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Objectives: To investigate the distribution and prevalence of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) antibody (as evidence of past infection) in northern Victoria following the 2022 Japanese encephalitis outbreak, seeking to identify groups of people at particular risk of infection; to investigate the distribution and prevalence of antibodies to two related flaviviruses, Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) and West Nile virus Kunjin subtype (KUNV). Study design: Cross‐sectional serosurvey (part of a national JEV serosurveillance program). Setting: Three northern Victorian local public health units (Ovens Murray, Goulburn Valley, Loddon Mallee), 8 August – 1 December 2022. Participants: People opportunistically recruited at pathology collection centres and by targeted recruitment through community outreach and advertisements. People vaccinated against or who had been diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis were ineligible for participation, as were those born in countries where JEV is endemic. Main outcome measures: Seroprevalence of JEV IgG antibody, overall and by selected factors of interest (occupations, water body exposure, recreational activities and locations, exposure to animals, protective measures). Results: 813 participants were recruited (median age, 59 years [interquartile range, 42–69 years]; 496 female [61%]); 27 were JEV IgG‐seropositive (3.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2–4.8%) (median age, 73 years [interquartile range, 63–78 years]; 13 female [48%]); none were IgM‐seropositive. JEV IgG‐seropositive participants were identified at all recruitment locations, including those without identified cases of Japanese encephalitis. The only risk factors associated with JEV IgG‐seropositivity were age (per year: prevalence odds ratio [POR], 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03–1.10) and exposure to feral pigs (POR, 21; 95% CI, 1.7–190). The seroprevalence of antibody to MVEV was 3.0% (95% CI, 1.9–4.5%; 23 of 760 participants), and of KUNV antibody 3.3% (95% CI, 2.1–4.8%; 25 of 761). Conclusions: People living in northern Victoria are vulnerable to future JEV infection, but few risk factors are consistently associated with infection. Additional prevention strategies, including expanding vaccine eligibility, may be required to protect people in this region from Japanese encephalitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Properties of curved functions considered to be parallel over their domains are investigated. Parallel curves in a given plane may appear identical but are actually not superimposable and thus are not congruent. Translational shifted functions in a plane are not parallel curves because the shortest perpendicular distance between them is not constant along the curves. It is generally not possible to superimpose parallel curves by simple translational shifting in a given 2-dimensional plane. Although the first derivative of parallel curves in a given plane produces equal magnitudes at points where perpendicular line segments or vectors cross the curves, the second derivatives must always differ in magnitude at these positions. The curvature of parallel curves differs, while the slopes of the curves are identical at corresponding points on the curves where perpendicular segments cross. Examples of parallel curves in nature are presented, and curve fitting is used to estimate the formula for a curve that is parallel to a parabola in the same plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By the nature of their professional training and practice placements, social work students are prone to situations provoking the onset of anxiety. A programme of academic and placement support, termed the ‘Skills Lab’, provides help and support for students to develop their communication skills and prepare for their practice placements and transition into professional social work practice. Skills Lab evaluations indicated a high level of appreciation, linked with a strong sense of apprehension and anxiety, which some students report has negatively affected their performance. To address student anxiety, a pilot study using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) was developed. EFT is an intervention, which may potentially be effective in reducing academic anxiety and enhancing public speaking. This mixed-methods pilot study measured participants’ (n = 45) subjective distress and anxiety before and after using EFT. Subjective distress/anxiety was invoked through a 15-min assignment lecture. Twelve of the 45 students also participated in one-one interviews to elaborate on their experiences of EFT. Quantitative findings indicated participants reported significantly less subjective distress and anxiety after using EFT. Qualitative findings indicated three themes whereby participants found EFT calming, relaxing and helpful; considered the transferability of EFT in other settings; and proposed some of the mechanisms of EFT’s action. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

