scholarly journals A Review of Bovine Tuberculosis in the Kafue Basin Ecosystem

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Musso Munyeme ◽  
Hetron Mweemba Munang'andu
Keyword(s):  
Bovine Tuberculosis ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Commercial Fishing ◽  
Kafue Lechwe

The Kafue basin ecosystem is the only remaining natural habitat for the endangered Kafue lechwe antelope (Kobus leche Kafuensis). However, hydroelectricity power production, large-scale sugar plantations, commercial fishing and increasing livestock production are threatening its natural existence and sustainability. Further, increasing human settlements within and around the Kafue basin have resulted in decreased grazing grounds for the Kafue lechwe antelopes despite a corresponding increase in cattle population sharing the same pasture. Baseline epidemiological data have persistently reported findings of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in both wild and domestic animals, although these have been deficient in terms of describing direct evidence in the role of either lechwe antelopes or cattle in the reported observations. Despite the current literature being deficient in establishing the casual role and transmission patterns of BTB, a bimodal route of infection at the livestock/wildlife interface has been postulated. Likewise, it is not known how much of (BTB) has the potential of causing disease in humans. This paper, seeks to underline those aspects that need further research and update available data on BTB in the Kafue basin with regards to the prevalence, distribution, risk factors, threats on wildlife conservation, livestock production, public health implications, and possible mitigatory measures.

scholarly journals A picture of medically assisted reproduction activities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Vermeulen ◽  
◽  
Eduard Hambartsoumian ◽  
Kazem Nouri ◽  
Thomas Ebner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Medically Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Large Scale Data ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Current Article ◽  
Competing Interest

Abstract STUDY QUESTION How did coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impact on medically assisted reproduction (MAR) services in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic (March to May 2020)? SUMMARY ANSWER MAR services, and hence treatments for infertile couples, were stopped in most European countries for a mean of 7 weeks. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY With the outbreak of COVID-19 in Europe, non-urgent medical care was reduced by local authorities to preserve health resources and maintain social distancing. Furthermore, ESHRE and other societies recommended to postpone ART pregnancies as of 14 March 2020. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A structured questionnaire was distributed in April among the ESHRE Committee of National Representatives, followed by further information collection through email. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The information was collected through the questionnaire and afterwards summarised and aligned with data from the European Centre for Disease Control on the number of COVID-19 cases per country. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE By aligning the data for each country with respective epidemiological data, we show a large variation in the time and the phase in the epidemic in the curve when MAR/ART treatments were suspended and restarted. Similarly, the duration of interruption varied. Fertility preservation treatments and patient supportive care for patients remained available during the pandemic. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Data collection was prone to misinterpretation of the questions and replies, and required further follow-up to check the accuracy. Some representatives reported that they, themselves, were not always aware of the situation throughout the country or reported difficulties with providing single generalised replies, for instance when there were regional differences within their country. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The current article provides a basis for further research of the different strategies developed in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Such conclusions will be invaluable for health authorities and healthcare professionals with respect to future similar situations. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) There was no funding for the study, apart from technical support from ESHRE. The authors had no COI to disclose.

scholarly journals Bovine tuberculosis in southern African wildlife: a multi-species host–pathogen system

2006 ◽  
Vol 135 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. RENWICK ◽  
P. C. L. WHITE ◽  
R. G. BENGIS
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Bovine Tuberculosis ◽  
Disease Susceptibility ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Transmission Modes ◽  
Host Pathogen ◽  
Kafue Lechwe ◽  
Utilization Patterns

SUMMARYThis review examines the current situation of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in southern African savannah systems, and uses theory on multi-species host–pathogen systems to suggest possible options for future research and management. In southern Africa, the buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the Kafue lechwe [Marsh antelope] (Kobus leche) have been found to be maintenance hosts for this disease, but the importance of other host species is becoming apparent. The role of other host species in the maintenance and spread of the disease varies, depending on the spatial distribution and resource utilization patterns of the species, disease susceptibility, transmission modes and the ecology of both host(s) and vector(s). Future research needs to identify the pathogenicity of bTB in each of the host species, and the mechanisms and rates of inter- and intra-specific transmission among different species, in order to develop multi-host models to understand the development and spread of the disease.

scholarly journals Modelling cholera epidemics: the role of waterways, human mobility and sanitation

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (67) ◽  
pp. 376-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Mari ◽  
E. Bertuzzo ◽  
L. Righetto ◽  
R. Casagrandi ◽  
M. Gatto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Mobility ◽  
Human Movement ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Regional Patterns ◽  
Spatially Explicit Model ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

We investigate the role of human mobility as a driver for long-range spreading of cholera infections, which primarily propagate through hydrologically controlled ecological corridors. Our aim is to build a spatially explicit model of a disease epidemic, which is relevant to both social and scientific issues. We present a two-layer network model that accounts for the interplay between epidemiological dynamics, hydrological transport and long-distance dissemination of the pathogen Vibrio cholerae owing to host movement, described here by means of a gravity-model approach. We test our model against epidemiological data recorded during the extensive cholera outbreak occurred in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa during 2000–2001. We show that long-range human movement is fundamental in quantifying otherwise unexplained inter-catchment transport of V. cholerae , thus playing a key role in the formation of regional patterns of cholera epidemics. We also show quantitatively how heterogeneously distributed drinking water supplies and sanitation conditions may affect large-scale cholera transmission, and analyse the effects of different sanitation policies.

