Human norovirus (HuNoVs) are the most common enteric pathogen around the world that cause ~50% of foodborne illness of disease outbreaks annually. HuNoVs are the member of the Caliciviridae family, which consist of small (38 nm), unenveloped, single stranded RNA (ssRNA) viruses. Norovirus are divided into 5 genogroup (GI, GII, GIII, GIV, GV, GVI and GVII). The GI, GII, and GIV cause human illness, in addition, GII.4 genotype cause the most human disease. Due to HuNoVs are difficult cultured in vitro, the cultivable HuNoVs surrogates have been widely studied. Recently, some studies have been conducted with HuNoVs surrogates, for example bacteriophage MS2. MS2 is conservative surrogate for nonenveloped viruses which there is a close relationship to the behavior of HuNoVs, thus we can examine the infection control measures for HuNoVs. Despite plenty of treatment method been done on testing antiviral effect on bacteriophage MS2, for example UV inactivation, steam ultrasound and antimicrobial etc., plant-based nanoemulsion treatment has yet to be explored. Carvacrol is a major component of oregano essential oil and is responsible for their antimicrobial activity on the growth of various microorganism. In this study, carvacrol nanoemulsions were formed by using the spontaneous emulsification for testing the nanoemulsion stability (14 days shelf life study on its droplet size and particle charge) and antimicrobial activity. In carvacrol nanoemulsion 14 days shelf life test, the droplet size and particle charge stay stable at three different treatment environments (4°C, 20°C and 37°C). The results proved that nanoemulsion (was formed with surfactant agents and medium-chain triglycerides) is stable system that gives consistent droplet size and charge. Although, the low antimicrobial activity was investigated at carvacrol nanoemulsion, the strong antimicrobial effects have been found when carvacrol or carvacrol combined with ionic surfactant of treatment on MS2 and Escherichia coli. Taken together, in the wake of growing consumer demand for different “natural” products in a number of industries, our study broadly informs the development and study of functionalized carvacrol active compound that can not only provide beneficial health for human but can also examine antimicrobial efficacy of control measures for public health.

Malaria continues to be a challenging problem in the developing world, and the burden of this life threatening disease continues to be borne by young children living in Sub Saharan Africa. One of the biggest challenges to the prevention and control of this problem lies in accurately diagnosing malaria, and distinguishing it from the many other febrile illnesses which present in children in this age group. Liberia is a West African country with a high burden of malaria. Very little is known about the presentation of severe malaria in children aged 5 years old and younger in Liberia. We undertook a prospective, hospital -based study of children 5 and under presenting to JKF Medical Center, the national referral hospital, with fever and signs and symptoms consistent with malaria. The aims of our study were to determine: 1) the frequency of confirmed malaria cases, 2) the frequency of non-malaria diagnoses, 3) the prevalence of anti-malarial drug resistance mutations, 4) the presence of other life threatening etiologies of febrile illness such as S. typhii and Dengue virus and 5) immunological profiling associated with severe malaria. We analyzed clinical and laboratory data from 462 children age 5 and under who presented to the national referral hospital in Monrovia, Liberia with signs and symptoms consistent with malaria over a one year period. Key findings included determining the demographic factors most closely associated with severe malaria in this population (age > 1yr and urban environment) and those that were negatively associated with the development of severe malaria (prior episodes of malaria, use of bednets and use of anti malarial medications prior to presentation). The clinical symptoms most closely associated with severe malaria in this population were found to be headache and vomiting. We found that 33% of children admitted and treated for severe malaria did not test positive for malaria by rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) or blood smear. These children had a case fatality rate that was 5 times higher than their RDT positive counter parts. Of the RDT negative children, 2 tested positive for salmonella typhii, but were not treated for this pathogen. Upon discharge from the hospital, 11% of children had resolved their symptoms, but had not cleared their malaria parasites. These findings will help to identify the children who present with true severe malaria in Liberia. They also underscore the need to expand diagnostic capabilities to determine which other types of pathogens cause febrile illness in this population, so that adequate treatment can be extended to these patients. The immunoprofiles of these children revealed 3 IgM antibodies (AMA-1, CSP and LSA-1) that were associated with the development of severe malaria. These antibodies also appear to be associated with initial infection with malaria. Such data will help to identify antigens could be potential targets for malaria vaccines, and which can play an important role in the development of new malaria diagnostics for this population.

