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This article analyses transmedia as a non-fictional social phenomenon, discussing the significance of participation, documentary, and community media. Specifically, the article conceptualises transmedia through the lens of charity politics. To do so, I use the Comic Relief charity campaign in the UK to trace how the socials traditions, ways of life and sensibilities associated with Red Nose Day have evolved into emerging digital technologies to shape this charity campaign across the borders of multiple media platforms. Embracing how social specificity informs non-fictional transmedia, I position ‘infotainment’ as a key conceptual basis of non-fictional transmedia, showing how audiences follow the ‘ethos’ of Red Nose Day across multiple media.

Background: The burden of diarrheal diseases remains high among children in low- income countries. Enteropathogens are challenging to control because they are transmitted via multiple pathways. Chickens are an important animal protein source, but live chickens and their products are often highly contaminated with enteropathogens. Objectives: We conducted this study to a) understand the contribution of multiple transmission pathways to the force of infection of Campylobacter spp. and nontyphoidal Salmonella spp., b) quantify the potential impact of reducing each pathway on human infection, and c) quantify hypothesized pathway reduction from the context of Maputo, Mozambique. Methods: We developed transmission models for Campylobacter and Salmonella that captured person-to-person, water- to- person, food-to-person, soil-to-person, animal-to-person, and all-other-sources-to-person in an urban, low-income setting in Mozambique. We calibrated these models using prevalence data from Maputo, Mozambique and estimates of attributable fraction of transmission pathways for the region. We simulated the prevalence of human infection after reducing transmission through each pathway. Results: Simulation results indicated that if foodborne transmission were reduced by 90%, the prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella infection would decline by [52.2%; 95% credible interval (CrI): 39.7, 63.8] and (46.9%; 95% CrI: 39, 55.4), respectively. Interruption of any other pathway did not have a substantial impact. Combined with survey and microbiology data, if contamination of broiler chicken meat at informal markets in Maputo could be reduced by 90%, the total infection of Campylobacter and Salmonella could be reduced by 21% (16-26%) and 12% (10- 13%), respectively. Discussion: Our transmission models showed that the foodborne transmission has to be reduced to control enteropathogen infections in our study site, and likely in other similar contexts, but mitigation of this transmission pathway has not received sufficient attention. Our model can serve as a tool to identify effective mitigation opportunities to control zoonotic enteropathogens. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12314, Introduction Diarrheal diseases are a substantial source of childhood morbidity and mortality. (1) In contexts where enteropathogen transmission is high, repeated asymptomatic infections also contributed to undernutrition and growth faltering [...]

Background: Small-scale poultry production is widespread and increasing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Exposure to enteropathogens in poultry feces increases the hazard of human infection and related sequela, and the burden of disease due to enteric infection in children Objectives: To improve the understanding of potential exposures to enteropathogens carried by chickens, we used mixed methods to map and quantify microbial hazards along production value chains among broiler, layer, and indigenous chickens in Maputo, Mozambique. Methods: To map and describe the value chains, we conducted 77 interviews with key informants working in locations where chickens and related products are sold, raised, and butchered. To quantify microbial hazards, we collected chicken carcasses (n = 75) and fecal samples (n = 136) from chickens along the value chain and assayed them by qPCR for the chicken- associated bacterial enteropathogens C. jejuni/coli and Salmonella spp. Results: We identified critical hazard points along the chicken value chains and identified management and food hygiene practices that contribute to potential exposures to chicken-sourced enteropathogens. We detected C. jejuni/coli in 84 (76%) of fecal samples and 52 (84%) of carcass rinses and Salmonella spp. in 13 (11%) of fecal samples and 16 (21%) of carcass rinses. Prevalence and level of contamination increased as chickens progressed along the value chain, from no contamination of broiler chicken feces at the start of the value chain to 100% contamination of carcasses with C. jejuni/coli at informal markets. Few hazard mitigation strategies were found in the informal sector. Discussion: High prevalence and concentration of C. jejuni/coli and Salmonella spp. contamination along chicken value chains suggests a high potential for exposure to these enteropathogens associated with chicken production and marketing processes in the informal sector in our study setting. We identified critical control points, such as the carcass rinse step and storage of raw chicken meat, that could be intervened in to mitigate risk, but regulation and enforcement pose challenges. This mixed-methods approach can also provide a model to understand animal value chains, sanitary risks, and associated exposures in other settings. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11761, Introduction Foodborne illness results in an estimated 420,000 deaths annually, 30% of which occur in children Annual global production of feces from animals (primarily cattle, chickens, and sheep) is estimated [...]

