scholarly journals West Nile and Usutu viruses co-circulation in central Italy: outcomes of the 2018 integrated surveillance

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Scaramozzino ◽  
Andrea Carvelli ◽  
Gianpaolo Bruni ◽  
Giuseppina Cappiello ◽  
Francesco Censi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Detection ◽  
Human Blood ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Entomological Surveillance ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Dead End ◽  
Serological Surveillance ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
And Performance ◽  
High Level

Abstract Background West Nile (WNV) and Usutu (USUV) are emerging vector-borne zoonotic flaviviruses. They are antigenically very similar, sharing the same life cycle with birds as amplification host, Culicidae as vector, and man/horse as dead-end host. They can co-circulate in an overlapping geographic range. In Europe, surveillance plans annually detect several outbreaks. Methods In Italy, a WNV/USUV surveillance plan is in place through passive and active surveillance. After a 2018 WNV outbreak, a reinforced integrated risk-based surveillance was performed in four municipalities through clinical and serological surveillance in horses, Culicidae catches, and testing on human blood-based products for transfusion. Results Eight WNV cases in eight equine holdings were detected. Twenty-three mosquitoe catches were performed and 2367 specimens of Culex pipiens caught; 17 pools were USUV positive. A total of 8889 human blood donations were tested, and two asymptomatic donors were USUV positive. Conclusions Different surveillance components simultaneously detected WNV only in horses and USUV only in humans and mosquitoes. While in endemic areas (i.e. northern Italy) entomological surveillance is successfully used as an early detection warning, this method in central Italy seems ineffective. To achieve a high level of sensitivity, the entomological trapping effort should probably exceed a reasonable balance between cost and performance. Besides, WNV/USUV early detection can be addressed by horses and birds. Further research is needed to adapt the surveillance components in different epidemiological contexts.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of West Nile and Usutu viruses in military working horses and dogs, Morocco, 2012: dog as an alternative WNV sentinel species?

2016 ◽  
Vol 144 (9) ◽  
pp. 1857-1864 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. DURAND ◽  
H. HASKOURI ◽  
S. LOWENSKI ◽  
N. VACHIERY ◽  
C. BECK ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Infection ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Test Results ◽  
West Nile Fever ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Working Dogs ◽  
Serological Surveillance ◽  
High Level ◽  
Military Working Dogs

SUMMARYA serosurvey of 349 military working horses and 231 military working dogs was conducted in ten sites in Morocco in 2012. This survey revealed a high level of exposure of these animals to flaviviruses: seroprevalence rates of 60% in horses and of 62% in dogs were observed using a competitive West Nile virus (WNV) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Seroneutralization test results showed that the majority of cELISA-positive results were due to exposure to WNV. Further assays conducted in vaccinated horses with a DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) test indicated that anti-WNV antibodies had been stimulated through WNV natural infection. Moreover, in both species, seroneutralization tests suggested an exposure to Usutu virus (USUV). Data analysis did not show any significant difference of cELISA seropositivity risk between horses and dogs. Dogs may thus represent an interesting alternative to equines for the serological surveillance of WNV or USUV circulation, especially in areas where equine vaccination precludes passive surveillance (based on the detection of West Nile fever cases) in horses.

Medically Important Vector Borne Disease Control-Botanical Plant Extract Trials

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 513
Author(s):  
Rakhshan .
Keyword(s):  
Disease Control ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Vector Borne Disease ◽  
Development Of Resistance ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Synthetic Pesticides ◽  
High Level ◽  
Continuous Use ◽  
Chemical Pesticides

Mosquitoes are vectors of many pathogens which causes serious human diseases like Malaria, Filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, Dengue fever, Chikungunya, Yellow fever and Zika virus which constitute a major public health problem globally. Mosquito borne diseases cause high level of economic impact all over the world and result in millions of death every year. They infect around 700,000,000 people annually worldwide and 40,000,000 only in India. The continuous use of synthetic pesticides to control vector mosquitoes has caused physiological resistance, toxic effect on human health, environmental pollution and addition to these, its adverse effects can be observed on non-target organisms. Synthetic chemical pesticides have been proved to be effective, but overall in last 5 decades indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides against vector borne disease control have originated several ecological issues due to their residual accumulation and development of resistance in target vectors and their chronic effects.

https://imsciences.edu.pk/files/journals/vol12_2/New%201%20MA.864.pdf

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Siddique ◽  
Shandana Shoaib ◽  
Zahoor Jan
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Relational Coordination ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
And Performance ◽  
High Level

A key aspect of work processes in service sector firms is the interconnection between tasks and performance. Relational coordination can play an important role in addressing the issues of coordinating organizational activities due to high level of interdependence complexity in service sector firms. Research has primarily supported the aspect that well devised high performance work systems (HPWS) can intensify organizational performance. There is a growing debate, however, with regard to understanding the “mechanism” linking HPWS and performance outcomes. Using relational coordination theory, this study examines a model that examine the effects of subsets of HPWS, such as motivation, skills and opportunity enhancing HR practices on relational coordination among employees working in reciprocal interdependent job settings. Data were gathered from multiple sources including managers and employees at individual, functional and unit levels to know their understanding in relation to HPWS and relational coordination (RC) in 218 bank branches in Pakistan. Data analysis via structural equation modelling, results suggest that HPWS predicted RC among officers at the unit level. The findings of the study have contributions to both, theory and practice.

