A Comparison of the Effects of Conventional and Namibia Specific Conservation Tillage Methods Used in Ogongo, Namibia on Root Development and Yield of Pearl Millet. Volume 1

Studies were conducted at the Ogongo Campus of University of Namibia between 2011 and 2012 to compare the differences between two conventional tillage (CV) treatments (i.e. tractor - drawn disc harrow (TDH) and animal - drawn mouldboard plough (AMP) and two NSCT treatments (tractor - drawn ripper furrower (TRF) and animal - drawn ripper furrowers (ARF) used by farmers in the Northern Communal Areas (NCA) of Namibia. This paper is the first volume of a series of papers to report on the comparisons of the two technologies on field performances of tillage methods and their effects on moisture, compaction, roots and yield. For this paper, the parameters evaluated were root length and yield. The research design was a split plot design with tillage as main plot treatment whilst mulch was the sub plot treatment. Yields were not significantly influenced by tillage (p = 0.410 in 2011 and 0.078 in 2012) but root length were significantly influenced by tillage in the second year (p<0.005). There were no significant differences in mulched plots vs unmulched plots among the tillage methods. Both NSCT methods (TRF with mulch and ARF with mulch) achieved longer root lengths than CV methods (TDH and AMP) by 24.5% and 8.5% respectively. Tractor ripper furrower (TRF) achieved the longest mean roots and yields in 2012.  The NSCT methods (TRF and ARF) achieved higher yields than CV methods (TDH and AMP) by 10.1% and 11% respectively. The results also suggests that farmers’ yields can be increased from an average of 400 kg ha-1 through better management that includes use of CT implements, manure, fertilizer and mulch

Mobile phones as fomites for pathogenic microbes: A cross-sectional survey of perceptions and sanitization habits of health care workers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Backgrounds In 2022, smartphone use continues to expand with the number of smartphone subscriptions surpassing 6 billion and forecasted to grow to 7.5 billion by 2026. The necessity of these ‘high touch’ devices as essential tools in professional healthcare settings carries great risks of cross-contamination between mobile phones and hands. Current research emphasises mobile phones as fomites enhancing the risk of nosocomial disease dissemination as phone sanitisation is often overlooked. To assess and report via a large-scale E-survey the handling practices and the use of phones by healthcare workers. Methods A total of 377 healthcare workers (HCWs) participated in this study to fill in an E-survey online consisting of 14 questions (including categorical, ordinal, and numerical data). Analysis of categorical data used non-parametric techniques such as Pearson's chi-squared test. Results During an 8-h shift, 92.8% (n/N = 350/377) use their phone at work with 84.6% (n/N = 319/377) considering mobile phones as an essential tool for their job. Almost all HCWs who participated in this survey believe their mobile phones could potentially harbour microorganisms (97.1%; n/N = 366/377). Fifty-seven respondents (15.1%) indicated that they use their phones while wearing gloves and 10.3% (n/N = 39/377) have never cleaned their phones. The majority of respondents (89.3%; n/N = 337/377) agreed that contaminated mobile phones could contribute to dissemination of SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion Mobile phone use is now almost universal and indispensable in healthcare. Medical staff believe mobile phones can act as fomites with a potential risk for dissemination of microbes including SARS-COV-2. There is an urgent call for the incorporation of mobile phone sanitisation in infection prevention protocol. Studies on the use of ultraviolet-C based phone sanitation devices in health care settings are needed

Uncovering the significance of expanded CD8+ large granular lymphocytes in inclusion body myositis: Insights into T cell phenotype and functional alterations, and disease severity

