Graziella Caprarelli

Epidemiology and Geographical Distribution of Enteric Protozoan Infections in Sydney, Australia

Background Enteric protozoa are associated with diarrhoeal illnesses in humans; however there are no recent studies on their epidemiology and geographical distribution in Australia. This study describes the epidemiology of enteric protozoa in the state of New South Wales and incorporates spatial analysis to describe their distribution. Design and methods Laboratory and clinical records from four public hospitals in Sydney for 910 patients, who tested positive for enteric protozoa over the period January 2007 - December 2010, were identified, examined and analysed. We selected 580 cases which had residence post code data available, enabling us to examine the geographic distribution of patients, and reviewed the clinical data of 252 patients to examine possible links between protozoa, demographic and clinical features. Results Frequently detected protozoa were Blastocystis spp. (57%), Giardia intestinalis (27%) and Dientamoeba fragilis (12%). The age distribution showed that the prevalence of protozoa decreased with age up to 24 years but increasing with age from 25 years onwards. The geographic provenance of the patients indicates that the majority of cases of Blastocystis (53.1%) are clustered in and around the Sydney City Business District, while pockets of giardiasis were identified in regional/rural areas. The distribution of cases suggests higher risk of protozoan infection may exist for some communities. Conclusions These findings provide useful information for policy makers to design and tailor interventions to target high risk communities. Follow-up investigation into the risk factors for giardiasis in regional/rural areas is needed. Significance for public health This research is significant since it provides the most recent epidemiological update on the common enteric protozoa affecting Australians. It reveals that enteric protozoa cause considerable disease burden in high risk city dwellers, and provides the evidence base for development of targeted interventions for their prevention and control in high risk populations. The prevalence of enteric protozoa in this metropolitan setting underscores that microorganisms do not respect borders and that a collaborative approach is needed to contain the global spread of infectious diseases. Incorporating spatial analysis is valuable in providing a compelling picture of the geographical distribution of these often neglected diseases. Local and State Public Health departments can use this information to support further inves-

Application of GIS technology in public health: successes and challenges

The uptake and acceptance of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology has increased since the early 1990s and public health applications are rapidly expanding. In this paper, we summarize the common uses of GIS technology in the public health sector, emphasizing applications related to mapping and understanding of parasitic diseases. We also present some of the success stories, and discuss the challenges that still prevent a full scope application of GIS technology in the public health context. Geographical analysis has allowed researchers to interlink health, population and environmental data, thus enabling them to evaluate and quantify relationships between health-related variables and environmental risk factors at different geographical scales. The ability to access, share and utilize satellite and remote-sensing data has made possible even wider understanding of disease processes and of their links to the environment, an important consideration in the study of parasitic diseases. For example, disease prevention and control strategies resulting from investigations conducted in a GIS environment have been applied in many areas, particularly in Africa. However, there remain several challenges to a more widespread use of GIS technology, such as: limited access to GIS infrastructure, inadequate technical and analytical skills, and uneven data availability. Opportunities exist for international collaboration to address these limitations through knowledge sharing and governance.

Insights into complex layered ejecta emplacement and subsurface stratigraphy in Chryse Planitia, Mars, through an analysis of THEMIS brightness temperature data

Layered ejecta craters on Mars have been interpreted to indicate the presence of volatiles in the substrate, making them important targets for the investigation of sites of astrobiological significance. If the ejecta are associated with the presence of water in the substratum, specific surface grain size trends are expected. In this study we explore the distribution of grain sizes in the layered ejecta of impact craters located in Chryse Planitia, using Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) thermal infrared data. Ejecta grain size trends, in conjunction with ejecta mobility and lobateness values, are applied to assess the degree of surface flow of the ejecta, and in turn to constrain the plausible volatile abundance, cohesion, and fine particle content of the target materials. Craters with a larger fraction of small grain sizes in their ejecta showed greater ejecta mobility and lobateness, consistent with a water-rich and/or a low-cohesion target. Craters displaying decreasing grain size with increasing radius had smaller diameters and lower ejecta mobility and lobateness, indicating only a minimal component of surface ejecta flow. Ejecta grain size trends varied with crater diameter, from which the presence of vertical compositional stratigraphy in Chryse Planitia is inferred and interpreted. Our observations are synthesized into a number of plausible geologic scenarios for Chryse Planitia.

Radar sounding of Lucus Planum, Mars, by MARSIS†

Italian Space Agency (ASI) [I/032/12/1]; Leibniz-Rechenzentrum, Garching, Germany [2013091832]; European Union [654367, 283610]

The present and future of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Alumni Association in Australia (JSPSAAA)

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Alumni Association in Australia (JSPSAAA) is one of 18 alumni associations formally recognized by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). With the institution of the JSPSAAA, alumni associations of the JSPS are now represented in five continents. Like all other JSPS alumni associations, its membership comprises researchers in all disciplinary fields in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences, who have previously been awarded longor shortterm JSPS Fellowships. The only additional requisite to be eligible for membership of the JSPSAAA is that prospective alumni must be Australian citizens or hold permanent resident status in Australia. General information is available from the Australian Academy of Science (AAS) web-site at: https:// www.science.org.au/supporting-science/other-initiatives/ japan-society-promotion-science-alumni-associationaustralia. The JSPSAAA was formally recognized by the JSPS on February 24, 2017, after the JSPSAAA had approved its constitution and elected its first Executive at a meeting held on October 19, 2016 at the AAS Shine Dome in Canberra, and after it had been incorporated in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), on January 13, 2017. The Executive Committee, composed of a President, VicePresident, Secretary and Treasurer, supported by one representative for each of its constituencies (New South Wales/ACT, Victoria/Tasmania, South Australia/Western Australia, and Queensland/Northern Territory), started working immediately after its election to set up the operational framework within which to carry out the duties of the elected members, and to achieve the final steps required for formal approval of the Alumni Association by the JSPS (headquartered in Tokyo, Japan). It also reviewed and streamlined procedures for the processing and approval of new membership applications, including those in an Honorary Member category established to recognize the achievements of individuals whose outstanding work with Japanese colleagues and institutions has contributed to understanding between Australia and Japan through scientific collaboration not supported by the JSPS. At the time of this writing, the association has a total of 226 members, and it aims to further expand its numbers by reaching more than 650 Australian researchers who were formerly supported by the JSPS. This concerted effort will disseminate information about the JSPSAAA using regular social media, a future dedicated web-site, outreach activities, and media engagement. The association also plans to replace its current active application process for membership, with an Bopt-out if so wished^ mechanism by which all eligible JSPS Fellows will be automatically added to the JSPSAAA membership list. The current application systemwill remain active by completion of an on-line form available at: https://aas.eventsair.com/jspsaaa/ australia/Site/Register . The JSPSAAAwas formed under the auspices of the AAS, which in 2017 celebrated 40 years since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the JSPS. The MoU included research exchange programs under all JSPS Fellowship schemes. After conceptualizing the JSPSAAA in 2014, the AAS and voluntary members of the scientific community worked over a period of 2 years to formulate and execute the plan to establish the association and draft its first constitution. This preparatory work culminated in the call for membership and invitations to nominate for the eight executive roles. The first elected Executive, competently assisted by AAS staff, then continued the work leading to the final formal recognition of the Association. Through its initiatives, which have included the highly successful inaugural JSPSAAA * Graziella Caprarelli Graziella.Caprarelli@unisa.edu.au