The Experts below are selected from a list of 279 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Bingmu Hsu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Survey of Naegleria and its resisting bacteria-Legionella in hot spring water of Taiwan using molecular method.
Parasitology research, 2010Co-Authors: Shih-wei Huang, Bingmu HsuAbstract:Naegleria is a free-living amoebae existing in soil and aquatic environments. Within the genus Naegleria, N. fowleri is most recognized as potential human pathogen causing primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Furthermore, the Naegleria spp. can serve as vehicles for facultative pathogens, such as Legionella. In this study, we identified Naegleria and Legionella based on the PCR amplification with a genus-specific primer pair and investigated the distribution of Naegleria and Legionella at five spring Recreation Areas in Taiwan. In this study of hot spring and other water sources in Taiwan, five Naegleria spp. were detected in 15 (14.2%) of the water samples. The most frequently detected was N. lovaniensis (n = 6), followed by N. australiensis (n = 5), and then N. clarki (n = 2). N. americana and N. pagei were detected once, respectively. The pathogenic species N. fowleri was not detected; however, N. australiensis considered to be a potential pathogen species in humans was found. Legionella spp., an endosymbiont of Naegleria, was detected in 19 (17.9%) of the water samples in this study. Overall, 5.7% of the water samples contained both Naegleria and Legionella. The Legionella spp. identified were L. pneumophila and L. erythra. Results of this survey confirm the existence of Naegleria and Legionella in Taiwan spring Recreation Areas. It should be considered a potential threat for health associated with human activities in spring Recreation Areas of Taiwan.
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Isolation and identification of Acanthamoeba from Taiwan spring Recreation Areas using culture enrichment combined with PCR.
Acta Tropica, 2010Co-Authors: Shih-wei Huang, Bingmu HsuAbstract:In the study, 52 spring water samples were collected from three hot spring Recreation Areas in northern Taiwan and Acanthamoebae were isolated from 11 samples (21.2%) on two hot spring Recreation Areas and mainly present in the hot spring water, hot tubs and wastewater. The most frequently identified Acanthamoeba genotype was T15, followed by T6, and then T5. Genotype T1, T2, T3 and T4 were detected once, respectively. The presence or absence of Acanthamoeba within the spring water samples showed significant difference with the levels of heterotrophic plate counts (HPC). Genotype T2-T6 and genotype T15, the organism responsible for Acanthamoeba keratitis, and the Acanthamoeba species organism, retained pathogenic Legionella, and should be considered a potential health threat associated with human activities in spring Recreation Areas.
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identification of 18s ribosomal dna genotype of acanthamoeba from hot spring Recreation Areas in the central range taiwan
Journal of Hydrology, 2009Co-Authors: Bingmu Hsu, Taisheng Liou, Jungsheng Chen, Fengcheng ShihAbstract:Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoebae ubiquitous to aquatic environments. Within the genus a few species are recognized as opportunistic potential human pathogens, which cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) and keratitis. Infections of keratitis are frequently reported through wearing lens while swimming in the non-disinfected aquatic environment. Contaminations in hot tubs, spas and public baths are also possible. As a result, in this study, we identified Acanthamoeba based on the PCR amplification with a genus-specific primer pair and investigated the distribution of Acanthamoeba at five hot spring Recreation Areas in central range, Taiwan. We gathered data on factors potentially associated with the pathogen's distribution, including various sampling sites, aquatic environment, physical and microbiological water quality parameters. Spring water was collected from 55 sites and Acanthamoeba was detected in 9 (16.4%). The most frequently detected was Acanthamoeba griffini, followed by Acanthamoeba jacobsi Legionella were detected in 18 (32.7%) of the sites sampled in this study. The species of Legionella identified included Legionella pneumophila serotype 6, serotype 1, and Legionella erythra. Overall, 9.1% of the samples contained both Acanthamoeba and Legionella. The prevalence of Acanthamoeba was contrary to the levels of microbiological indicators recommended by Taiwan CDC, and no significant differences (Mann-Whitney U test, P<0.05) were observed between the presence/absence of Acanthamoeba and water quality parameters. Results of this survey confirm the existence of Acanthamoeba in Taiwan spring Recreation Areas. Acanthamoeba, the organism responsible for the majority of Acanthamoeba keratitis and can serve as vehicles for facultative pathogens, should be considered a potential threat for health associated with human activities in spring Recreation Areas of Taiwan.
