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Background: Neonatal Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteremia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In this study, we examined whether methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) transmission and genetic makeup contribute to the occurrence of neonatal S. aureus bacteremia. Methods: A retrospective, single-centre study was performed. All patients were included who suffered from S. aureus bacteremia in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Erasmus MC-Sophia, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, between January 2011 and November 2017. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was used to characterize the S. aureus isolates, as was also done in comparison to reference genomes. Transmission was considered likely in case of genetically indistinguishable S. aureus isolates. Results: Excluding coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), S. aureus was the most common cause of neonatal bacteremia. Twelve percent (n = 112) of all 926 positive blood cultures from neonates grew S. aureus. Based on core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST), 12 clusters of genetically indistinguishable MSSA isolates were found, containing 33 isolates in total (2–4 isolates per cluster). In seven of these clusters, at least two of the identified MSSA isolates were collected within a time period of one month. Six virulence genes were present in 98–100% of all MSSA isolates. In comparison to S. aureus reference genomes, toxin genes encoding staphylococcal enterotoxin A (sea) and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (tsst-1) were present more often in the genomes of bacteremia isolates. Conclusion: Transmission of MSSA is a contributing factor to the occurrence of S. aureus bacteremia in neonates. Sea and tsst-1 might play a role in neonatal S. aureus bacteremia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After '9/11' and the Islamic-inspired murder of Dutch film director Theo van Gogh, there is a growing tendency among Dutch politicians and teachers to draw more attention to he responsibility of parents for the way their children function in a multicultural society. In the Netherlands fostering social cohesion and moral education are high on the political agenda. In the last few years, social tensions between ethnic minority groups and the native Dutch population have changed the atmosphere in this formerly open and tolerant country dramatically. Two studies, both in primary and secondary education, were conducted, concerning parents' expectations and teachers' reactions to intercultural circumstances. Both studies were carried out in the ethnic diverse city of Rotterdam. Important conclusions are that ethnic minority parents want to be much more involved in education and that teachers vary too much in their intercultural consciousness and knowledge. To solve problems especially the communication deficits in schools should be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In search of sustainable business models, product innovation must fulfil a double objective: the new product must have a higher (market) value, and at the same time a lower eco-burden. To achieve this objective, it is an imperative that the value, the total costs of ownership, and the eco-burden of a product are analysed at the beginning of the design process (idea generation and concept development). The design approach that supports such a design objective, is called Eco-efficient Value Creation (EVC). This approach is characterised by a two-dimensional representation: the eco-burden at the y-axis and the costs or the value at the x-axis. The value is either the Willingness to Pay or the market price. The eco-burden is expressed in eco-costs, a monetised single indicator in LCA (Life Cycle Assessment): an app for IOS and Android, and excel look-up tables at the internet, enable quick assessment of eco-costs. A practical example is given: the design of a new concept of domestic street lighting system for the city of Rotterdam. This new concept results in a considerable reduction of carbon footprint and eco-costs, and shows the benefits for the municipality and for the residents, resulting in a viable business case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]