bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Aristotelian View of Knowledge for Knowledge Management
Authors: Schwartz David
Published: August 2010

Defining and understanding knowledge is a rather broad and open-ended pursuit. We can narrow it considerably by stating that we are interested in defining and understanding knowledge as it pertains to knowledge management, rather than tackling the entire realm of epistemology. This article takes the theory of knowledge espoused by Aristotle and views it through the lens of knowledge management. The writings of Aristotle have proven to be fertile ground for uncovering the foundations of knowledge management. Snowden (2006) points to Aristotle’s three types of rhetorical proof as a basis for incorporating narrative in knowledge management. Buchholz (2006) traces the roots of ontological philosophy, forming the basis of current KM ontology efforts, back to Aristotle’s work. Butler in his Anti-foundational perspective on KM (2006), following Dunne (1993) argues that Aristotle’s Phrónésis and Téchné need to be at the core of knowledge management efforts – and while they cannot be directly applied to IT applications, must be among the elements upon which knowledge management is based. Müller-Merbach (2005) provides a look at the fundamentals of applying Aristotle to knowledge management theory.
Biological and Information Systems Approaches
Authors: Atkinson Barry E. , Burstein Frada
Published: August 2010

Knowledge of past activities, discoveries, and events is applied by businesses to support everyday operations in much the same manner that human beings use their personal memories. But the true nature of organizational memory (OM) remains obscure, and information-systems practitioners have no clear definitional model of what they are working toward and have been unable to build a convincing organizational memory system (Olfman, 1998).
Epistemology and Knowledge Management
Authors: Aarons Jeremy
Published: August 2010

This article surveys and explores the relationship between epistemology and knowledge management (KM). Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and extent of human knowledge (Klein, 1998b). Knowledge management is clearly deeply indebted to many ideas derived from epistemology. Much of the seminal work in KM discusses epistemology in a fair amount of detail, and explicitly appeals to insights from epistemology in developing a theoretical account of KM. In particular, the groundbreaking works by Sveiby (1994, 1997, 2001), Nonaka (1994), and Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) make explicit appeal to the philosophical insights in epistemology, which has provided the groundwork for much of their pioneering work in knowledge management. One would thus expect there to be a fairly intimate connection between epistemology and knowledge management. The relationship between these two fields, however, is far from straightforward.
PDD Trends
Authors: Gaspar José Manuel Ferreira , Silva Arlindo
Published: August 2010

One of the most important research issues in the product design and development field is concerned with the emergence of organizational undesirable behaviors caused by product architecture innovations. These undesired effects occur when the architectural innovation requires, for example, the training and acquisition of new skills. If those are not accomplished in the right time the product quality will deteriorate, affecting negatively the organization. For this reason research is being developed to predict and mitigate the undesirable behaviors, but this is not an easy task, because it requires the creation of an evolutionary process applicable on complex and large engineering systems, such as the product design and development organization. The objective of this chapter is to propose a framework for the development of this evolutionary process.
Comparative Evaluation of ITIL-Based Process Landscapes
Authors: Stantchev Vladimir , Goernitz Martin
Published: August 2010

The Information Technology Infrastructure Library’s (ITIL) is widely used as a model for IT service processes mainly due to its general nature. A drawback of this generality is that it greatly hinders the conversion of best practices into specific implementable processes. To assess such processes for their completeness and to find and overcome possible weak-spots in the design, this work proposes an in-depth comparison with available best practice frameworks that relate to and extend the ITIL, such as the Microsoft Operations framework (MOF). The comparison and evaluation method is presented and verified exemplarily with an actual pilot-phase process implementation.
Developing an Internet and Intranet Usage Policy for a Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa
Authors: Averweg Udo Richard
Published: August 2010

This chapter deals with a suggested framework for developing an Internet and Intranet usage policy for municipalities in South Africa. Since the Internet and Intranet are widely used in municipalities in South Africa, there is a need to define the associated risks, the conditions under which a municipality’s Internet and Intranet services may be used and the sanctions which may be imposed for non compliance by employees. The chapter discussion includes suggested associated Internet and Intranet usage procedures; implementation and institutional arrangements; and monitoring, evaluation and responsibilities. Some future trends for an Internet and Intranet usage policy are also suggested.
E-Government in Malaysia
Authors: Alhabshi Sharifah Mariam
Published: August 2010

This chapter assesses the challenges and achievements of e-government development in Malaysia. After carefully examining the findings of e-government ranking for Malaysia produced by the United Nations; the Centre of Public Policy, Brown University (US); and Waseda University Institute of e-Government, disparities amongst these three institutions were evident. It is argued that different methodological criteria employed by these institutions served as one of the fundamental factors attributable to the varying results. However, findings from these institutions also unearthed some major problems and challenges bedevilling the implementation and growth of e-government in Malaysia. Furthermore, in the course of ascertaining factors which undermine or hinder the further development of e-government in Malaysia, questionnaires and interviews were employed to gather the relevant information. Questionnaires were administered to public officials in federal ministries and departments. And interviews were conducted with 7 e-government pilot project managers. The findings of the survey indicated that while Waseda University Institute of e-Government and the United Nations had exposure to adequate information on e-govenrment development in Malaysia, the same cannot be said of the Centre of Public Policy, Brown University (US). It is vital that for an accelerated and resilient environment for the development of e-government in Malaysia, there must be an systematic and cohesive consolidation of e-government mechanisms such as regulations, capacity building, security measures and policy framework.
Liberalization of Telecommunications Sector
Authors: Adomi Esharenana E.
Published: August 2010

