bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O contributo da Humanização para uma melhor cidadania
Authors: Magalhães Maria Teresa Dias
Published: October 2017

Atualmente vivemos numa sociedade onde o acesso à informação é cada vez mais facilitado, nomeadamente através das novas tecnologias e dos meios de comunicação social, com os indivíduos mais instruídos de sempre, onde as mudanças ocorrem a uma velocidade vertiginosa e a nível global. Surgem assim diariamente novas tecnologias e produtos, frutos de numa concorrência feroz, o que conduz a indivíduos extremamente competitivos e individualistas, que mobilizados pelas culturas das suas organizações desvalorizem a vertente social e de cidadania. Nesta ótica, como os indivíduos são a essência das organizações, estas ao não incutirem nos seus valores e códigos de conduta os comportamentos espontaneamente. Constata-se que muitos autores defendem que os comportamentos de cidadania organizacional são atos de troca social, não sendo meramente altruístas e que constituem um benefício tanto para as organizações como para os seus trabalhadores. Com base nestas premissas, procurou-se definir o conceito de comportamento de cidadania organizacional e descrever um caso concreto da aplicação deste modelo de gestão que se inter-relaciona com a própria gestão de Recursos Humanos num Serviço Hospitalar. O objeto da análise foi o Serviço de Humanização (SH) do Centro Hospitalar de São João, EPE (CHSJ), cujos valores e atuação se pretende demonstrar que conduzem à melhoria do comportamento de cidadania da organização, tanto ao nível dos colaboradores como de todos os que frequentam o hospital.
A influência da nova gestão pública nas condições de trabalho dos profissionais académicos
Authors: Oliveira Lúcia
Published: October 2017

O surgimento da Nova Gestão Pública (NGP) tem proporcionado mudanças na organização e funcionamento das Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES), em particular nos profissionais académicos. A recente revisão do estatuto da carreira docente, contribuiu para a reforma do ensino superior português, iniciado com o RJIES. Esta reforma foi desenvolvida sob a égide da NGP produzindo mudanças profundas nas conceções e nas práticas das instituições e dos académicos, desenvolvendo-se um ambiente de competição exacerbada ao nível interinstituicional e individual. As garantias tradicionais de autonomia pedagógica e científica, assim como a garantia de estabilidade na carreira são crescentemente ameaçadas por exercícios de avaliação meramente numéricos. Os profissionais autónomos, com poder colegial de decisão ao nível da definição das políticas e estratégias institucionais de investigação e ensino, estão em risco de serem transformados em profissionais geridos, quer internamente, submetidos aos objetivos das instituições, quer externamente através das pressões do Estado e do mercado. Desta forma, o sistema managerial tende a suplantar o espaço formalmente ocupado pelo sistema colegial, baseado na ideia de comunidade académica autorregulada, tendo impacto não só nas estruturas de autoridade mas também na erosão do papel da colegialidade. Neste estudo analisou-se a relação entre a NGP e as condições de trabalho dos profissionais académicos, uma vez que a ideologia da NGP, introduziu nas IES uma vasta gama de discursos provenientes do mundo empresarial que vinculam valores e práticas estranhas à cultura académica tradicional.
Temporary agency work in a contact center context: workers’ affective commitment with the agency and with the client-company as a response to human resources practices
Authors: Sobral Filipa , Chambel Maria José , Cesário Francisco
Published: October 2017

Os trabalhadores temporários de agência (TAW) estão implicados num formato tripartido de contração (trabalhador/agência de trabalho temporário/empresa cliente) que os leva a construir duas relações de emprego diferenciadas e, consequentemente, dois compromissos afectivos (AC). Através de uma amostra composta por 1567 TAW portugueses, provenientes do sector de contact center, testámos (1) a relação entre as práticas de recursos humanos (HRP) e os AC dos TAW, tanto para com a agência, como para com a empresa cliente; e (2) desenvolvemos um modelo multi-grupo que nos permitiu analisar se a relação entre as HRP e os AC para com ambas as empresas se comporta da mesma forma entre: (2.1) trabalhadores com diferenças na sua situação profissional anterior (PES) e (2.2) trabalhadores com diferentes qualificações académicas (AQ). Os resultados mostraram a existência de uma relação directa entre as HRP e o AC para com ambas as empresas, confirmando que os TAW têm capacidade de responder reciprocamente a situações de investimento. Também foi verificado que nos TAW cuja PES era o desemprego, a relação entre HRP e o AC para com a agência, é mais forte do que para os TAW cuja PES era a procura pelo primeiro emprego.
A força da proatividade na relação entre a satisfação com a carreira e a empregabilidade
Authors: Ribeiro Francisca Calheiros , Cesário Francisco Santos
Published: October 2017

