bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond Versailles: Recovering the Voices of Nurses in Post–World War I U.S.-European Relations
Authors: Irwin Julia F.
Published: August 2015

From late 1918 to 1922, the American Red Cross (ARC) enlisted roughly six hundred American nurses and scores of female auxiliary staff to labor in post–World War I continental Europe, Russia, and the Near East, mostly stationed in Poland, Czechoslovakia, the Balkan states, and Siberia. The ARC nurses ran health clinics, made home visits, and opened nurse training schools. Close readings of letters, diaries, official reports, and published articles help recover the place of these women in postwar European history and the history of U.S. foreign relations. Their writings reveal their perceptions about eastern European and Russian politics and culture, their assumptions about the proper U.S. role in the region’s affairs, and their efforts to influence popular U.S. discourse on these topics. This article argues that American nurses and support staff are central—yet neglected—players in the history of U.S.-European affairs. Through its bottom-up approach, it offers a more personal and intimate perspective on the history of U.S. international relations during this time.
Midwife and Public Health Nurse Tatsuyo Amari and a State-Endorsed Birth Control Campaign in 1950s Japan
Authors: Homei Aya
Published: August 2015

Mrs. Tatsuyo Amari, a qualified midwife and nurse, served Japan’s state-endorsed birth control campaign as a “birth control field instructor” in rural Minamoto Village of Yamanashi Prefecture just west of Tokyo. Her work sheds light on the role of female health-care workers in health and population governance in 1950s Japan. Amari not only facilitated the “top-down” transfer of the state-sanctioned idea of birth control and contraceptives, as did other birth control field instructors, but also enabled the “bottom-up” flow of knowledge about people’s reproductive lives through her participation in the policy-oriented birth control research called the “three model-village study.” Contextualizing Amari’s engagement with the study elucidates how the state relied on the established role of female health-care workers as intermediaries between the state and the people. Finally, Amari’s contribution to the scientific aspect of the campaign may motivate historians to recognize the politics around the participation of female health-care workers in the science of birth control.
Use of Fractal Analysis for the Discrimination of Trabecular Changes Between Individuals With Healthy Gingiva or Moderate Periodontitis
Authors: Sener Elif , Cinarcik Serhat , Baksi B. Guniz
Published: August 2015

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the capability of fractal analysis to discriminate the changes in the trabecular structure of interdental bone between individuals with healthy gingiva or moderate periodontitis using digital images.

Methods: Two groups of patients were included according to the probing depth, bleeding on probing, and clinical attachment level. The first group (n = 50) consisted of individuals with healthy gingiva, whereas the other group consisted of patients with moderate periodontitis (n = 50). Periapical images obtained with a storage phosphor plate system during clinical examination were used for the fractal dimension (FD) calculations. Two rectangular regions of interest (ROIs) were placed at mandibular posterior interdental bone areas. The mean of the two ROIs was used to calculate mean FD by using the box‐counting method. Student t test was used for the comparison of the FDs of the two groups (P = 0.05).

Results: The mean FD of patients with periodontitis was 0.83, whereas it was 1.02 for the patients with healthy gingiva. A significant difference was obtained in the mean FD values of healthy individuals and patients with moderate periodontitis (P <0.05).

Conclusion: Fractal analysis can quantitatively discriminate the trabecular integrity alterations induced by periodontitis and therefore can be recommended for the diagnosis and monitoring of changes in trabecular architecture associated with periodontitis.
Effect of Doxycycline in Gel Form on Bone Regeneration: Histomorphometric and Tomographic Study in Rat Calvaria
Authors: Silva Amanda C. , Oliveira Marina R. , Amaral Lysandro F. A. , Ferreira Sabrina , Garcia Idelmo R. , Mariano Ronaldo C.
Published: August 2015

Background: This study aims to investigate the effects of the local application of doxycycline in the form of natrosol‐based gel on bone regeneration by examining critical defects in rat calvaria.

Methods: Twenty‐four rats were randomly divided into three groups with eight animals each, according to the treatment received: BC (untreated, filled with blood clot), NAT (natrosol gel alone), and DOX (10% doxycycline gel). Four animals from each group were euthanized at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively. In tomographic analysis, mean density in the region of the defect was calculated as a percentage relative to the native bone density. In histomorphometric analysis, the newly formed bone area was calculated as a percentage of the total area. The values obtained underwent analysis of variance and Tukey testing (P <0.05).

Results: The mean percentage of tomographic density in the region of the defect at the end of 8 weeks was higher for DOX (44.37%), and statistical differences in this period were observed between DOX and NAT (33.10%) and DOX and BC (32.43%). Regarding new bone formation, at the end of 8 weeks, DOX (61.11%) also had the highest mean bone formation, and statistical differences were observed between DOX and NAT (34.61%) and DOX and BC (23.11%).