This chapter discuses telecommunications liberalization. It points out that developed and developing countries alike have started casting aside the view that the telecommunications sector is a natural monopoly and have started to consider telecom liberalization, that liberalization enable telecom users have a wider choice of suppliers of telecommunications services, products and services are provided in close proximity of the customers., provision of good quality product and service by operators, affordable and low prices to their products, improvement and maintenance of standards of products and services. stimulate the growth of the market and the economy in general; that there is need for regulatory involvement to license new competitors and existing operators, ensure interconnection of networks and services, prevent dominant operators from charging excessive prices for services, as well as ensure universality objectives are achieved in a competitive environment; that to ensure successful implementation of liberalization of telecom steps such as getting support from the top, setting clear policies and procedures, drawing up a liberalization and regulatory timeline, setting competitive safeguards, licensing, unleashing the internet, rolling out universal access, removing barriers to international trade should be taken.
Library Photocopy Policies
Authors: Akporhonor Blessings Amina
Published: August 2010

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss library photocopy policies. It gives the meaning of photocopy, methods of photocopy, photocopy policies and copyright law as applicable to library photocopy. It is noted in the chapter that photocopy and its policy will continue to be part of the library as long as materials in printed format are available and provided to users.
Research Policies for Information and Communication Technologies in Europe
Authors: Ehlers Ulf-Daniel
Published: August 2010

Research in information and communication technologies (ICTs) has proven to be a major driver for innovation and growth in many countries around the world and is therefore the focus of policies to strengthen research, collaboration and application of research results. This chapter represents a detailed policy analysis of ICT research policies from the European region. The analysis follows a four step pattern: (1) Introduction: the situation of ICT R&D (Information and communication Technology Research and Development) and in Europe, (2) The main actors and programmes funding ICT R&D, (3) The main actors and projects active in ICT R&D and (4) The main ICT R&D themes.
Turning Westward
Authors: Katerinsky Alan , Pantaleev Alex , Rao H. R.
Published: August 2010

This chapter is an examination of Eastern European information policy and practice. Our analysis will explore information policy of two countries in Eastern Europe in the context of cyber security, as exemplified in Bulgaria’s Legal and Regulatory framework and Romania’s uphill battle to fight cybercrime. In a larger context these nations highlight the struggle between freedom and security in cyberspace; a topic that is universal wherever technology intersects with politics and commerce.
Design and Standardisation of Core Directories for e-Government
Authors: Welzel Christian , Hartenstein Heiko , von Lucke Jörn
Published: August 2010

Core Directories are content infrastructure elements for interoperable use in service oriented architectures. They capsulate basic information to a generic structure offering easy access and transparency. The design and research activities focused on specification, a generic approach, globally unique identification of objects and development of an example application. Moreover, requirements and advantages of the concept were discussed and directed to information management issues. Key objective is the modernisation of the information technology used in and between administrations. The interdisciplinary approach is a challenge for the constitution of next generation e-Government networks. The chapter describes the strategic and operative standardisation activities, the concept of Core Directories and the example application service responsibility finder. Furthermore, an outlook for some research activities and projects on this topic is given.
Measuring the Benefit of Interoperability
Authors: Zampou Eleni , Eliakis Stelios , Pramatari Katerina
Published: August 2010

Governments started e-government strategies to renew the public sector and eliminate existing bureaucracy and therefore reduce costs. Interoperability appears as the mean for accomplishing the interlinking of information systems, applications and ways of working not only within governments but also in their interaction with the administration, enterprises and public sector. The main source of administration costs is the traditional use of paper as the linkage element between public agencies. Integrated electronic processes between public agencies can be the solution to reduce these costs and create a more efficient public sector. This paper proposes an approach for measuring the benefit of incorporating interoperability in e-government. This approach is based on the identification and analysis of certain processes (business process modelling) and on the activity based costing method. In particular, this approach concerns the measuring of benefit of applying interoperability in e-government services.
Collaborative, Stakeholder-Driven Resource Modeling and Management
Authors: Passell Howard , Reno Marissa , Roach Jesse , Tidwell Vince , Khairy Wael
Published: August 2010

It is becoming increasingly difficult to manage natural resources due to population growth, increasing resource consumption, and decreasing resource availability, among other issues. To address this, we present a collaborative, stakeholder-driven resource modeling and management approach that has been applied successfully around the world. Diverse stakeholder groups assure that all important systems, data, and knowledge are represented. User-friendly, system dynamics models with short run times allow users to quickly simulate alternative resource management strategies, making the models valuable for public meetings and for informing and educating stakeholders, policy makers, and citizens. This approach also facilitates capacity building in regions where collaborative processes and modeling technologies are not widespread. Case studies illustrate the application of these approaches in the United States, Jordan, and Libya, as well as the Aral Sea Basin and Tigris-Euphrates Basin. We show how the models look and work, and the kinds of results that can be produced.
Integrated Flood Risk Analysis for Assessing Flood Protection Strategies
Authors: Ernst J. , Dewals B.J. , Detrembleur S. , Archambeau P. , Erpicum S. , Pirotton M.
Published: August 2010