O presente estudo tem como principal objetivo estudar o efeito mediador que a Proatividade possa ter na relação entre a Satisfação com a Carreira e a Empregabilidade. Assim, através do Modelo de Investigação proposto, foram testadas e confirmadas as seguintes condições prévias ao teste de mediação: 1) A Satisfação com a Carreira é preditora da Empregabilidade (βEmp.Int.=.326***;βEmp.Ext.=.121***); 2) A Satisfação com a Carreira é preditora da Proatividade (β=.305***); 3) A Proatividade é preditora da Empregabilidade (βEmp.Int.=.330***;βEmp.Ext.=.238***). Os resultados (N=348) deste estudo evidenciaram o efeito de mediação esperado por parte da Proatividade, tendo-se verificado um efeito parcial relativamente à Empregabilidade Interna (β=.248**) e um efeito total em relação à Empregabilidade Externa (β=.053). Estes resultados sugerem que, embora a Satisfação com a Carreira seja um importante fator para a perceção de Empregabilidade, os comportamentos e atitudes proativos ganham cada vez mais um papel preponderante na perceção das oportunidades laborais. Concluímos que os participantes, embora valorizem a Satisfação com a sua Carreira, têm uma perceção de maior Empregabilidade quando demonstrados comportamentos e atitudes de Proatividade.
A conceção e implementação de um modelo de competências: um estudo de caso numa multinacional japonesa
Authors: Pedro Lurdes
Published: October 2017

Os modelos de gestão com base nas competências têm vindo a oferecer às organizações sistemas de alinhamento organizacional de forma mais integrada e tem conduzido à sua instrumentalização, enquanto meio de identificação, definição e medição das diferenças entre as competências e os requisitos da função, em termos dos constructos relevantes para a promoção do desempenho e do desenvolvimento profissional.Conhecida a tendência atual para a adoção de modelos de competências pelas organizações, o objetivo geral deste estudo, é a de apresentar o desenho e implementação de um modelo de competências de uma empresa multinacional industrial japonesa que constituiu a base de um sistema mais global de Gestão de Recursos Humanos. Como objetivos específicos pretende-se (I) identificar a metodologia adotada e as ferramentas desenvolvidas no processo de construção do modelo de competências e sua implementação; (II) apresentar os fatores críticos de sucesso para a implementação deste modelo de competências; (III) evidenciar a articulação com os subsistemas de Gestão de Pessoas, em particular com a Gestão de Desempenho, Gestão de Carreiras e Formação; (IV) e discutir os benefícios e a importância do modelo de competências no âmbito da organização.O presente projeto assenta num estudo de caso realizado numa empresa industrial multinacional japonesa portuguesa e numa empresa congénere belga. Os resultados do presente estudo evidenciam que (I) este modelo responde, de forma mais individualizada, às necessidades dos trabalhadores enquanto pessoas detentoras de expectativas de profissionais e às necessidades da empresa no alcance do sucesso do negócio (II) e que constitui o elemento central da gestão de recursos humanos, na sua articulação e integração com os restantes sistemas de Gestão de Recurso Humanos.
Liderança virtuosa, Comprometimento organizacional e desempenho individual
Authors: Lopes Paula , Araújo Manuel Salvador Gomes de
Published: October 2017

O estudo centra-se no impacto da liderança virtuosa (LV) no comprometimento organizacional (CO), assim como no contributo deste último no desempenho individual. A amostra é constituída por 351 liderados a exercer funções em organizações a operar em Portugal. Os resultados sugerem que as perceções dos liderados em torno de três dimensões de virtuosidade da liderança (liderança baseada em valores, perseverança e maturidade) contribuem para o CO, sobretudo nas suas vertentes afetiva e normativa e, que este último, por sua vez, é capaz de influenciar positivamente o desempenho individual.
A satisfação no trabalho e a perceção da qualidade de vida nos colaboradores do Instituto Politécnico do Porto
Authors: Barbosa Vitor J. P. , Costa Alexandra Ribeiro da
Published: October 2017

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a satisfação no trabalho dos colaboradores do Instituto Politécnico do Porto e o seu impacto na perceção da qualidade de vida relacionada com saúde. Participaram no estudo 158 colaboradores de todas as unidades orgânicas do IPP. Os questionários Warr Cook, para avaliar o grau de satisfação no trabalho, e o MOS SF-36, para avaliar a perceção da qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde, foram preenchidos num único momento. Os resultados indicam que a satisfação no trabalho influenciou de forma significativa a maioria das dimensões da perceção da qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde, tendo apresentado valores de correlação forte nas dimensões dor física, função social, desempenho emocional, saúde mental e saúde mental global. Considerando os resultados obtidos é possível concluir que a satisfação no trabalho influencia fortemente a perceção das dimensões mentais e dor.
Cuestiones en torno a la vigilancia de la salud en el ámbito laboral español
Authors: Fernández-Costales Muñiz Javier
Published: October 2017

El empresario debe garantizar la seguridad y la salud de los trabajadores a su servicio en todos los aspectos relacionados con el trabajo. Este deber genérico se despliega y traduce, entre otras múltiples obligaciones empresariales específicas, en la vigilancia de la salud, que constituye una de las más controvertidas y problemáticas, dado que en su desarrollo puede afectar directamente y provocar vulneraciones de derechos fundamentales de los trabajadores.
La formación en materia preventiva del trabajador en el ámbito empresarial español
Authors: Fernández-Costales Muñiz Javier
Published: October 2017

