Modelling of seasonal influenza and estimation of the burden in Tunisia.

International audienceThe burden of influenza was estimated from surveillance data in Tunisia using epidemiological parameters of transmission with WHO classical tools and mathematical modelling. The incidence rates of influenza-associated influenza-like illness (ILI) per 100 000 were 18 735 in 2012/2013 season; 5536 in 2013/14 and 12 602 in 2014/15. The estimated proportions of influenza-associated ILI in the total outpatient load were 3.16%; 0.86% and 1.98% in the 3 seasons respectively. Distribution of influenza viruses among positive patients was: A(H3N2) 15.5%; A(H1N1)pdm2009 39.2%; and B virus 45.3% in 2014/2015 season. From the estimated numbers of symptomatic cases, we estimated that the critical proportions of the population that should be vaccinated were 15%, 4% and 10% respectively. Running the model for the different values of R0, we quantified the number of symptomatic clinical cases, the clinical attack rates, the symptomatic clinical attack rates and the number of deaths. More realistic versions of this model and improved estimates of parameters from surveillance data will strengthen the estimation of the burden of influenza

Effect of bismuth oxide nanoparticles on the physicochemical properties of porous silicon thin films

International audienceIn this work, bismuth oxide nanoparticles were successfully deposited on porous silicon (PSi) in order to enhancethe light absorption and reduce the optical losses. The obtained bismuth oxide (Bi2 O 3)/PSi samples were characterizedby means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), photolumines-cence (PL), UV–visible absorption and reflection spectroscopy techniques. The XRD studies revealed the formation of themonoclinic α-Bi2 O3 phase. The XPS analysis demonstrates the formation of highly pure Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles in accordancewith XRD results. The SEM and AFM analyses confirmed that the bismuth oxide nanoparticles are well incorporated anduniformly distributed over the surface of PSi without changes in the arrangement and shape of the pores, resulting in anoptimized microstructure. The Bi2 O 3/PSi films showed better absorption than PSi layers as indicated by UV–Vis absorptiontechnique. The reflection measurements confirmed a further reduction in reflectivity of PSi from 6.4 to 3.5% after the inclu-sion of Bi 2 O 3 nanoparticles, which is of significant importance for solar cells application since it can enhance its conversionefficiency. The Bi2 O3/PSi films have a great promise to be used as efficient antireflection coatings in innovative conceptsof higher efficiency and cost-effective solar cells

Referrals and Determinant Factors of a National School Health Campaign in Lebanon on Children Aged between 3 and 12 Years Old

In this extensive study examining the health of 7184 school children aged 3 to 12 in 27 Lebanese schools, screenings involved medical evaluation and interviews, complemented by phone interviews with 3880 parents. Notably, one in two students received a medical referral, revealing prevalent issues such as dental cavities (33%), under-vaccination (25%), undetected vision problems (13%), abnormal growth (6%), underweight (27%), and overweight (33%). Additional concerns encompassed abnormal vital signs (3%), abuse signs (0.6%), infectious skin lesions (1.6%), scoliosis (1.7%), abnormal auscultation (heart 1.1%, lungs 1.2%), ear problems (3.3%), precocious puberty (0.7%), and neurologic signs (0.6%). Mental health challenges affected 20–25% of students. Public schools and Beirut exhibited higher referral rates, with girls, older children, overweight students, those lacking regular pediatrician visits, and children of self-employed or less educated parents facing elevated referral rates. In contrast, children of healthcare workers experienced fewer referrals. Against this backdrop, the study emphasizes the imperative for targeted health initiatives, particularly in marginalized areas and for socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Priority areas include dental care, weight issues, mental health, vaccination compliance, and addressing vision problems to enhance learning outcomes