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Structural adjustment programs, implemented in different developing countries, have had impacts of different orders and magnitudes. This paper analyzes, in an exploratory way, the effects of neoliberal economic policy on rice production in Haiti from the 1980s. To this end, in addition to a bibliographical review, data and information were collected on the websites of different organizations and research institutes. The results indicate that, as a result of the neoliberal economic policy implemented in Haiti, there was a drastic reduction in tariffs for purchasing imported rice, and currently the cereal enters the country without any customs duties. The massive entry of foreign rice, especially North American, has had a negative impact on national production, which is practically paralyzed in the face of the continuous and growing entry of imported cereal, which reaches the local consumer cheaper. This is a complex and dramatic process, given that the Haitian population, which has been facing a serious situation of food insecurity, has the supply of its main food product increasingly dependent on imports, which are controlled by a few transnational corporations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sous un regard analytico-comparatif, cette réflexion se préoccupe de la question de la diversification de l’économie de la République Démocratique du Congo. Elle part de la comparaison des indicateurs macroéconomiques du pays, en prenant en compte les tendances africaine et mondiale des exportations et des importations, en vue de ressortir le potentiel que la RD. Congo viserait pour capter des fonds dans les échanges internationaux. L’étude aboutit à la conclusion salon laquelle, la RD. Congo aurait la possibilité de relancer sa croissance grâce à la diversification de sa production et de ses exportations par la mise en place d’une politique permissive des exportations et des importations. Certes, elle informe qu’outre les produits miniers, le pays possède une liste de 25 produits prioritaires non miniers aptes à quintupler les valeurs des exportations, soit 52,2 milliards sur cinq années. Voilà, pourquoi, l’étude plaide pour des politiques économiques cohérentes (son Plan d’industrialisation, la stratégie nationale de promotion des exportations et de diversification de marché (SPED), par exemple), qui doivent soutenir la trilogie: Production-Transformation-Commerce.

Abstract This study evaluated ten nucleic acid extraction protocols (EP1 to EP10) for measuring five endogenous antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in four aircraft wastewater samples (AWW1 to AWW4). The targeted ARGs, including bla CTX-M , bla NDM-1 , ermB, qnrS, and tetA, encompassed highly and minimally abundant ARGs. TetA and ermB were consistently detected across four aircraft wastewater samples using the DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit and the AllPrep PowerViral DNA/RNA kit. QnrS displayed high detection rates with specific extraction protocols and aliquot volumes. Concentrations of ARGs varied across aircraft wastewater samples, with differing extraction protocols influencing quantitative results. The concentrations of tetA, ermB, and qnrS in AWW1 were distinct, while AWW2 to AWW4 exhibited a broader range for tetA, ermB, qnrS, bla CTX-M , and bla NDM-1 . EP1 consistently produced the highest concentrations for several ARGs. Collective data analysis revealed varying ARG concentrations across the ten extraction protocols, suggesting the importance of careful extraction protocol selection in ARG monitoring in aircraft wastewater samples. Based on the results, we suggest that a small sample volume (as low as 0.2 mL) may be sufficient for ARG characterization in aircraft wastewater samples. The findings also emphasize the need for considering toilet paper removal without compromising nucleic acid extraction efficiency. The study highlights promising prospects for aircraft wastewater monitoring of ARGs, calling for further investigation into the import and spread of unique ARGs through transport hubs.

Aims: Lyssavirus rabies (RABV) is responsible for a major zoonotic infection that is almost always lethal once clinical signs appear. Rabies can be (re)introduced into rabies‐free areas through transboundary dog movements, thus compromising animal and human health. A number of measures have been implemented to prevent this happening, one of which is the waiting period (WP) after anti‐rabies vaccination and serological testing. This WP ensures that antibodies assessed through the serological test are due to the vaccine, not to infection. Indeed, if antibodies are due to RABV infection, the dog should display clinical signs within this WP and would not therefore be imported. Methods and Results: Within a framework of quantitative risk assessment, we used modelling approaches to evaluate the impact of this WP and its duration on the risk of introducing rabies via the importation of dogs into the European Union. Two types of models were used, a classical stochastic scenario tree model and an individual‐based model, both parameterised using scientific literature or data specifically applicable to the EU. Results showed that, assuming perfect compliance, the current 3‐month waiting period was associated with a median annual number of 0.04 infected dogs imported into the EU. When the WP was reduced, the risk increased. For example, for a 1‐month WP, the median annual number of infected dogs imported was 0.17 or 0.15 depending on the model, which corresponds to a four‐fold increase. Conclusion: This in silico study, particularly suitable for evaluating rare events such as rabies infections in rabies‐free areas, provided results that can directly inform policymakers in order to adapt regulations linked to rabies and animal movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated ten nucleic acid extraction protocols (EP1 to EP10) for measuring five endogenous antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in four aircraft wastewater samples (AWW1 to AWW4). The targeted ARGs, including blaCTX-M, blaNDM-1, ermB, qnrS, and tetA, encompassed highly and minimally abundant ARGs. TetA and ermB were consistently detected across four aircraft wastewater samples using the DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit and the AllPrep PowerViral DNA/RNA kit. QnrS displayed high detection rates with specific extraction protocols and aliquot volumes. Concentrations of ARGs varied across aircraft wastewater samples, with differing extraction protocols influencing quantitative results. The concentrations of tetA, ermB, and qnrS in AWW1 were distinct, while AWW2 to AWW4 exhibited a broader range for tetA, ermB, qnrS, blaCTX-M, and blaNDM-1. EP1 consistently produced the highest concentrations for several ARGs. Collective data analysis revealed varying ARG concentrations across the ten extraction protocols, suggesting the importance of careful extraction protocol selection in ARG monitoring in aircraft wastewater samples. Based on the results, we suggest that a small sample volume (as low as 0.2 mL) may be sufficient for ARG characterization in aircraft wastewater samples. The findings also emphasize the need for considering toilet paper removal without compromising nucleic acid extraction efficiency. The study highlights promising prospects for aircraft wastewater monitoring of ARGs, calling for further investigation into the import and spread of unique ARGs through transport hubs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People in prison bear a higher burden of psychiatric morbidity compared with the general population. This study examined the extent to which individual and environmental factors contribute to poor mental health during imprisonment. Participants comprised 1296 randomly selected adults in 15 Belgian prisons. Psychological distress was more common in women than men and peaked during the early stages of imprisonment. In addition to having a history of mental disorder, low levels of perceived autonomy, safety, and social support were independently associated with experiencing distress. These findings underscore the importance of considering the prison environment in policies to improve the mental health of incarcerated individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Death by suicide is the leading cause of death in American jails. Closely linked with suicides are self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. Even with this knowledge, the risk factors for self-harm ideation and self-harm behaviors have received little empirical work within a jail population. This study couples an integrated importation and deprivation model with an ideation-to-action approach to examine environmental and psychological correlates of self-harm ideation and self-harm behaviors among a sample of 231 individuals incarcerated in jail. Results from the ordinary least squares regression models demonstrate that both deprivation (institutional misconduct) and importation (hopelessness) factors are important when identifying self-harm ideation and self-harm behaviors. In addition, the results of this test of the integrated model offer a proposed new direction for integrated theory testing. Finally, a discussion of policy implications and actionable programs are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobility restrictions were widely practiced to reduce contact with others and prevent the spatial spread of COVID-19 infection. Using inter-prefectural mobility and epidemiological data, a statistical model was devised to predict the number of imported cases in each Japanese prefecture. The number of imported cases crossing prefectural borders in 2020 was predicted using inter-prefectural mobility rates based on mobile phone data and prevalence estimates in the origin prefectures. The simplistic model was quantified using surveillance data of cases with an inter-prefectural travel history. Subsequently, simulations were carried out to understand how imported cases vary with the mobility rate and prevalence at the origin. Overall, the predicted number of imported cases qualitatively captured the observed number of imported cases over time. Although Hokkaido and Okinawa are the northernmost and the southernmost prefectures, respectively, they were sensitive to differing prevalence rate in Tokyo and Osaka and the mobility rate. Additionally, other prefectures were sensitive to mobility change, assuming that an increment in the mobility rate was seen in all prefectures. Our findings indicate the need to account for the weight of an inter-prefectural mobility network when implementing countermeasures to restrict human movement. If the mobility rates were maintained lower than the observed rates, then the number of imported cases could have been maintained at substantially lower levels than the observed, thus potentially preventing the unnecessary spatial spread of COVID-19 in late 2020.

