In industrialised countries there is a 95% probability that in 2030, male life expectancy at birth will be in excess of 80 years [1]. As a consequence, there will be an increasing incidence of chronic and non-communicable diseases, as well as an increasing worldwide population of “chronically critical” patients due to respiratory diseases. These conditions, combined with high and sometimes unre...

This paper considers the possibilities offered by the application of techniques from the field of artificial intelligence (AI) to the newer field of web services (WS). Current commercial and research-based efforts are reviewed and positioned within the two fields. Particular attention is given to the application of AI techniques to the important issue of WS composition. Within the range of AI t...

4 ABSTRACT: Anaerobic digestion (AD) of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) 5 is promoted as an energy source and more recently as a GHG mitigation measure. In this context, AD 6 systems operating at thermophilic temperatures (55-60C) – compared to mesophilic temperatures 7 (35-40C) – have the unique feature of producing hygienic soil conditioners with greater process 8 effici...

There is a growing debate on whether agricultural land in urban fringe should be maintained or converted to other uses. While ‘pro-ruralists’ believe agricultural land conversion can threaten food security and cause rural-urban migration, ‘pro-urbanists’ find it a necessary change for transition from a primitive agricultural-based community to an advanced industrialbased society which has the c...

In Cambodia, children's feces are rarely disposed of in an improved sanitation facility. This study examines current practices and the role that enabling products may play in increasing hygienic management of infant and young child (IYC) feces in households with access to improved sanitation. A survey was conducted with the primary caregiver of a child under 5 years of age in 130 homes with an ...

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OBJECTIVE To compare the maternal outcome, in terms of postpartum infection, of deliveries conducted by trained traditional birth attendants (TBAs) with those conducted by untrained birth attendants. METHODS The study took place in a rural area of Bangladesh where a local NGO (BRAC) had previously undertaken TBA training. Demographic surveillance in the study site allowed the systematic ident...

BACKGROUND Sustained civil and military conflict, resulting in large numbers of internally displaced persons (IDP), in combination with rapid urbanization has strained public health and sanitation within cities in Afghanistan. In order to examine the association between preventive sanitary behaviors and diarrhea within two high risk settings located within Kabul, Afghanistan, this study aimed t...