26 results on '"Stratton, Helen"'
Search Results
2. Nanobubble technologies: Applications in therapy from molecular to cellular level
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Hansen, Helena H.W.B., Cha, Haotian, Ouyang, Lingxi, Zhang, Jun, Jin, Bo, Stratton, Helen, Nguyen, Nam-Trung, and An, Hongjie
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- 2023
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3. Effect of turbulence, dispersion, and stratification on Escherichia coli disinfection in a subtropical maturation pond
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Dahl, Nick W., Woodfield, Peter L., Simpson, Ben A.F., Stratton, Helen M., and Lemckert, Charles J.
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- 2021
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4. Compositional and temporal stability of fecal taxon libraries for use with SourceTracker in sub-tropical catchments
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O'Dea, Christian, Zhang, Qian, Staley, Christopher, Masters, Nicole, Kuballa, Anna, Fisher, Paul, Veal, Cameron, Stratton, Helen, Sadowsky, Michael J., Ahmed, Warish, and Katouli, Mohammad
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- 2019
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5. Hydrodynamic modelling of 'Cryptosporidium oocysts' in Canungra Creek, Australia
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Hydraulics in Water Engineering Conference (13th : 2017 : Sydney), Yu, Yingying, O'Halloran, Kelvin, Wohlsen, Tracey, Stratton, Helen, and Zhang, Hong
- Published
- 2017
6. Influence of season on the microbial population dynamics of activated sludge.
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Stratton, Helen M, Nittami, Tadashi, Esteban, Nicolas Herraiz, Petrovski, Steve, and Seviour, Robert J
- Abstract
This review discusses critically how seasonal changes might affect the community composition and dynamics of activated sludge wastewater treatment plants, and examines the factors thought more generally to control microbial community assembly, including the role of taxa–time relationships and stochastic and deterministic influences. The review also questions the differences in protocols used in these studies, which make any subsequent attempts at data comparisons problematic. These include bacterial DNA extraction and PCR methodologies, 16S rRNA sequencing and especially its depth, and subsequent statistical analyses of the data, which together often fail to reveal seasonal dynamic community shifts. Suggestions are given as to how experimental protocols need to be improved and standardized, and especially the requirement to examine bacterial populations at the species level. This review looks critically at what is known currently about seasonal influences on key members of this community, including viruses, the bacteria responsible for nitrogen and phosphorus removal and those causing bulking and foaming. The data show many of these species exhibit replicative seasonal abundances over several years, but not under all conditions, illustrating how complex these community dynamics are. Fungal and protozoal/metazoal seasonal community dynamics, less studied, are also discussed. The current data suggest that seasonal temperature fluctuations are responsible for most of the seasonal community dynamics by selectively favouring or otherwise individual populations. However, more longer term studies carried out under much stricter controlled conditions are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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7. Technical aspects of using human adenovirus as a viral water quality indicator
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Rames, Emily, Roiko, Anne, Stratton, Helen, and Macdonald, Joanne
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- 2016
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8. Microfluidic encapsulation of DNAs in liquid beads for digital PCR application.
- Author
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Galogahi, Fariba Malekpour, Christie, Melody, Yadav, Ajeet Singh, An, Hongjie, Stratton, Helen, and Nguyen, Nam-Trung
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HUMAN DNA ,WATER pollution ,MICROFLUIDIC devices ,LIQUIDS ,CIRCULATING tumor DNA - Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidics and digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) hold significant promise for accurately detecting and quantifying pathogens. However, existing droplet-based digital PCR (ddPCR) applications have been relying exclusively on single emulsion droplets. Single emulsion droplets may not be suitable for applications such as identifying the source and pathways of water contamination where the templates must be protected against harsh environmental conditions. In this study, we developed a core–shell particle to serve as a protective framework for DNAs, with potential applications in digital PCR. We employed a high-throughput and facile flow-focusing microfluidic device to generate liquid beads, core–shell particles with liquid cores, which provided precise control over process parameters and consequently particle characteristics. Notably, the interfacial interaction between the core and shell liquids could be adjusted without adding surfactants to either phase. As maintaining stability is essential for ensuring the accuracy of digital PCR (dPCR), we investigated parameters that affect the stability of core–shell droplets, including surfactants in the continuous phase and core density. As a proof of concept, we encapsulated a series of human faecal DNA samples in the core–shell droplets and the subsequent liquid beads. The core–shell particles ensure contamination-free encapsulation of DNA in the core. The volume of the core droplets containing the PCR mixture is only 0.12 nL. Our experimental results indicate that the liquid beads formulated using our technique can amplify the encapsulated DNA and be used for digital PCR without interfering with the fluorescence signal. We successfully demonstrated the ability to detect and quantify DNA under varying concentrations. These findings provide new insights and a step change in digital PCR that could benefit various applications, including the detection and tracking of environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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9. Acinetobacter baumannii detected on modified charcoal–cefoperazone–deoxycholate agar in a waste stabilization pond.