Conclusion: It was observed that 10% doxycycline gel had a good effect on bone regeneration regarding the filling of critical defects in rat calvaria.
Relative Composition of Fibrous Connective and Fatty/Glandular Tissue in Connective Tissue Grafts Depends on the Harvesting Technique but not the Donor Site of the Hard Palate
Authors: Bertl Kristina , Pifl Markus , Hirtler Lena , Rendl Barbara , Nürnberger Sylvia , Stavropoulos Andreas , Ulm Christian
Published: August 2015

Background: Whether the composition of palatal connective tissue grafts (CTGs) varies depending on donor site or harvesting technique in terms of relative amounts of fibrous connective tissue (CT) and fatty/glandular tissue (FGT) is currently unknown and is histologically assessed in the present study.

Methods: In 10 fresh human cadavers, tissue samples were harvested in the anterior and posterior palate and in areas close to (marginal) and distant from (apical) the mucosal margin. Mucosal thickness, lamina propria thickness (defined as the extent of subepithelial portion of the biopsy containing ≤25% or ≤50% FGT), and proportions of CT and FGT were semi‐automatically estimated for the entire mucosa and for CTGs virtually harvested by split‐flap (SF) preparation minimum 1 mm deep or after deepithelialization (DE).

Results: Palatal mucosal thickness, ranging from 2.35 to 6.89 mm, and histologic composition showed high interindividual variability. Lamina propria thickness (P >0.21) and proportions of CT (P = 0.48) and FGT (P = 0.15) did not differ significantly among the donor sites (anterior, posterior, marginal, apical). However, thicker palatal tissue was associated with higher FGT content (P <0.01) and thinner lamina propria (P ≤0.03). Independent of the donor site, DE‐harvested CTG contained a significantly higher proportion of CT and a lower proportion of FGT than an SF‐harvested CTG (P <0.04).

Conclusion: Despite high interindividual variability in terms of relative tissue composition in the hard palate, DE‐harvested CTG contains much larger amounts of CT and much lower amounts of FGT than SF‐harvested CTG, irrespective of the harvesting site.
CEO Narcissism and Corporate Tax Sheltering
Authors: Olsen Kari Joseph , Stekelberg James
Published: August 2015

We examine the effect of CEO narcissism on an especially aggressive form of corporate tax avoidance: tax sheltering. Narcissism is a multifaceted personality trait associated with a sense of superiority and a propensity to engage in questionable behavior. Narcissists feel that they are above the law and are aggressive in pursuing what they believe is theirs. Narcissists also possess heightened motivations to pursue rewards or desirable outcomes while only being weakly motivated to avoid negative outcomes. Consistent with these behavioral tendencies of narcissistic individuals, we document statistically and economically significant effects of CEO narcissism on the likelihood that the CEO's firm engages in corporate tax shelters. Our study contributes to the literature by documenting a mechanism through which the individual personality characteristics of the CEO can affect firm-level tax policies.

JEL Classifications: H25; H26; M41.
Smoothness and the Value Relevance of Taxable Income
Authors: Mayberry Michael A. , McGuire Sean T. , Omer Thomas C.
Published: August 2015

This study investigates whether the smoothness of estimated taxable income influences its value relevance. Contrary to research that finds that smoothness enhances the value relevance of book income, we find that smoothness reduces the value relevance of taxable income. We decompose the smoothness of taxable income into its innate and discretionary components and find that innate smoothness is not associated with the value relevance of taxable income. However, we find that discretionary smoothness is associated with a reduction in taxable income's value relevance, suggesting that discretionary smoothness either eliminates or reduces the information contained in taxable income. In additional analysis, we find that discretionary smoothness is also associated with higher levels of future tax avoidance, consistent with managers smoothing taxable income as part of their tax avoidance strategy. In combination, our results suggest that the reduced value relevance of estimated taxable income is a byproduct of managers' tax-planning strategy.

JEL Classifications: G32; H25; H32; M41.
Going Cloud for Agility: Beyond Financial, System, and Control Motives
Authors: Du Hui , Cong Yu
Published: August 2015

Using a unique dataset obtained from cloud computing providers' websites, we study cloud computing from the cloud users' perspective. While cloud computing providers promise various benefits for companies to “go cloud,” whether user companies are motivated by the potential benefits is a different matter. Although existing IT outsourcing literature and the latest cloud computing research suggest financial, system, and control as three main motives for companies to go cloud, MIS literature and business strategy studies point out the agility of quick system deployment as another significant consideration. We examine these four categories of motives, along with more detailed key motives developed in each category. Our results indicate that companies are motivated by multifold benefits in all four aspects of agility, financial, system, and control. However, despite various benefits promised by cloud computing providers, from the cloud computing users' perspective, the agility of quick system deployment and saving on costs appear to be the two primary motives.

Data Availability: Data are publicly available from the sources identified in the paper.
Independent Association Between Improvement of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Reduced Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Yamazaki Hajime , Tsuboya Toru , Tsuji Kunihiko , Dohke Mitsuru , Maguchi Hiroyuki
Published: August 2015

OBJECTIVE

Only a few studies have evaluated the long-term effects of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and none have examined whether NAFLD improvement reduces T2DM incidence. We investigated the association between NAFLD improvement and T2DM incidence.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Between 2000 and 2012, 4,604 participants who underwent a health check twice with >10 years between were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were positive hepatitis B surface antigen, positive hepatitis C antibody, ethanol intake >20 g/day, and diabetes. The 3,074 eligible participants were divided into an NAFLD group (n = 728) and a non-NAFLD group (n = 2,346) according to ultrasonography-detected fatty liver. The NAFLD group was categorized into an improved group (n = 110) and a sustained NAFLD group (n = 618) based on fatty liver disappearance at the second visit. Incident T2DM odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, BMI, impaired fasting glucose, family history of diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and physical exercise.