Background: Inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are important drivers of the global burden of disease, and their impact is exacerbated during outbreaks. Directives to practice handwashing and physical distancing may be impractical for people that have limited access to WASH resources. In this study, which took place during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we explore the relationship between control measures for global health crises and water, sanitation, and hygiene insecurity, with implications for other infectious diseases and future health emergencies. Methods: We investigated the relationship between WASH-related factors and disease prevention behaviors (handwashing, physical distancing, and masking), and the role of demographic characteristics and risk perceptions in influencing these relationships in low-income neighborhoods of Beira, Mozambique during the COVID-19 pandemic. We utilized data collected from 1,762 randomly selected households during a population-based survey. We fit multivariable logistic regression models to examine the associations between various WASH factors and disease prevention outcomes of interest, adjusting for individual- and household-level demographic characteristics and risk perceptions. Results: Over 98% of people had access to improved drinking water and over 80% of people had access to improved sanitation facilities. There was a high level of reported adherence to handwashing (95.5%) and physical distancing (91.7%) practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a lower odds of reported handwashing [aOR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.98] and physical distancing [0.85 (0.80, 0.92)] among respondents who had higher levels of water insecurity. Respondents that had a water source in their dwelling had a higher odds of reporting of physical distancing [2.03 (1.22, 3.41)] compared to people that had to leave their household to access water. There was a higher odds of reported handwashing and physical distancing among respondents who had their own sanitation facility, compared to a shared one [handwashing: 2.77 (1.35, 5.82); distancing: 1.61 (0.95, 2.73)], and those that had a sanitation facility inside their compound compared to outside their compound [handwashing: 2.11 (0.75, 5.71); distancing: 1.50 (0.65, 3.36)]. Respondents with a basic handwashing station, compared to no facility or a limited facility, had a higher odds of reported handwashing [4.45 (2.37, 8.65)], and those that had a connected handwashing station, compared to an unconnected handwashing station, had a higher odds of reporting handwashing and physical distancing [handwashing: 2.13 (0.68, 8.54); distancing: 1.77 (0.77, 4.53)]. Conclusions: Despite a high level of knowledge about the risks posed by COVID-19 and understanding of the benefits of handwashing and physical distancing, limitations in access to water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure acted as a barrier to people practicing disease prevention behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the need for a paradigm shift in soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) control, emphasizing the importance of targeting the right people, in the right place, and with the right drugs. It highlights the unequal burden of STH infections on disadvantaged populations and the need for a more targeted and equity-based approach to deworming. The World Health Organization's 2030 targets for STH control programs are outlined, focusing on achieving elimination of STH morbidity and increasing domestic financial support for preventive chemotherapy. The article calls for increased coordination, accountability, and country ownership to optimize resources and improve the effectiveness of STH control programs. [Extracted from the article]

Objective To determine whether a water, sanitation and hygiene intervention could change hygiene behaviours thought to be important for trachoma control. Methods We conducted a cluster-randomized trial in rural Ethiopia from 9 November 2015 to 5 March 2019. We randomized 20 clusters to an intervention consisting of water and sanitation infrastructure and hygiene promotion and 20 clusters to no intervention. All intervention clusters received a primary-school hygiene curriculum, community water point, household wash station, household soap and home visits from hygiene promotion workers. We assessed intervention fidelity through annual household surveys. Findings Over the 3 years, more wash stations, soap and latrines were seen at households in the intervention clusters than the control clusters: risk difference 47 percentage points (95% confidence interval, CI: 41- 53) for wash stations, 18 percentage points (95% CI: 12-24) for soap and 12 percentage points (95% CI: 5-19) for latrines. A greater proportion of people in intervention clusters reported washing their faces with soap (e.g. risk difference 21 percentage points; 95% CI: 15-27 for 0- 5 year-old children) and using a latrine (e.g. risk difference 9 percentage points; 95% CI: 2-15 for 6-9 year-old children). Differences