There have been a number of disputed freedom of information (FOI) applications concerning research conducted at Australian universities. This article explores how FOI legislative principles favouring ...disclosure and the legislative exemptions operate where the content, methodologies, funding and ethics processes of university research are being questioned. It examines several decisions, identifying the types of research related information being sought by FOI applicants and the main grounds relied upon to refuse disclosure. It focuses on the balancing of the disclosure required under FOI legislation and the confidentiality that many argue is an essential element of the university research environment.
In the framework of a bilateral cooperation project between the geological surveys of China and Italy, the geological effects of six strong to moderate earthquakes occurred in Sichuan, China (2008, ...2013, 2017) and in Central Apennines, Italy (2009, 24 Aug. and 30 Oct 2016) were compared.
The main aim was to test the applicability and effectiveness of the ESI intensity scale in areas characterized by different tectonic settings (compressive and strike-slip vs. extensional), and also by different local conditions (e.g., geomorphologic, lithologic and climatic) that can influence the occurrence and size of individual EEEs at a specific site.
In general, for all these earthquakes the distribution and size of geological effects resulted proportional to the earthquake severity. However, notably, the earthquakes of moderate magnitude (i.e., between 6 and 7) showed i) well evident surface faulting only in the extensional domain of the Central Apennines, while poor or no evidence was found for reverse and strike-slip events (Sichuan); ii) a strong influence on the occurrence of secondary effects from site conditions (e.g., lithology, elevation, slope angle, soil cover, climate), those that typically control for example the susceptibility to landsliding.
Based on the ESI intensity scale, epicentral and local intensities were estimated by means of the surface faulting extent and of the total area of secondary effects, mainly landslides. The comparison with the damage or PGA-based intensities has confirmed the efficacy of the ESI scale to improve the portrait of the earthquake and to pinpoint areas of enhanced hazard, especially those related to slope failures and liquefaction. This work is also a substantial contribution to the future revision of the ESI scale, in particular for reverse faulting earthquakes.
•Environmental effects induced by recent earthquakes in Sichuan and Apennines have been compared through the ESI scale.•Surface faulting occurrence is not only proportional to magnitude but it strongly depends on the tectonic setting•For moderate earthquakes (6.0 < M < 6.5) clear surface faulting has been observed only for extensional events in Apennines.•The scenario of secondary effects is less correlated with magnitude, being more influenced by local site conditions.•ESI intensity scale needs to be better calibrated on the effects induced by reverse/strike slip earthquakes
In this paper we present a new image of the instrumental seismicity of Italy, obtained by refining hypocentral determinations for about 100,000 earthquakes that occurred in the period 2005–2012. The ...improved locations yield new constraints on active tectonics of the central Mediterranean area, where prolonged interaction between nested plates and continental slivers led to the development of the Alpine and Apennines systems. Intermediate-depth and deep earthquakes define a lateral heterogeneous process of delamination and sinking of the continental lithosphere active beneath the mountain belts. Shallow seismicity prevalently occurs beneath elevated topography and correlates with low velocity mantle anomalies, suggesting a superposition of gravity-related forces to the Eurasia–Africa plate convergence. The delamination process drives a paired system of compression and extension that stretches the mountain range while shortening the external side of the belts. The updated seismic catalog permits us to resolve a sharp variation of seismic rates that occurred in recent years, timely after the 2009 Mw 6.3 L'Aquila earthquake. The increase of seismic rates is reasonably due to regional-scale perturbation of the stress field induced by fluid flow and pore-pressure variations within the crust, probably related to deep dehydration processes active beneath the mountain belt.
•New and strongly improved seismicity images of Italy•New vision on the Alps and Apennines seismotectonics•Seismicity rate changes after the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake.