RESULTS

T2DM occurred in 117 participants (16.1%) in the NAFLD group and 72 (3.1%) in the non-NAFLD group. NAFLD at baseline was associated with T2DM incidence (multivariate OR 2.37 [95% CI 1.60–3.52]). T2DM occurred in 7 participants (6.4%) in the improved group and in 110 (17.8%) in the sustained NAFLD group. NAFLD improvement was associated with reduced T2DM incidence (multivariate OR 0.27 [95% CI 0.12–0.61]).

CONCLUSIONS

NAFLD improvement is associated with T2DM incidence reduction.
Ebola response missions: To go or not to go?
Cross-sectional study on the motivation of European public health experts, December 2014
Authors: Rexroth U , Diercke M , Peron E , Winter C , an der Heiden M , Gilsdorf A
Published: August 2015

We surveyed European infectious disease epidemiologists and microbiologists about their decisions to apply for Ebola response missions. Of 368 respondents, 49 (15%) had applied. Applicants did not differ from non-applicants in terms of age, sex or profession but had more training in field epidemiology and more international experience. Common concerns included lack of support from families and employers. Clearer terms of reference and support from employers could motivate application and support outbreak response in West Africa.
Laboratory support during and after the Ebola virus endgame: towards a sustained laboratory infrastructure
Authors: Goodfellow I , Reusken C , Koopmans M
Published: August 2015

The Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa is on the brink of entering a second phase in which the (inter)national efforts to slow down virus transmission will be engaged to end the epidemic. The response community must consider the longevity of their current laboratory support, as it is essential that diagnostic capacity in the affected countries be supported beyond the end of the epidemic. The emergency laboratory response should be used to support building structural diagnostic and outbreak surveillance capacity.
Survey of surveillance systems and select prevention activities for hepatitis B and C, European Union/European Economic Area, 2009
Authors: Duffell E F , van de Laar M J
Published: August 2015

Hepatitis B and C viral infections are leading causes of hepatic cirrhosis and cancer. The incidence and prevalence of both hepatitis B and C varies across European countries. European wide surveillance data help to understand the dynamic epidemiology of hepatitis B and C, which is important for the implementation and effectiveness of prevention and control activities. Comparison of surveillance data between countries in Europe is hampered by the differences in national healthcare and reporting systems. This report presents the results of a survey in 2009 which was undertaken to collect baseline information on surveillance systems and core prevention programmes for hepatitis B and C in individual European Union/ European Economic Area countries. The results provide key information to aid the interpretation of surveillance data, and while indicating heterogeneity in national surveillance systems and programmes, they highlight the potential of these systems. This resource has supported the implementation of a standardised European enhanced surveillance programme.
Emergence of a novel cluster of influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.2.1.2 with putative human health impact in Egypt, 2014/15
Authors: Arafa A S , Naguib M M , Luttermann C , Selim A A , Kilany W H , Hagag N , Samy A , Abdelhalim A , Hassan M K , Abdelwhab E M , Makonnen Y , Dauphin G , Lubroth J , Mettenleiter T C , Beer M , Grund C , Harder T C
Published: August 2015

A distinct cluster of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of subtype A(H5N1) has been found to emerge within clade 2.2.1.2 in poultry in Egypt since summer 2014 and appears to have quickly become predominant. Viruses of this cluster may be associated with increased incidence of human influenza A(H5N1) infections in Egypt over the last months.
Effects of region of birth, educational level and age on late presentation among men who have sex with men newly diagnosed with HIV in a network of STI/HIV counselling and testing clinics in Spain
Authors: Diaz A , del Romero J , Rodriguez C , Alastrue I , Belda J , Bru F  J , Cámara M M , Junquera M L , Sanz I , Viloria L J , Gil L , Martínez E , Gual F , Landa M C , Pueyo I , Ureña J  M , Martínez B , Varela J A , Polo A , Azpiri M A , Diez M , for the EPI-VIH Study Group Collective
Published: August 2015

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Congenital rubella still a public health problem in Italy: analysis of national surveillance data from 2005 to 2013
Authors: Giambi C , Filia A , Rota M C , Del Manso M , Declich S , Nacca G , Rizzuto E , Bella A , regional contact points for rubella Collective
Published: August 2015

