HCI in e-Government and e-Democracy

This chapter introduces the application of HCI design processes and design principles in e-government and e-democracy. We elaborate on HCI design processes and six HCI design principles in the context of e-government and e-democracy, including citizen-centered design, usability, accessibility, access to information, transaction efficiency, and security and privacy. Then, we present two cases to demonstrate the value of applying the HCI processes and design principles in developing and deploying e-government and e-democracy. Finally, we highlight the challenges faced by e-government and e-democracy as well as the future trends. In conclusion, HCI can help the success of e-government and e-democracy and their future growth

Epidemiology of tsutsugamushi disease and its relationship with meteorological factors in Xiamen city, China.

Tsutsugamushi disease (TD) is an acute infectious disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological features of TD, investigate chigger mites and their hosts, and investigate the meteorological factors affecting TD incidence and the host of O. tsutsugamushi in Xiamen city, China. Data on reported TD cases were collected from 2006 to 2018. Spearman's correlation test were used for identifying the relationship between meteorological factors and TD incidence and whether meteorological factors affect the host of O. tsutsugamushi. The incidence of reported TD increased gradually from 2006, reached a peak of 4.59 per 100,000 persons in 2014, and then decreased gradually. The TD incidence was seasonal, with epidemic periods occurred mainly in summer and autumn. Patients aged 40-60 years had the highest proportion of cases, accounting for 44.44% of the total cases. Farmers had the largest number of cases among all occupational groups. Rattus Norvegicus was the most common host, accounting for the largest proportion of rats (73.00%), and the highest rat density was observed in March and October every year. There were significant positive correlations between the number of reported cases and average temperature, sunshine duration, and rainfall as well as between rat density and average temperature. On phylogenetic analysis, 7 sequences of hosts and human TD cases obtained from health records demonstrated the highest similarities to the Kato, Karp, and Gilliam strains. No correlations were observed between rat density, and sunshine duration and rainfall. The transmission of TD in Xiamen city, China, was seasonal, and its incidence was affected by several meteorological factors including average temperature, sunshine duration, and rainfall. However, the host of O. tsutsugamushi was only affected by average temperature

Live poultry feeding and trading network and the transmission of avian influenza A(H5N6) virus in a large city in China, 2014–2015

Objectives: To understand the transmission mechanisms of the avian influenza A(H5N6) virus. Methods: This study explored the live poultry feeding and trading network (LPFTN) around Changsha city, China. Field epidemiological investigations were performed in Changsha to investigate the LPFTN with the environmental samples systematically collected during 2014–2015 to monitor and analyze the spread of the A(H5N6) virus. Two surveillance systems were also applied to find possible human cases of A(H5N6) infection. Result: The information of all the 665 live poultry farming sites, five wholesale markets, and 223 retail markets in Changsha was collected to investigate the LPFTN. Moreover, about 840 environmental samples were systematically collected from the LPFTN during 2014–2015 to monitor the spread of the A(H5N6) virus, with 8.45% (71/840) positive for the N6 subtype. Furthermore, the full genome sequences of 10 A(H5N6) viruses detected from the environmental samples were obtained, which were then characterized and phylogenetically analyzed with the corresponding gene segments of the A(H5N6) virus obtained from GenBank, to determine the source of human infection. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that the LPFTN provided a platform for the H5N6 transmission, and formed an infectious pool for the spread of the virus to humans

Transmissibility of the Influenza Virus during Influenza Outbreaks and Related Asymptomatic Infection in Mainland China, 2005-2013

<div><p>We collected 2768 Influenza-like illness emergency public health incidents from April 1, 2005 to November 30, 2013reported in the Emergency Public Reporting System. After screening by strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, there were 613 outbreaks analyzed with susceptible–exposed–infectious/asymptomatic–removed model in order to estimate the proportion of asymptomatic individuals (<i>p</i>) and the effective reproduction number (<i>R</i>_<i>t</i>). The relation between <i>R</i>_<i>t</i> and viral subtypes, regions, outbreak sites, populations, and seasons were analyzed. The mean values of <i>p</i> of different subtypes ranged from 0.09 to 0.15, but could be as high as up to 0.94. Different subtypes, provinces, regions, and sites of outbreak had statistically significantly different <i>R</i>_<i>t</i>. In particular, the southern region also manifested different <i>R</i>_<i>t</i> by affected population size and seasonality. Our results provide China and also the rest of the world a reference to understand characteristics of transmission and develop prevention and control strategies.</p></div

Estimated <i>R</i>_<i>t</i> value based on different <i>κ</i> in 10 randomly selected outbreaks in China.

<p>Estimated <i>R</i>_<i>t</i> value based on different <i>κ</i> in 10 randomly selected outbreaks in China.</p

Distributions of <i>R</i>_<i>t</i> of the variables.

<p>Distributions of <i>R</i>_<i>t</i> of the variables.</p

Estimated <i>R</i>_<i>t</i> value based on different <i>S</i>₀ in 10 randomly selected outbreaks in China.

<p>Estimated <i>R</i>_<i>t</i> value based on different <i>S</i>₀ in 10 randomly selected outbreaks in China.</p

Asymptomatic infection ratio distribution of the different influenza virus subtypes.

<p>Asymptomatic infection ratio distribution of the different influenza virus subtypes.</p