The burning of biomass for cooking purposes without proper ventilation and filters poses a massive health and climate risk. Health implications from exposure to household air pollution from this type of fuel impacts women and children in many developing countries, who spend many hours a day cooking and gathering fuel. Climate implications from burning solid biomass results in increased carbon dioxide and black carbon emissions, which contribute to global climate change. This thesis aims to explore the issues associated with biomass cookstoves in terms of both health and climate, and seeks to understand how a new national clean cookstove program could be funded in India. This includes potential partnerships with United States agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other international funding sources. The topic of clean cookstoves has gained traction as a strategy to mitigate emissions and adapt to a changing climate, and with the recent passing of the United Nations Paris Agreement, funding is increasing to support programs that address climate impacts.

As transnational crime has no regard to borders, competent authorities need to overcome the barriers the barriers of national jurisdictions and cooperate together. The UN and regional organisations, including the EU and ASEAN, have required States to criminalise transnational crime, including terrorism, and to implement effective measures to prevent, investigate, detect, prosecute and punish these offences. They have also required States to cooperate; cooperation being one of the key measures to ensure the effectiveness of States’ action.The regional level is considered to be the most effective to harmonise legislation as well as to adopt and implement mechanisms of cooperation for security purposes. However, the nature and level of cooperation vary a lot depending on the regional framework considered. In the EU, this cooperation has been legally framed and institutionalised as well as associated with harmonisation of Member States’ legislation. By contrast, cooperation remains much more informal in ASEAN and is not associated with harmonization of legislation. Despite its low level of integration, ASEAN plays an increasing role in the region by leading efforts to create a regional legal architecture. ASEAN is the most successful regional grouping in the “developing world” and has a particular approach vis-à-vis terrorism. Both regions have therefore a legitimate ground and purpose in learning from each other (comparative regionalism) and in working together (interregionalism) in order to ensure – up to the capacities of each regions – the best response to terrorism.The differences between the two regions are due to various factors, among which the unalike degree of trust between their respective Member States and their capacity to cooperate. Despite its absence in the constitutional treaties, “mutual trust” is a concept constantly used in the AFSJ, especially when police and judicial cooperation is at stake. Whereas its precise status, nature and consequences is still debated, mutual trust seems to have reached an institutional level and to have been transformed into legal expectations in the EU. By contrast, although trust is repeated in ASEAN declarations and objectives, it is less visible in practice between ASEAN Member States. Mutual trust is a fundamental yardstick in developing cooperation mechanisms. The highest the confidence in each other’s systems is, the more efficient the cooperation. Mutual trust serves to build bridges between national jurisdictions. In the EU, such mutual trust is based on common values and norms and implies the development of common minimum standards in the field including human rights norms. It rests of course also on other factors such as mutual understanding of the threat and each other’s particular legislation.The compared regional analysis will highlight notable discrepancies in each region’s approach. The EU has gone through a tremendous institutional evolution by communitarising the AFSJ. The EU has adopted norms to facilitate cooperation based on common standards and mutual trust. With the numerous types of cooperation mechanisms, the EU adopted a two-fold objective, namely facilitating the cross-border cooperation and harmonising the HR standards. By contrast, ASEAN is still governed by the so-called ‘ASEAN Way’ based on consultation and consensus rather than on bargaining and give-and-take leading to deals enforceable in a court of law; on non-institutionalised processes; and on practice-based rules. These differences involve a clear lack of trust between Member States. This method is slowly and partially shifting towards a more institutional and rules-based approach. This comparative analysis will allow to conclude on the convergences and differences in the conditions and level of trust in each of the two regions in the field of terrorism and on their impact on the level of cooperation.Based on this comparison, interregional challenges and prospects will be focused on. The EU has adopted a comprehensive approach combining human rights and security measures. Preserving such a balance when interacting with external actors is a serious challenge, especially when States tend to privilege security measures. The EU must adapt its objectives, priorities and means to the particularities of ASEAN while respecting its own standards. In this regard, mutual trust is an important factor in developing interregional collaboration. Since 1972, the EU developed economic ties with different ASEAN Member States and with the ASEAN Secretariat itself. Both regions have increasingly engaged in an interregional dialogue on different issues of interest, including terrorism. Here again, the criteria/conditions and the level of mutual trust developed between the two regions will be examined. / Doctorat en Sciences juridiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The interest of suppressing migrant smuggling at sea is to be considered as part of state sovereignty and the state’s right to migrant control. This combat against criminal activity at sea is a balance between state security interest and ensuring the safety of migrants on board suspected vessels. There are a rising number of voluntary rescue organisations at sea that face trials, suspected of aiding migrant smugglers. This is a problematic fact against the big need for search and rescue operations. Despite the perilous nature of sea-crossings, maritime migration is a common phenomenon. Betweenyear 2014 and year 2020 there were20 959people reported dead in the Mediterranean Sea. Public international law provides the duty to render assistance at sea. The legal area of maritime rescuealsocoversthe coastal state dutyto promote the establishment and maintenance of adequate and effective search and rescue service. This thesis aims to analysethe conflict between the, within state sovereignty, right to control immigration and the state duty to render assistance at sea. Using aninternational legal perspective, it examines the extent of the state duty of maritime rescue.Furthermore, it examines the regulation concerning migrant smuggling and asks whether the measures taken by states against the smuggling of migrantsat seais in line with international law. The analysis concerns areas within international law of the sea, international refugee law as well as international human rights law. Vital regulations are the principle of non-refoulement and the right to life.The examination shows that the right to life reinforces thestate duty to render assistance at seaand that the principle of non-refoulement collides with extraterritorial migration control. Furthermore, it shows that the criminalisation of voluntary organisations at sea collides with the state duty to promote an effective search and rescue service. In summarythis analysis displaysthat the state interest of combating migrant smuggling wrongfully takes priority over the duty to render assistance and the respect for human rights concerning migrants at sea