In accordance with the goal of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, the Italian national measles and rubella elimination plan aims to reduce the incidence of congenital rubella cases to?less than?one case per 100,000 live births by the end of 2015. We report national surveillance data for congenital rubella and rubella in pregnancy from 2005 to 2013. A total of 75 congenital rubella infections were reported; the national annual mean incidence was 1.5/100,000 live births, including probable and confirmed cases according to European Union case definition. Two peaks occurred in 2008 and 2012 (5.0 and 3.6/100,000 respectively). Overall, 160 rubella infections in pregnancy were reported; 69/148 women were multiparous and 38/126 had had a rubella antibody test before pregnancy. Among reported cases, there were 62 infected newborns, 31 voluntary abortions, one stillbirth and one spontaneous abortion. A total of 24 newborns were unclassified and 14 women were lost to follow-up, so underestimation is likely. To improve follow-up of cases, systematic procedures for monitoring infected mothers and children were introduced in 2013. To prevent congenital rubella, antibody screening before pregnancy and vaccination of susceptible women, including post-partum and post-abortum vaccination, should be promoted. Population coverage?of two doses of measles-mumps-rubella vaccination of ≥?95% should be maintained and knowledge of health professionals improved.
Cheese-related listeriosis outbreak, Portugal, March 2009 to February 2012
Authors: Magalhães R , Almeida G , Ferreira V , Santos I , Silva J , Mendes M M , Pita J , Mariano G , Mâncio I , Sousa M M , Farber J , Pagotto F , Teixeira P
Published: August 2015

In Portugal, listeriosis has been notifiable since April 2014, but there is no active surveillance programme for the disease. A retrospective study involving 25 national hospitals led to the detection of an outbreak that occurred between March 2009 and February 2012. The amount of time between the start of the outbreak and its detection was 16 months. Of the 30 cases of listeriosis reported, 27 were in the Lisbon and Vale do Tejo region. Two cases were maternal/neonatal infections and one resulted in fetal loss. The mean age of the non-maternal/neonatal cases was 59 years (standard deviation: 17); 13 cases were more than 65 years-old. The case fatality rate was 36.7%. All cases were caused by molecular serogroup IVb isolates indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and ribotype profiles. Collaborative investigations with the national health and food safety authorities identified cheese as the probable source of infection, traced to a processing plant. The magnitude of this outbreak, the first reported food-borne listeriosis outbreak in Portugal, highlights the importance of having an effective listeriosis surveillance system in place for early detection and resolution of outbreaks, as well as the need for a process for the prompt submission of Listeria monocytogenes isolates for routine laboratory typing.
Clindamycin resistant emm33 Streptococcus pyogenes emerged among invasive infections in Helsinki metropolitan area, Finland, 2012 to 2013
Authors: Pesola A K , Sihvonen R , Lindholm L , Pätäri-Sampo A
Published: August 2015

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Haemagglutinin mutations and glycosylation changes shaped the 2012/13 influenza A(H3N2) epidemic, Houston, Texas
Authors: Stucker K M , Schobel S A , Olsen R J , Hodges H L , Lin X , Halpin R A , Fedorova N , Stockwell T B , Tovchigrechko A , Das S R , Wentworth D E , Musser J M
Published: August 2015

While the early start and higher intensity of the 2012/13 influenza A virus (IAV) epidemic was not unprecedented, it was the first IAV epidemic season since the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic where the H3N2 subtype predominated. We directly sequenced the genomes of 154 H3N2 clinical specimens collected throughout the epidemic to better understand the evolution of H3N2 strains and to inform the H3N2 vaccine selection process. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that multiple co-circulating clades and continual antigenic drift in the haemagglutinin (HA) of clades 5, 3A, and 3C, with the evolution of a new 3C subgroup (3C-2012/13), were the driving causes of the epidemic. Drift variants contained HA substitutions and alterations in the potential N-linked glycosylation sites of HA. Antigenic analysis demonstrated that viruses in the emerging subclade 3C.3 and subgroup 3C-2012/13 were not well inhibited by antisera generated against the 3C.1 vaccine strains used for the 2012/13 (A/Victoria/361/2011) or 2013/14 (A/Texas/50/2012) seasons. Our data support updating the H3N2 vaccine strain to a clade 3C.2 or 3C.3-like strain or a subclade that has drifted further. They also underscore the challenges in vaccine strain selection, particularly regarding HA and neuraminidase substitutions derived during laboratory passage that may alter antigenic testing accuracy.
Phylogeographical pattern of Francisella tularensis in a nationwide outbreak of tularaemia in Norway, 2011
Authors: Afset J E , Larssen K W , Bergh K , Sjödin A , Lärkeryd A , Johansson A , Forsman M
Published: August 2015

In 2011, a nationwide outbreak of tularaemia occurred in Norway with 180 recorded cases. It was associated with the largest peak in lemming density seen in 40 years. Francisella tularensis was isolated from 18 patients. To study the geographical distribution of F. tularensis genotypes in Norway and correlate genotype with epidemiology and clinical presentation, we performed whole genome sequencing of patient isolates. All 18 genomes from the outbreak carried genetic signatures of F. tularensis subsp. holarctica and were assigned to genetic clades using canonical single nucleotide polymorphisms. Ten isolates were assigned to major genetic clade B.6 (subclade B.7), seven to clade B.12, and one to clade B.4. The B.6 subclade B.7 was most common in southern and central Norway, while clade B.12 was evenly distributed between the southern, central and northern parts of the country. There was no association between genotype and clinical presentation of tularaemia, time of year or specimen type. We found extensive sequence similarity with F. tularensis subsp. holarctica genomes from high-endemic tularaemia areas in Sweden. Finding nearly identical genomes across large geographical distances in Norway and Sweden imply a life cycle of the bacterium without replication between the outbreaks and raise new questions about long-range migration mechanisms.
Illness and injury of travellers abroad: Finnish nationwide data from 2010 to 2012, with incidences in various regions of the world
Authors: Siikamäki H , Kivelä P , Fotopoulos M , Ollgren J , Kantele A
Published: August 2015

