A stochastic multi-host model for West Nile virus transmission.

When initially introduced into a susceptible population, a disease may die out or result in a major outbreak. We present a Continuous-Time Markov Chain model for enzootic WNV transmission between two avian host species and a single vector, and use multitype branching process theory to determine the probability of disease extinction based upon the type of infected individual initially introducing the disease into the population - an exposed vector, infectious vector, or infectious host of either species. We explore how the likelihood of disease extinction depends on the ability of each host species to transmit WNV, vector biting rates on host species, and the relative abundance of host species, as well as vector abundance.

Implicit versus explicit vector management strategies in models for vector-borne disease epidemiology.

Throughout the vector-borne disease modeling literature, there exist two general frameworks for incorporating vector management strategies (e.g. area-wide adulticide spraying and larval source reduction campaigns) into vector population models, namely, the "implicit" and "explicit" control frameworks.

Temporal and Spatial Impacts of Hurricane Damage on West Nile Virus Transmission and Human Risk.

Hurricanes have profound impacts on zoonotic pathogen ecosystems that exhibit spatial and temporal waves in both distance from and time since the event. Wind, rain, and storm surge directly affect mosquito vectors and animal hosts of these pathogens. In this analysis, we apply a West Nile virus transmission model parameterized for the Northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico to explore the effect of event timing of hurricane landfall, time since the event, and damage extent on human West Nile virus neuro-invasive disease (WNV-NID) risk.

Managing disease outbreaks: The importance of vector mobility and spatially heterogeneous control.

Management strategies for control of vector-borne diseases, for example Zika or dengue, include using larvicide and/or adulticide, either through large-scale application by truck or plane or through door-to-door efforts that require obtaining permission to access private property and spray yards. The efficacy of the latter strategy is highly dependent on the compliance of local residents. Here we develop a model for vector-borne disease transmission between mosquitoes and humans in a neighborhood setting, considering a network of houses connected via nearest-neighbor mosquito movement.

Comparative proteomic analysis between nitrogen supplemented and starved conditions in .

Background: Fungi are constantly exposed to nitrogen limiting environments, and thus the efficient regulation of nitrogen metabolism is essential for their survival, growth, development and pathogenicity. To understand how the rice blast pathogen copes with limited nitrogen availability, a global proteome analysis under nitrogen supplemented and nitrogen starved conditions was completed.

Methods: strain 70-15 was cultivated in liquid minimal media and transferred to media with nitrate or without a nitrogen source.

Statistical Tools for the Interpretation of Enzootic West Nile virus Transmission Dynamics.

Interpretation of enzootic West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance indicators requires little advanced mathematical skill, but greatly enhances the ability of public health officials to prescribe effective WNV management tactics. Stepwise procedures for the calculation of mosquito infection rates (IR) and vector index (VI) are presented alongside statistical tools that require additional computation. A brief review of advantages and important considerations for each statistic's use is provided.

A host stage-structured model of enzootic West Nile virus transmission to explore the effect of avian stage-dependent exposure to vectors.

Though seasonal West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks have been widely observed to be associated with the end of the avian nesting season, specific ecological mechanisms accounting for this synchronicity remain poorly understood. In this paper we develop and evaluate a novel mathematical model of enzootic WNV transmission to gain insight into the mechanisms responsible for structuring WNV dynamics. We incorporate avian (host) stage-structure (nestling, fledgling, and adult) and within-species heterogeneity in the form of stage-specific mosquito (vector) biting rates.

Analysis of a waterborne disease model with socioeconomic classes.

Waterborne diseases such as cholera continue to pose serious public health problems in the world today. Transmission parameters can vary greatly with socioeconomic class (SEC) and the availability of clean water. We formulate a multi-patch waterborne disease model such that each patch represents a particular SEC with its own water source, allowing individuals to move between SECs.

Behavioral health coaching for rural veterans with diabetes and depression: a patient randomized effectiveness implementation trial.

Background: Depression and diabetes cause significant burden for patients and the healthcare system and, when co-occurring, result in poorer self-care behaviors and worse glycemic control than for either condition alone. However, the clinical management of these comorbid conditions is complicated by a host of patient, provider, and system-level barriers that are especially problematic for patients in rural locations. Patient-centered medical homes provide an opportunity to integrate mental and physical health care to address the multifaceted needs of complex comorbid conditions.

Heterogeneity in multiple transmission pathways: modelling the spread of cholera and other waterborne disease in networks with a common water source.

Many factors influencing disease transmission vary throughout and across populations. For diseases spread through multiple transmission pathways, sources of variation may affect each transmission pathway differently. In this paper we consider a disease that can be spread via direct and indirect transmission, such as the waterborne disease cholera.

Physical and mental health perspectives of first year undergraduate rural university students.