El empresario debe garantizar la seguridad y la salud de los trabajadores a su servicio en todos los aspectos relacionados con el trabajo. Este deber genérico se despliega y traduce en múltiples obligaciones empresariales específicas. La formación constituye probablemente uno de los más importantes deberes empresariales, no en vano una de las principales causas de accidentes de trabajo aparece situada en la falta de información sobre los riesgos y las medidas preventivas, las instrucciones confusas y una formación específica inadecuada. Los pronunciamientos judiciales son numerosos en una materia básica a la hora de reducir la siniestralidad laboral.
Uma discussão (conceitual) sobre a identificação dos associados a organizações da economia solidária: entre a solidariedade e a competição
Authors: Vieira Naldeir dos Santos , Barbosa Allan Claudius Queiroz
Published: October 2017

Com o objetivo de instigar o debate sobre o processo de identificação dos associados para com as organizações que compõe a chamada economia solidária, este artigo de natureza teórica, apresenta os conceitos de identidade e identificação assim como descreve as características e os princípios defendidos pela economia solidária, buscando uma articulação entre as duas temáticas. Como resultado desta relação, observa-se que a teoria sobre identificação, por analisar a vinculação entre o indivíduo e a organização, pode subsidiar o entendimento sobre a relevância da busca por convergência entre os atributos dos associados e as características dos empreendimentos solidários tendo em vista um maior grau de identificação e envolvimento com a missão institucional. Por se inserirem em uma organização cuja identidade organizacional almejada é orientada por princípios e valores antagônicos aos praticados em grande parte dos espaços sociais e de trabalho, a coerência entre os valores e crenças dos associados e os defendidos pela economia solidária se faz ainda mais necessária. Para visualização deste resumo em língua inglesa, selecione o ícone correspondente ao idioma no menu lateral direito.
O potencial empreendedor em indivíduos nas diferentes fases do processo empreendedor
Authors: Santos Susana Correia , Costa Sílvia Fernandes , Caetano António
Published: October 2017

Este estudo tem como objetivo descrever o padrão de desenvolvimento de competências empreendedoras em indivíduos nas diferentes fases do processo empreendedor. Para além disso, pretende-se observar a capacidade dessas competências para explicar as diferentes fases do processo empreendedor. Foi utilizado o inventário de avaliação do potencial empreendedor (Santos, Caetano e Curral, 2014) que permite avaliar as competências individuais mais relevantes associadas à participação em atividades empreendedoras. Um conjunto de 361 indivíduos da amostra Portuguesa do Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) respondeu ao inventário. A sua fase no processo empreendedor foi determinada de acordo com a categorização do modelo do GEM: empreendedores nascentes, empresários de novos negócios, empresários de negócios estabelecidos, futuros empreendedores, e não empreendedores. Os resultados mostraram que as dimensões do potencial empreendedor evidenciam padrões diferentes nas várias fases do processo empreendedor. Para além disso, os resultados mostraram que estas características individuais têm uma capacidade preditiva diferente ao longo das diferentes fases do processo empreendedor. Estes resultados contribuem para capturar uma perspectiva do empreendedorismo baseada na interacção pessoa-situação. Este mapeamento dos diferentes níveis de competências associados a diferentes fases do processo empreendedor tem implicações práticas, pois permite dar importantes pistas para actividades de formação orientadas para a promoção do empreendedorismo, nomeadamente no que diz respeito ao desenvolvimento de competências empreendedoras e acompanhamento de empreendedores ao longo do processo empreendedor. Para visualização deste resumo em língua inglesa, selecione o ícone correspondente ao idioma no menu lateral direito.
The role of human resources in processes of portuguese firms’ RD&I certification and development
Authors: Gomes Sérgio , Braga Vítor , Braga Alexandra
Published: October 2017

Innovation is seen as a competitive advantage that many companies use to ensure the continuity and success of your business.NP 4457:2007 is the Portuguese norm that supports management, based on a model of innovation backed up by interfaces and interaction between technical/scientific knowledge, its specific mechanisms and the overall society.Our paper aims to analyse innovation activities and the involvement of human resources in Portuguese firms certified by NP4457 and associated to the implementation of Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I) management systems. We have collected the data through IPAC’s database, using a survey administered to all firms.Our results suggest the existence of a Human Resources (HR) involvement policy, customers and suppliers. The involvement of stakeholders with innovation activities results of its acceptance as a mechanism able to generate wealth, with benefits for both firms and the community.
The role management skills for the rewards system: study case of Alpha Multinational Company
Authors: Bastos Fabrício César
Published: October 2017

The aim of this article is to analyze the role of management skills for the rewards system. Given this scope, it briefly articulates the state-of-art of these two themes. Initially we present the conceptual evolution of competences according to American and European schools. Then, the rewards, from the traditional to the strategic model that ended the parity of remuneration to displace the centrality of the position for individual performance. Thus, a study case of a multinational company named Alpha, which adopted this system. Subsequently, we sought to determine a possible alignment with management skills. In conclusion, we identified a mechanism for retaining talent and enabling self-development.
Meio Ambiente Sadio e Ecologicamente Equilibrado: Direito Fundamental a Todos os Seres Humanos, Aplicabilidade de Uma Diretriz dos Direitos Transnacionais á Sustentabilidade Ambiental
Authors: Pavan Balen Kamilla , Da Silva Antunes de Souza Maria Claudia
Published: October 2017