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Genetic diversity of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza viruses at a single overwintering site of migratory birds in Japan, 2014/15
Authors: Ozawa M , Matsuu A , Tokorozaki K , Horie M , Masatani T , Nakagawa H , Okuya K , Kawabata T , Toda S
Published: August 2015

We isolated eight highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza viruses (H5N8 HPAIVs) in the 2014/15 winter season at an overwintering site of migratory birds in Japan. Genetic analyses revealed that these isolates were divided into three groups, indicating the co-circulation of three genetic groups of H5N8 HPAIV among these migratory birds. These results also imply the possibility of global redistribution of the H5N8 HPAIVs via the migration of these birds next winter.
Multinational outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infection during an international youth ice hockey competition in Riga, Latvia, preliminary report, March and April 2015
Authors: Pesola A K , Pärn T , Huusko S , Perevoščikovs J , Ollgren J , Salmenlinna S , Lienemann T , Gossner C , Danielsson N , Rimhanen-Finne R
Published: August 2015

A multinational outbreak of salmonellosis linked to the Riga Cup 2015 junior ice-hockey competition was detected by the Finnish health authorities in mid-April and immediately notified at the European Union level. This prompted an international outbreak investigation supported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. As of 8 May 2015, seven countries have reported 214 confirmed and suspected cases, among which 122 from Finland. The search for the source of the outbreak is ongoing.
Genomic analyses of Francisella tularensis strains confirm disease transmission from drinking water sources, Turkey, 2008, 2009 and 2012
Authors: Karadenizli A , Forsman M , Şimşek H , Taner M , Öhrman C , Myrtennäs K , Lärkeryd A , Johansson A , Özdemir L , Sjödin A
Published: August 2015

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Community-acquired infections due to Staphylococcus argenteus lineage isolates harbouring the Panton-Valentine leucocidin, France, 2014
Authors: Dupieux C , Blondé R , Bouchiat C , Meugnier H , Bes M , Laurent S , Vandenesch F , Laurent F , Tristan A
Published: August 2015

We describe two cases of human infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus clonal complex (CC) 75, also called Staphylococcus argenteus, harbouring the Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL). These two sporadic cases were community-acquired, and identified in France in 2014. Both had an epidemiological link with Mayotte, an overseas department of France located in the Indian Ocean off the south-eastern African coast. This report illustrates that, contrary to previous descriptions, S. argenteus can acquire important virulence factors and be responsible for severe infections.
Detection of livestock-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus CC398 in retail pork, United Kingdom, February 2015
Authors: Hadjirin N F , Lay E M , Paterson G K , Harrison E M , Peacock S J , Parkhill J , Zadoks R N , Holmes M A
Published: August 2015

Livestock-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus belonging to clonal complex 398 (LA-MRSA CC398) is an important cause of zoonotic infections in many countries. Here, we describe the isolation of LA-MRSA CC398 from retail meat samples of United Kingdom (UK) farm origin. Our findings indicate that this lineage is probably established in UK pig farms and demonstrate a potential pathway for the transmission of LA-MRSA CC398 from livestock to humans in the UK.
Emergence of a new GII.17 norovirus variant in patients with acute gastroenteritis in Jiangsu, China, September 2014 to March 2015
Authors: Fu J , Ai J , Jin M , Jiang C , Zhang J , Shi C , Lin Q , Yuan Z , Qi X , Bao C , Tang F , Zhu Y
Published: August 2015

From September 2014 to March 2015, 23 outbreaks of norovirus (NoV) acute gastroenteritis occurred in Jiangsu, China. Partial sequencing of the NoV capsid gene suggested that 16 of the 23 outbreaks were related to a new GII.17 variant. This variant was first detected in sporadic specimens in October 2014, and became predominant in February 2015. Analysis of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and complete capsid including the protruding domain P2 sequences confirmed this GII.17 variant as distinct from previously identified GII variants.
Current prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms in long-term care facilities in the Rhine-Main district, Germany, 2013
Authors: Hogardt M , Proba P , Mischler D , Cuny C , Kempf V A , Heudorf U
Published: August 2015