Exploring The Effect of Visual Information Degradation on Human Perception and Performance In A Human-Telerobot System

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1302-1307
Author(s):  
Richard Stone ◽  
Minglu Wang ◽  
Thomas Schnieders ◽  
Esraa Abdelall
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Human Perception ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Hit Rate ◽  
Word Level ◽  
Level Of Automation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Human Operators ◽  
And Performance ◽  
High Level

Human-robotic interaction system are increasingly becoming integrated into industrial, commercial and emergency service agencies. It is critical that human operators understand and trust automation when these systems support and even make important decisions. The following study focused on human-in-loop telerobotic system performing a reconnaissance operation. Twenty-four subjects were divided into groups based on level of automation (Low-Level Automation (LLA), and High-Level Automation (HLA)). Results indicated a significant difference between low and high word level of control in hit rate when permanent error occurred. In the LLA group, the type of error had a significant effect on the hit rate. In general, the high level of automation was better than the low level of automation, especially if it was more reliable, suggesting that subjects in the HLA group could rely on the automatic implementation to perform the task more effectively and more accurately.

scholarly journals Towards a contemporary player learning in development framework for sports practitioners

2021 ◽  
pp. 174795412110023
Author(s):  
Mark O Sullivan ◽  
Carl T Woods ◽  
James Vaughan ◽  
Keith Davids
Keyword(s):  
Linear Process ◽  
Task Environment ◽  
Coach Education ◽  
Development Framework ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Learning Development ◽  
High Level ◽  
User Friendly

As it is appreciated that learning is a non-linear process – implying that coaching methodologies in sport should be accommodative – it is reasonable to suggest that player development pathways should also account for this non-linearity. A constraints-led approach (CLA), predicated on the theory of ecological dynamics, has been suggested as a viable framework for capturing the non-linearity of learning, development and performance in sport. The CLA articulates how skills emerge through the interaction of different constraints (task-environment-performer). However, despite its well-established theoretical roots, there are challenges to implementing it in practice. Accordingly, to help practitioners navigate such challenges, this paper proposes a user-friendly framework that demonstrates the benefits of a CLA. Specifically, to conceptualize the non-linear and individualized nature of learning, and how it can inform player development, we apply Adolph’s notion of learning IN development to explain the fundamental ideas of a CLA. We then exemplify a learning IN development framework, based on a CLA, brought to life in a high-level youth football organization. We contend that this framework can provide a novel approach for presenting the key ideas of a CLA and its powerful pedagogic concepts to practitioners at all levels, informing coach education programs, player development frameworks and learning environment designs in sport.

scholarly journals Molecular Identification of New Cases of Human Dirofilariosis (Dirofilaria repens) in Italy

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 251
Author(s):  
Simona Gabrielli ◽  
Valentina Mangano ◽  
Federica Furzi ◽  
Alessandra Oliva ◽  
Serena Vita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Diagnosis ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Pulmonary Nodules ◽  
Elisa Test ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Human Dirofilariosis ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Etiological Agents

(1) Dirofilariosis is a vector-borne parasitic disease mainly in domestic and wild carnivores caused by Dirofilaria (Noctiella) repens, which is endemic in many countries of the Old World, and D. immitis, which has a worldwide distribution. In recent years, an increase in the number of human cases has been reported, suggesting that dirofilariosis is an emergent zoonosis. Here, we describe further cases (N = 8), observed in Central Italy during the years 2018–2019. (2) Molecular diagnosis was performed on: (i) live worms extracted from ocular conjunctiva, cheek, and calf muscle; (ii) histological sections of surgically removed nodules from parenchymal lung, coccyx, and breast. (3) Sequence analysis (650-bp) of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (mtDNA cox1) showed a match of 100% with the sequences of D. repens previously deposited in GenBank. ELISA test to detect IgG against filarial antigens was performed on four patients’ sera and resulted positive in two patients who showed ocular and subcutaneous dirofilariosis, respectively. Microfilariae have been never detected in the peripheral blood of the patients. (4) The occurrence of N = 8 new cases of human D. repens-infections observed in a two-year period suggests an increased circulation of the parasite in Italy. Therefore, dirofilariosis should be included in differential diagnosis in patients presenting subcutaneous and/or pulmonary nodules. Molecular diagnosis of the etiological agents is fundamental. Specific serological diagnosis needs to be improved in future research work.