A comparison of the structure and effectiveness of recovery ecosystems for opioid use disorder in Portugal and Appalachia, with a focus on identifying areas for improvement within the Appalachian region.

Vitamin D deficiency is of particular concern among women in many south Asian countries due to low availability of vitamin D-rich foods, dark skin pigmentation, and cultural and religious practices that promote the wearing of concealing clothing. However, information regarding the vitamin D status of many subpopulations in south Asian countries is limited. The current study was conducted to assess the vitamin D status of 147 Bangladeshi women of reproductive age and determine whether vitamin D status influences susceptibility to arsenic-associated skin lesions (75 cases, 72 controls). Serum 25(OH)D3 levels were measured using a radioimmunoassay. The mean serum vitamin D level among the women in the current study was 60.1 nmol/L, which is well below the cut-off value of 75 nmol/L defining optimal vitamin D status. Over 81% of the women were below this cut-off value. Vitamin D status was not influenced by the presence of arsenic-associated skin lesions. Sun exposure and very low egg consumption were factors identified as significant predictors of vitamin D status (p<0.05, p<0.04, respectively). Every additional hour of sun exposure per week during work was associated with a 0.32 nmol/L, on average, increase in serum vitamin D levels. Very low egg consumption corresponded to a 10.85 nmol/L lower serum vitamin D level compared to frequent egg consumption. Public health efforts in Bangladesh should promote increased consumption of food sources rich in vitamin D. Vitamin D fortification or supplementation may also be viable options to improve the vitamin D status of the population.