The present chapter describes an end-to-end methodology for assessing flood protection strategies, including the whole methodological process from hydrological statistics to detailed 2D hydraulic modelling, damage calculation and flood risk evaluation. This risk-based approach serves as a component of a decision-support system (DSS) developed in Belgium for identifying cost-effective flood management strategies in the context of climate change. The DSS accounts for both hydraulic and socio-economic parameters to quantify the benefits (in terms of avoided risk) and the cost of each strategy. Besides reviewing fundamentals of flood risk assessment, including the inundation model and main concepts related to flood risk, a consistent methodology for micro-scale flood risk analysis is presented in detail, combining complementary sources of GIS information such as high resolution and high accuracy land use database as well as socio-economic datasets. Finally a case study on a main tributary of river Meuse in Belgium is described.
A Review of Facial Feature Detection Algorithms
Authors: Asteriadis Stylianos , Asteriadis Stylianos , Nikolaidis Nikos , Nikolaidis Nikos , Pitas Ioannis , Pitas Ioannis
Published: August 2010

Facial feature localization is an important task in numerous applications of face image analysis that include face recognition and verification, facial expression recognition, driver‘s alertness estimation, head pose estimation etc. Thus, the area has been a very active research field for many years and a multitude of methods appear in the literature. Depending on the targeted application, the proposed methods have different characteristics and are designed to perform in different setups. Thus, a method of general applicability seems to be away from the current state of the art. This chapter intends to offer an up-to-date literature review of facial feature detection algorithms. A review of the image databases and performance metrics that are used to benchmark these algorithms is also provided.
Facial Expression Analysis by Machine Learning
Authors: Cho Siu-Yeung , Teoh Teik-Toe , Nguwi Yok-Yen
Published: August 2010

Facial expression recognition is a challenging task. A facial expression is formed by contracting or relaxing different facial muscles on human face that results in temporally deformed facial features like wide-open mouth, raising eyebrows or etc. The challenges of such system have to address with some issues. For instances, lighting condition is a very difficult problem to constraint and regulate. On the other hand, real-time processing is also a challenging problem since there are so many facial features to be extracted and processed and sometimes, conventional classifiers are not even effective in handling those features and produce good classification performance. This chapter discusses the issues on how the advanced feature selection techniques together with good classifiers can play a vital important role of real-time facial expression recognition. Several feature selection methods and classifiers are discussed and their evaluations for real-time facial expression recognition are presented in this chapter. The content of this chapter is a way to open-up a discussion about building a real-time system to read and respond to the emotions of people from facial expressions.
E-Learning through Gaming
Authors: Geuze Jeroen , van den Broek Egon L.
Published: August 2010

A generic theoretical framework on teaching children to negotiate is presented, founded on Piaget’s child development and Thompson and Hastie’s negotiation theories and validated through an experiment. The framework was implemented as CLIPS knowledge base, the back-end of an Intelligent Tutoring Agent (ITA). Negotiation skills were assessed through an online JAVA implementation of the board game Settlers of Catan (SoC). The CLIPS knowledge base was connected by JCLIPS to SoC. The ITA was thoroughly tested and found to be robust, with an excellent multithread handling. After installing a client, SoC can be played over Internet against other artificial or/and human players. The integrated ITA helps children to improve their negotiation skills and helps science to improve the theoretical framework, which makes it unique in its kind.
Dendritic Cell Modification of Neutrophil Responses to Infection after Burn Injury
Authors: Bohannon Julia , Cui Weihua , Sherwood Edward , Toliver-Kinsky Tracy
Published: August 2010

Burn patients are highly susceptible to infections due to increased exposure through wounds and impairments in a number of immune functions. Dendritic cells (DCs) are important in activation of numerous immune responses that are essential for the clearance of infections. We have found that prophylactic treatment of burn-injured mice with the DC growth factor FLT3 ligand (FL) significantly increases resistance to burn wound infections in a DC-dependent manner that is correlated closely with enhanced bacterial clearance. However, as DCs are not typically microbicidal, the mechanisms by which DC modulation enhances bacterial clearance are not known. Due to the rapid response of neutrophils to cutaneous wounds, and the reported interactions between DCs and neutrophils, we investigated the role of neutrophils in FL-mediated resistance to burn wound infection. This was examined both in vivo and in vitro through neutrophil depletion, supplementation of neutrophils, and assessment of neutrophil chemotaxis following FL treatment. To test the involvement of DCs, CD11c-diphtheria toxin receptor transgenic mice were used to deplete DCs during FL treatment. Studies revealed that neutrophils do play a critical role in FL-mediated resistance to a burn wound infection. Additionally, treatment with FL after a burn injury enhances neutrophil-mediated control of bacterial spread, neutrophil migratory capacity, and myeloperoxidase production in a DC-dependent manner. The results of this study provide new insight into immunological mechanisms that can offer protection against infection after burn injury.
Activation of the Ancestral Polarity Regulator Protein Kinase Cζ at the Immunological Synapse Drives Polarization of Th Cell Secretory Machinery toward APCs
Authors: Bertrand Florie , Esquerré Michael , Petit Anne-Elisabeth , Rodrigues Magda , Duchez Sophie , Delon Jérôme , Valitutti Salvatore
Published: August 2010