There has been limited study of the link between victimization and the criminal offense in the correctional context, despite the extensive literature supporting the overlap of victims and offenders in the general population. In this study, 2,880 inmates in 12 institutional correction facilities in Taiwan were examined to explore the common factors of the victim–offender overlap, guided by the importation, deprivation, and low self-control theories. The results of bivariate probit regression analysis revealed the presence of the victim–offender phenomenon in Taiwanese inmates. Specifically, the inmates who had experienced violent victimization in childhood and those who held negative perceptions of corrections staff and management tended to be both victims and offenders as measured by various types of prison misconduct and victimization. The results also showed that importation and deprivation factors have similar explanatory power for both misconduct and victimization, and low self-control has greater explanatory power for misconduct than for victimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Zanzibar has made substantial progress in malaria control with vector control, improved diagnosis, and artemisinin-based combination therapy. Parasite prevalence in the population has remained around 1% but imported infections from mainland Tanzania contribute to sustained local transmission. Understanding travel patterns between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, and the risk of malaria infection, may help to control malaria importation to Zanzibar. Methods A rolling cross-sectional survey linked to routine reactive case detection of malaria was carried out in Zanzibar between May 2017 and October 2018. Households of patients diagnosed with malaria at health facilities were surveyed and household members were tested for malaria using rapid diagnostic tests and a sub-sample by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Interviews elicited a detailed travel history of all household members who had travelled within the past two months, including trips within and outside of Zanzibar. We estimated the association of malaria infection with travel destinations in pre-defined malaria endemicity categories, trip duration, and other co-variates using logistic regression. Results Of 17,891 survey participants, 1177 (7%) reported a recent trip, of which 769 (65%) visited mainland Tanzania. Among travellers to mainland Tanzania with travel destination details and a qPCR result available, 241/378 (64%) reported traveling to districts with a ‘high’ malaria endemicity and for 12% the highest endemicity category was ‘moderate’. Travelers to the mainland were more likely to be infected with malaria parasites (29%, 108/378) than those traveling within Zanzibar (8%, 16/206) or to other countries (6%, 2/17). Among travellers to mainland Tanzania, those visiting highly endemic districts had a higher odds of being qPCR-positive than those who travelled only to districts where malaria-endemicity was classified as low or very low (adjusted odd ratio = 7.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.9–25.5). Among travellers to the mainland, 110/378 (29%) never or only sometimes used a mosquito net during their travel. Conclusions Strategies to reduce malaria importation to Zanzibar may benefit from identifying population groups traveling to highly endemic areas in mainland Tanzania. Targeted interventions to prevent and clear infections in these groups may be more feasible than attempting to screen and treat all travellers upon arrival in Zanzibar.