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) and in particular multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms (MRGN) are an increasing problem in hospital care. However, data on the current prevalence of MDRO in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are rare. To assess carriage rates of MDRO in LTCF residents in the German Rhine-Main region, we performed a point prevalence survey in 2013. Swabs from nose, throat and perineum were analysed for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), perianal swabs were analysed for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms, MRGN and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). In 26 LTCFs, 690 residents were enrolled for analysis of MRSA colonisation and 455 for analysis of rectal carriage of ESBL/MRGN and VRE. Prevalences for MRSA, ESBL/MRGN and VRE were 6.5%, 17.8%, and 0.4%, respectively. MRSA carriage was significantly associated with MRSA history, the presence of urinary catheters, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes and previous antibiotic therapy, whereas ESBL/MRGN carriage was exclusively associated with urinary catheters. In conclusion, this study revealed no increase in MRSA prevalence in LTCFs since 2007. In contrast, the rate of ESBL/MRGN carriage in German LTCFs was remarkably high. In nearly all positive residents, MDRO carriage had not been known before, indicating a lack of screening efforts and/or a lack of information on hospital discharge.
Emergence of a novel GII.17 norovirus – End of the GII.4 era?
Authors: de Graaf M , van Beek J , Vennema H , Podkolzin A T , Hewitt J , Bucardo F , Templeton K , Mans J , Nordgren J , Reuter G , Lynch M , Rasmussen L D , Iritani N , Chan M C , Martella V , Ambert-Balay K , Vinjé J , White P A , Koopmans M P
Published: August 2015

In the winter of 2014/15 a novel GII.P17-GII.17 norovirus strain (GII.17 Kawasaki 2014) emerged, as a major cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks in China and Japan. Since their emergence these novel GII.P17-GII.17 viruses have replaced the previously dominant GII.4 genotype Sydney 2012 variant in some areas in Asia but were only detected in a limited number of cases on other continents. This perspective provides an overview of the available information on GII.17 viruses in order to gain insight in the viral and host characteristics of this norovirus genotype. We further discuss the emergence of this novel GII.P17-GII.17 norovirus in context of current knowledge on the epidemiology of noroviruses. It remains to be seen if the currently dominant norovirus strain GII.4 Sydney 2012 will be replaced in other parts of the world. Nevertheless, the public health community and surveillance systems need to be prepared in case of a potential increase of norovirus activity in the next seasons caused by this novel GII.P17-GII.17 norovirus.
National point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use in French home care settings, May to June 2012
Authors: Miliani K , Migueres B , Verjat-Trannoy D , Thiolet J  M , Vaux S , Astagneau P , the French Prevalence Survey Study Group collective
Published: August 2015

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Explaining the Low Primary School Performance in the Rural District of Black River, Mauritius: A Teacher’s Perspective
Authors: Appavoo Perienen
Published: August 2015

Pass rates at the end of primary schooling for the rural district of Black River are alarming as they have remained at a low level over many years. This research seeks to explain the situation from a teacher's perspective and to unveil the causes which persistently hamper student progress. Statistics show that children in Black River are on a par with their counterparts in other rural and urban areas in respect to access to school facilities, qualified teachers, and provision of pedagogical materials and learning tools. This study shows that students' motivation, follow-up of learning at home and parents' involvement in children's studies are at an unacceptable level and require urgent consideration. The last two determinants were found to be positively related but the correlation coefficient is not very high (r = 0.518). Analysis also points to the low and inadequate level of pre-primary education of children when they enter primary schools, and to the difficulties of teachers in educating children with social problems. One seminal finding of this research study is that, without sustained parent/community support and encouragement, learning performance of students in the Black River region is unlikely to improve. This finding is in agreement with the results of many studies reported previously in the literature. Respondents made some valuable suggestions for remedying the situation, the most important one being the need to implement community-based strategies to encourage parents and the surrounding community to support the education of children.
Education for Rural Transformation: The Role of Community Learning Centers in Nepal
Authors: Sharma Tanka Nath
Published: August 2015

The main purpose of this paper is to document the potential contributions of the community learning centers in the process of rural transformation and explore how formal, non-formal and informal education are blended for capital formation, empowerment and self sufficiency of the rural communities. Discussions and arguments presented in this paper are based on secondary sources supplemented by a field-based case study.

Nepal's rural communities over the years are facing poverty, deprivation and ignorance. Education and skills for life are particularly important to combat rural poverty and deprivation by developing capacity of rural people to take advantage of available opportunities for reducing economic and non-economic poverty.

Community learning centers (CLCs) as the local educational institutions outside the formal structure, can create various learning options and opportunities, responding to the diverse needs of the rural communities living in a complex situation. Referring to a case study, the paper has advocated that CLCs can be instrumental in rural transformation by offering diverse programs in education and community services such as: early childhood care and development, good quality primary education for all children, second chance basic education for youth, literacy and post literacy programs, women education program, vocational skill development, income generating programs and community development services for improving the quality of life of rural people. The paper further suggested that CLC has potential to offer assistance to the students of local schools in improving their academic achievement and to serve as a local institutional base offering technology-based open and distance learning opportunities and engage rural people in lifelong learning and continuing education.
Realizing the Existence of Multiple Forms of Knowledge: A Strategy Towards Seeing Education for Rural Transformation
Authors: Parajuli Mahesh Nath
Published: August 2015