O artigo tende analisar o direito e a sustentabilidade, no contexto ambiental e normativo constitucional. A necessidade da quebra de paradigmas em proteção aos direitos fundamentais ao meio ambiente sadio e ecologicamente equilibrado. Objetiva-se sustentar a defesa da proteção do meio ambiente sadio e não degradado ser um direito fundamental do ser humano. Objetiva-se, cientificamente, demonstrar a importância de transnacionalizar normas constitucionais. Justifica-se em preservar o entorno natural sem haver barreiras em proteção à sobrevivência futura, efeito sustentável à evolução da sociedade.  A metodologia utilizada é a lógica-indutiva através de pesquisas bibliográficas.
Inovação na Jurisdição Estatal: de Contenciosa para uma Jurisdição Singular, Compartilhada, Efetiva, Democrática e Emancipatória
Authors: Costa Thaise Graziottin , Ribas Lídia Maria
Published: October 2017

Demonstra-se que a prestação jurisdicional do Estado-Juiz sofreu alterações a partir das transformações ocorridas na sociedade, saindo do modelo de jurisdição tradicional voluntária e contenciosa. Entre as Políticas Públicas de meios autocompositivos, tanto de forma judicial como extrajudicial, a mediação se apresenta como forma adequada, rápida e eficaz no caminho da pacificação social dos conflitos, com humanização da Justiça, cooperativismo, consenso e diálogo. O mediador judicial, com ferramentas adequadas atua como facilitador e empodera as partes para a solução mais adequada e satisfatória para seus conflitos, tornando a jurisdição singular, compartilhada, participativa, emancipatória e efetiva. Utilizou-se o método hipotético-dedutivo.
A Carência de Efetiva Participação da Sociedade Civil nas Audiências Públicas no Âmbito do Controle Concentrado de Constitucionalidade Brasileiro
Authors: Sales Tainah Simões , Campos Juliana Diniz
Published: October 2017

o artigo visa à análise das audiências públicas em sede de controle concentrado no Supremo Tribunal Federal a partir da promulgação da Constituição Federal de 1988. Mediante pesquisa bibliográfica, descritiva, pura, quantitativa e qualitativa, busca-se verificar se estas são instrumentos democráticos de fato ou se são apenas mecanismos de pretensão democrática. Neste trabalho, verificou-se que, diante da necessidade da imagem de um Poder Judiciário legítimo e democrático, corroborada pela crise no sistema representativo, criou-se este fetiche de que as audiências públicas correspondem a uma efetiva participação social nos debates de relevância nacional, entretanto a realidade se mostra diferente.
Editorial
Authors: Ali Mohammad Yeakub
Published: October 2017

The International Journal of Engineering Materials and Manufacture (IJEMM) is celebrating its first year of online open access publication. On this occasion, I would like to congratulate editorial board, reviewers, authors, readers, and subscribers. IJEMM will be published quarterly. In the first year 2017, we planned for four issues where the first issue includes 5 articles in addition to this editorial. The initiative of this journal was taken in the 2015 and then with several meetings and discussions, finally platform was formed in July 2016 to nurture continuously growing in interest in the area of materials and manufacturing engineering. It was felt that the increasing number of researchers and academicians in the materials and manufacturing engineering community needs a dedicated journal for the publication of their research outputs. We have formed a strong editorial board for timely publication with high quality consistent review and proofreading.
Gate-to-Gate Life Cycle Assessment for Determining Carbon Footprint of Catalytic Converter Assembly Process
Authors: Karim A. N. Mustfizul , Kays Emrul , Rosland Nur Aisyah Akmal Binti , Tuan Saravanan Tanjong
Published: October 2017

With the pursuit of embracing the circular economy, having upward trend in vehicle sales and environmental concern, sustainability has become an imperative part of the global automotive manufacturing strategies. One of the tactics to achieve this sustainable goal is to conserve and enhance the resource base by salvaging the embedded values from end-of-life product and for which, the remanufacturing can be considered as one of the most prominent epitome. Even though many of the auto parts like engine, transmissions, starters, alternators and etc. have been assessed for remanufacturability since last few decades, being a major component of a car body the Catalytic Converter (CC) still remains unfocused in literature. However, to examine the remanufacturability of CC, a comprehensive study for assessing its economic, social, and environmental impact is inevitable. Therefore, with an underlying aim of designing the remanufacturable CC, in this endeavour an attempt has made to evaluate the environmental impact of its welding operations by means of energy consumption through gate-to-gate life cycle assessment. Real life data are collected from a Local Malaysian CC manufacturer. The obtained results show that the welding section has a carbon footprint of 0.203 kgCO2e/unit with major emission coming from the plasma arc welding. In addition to that, it is also observed that the value of carbon footprint is not only sensitive to the emission factor and processing time, but also it is responsive to the nature of the processing operations. Certainly, this observation will motivate to change the product design from the prospect of remanufacturing.
Experimental Study of Stress-Strain Behaviour of Open-Cell Aluminium Foam Sandwich Panel for Automotive Structural Part
Authors: Ibrahim Nur Asmawiyah , Hazza Muataz , Adesta Erry Yulian Triblas , Endut Nor Amalina , Asman Asyfiq Hanif
Published: October 2017

