Approved Facilities Research Articles

On truthful constrained heterogeneous facility location with max-variant cost

We consider a problem where agents have private positions on a line, and public approval preferences over two facilities, and their cost is the maximum distance from their approved facilities. The goal is to decide the facility locations to minimize the total and the max cost, while incentivizing the agents to be truthful. We design a strategyproof mechanism that is simultaneously 11- and 5-approximate for these two objective functions, thus improving the previously best-known bounds of 2n+1 and 9.

COVID-19 Transmission among Healthcare Workers at a Quarantine Facility in Thailand: Genomic and Outbreak Investigations.

ABSTRACT.During the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand implemented a quarantine program at approved quarantine facilities for every international traveler. Here, we report an epidemiological and genomic investigation of a COVID-19 cluster consisting of seven healthcare workers (HCWs) at a quarantine facility and its partnered hospital in Thailand. Outbreak investigations were implemented to obtain contact tracing data and to establish chains of transmission. Genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 with samples within the cohort was performed. Investigations of 951 HCWs and staff with quarantined travelers were implemented to determine the chain of transmission. Genomic and outbreak investigations identified the international travelers infected with the B.1.1.31 SARS-CoV-2 lineage as the source of this outbreak. The genomic data and the investigated timeline revealed a putative transmission chain among HCWs, pointing toward the transmission via the use of common living quarters at the investigated quarantine site. The evaluation of this cohort has led to a policy recommendation on quarantine facility management. International travel quarantine is an important strategy to contain importation of COVID-19 cases. However, a quarantine facility is likely to become a potential hotspot, requiring thorough preventive measures. Reducing the exposure risk by providing private living quarters and scheduling clinical duties at a quarantine site separated from the conventional healthcare workforce have been implemented.

Counting Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Cases: Case Definitions, Screened Populations and Testing Techniques Matter

While counting cases of disease appears straightforward, there are issues to consider when enumerating disease counts during an epidemic. For example, for Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), how is a case defined? Hubei province in China changed its case definition twice in a fortnight-from laboratory-confirmed cases to clinically-confirmed cases without laboratory tests, and back to laboratory-confirmed cases. This caused confusion in the reported number of cases. If a confirmed case requires laboratory testing, what is the population who are laboratory-tested? Due to limited laboratory testing capacity in the early phase of an emerging epidemic, only "suspected cases" are laboratory-tested in most countries. This will result in underdiagnosis of confirmed cases and also raises the question: how is a "suspect case" defined? With the passage of time and increased capability to perform laboratory tests, more people can be screened and the number of confirmed cases will increase. What are the technical considerations of laboratory testing? This includes specimen collection (variable collection methods), samples collected (upper or lower respiratory tract biospecimens), time of collection in relation to course of disease, different laboratory test methods and kits (not all of which may be standardised or approved by authorities such as the Food and Drug Administration). Are approved laboratory facilities and trained manpower available, and how are test results interpreted and false-negatives excluded? These issues will affect the accuracy of disease counts, which in turn will have implications on how we mount an appropriate response to the outbreak.

Gravitational waves from ultra-short period exoplanets

ABSTRACT In the last two decades, thousands of extrasolar planets were discovered based on different observational techniques, and their number must increase substantially in virtue of the ongoing and near-future approved missions and facilities. It is shown that interesting signatures of binary systems from nearby exoplanets and their parent stars can also be obtained measuring the pattern of gravitational waves (GWs) that will be made available by the new generation of detectors including the space-based LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) observatory. As an example, a subset of exoplanets with extremely short periods (less than 80 min) is discussed. All of them have gravitational luminosity, LGW ∼ 1030 erg s−1, strain h ∼ 10−22, frequencies fGW > 10−4 Hz, and, as such, are within the standard sensitivity curve of LISA. Our analysis suggests that the emitted GW pattern may also provide an efficient tool to discover ultra-short period exoplanets.

A Model of Regulatory Alignment to Enhance the Long-Term Care Survey Process in a Veterans Health Care Network.

Regulatory oversight aims to promote quality of care in US nursing homes. A survey of long-term care (LTC) inspection practices in a Veterans Administration network in 2006 revealed great variability in monitoring and reporting processes, with opportunities for improvement. Modern organization theory and the PARIHS Implementation Framework provide a model for process improvement to enhance oversight for LTC facilities. Over a 3-year time frame, 6 facility inspection teams utilized a modified Delphi approach to arrive at and adopt a standardized structured inspection process. In the 2 districts where 10 facility contracts were terminated for quality deficits identified as a result of process improvement, Star Ratings of approved facilities improved (3.2 to 3.3). The 10 facilities terminated had a mean rating of 1.2 (0.48) (t = 3.87, P < .01). Standardization of a structured LTC inspection process enhances organizational oversight and may contribute to improved quality of care.