Copyright of Revista da Micro e Pequena Empresa is the property of Faculdade Campo Limpo Paulista and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pacha: Revista de Estudios Contemporáneos del Sur Global is the property of PACHA REVISTA DE ESTUDIOS CONTEMPORANEOS DEL SUR GLOBAL and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Zanzibar has made substantial progress in malaria control with vector control, improved diagnosis, and artemisinin-based combination therapy. Parasite prevalence in the population has remained around 1% but imported infections from mainland Tanzania contribute to sustained local transmission. Understanding travel patterns between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, and the risk of malaria infection, may help to control malaria importation to Zanzibar. Methods: A rolling cross-sectional survey linked to routine reactive case detection of malaria was carried out in Zanzibar between May 2017 and October 2018. Households of patients diagnosed with malaria at health facilities were surveyed and household members were tested for malaria using rapid diagnostic tests and a sub-sample by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Interviews elicited a detailed travel history of all household members who had travelled within the past two months, including trips within and outside of Zanzibar. We estimated the association of malaria infection with travel destinations in pre-defined malaria endemicity categories, trip duration, and other co-variates using logistic regression. Results: Of 17,891 survey participants, 1177 (7%) reported a recent trip, of which 769 (65%) visited mainland Tanzania. Among travellers to mainland Tanzania with travel destination details and a qPCR result available, 241/378 (64%) reported traveling to districts with a 'high' malaria endemicity and for 12% the highest endemicity category was 'moderate'. Travelers to the mainland were more likely to be infected with malaria parasites (29%, 108/378) than those traveling within Zanzibar (8%, 16/206) or to other countries (6%, 2/17). Among travellers to mainland Tanzania, those visiting highly endemic districts had a higher odds of being qPCR-positive than those who travelled only to districts where malaria-endemicity was classified as low or very low (adjusted odd ratio = 7.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.9–25.5). Among travellers to the mainland, 110/378 (29%) never or only sometimes used a mosquito net during their travel. Conclusions: Strategies to reduce malaria importation to Zanzibar may benefit from identifying population groups traveling to highly endemic areas in mainland Tanzania. Targeted interventions to prevent and clear infections in these groups may be more feasible than attempting to screen and treat all travellers upon arrival in Zanzibar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 6/04 standard of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) on the safe use of biological control is a decision-support scheme (DSS) for the import and release of biological control agents in Europe. It was recently developed by the Joint EPPO/International Organisation of Biological Control (IOBC) Panel on Biological Control Agents. The DSS can be used to assess the potential environmental impacts of biological control agents. It is valid for different types of biological control: classical and augmentative biological control of invertebrates, pathogens and weeds. However, the DSS is not yet widely implemented in Europe and, during preliminary trials, it was found that its broad range of usages could lead to some confusion or misunderstandings, as well as requiring unnecessary information in some cases. Thus, the scheme was modified to specifically assess classical biological control against plant pests, i.e. the introduction of exotic natural enemies of plant pests for establishment and long-term control. The new version of the scheme was then tested on two parasitoids that are presently being released in Europe, the figitid Ganaspis cf. brasiliensis against the spotted wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii and the mymarid Cleruchoides noackae against the Eucalyptus bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus. Both parasitoids were successfully assessed with the new version of the DSS. No major issues were encountered during the assessments and most questions were answered with low levels of uncertainty. Both assessments concluded that the parasitoids were safe to release in the impact assessment areas, with positive impacts exceeding negative impacts. Suggestions for potential improvements are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigeria has a housing deficit of over 17.5 million. Over the years, the government has articulated several policies to encourage investment and development of the housing sector. However, the housing construction sector imports most of the building materials which is affected by the various government directives on foreign exchange policies, with significant impact on the cost of housing production. This study examined the impact of foreign exchange rates on the costs of residential building materials in Ibadan, with a view to proposing policy directives on the local production of building materials in Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted and the retrospective longitudinal approach was employed to obtain data for the study. It was revealed that two types of rates (the fixed exchange rate and the floating exchange rate) dominated the trend of foreign exchange in Nigeria. The prices of building materials indicate an upward price movement and correlations exist between changes in exchange rates and changes in the price of building materials. A unit increase in the foreign exchange rate affects the price of building materials as seen in this study, where the foreign exchange rate positively increased by 1 value, the interbank and the parallel market exchange rates rose by exchange rate values of 0,807 and 0,705, respectively. To reverse the current trend of dependence of prospective house owners on foreign materials for housing production, the use of quality-assured local building materials in housing development should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista do Centro Acadêmico Afonso Pena (CAAP Journal) is the property of Revista do Centro Academico Afonso Pena/CAAP Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Background Since 2004, malaria transmission on Bioko Island has declined significantly as a result of the scaling-up of control interventions. The aim of eliminating malaria from the Island remains elusive, however, underscoring the need to adapt control to the local context. Understanding the factors driving the risk of malaria infection is critical to inform optimal suits of interventions in this adaptive approach. Methods This study used individual and household-level data from the 2015 and 2018 annual malaria indicator surveys on Bioko Island, as well as remotely-sensed environmental data in multilevel logistic regression models to quantify the odds of malaria infection. The analyses were stratified by urban and rural settings and by survey year. Results Malaria prevalence was higher in 10–14-year-old children and similar between female and male individuals. After adjusting for demographic factors and other covariates, many of the variables investigated showed no significant association with malaria infection. The factor most strongly associated was history of travel to mainland Equatorial Guinea (mEG), which increased the odds significantly both in urban and rural settings (people who travelled had 4 times the odds of infection). Sleeping under a long-lasting insecticidal net decreased significantly the odds of malaria across urban and rural settings and survey years (net users had around 30% less odds of infection), highlighting their contribution to malaria control on the Island. Improved housing conditions indicated some protection, though this was not consistent across settings and survey year. Conclusions Malaria risk on Bioko Island is heterogeneous and determined by a combination of factors interacting with local mosquito ecology. These interactions grant further investigation in order to better adapt control according to need. The single most important risk factor identified was travel to mEG, in line with previous investigations, and represents a great challenge for the success of malaria control on the Island.

Abstract Correctional officers are critical members of the prison community. However, scholarship rarely considers how correctional officers contribute to prison outcomes instead largely focusing on importation (individual) and deprivation (organizational) factors related to the incarcerated population. This is also true regarding how scholars and practitioners approach suicide committed by incarcerated people, one of the leading causes of death in US carceral institutions. Using quantitative data from confinement facilities across the United States, this study answers the research question: What is the relationship between prison suicide rates and correctional officer gender? Results show that deprivation factors (variables related to the carceral environment) influence prison suicide. Additionally, gender diversity among correctional officers reduces the rate of prison suicide. Implications for future research and practice and limitations of the study are also discussed.

In the article the state of the market, volumes of export and import of leather are analyzed. The procedure of leather identification expert examination for customs purposes in international trade is showed. Identification expert examination of leather was carried out and its results were issued for customs purposes. The code of leather according to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) and the Ukrainian Classification of Goods for Foreign Economic Activity (UCGFEA) is defined based on the results of identification expert examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

e article focuses on the commercial mechanism in Late Antiquity with special regard paid to the Late Antique sedes imperii, Ravenna, and its maritime port of Classe from the point of view of qualitative and quantitative analyses of marble and poery importation through long-distance trade within the Mediterranean. In the 5th and 6th centuries, Ravenna represented an important political, commercial, and cultural centre, involved in interregional sea trade through its port of Classe, and represented a significant production and redistributive centre. e research is based on archaeological material evidence: the provenance and quantity of imported stone artefacts from the Late Antique complex of S. Severo in Classe, and the provenance of poery finds from the harbour area of Podere Chiavichea in Classe. e mechanism of commercial exchange of Late Antique Ravenna and Classe with various regions of the Mediterranean is based on the quantitative and qualitative comparison of imported marble and poery. e question of the statio marmorum in the port area of Classe is also discussed on the basis of both the archaeological evidence and a comparison with the stone supply from Rome.