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Sheludchenko, Maxim, Padovan, Anna, Katouli, Mohammad, and Stratton, Helen
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SEWAGE lagoons ,ACINETOBACTER baumannii ,AGAR ,ENVIRONMENTAL sampling ,CAMPYLOBACTER ,ESCHERICHIA coli ,CHARCOAL - Abstract
Copyright of Canadian Journal of Microbiology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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- 2020
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10. Liquid marbles as biochemical reactors for the polymerase chain reaction.
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Sreejith, Kamalalayam Rajan, Gorgannezhad, Lena, Jin, Jing, Ooi, Chin Hong, Stratton, Helen, Dao, Dzung Viet, and Nguyen, Nam-Trung
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FECAL contamination ,BIOREACTORS ,NUCLEIC acid amplification techniques ,WATER quality monitoring ,THERMOCYCLING ,MARBLE ,POLYMERASE chain reaction ,REVERSE transcriptase polymerase chain reaction - Abstract
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a popular and well-established DNA amplification technique. Technological and engineering advancements in the field of microfluidics have fuelled the progress of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology in the last three decades. Advances in microfluidics-based PCR technology have significantly reduced the sample volume and thermal cycling time. Further advances led to novel and accurate techniques such as the digital PCR. However, contamination of PCR samples, lack of reusability of the microfluidic PCR platforms, complexity in instrumentation and operation remain as some of the significant drawbacks of conventional microfluidic PCR platforms. Liquid marbles, the recently emerging microfluidic platform, could potentially resolve these drawbacks. This paper reports the first liquid marble based polymerase chain reaction. We demonstrated an experimental setup for the liquid-marble based PCR with a humidity-controlled chamber and an embedded thermal cycler. A concentrated salt solution was used to control the humidity of the PCR chamber which in turn reduces the evaporation rate of the liquid marble. The successful PCR of microbial source tracking markers for faecal contamination was achieved with the system, indicating potential application in water quality monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2019
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11. DNA Heat Treatment for Improving qPCR Analysis of Human Adenovirus in Wastewater.
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Rames, Emily, Roiko, Anne, Stratton, Helen, and Macdonald, Joanne
- Abstract
PCR inhibitory substances in complex sample matrices can cause false negatives or under-estimation of target concentration. This study assessed DNA heat treatment for reducing inhibition during qPCR analysis of human adenovirus (HAdV) in wastewater samples. Inhibition was reduced by heat treating DNA, where mean HAdV concentration was increased by 0.71 log GC/L (and up to 3.04 log GC/L in one case), and replicate variability and false negatives were reduced. DNA heat treatment should be further investigated for improving reliability of HAdV concentration estimates in water, which can support more accurate assessment of health risks associated with viral pathogen exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2017
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12. Guidelines for Use of the Approximate Beta-Poisson Dose-Response Model.
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Xie, Gang, Roiko, Anne, Stratton, Helen, Lemckert, Charles, Dunn, Peter K., and Mengersen, Kerrie
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RISK assessment ,POISSON processes ,DOSE-response relationship in biochemistry ,BIOCHEMISTRY ,PROBABILITY theory - Abstract
For dose-response analysis in quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), the exact beta-Poisson model is a two-parameter mechanistic dose-response model with parameters [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2017
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13. A Generalized QMRA Beta-Poisson Dose-Response Model.