Denna fallstudie presenterar forskning om vad som kan påverka framgången för internationella teknikföretag när det kommer till att etablera sig i det svenska medielandskapet. Sverige ses som ett nav för innovation och med globalisering samt framväxten av kommunikationsteknologier kan företag bedriva sin verksamhet på andra marknader än deras ursprung, vilket gör det viktigt att förstå vad som kan påverka framgången med att etablera sig i det svenska medielandskapet när man genomför kommunikationsinsatser. Denna fallstudie består av 7 semistrukturerade intervjuer med tre typer av medieproffs, (1) interna mediaproffs, (2) externa PR-specialister och (3) journalister. Resultaten visar att det finns sex faktorer som kan påverka framgången med att etablera sig i det svenska medielandskapet för internationella techföretag; (1) realistiska förväntningar, (2) bra timing, (3) nyheter kopplade till samhälleliga utmaningar och möjligheter, (4) en förståelse för hur medielandskapet fungerar, (5) lokala talespersoner och valid data, samt (6) relevans för målgruppen. / This case study presents research on what can affect the success of international tech companies establishing a presence on the Swedish media landscape. Sweden is seen as a hub for innovation and with globalisation and the rise of communication technologies, companies are able to conduct their business in different markets than their origin, making it important to understand what can affect the success of establishing a presence on the Swedish media landscape when conducting communications efforts. This case study consists of 7 semi-structured interviews with three types of media professionals, (1) in-house media professionals, (2) external PR-specialists, and (3) journalists. The results show there are six factors which can affect the success of establishing a presence on the Swedish media landscape for international tech companies; (1) realistic expectations, (2) good timing, (3) news connected to societal challenges and opportunities, (4) an understanding of how the media landscape operates, (5) local spokespeople and valid data, and (6) relevance for the target audience.

Adult women bear a disproportionate burden of overweight and obesity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Precise information to understand disease distribution and assess determinants is lacking. Therefore, this dissertation aimed to: (i) analyze the prevalence of adult female overweight and obesity combined in lower-level administrative units; (ii) analyze the effect modification of educational attainment and age on the association between household wealth and adult female overweight and obesity; (iii) synthesize qualitative research evidence to describe contextual factors contributing to female overweight and obesity at different life stages. Bayesian and logistic regression models were constructed with Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data to respectively estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and assess the interaction of education on the association between household wealth and overweight. The synthesis of qualitative research studies was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and findings were grouped by themes. Prevalence estimates revealed heterogeneity at second-level administrative units in the seven SSA countries examined, which was not visible in first-level administrative units. The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity ranged from 7.5 – 42.0% in Benin, 1.4 – 35.9% in Ethiopia, 1.6 – 44.7% in Mozambique, 1.0 – 67.9% in Nigeria, 2.2 - 72.4% in Tanzania, 3.9 – 39.9% in Zambia, and 4.5 - 50.6% in Zimbabwe. Additionally, education did not have a statistically significant modifying effect on the positive association between household wealth and overweight in the 22 SSA countries eligible for the study. Body shape and size ideals, barriers to healthy food choices and physical activity were key themes in the research synthesis encompassing four SSA countries. Positive symbolism, including beauty, was linked to overweight and obesity in adult women. Among adolescents, although being overweight or obese was not accepted, girls were expected to be voluptuous. Body image dissatisfaction and victimization characterized the experiences of non-conforming women and girls. Barriers to healthy nutrition included migration and the food environment. Whereas, barriers to physical activity included ageism. While additional work is encouraged to validate the prevalence estimates, overweight and obesity interventions must consider whether the determinants identified in this study are relevant to their context to inform improved outcomes.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is currently one of the most pressing world-wide concerns regarding the health and well-being of our global population. Due to the lack of a cure, recent efforts have focused on prevention measures for the disease. HIV prevention, particularly with the youth population, has spawned creative programs, such as the use of sport as an educational tool to equip youth with the skills to avoid contracting HIV. Due to the potent effect sport-for-development efforts exhibit on both individual and cultural level change, it can be assumed that HIV prevention sport-for-development programs are worth maintaining. Within the use of sport-for-development programs comes the problem under investigation: the need to establish a uniform method from which to evaluate HIV sport-for-development program effectiveness- specifically in regards to cultural relevance, level of community ownership, and sustainability through partnership resources. In order to address this problem, this analysis used qualitative content analysis to examine the promotional documents of three best practice football-for-development organizations- Grassroot Soccer, Mathare Youth Sports Association, and WhizzKids United. The purpose was to determine whether the Community Organization Health Model (COHM) was reflected in the values promoted through each organization’s electronic promotional material. The content analysis showed a strong qualitative presence of all six of the COHM tenets in the promotional documents, as well as a meaningful theme of expanding partnerships to enhance sustainability. These findings indicate that the tenets of the COHM are valued by best practice football-for-development organizations, which presents the opportunity for this model to be used in creating an evaluation procedure able to bridge cultural differences in programs. Keywords: HIV prevention, football, sport-for-development, evaluation