Abstract Large populations of unowned cats constitute an animal welfare, ecological, societal and public health issue worldwide. Their relocation and homing are currently carried out in many parts of the world with the intention of relieving suffering and social problems, while contributing to ethical and humane population control in these cat populations. An understanding of an individual cat’s lifestyle and disease status by veterinary team professionals and those working with cat charities can help to prevent severe cat stress and the spread of feline pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens, which can be overlooked in cats. In this article, we discuss the issue of relocation and homing of unowned cats from a global perspective. We also review zoonotic and non-zoonotic infectious agents of cats and give a list of practical recommendations for veterinary team professionals dealing with homing cats. Finally, we present a consensus statement consolidated at the 15th Symposium of the Companion Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBD) World Forum in 2020, ultimately to help veterinary team professionals understand the problem and the role they have in helping to prevent and manage vector-borne and other pathogens in relocated cats. Graphical Abstract

Introduction. Since the registration of the first cases of COVID-19 in the PRC, due to the high migration activity of the population, the new coronavirus infection has spread throughout the world, including the Russian Federation. Aim. To establish the features of the spread of a new coronavirus infection in the Rostov Region. Materials and methods.The analysis of 81 cases of the importation of a new coronavirus infection by persons who arrived in the Rostov Region from abroad or other regions of the Russian Federation was carried out based on the data of the Rostov Region office of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Protection and Human Welfare. The dynamics of the spread of COVID-19 in the administrative territories of the Rostov Region has been analyzed. The data of viral genome-wide sequencing (n = 155) carried out in the Rostov-on-Don Research Anti-Plague Institute were used in this study. Results. In the period from 03/21/2020 to 03/28/2020, cases imported both from abroad and from other regions of the Russian Federation were registered in the Rostov Region, , mainly on the territory of the Rostov urban agglomeration. The vector of the spread of the disease was directed from the administrative center of the region to the periphery. The emergence of a new genetic line B.617.2 (Delta) probably led to a significant increase in the incidence in the Rostov Region. Conclusions. The spread of a new coronavirus infection in the Rostov Region was facilitated by the one of the main social factors of epidemiological risk, the population migration, which led to the importation of the infection to the administrative center of the subject, Rostov-on-Don city. Taking into account peculiarities of the Rostov region, the largest proportion of COVID-19 cases was recorded in the Rostov urban agglomeration. Against the background of the dominance of the Delta variant of the virus on the territory of the Rostov region, there was a tendency towards an increase in the number of cases.

Background: Since 2004, malaria transmission on Bioko Island has declined significantly as a result of the scaling-up of control interventions. The aim of eliminating malaria from the Island remains elusive, however, underscoring the need to adapt control to the local context. Understanding the factors driving the risk of malaria infection is critical to inform optimal suits of interventions in this adaptive approach. Methods: This study used individual and household-level data from the 2015 and 2018 annual malaria indicator surveys on Bioko Island, as well as remotely-sensed environmental data in multilevel logistic regression models to quantify the odds of malaria infection. The analyses were stratified by urban and rural settings and by survey year. Results: Malaria prevalence was higher in 10–14-year-old children and similar between female and male individuals. After adjusting for demographic factors and other covariates, many of the variables investigated showed no significant association with malaria infection. The factor most strongly associated was history of travel to mainland Equatorial Guinea (mEG), which increased the odds significantly both in urban and rural settings (people who travelled had 4 times the odds of infection). Sleeping under a long-lasting insecticidal net decreased significantly the odds of malaria across urban and rural settings and survey years (net users had around 30% less odds of infection), highlighting their contribution to malaria control on the Island. Improved housing conditions indicated some protection, though this was not consistent across settings and survey year. Conclusions: Malaria risk on Bioko Island is heterogeneous and determined by a combination of factors interacting with local mosquito ecology. These interactions grant further investigation in order to better adapt control according to need. The single most important risk factor identified was travel to mEG, in line with previous investigations, and represents a great challenge for the success of malaria control on the Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correctional officers are critical members of the prison community. However, scholarship rarely considers how correctional officers contribute to prison outcomes instead largely focusing on importation (individual) and deprivation (organizational) factors related to the incarcerated population. This is also true regarding how scholars and practitioners approach suicide committed by incarcerated people, one of the leading causes of death in US carceral institutions. Using quantitative data from confinement facilities across the United States, this study answers the research question: What is the relationship between prison suicide rates and correctional officer gender? Results show that deprivation factors (variables related to the carceral environment) influence prison suicide. Additionally, gender diversity among correctional officers reduces the rate of prison suicide. Implications for future research and practice and limitations of the study are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

