Synthesis of multiple-input change asynchronous finite state machines

Asynchronous finite state machines (AFSMS) have been limited because multiple-input changes have been disallowed. In this paper, we present an architecture and synthesis system to overcome this limitation. The AFSM marks potentially hazardous state transitions, and prevents output during them. A synthesis tool to create the AFS M incorporates novel algorithms to detect the hazardous states

Lessons Learned from Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Pandemic Response in Thailand

The strengths and weaknesses of this response can inform planning for pandemics and other prolonged public health emergencies

Preparedness for Infectious Threats: Public–Private Partnership to Develop an Affordable Vaccine for an Emergent Threat: The Trivalent Neisseria meningitidis ACW135 Polysaccharide Vaccine

With the emergence of epidemic Neisseria meningitidis W135 meningitis in Burkina Faso during early 2002, the public health community was faced with the challenge of providing access to an appropriate and affordable vaccine in time for the upcoming 2003 epidemic season. Recognizing the implications of the emergent threat, the World Health Organization developed a strategy, established a public–private partnership to provide the needed vaccine, and then ensured that a stockpile was available for future use. The trivalent N meningitidis ACW135 polysaccharide vaccine that resulted is now one of the primary tools for epidemic response in African meningitis belt countries. It will remain so for the foreseeable future and until appropriate and affordable conjugate vaccines become part of national immunization programs in the region

WHO and UNICEF estimates of national infant immunization coverage: methods and processes

WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) annually review data on immunization coverage to estimate national coverage with routine service delivery of the following vaccines: bacille Calmette-Guérin; diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis, first and third doses; either oral polio vaccine or inactivated polio vaccine, third dose of either; hepatitis B, third dose; Haemophilus influenzae type b, third dose; and a measles virus-containing vaccine, either for measles alone or in the form of a combination vaccine, one dose. The estimates are based on government reports submitted to WHO and UNICEF and are supplemented by survey results from the published and grey literature. Local experts, primarily national immunization system managers and WHO/UNICEF regional and national staff, are consulted for additional information on the performance of specific immunization systems. Estimates are derived through a country-by-country review of available data informed and constrained by a set of heuristics; no statistical or mathematical models are used. Draft estimates are made, sent to national authorities for review and comment and modified in light of their feedback. While the final estimates may not differ from reported data, they constitute an independent technical assessment by WHO and UNICEF of the performance of national immunization systems. These country-specific estimates, available from 1980 onward, are updated annually