Identifying the research gap of zoonotic disease in displacement:a systematic review

Background:Outbreaks of zoonotic diseases that transmit between animals and humans,against a backdrop of increasing levels of forced migration,present a major challenge to global public health.This review provides an overview of the currently available evidence of how displacement may affect zoonotic disease and pathogen transmission,with the aim to better understand how to protect health and resilience of displaced and host populations.Methods:A systematic review was conducted aligned with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA)reporting guidelines.Between December 2019-February 2020,PubMed,Web of Science,PLoS,ProQuest,Science Direct and JSTOR were searched for literature.Studies were included based on a focus on zoonotic disease risks in displacement and/or humanitarian emergencies,and relevance in terms of livestock dependency of the displaced populations.Evidence was synthesised in form of a table and thematic analysis.Results:Of all records,78 papers were selected for inclusion.Among the included studies,the majority were based on secondary data,including literature reviews(n=43)and case studies(n=5),while the majority of papers covered wide geographical areas such as the Global South(n=17)and Africa(n=20).The review shows significant gaps in the literature,which is specifically lacking primary data on zoonotic diseases in displacement.Risk factors for the transmission of zoonoses in displacement are based on generic infectious disease risks,which include the loss of health services,increased population density,changes in environment,reduced quality of living conditions and socio-economic factors.Regardless of the presence of these disease drivers during forced migration however,there is little evidence of large-scale zoonotic disease outbreaks linked directly to livestock in displacement.Conclusion:Due to the lack of primary research,the complex interlinkages of factors affecting zoonotic pathogen transmission in displacement remain unclear.While the presence of animals may increase the burden of zoonotic pathogens,maintaining access to livestock may improve livelihoods,nutrition and mental health,with the potential to reduce people’s vulnerability to disease.Further primary interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral research is urgently required to address the evidence gaps identified in this review to support policy and program development.

Generic Modeling and Control Framework for Power Systems Dominated by Power Converters Connected Through a Passive Transmission and Distribution Grid

In this paper,a compact mathematical model having an elegant structure,together with a generic control framework,are proposed for generic power systems dominated by power converters that are interconnected through a passive transmission and distribution(T&D)grid,by adopting the port-Hamiltonian(pH)systems theory and the fundamental circuit theory.The models of generic T&D lines are developed and then the model of a generic T&D grid is established.With the proposed control framework,the controlled converters are proven to be passive and Input-to-State Stable(ISS).The compact mathematical model is scalable and can be applied to power systems with multiple power electronic converters with generic passive controllers,passive local loads,and different types of passive T&D lines connected in a meshed configuration without self-loops,so it is very generic.Moreover,the resulting power system is proven to be ISS as well.The analysis is carried out without assumptions on constant frequency/voltage,constant loads,and/or lossless networks,except the need of passivity for all parts involved,and without using the Clarke/Park transformations or the graph theory.To simplify the presentation,three-phase balanced systems are adopted but the results can be easily adapted for single-phase or unbalanced three-phase systems.

Development, coinfection, and the syndemics of pregnancy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Notable among gaps in the achievement of the global health Millennium Development Goals(MDG)are shortcomings in addressing maternal health,an issue addressed in the fifth MDG.This shortfall is particularly acute in Sub-Saharan Africa(SSA),where over half of all maternal deaths occur each year.While there is not as yet a comprehensive understanding of the biological and social causes of maternal death in SSA,it is evident that poverty,gendered economic marginalization,social disruptions,hindered access to care,unevenness in the quality of care,illegal and clandestine abortions,and infections are all critical factors.Beyond these factors,this paper presents a review of the existing literature on maternal health in SSA to argue that syndemics constitute a significant additional source of maternal morbidity and mortality in the region.Increasing focus on the nature,prevention,and treatment of syndemics,as a result,should be part and parcel of improving maternal health in SSA.

Combating infectious diseases of poverty: a year on

The Infectious Diseases of Poverty journal,launched a year ago,is a platform to engage outside the traditional disciplinary boundaries,and disseminate high quality science towards the improvement of health.This paper reviews the milestone achievements during its first year of operation.The journal has filled an important niche,addressing some of the main priorities in the Global Report for Research on Infectious Diseases of Poverty.Highlights include the publication of three thematic issues on health systems,surveillance and response systems,as well as co-infection and syndemics.The thematic issues have foregrounded the importance and innovation that can be achieved through transdisciplinary research.The journal has been indexed by PubMed since April 2013,with the publication of a total of 38 articles.Finally,the journal is delivering to wider range readers both in developing and developed countries with sustained efforts with a focus on relevant and strategic information towards elimination of infectious diseases of poverty.