Identifying and Reducing Remaining Stocks of Rinderpest Virus.

In 2011, the world was declared free from rinderpest, one of the most feared and devastating infectious diseases of animals. Rinderpest is the second infectious disease, after smallpox, to have been eradicated. However, potentially infectious rinderpest virus material remains widely disseminated among research and diagnostic facilities across the world and poses a risk for disease recurrence should it be released. Member Countries of the World Organisation for Animal Health and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations are committed to destroying remaining stocks of infectious material or ensuring that it is stored under international supervision in a limited number of approved facilities. To facilitate this commitment and maintain global freedom from rinderpest, World Organisation for Animal Health Member Countries must report annually on rinderpest material held in their countries. The first official surveys, conducted during 2013-2015, revealed that rinderpest material was stored in an unacceptably high number of facilities and countries.

Official checks by an accredited laboratory on irradiated foods at an Italian market

Food irradiation can be used to increase the microbiological safety and to extend the shelf life of foods. European legislation states that any food or food ingredients must be labelled and every year each Member State, particularly Italy, has to carry out checks at marketing stage. This work reports on the results of analytical controls on 451 foodstuff samples over the period 2006–2011 performed by an Italian accredited laboratory using 4 different screening and confirmatory techniques: PSL, DNA Comet Assay, TL and ESR. A total of 18 samples were found non-compliant: 6 frog legs, 3 clams, 3 cuttlefish, 1 octopus and 1 shrimps from Vietnam; 3 squids, 1 white pepper and 1 chilli tofu from China. Non-compliances are due to both incorrect labelling and irradiation in not approved facilities in extra European/third countries. Check results also showed that among screening methods PSL is the most accurate, simple and practical standard to analyse most of samples (spices, herbs, supplements, mollusks, crustaceans and vegetables) with a low false positive classification (11%) whereas DNA Comet Assay revealed the highest percentage of false positive cases (26%). ESR is the suitable confirmatory method to detect dried fruits and foodstuffs (meat and fish product) containing bone, while TL is the best confirmatory method to detect herbs, spices and supplements, cephalopods, mollusks and crustaceans, besides fresh fruits and vegetables. In conclusion, by comparison with European data, this study suggests more checks on meat products (frog and poultry meats), fish products (cephalopods, mussels and crustacean) spices and supplements especially at import stage from countries where non approved irradiation facilities are operating (e.g. Vietnam and China).

Normes OEPP/EPPO Standards Phytosanitary treatments Traitements phytosanitaires

Normes OEPP/EPPO Standards Phytosanitary treatments Traitements phytosanitaires

Normes OEPP/EPPO Standards Phytosanitary treatments Traitements phytosanitaires

Normes OEPP/EPPO Standards Phytosanitary treatments Traitements phytosanitaires

Normes OEPP EPPO Standards Phytosanitary treatments Traitements phytosanitaires

Normes OEPP EPPO Standards Phytosanitary treatments Traitements phytosanitaires

Experimental Infection of Vaccinated Slaughter Ostriches in a Natural, Open-Air Feedlot Facility with Virulent Newcastle Disease Virus

The presence of virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) since the 1993-94 epidemic in southern Africa holds major implications for the export of ostrich products from this region. A challenge experiment with this field strain was conducted in open-air feedlot facilities under strict biosecurity measures. The experiment was designed to follow vaccination and preslaughter quarantine regulations currently enforced in South African export ostrich facilities in order to determine the viremia period and immune response under these specific circumstances. One hundred forty-three slaughter ostriches were allocated into three test groups, according to the time period between pretrial vaccination and challenge (1-2 mo, 2-4 mo, 4-6 mo), and an unchallenged control group. All birds in the test groups were challenged by oral, tracheal, and ocular routes with a field isolate of NDV. They were slaughtered over the next 4 wk on nine separate occasions and bled on 12 occasions. Virus isolation was attempted from seven sets of pooled samples from each bird to determine the viremia period and the serum antibody concentrations were measured by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods to establish an immune response curve. NDV could be back-isolated only up to day 9 postinfection and from only six ostriches with poor immune response titers and corresponding to a rise in antibody levels above an indirect ELISA optical density reading of 0.33. Virus could be recovered only from brain and respiratory tract tissue. The HI test was less sensitive than the ELISA. Immune response curves did not differ significantly between the groups and peaked on day 14 post-infection. From these data, ELISA titers would appear to be a good indicator of the probability that an ostrich will be clinically infected after velogenic NDV challenge. These results also suggest that the current vaccination schedule enforced by the South African Veterinary Authorities results in protective immunity in up to 95% of slaughter ostriches from export approved facilities. The standard 30-day preslaughter quarantine period introduced as part of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus control measures also appears sufficient to encompass the determined NDV viremia period of 9-11 days in slaughter ostriches.