Because of high stiffness and strength to weight ratio, aluminium foam sandwich (AFS) has huge advantage in automotive industries in order to reduce the vehicle’s weight which consequently will reduce the fuel consumption. While reducing the weight, AFS must also maintain high strength and durability compared to other competitive materials used which perform same functionalities. AFS had been proved its suitability for industrial application by previous researchers such as in aerospace, automotive and architecture. However, there is still a gap need to be filled in order to expand the use of the AFS in another application. In this paper, the tensile strength of AFS panel made of from aluminium skin sheets and open-cell aluminium foam core with various thickness is investigated. Design of experiment was developed according to JUMP (JMP) statistical software and experimental work was done using universal testing machine. The stress-strain behavior was analysed. The result shows that the effect of skin to core ratio is significant on the stress-strain behavior.
Mechanical Performance of Cockle Shell Particles (CSP) and Oil Palm Fibre (OPF) Reinforced Epoxy Composite
Authors: Debnath Sujan , Abdullah Abdul Hamid
Published: October 2017

The effects of particle sizes (range 1, 2 and 3) and particle loading (5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt% and 25wt %) on the mechanical properties (tensile and flexural properties), water absorption properties and morphology analysis (optical microscope) of epoxy composites reinforced with cockle shell particles and hybrid epoxy based composite reinforced with cockle shell particles and oil palm fibres were investigated. Pre-chemical treatment of alkaline solution (NaOH) with 5% concentration was used to treat the oil palm fibre prior to the fabrication of composite. Based on the findings, the composite with smaller size and lower loading of cockle shell particle showed higher improvement in mechanical properties. Meanwhile, the hybrid epoxy based composite reinforced with smaller size of cockle shell particle and oil palm fibre showed enhancement in mechanical properties. For water absorption analysis, cockle shell particle-epoxy composites with lower particle loading showed less water uptake.
Análisis de Ruido en Área de Entrenamiento de la Compañía Talleres PMIASA – Guayaquil
Authors: Parra Freire Antonio Patricio , Noboa-Romero Pedro , Campoverde Pillajo Carlos Daniel , Botto-Tobar Miguel , Avilés Noles Manuel Andrés
Published: October 2017

Este trabajo presenta un estudio de los niveles de ruido al que están expuestos el personal que realiza actividades en el área de entrenamiento técnico de la compañía Talleres PMIASA en la ciudad de Guayaquil. El propósito de esta investigación fue determinar la naturaleza y extensión del problema de ruido que se presenta en esta área para lo cual se estableció la línea y base con lo cual se identificó que, a pesar de ser un área de entrenamiento, existen problemas relacionados con ruidos que están fuera de la ley ecuatoriana (Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social, 2010) Y que involucra riesgos de pérdida de audición para las personas expuestas (El Instructor principalmente) y también niveles de ruido que afectan las actividades de concentración en zonas dedicadas a estudiar (las personas que se encuentra en los salones de clases). Las mediciones de ruido se lo hicieron por sonometría simulando las actividades bajo condiciones de trabajo habituales y los resultados mostraron altos niveles de ruido continuo (100 dBA) en las áreas donde el Instructor y los estudiantes realizan las actividades propias de los cursos que reciben. En la parte final de esta investigación se proponen alternativas de mitigación del ruido desde el punto de vista administrativo (distribuir las horas de prácticas diarias de tal forma que no superen 2 horas continuas, cursos de concientización al personal) y desde el punto de vista ingenieril (Uso de protectores auditivos, mejorar el aislamiento del cuarto de compresor, mejorar el aislamiento de la sala “Héctor Andrade”) entre otras alternativas de mitigación.
Wound botulism in an injecting drug user in Scotland
Authors: Goldberg D
Published: October 2017

A case of presumptive wound botulism has been diagnosed in a 33 year old male injecting drug user (IDU) in Glasgow, Scotland. The man presented to hospital on 28 September and, shortly after admission, was admitted to the intensive therapy unit with respiratory failure. Clinical features are consistent with infection due to Clostridium botulinum.
Salmonella Stanley and Salmonella Newport in imported peanuts
Authors: Little C
Published: October 2017

Following an international outbreak of Salmonella Stanley associated with consumption of a specific brand of imported peanuts in Australia (1,2) and Canada (3), a request for information was sent via Enter-net on 8 October 2001 to ascertain whether any other countries had any cases that may be associated with this product. To date, seven cases have been identified in Australia and Canada; no other countries have reported cases associated with this product.
Interim guidance on deliberate releases of biological agents in the UK and US
Authors: Nicoll A
Published: October 2017

Last week, Eurosurveillance Weekly reported on cases of anthrax and public health guidance in the United States (US) (1). The number of people with confirmed anthrax had risen to 11 by 23 October, but additional cases are being classified as suspect, and yet more people are undergoing evaluation. The numbers of infected people are therefore likely to rise. The most recent cases are in postal and mailroom workers in West Trenton, New Jersey, and Washington DC.
Incidence trends and short term predictions for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the United Kingdom
Authors: Andrews N J
Published: October 2017

