1,172 research outputs found
A New Large-Well 1024x1024 Si:As Detector for the Mid-Infrare
We present a description of a new 1024x1024 Si:As array designed for
ground-based use from 5 - 28 microns. With a maximum well depth of 5e6
electrons, this device brings large-format array technology to bear on
ground-based mid-infrared programs, allowing entry to the megapixel realm
previously only accessible to the near-IR. The multiplexer design features
switchable gain, a 256x256 windowing mode for extremely bright sources, and it
is two-edge buttable. The device is currently in its final design phase at DRS
in Cypress, CA. We anticipate completion of the foundry run in the beginning of
2006. This new array will enable wide field, high angular resolution
ground-based follow up of targets found by space-based missions such as the
Spitzer Space Telescope and the Widefield Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE).Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures, 2005 San Diego SPI
The first GCT camera for the Cherenkov Telescope Array
The Gamma Cherenkov Telescope (GCT) is proposed to be part of the Small Size
Telescope (SST) array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). The GCT
dual-mirror optical design allows the use of a compact camera of diameter
roughly 0.4 m. The curved focal plane is equipped with 2048 pixels of
~0.2{\deg} angular size, resulting in a field of view of ~9{\deg}. The GCT
camera is designed to record the flashes of Cherenkov light from
electromagnetic cascades, which last only a few tens of nanoseconds. Modules
based on custom ASICs provide the required fast electronics, facilitating
sampling and digitisation as well as first level of triggering. The first GCT
camera prototype is currently being commissioned in the UK. On-telescope tests
are planned later this year. Here we give a detailed description of the camera
prototype and present recent progress with testing and commissioning.Comment: In Proceedings of the 34th International Cosmic Ray Conference
(ICRC2015), The Hague, The Netherlands. All CTA contributions at
arXiv:1508.0589
Efficacious, effective, and embedded interventions: Implementation research in infectious disease control
Background: Research in infectious disease control is heavily skewed towards high end
technology; development of new drugs, vaccines and clinical interventions. Oft ignored, is the
evidence to inform the best strategies that ensure the embedding of interventions into health
systems and amongst populations. In this paper we undertake an analysis of the challenge in the
development of research for the sustainable implementation of disease control interventions.
Results: We highlight the fundamental differences between the research paradigms associated
with the development of technologies and interventions for disease control on the one hand and the research paradigms required for enhancing the sustainable uptake of those very same
interventions within the communities on the other. We provide a definition for implementation
research in an attempt to underscore its critical role and explore the multidisciplinary science
needed to address the challenges in disease control.
Conclusion: The greatest value for money in health research lies in the sustainable and effective implementation of already proven, efficacious solutions. The development of implementation research that can help provide some solutions on how this can be achieved is sorely needed
Spatial distribution of podoconiosis in relation to environmental factors in Ethiopia: a historical review
BACKGROUND
An up-to-date and reliable map of podoconiosis is needed to design geographically targeted and cost-effective intervention in Ethiopia. Identifying the ecological correlates of the distribution of podoconiosis is the first step for distribution and risk maps. The objective of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution and ecological correlates of podoconiosis using historical and contemporary survey data.
METHODS
Data on the observed prevalence of podoconiosis were abstracted from published and unpublished literature into a standardized database, according to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. In total, 10 studies conducted between 1969 and 2012 were included, and data were available for 401,674 individuals older than 15 years of age from 229 locations. A range of high resolution environmental factors were investigated to determine their association with podoconiosis prevalence, using logistic regression.
RESULTS
The prevalence of podoconiosis in Ethiopia was estimated at 3.4% (95% CI 3.3%-3.4%) with marked regional variation. We identified significant associations between mean annual Land Surface Temperature (LST), mean annual precipitation, topography of the land and fine soil texture and high prevalence of podoconiosis. The derived maps indicate both widespread occurrence of podoconiosis and a marked variability in prevalence of podoconiosis, with prevalence typically highest at altitudes >1500 m above sea level (masl), with >1500 mm annual rainfall and mean annual LST of 19-21°C. No (or very little) podoconiosis occurred at altitudes 24°C.
CONCLUSION
Podoconiosis remains a public health problem in Ethiopia over considerable areas of the country, but exhibits marked geographical variation associated in part with key environmental factors. This is work in progress and the results presented here will be refined in future work
Probing Ganymede's atmosphere with HST Ly images in transit of Jupiter
We report results from far-ultraviolet observations by the Hubble Space
Telescope of Jupiter's largest moon Ganymede transiting across the planet's
dayside hemisphere. {Within} a targeted campaign on 9 September 2021 two
exposures were taken during one transit passage to probe for attenuation of
Jupiter's hydrogen Lyman- dayglow above the moon limb. The background
dayglow is slightly attenuated over an extended region around Ganymede, with
stronger attenuation in the second exposure when Ganymede was near the planet's
center. In the first exposure when the moon was closer to Jupiter's limb, the
effects from the Ganymede corona are hardly detectable, likely because the
Jovian Lyman- dayglow is spectrally broader and less intense at this
viewing geometry. The obtained vertical H column densities of around
~cm are consistent with previous results.
