influenza A ͉ human ͉ avian ͉ virus evolution ͉ cytokine

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Summary This paper summarizes the isolation of arboviruses from mosquitoes collected in the Ord Valley between 1972 and 1976. A total of one hundred and ninety five strains of at least fifteen antigenically distinct viruses have been isolated. Seven of these isolates appear to be ‘new’ antigenic types, and several are undergoing further testing. These are three new rhabdoviruses (Kununurra [OR194], a virus provisionally named Kimberley [OR250] and OR189 [provisionally named Parry's Creek]), three ungrouped, non‐haemagglutinating viruses (OR379, OR512, OR869) and a virus (OR540) which reacts to Poly Anopheles A world grouping fluid. The remaining viruses have been previously identified in Australia. These include Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE), Kunjin, Kokobera, Sindbis, Koongol, Wongal, Wongorr and a virus in the Corriparta serological group. The most important finding of these studies is that MVE displays an annually recurrent pattern of activity with a peak seasonal transmission rate at the end of the wet monsoon. This is the first definition of a probable endemic focus of MVE activity in Australia. The major vector for the majority of the viruses isolated was, by inference, Culex annulirostris. However, Aedeomyia catasticta was implicated as a major vector of the Corriparta group virus.

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Summary One hundred and thirty presumptive viruses have been isolated from 485 pools made from 23,872 mosquitoes collected in the Ord River area of North‐West Australia. One hundred and eleven of the virus isolates came from pools of Culex annulirostris, the dominant mosquito species caught in the vicinity of Kununurra. Forty‐five of the viruses pathogenic for newborn mice have been further characterized‐19 as Flaviviruses, 1 Alphavirus, 9 Koongol, 1 Mapputta and 15 non‐haemagglutinating viruses of which 6 are Corriparta. Thirty‐seven isolates were from Culex annulirostris. 7 from Aedeomyia catasticta and 1 from Aedes tremuls. All Corriparta isolates were from Aedeomyia catasticta. The Flaviviruses comprised 13 Kunjin and MVE isolates.

PurposeProperty defects and building safety have been major concerns for many years in Hong Kong. The local government intends to launch a Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme (MBIS) for owners of aged buildings; and instigate necessary defect rectification to enhance building and public safety (HKSAR BD, 2010). This study aims to examine the effects of the proposed enforcement actions, attain major stakeholders’ views, and to establish any unidentified problems.Design/methodology/approachThe investigation will be comprised of three stages, i.e. first, a thorough review of some target buildings having received repair orders from government; second, dispatch a structured questionnaire to major stakeholders to solicit their respective views for such potential building; and third, analyze such collected data with statistical tools with proposed solutions and conclusion.FindingsIt is anticipated that this research will explore the fundamental concerns, threshold, constraints and actions to be implemented to enhance for better building safety for a potential long‐outstanding problem in Hong Kong.Originality/valueThe research is based on quantitative studies with originality and value attributed to major stakeholders.