Abstract

High-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) is a 3 D -imaging and analysis technique frequently used for the investigation of internal structures of a large variety of objects, including building materials. The 3 D information is important for the characterisation of internal dynamic processes ( e.g ., water and salt migration, the influence of temperature and/or relative humidity changes) in natural stone, mortars, bricks and concrete. One of the main advantages of HRXCT is the fact that it is a non-destructive characterization technique, which allows 3 D monitoring of internal structural changes at resolutions in the (sub)micrometre scale. Because of its non-destructive nature, it is possible to measure changes in porosity, evolution of micro-cracks, crystallization of salts and migration paths of liquids in the same rock sample over a specific time period. Driven by the technological and computational progress, the technique is continuously growing as an analysis tool in the Geosciences and is becoming an important method in the field of Cultural Heritage. In this manuscript, a short summary of the principle, the advantages and limitations of X-ray computed tomography are presented. In addition, an overview of some current applications of imaging dynamic processes (such as liquid migration, artificial stone weathering and treatment) is provided by means of HRXCT. This is demonstrated in studies related to conservation of Cultural Heritage.

Highlights

  • Around 2007, a nodding syndrome (NS) epidemic appeared in onchocerciasis-endemic districts of northern Uganda, where ivermectin mass distribution had never been implemented

  • Our 2017 epilepsy survey shows the effects of optimal onchocerciasis elimination interventions on the incidence and prevalence of both NS and OFE

  • In 2017, the prevalence of epilepsy in Kitgum and Pader remained high. This was expected because 5 yr of optimal onchocerciasis control may not be enough to alter the prevalence of onchocerciasisassociated epilepsy (OAE), especially if persons with epilepsy (PWE) is treated with anti-epileptic

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Summary

Introduction

Around 2007, a nodding syndrome (NS) epidemic appeared in onchocerciasis-endemic districts of northern Uganda, where ivermectin mass distribution had never been implemented. This study evaluated the effect of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) and ground larviciding of rivers initiated after 2009 and 2012 respectively, on the epidemiology of NS and other forms of epilepsy (OFE) in some districts of northern Uganda. More recent studies have reported nodding seizures among persons with epilepsy (PWE) in the onchocerciasis-endemic regions in Cameroon [10] and the Democratic Republic of Congo [11]. A study in an onchocerciasis-endemic region in the Mbam valley in Cameroon showed that the risk of developing epilepsy increased with increasing O. volvulus microfilarial density [20]

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