Determinants of leptospirosis in Sri Lanka: Study Protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leptospirosis is becoming a major public health threat in Sri Lanka as well as in other countries. We designed a case control study to determine the factors associated with local transmission of leptospirosis in Sri Lanka, in order to identify major modifiable determinants of leptospirosis. The purpose of this paper is to describe the study protocol in detail prior to the publishing of the study results, so that the readership will be able to understand and interpret the study results effectively.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A hospital based partially matched case control design is proposed. The study will be conducted in three selected leptospirosis endemic districts in central Sri Lanka. Case selection will include screening all acute fever patients admitted to selected wards to select probable cases of leptospirosis and case confirmation using an array of standard laboratory criteria. Age and sex matched group of acute fever patients with other confirmed diagnosis will be used as controls. Case to control ratio will be 1:2. A minimum sample of 144 cases is required to detect 20% exposure with 95% two sided confidence level and 80% power. A pre tested interviewer administered structured questionnaire will be used to collect data from participants. Variables included in the proposed study will be evaluated using conceptual hierarch of variables in three levels; Exposure variables as proximal; reservoir and environmental variables as intermediate; socio-demographic variables as distal. This conceptual hierarch hypothesised that the distal and intermediate variables are mediated through the proximal variables but not directly. A logistic regression model will be used to analyse the probable determinants of leptospirosis. This model will evaluate the effect of same level and upper level variables on the outcome leptospirosis, using three blocks.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The present national control programme of leptospirosis is hampered by lack of baseline data on leptospirosis disease transmission. The present study will be able to provide these essential information for formulation of better control strategies.</p

Isotopic features of precipitation and groundwater from the Eastern Alps of Italy: results from the Mt. Tinisa hydrogeological system

This study analyses water stable isotopes data collected from precipitation (one rain gauge) and groundwater outlets (seven occurrences and two springs) at Mt. Tinisa, in the Eastern Alps of Italy. Limestones and dolostones outcrop in the mountain relief, making up a single aquifer which feeds the monitored outlets with almost steady discharges. Lack of runoff in the streambeds throughout the whole year means that all meteoric water can be considered as recharging the aquifer. Sampling was undertaken during the periods 2005â\u80\u932010 (precipitation) and 2014â\u80\u932015 (groundwater) via monthly and two/three-monthly field-activities, respectively, which allowed a total of 138 water samples to be gathered and analysed. Results highlighted the presence of apparent isotopic anomalies in groundwater in comparison with meteoric water. The study demonstrates that the assessment of groundwater residence time and estimates of the mean monthly isotopic content in rainwater have been necessary to correctly compare the two isotopic datasets and relate the anomaly to the recharge time-window, occurring in the late autumn

Artificial Intelligence for the Electron Ion Collider (AI4EIC)

The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), a state-of-the-art facility for studying the strong force, is expected to begin commissioning its first experiments in 2028. This is an opportune time for artificial intelligence (AI) to be included from the start at this facility and in all phases that lead up to the experiments. The second annual workshop organized by the AI4EIC working group, which recently took place, centered on exploring all current and prospective application areas of AI for the EIC. This workshop is not only beneficial for the EIC, but also provides valuable insights for the newly established ePIC collaboration at EIC. This paper summarizes the different activities and R&amp;D projects covered across the sessions of the workshop and provides an overview of the goals, approaches and strategies regarding AI/ML in the EIC community, as well as cutting-edge techniques currently studied in other experiments