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Xie, Gang, Roiko, Anne, Stratton, Helen, Lemckert, Charles, Dunn, Peter K., and Mengersen, Kerrie
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RISK assessment -- Mathematical models ,MICROBIAL contamination ,DOSE-response relationship in biochemistry ,PARAMETER estimation ,POISSON processes ,MAXIMUM likelihood statistics - Abstract
Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) is widely accepted for characterizing the microbial risks associated with food, water, and wastewater. Single-hit dose-response models are the most commonly used dose-response models in QMRA. Denoting [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2016
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14. Removal of Fecal Indicators, Pathogenic Bacteria, Adenovirus, Cryptosporidium and Giardia (oo)cysts in Waste Stabilization Ponds in Northern and Eastern Australia.
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Sheludchenko, Maxim, Padovan, Anna, Katouli, Mohammad, and Stratton, Helen
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- 2016
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15. CRISPR Diversity in E. coli Isolates from Australian Animals, Humans and Environmental Waters.
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Sheludchenko, Maxim S., Huygens, Flavia, Stratton, Helen, and Hargreaves, Megan
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CRISPRS ,ESCHERICHIA coli ,ENVIRONMENTAL impact analysis ,WATER supply ,SINGLE nucleotide polymorphisms - Abstract
Seventy four SNP genotypes and 54 E. coli genomes from kangaroo, Tasmanian devil, reptile, cattle, dog, horse, duck, bird, fish, rodent, human and environmental water sources were screened for the presence of the CRISPR 2.1 loci flanked by cas2 and iap genes. CRISPR 2.1 regions were found in 49% of the strains analysed. The majority of human E. coli isolates lacked the CRISPR 2.1 locus. We described 76 CRISPR 2.1 positive isolates originating from Australian animals and humans, which contained a total of 764 spacer sequences. CRISPR arrays demonstrated a long history of phage attacks especially in isolates from birds (up to 40 spacers). The most prevalent spacer (1.6%) was an ancient spacer found mainly in human, horse, duck, rodent, reptile and environmental water sources. The sequence of this spacer matched the intestinal P7 phage and the pO111 plasmid of E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2015
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16. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli in hospital wastewaters and sewage treatment plants in Queensland, Australia.
- Author
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Gündoğdu, Aycan, Jennison, Amy V., Smith, Helen V., Stratton, Helen, and Katouli, Mohammad
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SEWAGE disposal plants ,INDUSTRIAL wastes ,ESCHERICHIA coli ,BETA lactam antibiotics ,ANTIBIOTIC residues ,DRUG resistance in microorganisms - Abstract
Copyright of Canadian Journal of Microbiology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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- 2013
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17. Polyacrylamide+Al2(SO4)3 and polyacrylamide+CaO remove coliform bacteria and nutrients from swine wastewater.
- Author
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Entry, James A., Phillips, Ian, Stratton, Helen, and Sojka, R.E.
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- 2003
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18. Microbial Diversity Profiling of Gut Microbiota of Macropus giganteus Using Three Hypervariable Regions of the Bacterial 16S rRNA.