A key feature in T lymphocyte biology is that Th cells rapidly polarize their secretory machinery toward cognate APCs. The molecular mechanisms of these dynamic Th cell responses and their impact on APC biology remain to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that protein kinase Cζ (PKCζ) is rapidly activated at the immunological synapse (IS) in human Th cells interacting with cognate dendritic cells (DCs) and that a functional PKCζ is required for the polarization of Th cell secretory machinery toward DCs. We also show that PKCζ-dependent Th cell polarization allows dedicated delivery of IFN-γ and CD40L at the IS and is required for the activation of cognate DCs to IL-12 production. PKCζ synaptic activation is a low-threshold phenomenon and, in Th cells interacting with multiple DCs, selectively occurs at the IS formed with the DCs offering the strongest stimulus leading to dedicated Th cell polarization. Our results identify the PKCζ signaling pathway as a key component of the Th cell polarization machinery and provide a molecular basis for T cell-dedicated activation of cognate DCs.
NK Cells as Effectors of Acquired Immune Responses: Effector CD4+ T Cell-Dependent Activation of NK Cells Following Vaccination
Authors: Horowitz Amir , Behrens Ron H. , Okell Lucy , Fooks Anthony R. , Riley Eleanor M.
Published: August 2010

We characterized vaccine-induced cellular responses to rabies virus in naive adult volunteers. Contrary to current paradigms, we observed potent and prolonged in vitro NK cell cytokine production and degranulation responses after restimulation of PBMCs with inactivated rabies virus in vaccinated, but not in unvaccinated, individuals. This “recall” NK cell response was absolutely dependent on Ag-specific IL-2 from CD45RO+ CD4+ T cells as well as IL-12 and IL-18 from accessory cells. Importantly, NK cells represented over 70% of all IFN-γ–secreting and degranulating cells in the first 12–18 h after virus rechallenge indicating they may be required for rapid control of infection after vaccination. Activation of NK cells may be a critical function of IL-2–secreting effector memory T cells. Although IL-2–dependent postvaccination NK cell activation has been reported previously, this is the first time the magnitude of this effect and its contribution to the overall vaccine-induced response has been appreciated and the mechanisms of NK activation postvaccination have been elucidated. Our data will allow standard protocols for evaluating vaccine-induced immunity to be adapted to assess NK cell effector responses.
Geographic Variation in Osteoporotic Hip Fracture Incidence: The Growing Importance of Asian Influences in Coming Decades
Authors: Dhanwal D. K. , Cooper C. , Dennison E. M.
Published: August 2010

Studies over the last few decades have demonstrated geographic variation in the incidence of hip fracture across continents and among different parts of the same region. This paper studies the epidemiology of hip fracture worldwide, with special emphasis on the geographic variation among Asian countries. Using the Pubmed database, keywords that were employed included hip fracture, incidence rate, geographic variation, osteoporosis, and epidemiology. Articles were chosen based on the basis of (1) focus: studies that were said to specifically focus on geographic variation in hip fracture from different continents with a focus on Asia; (2) language: studies that were in English; (3) methods: studies that used statistical tests to examine hip fracture incidence rates. The highest hip fracture rates are seen in Scandinavian countries and the US and the lowest in African countries. Fracture rates are intermediate in Asian populations. Among different ethnic populations, the highest fracture rates are seen in Caucasians and the lowest in blacks. There is also a north-south gradient, particularly in Europe, where more hip fractures occur in North Europe compared to the South.
Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver
Authors: Gupta Rahul , Parelkar Sandesh V , Sanghvi Beejal
Published: August 2010

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver is the second most common benign liver tumor in children, yet its biology and pathogenesis are poorly understood. Typically, it presents as a large benign multicystic liver mass in children younger than three years, amenable to complete resection. Most tumors gradually increase in size, some reaching enormous proportions, some can undergo incomplete spontaneous regression, and rarely, few have shown malignant transformation to undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma. Here, we report a 13 month-old child who presented with abdominal distension and respiratory distress. Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen were suggestive of a mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver. Right hepatectomy was performed. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well. An attempt was also made to understand the possible etiology of the tumor.
Ovarian adenocarcinoma in a young female with skin and umbilical metastasis
Authors: Shukla Pragya , Gupta Deepak , Bisht Shyam S , Pant M C
Published: August 2010

