Evaluation of Three Rapid Tests for Diagnosis of P. Falciparum and P. Vivax Malaria in Colombia.

The diagnostic capacity of three malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), NOW-Malaria-ICT, OptiMAL-IT, and Paracheck-Pf, was evaluated against expert microscopy in Colombia. We tested 896 patients, of whom microscopy confirmed 139 P. falciparum, 279 P. vivax, and 13 mixed P.f/P.v infections and 465 negatives. Paracheck-Pf and NOW-malaria-ICT were more accurate in detecting P. falciparum (sensitivities 90.8% and 90.1%, respectively) in comparison with Optimal-IT (83.6%). NOW showed an acceptable Pf detection rate at low densities (< 500/microL), but resulted in a higher proportion of false positives. For P. vivax diagnosis, Optimal-IT had a higher sensitivity than NOW (91.0% and 81.4%, respectively). The choice between the two Pf/Pv detecting RDTs balances P. falciparum and P. vivax detection rates. Considering some degree of P. falciparum overtreatment and failure to detect all P. vivax cases as more acceptable than missing some cases of P. falciparum, we recommend careful implementation of NOW-malaria-ICT in areas where microscopy is lacking. The price is however still a constraint

Case management

Provides an overview of methods of diagnosis, treatment and patient care in complex emergencies. This chapter: ■ provides guidelines for initial management, including emergency triage – for the rapid identifi cation and treatment of patients at greatest risk of dying – and clinical assessment ■ discusses confi rmatory diagnosis of malaria using microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) ■ outlines factors that determine the choice of antimalarial drug ■ describes antimalarial drug treatment for uncomplicated malaria, subsequent follow-up, and the management of treatment failures ■ describes the assessment and treatment of anaemia ■ describes the treatment of severe P. falciparum malaria and its associated complications, including resuscitation, treatment with antimalarial drugs, and nursing care ■ provides guidance on the prevention and treatment of malaria in special groups (pregnant women, malnourished patients, returning refugees and displaced persons)

Gender-related factors affecting health seeking for neglected tropical diseases: findings from a qualitative study in Ethiopia

Background Despite known gender-specific differences in terms of prevalence, transmission and exposure to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), there is limited discussion of the influence of gender in NTD programmes and interventions. There is a paucity of research on how gender interacts with NTD service provision and uptake. This study, part of broader implementation research in Ethiopia, applied a gender lens to health seeking for five NTDs: lymphatic filariasis, podoconiosis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminth infection and trachoma. Methodology/principal findings The study was conducted in a district of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region of Ethiopia where the five NTDs are prevalent. A qualitative methodology was adopted to explore participants’ perspectives and experiences. Data generation methods included 20 interviews and four focus group discussions. Community members, volunteer Health Development Army leaders, Health Extension Workers and a range of health workers at the health post, health centre and hospital level (n = 59) were purposively sampled. Interviews and focus group discussions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim into English then analysed through open coding, drawing on constant comparative methods. Gender related factors affected care seeking for NTDs and were described as reasons for not seeking care, delayed care seeking and treating NTDs with natural remedies. Women faced additional challenges in seeking health care due to gender inequalities and power dynamics in their domestic partnerships. Participants recommended raising community awareness about NTDs, however this remains problematic due to gender and social norms around appropriate discourse with members of the opposite gender. Conclusions/significance The findings from this study provide crucial insights into how gender interacts with accessing health services, at different levels of the health system. If we are committed to leaving no one behind and achieving universal health coverage, it is essential to address gender disparities to access and utilisation of interventions delivered by national NTD programmes

Critical phenomena of collapsing massless scalar wave packets

An analytical model that represents the collapse of a massless scalar wave packet with continuous self-similarity is constructed, and critical phenomena are found. In the supercritical case, the mass of black holes is finite and has the form $M \propto (p - p^{*})^{\gamma}$, with $\gamma = 1/2$.Comment: Latex file, including 2 figures, avalaible upon reques

Evaluation of 3 rapid diagnostic tests (CareStart) Malaria 3 line pl.DH (Pan, Pf), OptiMAL-IT pl.DH (Pan, Pf) and CareStart 0 2 line.pl.DH (Pan) for the diagnosis of malaria in Myanmar

Presented at the conference of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 200

Mass-Inflation in Dynamical Gravitational Collapse of a Charged Scalar-Field

We study the inner-structure of a charged black-hole which is formed from the gravitational collapse of a self-gravitating charged scalar-field. Starting with a regular spacetime, we follow the evolution through the formation of an apparent horizon, a Cauchy horizon and a final central singularity. We find a null, weak, mass-inflation singularity along the Cauchy horizon, which is a precursor of a strong, spacelike singularity along the $r=0$ hypersurface.Comment: Latex, 13 pages including 4 figures, Revtex.st

Numerical Relativity: A review

Computer simulations are enabling researchers to investigate systems which are extremely difficult to handle analytically. In the particular case of General Relativity, numerical models have proved extremely valuable for investigations of strong field scenarios and been crucial to reveal unexpected phenomena. Considerable efforts are being spent to simulate astrophysically relevant simulations, understand different aspects of the theory and even provide insights in the search for a quantum theory of gravity. In the present article I review the present status of the field of Numerical Relativity, describe the techniques most commonly used and discuss open problems and (some) future prospects.Comment: 2 References added; 1 corrected. 67 pages. To appear in Classical and Quantum Gravity. (uses iopart.cls

Developing a methodology towards sustainable PCD compact core drilling on planet Mars

ABSTRACT This paper describes a study of core drilling into basalt rock in anticipation of a Mars mission. Since the objective is to maintain a sustainable drilling mission on this distant planet, we perform a methodical study to examine parameters which influence sustainability including PCD tool-wear and drilling forces. INTRODUCTION Two gradual modes of insert-wear are experimentally measured: flank wear (VB) and cutting edge radius wear (CERW). Furthermore, relevant equations that relate wear to several factors including rock strength and process parameters are developed. The findings suggest a strong influence of rock hardness, process parameters, and tool geometry on tool-wear. Similar functional dependence is found for the generated thrust force and torque on rock hardness, rake angle, spindle speed, and drill feed. Consequently, equations are derived to model thrust force and torque as functions of these variables