G3 rotaviruses rank among the most common rotavirus strains worldwide in humans and animals. However, despite a robust longterm rotavirus surveillance system from 1997 at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi, these strains were only detected from 1997 to 1999 and then disappeared and re-emerged in 2017, 5 years after the introduction of the Rotarix rotavirus vaccine. Here, we analysed representative twenty-seven whole genome sequences (G3P[4], n = 20; G3P[6], n = 1; and G3P[8], n = 6) randomly selected each month between November 2017 and August 2019 to understand how G3 strains re-emerged in Malawi. We found four genotype constellations that were associated with the emergent G3 strains and co-circulated in Malawi post-Rotarix vaccine introduction: G3P[4] and G3P[6] strains with the DS-1-like genetic backbone genes (G3-P[4]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2 and G3-P[6]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2- N2-T2-E2-H2), G3P[8] strains with the Wa-like genetic backbone genes (G3-P[8]-I1-R1-C1-M1-A1-N1-T1-E1-H1), and reassortant G3P[4] strains consisting of the DS-1-like genetic backbone genes and a Wa-like NSP2 (N1) gene (G3-P[4]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N1-T2-E2-H2). Timeresolved phylogenetic trees demonstrated that the most recent common ancestor for each ribonucleic acid (RNA) segment of the emergent G3 strains was between 1996 and 2012, possibly through introductions from outside the country due to the limited genetic similarity with G3 strains which circulated before their disappearance in the late 1990s. Further genomic analysis revealed that the reassortant DS-1-like G3P[4] strains acquired a Wa-like NSP2 genome segment (N1 genotype) through intergenogroup reassortment; an artiodactyllike VP3 through intergenogroup interspecies reassortment; and VP6, NSP1, and NSP4 segments through intragenogroup reassortment likely before importation into Malawi. Additionally, the emergent G3 strains contain amino acid substitutions within the antigenic regions of the VP4 proteins which could potentially impact the binding of rotavirus vaccine–induced antibodies. Altogether, our fndings show that multiple strains with either Wa-like or DS-1-like genotype constellations have driven the re-emergence of G3 strains. The fndings also highlight the role of human mobility and genome reassortment events in the cross-border dissemination and evolution of rotavirus strains in Malawi necessitating the need for long-term genomic surveillance of rotavirus in high disease–burden settings to inform disease prevention and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The French press was a crucial intermediary for the circulation of US literature in France during the 1940s. However, its role in this importing process has rarely been studied. Yet, the study of some forty journals (Combat, La Bataille, Action, Carrefour, Esprit...) confirms the construction of a “French taste” in American literature and suggests that the praise of American literary contributions was quickly criticized in periodicals with quite different editorial lines. Furthermore, it is in the press that some unknown mediators forged a critical discourse about a foreseeable influence of US texts on French writers: they were academics (Las Vergnas, Sigaux, Larnac), demanding aficionados (Beaumont, Blanzat, Fauchery, Hoog, Lalou, Morel), but also detractors of this importation (Henriot, Kanapa). The massive arrival of American literature in France did not create an ephemeral fever in the media. On the contrary, the French press scrutinized this American literary “moment” and addressed some fundamental questions, such as the reality of the American literary input or the advent of a literary massification caused by American influence.

Abstract Background The purpose of the study was to assess the requirements for approval of the importation of unregistered medicines for use in the public sector in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. Methods The study reviewed the legal provisions and requirements to be fulfilled when importing unregistered medicines for the public sector in SADC countries relative to two comparators drawn from countries with stringent regulatory systems through extant document analysis. The relative implementation index score was calculated and used to measure the level of implementing legal provisions and requirements to be fulfilled. Analysis was performed using the STATA software package. Results Approximately 13 out of 16 SADC countries had a relative implementation index below 50%. The aggregated implementation index across all SADC countries was 44%, ranging from 4 to 54%, while the two comparators had a relative implementation index of 81% and 85%, respectively. Conclusion Implementing the minimum requirements for importing unregistered medicines for the public sector was deficient compared to the jurisdictions with stringent regulatory systems, and wide implementation gaps also existed within the SADC region.

Importation biological control represents the planned introduction of a specialist natural enemy from the region of origin of an invasive pest or weed. For this study, the author considered why attempts to develop a predictive theory for biological control have been misguided and what future directions might be more promising and effective. Despite considerable interest in the theory of consumer⁻resource population dynamics, such theory has contributed little to improvements in the success of biological control due to a focus on persistence and equilibrium dynamics rather than establishment and impact. A broader consideration of invasion biology in addition to population ecology offers new opportunities for a more inclusive theory of biological control that incorporates the demographic and genetic processes that more specifically address the establishment and impact of introduced natural enemies. The importance of propagule size and genetic variance for successful establishment, and of contributions to host population growth, relative population growth rates, interaction strength, and coevolution for suppression of host abundance are discussed as promising future directions for a theory of biological control.

Purpose of Review: The worldwide spread of chikungunya over the past two decades calls for greater knowledge and awareness of the virus, its route of transmission, methods of diagnosis, and the use of available treatment and prevention measures. Recent Findings: Chikungunya virus infection, an Aedes mosquito-borne febrile disease, has spread from Africa and Asia to Europe and the Americas and from the tropics and subtropics to temperate regions. International travel is a pivotal influence in the emergence of chikungunya as a global public health threat, as evidenced by a growing number of published reports on travel-related chikungunya infections. The striking features of chikungunya are arthralgia and arthritis, and the disease is often mistaken for dengue. Although mortality is low, morbidity can be profound and persistent. Current treatment for chikungunya is supportive; chikungunya vaccines and therapeutics are in development. Travelers planning to visit areas where the mosquito vectors are present should be advised on preventive measures. Summary: Chikungunya is an emerging disease in the Americas. Frequent travel, the presence of at least two competent mosquito species, and a largely naïve human population in the Western Hemisphere create a setting conducive to future outbreaks. Awareness of the disease and its manifestations is critical to effectively and safely manage and limit its impact. Vaccines in late-stage clinical trials offer a new pathway to prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large populations of unowned cats constitute an animal welfare, ecological, societal and public health issue worldwide. Their relocation and homing are currently carried out in many parts of the world with the intention of relieving suffering and social problems, while contributing to ethical and humane population control in these cat populations. An understanding of an individual cat's lifestyle and disease status by veterinary team professionals and those working with cat charities can help to prevent severe cat stress and the spread of feline pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens, which can be overlooked in cats. In this article, we discuss the issue of relocation and homing of unowned cats from a global perspective. We also review zoonotic and non-zoonotic infectious agents of cats and give a list of practical recommendations for veterinary team professionals dealing with homing cats. Finally, we present a consensus statement consolidated at the 15th Symposium of the Companion Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBD) World Forum in 2020, ultimately to help veterinary team professionals understand the problem and the role they have in helping to prevent and manage vector-borne and other pathogens in relocated cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This publication provides some industry reflections on experiences from the Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) development and manufacture and supply of vaccines and therapies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It integrates these experiences with the outcomes from the collaborative work between industry and regulators in recent years on innovative science- and risk-based CMC strategies to the development of new, high-quality products for unmet medical needs. The challenges for rapid development are discussed and various approaches to facilitate accelerated development and global supply are collated for consideration. Relevant regulatory aspects are reviewed, including the role of Emergency Use/Conditional Marketing Authorizations, the dialogue between sponsors and agencies to facilitate early decision-making and alignment, and the value of improving reliance/collaborative assessment and increased collaboration between regulatory authorities to reduce differences in global regulatory requirements. Five areas are highlighted for particular consideration in the implementation of strategies for the quality-related aspects of accelerated development and supply: (1) the substantial need to advance reliance or collaborative assessment; (2) the need for early decision making and streamlined engagement between industry and regulatory authorities on CMC matters; (3) the need to further facilitate 'post-approval' changes; (4) fully exploiting prior and platform knowledge; and (5) review and potential revision of legal frameworks. The recommendations in this publication are intended to contribute to the discussion on approaches that can result in earlier and greater access to high-quality pandemic vaccines and therapies for patients worldwide but could also be useful in general for innovative medicines addressing unmet medical needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Onchocerca lupi is a filarial nematode affecting dogs, and occasionally cats and humans, in continental Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and the USA. Adult worms are usually found in periocular nodules and enucleation is sometimes required if the infection fails to respond to other treatment options. Case presentation Here, we report the presence of O. lupi in the UK for the first time. Of two dogs re-homed from continental Europe, one developed an ocular nodule seven years after arrival from Portugal. The conjunctival perilimbal mass in its left eye was surgically removed but despite anthelminthic treatment, a further nodule developed in the same eye six months later. In the second case - a dog imported from Romania 12 months earlier - a perilimbal mass was excised from the left eye and prior anthelminthic treatment was supplemented with oral prednisolone and doxycycline. However, nodules recurred, and the left globe was subsequently enucleated. Conjunctival hyperaemia then appeared in the right eye and neither additional anthelminthic treatment nor removal of worm masses failed to prevent the further development of lesions. Excised adult worms were identified in both cases as O. lupi based on morphological characteristics, as well as PCR and sequencing of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 12S rRNA gene fragments. Conclusion O. lupi parasitosis can apparently remain cryptic in dogs for several years before any clinical signs manifest. Moreover, the progression of infection can be highly aggressive and recalcitrant to both surgical intervention and anthelminthic treatment. Increasingly, former stray dogs of unknown infection status are entering the UK, raising both veterinary and public health concerns.