We report the case of ovarian carcinoma with skin and umbilical metastasis in a 30-year-old female. The computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen showed a right ovarian mass with anterior abdominal wall metastasis. The CT-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from the ovarian mass showed adenocarcinoma. FNAC from the umbilical and skin metastasis also showed adenocarcinoma. Because of the unresectability of the mass, the patient was put on taxol-based chemotherapy, which she took for two cycles, and then died of progressive disease after three months.
Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in Children from Costa Rica
Authors: Pérez Cristian , Gómez-Duarte Oscar G. , Arias María L.
Published: August 2010

More than 5,000 diarrheal cases per year receive medical care at the National Children's Hospital of Costa Rica, and nearly 5% of them require hospitalization. A total of 173 Escherichia coli strains isolated from children with diarrhea were characterized at the molecular, serologic, and phenotypic level. Multiplex and duplex polymerase chain reactions were used to detect the six categories of diarrheagenic E. coli. Thirty percent (n = 52) of the strains were positive, indicating a high prevalence among the pediatric population. Enteropathogenic E. coli and enteroinvasive E. coli pathotypes were the most prevalent (21% and 19%, respectively). Pathogenic strains were distributed among the four E. coli phylogenetic groups A, B1, B2, and D, with groups A and B1 the most commonly found. This study used molecular typing to evaluate the prevalence of diarrheagenic E. coli reported in Costa Rica and demonstrated the importance of these pathotypes in the pediatric population.
Accuracy of Rapid IgM-Based Immunochromatographic and Immunoblot Assays for Diagnosis of Acute Scrub Typhus and Murine Typhus Infections in Laos
Authors: Blacksell Stuart D. , Jenjaroen Kemajittra , Phetsouvanh Rattanaphone , Tanganuchitcharnchai Ampai , Phouminh Phonlavanh , Phongmany Simalee , Day Nicholas P. J. , Newton Paul N.
Published: August 2010

We studied the diagnostic accuracy of a rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) for detection of IgM against scrub typhus (ST ICT) and an immunoblot test for the detection of IgM against murine typhus (MT IBT) by using admission serum samples from 1,030 febrile patients in Laos. Sensitivity and specificity for the ST ICT determined by using the diagnostic criteria of a four-fold increase in IgM against Orientia tsutsugamushi between paired samples were 23.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 15.9–33.3%) and 86.2% (95% CI = 84.1–88.6%), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for the ST ICT determined by using an admission IgM titer ≥ 1:400 were 39.1% (95% CI = 34.1–44.2%) and 99.5% (95% CI = 98.7–99.9%), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for the MT IBT determined by using the criteria of a four-fold increase in IgM against Rickettsia typhi between paired serum samples were 61.2% (95% CI = 53.7–68.3%) and 86.5% (95% CI = 84.1–88.8%), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for the MT IBT determined by using an admission IgM titer ≥ 1:400 were 54.6% (95% CI = 49.1–60.0%) and 94.1% (95% CI = 92.0–95.7%), respectively. Both assays had relatively good specificity but low sensitivity and thus have limited utility for admission diagnosis.
Antibiotic Use in Thailand: Quantifying Impact on Blood Culture Yield and Estimates of Pneumococcal Bacteremia Incidence
Authors: Rhodes Julia , Hyder Joseph A. , Peruski Leonard F. , Fisher Cindy , Jorakate Possawat , Kaewpan Anek , Dejsirilert Surang , Thamthitiwat Somsak , Olsen Sonja J. , Dowell Scott F. , Chantra Somrak , Tanwisaid Kittisak , Maloney Susan A. , Baggett Henry C.
Published: August 2010

No studies have quantified the impact of pre-culture antibiotic use on the recovery of individual blood-borne pathogens or on population-level incidence estimates for Streptococcus pneumoniae. We conducted bloodstream infection surveillance in Thailand during November 2005–June 2008. Pre-culture antibiotic use was assessed by reported use and by serum antimicrobial activity. Of 35,639 patient blood cultures, 27% had reported pre-culture antibiotic use and 24% (of 24,538 tested) had serum antimicrobial activity. Pathogen isolation was half as common in patients with versus without antibiotic use; S. pneumoniae isolation was 4- to 9-fold less common (0.09% versus 0.37% by reported antibiotic use; 0.05% versus 0.45% by serum antimicrobial activity, P < 0.01). Pre-culture antibiotic use by serum antimicrobial activity reduced pneumococcal bacteremia incidence by 32% overall and 39% in children < 5 years of age. Our findings highlight the limitations of culture-based detection methods to estimate invasive pneumococcal disease incidence in settings where pre-culture antibiotic use is common.
Pyrethroid Resistance in Aedes aegypti from Grand Cayman
Authors: Harris Angela F. , Rajatileka Shavanthi , Ranson Hilary
Published: August 2010