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O'Dea, Christian, Huerlimann, Roger, Masters, Nicole, Kuballa, Anna, Veal, Cameron, Fisher, Paul, Stratton, Helen, and Katouli, Mohammad
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HYPERVARIABLE regions ,GUT microbiome ,MICROBIAL diversity ,BACTERIAL diversity ,RIBOSOMAL RNA ,WATER pollution ,SURFACE contamination ,MICROBIAL metabolites - Abstract
Animal faecal contamination of surface waters poses a human health risk, as they may contain pathogenic bacteria or viruses. Of the numerous animal species residing along surface waterways in Australia, macropod species are a top contributor to wild animals' faecal pollution load. We characterised the gut microbiota of 30 native Australian Eastern Grey Kangaroos from six geographical regions (five kangaroos from each region) within South East Queensland in order to establish their bacterial diversity and identify potential novel species-specific bacteria for the rapid detection of faecal contamination of surface waters by these animals. Using three hypervariable regions (HVRs) of the 16S rRNA gene (i.e., V1–V3, V3–V4, and V5–V6), for their effectiveness in delineating the gut microbial diversity, faecal samples from each region were pooled and microbial genomic DNA was extracted, sequenced, and analysed. Results indicated that V1-V3 yielded a higher taxa richness due to its larger target region (~480 bp); however, higher levels of unassigned taxa were observed using the V1-V3 region. In contrast, the V3–V4 HVR (~569 bp) attained a higher likelihood of a taxonomic hit identity to the bacterial species level, with a 5-fold decrease in unassigned taxa. There were distinct dissimilarities in beta diversity between the regions, with the V1-V3 region displaying the highest number of unique taxa (n = 42), followed by V3–V4 (n = 11) and V5–V6 (n = 8). Variations in the gut microbial diversity profiles of kangaroos from different regions were also observed, which indicates that environmental factors may impact the microbial development and, thus, the composition of the gut microbiome of these animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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19. PREDICTING TURNOVER INTENTIONS USING THE REASONED ACTION MODEL.
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Stratton, Helen K.
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CAREER development ,CAREER changes ,BEHAVIOR ,ATTITUDE (Psychology) ,LABOR turnover ,OCCUPATIONS - Abstract
The theory of reasoned action proposes that turnover intentions are a function of an individual's attitudes toward performing a behavior coupled with the perceived attitude of important others toward the performance of the behavior. Intentions to search for an alternative position should be predicted by attitudes and subjective norms concerning the behavior of searching. Likewise, intentions to resign should be predicted by attitudes and subjective norms toward the behavior of resigning a current position. Research scientists at a government research laboratory completed a survey designed to measure attitudes and subjective norms toward searching for an alternative position and resigning from the current position. The model of reasoned action was tested for its effectiveness in predicting turnover intentions. Data comparisons between government and contractor researchers found no significant difference in attitude and subjective norms between the two groups however statistically significant results for the intention to search for an alternative job and resign the current job were found. Research findings and the effectiveness of the reasoned action model as applied to scientific researchers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 1994
20. Core-Shell Beads as Microreactors for Phylogrouping of E. coli Strains.
- Author
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Gorgannezhad, Lena, Sreejith, Kamalalayam Rajan, Christie, Melody, Jin, Jing, Ooi, Chin Hong, Katouli, Mohammad, Stratton, Helen, and Nguyen, Nam-Trung
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MICROREACTORS ,THERMOCYCLING ,POLYMERASE chain reaction ,ACID analysis - Abstract
Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an effective tool for simultaneous detection of target genes. Nevertheless, their use has been restricted due to the intrinsic interference between primer pairs. Performing several single PCRs in an array format instead of a multiplex PCR is a simple way to overcome this obstacle. However, there are still major technical challenges in designing a new generation of single PCR microreactors with a small sample volume, rapid thermal cycling, and no evaporation during amplification. We report a simple and robust core-shell bead array for a series of single amplifications. Four core-shell beads with a polymer coating and PCR mixture were synthesized using liquid marble formation and subsequent photo polymerization. Each bead can detect one target gene. We constructed a customised system for thermal cycling of these core-shell beads. Phylogrouping of the E. coli strains was carried out based on the fluorescent signal of the core-shell beads. This platform can be a promising alternative for multiplex nucleic acid analyses due to its simplicity and high throughput. The platform reported here also reduces the cycling time and avoids evaporation as well as contamination of the sample during the amplification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2020
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21. Core-Shell Beads Made by Composite Liquid Marble Technology as A Versatile Microreactor for Polymerase Chain Reaction.