between the intervention and control arms were not statistically significant for many indicators until the programme had been implemented for at least a year; they did not decline during later study visits. Conclusion The community- and school-based intervention was associated with improved hygiene access and behaviours, although changes in behaviour were slow and required several years of the intervention. Objectif Determiner si une intervention au niveau de l'eau, de l'assainissement et de 1'hygiene pourrait avoir une influence sur les comportements en la matiere, consideres comme importants dans la lutte contre le trachome. Methodes Nous avons mene un essai randomise par grappes dans les regions rurales d'Ethiopie entre le 9 novembre 2015 et le 5 mars 2019. Nous avons reparti aleatoirement 20 echantillons ou l'intervention consistait a developper les infrastructures d'assainissement et d'approvisionnement en eau et a promouvoir l'hygiene, et 20 echantillons n'ayant fait l'objet d'aucune intervention. Tous les echantillons du groupe d'intervention ont suivi une formation sur l'hygiene a l'ecole primaire, disposaient d'un point d'eau communautaire, d'un poste de lavage par menage, de savon a domicile, et recevaient des visites de la part de travailleurs charges d'enseigner les bonnes pratiques en matiere d'hygiene. Nous avons evalue le niveau d'observance des mesures en effectuant des enquetes annuelles au sein des foyers. Resultats En l'espace de 3 ans, le nombre de postes de lavage, de savons et de latrines dans les menages a davantage augmente dans le groupe d'intervention que dans le groupe de controle: la difference de risque s'elevait a 47 points de pourcentage (intervalle de confiance de 95%, IC: 41-53) pour les postes de lavage, a 18 points de pourcentage (IC de 95%: 12-24) pour le savon et a 12 points de pourcentage (IC de 95%: 5-19) pour les latrines. La proportion de gens declarant se laver le visage au savon etait plus grande dans le groupe d'intervention (difference de risque de 21 points de pourcentage; IC de 95%: 15-27 pour les enfants de 0 a 5 ans), tout comme celle mentionnant l'usage de latrines (difference de risque de 9 points de pourcentage; IC de 95%: 2-15 pour les enfants de 6 a 9 ans). Pour de multiples indicateurs, il a fallu attendre minimum un an apres l'instauration du programme pour que les variations observees entre les groupes d'intervention et de controle deviennent statistiquement significatives; ces variations se sont ensuite maintenues lors des visites ulterieures. Conclusion Intervenir a l'ecole et au sein de la communaute a permis d'ameliorer l'acces a l'hygiene et les comportements en la matiere. Neanmoins, cette evolution prend du temps et plusieurs annees d'intervention sont necessaires. Objetivo Determinar si una intervencion de agua, saneamiento e higiene cambiaria las practicas de higiene que se consideran importantes para el control del tracoma. Metodos Se realizo un ensayo aleatorizado por grupos en zonas rurales de Etiopia del 9 de noviembre de 2015 al 5 de marzo de 2019. Se asignaron de manera aleatoria 20 grupos a una intervencion que consistia en infraestructura de agua y saneamiento y promocion de la higiene, y 20 grupos a ninguna intervencion. Todos los grupos de intervencion recibieron un programa educativo sobre higiene en la escuela primaria, un punto de abastecimiento de agua en la comunidad, una estacion de lavado en el hogar, jabon en el hogar y visitas a domicilio de profesionales dedicados a la promocion de la higiene. Se evaluo la fidelidad de la intervencion mediante encuestas anuales en los hogares. Resultados Durante los tres anos, se observaron mas estaciones de lavado, jabon y letrinas en los hogares de los grupos de intervencion que en los de control: diferencia de riesgo de 47 puntos porcentuales (intervalo de confianza del 95 %, IC: entre 41 y 53) para las estaciones de lavado, 18 puntos porcentuales (IC del 95 %: entre 12 y 24) para el jabon y 12 puntos porcentuales (IC del 95 %: entre 5 y 19) para las letrinas. Un mayor porcentaje de personas en los grupos de intervencion informo de que se lavaba la cara con jabon (p. ej., diferencia de riesgo de 21 puntos porcentuales; IC del 95 %: entre 15 y 27; para ninos de 0 a 5 anos) y de que usaba una letrina (p. ej., diferencia de riesgo de 9 puntos porcentuales; IC del 95 %: entre 2 y 15; para ninos de 6 a 9 anos). Las diferencias entre los grupos de intervencion y de control no fueron significativas desde el punto de vista estadistico para muchos indicadores hasta que el programa se ejecuto durante al menos un ano; tampoco disminuyeron durante las visitas posteriores del estudio. Conclusion La intervencion en la comunidad y en la escuela se asocio a una mejora del acceso y de las practicas de higiene, aunque los cambios en las practicas fueron lentos y necesitaron varios anos de intervencion., Introduction The World Health Organization recommends improvements in water sources and promotion of facial cleanliness for trachoma elimination. (1) However, very few randomized trials have assessed whether hygiene interventions targeted [...]