By the beginning of November 2001, the total number of cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) reported in the United Kingdom had reached 111 (www.doh.gov.uk/cjd/stats/nov01.htm). To monitor the underlying trend in vCJD incidence and identify any differences in this trend by factors such as birth cohort and sex, quarterly analyses are performed which estimate the underlying trend.
“Clostridium novyi and Co: the drug injector outbreaks” – conference summary and recommendations
Authors: Ahmed S , Gruer L
Published: October 2017

A scientific meeting was held in Glasgow, Scotland, on 15-16 October 2001 to draw together all the available information about the outbreaks of life threatening infection that occurred among drug injectors in Scotland, England, and Dublin from April to August 2000 (http://www.iduoutbreak.abelgratis.com/) (1, and references therein). Delegates from Scotland, England, Ireland, and Finland attended the meeting. As a result of the current international crisis, contributors from the United States and Norway were unable to attend. A series of presentations by specialists in epidemiology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacy, and law enforcement allowed the following picture to emerge.
September issue of Eurosurveillance now available online
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The September issue of the monthly bulletin Eurosurveillance, also funded by the European Commission, is now available on the internet (in English and French) at http://www.eurosurveillance.org. The contents of the September issue are as follows.
Imported case of confirmed yellow fever detected in Belgium
Authors: Colebunders R
Published: October 2017

An imported case of yellow fever was recently confirmed in Belgium. The patient was a white female tourist born in 1954 and living in Belgium who had travelled with her son to The Gambia. She was not immunised against yellow fever. She arrived in Banjul on 1 November 2001 on a direct flight from Belgium. She stayed at a hotel in Bakou (days 1-7) and, with a local guide, visited the localities of Serekunda, Biltan-Bolong and the Brikama mangrove (day 2).
Outbreak of legionellosis in Stavanger, Norway – final report
Authors: Blystad H , Bjorlow E , Aavitsland P , Holm J
Published: October 2017

Eurosurveillance Weekly has previously reported a community outbreak of legionnaires' disease in Norway, in the city of Stavanger, on the west coast of the country (1). Twenty-six confirmed cases and two probable cases were identified in this first reported outbreak of legionellosis in Norway.
The first patient presented with symptoms on 18 July, the last on 7 September. All confirmed cases had urinary antigen detected. In addition, Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 was cultured from nine patients.
Health Council adopts Recommendation on prudent use of antimicrobials
Authors: Twisselmann B
Published: October 2017

Ministers at the European Union’s Health Council meeting in Brussels on 15 November 2001 adopted unanimously a Recommendation on the prudent use of antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents in human medicine (see also IP/01/1596) (1). The Recommendation asks national governments to take measures to contain the spread of antimicrobial resistance by encouraging a more prudent use of antibiotics. Member states are asked to raise awareness and provide information to the general public, to use a precautionary approach (by prescription only), and to improve monitoring of consumption of these drugs.
AIDS epidemic increasing faster in eastern Europe than in rest of world: new figures
Authors: Twisselmann B
Published: October 2017

The number of cases of HIV infection in eastern Europe is rising faster than anywhere else in the world, according to a report published by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on 28 November (1). The latest figures, published to coincide with this year’s World AIDS Day on 1 December, show that there were more than 75 000 new diagnoses of HIV infection in Russia between January and early November 2001, a 15-fold increase in just three years.
Rapid reporting EU surveillance system for meningitis W135: 2a: P1.2, 5 – update
Authors: Handford S , Henderson B , Ramsay M
Published: October 2017

After an epidemic of meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serotype W135 among travellers to the haj pilgrimage to Mecca in 2000, an enhanced surveillance system for serogroup W135: 2a: P1.2, 5 meningococcal disease was set up among several European countries (1, and references therein). Data have been reported since September 2000, and this report summarises all confirmed cases during the period from 29 September to 26 October 2001.
Reports on HIV/AIDS and STIs in the United Kingdom published
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

To coincide with World AIDS Day 2001 (1 December) two new reports presenting latest HIV and STI data in the United Kingdom (UK) have been published, as mentioned in the Communicable Disease Report last week (1,2).
HIV and AIDS in the UK – an epidemiological review: 2000 () describes the HIV epidemic in the UK from its beginnings through to the end of 2000. By that time over 44 000 cases of HIV infection had been reported as diagnosed in the UK, and the number of people reported as seen for HIV related care during 2000 was over 23 000.
Explosive increase of multiresistant Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 in 2001 in the Netherlands
Authors: van Pelt W
Published: October 2017

From September 2000 and up until the end of that year, the national salmonella centre at the Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM, the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment) has noted an explosive increase of isolates of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhimurium definitive phage type (DT) 104 from humans, which has since plateaued at a level double that of previous years (1).
Case of anthrax may have arisen from cross contaminated envelope
Authors: Harling R
Published: October 2017

Investigations suggest that the latest case of inhalation anthrax in the United States may have arisen from an envelope that was cross contaminated by contact with other letters containing Bacillus anthracis.
This case arose in a 94 year old resident of Oxford, Connecticut. She became unwell on 13 November with fever, cough, weakness, and muscle aches. She was admitted to hospital on 16 November but deteriorated despite treatment and died on 21 November.
Latest prevalence data of HIV and hepatitis B and C infections in the UK in 2000 published
Authors: Leiva A
Published: October 2017

Transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C in the United Kingdom (UK) is continuing, according to the latest results from the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre’s unlinked anonymous prevalence monitoring programme published in the Communicable Disease Report (1-4).
Update – BSE in Europe
Authors: Bryant G
Published: October 2017

Austria (previously assessed as geographical BSE risk (GBR) category II) announced its first confirmed case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on 6 December 2001. Therefore, since the report in last week’s issue of Eurosurveillance Weekly (1), Sweden is now the only country in the European Union not to have reported BSE.
CDC releases interim smallpox response plan and guidelines
Authors: Harling R
Published: October 2017

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States (US) last week released its plans to cope with a deliberate release of smallpox (1). The plan centres on rapid ring vaccination of the contacts of infected individuals to contain the spread of infection. Mass vaccination in advance of an outbreak will not be used, partly because the risks associated with vaccination outweigh the risks of exposure to smallpox.
Conjugate serogroup C meningococcal vaccine use extended in the United Kingdom
Authors: Gibbons V
Published: October 2017

The United Kingdom (UK) Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has reviewed the epidemiology of group C infection in the population aged 20 years and over and recommended that immunisation should be made available for individuals aged 20-24 years (born after 7 January 1977) (1). The vaccine has already been offered to people who are under 20 years of age (2). This decision comes following successful reduction in disease in the UK of children and young people offered the conjugate meningococcal C vaccine (Men C vaccine).
New issue of EpiNorth now online
Authors: Gundersen V R
Published: October 2017

The latest issue of EpiNorth, the infectious disease bulletin of northern Europe, is now available online in English and Russian at www.epinorth.org. Articles in this issue include the following.
Rapid reporting EU surveillance system for meningitis W135: 2a: P1.2, 5 – update
Authors: Handford S , Henderson B
Published: October 2017

After an epidemic of meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135 among travellers returning from the haj pilgrimage to Mecca in 2000, an enhanced surveillance system for W135: 2a: P1.2, 5 meningococcal disease was set up among several European countries (1, and references therein). Data have been reported since September 2000, and this report summarises all confirmed cases in the period 27 October to 28 December 2001.
Identification of a new subtype of influenza virus A(H1N2)
Authors: Watson J , Zambon M
Published: October 2017

A meeting of influenza experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva this week has considered the recent isolation of a new subtype of the influenza A virus, A(H1N2) (1). The meeting was held to review the global influenza situation and decide the composition for the influenza vaccine for the northern hemisphere for winter 2002/03, and was based on information from the WHO global influenza surveillance programme and the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) surveillance of influenza in England and Wales.
Measles outbreak in North Jutland, Denmark
Authors: Hamburger H , Christiansen A  H , Glismann S
Published: October 2017

Since the introduction of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, measles has occurred in Denmark only rarely, and the most recent outbreak occurred in 1998 (1). At the end of December 2001, however, an outbreak began in the county of North Jutland, where the index case, a 9 year old Danish child, was admitted to hospital.
European Food Safety Authority becomes a reality
Authors: Reid F
Published: October 2017

In December 2001, Eurosurveillance Weekly reported on the approval by the European Parliament of the creation of an independent European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (1). On 21 January 2002, the EFSA became a reality when the Council of Ministers adopted the key legislation that provides the legal basis for establishing the EFSA and general principles and requirements for European Union (EU) food law (2).
No evidence for a new form of autism linked to MMR
Authors: Twisselmann B
Published: October 2017

Further evidence confirming the absence of a causal link between vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), and autism was published in a study reported in last week’s BMJ online (1). The investigators identified 278 children with childhood autism and 195 with atypical autism born between 1979 and 1998 from computerised health registers of children with disabilities in the community and from special school and child psychiatry records, using the same methods and classifications.
A case of hospital acquired malaria in England
Authors: Asgari N
Published: October 2017

An elderly man admitted for an orthopedic procedure in late December 2001 to an NHS (National Health Service) hospital in England developed Plasmodium falciparum malaria at the end of January (1).
Commentary
Authors: Pebody R G
Published: October 2017

This study was initiated by a recent large measles outbreak in districts of the Netherlands where up to half of the population decline vaccination on religious grounds. In this context, when occasional epidemics are inevitable, the authors seek to identify short and long term strategies to minimise the number of cases among vaccine acceptors.
Two cases of imported cholera in the Czech Republic
Authors: Petráš Petr
Published: October 2017

No case of cholera has been notified since 1986 in the Czech Republic. Recently, however, we have confirmed two strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 from two unrelated cases of cholera imported into the country.
Echovirus reminder
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

Countries which are experiencing recent or current epidemics of the kind reported in the Eurosurveillance Weekly report of 14 February entitled ‘Recent increases in incidence of echoviruses 13 and 30 around Europe’ (020214) are encouraged to contact Franky Lever (flever@phls.org.uk), who will be investigating enterovirus incidence in more detail as part of a master’s thesis.
Rapid reporting EU surveillance system for meningitis W135: 2a: P1.2, 5 – update
Authors: Handford S , Henderson B
Published: October 2017

After an epidemic of disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135 in travellers returning from the haj pilgrimage to Mecca in 2000, enhanced surveillance for W135: 2a: P1.2, 5 infection or compatible strains was set up among several European countries (1, and references therein).
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in France
Authors: Capek I
Published: October 2017

