EML and LMS related standard

IMS Global Learning Consortium, Inc. (IMS) is developing and promoting open specifications for facilitating online distributed learning activities such as locating and using educational content, tracking learner progress, reporting learner performance, and exchanging student records between administrative systems. The IMS project defines the following separate specifications. · Learning Resource Meta-data (p. 9). This is a specification of meta-data used to identify “learning resources”. · Content packaging (p. 13). A specification of how to assemble and distribute content in “packages”. · Resource identifiers (p. 17). This defines persistent, location independent resource identifiers. · Question & Test Interoperability (QTI) (p. 19). This defines the structure of questions and tests, and the grouping of these. · Enterprise (p. 33). This defines the way information on the learning 'enterprise' (instructional processes) is shared. · Learner information packaging (p. 37). This specifies how to record and share information on the learner. · Reusable Competency Definitions (p. 40). An information model for describing, referencing and exchanging definitions of competencies, primarily in the context of online and distributed learning. · Simple Sequencing (p. 42). This defines how to associate sequencing information with content packs (p. 13) and its default behaviour. Each specification has (or will have) at least three main parts: · Information model — an abstract description of the area modelled · Binding — binding to a particular language. For all specifications XML is the language of choice · Best practice — explanation of how to apply the model

No evidence of African swine fever virus replication in hard ticks

African swine fever (ASF) is caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), a tick-borne DNA virus. Soft ticks of the genus Ornithodoros are the only biological vectors of ASFV recognized so far. Although other hard ticks have been tested for vector competence, two commonly found tick species in Europe, Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus, have not been assessed for their vector competence for ASFV. In this study, we aimed to determine whether virus replication can occur in any of these two hard tick species (I. ricinus and/or D. reticulatus), in comparison with O. moubata (the confirmed vector), after feeding them blood containing different ASFV isolates using an improved in vitro system. DNA quantities of ASFV in these infected hard ticks were measured systematically, for 6 weeks in I. ricinus, and up to 8 weeks in D. reticulatus, and the results were compared to those obtained from O. moubata. There was evidence of virus replication in the O. moubata ticks. However, there was no evidence of virus replication in I. ricinus or D. reticulatus, even though viral DNA could be detected for up to 8 weeks after feeding in some cases. This study presents the first results on the possible vector competence of European hard (ixodid) ticks for ASFV, in a validated in vitro feeding setup. In conclusion, given the lack of evidence for virus replication under in vitro conditions, D. reticulatus and I. ricinus are unlikely to be relevant biological vectors of ASFV.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ttbdishb201

Current understanding and future research priorities in malignancy associated with inborn errors of immunity and DNA repair disorders : the perspective of an interdisciplinary working group

Patients with inborn errors of immunity or DNA repair defects are at significant risk of developing malignancy and this complication of their underlying condition represents a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality. Whilst this risk is increasingly well-recognized, our understanding of the causative mechanisms remains incomplete. Diagnosing cancer is challenging in the presence of underlying co-morbidities and frequently other inflammatory and lymphoproliferative processes. We lack a structured approach to management despite recognizing the competing challenges of poor response to therapy and increased risk of toxicity. Finally, clinicians need guidance on how to screen for malignancy in many of these predisposing immunodeficiencies. In order to begin to address these challenges, we brought together representatives of European Immunology and Pediatric Haemato-Oncology to define the current state of our knowledge and identify priorities for clinical and research development. We propose key developmental priorities which our two communities will need to work together to address, collaborating with colleagues around the world

Current Understanding and Future Research Priorities in Malignancy Associated With Inborn Errors of Immunity and DNA Repair Disorders: The Perspective of an Interdisciplinary Working Group

Patients with inborn errors of immunity or DNA repair defects are at significant risk of developing malignancy and this complication of their underlying condition represents a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality. Whilst this risk is increasingly well-recognized, our understanding of the causative mechanisms remains incomplete. Diagnosing cancer is challenging in the presence of underlying co-morbidities and frequently other inflammatory and lymphoproliferative processes. We lack a structured approach to management despite recognizing the competing challenges of poor response to therapy and increased risk of toxicity. Finally, clinicians need guidance on how to screen for malignancy in many of these predisposing immunodeficiencies. In order to begin to address these challenges, we brought together representatives of European Immunology and Pediatric Haemato-Oncology to define the current state of our knowledge and identify priorities for clinical and research development. We propose key developmental priorities which our two communities will need to work together to address, collaborating with colleagues around the world

Effect of strain and inoculation dose of classical swine fever virus on within-pen transmission

To improve the understanding of the dynamics and options for control of classical swine fever (CSF), more quantitative knowledge is needed on virus transmission. In this study, virus excretion and within-pen transmission of a strain of low, moderate and high virulence were quantified. Furthermore, the effect of inoculation dose on excretion and transmission were studied. The transmission was quantified using a stochastic susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered (SEIR) model. Five transmission trials were conducted with ten pigs each. In each trial, three pigs were inoculated with the low virulent strain Zoelen, a low (10$^2$ TCID$_{50}$), middle (10$^{3.5}$ TCID$_{50}$), or high dose (10$^5$ TCID$_{50}$) of the moderately virulent strain Paderborn, or the highly virulent strain Brescia. The other seven pigs in each trial served as contact pigs. None of the pigs inoculated with the low dose of the Paderborn strain were infected. When it was assumed that the infectiousness of the pigs coincided with virus isolation positive oropharyngeal fluid and/or faeces, no significant differences in transmission rate $\beta$ and basic reproduction ratio R$_0$ between the high inoculation dose of the Paderborn strain ($\beta = 1.62$/day, $\rm R_0 = 35.9$) and the Brescia strain ($\beta = 2.07$/day, $\rm R_0= 17.5$) were observed. When the middle dose of the Paderborn strain was used for inoculation, the $\beta$ (5.38/day) was not significantly higher than the Brescia strain or the high inoculation dose of the Paderborn strain, but the R$_0$ (148) was significantly higher. Infection with the Zoelen strain resulted in a significantly lower $\beta$ and R$_0$ ($\beta = 0$/day, $\rm R_0 = 0$) than the other strains