Migration of Solutes in Unsaturated, Fractured Rock at Yucca Mountain: Measurements, Mechanisms, and Models

1995 ◽  
Vol 412 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Wolfsberg ◽  
B. A. Robinson ◽  
J. T. Fabryka-Martin
Keyword(s):  
Solute Transport ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Alternative Hypothesis ◽  
Fractured Rock ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Nuclear Waste Repository ◽  
Transport Studies ◽  
And Performance ◽  
High Level ◽  
A Site

AbstractCharacterization and performance assessment (PA) studies for the potential high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain require an understanding of migration mechanisms and pathways of radioactive solutes. Measurements of 36C1 in samples extracted from boreholes at the site are being used in conjunction with recent infiltration estimates to calibrate a site-scale flow and solute transport model. This exercise using the flow and solute transport model, FEHM, involves testing different model formulations and two different hypotheses to explain the occurrence of elevated 36Cl in the Calico Hills unit (CHn) which indicates younger water than in the overlying Topopah Spring unit (TSw). One hypothesis suggests fast vertical transport from the surface via fractures in the TSw to the CHn. An alternative hypothesis is that the elevated 36C1 concentrations reflect rapid horizontal flow in the CHn or at the interface between the CHn and the TSw with the source being vertical percolation under spatially isolated regions of high infiltration or at outcrops of those units. Arguments in favor of and against the hypotheses are described in conjunction with the site-scale transport studies.

scholarly journals Predicted and observed mortality from vector-borne disease in wildlife: West Nile virus and small songbirds

2013 ◽  
Vol 165 ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Marm Kilpatrick ◽  
Ryan J. Peters ◽  
Alan P. Dupuis ◽  
Matthew J. Jones ◽  
Peter Daszak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Vector Borne Disease ◽  
Vector Borne

scholarly journals A rapid design space exploration approach for multi-objective optimization of DSP filter designs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aakriti Tarun Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Design Space Exploration ◽  
Design Space ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Design Solution ◽  
Multi Objective Optimization ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Time Period ◽  
And Performance ◽  
High Level

The process of converting a behavioral specification of an application to its equivalent system architecture is referred to as High Level-Synthesis (HLS). A crucial stage in embedded systems design involves finding the trade off between resource utilization and performance. An exhaustive search would yield the required results, but would take a huge amount of time to arrive at the solution even for smaller designs. This would result in a high time complexity. We employ the use of Design Space Exploration (DSE) in order to reduce the complexity of the design space and to reach the desired results in less time. In reality, there are multiple constraints defined by the user that need to be satisfied simultaneously. Thus, the nature of the task at hand is referred to as Multi-Objective Optimization. In this thesis, the design process of DSP benchmarks was analyzed based on user defined constraints such as power and execution time. The analyzed outcome was compared with the existing approaches in DSE and an optimal design solution was derived in a shorter time period.

scholarly journals Organizational culture and its impact on the behavior and performance of employees: الثقافة التنظيمية و أثرها على سلوك و أداء الموظفين

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iman Ahmed Bakthir
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Team Work ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Open Door Policy ◽  
Administrative Authority ◽  
Pressure Groups ◽  
Employees Satisfaction ◽  
And Performance ◽  
High Level ◽  
High Degree

The study aimed to identify the type of organizational culture among managers and department heads of United Sugar Company in Jeddah and its impact on the performance of employees. In addition to diagnose the staff and management understanding of the organizational culture role in improving the overall performance of the company. The study sample consisted of (17) managers and (141) employees from all departments within the United Sugar Company. The researcher used the study tool represented by two questioners, one for managers and the other for staff. Answers samples were treated statistically using the statistical analysis software SPSS. Approach that the researcher used was descriptive analytical approach, which describes the nature of the theoretical and field study. The researcher was able to reach managers’ answers results, represented by the diversity of the study sample in terms of organisational rank, qualifications, experience and age. Results indicated the presence of a degree of neutrality in giving managers a mandate administrative authority over employees. It was shown in the study the presence of margin of freedom for employees to express their opinions, however it was not in the required level. The study also shown that the administration involves staff in the development of current and future plans for the company with a high degree, also managers encourage staff to propose alternatives and scientific solutions to problems they face. Awareness demonstrated by staff and managers towards work policies and regulations indicates a good organizational culture. It was found also that managers contribute to modernizing the working environment and identify their needs in modern scientific ways and they encourage team work spirit within employees to create a healthy organizational culture while not afraid of pressure groups since they have a high level of organizational culture. Interest in transferring expertise from outside the company is evidence on the capacity of their organizational culture. The high degree employees’ satisfaction represents the drive to believe in the culture of the organization. The study recommended the need to raise the degree of mangers involving staff in the authorities delegation and the need to adopt open-door policy also for staff to participate in decision-making process. Also it was recommended by the research to direct the attention towards training on the job and make it a gateway to the company's culture. It was urged on the need for transferring a lot of successful experiences to other companies in support of spreading the organization's culture. It was recommended to care about the importance of the development of policies and administrative regulations and make them more flexible to allow for a wide organizational culture. And to follow global corporate developments and investigate the reasons for its success and the role of organizational culture in it and adopt accordingly. It was pointed the need to honor the contributions of outstanding efforts to encourage science and organizational culture. It also recommended holding periodic contests where workers highlight the performance and awareness degree of organizational culture, also holding seminars, lectures and exhibitions inside and outside the company to spread the organizational culture of the company to other parties.

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