This paper employs one-dimensional numerical ground response analysis models to investigate seismic response of shallow cohesive and non-cohesive soil deposits on vertical propagation of horizontal shear waves. Soil response is modelled by traditional equivalent-linear (EL) frequency-domain analysis using DEEPSOIL software and nonlinear (NL) time-domain analysis using OPENSEES software. The ana...

BACKGROUND Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 has posed a serious public health challenge world-wide. In absence of reliable information on severity of the disease, the nations are unable to decide on the appropriate response against this disease. METHODS Based on the results of laboratory investigations, attendance in outpatient department, hospital admissions and mortality from the cases of i...

Results Response rate was 98%. The Urban to Rural Population ratio in the survey was 1:1.2. Television (86%) was the main source of information. Knowledge on pandemic nature, symptoms, personal protective measures, treatment and preventive strategies were acceptable among 90.2, 96, 36, 12 & 31% respectively. None of them used face mask or hand wash, though known to 78 & 20% respectively. Litera...

Since the identification of 2009-H1N1 in the spring, the virus has caused human disease worldwide and has led to the first influenza pandemic in 4 decades. In North America, despite the unexpectedness of being the early center of the emerging epidemic, public health agencies, health care systems, and medical providers were able to make the immediate switch from preparedness to response, even af...

Background. Vaccination against pandemic influenza poses significant challenges as the viral strain that will be responsible for the next influenza pandemic is unpredictable. Given the time lag between initiation of a pandemic and significant vaccine production, a pandemic vaccine will rarely be available until after significant viral circulation has occurred. One possible strategy to circumven...

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza is affecting countries in all five continents, with most cases so far having been reported in North and South America and Europe, and children and young adults being the most susceptible age groups. To date, the clinical course of disease is typically mild, with low hospitalization and mortality rates. Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 is susceptible to oseltamivir and, althou...

BACKGROUND The interaction between influenza virus and the host response to infection clearly plays an important role in determining the outcome of infection. While much is known on the participation of inflammation on the pathogenesis of severe A (H1N1) pandemic 09-influenza virus, its role in the course of non-fatal pneumonia has not been fully addressed. METHODS A systems biology approach ...

BACKGROUND When an influenza pandemic occurs most of the population is susceptible and attack rates can range as high as 40-50 %. The most important failure in pandemic planning is the lack of standards or guidelines regarding what it means to be 'prepared'. The aim of this study was to assess the preparedness of acute hospitals in the Republic of Ireland for an influenza pandemic from an infec...

BACKGROUND Ontario's 36 Public Health Units (PHUs) were responsible for implementing the H1N1 Pandemic Influenza Plans (PIPs) to address the first pandemic influenza virus in over 40 years. It was the first under conditions which permitted mass immunization. This is therefore the first opportunity to learn and document what worked well, and did not work well, in Ontario's response to pH1N1, and...

1. Herda PS. The 1918 influenza pandemic in Fiji, Tonga, and the Samoas. In: Bryder L, Dow DA, editors. New countries and old medicine: proceedings of an international conference on the history of medicine and health. Auckland (NZ): Pyramid Press; 1995. p. 46–53. 2. Crosby AW. America’s forgotten pandemic: the influenza of 1918. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press; 2003. p. 233–6. 3. Lazz...