The COVID‐19 pandemic has put the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) at risk, including those residing in congregate living settings. This study aimed to explore the experiences of congregate living agencies supporting individuals with IDD when implementing infection control guidance during the COVID‐19 pandemic for the purpose of identifying recommendations for future implementation. Interpretive description was the methodological approach used for this qualitative study. Data were collected through a semi‐structured focus group with administrative personnel from developmental services (DS) congregate living agencies supporting adults with IDD in Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Our findings identified successes and challenges related to the implementation of infection control guidelines in practice, as well as strategies used during the implementation of guidelines. Five main themes were identified—Communication, Collaboration, Finding and Managing Resources, Agency Capacity, and Future Considerations. Effective communication and collaboration within agencies, as well as between agencies and local public health units or governing ministries, led to the successful implementation of infection control guidance. Prior experience with pandemics, as well as managers with knowledge of infectious disease and infection control, was crucial in interpreting and implementing COVID‐19 infection control guidance. DS agencies experienced successes and challenges when implementing infection control guidelines. The needs of DS agencies and individuals with IDD should be prioritized when developing infection control guidance to ensure that implementation is feasible and appropriate for congregate living settings and the population supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nuclear imaging system has been capturing neutron images of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) driven implosions for over a decade at the National Ignition Facility. This imaging system has evolved from one to three nearly orthogonal lines-of-sight, allowing for the study of three-dimensional shape characteristics of ignition shots. Limited-view tomography algorithms help visualize the burning hotspot in 3D and assess neutron source geometry using Legendre mode parameters. With its neutron, gamma-ray, and x-ray image reconstruction capabilities, NIS has provided critical insight into mechanisms that have limited implosion performance, such as fill tube diameter for ignition-type targets. This comprehensive diagnostic suite opens a window into the shape characteristics of ignition shots and how symmetry affects ICF implosion performance. In more recent ignition shots, neutron yields have visibly increased. Analyzing the shape and size of the reconstructed neutron source has shown an expansion of the burn volume, which is indicative of more efficient alpha heating during the implosion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutron imaging systems are important diagnostic tools for characterizing the physics of inertial confinement fusion reactions at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). In particular, neutron images give diagnostic information on the size, symmetry, and shape of the fusion hot spot and surrounding cold fuel. Images are formed via collection of neutron flux from the source using a system of aperture arrays and scintillator-based detectors. Currently, reconstruction of fusion source geometry from the collected neutron images is accomplished by solving a computationally intensive maximum likelihood estimation problem via expectation maximization. In contrast, it is often useful to have simple representations of the overall source geometry that can be computed quickly. In this work, we develop convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to reconstruct the outer contours of simple source geometries. We compare the performance of the CNN for penumbral and pinhole data and provide experimental demonstrations of our methods on both non-noisy and noisy data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Promotion of facial cleanliness is recommended for the elimination of blinding trachoma, largely because of observational studies that have found an association between various measures of facial uncleanliness and trachoma. However, when a field grader assesses both facial cleanliness and trachoma, associations may be biased. Assessment of photographs of the face and conjunctiva by masked graders may provide a less biased estimate of the relationship between facial cleanliness and trachoma. Methods: Face photographs, conjunctival photographs, and conjunctival swabs were obtained on a random sample of 0–9-year-old children from each of 40 communities in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Face photographs were assessed for the presence of seven measures of an unclean face (i.e., wet nasal discharge, dry nasal discharge, wet ocular discharge, dry ocular discharge, food, dust/dirt, and flies) by three independent masked photo-graders. Conjunctival photographs were similarly graded in a masked fashion for signs of clinically active trachoma. Conjunctival swabs were processed for Chlamydia trachomatis DNA. Results: Of 2073 children with complete data, 808 (39%) had evidence of clinically active trachoma, 150 (7%) had evidence of ocular chlamydia infection, and 2524 (91%) had at least one measure of an unclean face. Dry ocular discharge had the strongest association with clinically active trachoma (age- and sex-adjusted prevalence ratio [PR] 1.4, 95% CI 1.2–1.6) and ocular chlamydia infection (PR 1.9, 95%CI 1.3–2.9), although significant associations were observed between each of the measures of facial uncleanliness and trachoma. Conclusions: Masked assessment of face and conjunctival photographs confirmed prior observational studies that have noted associations between various measures of facial uncleanliness and trachoma. The causal relationship between facial uncleanliness and trachoma is unclear since many features used to measure facial cleanliness (e.g., ocular discharge, nasal discharge, and flies) could be consequences of antecedent ocular chlamydia infection. Trial registration: NCT02754583, clinicaltrials.gov. Author summary: We graded face and eye photographs from children in Ethiopia to characterize the relationship between seven measures of an unclean face and several trachoma outcomes. Dry ocular discharge had the strongest associations with trachoma outcomes, and there was a dose-dependent relationship between the seven facial uncleanliness measures and trachoma. Moreover, using a composite measure of facial uncleanliness, such as the presence of nasal discharge, ocular discharge, or flies, had even stronger associations with trachoma. However, it is difficult to determine the importance of these measures of facial uncleanliness as risk factors for trachoma since ocular chlamydia infection can cause ocular discharge and potentially nasal discharge, each of which may in turn attract flies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]