Constraining angular variability around Ganymede's disk, we derive an upper
limit on a local HO column density of ~cm, such
as could arise from outgassing plumes in regions near the observed moon limb
How participatory is parental consent in low literacy rural settings in low income countries? Lessons learned from a community based study of infants in South India
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A requisite for ethical human subjects research is that participation should be informed and voluntary. Participation during the informed consent process by way of asking questions is an indicator of the extent to which consent is informed.</p> <p>Aims</p> <p>The aims of this study were to assess the extent to which parents providing consent for children's participation in an observational tuberculosis (TB) research study in India actively participated during the informed consent discussion, and to identify correlates of that participation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In an observational cohort study of tuberculosis in infants in South India, field supervisors who were responsible for obtaining informed consent noted down questions asked during the informed consent discussions for 4,382 infants who were enrolled in the study. These questions were post-coded by topic. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted to examine factors associated with asking at least one question during the informed consent process.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In total, 590 out of 4,382 (13.4%) parents/guardians asked any question during the informed consent process. We found that the likelihood of parents asking questions during the informed consent process was significantly associated with education level of either parent both parents being present, and location.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The findings have implications for planning the informed consent process in a largely rural setting with low levels of literacy. Greater effort needs to be directed towards developing simple participatory communication materials for the informed consent process. Furthermore, including both parents in a discussion about a child's participation in a research study may increase the extent to which consent is truly informed. Finally, continuing efforts need to be made to improve the communication skills of research workers with regard to explaining research processes and putting potential research participants at ease.</p
Neglected Tropical Diseases and the Millennium Development Goals-why the "other diseases" matter: reality versus rhetoric
Since 2004 there has been an increased recognition of the importance of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) as impediments to development. These diseases are caused by a variety of infectious agents - viruses, bacteria and parasites - which cause a diversity of clinical conditions throughout the tropics. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has defined seventeen of these conditions as core NTDs. The objectives for the control, elimination or eradication of these conditions have been defined in World Health Assembly resolutions whilst the strategies for the control or elimination of individual diseases have been defined in various WHO documents. Since 2005 there has been a drive for the expanded control of these diseases through an integrated approach of mass drug administration referred to as Preventive Chemotherapy via community-based distribution systems and through schools. This has been made possible by donations from major pharmaceutical companies of quality and efficacious drugs which have a proven track record of safety. As a result of the increased commitment of endemic countries, bilateral donors and non-governmental development organisations, there has been a considerable expansion of mass drug administration. In particular, programmes targeting lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, trachoma and soil transmitted helminth infections have expanded to treat 887. 8 million people in 2009. There has been significant progress towards guinea worm eradication, and the control of leprosy and human African trypanosomiasis. This paper responds to what the authors believe are inappropriate criticisms of these programmes and counters accusations of the motives of partners made in recently published papers. We provide a detailed response and update the information on the numbers of global treatments undertaken for NTDs and list the success stories to date
Two treatments, one disease: childhood malaria management in Tanga, Tanzania
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the Tanga District of coastal Tanzania, malaria is one of the primary causes of mortality for children under the age of five. While some children are treated with malaria medications in biomedical facilities, as the World Health Organization recommends, others receive home-care or treatment from traditional healers. Recognition of malaria is difficult because symptoms can range from fever with uncomplicated malaria to convulsions with severe malaria. This study explores why caregivers in the Tanga District of Tanzania pursue particular courses of action to deal with malaria in their children.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Qualitative data were collected through interviews with three samples: female caregivers of children under five (N = 61), medical practitioners (N = 28), and traditional healers (N = 18) in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas. The female caregiver sample is intentionally stratified to reflect the greater population of the Tanga District in level of education, marital status, gender of household head, religion, and tribal group affiliation. Qualitative data were counted, coded and analysed using NVivo7 software.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results indicate that a variety of factors influence treatment choice, including socio-cultural beliefs about malaria symptoms, associations with spiritual affliction requiring traditional healing, knowledge of malaria, and fear of certain anti-malaria treatment procedures. Most notably, some caregivers identified convulsions as a spiritual condition, unrelated to malaria. While nearly all caregivers reported attending biomedical facilities to treat children with fever (N = 60/61), many caregivers stated that convulsions are best treated by traditional healers (N = 26/61). Qualitative interviews with medical practitioners and traditional healers confirmed this belief.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Results offer insight into current trends in malaria management and have implications in healthcare policy, educational campaigns, and the importance of integrating traditional and biomedical approaches.</p
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