A new case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) was reported in France in March 2002 by the Réseau National de Surveillance de la Maladie de Creutzfeldt-Jakob et Maladies Apparentées (National surveillance network for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and related diseases, (http://www.invs.sante.fr/publications/mcj/reseau_mcj.html), bringing the total number of definite and probable cases in France to six (1).
January issue of Eurosurveillance now available online
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The January issue of the monthly bulletin Eurosurveillance, also funded by the European Commission, is now available online (in English and French) at http://www.eurosurveillance.org/.
Dutch initiate major vaccination campaign against meningitis C
Authors: Esveld M I
Published: October 2017

Following the recommendation of the Gezondheidsraad (Health Council) of the Netherlands to the minister of health in favour of universal vaccination against infections with group C meningococci and pneumococci (1), the minister announced in parliament on 18 March her decision to accept the advice. The number of serotyped cases of meningitis C in the Netherlands rose from 86 in 1999 and 105 in 2000 to 275 in 2001.
One severe and one fatal case of tetanus in England
Authors: White J , Crowcroft N , Smith Louise , Sutton Graham
Published: October 2017

Two cases of severe tetanus in women aged 61 years with histories of incomplete vaccination were notified in April in England (1). They were the first cases reported this year in the country.
The first patient developed symptoms eight days after a head injury sustained from a fall down the stairs. Neither tetanus toxoid nor immunoglobulin were given at the time of her injury, which required stitches.
The current state and future of epidemiological surveillance of communicable diseases in Europe
Authors:   B de Jong,   R Alsterlund
Published: October 2017

A conference on the present and future of epidemiological surveillance in Europe and its actions and needs was held in Madrid on 25-26 April, coinciding with the 2002 Spanish presidency of the European Union (EU)
Outbreak of salmonellosis on a ferry between Sweden and Poland
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

During the weekend of 5-7 April, a Chinese style buffet was served to passengers booked on a cruise on the ferry M/S Polonia, which sails a regular route between Sweden and Poland. After the cruise, several of the passengers reported having fallen ill. Around 800 Swedish passengers travelled on the cruise, and to date there have been reports of 352 laboratory verified cases of salmonellosis in people who were on the ferry on 5-7 April.
New United States guidelines recommending human papilloma virus screening for women with borderline cervical cytological abnormalities
Authors:   C Lowndes,   K Fenton
Published: October 2017

Following two conferences which took place in the United States (US) last year, the American Medical Association has recently published two consensus statements concerning screening for and management of cervical cancer (1-3).
It is recommended that human papilloma virus (HPV) testing become an integral part of both screening and clinical management of cervical cytological abnormalities.
Campylobacteriosis in Norway, 2001: incidence still rising
Authors: Nygård K , Vold L , Kapperud G
Published: October 2017

Campylobacter infections notified to the Meldingssystem for smittsomme sykdommer (MSIS, National Surveillance System for Infectious Diseases) in Norway increased by 24% from 2000 to 2001, from 2331 cases in 2000 to 2890 cases in 2001 (1). This was a continuation of the increasing trend that has been evident since the mid-90s (figure 1). Of the 2890 campylobacteriosis cases notified in 2001, 20% (552 cases) were admitted to hospital, and no deaths were reported. Fifty per cent of the infections in 2001 were reported as having being acquired abroad (1441 imported cases) and 43% (1246 cases) in Norway. For the remaining cases, information about the place of infection was not available. The largest increase was observed among domestic cases, which rose by 38% compared with the previous year, whereas infections acquired abroad increased by 12%.
A community cluster of legionnaires’ disease among pilgrims to San Giovanni Rotondo, Puglia, Italy
Authors: Castellani Pastoris M , Ricci M L , Rota M C
Published: October 2017

At the end of May 2002, six cases of legionnaires’ disease were notified to the national legionellosis surveillance scheme at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità within a few days. All cases had onset of illness between 14 and 19 May 2002.
HIV infection in Europe: endemic in the west, epidemic in the east
Authors: Payne L
Published: October 2017

The European centre for the epidemiological monitoring of AIDS (EuroHIV, http://www.eurohiv.org) has published the latest report on HIV/AIDS surveillance in the 51 countries of the WHO European Region (1). The publication covers data reported until the end of 2001 and its release coincides with the latest update from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS, http://www.unaids.org/) on the global perspective of the HIV/AIDS epidemic (2).
Infectious disease data for Barents and Baltic Sea regions for 2001 now available on the EpiNorth website
Authors: Gundersen V R
Published: October 2017

Statistical data for 2001 from the national and regional reporting systems for infectious diseases in the Barents and Baltic Sea regions have been published on the EpiNorth homepage (www.epinorth.org).
Substantial impact of the HIV pandemic on migrant populations in Europe
Authors: Hamers F F , Alix J , Downs A M
Published: October 2017

An increasing and disproportionate share of the newly diagnosed HIV infections in Europe – at least in the west – is in migrants, especially in those from sub-Saharan Africa. This was the main conclusion of an analysis of European HIV case reporting data, presented to the XIV International AIDS conference in Barcelona last week (7-12 July 2002) (1). Migrant populations are often highly vulnerable to HIV infection and may experience strong barriers to prevention and care (2).