When Vaiṣṇavas in 16th century Bengal first recognised Kṛṣṇa Caitanya (1486–1533) as divine, they attributed to him all the forms of the purāṇic Kṛṣṇa, starting with the yugāvatāra as the corrective for the ills of the Kali age. These and related martial forms quickly yielded to more comforting and benign images of divinity that ultimately emphasised the erotic sentiment in the play of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, embodied in Caitanya as the androgyne. With Mughal ascendancy, the political landscape seemed to run counter to the successful implementation of the yugāvatāra’s mission until Satya Pīr—a figure with allegiance to both Vaiṣṇava and Sufi ideals—arrogated to himself that now-vacated rôle. In this new form of devotion, Vaiṣṇavas and Sufis were united in finding a common solution to the decline. Though Satya Pīr was only a fictional character, his tales circulated widely, prompting numerous attempts to reconcile Hindu and Muslim theologies. One example each from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries will illustrate the novel strategies as authors tried to imagine a world wherein the multiple religious traditions of Bengal could share the land with a common cosmology and a common devotion, an innovative speculation that is subjunctive in its impulse yet explicit in its suggested solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose – This paper aims to present the findings of research commissioned by a Primary Care Trust in the UK to assess the implementation of a new pilot Human Givens mental health service (HGS) within primary care. Design/methodology/approach – Participating General Practitioners practices were designated as either "Human givens" or "Control" practices. The study focused on service users with mild to moderate depressed mood measured using HADS. The well-being of these participants was examined at the point of referral, and after four, eight and 12 months using three well-being questionnaires. Findings – The results revealed that emotional well-being significantly improved during the first four months following referral for both groups and this improvement was maintained up to and including one year post referral. Compared to the Control group Human givens therapy was found to be of shorter duration, lasting one or two sessions compared to standard treatment which lasted on average four sessions. Originality/value – Apart from the psychological insight and emotional support, it is suggested that Human givens therapy might help the client to better function in society and maintain a sense of social integration. This has benefits to other providers of social care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to present the findings of research commissioned by a Primary Care Trust in the UK to assess the implementation of a new pilot Human Givens mental health service (HGS) within primary care. Design/methodology/approach – Participating General Practitioners practices were designated as either "Human givens" or "Control" practices. The study focused on service users with mild to moderate depressed mood measured using HADS. The well-being of these participants was examined at the point of referral, and after four, eight and 12 months using three well-being questionnaires. Findings – The results revealed that emotional well-being significantly improved during the first four months following referral for both groups and this improvement was maintained up to and including one year post referral. Compared to the Control group Human givens therapy was found to be of shorter duration, lasting one or two sessions compared to standard treatment which lasted on average four sessions. Originality/value – Apart from the psychological insight and emotional support, it is suggested that Human givens therapy might help the client to better function in society and maintain a sense of social integration. This has benefits to other providers of social care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – To broaden the range of well-being outcomes that can be measured for patients with depressed mood and/or other mental health issues the aim is to determine the reliability and validity of a self-reported instrument that was designed by the Human Givens Institute to evaluate emotional distress (emotional needs audit – ENA). Design/methodology/approach – The ENA was administered to 176 patients, aged between 18-65 years (mean age: 39.2 years). The acceptability of the ENA was examined as well as its internal consistency (Cronbach's alphas). ENA was administered at four time points and test-retest reliability was conducted between times 1 and 2. The data from three scales also administered to these patients (SWLS, CORE-OM and HADS) were used to aid the conduct of the ENA construct validity (concurrent and discriminant). Analysis of the ENA sensitivity/specificity was also performed. Findings – All the ENA items (except one) were shown to have good acceptability. The internal consistency was also very strong (Cronbach's alpha: 0.84); the construct validity also revealed positive results for the ENA: concurrent validity (r=0.51-0.62; p<0.001); discriminant validity (r=0.22-0.28; p<0.01). Test-retest reliability was r=0.46 (p<0.001). Finally, ENA demonstrated high sensitivity (80 per cent), and moderate specificity (35 per cent). Originality/value – ENA was shown to be a valid and reliable instrument for measuring wellbeing, quality of life and emotional distress. It also allows insight into the causes of symptoms, dissatisfaction and distress. It is suggested that this tool has complementarity to standardised tools when used in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the textutal evidence of early Bengali Islam. Reasons why the concept of syncretism failed as viable interpretive category to explain the encounter of Islam with the various Hindu traditions of Bengal; Language and category formation in the Bengali middle period; Problem of syncretism.

Presents a study assessing the transmission of bloodborne diseases among prison entrants in Victoria, Australia. Prevalence and incidence of antibodies to HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C viruses; Prisoners with a history of use of injected drugs; Challenge to government programs on the prevention of transmission.