Papers by Samantha Sithole
Annual Review of Environment and Resources
Increased conservation action to protect more habitat and species is fueling a vigorous debate ab... more Increased conservation action to protect more habitat and species is fueling a vigorous debate about the relative effectiveness of different sorts of protected areas. Here we review the literature that compares the effectiveness of protected areas managed by states and areas managed by Indigenous peoples and/or local communities. We argue that these can be hard comparisons to make. Robust comparative case studies are rare, and the epistemic communities producing them are fractured by language, discipline, and geography. Furthermore the distinction between these different forms of protection on the ground can be blurred. We also have to be careful about the value of this sort of comparison as the consequences of different forms of conservation for people and nonhuman nature are messy and diverse. Measures of effectiveness, moreover, focus on specific dimensions of conservation performance, which can omit other important dimensions. With these caveats, we report on findings observed b...
Future Virology, Aug 1, 2015
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global epidemic, affecting approximately 150 million individ... more Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global epidemic, affecting approximately 150 million individuals throughout the world. The implications of HCV infection have been magnified in those who are infected with both HCV and the HIV as liver disease progression, liver failure and liver-related death are increased, particularly in those without well-controlled HIV disease. The development of direct-acting antiviral agents for HCV that allow shorter treatment periods with increased efficacy and decreased adverse events have greatly changed the outlook for HCVinfected individuals. With these advancements, growing treatment options for the coinfected population have also come. This review will address pharmacotherapy issues in the HIV/HCV coinfected population. Keywords direct-acting antiviral; HCV; HIV; null responder; relapse; sustained virologic response Hepatitis C continues to be a major health issue in the USA and around the world. Current estimates are that 5.2 million individuals are living in the USA with HCV infection [1]. The WHO estimates that approximately 150 million individuals have chronic HCV infection and the yearly death-toll from HCV-related diseases is >350,000 [2]. The majority of individuals (∼77%) who become infected with acute HCV go on to develop chronic hepatitis [3]. Left untreated chronic HCV infection can lead to hepatic fibrosis and ultimately cirrhosis and liver cancer [3]. About 25% of the individuals infected with HIV in the USA are also infected with HCV, with the rate approaching 100% among injection-drug users with HIV [4]. Coinfection with HIV and HCV can result in a threefold greater rate of fibrosis progression as compared with those individuals with HCV monoinfection [5], especially among those with profound immune deficiency defined as low CD4 counts with or without AIDS and high levels of HIV RNA. Development of cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease can occur in six-ten years among coinfected patients whereas the natural history in those with HCV monoinfection ranges from 20-30 years [6]. This data substantiates the current recommendations for HCV screening among HIV-infected individuals [7]. In addition, it also underscores the importance of treating HIV infection successfully, and then proceeding to HCV treatment as soon as possible to control liver-disease progression. Treatment for chronic HCV has made great strides over the years with particularly important developments occurring since 2011. Initially interferon monotherapy was utilized with poorresponse rates, sustained virologic response (SVR) rates of 6% with 24 weeks of therapy, which increased with the combined use of ribavirin (RBV) [8,9]. In 2001 and 2002, pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN) α-2b and α-2a were approved by the US FDA, respectively. When used in combination with RBV, PEG-IFN increased the therapeutic success and Bednasz et al.
Anthropological Journal of European Cultures, Sep 1, 2021
This contribution challenges representations of landscapes and communities within zoos in Europe ... more This contribution challenges representations of landscapes and communities within zoos in Europe that may amplify colonial narratives of local people through a racialised and often static lens. Instead of a holistic portrayal of the relationship between humans and nature that the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) stipulates within its guidelines, some European zoos continue to perpetuate a narrow view of foreign landscapes within their exhibits. Utilising the concept of representation, this short article argues that Zoo Zürich reinforces colonial narratives through its new Lewa exhibit, an exhibit based on a Kenyan conservancy. This piece is based on an improvised visit to the zoo to see the new African exhibit. It highlights discrepancies between the Lewa exhibit, guidelines of the EAZA and the Lewa Conservancy in Kenya. In this light, we propose recommendations for European zoos to decolonise their institutions and exhibits based on an understanding that is not only scientific, but also historical, critically reflective, and inclusive of non-Western perspectives.
Conservation Science and Practice
Conservation research and practice are increasingly engaging with people and drawing on social sc... more Conservation research and practice are increasingly engaging with people and drawing on social sciences to improve environmental governance. In doing so, conservation engages with power in many ways, often implicitly. Conservation scientists and practitioners exercise power when dealing with species, people and the environment, and increasingly they are trying to address power relations to ensure effective conservation outcomes (guiding decision-making, understanding conflict, ensuring just policy and management outcomes). However, engagement with power in conservation is often limited or misguided. To address challenges associated with power in conservation, we introduce the four dominant approaches to analyzing power to conservation scientists and practitioners who are less familiar with social theories of power. These include actor-centered, institutional, structural, and, discursive/governmental power. To complement these more common framings of power, we also discuss further approaches, notably non-human and Indigenous perspectives. We illustrate how power operates at different scales and in different contexts, and provide six guiding principles for better consideration of power in conservation
Anthropological Journal of European Cultures, 2021
This contribution challenges representations of landscapes and communities within zoos in Europe ... more This contribution challenges representations of landscapes and communities within zoos in Europe that may amplify colonial narratives of local people through a racialised and often static lens. Instead of a holistic portrayal of the relationship between humans and nature that the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) stipulates within its guidelines, some European zoos continue to perpetuate a narrow view of foreign landscapes within their exhibits. Utilising the concept of representation, this short article argues that Zoo Zürich reinforces colonial narratives through its new Lewa exhibit, an exhibit based on a Kenyan conservancy. This piece is based on an improvised visit to the zoo to see the new African exhibit. It highlights discrepancies between the Lewa exhibit, guidelines of the EAZA and the Lewa Conservancy in Kenya. In this light, we propose recommendations for European zoos to decolonise their institutions and exhibits based on an understanding that is not only...