Background: University students are often perceived to have a privileged position in society and considered immune to ill-health and disability. There is growing evidence that a sizeable proportion experience poor physical health, and that the prevalence of psychological disorders is higher in university students than their community peers. This study examined the physical and mental health issues for first year Australian rural university students and their perception of access to available health and support services.

Identifiability and estimation of multiple transmission pathways in cholera and waterborne disease.

Cholera and many waterborne diseases exhibit multiple characteristic timescales or pathways of infection, which can be modeled as direct and indirect transmission. A major public health issue for waterborne diseases involves understanding the modes of transmission in order to improve control and prevention strategies. An important epidemiological question is: given data for an outbreak, can we determine the role and relative importance of direct vs.

Self-Care Self-Efficacy, Religious Participation and Depression as Predictors of Poststroke Self-Care Among Underserved Ethnic Minorities.

Underserved ethnic minorities have multiple chronic disease risk factors, including tobacco, alcohol and substance use, which contribute to increased incidence of stroke. Self-efficacy (self-care self-efficacy), religious participation and depression may directly and indirectly influence engagement in post stroke self-care behaviors. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of self-care self-efficacy, religious participation and depression, on tobacco, alcohol and substance use in a sample of largely ethnic minority, underserved stroke survivors (n=52).

Behavioral health coaching for rural-living older adults with diabetes and depression: an open pilot of the HOPE Study.

Background: Patients with diabetes are at increased risk for depression, compounding the burden of disease. When comorbid with diabetes, depression leads to poorer health outcomes and often complicates diabetes self-management. Unfortunately, treatment options for these complex patients are limited and comprehensive services are rarely available for patients in rural settings.

Positive emotional health and diabetes care: concepts, measurement, and clinical implications.

Background: Numerous studies describe the effect of emotional problems, including diabetes-related distress and depression, on diabetes outcomes. Little attention has been devoted to positive emotional health and its potential role in facilitating patients' self-management and improved outcomes.

Objective: This review describes the conceptualization and measurement of three empirically-tested aspects of positive emotional health (well-being, positive affect, resilience) in the diabetes literature and their relationship to diabetes outcomes.

Life stages: interactions and spatial patterns.

In many stage-structured species, different life stages often occupy separate spatial niches in a heterogeneous environment. Life stages of the giant flour beetle Tribolium brevicornis (Leconte), in particular adults and pupae, occupy different locations in a homogeneous habitat. This unique spatial pattern does not occur in the well-studied stored grain pests T.

Innovations in research for treatment of late-life anxiety.

Objectives: While psychosocial interventions for late-life anxiety show positive outcomes, treatment effects are not as robust as in younger adults. To date, the reach of research has been limited to academic and primary care settings, with homogeneous samples. This review examines recently funded and ongoing late-life anxiety research that uses innovative approaches to reach unique patient populations and tailor treatment content and delivery options to meet the unique needs of older adults.

The nature and cross-domain correlates of subjective age in the oldest old: Evidence from the OCTO Study.

Self-reflections of age and aging are predictors for key outcomes such as mortality, but little is known about the nature and potential antecedents of subjective age in very old age. We used cross-sectional data from the Swedish OCTO study (N = 267; B. Johansson & S.

Emergency department-based intervention with adolescent substance users: 12-month outcomes.

We evaluated the 12-month outcomes of a brief intervention, enhanced by a consistent support person, which aimed to facilitate referral attendance for substance use treatment following a hospital alcohol or other drug (AOD) presentation. Outcomes were assessed as: attendance for substance use treatment; the number of hospital AOD ED presentations; change in AOD consumption and psychological wellbeing (GHQ-12). We recruited 127 adolescents, with 60 randomised to the intervention and 67 receiving usual care.

Effectiveness of a brief-intervention and continuity of care in enhancing attendance for treatment by adolescent substance users.

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of a brief intervention enhanced by a consistent support person in facilitating attendance for substance use treatment following a hospital alcohol or other drug (AOD) presentation.

Participants: We recruited 127 adolescents (aged 12-19 years) from hospital emergency departments, 57 were female. Sixty were randomly assigned to receive the intervention and 67 to receive standard hospital care.

Multiple hospital presentations by adolescents who use alcohol or other drugs.

Aims: To investigate 'all cause' and the subset of 'alcohol or other drug' (AOD) related hospital emergency department (ED) presentations over 12 months by adolescents with a previously identified AOD ED presentation.

Design And Setting: A retrospective review of medical records in four metropolitan hospitals in Perth, Australia.

Participants: One hundred and fifty-two adolescents (13-19 years) identified during a previous 4-week study.

A review of the validity of the General Health Questionnaire in adolescent populations.

Objective: To comprehensively review the validity of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) [1] with adolescents (aged 12-19). Although the GHQ has been extensively used and validated with adults and has been frequently used with adolescents, the validity data for this group are sporadic.

Method: Systematic review of the English language peer-reviewed literature.