Education in Nepal is very structured and focused towards enhancing cognitiveknowledge of students. Though Nepali policy documents often emphasizeeducation as a means for development and social transformation, this paperargues that Nepali education has not given any direct consideration to this aspect.Some attempts are of course made towards seeing education as a means for ruraltransformation but it is a surprising reality that despite success of those pioneer andmodel building efforts, they could not be placed in government policy and practice.Deriving from those and other research and field experiences, the paper tries toexplain this reality. Further, based on such Nepali experience, the paper argues onthe need for identifying local practices of knowing and educating as accepted modesof knowing and educating. Such recognition would contribute to see the knowingbeyond the formal and non-formal schooling process. This would help us realizethat forms of knowledge are not one but multiple. In today’s globalized context,it is of course important that people have knowledge that could link them with theworld beyond their everyday living. At the same time, it is also equally importantthat we value their knowing and educating practices and recognize all forms ofknowledge as important and end the binary and derogatory practice of labelingpeople as illiterate as we have given to the large mass of people.
Terrorism, Religious Intolerance and Ethnic Conflict Issues in the National Education Policy - 2010 of Bangladesh: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Sumon Nur Muhammud Sajjadul Hoque
Published: August 2015

Education is considered an instrument to combat the problems of terrorism, religious antagonism and ethnic intolerance. Bangladesh has been experiencing its share of these problems along with other South Asian countries. The recent adoption of the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2010 has been an opportunity to consider how the education system can help address these problems. However, a lack of consensus about interpretations of the issues of terrorism, ethnicity and intolerance among the major political parties and different religious groups has stymied this effort. NEP-2010 may be seen as a victim of politico-religious disagreements among stakeholders, especially due to a strong position from a part of the Islamic community. The three issues are interrelated in the sense that, firstly, they emerge from a lack of respect for diversity, and secondly, the problems arise as much from ideological views, as from social and economic conditions. By considering these realities, this paper will examine how the problems have been recognized and attempted to counter in NEP. Empirical data on people's perception on NEP and the three issues have been used to buttress the arguments.
Political Will and Strategic Planning in the Implementation of Universal Basic Education in Nigeria: The Obafemi Awolowo Example
Authors: Aboluwodi Akinjide
Published: August 2015

In Nigeria, the introduction of Universal Basic Education is meant to reduce the problem of illiteracy, ignorance and poverty to the barest level; a goal it shares with the goals of the World Conference on Education For All. It is meant to aid rapid national economic and political development. Its implementation has become a major challenge; hence its success has been marginal across the country. Among the factors identified as hindering its success are lack of political will on the part of government, absence of strategic planning, inaccurate data, politicisation of the programme and improper funding. Back in 1955, the then Prime Minister in Western Nigeria Obafemi Awolowo introduced a similar programme, Universal Primary Education with strong commitment and determination. The same commitment, determination and political will that helped Awolowo meet the objectives of his programme are what the government can apply to sustain and advance the current Universal Basic Education programme.
Experiences of Social Inclusion and Exclusion During Professional Entry: A Case of Women Teachers in Nepal
Authors: Paudyal Laxmi
Published: August 2015

To enter the teaching profession, apart from basic requirements set by the government, there are many other ‘rules of the game’ and ‘open secret criteria’ determining who gets included or excluded from being a teacher. The culture of aafnojat (person from own caste) and aafnomanchhe (own relatives) are found to be the most prominent ones. In this paper, I discuss that the issue of inclusion and exclusion is contextual in case of women teachers. Furthermore, the woman from elite group (near and dear of power holders and aafnojat) are getting benefits from the affirmative policy. The ideology of caste as a dominant factor of exclusion is sidelined when the interplay of power of position gets activated and other factors like powerlessness, unmarried status, non-local status, and disability greatly influence the issue of inclusion and exclusion to get into the teaching job. Hence, the existing generic knowledge that some specific caste groups are always more powerful than others is not the ground reality.
Visual Interventions: The Power of the Pen for Effective Communication
Authors: Gross Stefan
Published: August 2015

Pictures, words, and patterns are the major tools of visual facilitation. Ever since, these powerful tools have been used live in discussions to support brainstorming, decision-making or teaching and learning processes. However, their utilization as a powerful instrument today is lacking of a theory that helps to understand conditions, possibilities and effects of visual interventions for effective communication. This article is a first step towards this direction by introducing the concept of four areas focusing craftsmanship, the corresponding intellectual process, the filter-effects and the impact on participants' communication.
Shifting Ethnographic Paradigms and Practices: Unleashing From Colonialism
Authors: Rai Indra Mani
Published: August 2015

