University of Stirling

About: University of Stirling is a education organization based out in Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Polyunsaturated fatty acid. The organization has 7722 authors who have published 20549 publications receiving 732940 citations. The organization is also known as: Stirling University.

A model for assessment of telemedicine applications: MAST

Abstract: Objectives: Telemedicine applications could potentially solve many of the challenges faced by the healthcare sectors in Europe. However, a framework for assessment of these technologies is need by decision makers to assist them in choosing the most efficient and cost-effective technologies. Therefore in 2009 the European Commission initiated the development of a framework for assessing telemedicine applications, based on the users’ need for information for decision making. This article presents the Model for ASsessment of Telemedicine applications (MAST) developed in this study.Methods: MAST was developed through workshops with users and stakeholders of telemedicine.Results: Based on the workshops and using the EUnetHTA Core HTA Model as a starting point a three-element model was developed, including: (i) preceding considerations, (ii) multidisciplinary assessment, and (iii) transferability assessment. In the multidisciplinary assessment, the outcomes of telemedicine applications comprise seven domains, based on the domains in the EUnetHTA model.Conclusions: MAST provides a structure for future assessment of telemedicine applications. MAST will be tested during 2010–13 in twenty studies of telemedicine applications in nine European countries in the EC project Renewing Health.

Competition mediated by parasites: biological and theoretical progress

Abstract: The changes in the behaviour of multihost, pathogen models can be revealed through bifurcation analysis. This analysis identifies bifurcation points that define surfaces that separate different types of model behaviour, such as stability or instability. As an example, consider the case of a shared microparasite between two host species that we can describe with the basic susceptible–infectious model. The two figures illustrate the bifurcation surfaces in the cross section of parameter space; defined by the reciprocals of the reproductive numbers (the number of new cases arising from a primary case introduced into a population of susceptibles) of the pathogen in each host species i (R0i). The reciprocal is used so that single host infections persist close to the origin. The shaded areas are the regions where the infected coexistence equilibria are relevant (i.e. positive) and the numbers represent p,q, where there are p relevant equilibria of which q are stable. In (a), where between-species transmission-coefficients are low, infected coexistence occurs for sufficiently high values of R0i, but host exclusion is not possible. In (b), where between-species transmission-coefficients are high, then stable infected coexistence is not possible for high R0i, in which case host exclusion takes place. Figure (b) also shows that when these transmission coefficients are high then complexities can arise, with multiple equilibria present.Fig. 3Fig. 3Fig. 3View Large Image | Download PowerPoint Slide

Global trade in exotic pets 2006-2012.

Abstract: International trade in exotic pets is an important and increasing driver of biodiversity loss and often compromises the standards required for good animal welfare. We systematically reviewed the scientific and gray literature and used the United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) trade database to establish temporal and geographical trade patterns of live exotic birds, mammals, and reptiles and to describe trends in research, taxonomic representation, and level of threat and legal protection of species traded. Birds were the most species-rich and abundant class reported in trade; reptiles were second most abundant but unusually the most studied in this context; and mammals were least abundant in trade. Mammalian and reptilian species traded as pets were more likely to be threatened than expected by random. There have been a substantial number of Appendix I listed captive-bred mammals and birds and wild-caught birds and reptiles reported in trade to CITES. We identified the Middle East's emerging role as a driver of demand for exotic pets of all taxa alongside the well-established and increasing role of South America and Southeast Asia in the market. Europe, North America, and the Middle East featured most heavily in trade reports to CITES, whereas trade involving South America and Southeast Asia were given most emphasis in the literature. For effective monitoring of and appropriate response to the international exotic pet trade, it is imperative that the reliability and detail of CITES trade reports improve and that scientific research be directed toward those taxa and locations that are most vulnerable.