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legionella prevalence in hot spring Recreation Areas of taiwan
Water Research, 2006Co-Authors: Bingmu Hsu, Chien-hsien Chen, Mintao Wan, Huiwen ChengAbstract:Abstract Legionella is a bacterium ubiquitous to aquatic environments. Within the genus a few species are recognized as opportunistic potential human pathogens, especially the species Legionella pneumophila , which causes pneumonia legionellosis. Outbreaks of legionellosis are frequently reported by hotel guests and hospital patients, and are spread through inhaled aerosols of contaminated institutional water systems. Contaminations in hot tubs, spas and public baths are also possible. As a result, in this study, we investigated the distribution of Legionella at seven hot spring Recreational Areas throughout Taiwan. We gathered data on factors potentially associated with the pathogen's distribution, including environment, facility operation, and physical and microbiological water quality parameters. Spring water was collected from 91 sites and Legionella was detected in 21 (23%). The most frequently detected was L. pneumophila , followed by uncultured Legionella species, Legionella -like amoebal pathogen. Five species, L. bozemanii , L. dumoffi , L. feelei , L. lyticum and L. oakridgenesis , were all detected once. Legionella species were found in water temperatures ranging from 22 to 50 °C. Optimal pH appeared to be between 5.0 and 9.0. The prevalence of Legionella also coincided with the prevalence of indicator microorganisms. Legionella detection was not proportional to the frequency of cleaning. Results of this survey confirm the ubiquity of Legionella in Taiwan spring Recreation Areas. L. pneumophila , the organism responsible for the majority of legionellosis outbreaks, should be considered a potential public health threat in spa Areas of Taiwan.
Eick Von Ruschkowski - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The preference and actual use of different types of rural Recreation Areas by urban dwellers-the Hamburg Case Study
PLoS ONE, 2014Co-Authors: Thiemen Boll, Christina Von Haaren, Eick Von RuschkowskiAbstract:In the wake of urbanisation processes and the constitution of metropolitan regions, the role of the city's rural surroundings is receiving more attention from researchers and planners as rural Areas offer various (cultural) ecosystem services for the urban population. Urban dwellers increasingly desire Recreation and landscape experience. Although this need for Recreation is generally recognized, few studies have focused on the question of people's preferences for certain types and characteristics of outdoor Recreation Areas in relation to the frequency of use. In order to acquire baseline data on this subject, the main objectives of this study were to explore Recreation preferences of urban dwellers and the relation between actual use and perceived value of Recreation Areas in a case study in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region (Germany). In a social survey, Hamburg residents (n = 400) were asked about their preferences and use of four important regional Recreation Areas with different landscape characteristics in face-to-face interviews in different locations in the city. We found that both outdoor Recreation within and outside of the city were fairly or very important for more than 70% of the questioned urban dwellers. Interestingly, the preference for a Recreation area outside of the city did not depend on the frequency of use, which indicates that certain Recreation Areas had a symbolic value besides their use value. When people were questioned on the characteristics of Recreation Areas, perceived naturalness was found to be strongly related to preference. Respondents considered the diversity, uniqueness, and naturalness of the landscape to be far more important than the accessibility of the Recreation Areas and the provision of service facilities. Language: en
Taylor V Stein - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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improving the management of natural resource Recreation Areas through understanding place attached visitor segments
Journal of park and recreation administration, 2010Co-Authors: Namyun Kil, Stephen M Holland, Taylor V SteinAbstract:Providing positive outcomes for park and natural area visitors has been an increasingly important goal for Recreation resource researchers, managers, and administrators. In particular, individuals achieving satisfying psychological experiences as a benefit of Recreation activities has been a key element of the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) within Recreation planning management systems. Recent planning efforts have begun to integrate place attachment within Outcomes-Focused Management (OFM) (e.g., Anderson & Fulton, 2008; Driver, 2008). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the association between place-attached segments (i.e., higher and lower levels of place attachment) and OFM constructs (e.g., benefits sought, activity preferences, perception of settings, benefits attained, place satisfaction, place-setting preferences, future visit intentions) and to suggest management policies that could assist the outcomes-production process. On-site data were collected from Ocala National Forest visitors at camping, swimming, canoeing, and off-high vehicle riding Recreation Areas between March and May 2008, to obtain visitors’ forest use profiles, activity preferences, Recreation experience preferences, and demographic profiles. A follow-up mail survey was conducted to obtain information about place meanings, Recreation experience attainment, place satisfaction, place attachment, place setting preferences, and future visit intentions. Results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated that three dimensions of place attachment (place dependence, affective attachment, and place identity) were revealed. Cluster analysis of respondents’ reported mean scores of place attachment dimensions segmented the visitors into three groups as high-medium-low-attached visitors. The place dependence score was higher than place identity and affective attachment scores across the groups. The three groups differed on their mean scores on trip characteristics and across primary OFM constructs. Visitors with higher levels of attachment, on average, had higher preferences for most benefits and the strength of their attachment was higher due to benefit attainment. The highly attached group expressed higher levels of satisfaction with ROS settings perceived differently or similarly among the different groups. Finally, preferences for ROS settings varied across the groups. Planners and managers should consider variations and commonalities among the segments on diverse value aspects in planning and pay much more attention to characteristics valued by highly attached groups to enhance visitor outcomes including emotional attachment.