During present study a total of 800 samples were collected from two hundred descriptive (holstein Friesian) and non-descriptive (Thari) cattle breeds from districts of Mirpurkhas and Badin, 400 ...samples were taken from each district. Animals were first screened through Single Intradermal Tuberculin Test (SITT) then positive and negative reactors of SITT were further investigated through Rapid BTB Ab test, culture examination and ELISA test. Risk factors such as sex, age, health status, lactating, non-lactating and breed were also investigated. In district Mirpurkhas prevalence was 4%, 15%, 2%, 1%, while in district Badin it was 5%, 18%, 3%, 2% through SITT, Rapid BTB Ab test, culture examination and ELISA test, respectively. Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Mirpurkhas district via cultural examination was recorded as 1.66%, 2.5% in milk and nasal samples, while in district Badin it was 1.66%, 5%, respectively. The overall prevalence of bovine tuberculosis was 5.5% and 7% in Mirpurkhas and Badin districts through tuberculin, Rapid BTB Ab, Culture examination and ELISA test. Different tests such as SITT, Rapid BTB Ab, culture examination and ELISA test showed that the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis was higher in females, animals above the six years of age, lactating animals, descriptive breed and animals having poor health status. Furthermore, 1% and 2% prevalence was recorded in farm workers at district Mirpurkhas and Badin. It is concluded that disease was prevalent in both districts however; relatively higher prevalence was observed in district Badin. Keywords: Prevalence, Cattle, Mirpurkhas, Badin Tubercullosis
The interferon-inducible transmembrane 3 (IFITM3) protein is an effector of the host innate immune system that shows defensive activity against a wide range of viruses, including the influenza A ...virus. Previous studies have reported that three transcription-related regulatory single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs12252, rs34481144, and rs6598045, showed potent associations with the severity of pandemic influenza A 2009 infection and susceptibility to this virus, respectively. However, the distribution of the risk genotypes of these three SNPs according to ethnic background has remained elusive. In this study, we compared the genotype and allele frequencies of the
IFITM3
polymorphisms among several ethnic groups including American, African, European, South Asian, and East Asian using chi-square test. In addition, we analyzed the worldwide distribution of risk genotypes for pandemic influenza A 2009 virus infection. We found that the genotype and allele distributions of the rs12252, rs34481144, and rs6598045 SNPs were significantly different among several ethnic groups. In addition, the risk genotypes of the
IFITM3
polymorphisms were also significantly different worldwide. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first simultaneous estimation of the risk genotypes of the
IFITM3
gene with respect to pandemic influenza A 2009 virus infection.
The growing availability of big data in healthcare and public health opens possibilities for infectious disease control in local settings. We prospectively evaluated a method for integrated local ...detection and prediction (nowcasting) of influenza epidemics over 5 years, using the total population in Östergötland County, Sweden. We used routine health information system data on influenza-diagnosis cases and syndromic telenursing data for July 2009-June 2014 to evaluate epidemic detection, peak-timing prediction, and peak-intensity prediction. Detection performance was satisfactory throughout the period, except for the 2011-12 influenza A(H3N2) season, which followed a season with influenza B and pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus activity. Peak-timing prediction performance was satisfactory for the 4 influenza seasons but not the pandemic. Peak-intensity levels were correctly categorized for the pandemic and 2 of 4 influenza seasons. We recommend using versions of this method modified with regard to local use context for further evaluations using standard methods.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Highlights ► Reduced immunogenicity of the H1N1 component of the current TIV demonstrated. ► Reduced immunogenicity of the H1N1 component overcome by intradermal vaccination. ► Efficacy between two ...different intradermal devices compared. ► Superior efficacy of intradermal over conventional intramuscular vaccination demonstrated.
Multimodality, the use of more than one mode of transportation during a specified time period, is gaining recognition as an important mechanism for reducing automobile dependence by shifting trips ...from automobiles to walking, cycling, or public transportation. Most prior research on multimodality focuses on Western European countries. Based on the 2001 and 2009 National Household Travel Surveys, this paper analyzes trends and determinants of multimodal car use in the U.S. during a typical week by distinguishing between (1) monomodal car users who drive or ride in a car for all trips, (2) multimodal car users who drive or ride in a car and also use non-automobile modes, and (3) individuals who exclusively walk, cycle, and/or ride public transportation. We find that during a typical week a majority—almost two thirds—of Americans use a car and make at least one trip by foot, bicycle, or public transportation. One in four Americans uses a car and makes at least seven weekly trips by other modes of transportation. Results from multinomial and logistic regression analyses suggest there may be a continuum of mobility types ranging from monomodal car users to walk, bicycle, and/or public transportation only users—with multimodal car users positioned in-between the two extremes. Policy changes aimed at curtailing car use may result in movements along this spectrum with increasing multimodality for car users.
Terra Nova, 22, 43–51, 2010
An earthquake of Mw = 6.3 struck L’Aquila town (central Italy) on 6 April 2009 rupturing an ∼18‐km‐long SW‐dipping normal fault. The aftershock area extended for a length ...of more than 35 km and included major aftershocks on 7 and 9 April and thousands of minor events. Surface faulting occurred along the SW‐dipping Paganica fault with a continuous extent of ∼2.5 km. Ruptures consist of open cracks and vertical dislocations or warps (0.1m maximum throw) with an orientation of N130°–140°. Small triggered slip and shaking effects also took place along nearby synthetic and antithetic normal faults. The observed limited extent and small surface displacement of the Paganica ruptures with respect to the height of the fault scarps and vertical throws of palaeo‐earthquakes along faults in the area put the faulting associated with the L’Aquila earthquake in perspective with respect to the maximum expected magnitude and the regional seismic hazard.
Using detailed U.S. and Spanish export data, we document that trade costs of a per-shipment nature are associated with less frequent and larger shipments (i.e., more lumpiness) in international ...trade. This finding is pervasive across broad product categories, but most apparent for industrial supplies, parts and accessories, and food products.
PDF