IntroductionInclusion body myositis (IBM) is a progressive inflammatory myopathy characterised by skeletal muscle infiltration and myofibre invasion by CD8+ T lymphocytes. In some cases, IBM has been reported to be associated with a systemic lymphoproliferative disorder of CD8+ T cells exhibiting a highly differentiated effector phenotype known as T cell Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia (T-LGLL). MethodsWe investigated the incidence of a CD8+ T-LGL lymphoproliferative disorder in 85 IBM patients and an aged-matched group of 56 Healthy Controls (HC). Further, we analysed the phenotypical characteristics of the expanded T-LGLs and investigated whether their occurrence was associated with any particular HLA alleles or clinical characteristics. ResultsBlood cell analysis by flow cytometry revealed expansion of T-LGLs in 34 of the 85 (40%) IBM patients. The T cell immunophenotype of T-LGLHIGH patients was characterised by increased expression of surface molecules including CD57 and KLRG1, and to a lesser extent of CD94 and CD56 predominantly in CD8+ T cells, although we also observed modest changes in CD4+ T cells and γδ T cells. Analysis of Ki67 in CD57+ KLRG1+ T cells revealed that only a small proportion of these cells was proliferating. Comparative analysis of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells isolated from matched blood and muscle samples donated by three patients indicated a consistent pattern of more pronounced alterations in muscles, although not significant due to small sample size. In the T-LGLHIGH patient group, we found increased frequencies of perforin-producing CD8+ and CD4+ T cells that were moderately correlated to combined CD57 and KLRG1 expression. Investigation of the HLA haplotypes of 75 IBM patients identified that carriage of the HLA-C*14:02:01 allele was significantly higher in T-LGLHIGH compared to T-LGLLOW individuals. Expansion of T-LGL was not significantly associated with seropositivity patient status for anti-cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase 1A autoantibodies. Clinically, the age at disease onset and disease duration were similar in the T-LGLHIGH and T-LGLLOW patient groups. However, metadata analysis of functional alterations indicated that patients with expanded T-LGL more frequently relied on mobility aids than T-LGLLOW patients indicating greater disease severity. ConclusionAltogether, these results suggest that T-LGL expansion occurring in IBM patients is correlated with exacerbated immune dysregulation and increased disease burden

Remote islands are vulnerable to non-indigenous species: Utilization of data analytics to investigate potential modes of introduction and pest interceptions

Biosecurity in Australia and globally is based on understanding and protection of our national health, economy, industries, and environment from the negative effects associated with invasive pests and pathogens. The biosecurity continuum includes pre-border preparedness, border protection and post-border management, eradication, and control. The biosecurity system in Australia aims to manage risks and reduce the likelihood and adverse consequences of pest and disease incursions on human, animal and plant health, the environment, and the economy. To identify biosecurity risks and solve pertinent issues in biosecurity, analysts must gather and collate information for multiple factors and from a variety of sources in areas including agriculture, the environment and public health. The amount and complexity of biosecurity data have exposed the limitations in traditional statistical methodologies in addressing issues in biosecurity management. Biosecurity surveillance data is challenging in terms of non-normality, over-dispersion and typically zero-inflated. This type of data follows a natural process rather than a pre-specified process or distribution models, and often contains a large proportion of zeros. Application of appropriate statistical models to analyse these unique data sets is essential to effective biosecurity decision-making. The data used throughout this thesis were typically characteristic of biosecurity data, containing a large proportion of zeros, non-normality, and over-dispersion. Data used were collected as part of a biosecurity program implemented on Barrow Island, a remote island off the western Australian coastline, prior to and during the development of an industrial project on the island. In the following research, the first step encompassed evaluation of a range of candidate statistical models for describing biosecurity border and post-border detection of terrestrial non-indigenous species. The dataset was fitted with a variety of models including lognormal linear model, Poisson and negative binomial generalized linear models, zero-inflated model, a three-component mixture mode and a clustering analysis approach. A clustering analysis approach was adopted using a generalization of the popular k-means algorithm appropriate for mixed-type data. The analysis approach involved determination of the most appropriate number of clusters using just the numerical data, then subsequently including covariates to the clustering. Based on the counts alone, three clusters gave an acceptable fit and provided information about the underlying data characteristics. Incorporation of covariates into the model suggested four distinct clusters dominated by physical location and type of detection. Though the three-component log-normal mixture model provided detailed insight into the distribution of the data by dividing the data according to their distinct characteristic of numerical ordering, the clustering model was the preferred approach for this study. Availability of more relevant data would greatly improve the model. Broader use of cluster models in biosecurity data is recommended, with testing of these models on more datasets to validate the model choice and identify important explanatory variables. Investigation of the diverse routes by which non-indigenous species can be introduced is also of key importance to biosecurity. A gap in many introductory pathway studies is the limited consideration given to multiple introduction pathways occurring simultaneously. Multiple pathways of non-indigenous species introduction to Barrow Island were investigated and fifteen potential modes of introduction were identified in association with importing location and personnel required for the project. Three-way management prioritisation using boosted regression modelling to determine the most important factors influencing the detection of non-indigenous species at the biosecurity border was assessed. Factors considered in detecting non-indigenous species included potential modes of introduction, detection type, border inspection point (physical location on Barrow Island), phase of industrial development, year, and month of detection, of which detection type, border inspection point and potential modes of introductions were key factors. Cargo vessel and inward bound passenger numbers peaked during the construction period and were associated with an increase in the number of live non-indigenous species detections. Exposed potential modes of introductions (e.g. flat racks and vessel topsides) contained a more diverse species assemblage, while potential modes of introductions associated with human habitation and activity had the highest likelihood of introducing live non-indigenous species. The nature of these potential modes of introductions potentially allowed non-indigenous species habitation of niche areas and/or provided a suitable food supply. Invertebrates comprised 73% of the detections, with 43% live non-indigenous species. Structures such as landings and jetties were recorded as invasion hotspots, consistent with being the first point of entry for arriving vessels. Human-inhabited environments reported abundant commensal non-indigenous species. Our study indicates that biosecurity surveillance programs need to prioritise management of specific species, potential modes of introductions, and sensitive and susceptible sites to target potential invasions. Biosecurity managers should prioritise potential modes of introductions with the highest likelihood of live non-indigenous species detection based on specific potential modes of introductions characteristics, including niche availability and habitat suitability. The study provided insight into how biosecurity surveillance programs need to assess current data and adapt management strategies appropriately. Evaluation of the predictive performance of models used in biosecurity surveillance is integral to subsequent management decision-making. This includes assessing the suitability of the model for specific applications, i.e. identifying important potential predictors, undertaking a comparative assessment of competing models and modelling techniques, and identifying aspects of the model that might need improvement. Opportunities to use statistical science for biosurveillance are vast, as are the challenges associated with available data related to biosecurity. This thesis explored a variety of analytical statistical methods to enhance interpretation and decision making in biosecurity, while also acknowledging the challenges associated with this type of data. There is a growing need to leverage scientific models and predictive analytics to improve decision making in the context of biosecurity management