The Grand Cayman population of Aedes aegypti is highly resistant to DDT and pyrethroid insecticides. Glutathione transferase, cytochrome P450, and esterase levels were increased in the Grand Cayman population relative to a susceptible laboratory strain, but synergist studies did not implicate elevated insecticide detoxification as a major cause of resistance. The role of target site resistance was therefore investigated. Two substitutions in the voltage-gated sodium channel were identified, V1016I in domain II, segment 6 (IIS6) (allele frequency = 0.79) and F1534C in IIIS6 (allele frequency = 0.68). The role of the F1534C mutation in conferring resistance to insecticides has not been previously established and so a tetraplex polymerase chain reaction assay was designed and used to genotype mosquitoes that had been exposed to insecticides. The F1534C mutation was strongly correlated with resistance to DDT and permethrin.
Short-Term Global Health Research Projects by US Medical Students: Ethical Challenges for Partnerships
Authors: Provenzano Audrey M. , Graber Lauren K. , Elansary Mei , Khoshnood Kaveh , Rastegar Asghar , Barry Michele
Published: August 2010

Recent interest in global health among medical students has grown drastically, and many students now spend time abroad conducting short-term research projects in low-resource settings. These short-term stints in developing countries present important ethical challenges to US-based students and their medical schools as well as the institutions that host such students abroad. This paper outlines some of these ethical issues and puts forth recommendations for ethically mindful short-term student research.
Reduction in Hookworm Infection after Praziquantel Treatment among Children and Young Adults in Leyte, the Philippines
Authors: Shaw Julia G. , Aggarwal Nitin , Acosta Luz P. , Jiz Mario A. , Wu Hai-Wei , Leenstra Tjalling , Coutinho Hannah M. , Olveda Remigio M. , Kurtis Jonathan D. , McGarvey Stephen T. , Friedman Jennifer F.
Published: August 2010

One small previous study found that praziquantel reduced hookworm infection. In this study, 607 subjects were enrolled in a longitudinal study. At enrollment and every 3 months for 18 months, three stool samples were collected, and the intensity of infection with Schistosoma japonicum and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) was quantified. All subjects were treated with 60 mg/kg praziquantel at baseline. Three months post-treatment, the percent of subjects who were hookworm-infected decreased to 46.5% from 61% at baseline. The putative cure rate was 23.7%. The 95% confidence interval around the change in hookworm egg counts from baseline to 6 and 12 months post-treatment was negative and did not include zero. The percent reduction in hookworm egg counts from baseline to 3 months post-treatment was 40.8%. Praziquantel treatment did not decrease the infection intensity of STHs. Control programs using praziquantel may have the added benefit of reducing hookworm infection and anemia in areas of coendemnicity.
Diagnostic Accuracy and Feasibility of Serological Tests on Filter Paper Samples for Outbreak Detection of T.b. gambiense Human African Trypanosomiasis
Authors: Hasker Epco , Lutumba Pascal , Mumba Dieudonné , Lejon Veerle , Büscher Phillipe , Kande Victor , Muyembe Jean Jacques , Menten Joris , Robays Jo , Boelaert Marleen
Published: August 2010

Control of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) in the Democratic Republic of Congo is based on mass population screening by mobile teams; a costly and labor-intensive approach. We hypothesized that blood samples collected on filter paper by village health workers and processed in a central laboratory might be a cost-effective alternative. We estimated sensitivity and specificity of micro-card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis (micro-CATT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)/T.b. gambiense on filter paper samples compared with parasitology-based case classification and used the results in a Monte Carlo simulation of a lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) approach. Micro-CATT and ELISA/T.b. gambiense showed acceptable sensitivity (92.7% [95% CI 87.4–98.0%] and 82.2% [95% CI 75.3–90.4%]) and very high specificity (99.4% [95% CI 99.0–99.9%] and 99.8% [95% CI 99.5–100%]), respectively. Conditional on high sample size per lot (≥ 60%), both tests could reliably distinguish a 2% from a zero prevalence at village level. Alternatively, these tests could be used to identify individual HAT suspects for subsequent confirmation.
Detection of Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium DNA by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification: Identification of Infected Snails from Early Prepatency
Authors: Abbasi Ibrahim , King Charles H. , Muchiri Eric M. , Hamburger Joseph
Published: August 2010

Monitoring post-control transmission of schistosomes by examining humans becomes less effective as infection rates among humans decrease. Molecular monitoring of prepatent schistosome infection in snails by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used for studying human-to-snail transmission, and snail prepatent infection rates were found to correspond to infection prevalence and average intensity in human populations contacting the sites studied. We have now developed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for identifying Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium to facilitate large-scale evaluation of post-intervention transmission potential. LAMP primers were designed based on the Sm1-7 and DraI repeated sequences of the corresponding schistosomes, and amplification by LAMP of these 121-basepair highly abundant sequences provided a detection sensitivity of 0.1 fg of genomic DNA. When these LAMP assays were applied for examining infected laboratory snails, it was possible to identify infection from the first day after exposure to miracidia. The potential advantages of these assays are discussed.
ELISA versus Conventional Methods of Diagnosing Endemic Brucellosis
Authors: Mantur Basappa , Parande Aisha , Amarnath Satish , Patil Giridhar , Walvekar Ravindra , Desai Arun , Parande Mahantesh , Shinde Rupali , Chandrashekar Masiyappa , Patil Satish
Published: August 2010

