A decision support system-based procedure for evaluation and monitoring of protected areas sustainability for the Mediterranean region

WOS: 000297078900015Despite common acknowledgement of the value of protected areas as instruments in ensuring sustainability, and their promotion for the achievement of policies on halting the loss of biodiversity, there is no common approach today for monitoring and evaluating them. This paper presents a novel integrated nature conservation management procedure developed to monitor and evaluate the sustainability of Mediterranean protected areas. This procedure was successfully implemented and formally evaluated by protected area managers in six Mediterranean countries, results of which are presented here together with an overview of the web-based Decision Support System (DSS) developed to facilitate its wide adoption. The DSS and procedure has been designed and evaluated by managers as a useful tool, which facilitates and provides needed procedural guidance for protected area monitoring whilst minimizing input requirements to do so. The procedure and DSS were developed following a review of existing protected area assessment tools and a detailed primary investigation of the needs and capacity of its intended users. Essentially, the procedure and DSS guides provide the facilities for protected area managers, in following a participatory approach to develop a context-specific sustainability monitoring strategy, for their protected area. Consequently, the procedure is, by design, participatory, context specific, holistic and relevant to protected area management and institutional procedures. The procedure was piloted and formally evaluated in Greece, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Malta and Cyprus. Feedback collected from the pilot evaluations is also summarised herein.INTERREG III B [A.1.222 INNOVA]This research was funded under INTERREG III B Programme 'Archimed' A.1.222 INNOVA Project. The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution and input of the partners, protected area authorities, stakeholders and local communities. Special thanks to the University of Bari, the Polytechnic of Bari, Apulian Ministry of Environment, University of Lecce, Maltese Ministry of Rural Affairs and Environment, University of Malta, Agricultural Research Institute of Cyprus, Prefecture of Chania, Egyptian Desert Research Center, Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, Palestinian National Authority, and Al Quads University

Bacteriological quality of retail pap prepared from maizeand sorghum in Wwerri markets, Nigeria

Bacteriological studies on pap samples prepared from guinea corn and maize sold at three markets in Owerri Imo State, Nigeria together with their similar laboratory preparation as controls were carried out. Two hundred and nineteen (209) distinct isolates were obtained.Identification tests revealed the isolation of fifteen bacterial genera in the pap samples. These included Acetobacter, Bacillus, Corynebacterium, E. coli, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, Micrococcus, Neisseriae, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. The isolated genera that contaminated 24 pap samples prepared from guinea corn and their percentage isolations were Acetobacter (33.3%), Bacillus (37.5%), Corynebacterium (25%), Enterobacter (62.5%), Leuconostoc (16.7%), Neisseriae (33.3%), Pseudomonas (75%) Staphylococcus (41.7%) and Streptococcus (29.2%). E. coli (62.5%), Citrobacter (54.2%), Enterobacter (83.3%), Klebsiella (79.2%), Lactobacillus (25%), Micrococcus (45.8%), Neisseriae (12.5%). Proteus (75%), Pseudomonas (70.8%) and Staphylococcus (50%) were isolated from maize. Overall percentage positive isolation showed Pseudomonas and Enterobacter (72.9% each) to be the highest isolated genera, while Leuconostoc (8.35%), Corynebacterium and Lactobacillus (12.5% each) were the least. The mean bacterial counts of total aerobic, coliform and enterobacteriaceae ranged from 7.3xl07- 1.78 X 109 cfu/ml; 1.3 x 107 - 8.0xl09 cfu/ml; and 1.0 x 107-7.2 X 108 cfu/ml, respectively. The highest total aerobic, total coliform and enterobacteriaceae counts of 1.78xl09 cfu/ml, 8.0xl09 cfu/ml and 7.2 xl08 cfu/ml respectively were obtained from maize pap samples. Such high aerobic, coliform and enterobacteriaceae counts are of public health concern.Keywords: Pap, maize, sorghum, bacterial count, coliform, Nigeria