AIDS Research and Therapy, 2022
Support groups for people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have continued to ev... more Support groups for people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have continued to evolve since their emergence over two decades ago. In addition to providing HIV education and fostering psychosocial support, recent efforts have shifted the focus to socio-economic activities and retention in care. The sense of urgency to adopt new treatment and prevention strategies in sub-Saharan Africa necessitates greater engagement of established HIV care programs, especially among researchers seeking to conduct implementation research, promote prevention strategies and optimize treatment as prevention. To maximize the utility of support groups in doing so, efforts to create an organized, collaborative framework should be considered. This paper aims to describe the process of refocusing an adult HIV peer-support group and illustrate how a structured program was strengthened to sustain implementation research in resource-limited settings, while promoting patient recruitment and retent...
Future Virology, 2015
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global epidemic, affecting approximately 150 million individ... more Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global epidemic, affecting approximately 150 million individuals throughout the world. The implications of HCV infection have been magnified in those who are infected with both HCV and the HIV as liver disease progression, liver failure and liver-related death are increased, particularly in those without well-controlled HIV disease. The development of direct-acting antiviral agents for HCV that allow shorter treatment periods with increased efficacy and decreased adverse events have greatly changed the outlook for HCVinfected individuals. With these advancements, growing treatment options for the coinfected population have also come. This review will address pharmacotherapy issues in the HIV/HCV coinfected population. Keywords direct-acting antiviral; HCV; HIV; null responder; relapse; sustained virologic response Hepatitis C continues to be a major health issue in the USA and around the world. Current estimates are that 5.2 million individuals are living in the USA with HCV infection [1]. The WHO estimates that approximately 150 million individuals have chronic HCV infection and the yearly death-toll from HCV-related diseases is >350,000 [2]. The majority of individuals (∼77%) who become infected with acute HCV go on to develop chronic hepatitis [3]. Left untreated chronic HCV infection can lead to hepatic fibrosis and ultimately cirrhosis and liver cancer [3]. About 25% of the individuals infected with HIV in the USA are also infected with HCV, with the rate approaching 100% among injection-drug users with HIV [4]. Coinfection with HIV and HCV can result in a threefold greater rate of fibrosis progression as compared with those individuals with HCV monoinfection [5], especially among those with profound immune deficiency defined as low CD4 counts with or without AIDS and high levels of HIV RNA. Development of cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease can occur in six-ten years among coinfected patients whereas the natural history in those with HCV monoinfection ranges from 20-30 years [6]. This data substantiates the current recommendations for HCV screening among HIV-infected individuals [7]. In addition, it also underscores the importance of treating HIV infection successfully, and then proceeding to HCV treatment as soon as possible to control liver-disease progression. Treatment for chronic HCV has made great strides over the years with particularly important developments occurring since 2011. Initially interferon monotherapy was utilized with poorresponse rates, sustained virologic response (SVR) rates of 6% with 24 weeks of therapy, which increased with the combined use of ribavirin (RBV) [8,9]. In 2001 and 2002, pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN) α-2b and α-2a were approved by the US FDA, respectively. When used in combination with RBV, PEG-IFN increased the therapeutic success and Bednasz et al.
Many foodservice food safety regulation and consumer information bulletins advise frequent cuttin... more Many foodservice food safety regulation and consumer information bulletins advise frequent cutting board changes. However, few published data are available on microbial contamination rates of in-use cutting boards. The objective of this research was to determine microbial contamination rates, over time, on cutting boards being used in a real foodservice setting. Twelve different cutting boards were tested at five-minute intervals, over a two-week period, both before use and as they were used to chop various vegetables and raw meats. More than 400 individual observations were made during the two-week period. Food type, area of the cutting board, and sampling time did not influence the rate of bacterial increase over time. Change in bacterial population for each five-minute interval ranged from a decrease of 4 colony forming units (CFU)/4 cm 2 to an increase of 13 CFU/4 cm 2. The median increase was 3 CFU/ 4 cm 2 per 5-minute interval. The logistic distribution (2.42, 1.22) was chosen to describe the data and was used to create a simple simulation of cutting board contamination over time. Simulation results were used to investigate the relationship between guidelines for cutting board cleanliness and four different frequencies for cutting board change. The simulation predicts that cutting boards used for 15 minutes will contain < 20 CFU/4 cm 2 most of the time. Cutting boards used for 45 minutes would contain < 40 CFU/4 cm 2 more than 99% of the time. Cutting boards used for 60 minutes will usually pass a microbial criterion of 50 CFU/4 cm 2 .
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Papers by Samantha Sithole