This paper demonstrates realist ethnographic paradigms and practices of engaging an extended period of time to collect the information of distinctive socio-cultural structures or institutions of alien tribal or indigenous societies and describing their cultural ways of life patterns in positivistic manner detaching them from the research process. It argues that the interpretive or hermeneutic wave of ethnography deconstructs this Western hegemonic research tradition giving birth to the interpretation of socio-cultural world of the researched attaching meaning to what they say and do. It further argues that the emergence of critical reflexive ethnographic tradition is the dramatic shift that challenges the colonial ethnographic practices giving space to the self as reflexive research participant. It helps to contest the colonial assumptions of structured and objective visualization of the world and authoritative representation of the other. The ethnographic tradition is further shifting towards promoting epistemic pluralism under postmodern ideologies employing multiple logics and genres to represent the self and the other. Auto/ethnography that embodies the postmodern notions facilitates the researchers to release from the cage of colonialism serving to adopt multiple ways of knowing indigenously being self-reflexive participants in the research process.
Planning the Future: The Conserver Society and Canadian Sustainability
Authors: Trim Henry
Published: August 2015

Abstract:

Canadian scholars know by heart the exhortation to think globally and act locally. Fewer, however, are familiar with the expansion of scientific knowledge and state policy that made it possible to think of the world as a global system and act on those beliefs. This article explores this interplay of scientific expertise, state power, and environmental politics by analyzing the Science Council of Canada (scc)'s “conserver society” of the 1970s. My research reveals how the scc, a Crown corporation, became a key player in Canadian environmentalism when it used the oil crisis and the Trudeau government's rationalizing reforms as an excuse to pioneer alternative development and to help Canadians grapple with the challenge of long-term sustainability. The article asserts that state experts played a central role in the construction of early forms of sustainability. Their efforts also highlight the multifaceted character of sustainable development as it promised to catalyze national growth, social change, and scientific achievement even as it protected Canadians' ecological future.
Glacier-specific elevation changes in parts of western Alaska
Authors: Le Bris R. , Paul F.
Published: August 2015

The meltwater from glaciers in Alaska contributes strongly to global sea-level rise, but accurate determination is challenging as only two comparatively small glaciers have long-term measurements of annual mass balance (Gulkana and Wolverine). Simple upscaling of their values to the entire region is error-prone as their representativeness is unknown and might be biased. Alternatively, differencing digital elevation models (DEMs) from two epochs provides overall volume changes for a longer period of time that can be converted to mass changes using appropriate density assumptions. Here we combine outlines from two glacier inventories to determine glacier-specific elevation changes over a 50 year period for 3180 glaciers in western Alaska using DEM differencing. This allows us to determine the representativeness of the land-terminating Gulkana and Wolverine Glaciers for the entire region and to exclude calving glaciers (marine and lacustrine) from the sample. Mean changes for all land-terminating, lake-terminating and tidewater glaciers are –0.23 ± 0.44, –0.63 ± 0.40 and –0.64 ± 0.66 m a–1, respectively, and –0.7 and –0.6 m a–1 for the two mass-balance or benchmark glaciers. Thus fortuitously their changes better represent calving glaciers and the overall mean (–0.63 ± 1.14 m a–1) than the change of land-terminating glaciers, i.e. they are not representative for their own type. Different methods of considering potential DEM artefacts provide variable mean changes but the same general result.
Floral biology of indigenous pummelo genotypes
Authors: Hoque MA
Published: August 2015

Flower morphology and bud development of pummelo accessions CG-1, CG-18 and CG-151 were studied at the Pummelo Orchard of Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Akbarpur, Moulvibazar and the Horticulture Laboratory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University during 2008-2009. Pummelo flowers were bisexual, bore singly on leaf axils or in clusters with or without leaf on stem in all accessions, and colour were white. Calyx diameter varied from 0.94 in CG-1 to 1.02 in CG-18. Number of petals per flower ranged from 4.0 to 4.5. Anthers were yellow in colour and only CG- 151 produced few rudimentary styles. Diameter of stigma varied from 0.39 mm to 0.49 mm. Number of locules per ovary was in between 14.6 to16.0 and number of ovules per locules varied from 4.0 to 9.0. Stages of floral bud development from initiation to anthesis were divided into 9 distinct stages. In pummelo, a total of 27.7 to 31.2 days were required from a bud initiation to reach its fully developed stage. Suitable time for emasculation of pummelo flowers was found within 26 days from flower bud initiation. Between 3:00am to 5:00am, about 76% flowers were found to be opened and between 4:00pm to 5:00pm in all the three accessions, dehiscence of pollens was recorded. Abscission of stamen, petal and style started after 50.8, 76.4 and 162.3 hrs and completed after 128.4, 137.9 and 228.3 hrs of anthesis, respectively.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(2): 177-188, June 2015
Efficacy of fungicides to control Stemphylium blight (Stemphylium botryosum) of lentil
Authors: Shahiduzzaman M , Hossain M Abul , Kundu ND
Published: August 2015

A field experiment was carried out during Rabi seasons of 2011-12 and 2012-13 to evaluate the efficacy of fungicides in controlling Stemphylium blight (S. botryosum) of lentil. Five fungicides were evaluated under higher disease pressure (106 ml-1) of Stemphylium blight. Results revealed that Foliar spray (4 sequences) with Rovral 50WP (Iprodione) @ (0.2%) and Secure 600WG (Fenamidione+Mancozeb) @ (0.2%) at an interval of 7 days effectively controlled the disease and increased yield of lentil by 31.99% and 28.20%, respectively. The fungicides may be selected for control of the disease.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(2): 229-233 June 2015