Mansonelliasis amongst nomadic Fulani herdsmen of south-eastern Nigeria

This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of Mansonella perstans infection amongst the nomadic Fulani herdsmen of south-eastern Nigeria. Physical examination of 709 consenting nomads for clinical manifestations of M. perstans infection was carried out between September 2004 and August 2005. This was followed by parasitological examination of blood samples collected by finger prick method to identify microfilariae (mf). Data collected was stratified by bush encampment in various states, age and sex and analyzed using the chi-square test. Overall, 43 (6.1%) of 709 nomads were infected. Ebonyi State bush encampments have the highest prevalence (9.5%), followed by Imo State encampments (6.5%) with Enugu State as the least (4.5%). There was slight significant variation amongst various bush encampments (p < 0.01). The proportions of infected males (26) were higher than females (19). Infection was significantly lower in nomads below 25 years of age than in nomads above 26 years (p< 0.05). Majority of the infected nomads were asymptomatic. Keywords: Mansonella perstans, nomadic Fulani herdsmen, south-eastern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 28 (2) 2007: pp. 83-8

Implications of malaria and intestinal parasitic co-infections among out-patients of a secondary health facility in Owerri, Nigeria

The prevalence of malaria and gastrointestinal parasitic infections in out-patients of Federal Medical Center (FMC) Owerri Specialist Hospital, was studied between the months of January and June 2004. A total of 1,200 patients made up of preschool children (400), school children (400) and adults (400) were enlisted for the study. Laboratory examination of the specimens showed an overall infection rate of 50.1% (pre-school children 41.7%, school children 44.0%, and adults 64.5%). Malaria had the highest prevalence of 28.1%, 19.0% and 24.2% respectively for pre-school, school children and adults. Amongst the intestinal parasites observed, Entamoeba histolytica was observed to be the most occurring (5.0% and 9.7% respectively in preschool, and school children), followed by Ascaris spp, (2.5%, 5.2% and 3.7% respectively) and E. coli (3.2%, 2.0% and 11.5% respectively). The least occurring parasitic infection was found to be Schistosoma mansoni (0%, 0.5% and 0% respectively for preschool, school children and adult patients. Prevalence of anaemia was highest in the preschool children (21%) and least in school children (9.1%). The associations between parasitic infections and anaemia were significant (

Prevalence of urinary Schistosomiasis in Umuowele, Agulu community, Anambra state, Nigeria

Purpose: To apply molecular techniques in producing a proper data on the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in Umuowele community located around Agulu Dam, Southwest Nigeria. Methods: Urine samples from 108 pupils were screened for schistosomiasis using haematuria and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of schistosome Dra1 repeat. Six snails collected from the human-water contact site in the lake were also screened for schistosome infection by PCR amplification of the Dra1 repeat while PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used for snail species identification. Results: Haematuria revealed 48.1% prevalence rate among the pupils while PCR showed 58.3%. Three snails were also positive for schistosome infection one of which was identified as Bulinus truncatus while the other two belonged to the genus, Physa. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of S. haematobium infection among the participants. PCR was able to detect infection in cases otherwise shown to be negative by haematuria, thereby making it possible for all the infected participants to receive treatment. Bulinus truncatus is one of the snails which may be responsible for the transmission of urinary schistosomiasis in the community. Keywords: Bulinus truncatus, Schistosoma haematobium, PCR-RFLP, schistosome infection

Satellite technology and the control of parasitic diseases in Africa: an overview

Parasitic diseases continue to constitute immense public health problems and obstacle to socio-economic development in endemic communities in the world (including Africa). Six of these diseases namely; Malaria, African Trypanosomiasis, Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis and Leishmaniasis have been tagged “major tropical diseases” by the World Health Organization. The surveillance of these diseases remains an essential first step in their control, eradication and prevention. However, surveillance using conventional methods in some instances is time consuming, expensive and impracticable over wide ranges of ecological conditions. The need therefore to introduce new techniques and alternative ways of parasitic disease surveillance, prevention and control becomes expedient. Satellite techniques are new and modern methods that are technologically driven and hold much promise for parasitic disease surveillance, control and prevention in Africa. These techniques include: remote sensing, geographical information system (GIS), and global positioning system (GPS). Other complimentary techniques at various stages of development include: human and robotic teams and telemedicine. The potential application of these techniques in the surveillance, control and prevention of parasitic diseases in Africa is explored in this write-up. Keywords: surveillance, parasitic diseases, satellite techniques, remote sensing, Geographical Information System (GIS), Global Positioning Sytem (GPS), human and robotic, telemedicine. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 28 (1) 2007: pp. 47-5

A sequential modular flowsheeting system for the LSI-11 minicomputer system

Thesis (B.A.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1981.Bibliography: leaf 42.Microfiche of typescript. [Urbana, Ill.] : Photographic Services, University of Illinois, U of I Library, [1984]. 3 microfiches (121 frames) : negative ; 11 x 15 cm