Uncovering the significance of expanded CD8+ large granular lymphocytes in inclusion body myositis: Insights into T cell phenotype and functional alterations, and disease severity

Introduction: Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a progressive inflammatory myopathy characterised by skeletal muscle infiltration and myofibre invasion by CD8+ T lymphocytes. In some cases, IBM has been reported to be associated with a systemic lymphoproliferative disorder of CD8+ T cells exhibiting a highly differentiated effector phenotype known as T cell Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia (T-LGLL). Methods: We investigated the incidence of a CD8+ T-LGL lymphoproliferative disorder in 85 IBM patients and an aged-matched group of 56 Healthy Controls (HC). Further, we analysed the phenotypical characteristics of the expanded T-LGLs and investigated whether their occurrence was associated with any particular HLA alleles or clinical characteristics. Results: Blood cell analysis by flow cytometry revealed expansion of T-LGLs in 34 of the 85 (40%) IBM patients. The T cell immunophenotype of T-LGLHIGH patients was characterised by increased expression of surface molecules including CD57 and KLRG1, and to a lesser extent of CD94 and CD56 predominantly in CD8+ T cells, although we also observed modest changes in CD4+ T cells and γδ T cells. Analysis of Ki67 in CD57+ KLRG1+ T cells revealed that only a small proportion of these cells was proliferating. Comparative analysis of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells isolated from matched blood and muscle samples donated by three patients indicated a consistent pattern of more pronounced alterations in muscles, although not significant due to small sample size. In the T-LGLHIGH patient group, we found increased frequencies of perforin-producing CD8+ and CD4+ T cells that were moderately correlated to combined CD57 and KLRG1 expression. Investigation of the HLA haplotypes of 75 IBM patients identified that carriage of the HLA-C*14:02:01 allele was significantly higher in T-LGLHIGH compared to T-LGLLOW individuals. Expansion of T-LGL was not significantly associated with seropositivity patient status for anti-cytosolic 5\u27-nucleotidase 1A autoantibodies. Clinically, the age at disease onset and disease duration were similar in the T-LGLHIGH and T-LGLLOW patient groups. However, metadata analysis of functional alterations indicated that patients with expanded T-LGL more frequently relied on mobility aids than T-LGLLOW patients indicating greater disease severity. Conclusion: Altogether, these results suggest that T-LGL expansion occurring in IBM patients is correlated with exacerbated immune dysregulation and increased disease burden