Short-chain and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs/MCCPs) are of concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. SCCPs were listed in 2017 as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention for Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure. MCCPs are evaluated in the POPs Reviewing Committee for listing. Studies in Africa demonstrate high SCCP/MCCP levels in house dust and human milk. Therefore, this study undertook an initial assessment of the production and import situation in Nigeria. The Nigerian government has not assessed SCCPs yet and has no registered exemptions for SCCPs and therefore should not produce or use SCCPs. Also, Nigeria has not notified Rotterdam Convention of PIC procedure and, therefore, no SCCP should be imported into Nigeria. Since no local production of SCCPs/MCCPs was observed in Nigeria, this study therefore compiled data on importation of SCCPs/MCCPs and products which may likely contain these chemicals from the UN Comtrade Database for the period 1996 to 2018. Despite the listing of SCCPs in the Rotterdam Convention, there is still no specific Harmonized System (HS) codes for SCCPs/MCCPs. This study therefore used HS codes of product categories known to contain SCCPs/MCCPs. HS substance categories under which SCCP/MCCPs are usually imported include plasticisers and other product categories that amounted to 229,779 and 518,342 tonnes respectively but without specific information on the type of plasticiser. About 39% of PVC and rubber imports of 2,683,015 tonnes and 3,516,052 tonnes respectively contain plasticisers. Based on the SCCP and MCCP impact factors from literature for China, the highest amount of SCCP (33,712 tonnes) was imported in the different PVC products while rubber products accounted to 1386 tonnes and PUR foam to 2331 tonnes. The amount of imported MCCPs in PVC products (25,599 tonnes) and rubber products (32,317 tonnes) was in the same order of magnitude while MCCP imported in PUR foam was estimated to 2020 tonnes. At the end of life (EoL), these product categories most likely contain appreciable amount of SCCPs possibly above Basel Convention low POP limit. This will hamper recycling and circular economy for these waste categories and generate POPs stockpiles/wastes that are difficult to manage/destroy in Africa. Hence there is an urgent need for specific HS Codes for SCCPs and industrial POPs currently produced/used for better control. Presently, products containing SCCPs are not labelled and are imported in huge quantities into Nigeria, without monitoring. In its current form this rather conveys a pseudo-safety for industrial POPs that do not exist. The Rotterdam Convention needs to establish specific HS codes for POPs for an appropriate PIC procedure and effective control of industrial POPs still produced. Furthermore, products containing SCCPs (and other POPs) require labelling and should also be covered under the Rotterdam Convention. The study highlights that Nigeria should urgently update the NIP for chemicals listed from 2015 to 2019 with a detailed SCCP inventory and develop monitoring capacity for market surveys. The Rotterdam Convention does not function fully and need to significantly improve to assure PIC procedure.

Background: Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of a mosquito infected with the dengue virus. Dengue is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world, and its incidence is rapidly increasing. We estimated the risk of dengue importation from endemic countries to Japan and the transmission risk within Japan using data collected between 2016 and 2018. Methods: We conducted simulations that included the number of reported dengue infections and travelers per month in ten countries in Southeast and South Asia. Results: The estimated importation risks for Japanese returnees and international travelers from each of the ten endemic countries was approximately 1.0 every month from 2016 to 2018. The autochthonous transmission risk in Japan from any target country was 1.0 from June to September yearly. The estimated number of Japanese dengue cases returning to Japan is approximately 25 times higher than that of imported cases reported in Japan. Conclusions: The risk of dengue importation into Japan can be sufficiently high. Attention should be paid to autochthonous transmission spread between June and September when mosquitoes are active in Japan. Estimates of seasonal risk variation from each dengue virus-endemic country can be used to inform preventive and control measures for dengue in Japan.