The diagnostic value of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was evaluated when blood specimens of 92 patients suspected of brucellosis underwent the ELISA (IgM and IgG), standard tube agglutination (SAT), and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) tests and blood cultures; 38 sera from non-brucellosis patients and 34 sera from blood donors were also subjected to ELISA, SAT, and 2-ME tests. SAT was able to pinpoint only 23 (25%), whereas ELISA confirmed the etiology in 56 (60.9%; P < 0.001) patients with brucellosis, including 31 culture-confirmed cases. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were 100% and 71.31%, respectively. Because they were confirmed by ELISA, the diagnosis could never be excluded with SAT in 33 cases. ELISA has been found to be more sensitive in acute (28% higher sensitivity; P < 0.02) and chronic (55% higher sensitivity; P < 0.01) cases. For accurate diagnosis in suspected brucellosis cases detection, we recommend both ELISA IgM and IgG tests. ELISA IgG and 2-ME tests seem to be promising tools in judging prognosis.
Infection with versus Exposure to Taenia solium: What Do Serological Test Results Tell Us?
Authors: Praet Nicolas , Rodriguez-Hidalgo Richar , Speybroeck Niko , Ahounou Serge , Benitez-Ortiz Washington , Berkvens Dirk , Hul Anke Van , Barrionuevo-Samaniego Margoth , Saegerman Claude , Dorny Pierre
Published: August 2010

Taenia solium cysticercosis is an endemic zoonosis in many developing countries. Serological tests are the most appropriate diagnostic tools to understand the transmission dynamics of the parasite, but the performances of these methods in such a setting are not known. A south Ecuadorian human population living in an endemic area was tested using three common serological tests. Because none of them is a gold standard, a Bayesian Latent Class analysis was used to estimate the test characteristics. Two definitions of a case were considered to differentiate between prevalence of current infection and prior exposure to the parasite. Differences between the performances of the same test in function of the definition of a case were observed. This study shows that test results and prior information should be interpreted carefully in a Bayesian analysis framework, particularly when the latter is based on clinical studies.
Nigeria's Triumph: Dracunculiasis Eradicated
Authors: Miri Emmanuel S. , Hopkins Donald R. , Ruiz-Tiben Ernesto , Keana Adamu S. , Withers P. Craig , Anagbogu Ifeoma N. , Sadiq Lola K. , Kale Oladele O. , Edungbola Luke D. , Braide Eka I. , Ologe Joshua O. , Ityonzughul Cephas
Published: August 2010

This report describes how Nigeria, a country that at one time had the highest number of cases of dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) in the world, reduced the number of cases from more than 653,000 in 1988 to zero in 2009, despite numerous challenges. Village-based volunteers formed the foundation of the program, which used health education, cloth filters, vector control, advocacy for safe water, voluntary isolation of patients, and monitored program interventions and cases reported monthly. Other factors in the program's success were strong governmental support, advocacy by a former head of state of Nigeria, technical and financial assistance by The Carter Center, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Health Organization, and many other partners and donors. The estimated cost of the Nigerian program during 1988–2009 is $37.5 million, not including funding for water supply projects or salaries of Nigerian governmental workers.
Multiple Outbreaks of Puffer Fish Intoxication in Bangladesh, 2008
Authors: Homaira Nusrat , Rahman Mahmudur , Luby Stephen P. , Rahman Mostafizur , Haider Mohammad Sabbir , Faruque Labib Imran , Khan Dawlat , Parveen Shahana , Gurley Emily S.
Published: August 2010

