an educational intervention targeted toward the child. We hypothesized that child-based teaching will be equal in safety and knowledge outcomes compared with standard parental education.

METHODS: Twenty-nine children between the ages of 5-11 years and their caregivers were enrolled. Child subjects completed a food allergy knowledge questionnaire. Each caregiver/child dyad was randomized to receive parent-targeted education (control) or child-targeted education …

Psychotropic Medication Usage In Pediatric Ckd: Reporting From The Ckd In Children Cohort., Ryan C. Ward, Amy J. Kogon, Matthew B. Matheson, Anne Dawson, Stephen R. Hooper, Stephen Molitor, Cynthia Wong, Susan L. Furth, Bradley A. Warady, Lyndsay A. Harshman

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background: Mental health disorders within the pediatric CKD population are prevalent. The frequency is unknown with which psychotropic medications that commonly treat these conditions are used in this population.

Methods: Data from the CKD in Children (CKiD) cohort study were used to describe the use of psychotropic medications and patient-related characteristics of use. Medications were classified into three groups: antidepressants, central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, and antipsychotic/mood stabilizing medications. Participant age, sex, CKD severity, and duration of medication use were ascertained. Medication use was evaluated in parallel with CKD disease type, presence of urological comorbidity, and hypertension. Chi-square tests compared …

Look To Your Ada, Mda For Health, And Wellness Help, Michelle C. Dziurgot Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This month, MDA Journal Editor Michelle C. Dziurgot, DDS, highlights dentists' mental health challenges, emphasizing the support available through the ADA and MDA. She references a 2021 survey showing high depression rates among dentists and lists depression symptoms. The ADA provides resources and a confidential health and wellness program. Similarly, the MDA offers the Member Assistance Program with counseling services for dentists and their families. Dziurgot urges dentists to seek help and not ignore their feelings, noting the persistent stress from the pandemic and the importance of utilizing available support.

“[T]He Observance Of Trifles": Mapping Imperial Assemblages In Nineteenth-Century British Serialized Crime Fiction, Dana Joy Gavin

English Theses & Dissertations

This project investigates representations of the ecological and Imperialist relationships in a selection of serialized crime fiction texts: Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s Lady Audley’s Secret, Wilkie Collins’ The Moonstone, and Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes adventures (appearing in The Strand Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly beginning in 1891). I examine serialized crime fiction published in the nineteenth century as a map of the ecological and Imperialist relationships established through the nineteenth-century British publishing industry. Serialized crime fiction was both popular and profitable, representing not only commercial success but one that tapped into the reading populace’s imagination. Readers craved serialized stories …

Surfacing Text Changes In Archived Webpages, Lesley Frew

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Webpages change over time, and web archives hold copies of historical versions of webpages. Users of web archives, such as journalists, want to find and view changes on webpages over time. However, the current search interfaces for web archives do not adequately support this task. For the web archives that include a full-text search feature, multiple versions of the same webpage that match the search query are shown individually without enumerating changes, or are grouped together in a way that hides changes. We present a change text search engine that allows users to find changes in webpages. We describe the …

Who Wrote The Scientific News? Improving The Discernibility Of Llms To Human-Written Scientific News, Dominik Soós

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Large Language Models (LLMs) have rapidly advanced the field of Natural Language Processing and become powerful tools for generating and evaluating scientific text. Although LLMs have demonstrated promising as evaluators for certain text generation tasks, there is still a gap until they are used as reliable text evaluators for general purposes. In this thesis project, I attempted to fill this gap by examining the discernibility of LLMs from human-written and LLM-generated scientific news. This research demonstrated that although it was relatively straightforward for humans to discern scientific news written by humans from scientific news generated by GPT-3.5 using basic prompts, …

Gender Measurement Invariance Of The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - Adolescent - Restructured Form (Mmpi-A-Rf) Internalizing And Externalizing Specific Problem Scales, Thomas Jay Augustin

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Due to social, psychological, biological, and cultural differences in adolescent development, it is important to evaluate measurement invariance in psychological measures. Although the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) assessments have a plethora of research to evaluate their utility in clinical practice, few published studies have examined the measurement invariance between males and females for any of the scales in the adolescent versions (MMPI-A/MMPI-A-RF). The present study examined the measurement invariance of the MMPI-A-RF Internalizing and Externalizing Specific Problem Scales between male and female adolescents. Data were obtained from an outpatient sample and from Pearson’s mail-in service resulting in 1,622 valid …

Towards Accurate Spatial Prediction Of Glossina Pallidipes Relative Densities At Country-Scale In Kenya, Stella Gachoki, Thomas A. Groen, Anton Vrieling, Andrew Skidmore, Daniel Masiga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Vector-borne diseases, like those transmitted by tsetse flies, pose a significant global public health threat. Reducing vector populations is a promising strategy for disease control, especially in the case of tsetse-transmitted African trypanosomiasis. However, the cost-effective implementation of large-scale vector surveillance and control measures face challenges due to the lack of spatially explicit and reliable maps identifying vector hotspots. In this study, we assessed the accuracy of predicting Glossina pallidipes relative densities across Kenya by linking constrained in-situ tsetse catch data from 660 traps across three Kenyan regions with readily available gridded satellite information (human population, land cover, soil properties, …