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Sreejith, Kamalalayam Rajan, Gorgannezhad, Lena, Jin, Jing, Ooi, Chin Hong, Takei, Takayuki, Hayase, Gen, Stratton, Helen, Lamb, Krystina, Shiddiky, Muhammad, Dao, Dzung Viet, and Nguyen, Nam-Trung
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NUCLEIC acid amplification techniques ,MARBLE ,PLASTIC scrap ,THERMOCYCLING ,REVERSE transcriptase polymerase chain reaction ,POLYMERASE chain reaction ,DNA nanotechnology - Abstract
Over the last three decades, the protocols and procedures of the DNA amplification technique, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have been optimized and well developed. However, there have been no significant innovations in processes for sample dispersion for PCR that have reduced the amount of single-use or unrecyclable plastic waste produced. To address the issue of plastic waste, this paper reports the synthesis and successful use of a core-shell bead microreactor using photopolymerization of a composite liquid marble as a dispersion process. This platform uses the core-shell bead as a simple and effective sample dispersion medium that significantly reduces plastic waste generated compared to conventional PCR processes. Other improvements over conventional PCR processes of the novel dispersion platform include increasing the throughput capability, enhancing the performance and portability of the thermal cycler, and allowing for the contamination-free storage of samples after thermal cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2020
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22. Microfluidic Array Chip for Parallel Detection of Waterborne Bacteria.
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Gorgannezhad, Lena, Sreejith, Kamalalayam Rajan, Zhang, Jun, Kijanka, Gregor, Christie, Melody, Stratton, Helen, and Nguyen, Nam-Trung
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MICROFLUIDIC devices ,POLYMERASE chain reaction ,THERMOCYCLING ,TRITON X-100 ,BACTERIA - Abstract
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a robust technique used to make multiple copies of a segment of DNA. However, the available PCR platforms require elaborate and time-consuming operations or costly instruments, hindering their application. Herein, we introduce a sandwiched glass–polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)–glass microchip containing an array of reactors for the real-time PCR-based detection of multiple waterborne bacteria. The PCR solution was loaded into the array of reactors in a single step utilising capillary filling, eliminating the need for pumps, valves, and liquid handling instruments. Issues of generating and trapping bubbles during the loading chip step were addressed by creating smooth internal reactor surfaces. Triton X-100 was used to enhance PCR compatibility in the chip by minimising the nonspecific adsorption of enzymes. A custom-made real-time PCR instrument was also fabricated to provide thermal cycling to the array chip. The microfluidic device was successfully demonstrated for microbial faecal source tracking (MST) in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Microfluidic-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Systems in Microbiology.
- Author
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Gorgannezhad, Lena, Stratton, Helen, and Nguyen, Nam-Trung
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NUCLEIC acids ,MICROFLUIDICS ,MICROFLUIDIC devices ,POLYMERASE chain reaction ,MICROBIOLOGY ,CHEMICAL sample preparation - Abstract
Rapid, sensitive, and selective bacterial detection is a hot topic, because the progress in this research area has had a broad range of applications. Novel and innovative strategies for detection and identification of bacterial nucleic acids are important for practical applications. Microfluidics is an emerging technology that only requires small amounts of liquid samples. Microfluidic devices allow for rapid advances in microbiology, enabling access to methods of amplifying nucleic acid molecules and overcoming difficulties faced by conventional. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in microfluidics-based polymerase chain reaction devices for the detection of nucleic acid biomarkers. The paper also discusses the recent development of isothermal nucleic acid amplification and droplet-based microfluidics devices. We discuss recent microfluidic techniques for sample preparation prior to the amplification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
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24. On the hydrodynamics and treatment efficiency of waste stabilisation ponds: From a literature review to a strategic evaluation framework.