Abstract Background Importation of dengue following globalization presents an emerging threat to global health. However, evidence on global geographical sources and the potential of dengue importation globally are lacking. This study aims to systematically review the sources of dengue importation globally and the risk of dengue outbreaks globally. Methods This systematic review was conducted in accordance to Cochrane’s PRISMA guidelines. Articles published through 31 December 2019 with laboratory-confirmed dengue imported cases were consolidated from PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus. Sources of dengue importation reported worldwide were analysed by country and geographical regions. Sources of dengue importation into United States of America and Europe specifically were also analysed. Results A total of 3762 articles were found. Among which, 210 articles—documenting 14,972 imported dengue cases with reported sources—were eligible. 76.3% of imported cases worldwide were from Asia. 15.7%, 5.6%, 2.0% and 0.1% were imported from the Americas, Africa, Oceania and Europe regions respectively. Imported dengue cases in the U.S. were from Americas (55.3%), Asia (34.7%), Africa (6.7%) and Oceania (3.3%). Imported dengue cases in Europe were from Asia (66.0%), Americas (21.9%), Africa (10.8%) and Oceania (1.1%). Conclusion The potential of dengue outbreaks occurring globally, especially among non-endemic regions with dengue-susceptible populations is high. With the expansion of Aedes mosquito population globally due to global warming and globalisation, dengue importation constitutes an emerging global health security threat.

The Pacific Island country of Vanuatu is considering strategies to remove border restrictions implemented during 2020 to prevent imported coronavirus disease. We performed mathematical modeling to estimate the number of infectious travelers who had different entry scenarios and testing strategies. Travel bubbles and testing on entry have the greatest importation risk reduction.

The article focuses on the commercial mechanism in Late Antiquity with special regard paid to the Late Antique sedes imperii, Ravenna, and its maritime port of Classe from the point of view of qualitative and quantitative analyses of marble and pottery importation through long-distance trade within the Mediterranean. In the 5th and 6th centuries, Ravenna represented an important political, commercial, and cultural centre, involved in interregional sea trade through its port of Classe, and represented a significant production and redistributive centre. e research is based on archaeological material evidence: the provenance and quantity of imported stone artefacts from the Late Antique complex of S. Severo in Classe, and the provenance of pottery finds from the harbour area of Podere Chiavichetta in Classe. e mechanism of commercial exchange of Late Antique Ravenna and Classe with various regions of the Mediterranean is based on the quantitative and qualitative comparison of imported marble and pottery. e question of the statio marmorum in the port area of Classe is also discussed on the basis of both the archaeological evidence and a comparison with the stone supply from Rome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand the importation and circulation patterns of rubella virus lineages 1E-L2 and 2B-L2c circulating in China since 2018, 3,312 viral strains collected from 27 out of 31 provinces in China between 2018 and 2021 were sequenced and analyzed with the representative international strains of lineages 1E-L2 and 2B-L2c based on genotyping region. Time-scale phylogenetic analysis revealed that the global lineages 1E-L2 and 2B-L2c presented distinct evolutionary patterns. Lineage 1E-L2 circulated in relatively limited geographical areas (mainly Asia) and showed geographical and temporal clustering, while lineage 2B-L2c strains circulated widely throughout the world and exhibited a complicated topology with several independently evolved branches. Furthermore, both lineages showed extensive international transmission activities, and phylogeographic inference provided evidence that lineage 1E-L2 strains circulating in China possibly originated from Japan, while the source of lineage 2B-L2c isolated since 2018 is still unclear. After importation into China in 2018, the spread of lineage 1E-L2 presented a three-stage transmission pattern from southern to northern China, whereas lineage 2B-L2c spread from a single point in western China to all the other four regions. These two transmission patterns allowed both imported lineages to spread rapidly across China during the 2018–9 rubella epidemic and eventually established endemic circulations. This study provides critical scientific data for rubella control and elimination in China and worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper concerns the ornithomorphic images found at the Pinchuga VI burial ground. The site is located in the lower course of the river Angara (Middle Siberia). The chronological boundaries of the study span the second quarter of the 1st millennium AD (end of the Early Iron Age). All burials at the burial ground were performed according to the rite of cremation outside the cemetery. Two intact objects and fragments of the third image of a bird were found at the necropolis. Figures were found in different contexts. One of them was found in the filling of a grave pit, the second item within an assemblage of various articles in the inter-grave space. The third item was broken and lost as the result of illegal excavations. All articles share similar characteristics. These are realistic images of diurnal birds of prey “frozen” in a diving flight; the images are shown en face, with a high-relief head, with the tucked wings and feet pulled up with talons. A geometric decor conveys their feather, and a stylized mask is present on the chest of one item. The images are slightly convex, their front side is polished. The closest analogies to the Angara images of birds are known in Western Siberia, including the Tomsk burial ground, the Kholmogory treasure, the Ishim collection, and materials from the Parabel cult place. All this makes it possible to attribute the analyzed items to the Kholmogory stylistic group of the Kulai cult casting. Products of this group became widespread in Western Siberia in the second quarter of the 1st millennium AD. The ornithomorphic images found at the Pinchuga VI cemetery extend the geographical range of the items of this style to the territory of Middle Siberia. Apart from the figurines of birds, the necropolis also yields other items of the Western Siberian cult casting, including disks with concentric ornaments, a hollow image of a fish head, and a bird-head belt applique. Bronze items were imported, and in the course of exchange they were spreading over considerable distances. This proves the existence of established cultural ties between the populations of the Lower Angara region and Western Siberia at the End of the Early Iron Age.

Abstract Background Prevalence of falciparum malaria on Bioko Island remains high despite sustained, intensive control. Progress may be hindered by high proportions of subpatent infections that are not detected by rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) but contribute to onward transmission, and by imported infections. Better understanding of the relationship between subpatent infections and RDT-detected infections, and whether this relationship is different from imported versus locally acquired infections, is imperative to better understand the sources of infection and mechanisms of transmission to tailor more effective interventions. Methods Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed on a sub-set of samples from the 2015 Malaria Indicator Survey to identify subpatent infections. Households with RDT(+) individuals were matched 1:4 with households with no RDT(+) individuals. The association between living in a household with an RDT(+) individual and having a subpatent infection was evaluated using multivariate hierarchical logistic regression models with inverse probability weights for selection. To evaluate possible modification of the association by potential importation of the RDT(+) case, the analysis was repeated among strata of matched sets based on the reported eight-week travel history of the RDT(+) individual(s). Results There were 142 subpatent infections detected in 1,400 individuals (10.0%). The prevalence of subpatent infections was higher in households with versus without an RDT(+) individual (15.0 vs 9.1%). The adjusted prevalence odds of subpatent infection were 2.59-fold greater (95% CI: 1.31, 5.09) for those in a household with an RDT(+) individual compared to individuals in a household without RDT(+) individuals. When stratifying by travel history of the RDT(+) individual, the association between subpatent infections and RDT(+) infections was stronger in the strata in which the RDT(+) individual(s) had not recently travelled (adjusted prevalence odds ratio (aPOR) 2.95; 95% CI:1.17, 7.41), and attenuated in the strata in which recent travel was reported (aPOR 1.76; 95% CI: 0.54, 5.67). Conclusions There is clustering of subpatent infections around RDT(+) individual(s) when both imported and local infection are suspected. Future control strategies that aim to treat whole households in which an RDT(+) individual is found may target a substantial portion of infections that would otherwise not be detected.