During April and June 2008, we investigated three outbreaks of marine puffer fish intoxication in three districts of Bangladesh (Narshingdi, Natore, and Dhaka). We also explored trade of marine puffer fish in Cox's Bazaar, a coastal area of the country. We identified 95 people who had consumed puffer fish; 63 (66%) developed toxicity characterized by tingling sensation in the body, perioral numbness, dizziness, and weakness, 14 of them died. All three outbreaks were caused by consumption of large (0.2–1.5 kg) marine puffer fish, sold in communities where people were unfamiliar with the marine variety of the fish and its toxicity. Coastal fishermen reported that some local businessmen distributed the fresh fish to non-coastal parts of the country, where people were unfamiliar with the larger variety, to make a quick profit. Lack of knowledge about marine puffer toxicity contributed to the outbreaks. Health communication campaigns will enhance people's knowledge and may prevent future outbreaks.
Functional group composition of ambient and source organic aerosols determined by tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Dron J. , El Haddad I. , Temime-Roussel B. , Jaffrezo J.-L. , Wortham H. , Marchand N.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. The functional group composition of various organic aerosols (OA) is investigated using a recently developed analytical approach based on atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry (APCI-MS/MS). The determinations of three functional groups contents are performed quantitatively by neutral loss (carboxylic and carbonyl groups, R-COOH and R-CO-R´ respectively) and precursor ion (nitro groups, R-NO2) scanning modes of a tandem mass spectrometer. Major organic aerosol sources are studied: vehicular emission and wood combustion for primary aerosol sources; and a secondary organic aerosol (SOA) produced through photooxidation of o-xylene. The results reveal significant differences in the functional group contents of these source aerosols. The laboratory generated SOA is dominated by carbonyls while carboxylics are preponderate in the wood combustion particles. On the other hand, vehicular emissions are characterised by a strong nitro content. The total amount of the three functional groups accounts for 1.7% (vehicular) to 13.5% (o-xylene photooxidation) of the organic carbon. Diagnostic functional group ratios are then used to tentatively discriminate sources of particles collected in an urban background environment located in an Alpine valley (Chamonix, France) during a strong winter pollution event. The three functional groups under study account for a total functionalisation rate of 2.2 to 3.8% of the organic carbon in this ambient aerosol, which is also dominated by carboxylic moieties. In this particular case study of a deep alpine valley during winter, we show that the nitro- and carbonyl-to-carboxylic diagnostic ratios can be a useful tool to discriminate sources. In these conditions, the total OA concentrations are highly dominated by wood combustion OA. This result is confirmed by an organic markers source apportionment approach which assess a wood burning organic carbon contribution of about 60%. Finally, examples of functional group mass spectra of all aerosols under study are presented, and additional perspectives offered by the mass spectra in terms of OA characterisation are discussed.
Effects of climate-induced changes in isoprene emissions after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo
Authors: Telford P. J. , Lathière J. , Abraham N. L. , Archibald A. T. , Braesicke P. , Johnson C. E. , Morgenstern O. , O'Connor F. M. , Pike R. C. , Wild O. , Young P. J. , Beerling D. J. , Hewitt C. N. , Pyle J.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. In the 1990s the rates of increase of greenhouse gas concentrations, most notably of methane, were observed to change, for reasons that have yet to be fully determined. This period included the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and an El Niño warm event, both of which affect biogeochemical processes, by changes in temperature, precipitation and radiation. We examine the impact of these changes in climate on global isoprene emissions and the effect these climate dependent emissions have on the hydroxy radical, OH, the dominant sink for methane. We model a reduction of isoprene emissions in the early 1990s, with a maximum decrease of 40 Tg(C)/yr in late 1992 and early 1993, a change of 9%. This reduction is caused by the cooler, drier conditions following the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Isoprene emissions are reduced both directly, by changes in temperature and a soil moisture dependent suppression factor, and indirectly, through reductions in the total biomass. The reduction in isoprene emissions causes increases of tropospheric OH which lead to an increased sink for methane of up to 5 Tg(CH4)/year, comparable to estimated source changes over the time period studied. There remain many uncertainties in the emission and oxidation of isoprene which may affect the exact size of this effect, but its magnitude is large enough that it should remain important.
Heterogeneous uptake of gaseous hydrogen peroxide by Gobi and Saharan dust aerosols: a potential missing sink for H2O2 in the troposphere
Authors: Pradhan M. , Kyriakou G. , Archibald A. T. , Papageorgiou A. C. , Kalberer M. , Lambert R. M.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. The first direct laboratory measurements of gaseous hydrogen peroxide uptake by authentic Gobi and Saharan dust aerosol particles as a function of relative humidity (RH) have been carried out in an entrained aerosol flow tube coupled to a chemical ionization mass spectrometer. Gobi dust shows uptake coefficients, γH2 O2 = (3.33±0.26) ×10−4 at 15% RH rising to γH2 O2 = (6.03±0.42) ×10−4 at 70% RH; the corresponding values for Saharan dust are systematically higher (γH2 O2 = (6.20±0.22)×10−4 at 15% RH rising to γH2 O2 = (9.42±0.41) ×10−4 at 70% RH). High resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements of the surface chemical composition of the two mineral dust samples together with published water adsorption isotherms of their principal constituents enables rationalization of these observations, which are relevant to nighttime tropospheric chemistry. A box model study performed by incorporating the experimentally determined data set reveals that uptake of H2O2 onto dust can be an important loss process for this species which has been, until now, poorly constrained.
Tsunami inundation modelling based on detailed roughness maps of densely populated areas
Authors: Gayer G. , Leschka S. , Nöhren I. , Larsen O. , Günther H.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. An important part within the German-Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System (GITEWS) project was the detailed numerical investigation of the impact of tsunamis in densely populated coastal areas of Indonesia. This work, carried out by the German Research Centre Geesthacht (GKSS), in co-operation with DHI-WASY, also provides the basis for the preparation of high resolution hazard and risk maps by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). In this paper a method is described of how to prepare very detailed roughness maps for scenario computations performed with the MIKE 21 Flow Model FM in three highly resolved (~10 m) priority regions, namely Kuta (Bali), Padang (West-Sumatra), and Cilacap (southern coast of Java). Roughness values are assigned to 43 land use classes, e.g. different types of buildings, rural and urban sub-areas, by using equivalent coefficients found in literature or by performing numerical experiments. Comparisons of simulations using differentiated roughness maps with simulations using constant values (a widely used approach) are presented and it is demonstrated that roughness takes considerable influence on run-up and inundation. Out of all simulations, the results of the worst case scenarios for each of the three priority areas are discussed. Earthquakes with magnitudes of MW=8.5 or higher lead to considerable inundation in all study sites. A spatially distinguished consideration of roughness has been found to be necessary for detailed modelling onshore.