- Author
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Li, Miao, Zhang, Hong, Lemckert, Charles, Roiko, Anne, and Stratton, Helen
- Subjects
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HYDRODYNAMICS , *STRATEGIC planning , *WASTEWATER treatment , *PHOTOSYNTHESIS , *ENERGY consumption - Abstract
Waste stabilisation ponds (WSP) are designed to treat wastewater through natural microbiological, photosynthetic, biochemical, physico-chemical and hydrodynamic processes. They are used throughout the world for wastewater treatment due to their minimal technical requirements, low cost and minimal energy consumption. It is well recognised that WSP hydrodynamics plays a crucial role influencing WSP treatment efficiency. In this study, published WSP literature is reviewed with a focus on the importance of environmental forces, pond configurations and pond loadings on WSP hydrodynamics and pond treatment efficiency. The findings are used to propose future WSP design and modelling requirements. It has been found that the interrelated effects of multiple factors such as pond length-to-width ratio, inlet/outlet configuration, temperature, solar radiation and wind on WSP treatment performance are not investigated sufficiently at present. It is suggested that a system based on numerical pond modelling and field measuring analyses be formulated to address the interacting influences of these factors on WSPs. Consequently, field studies on full-scale WSPs are required to obtain a complete dataset for validation purposes. In this regard, a combination of three-dimensional pond water temperature survey and tracer concentration mapping is suggested. Details of specific modelling components, such as sludge accumulation, turbulence mechanisms and the assumption of constant influent conditions, require further attention. As a result of this review process, a strategic evaluation framework together with the required dataset for the modelling and field work activities are proposed. This paves the way for subsequent studies on WSP hydrodynamics and treatment efficiency, thus benefitting pond design and operation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
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25. Modelling microbial health risk of wastewater reuse: A systems perspective.
- Author
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Beaudequin, Denise, Harden, Fiona, Roiko, Anne, Stratton, Helen, Lemckert, Charles, and Mengersen, Kerrie
- Subjects
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HEALTH risk assessment , *WASTEWATER treatment , *WASTE recycling , *WATER quality , *BIOINDICATORS , *HEALTH impact assessment , *AQUATIC microbiology - Abstract
There is a widespread need for the use of quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to determine reclaimed water quality for specific uses, however neither faecal indicator levels nor pathogen concentrations alone are adequate for assessing exposure health risk. The aim of this study was to build a conceptual model representing factors contributing to the microbiological health risks of reusing water treated in maturation ponds. This paper describes the development of an unparameterised model that provides a visual representation of theoretical constructs and variables of interest. Information was collected from the peer-reviewed literature and through consultation with experts from regulatory authorities and academic disciplines. In this paper we explore how, considering microbial risk as a modular system, following the QMRA framework enables incorporation of the many factors influencing human exposure and dose response, to better characterise likely human health impacts. By using and expanding upon the QMRA framework we deliver new insights into this important field of environmental exposures. We present a conceptual model of health risk of microbial exposure which can be used for maturation ponds and, more importantly, as a generic tool to assess health risk in diverse wastewater reuse scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. Beyond QMRA: Modelling microbial health risk as a complex system using Bayesian networks.
- Author
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Beaudequin, Denise, Harden, Fiona, Roiko, Anne, Stratton, Helen, Lemckert, Charles, and Mengersen, Kerrie
- Subjects
- *
HEALTH risk assessment , *DIRECTED acyclic graphs , *MARKOV chain Monte Carlo , *MICROBIAL contamination , *UNCERTAINTY (Information theory) , *ENVIRONMENTAL exposure - Abstract
Background Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) is the current method of choice for determining the risk to human health from exposure to microorganisms of concern. However, current approaches are often constrained by the availability of required data, and may not be able to incorporate the many varied factors that influence this risk. Systems models, based on Bayesian networks (BNs), are emerging as an effective complementary approach that overcomes these limitations. Objectives This article aims to provide a comparative evaluation of the capabilities and challenges of current QMRA methods and BN models, and a scoping review of recent published articles that adopt the latter for microbial risk assessment. Pros and cons of systems approaches in this context are distilled and discussed. Methods A search of the peer-reviewed literature revealed 15 articles describing BNs used in the context of QMRAs for foodborne and waterborne pathogens. These studies were analysed in terms of their application, uses and benefits in QMRA. Discussion The applications were notable in their diversity. BNs were used to make predictions, for scenario assessment, risk minimisation, to reduce uncertainty and to separate uncertainty and variability. Most studies focused on a segment of the exposure pathway, indicating the broad potential for the method in other QMRA steps. BNs offer a number of useful features to enhance QMRA, including transparency, and the ability to deal with poor quality data and support causal reasoning. Conclusion The method has significant untapped potential to describe the complex relationships between microbial environmental exposures and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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