Direct Evidence of Diffusion of Self-Interstitials in Silicon

1982 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gobinda Das
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Diffusion Mechanism ◽  
Float Zone ◽  
Diffusion Characteristics ◽  
Silicon Interface

ABSTRACTHigh temperature (1200°C) HCI oxidation treatment has been employed to float-zone (FZ) silicon wafers (625μm thick) containing swirl defects in order to study their diffusion characteristics. In treated wafers, swirl defects can be eliminated from both surfaces up to a depth of ∼30μm. In the bulk of the wafers, however, large swirl defects (A-swirls) rearrange themselves into many small defects. The untreated portions of wafers contain large swirl defects (A-swirls) that extend up to both surfaces. Since swirl defects are primarily clusters of silicon self-interstitials, their rearrangement in the bulk and elimination from the surfaces demonstrate that migration of interstitials takes place on a large scale and is not confined to SiO2/ silicon interface only. The above observations appear to provide direct evidence for the dominant role of self interstitials for diffusion mechanism in silicon at high temperature and can be rationalized in terms of an interstitialcy mechanism. Alternatively, however, dominance of interstitials can be related to a higher migration energy of vacancies proposed in a model where both species coexist at high temperature. The preference of one model over another must await theoretical calculations of diffusion energetics derived from both models.

The Role of Sense of Direction and Other Factors During Navigation in a Large-Scale, Unconstrained Environment

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth J. Ploran ◽  
Ericka Rovira ◽  
James C. Thompson ◽  
Raja Parasuraman
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Sense Of Direction

Direct Evidence for the Role of Inhibition in Resolving Interference

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Karl Healey ◽  
Karen L. Campbell ◽  
Lynn Hasher ◽  
Lynn Ossher
Keyword(s):  
Direct Evidence

Magnetic Properties of xCeO2•(50 − x) PbO•50B2O3 Glasses and Glass Ceramics

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 4486-4494 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.El Damrawi ◽  
F. Gharghar
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Properties ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Glass Ceramics ◽  
Magnetic Behavior ◽  
Crystal Formation ◽  
Dual Roles ◽  
Effective Agent ◽  
Ordered Structures ◽  
Essential Change

Cerium oxide in borate glasses of composition xCeO2·(50 − x)PbO·50B2O3 plays an important role in changing both microstructure and magnetic behaviors of the system. The structural role of CeO2 as an effective agent for cluster and crystal formation in borate network is clearly evidenced by XRD technique. Both structure and size of well-formed cerium separated clusters have an effective influence on the structural properties. The cluster aggregations are documented to be found in different range ordered structures, intermediate and long range orders are the most structures in which cerium phases are involved. The nano-sized crystallized cerium species in lead borate phase are evidenced to have magnetic behavior.  The criteria of building new specific borate phase enriched with cerium as ferrimagnetism has been found to keep the magnetization in large scale even at extremely high temperature. Treating the glass thermally or exposing it to an effective dose of ionized radiation is evidenced to have an essential change in magnetic properties. Thermal heat treatment for some of investigated materials is observed to play dual roles in the glass matrix. It can not only enhance alignment processes of the magnetic moment but also increases the capacity of the crystallite species in the magnetic phases. On the other hand, reverse processes are remarked under the effect of irradiation. The magnetization was found to be lowered, since several types of the trap centers which are regarded as defective states can be produced by effect of ionized radiation. 

The Impact of Quantitative Easing on Emerging Markets – Literature Review

e-Finanse ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 67-76
Author(s):  
Piotr Bartkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Quantitative Easing ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Sufficient Precision

AbstractThe article presents the results of the review of the empirical literature regarding the impact of quantitative easing (QE) on emerging markets (EMs). The subject is of interest to policymakers and researchers due to the increasingly larger role of EMs in the world economy and the large-scale capital flows occurring after 2009. The review is conducted in a systematic manner and takes into consideration different methodological choices, samples and measurement issues. The paper puts the summarized results in the context of transmission channels identified in the literature. There are few distinct methodological approaches present in the literature. While there is a consensus regarding the direction of the impact of QE on EMs, its size and durability have not yet been assessed with sufficient precision. In addition, there are clear gaps in the empirical findings, not least related to relative underrepresentation of the CEE region (in particular, Poland).

Age Advantages of Emotional Experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic are Robust, but Diminished Compared to Pre-pandemic Conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Sun ◽  
Disa Sauter
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Selection Strategies ◽  
Scale Test ◽  
Prolonged Stress

Getting old is generally seen as unappealing, yet aging confers considerable advantages in several psychological domains (North & Fiske, 2015). In particular, older adults are better off emotionally than younger adults, with aging associated with the so-called “age advantages,” that is, more positive and less negative emotional experiences (Carstensen et al., 2011). Although the age advantages are well established, it is less clear whether they occur under conditions of prolonged stress. In a recent study, Carstensen et al (2020) demonstrated that the age advantages persist during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that older adults are able to utilise cognitive and behavioural strategies to ameliorate even sustained stress. Here, we build on Carstensen and colleagues’ work with two studies. In Study 1, we provide a large-scale test of the robustness of Carstensen and colleagues’ finding that older individuals experience more positive and less negative emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic. We measured positive and negative emotions along with age information in 23,629 participants in 63 countries in April-May 2020. In Study 2, we provide a comparison of the age advantages using representative samples collected before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We demonstrate that older people experience less negative emotion than younger people during the prolonged stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the advantage of older adults was diminished during the pandemic, pointing to a likely role of older adults use of situation selection strategies (Charles, 2010).

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