Status of sanitary control measures in French aquaculture

Summary The French legislation on sanitary control measures in aquaculture follows closely the European ad hoc Directives (EEC 91–67, 93–54, 95–22) and Decisions (e.g. EC 92–532 and 96–240). The decree of December 1995 relates to notifiable diseases: salmon infection anaemia (SIA), viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) and infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN). The Departmental Order of April 1997 relates to the placing of aquaculture animals and products on the market. The import of living fish from third countries is ruled by Departmental Orders of June 1994. Because of the long standing historical efforts on sanitary conditions in aquaculture, a major part of the fish farming production is today realized in approved facilities (Decisions CE 95–125, 95–481, 97–227). On the request of the fish farmers' union, an epidemiological survey should be carried out in the nonapproved areas to derive future control measures. National or regional projects on medical or sanitary control have also been established for other significant fish diseases, particularly for infectious pancreatic necrosis, sleeping disease, viral encephalopathy and retinopathy, bacterial kidney disease. Vaccination is used against enteric redmouth disease and attempts are currently underway against furunculosis. An epidemiological survey on gyrodactylosis is under consideration, although no incidence in Atlantic salmon juveniles of Gyrodactylus salaris has ever been reported in France.

Alabama's Foundation Sweetpotato Program Maintains Root Quality

Many sweetpotato growers produce their own transplants to control quality, assure timely availability, and reduce production costs. The Alabama Crop Improvement Association, Inc., maintains Foundation, Registered, and Certified stocks to provide sweetpotato producers with high-quality sweetpotatoes. These sweetpotato roots are available to growers in any state to improve the quality of their rootstock. Sweetpotatoes produced in the crop improvement program are examined in the bed and the field. They are inspected by the Alabama Dept. of Agriculture and Industries, stored in approved facilities, graded, and shipped in clean crates that are tagged prior to transport and delivery to producers. As a result of the program, sweetpotatoes are produced free of serious diseases and pests, and exhibit the characteristics of the variety.

Incineration of polychlorinated biphenyls in high efficiency boilers: a viable disposal option

Approximately 750 million pounds of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) remain in service today in the United States. The eventual disposition of these materials and the vast stock piles already removed from commerce and use represents a formidable problem to both U.S. industry (e.g., utility companies) and federal and state environmental agencies. Despite the fact that available disposal options include the use of high-temperature incineration, disposal efforts have been significantly hampered by the lack of approved incineration facilities. The results of comprehensive PCB incineration programs conducted in accordance with EPA test protocols at each of three high-efficiency boiler sites are presented. Flue gas sampling procedures included the use of both the modified method 5 PCB train and the Source Assessment Sampling System (SASS). Analytical protocols included the use of gas chromatography (GC/ECD) and combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). PCB destruction efficiency data for each of nine test runs were in excess of the 99.9% values assumed by the EPA regulation. The cumulative data set lends further credibility to the use of high-efficiency boilers as a viable disposal option for PCB contaminated (50-500 ppm) waste oils when conducted in strict accordance with existing EPA protocols.

Total rehabilitation of the long-term patient.

The United States has about 30 million people, out of a total population of 178 million, with varying degrees of chronic disease or impairment Mere prolongation of life is an empty achievement unless the sick and the handicapped are helped to regain the maximum level of self-help to attain a useful, dignified life. About 20 million Americans enter hospitals each year. About 16% of persons with chronic disease are under 35 years of age. Unless adequate maintenance rehabilitation is continued, the danger that a partially disabled person will deteriorate eventually to a state of total dependency is real. The problem of rehabilitating the longterm patient is therefore one of tremendous magnitude. To keep pace with an increasing population, the number of personnel as well as the number of approved facilities must be increased to provide care and rehabilitation. Adequate medical direction is essential.