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using visitors motivations to provide learning opportunities at water based Recreation Areas
Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2003Co-Authors: Taylor V Stein, Christine B Denny, Lisa PennisiAbstract:With the increase of nature-based tourism and Recreation on public lands in the United States, Recreation and tourism planners have an opportunity to provide environmental education to a wide diversity of people. However, Recreationists visit natural Areas to attain a variety of experiences and benefits, which might or might not include learning. Through an examination of visitors to fresh-water springs in north central Florida, this study identified (1) the Recreation benefits visitors to fresh-water springs most desire, (2) the role learning plays in Recreationists' motivations to visit water-based Recreation Areas, and (3) the Recreation opportunities (i.e. facilities and services) that will best provide learning opportunities for all visitors. Respondents were divided into four groups according to where they were surveyed and whether or not they had a strong interest in learning. Three of the four groups indicated an interest in developed services and facilities (e.g. visitor centres and museums) to p...
Dorothy H Anderson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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differentiating place attachment dimensions among proximate and distant visitors to two water based Recreation Areas
Society & Natural Resources, 2011Co-Authors: Megha Budruk, Ingrid E. Schneider, Sonja Wilhelm A Stanis, Dorothy H AndersonAbstract:People–place studies suggest that groups have varied bonds to a resource and that these bonds likely vary by residential proximity; however, previous research that explored these differences by residence treated place attachment as unidimensional. Therefore, this study differentiates two place attachment dimensions (place identity and place dependence) among distant (nonresidents) and proximate (community residents) visitors to two water-based resources in Illinois. Findings reveal both similarities and differences among visitors. Although proximate and distant visitors exhibited overall similar patterns in the place attachment scales, results delineate place identity as the differentiating place attachment dimension for this resource. Specifically, place identity was stronger and significantly different for proximate versus distant visitors. Findings suggest that Recreation settings offer proximate as well as distant visitors the opportunity to develop meanings with a place and highlight the importance o...
Chien-hsien Chen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Prevalence of enteroviruses in hot spring Recreation Areas of Taiwan.
Fems Immunology and Medical Microbiology, 2008Co-Authors: Chien-hsien ChenAbstract:Enteroviruses can be introduced into the water environment as a result of human activity. Contaminations within hot tubs, spas and public baths are also possible. We investigated the distribution of enteroviruses at six hot spring Recreation Areas throughout Taiwan. Spring water was collected from 34 sites and enteroviruses were detected in 13 (38.2%). The most frequently detected was coxsackievirus A2, followed by echovirus 11. Enterovirus 71 (EV 71) and porcine enterovirus 9 were detected once. Water quality indicators were not statistically associated with the occurrence of enteroviruses, although the enterovirus-positive samples were positive for a greater number of microbiological indicators and showed a link to pH and water temperature. The results confirm the ubiquity of enteroviruses in Taiwan spring Recreation Areas. Coxsackievirus A2, echovirus 11 and EV 71, the enteroviruses responsible for disease outbreaks identified at these sites, should be considered a potential public health threat in spring Recreation Areas of Taiwan.
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legionella prevalence in hot spring Recreation Areas of taiwan
Water Research, 2006Co-Authors: Bingmu Hsu, Chien-hsien Chen, Mintao Wan, Huiwen ChengAbstract:Abstract Legionella is a bacterium ubiquitous to aquatic environments. Within the genus a few species are recognized as opportunistic potential human pathogens, especially the species Legionella pneumophila , which causes pneumonia legionellosis. Outbreaks of legionellosis are frequently reported by hotel guests and hospital patients, and are spread through inhaled aerosols of contaminated institutional water systems. Contaminations in hot tubs, spas and public baths are also possible. As a result, in this study, we investigated the distribution of Legionella at seven hot spring Recreational Areas throughout Taiwan. We gathered data on factors potentially associated with the pathogen's distribution, including environment, facility operation, and physical and microbiological water quality parameters. Spring water was collected from 91 sites and Legionella was detected in 21 (23%). The most frequently detected was L. pneumophila , followed by uncultured Legionella species, Legionella -like amoebal pathogen. Five species, L. bozemanii , L. dumoffi , L. feelei , L. lyticum and L. oakridgenesis , were all detected once. Legionella species were found in water temperatures ranging from 22 to 50 °C. Optimal pH appeared to be between 5.0 and 9.0. The prevalence of Legionella also coincided with the prevalence of indicator microorganisms. Legionella detection was not proportional to the frequency of cleaning. Results of this survey confirm the ubiquity of Legionella in Taiwan spring Recreation Areas. L. pneumophila , the organism responsible for the majority of legionellosis outbreaks, should be considered a potential public health threat in spa Areas of Taiwan.