Habitat preferences of the secretive forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) in Central Africa

The forest buffalo Syncerus caffer nanus is one of the three subspecies of African buffalo inhabiting the rainforests of Western and Central Africa. Because of its secretive behaviour and main habitat (dense rainforests), there is little quantitative information on the habitat preferences of this buffalo. We present here the first data on the frequencies of this species along a habitat gradient ranging from clearings and rivers to forests, as well as the characteristics of the buffalo's resting places. We recorded information from a buffalo herd during the period January 2002–January 2004 in the Bai-Hokou area (Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic). Resting places were firstly compared with available habitat (i.e. resting vs. random sites) and, successively, comparisons were made between diurnal versus nocturnal and wet versus dry season resting places. Forest buffalos were found to be highly dependent on clearings, as well as on the more open forest stands, characterized by large trees and open canopy. Such preferences could be due to the tendency of the buffalos to rest all together; open patches are likely to facilitate social interactions between the members of the herd.     

Flash infrared radiation disinfection of fibrous filters contaminated with bioaerosols

Aims: To investigate the effectiveness of infrared (IR) radiation heating in disinfecting air filters loaded with bioaerosols. Methods and Results: An irradiation device was constructed considering the unique characteristics of IR and the physical dimensions and radiative properties of air filters. Filters loaded with test bioaerosols were irradiated with the device and flash heated to an ultra‐high temperature (UHT). A maximum of 3·77‐, 4·38‐ and 5·32‐log inactivation of B. subtilis spores, E. coli, and MS2 virus respectively was achieved within 5 s of irradiation. Inactivation efficiency could be increased by using a higher IR power. Microscopic analysis showed no visible damage from the heat treatment that would affect filtration efficiency. Conclusions: Because the disinfection was a dry heat process, a temperature greater than 200°C was found necessary to successfully inactivate the test micro‐organisms. The results demonstrate that IR is able to quickly disinfect filters given sufficient incident power. Compared to existing filter disinfection technologies, it offers a faster and more effective solution. Significance and Impact of the Study: It has been shown that IR heating is a feasible option for filter disinfection; possibly reducing fomite transmission of collected micro‐organisms and preventing bioaerosol reaerosolization.     

A low-cost psychrometer for field measurements of atmospheric humidity

A design for an aspirated wet and dry bulb psychrometer, suitable for continuous field measurement of atmospheric humidity, is described. The psychrometer is simple and cheap to make, with a material cost of UK £40 per unit. It is mainly constructed from ready-made plastic plumbing parts, thus avoiding the need for expensive workshop facilities. The wet and dry bulb temperature sensors are suitable for direct connection to a solid-state data-logger. During extensive field use, it has proved reliable and easy to maintain. The accuracy of the device was assessed by intercomparison with an Assman psychrometer, a standard instrument for measuring atmospheric humidity. The test was conducted under high ambient saturation deficits (4.08 ± 1.22 kPa) and shortwave radiation fluxes in Niger, West Africa. Reasonable agreement between the two instruments was observed, with the low-cost psychrometer giving a mean saturation deficit 0.12 ± 0.25 kPa higher than the Assman.