Huanglongbing (HLB), primarily transmitted by the citrus psyllid, is the most devastating citrus disease worldwide. Planting disease-free citrus seedlings is one of the significant intervention strategies for HLB. In this paper, a compartment model is used to investigate the importation and local transmission of the disease. Due to the continuous input of the diseased citrus seedlings from outside, the traditional theoretical analysis methods are insufficient to describe and predict its dynamical behaviors based on the analysis determined by the basic reproductive ratio ℛ 0 . The criteria for the existence and local stability of disease-free and endemic equilibria are deduced. Then a complete theoretical, bifurcation, and sensitivity analyses are carried out on the simplified system. Based on our study, we have the following interesting findings: (a) the importation of diseased citrus seedlings in orchards plays a vital role in the transmission of HLB, and planting disease-free citrus seedlings will effectively inhibit the spread of the disease; (b) the importation of diseased citrus seedlings can affect the stability of the equilibrium of the full system; (c) the simplified system may exhibit some complex dynamic phenomena, such as saddle-node bifurcation, forward bifurcation, backward bifurcation, and bistability; (d) global sensitivity analysis shows that the mortality and biting rate of citrus psyllids have a greater impact on ℛ 0 than other parameters. These observations provide theoretical guidance for policymakers to determine the long-term viability of implemented HLB intervention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While research examining sexual violence in prison has increased over the past 15 years, relatively scant attention has been paid to rape supportive beliefs and the factors influencing inmate adherence to these beliefs. Given the demonstrated role from studies outside the prison context that rape supportive beliefs have on sexual violence, important parallels can be drawn from studying the inmate population. Importation and deprivation models have been used to explain how inmates adapt to prison life—whether attitudes and behaviors are imported from their lives outside prison or are developed in prison due to the conditions of incarceration. Using a sample of male and female inmates (n = 875) from a large state prison system in the southern United States, the researchers explored the degree to which inmate rape supportive beliefs (IRSB) were influenced by variables indicative of importation or deprivation models of prison adaption. Findings revealed greater support for importation variables among both male and female inmates. With some variation, measures such as gender, age, ethnicity, and education were significant in explaining IRSB, similar to findings of studies on rape supportive beliefs among noninmate samples. Because these beliefs can manifest in problematic attitudes and behaviors among inmates, such as prison sexual violence and the underreporting of such violence, it is important that correctional administrators understand this relationship and take steps to lessen IRSB. Since IRSB largely correlate with factors unrelated to conditions of confinement, efforts to educate and sensitize inmates to prison sexual violence can replicate best practices based on populations outside of prisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In the light of the concept of trade-off and trading risks, this case proposes to present the path followed by IFC in the search for alternatives to the quality problem of the euro pin, a component used in the assembly of casters, which was affecting the line of assembly and operating result of the company. Method: The data for the construction of the historical context were extracted from the company's website and the other information was collected directly from the IFC and the Trading Company. Relevance/originality: This case promotes a debate about the concepts of trade-offs and trading risks in a real company, which enhance the resolution of the company's dilemma: how to minimize the cost impact in search of a better-quality product? Produce the euro pin at IFC? Import the euro pin through your own team? Import the euro pin via the advice of a Trading Company? Theoretical/methodological contributions: In the light of the underlying theory, pointing out the practices adopted to mitigate trading risks, as well as the relevance of trade-offs as support for decision making. Main results: It shows: a) the importance of planning actions and analyzing the collected data, having the pros and cons as regulators for decision making; b) the relevance of identifying the determining trade-offs to make assertive choices; c) a need to make use of trading practices to minimize the risks inherent in the foreign market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assessing the global risk of rabies exposure is a complicated task requiring individual risk assessments, knowledge of rabies epidemiology, surveillance capacity and accessibility of rabies biologics on a national and regional scale. In many parts of the world, availability of this information is limited and when available is often dispersed across multiple sources. This hinders the process of making evidence-based health and policy recommendations to prevent the introduction and spread of rabies.Methods: CDC conducted a country-by-country qualitative assessment of risk and protective factors for rabies to develop an open-access database of core metrics consisting of the presence of lyssaviruses (specifically canine or wildlife rabies virus variants or other bat lyssaviruses), access to rabies immunoglobulins and vaccines, rabies surveillance capacity and canine rabies control capacity. Using these metrics, we developed separate risk scoring systems to inform rabies prevention guidance for travelers and regulations for the importation of dogs. Both scoring systems assigned higher risk to countries with enzootic rabies (particularly canine rabies), and the risk scoring system for travelers also considered protective factors such as the accessibility of rabies biologics for post-exposure prophylaxis. Cumulative scores were calculated across the assessed metrics to assign a risk value of low, moderate or high.Results: A total of 240 countries, territories and dependencies were assessed, for travelers, 116 were identified as moderate to high risk and 124 were low or no risk; for canine rabies virus variant importation, 111 were identified as high-risk and 129 were low or no risk.Conclusions: We developed a comprehensive and easily accessible source of information for assessing the rabies risk for individual countries that included a database of rabies risk and protective factors based on enzootic status and availability of biologics, provided a resource that categorizes risk by country and provided guidance based on these risk categories for travelers and importers of dogs into the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior studies of staff-inmate interactions suggest that they are primarily adversarial in nature. However, less is known about the key factors that influence inmate-staff relationships. Using a sample of formerly incarcerated males in the state of Ohio, the impact of various demographic and institutional characteristics on positive and negative perceptions of correctional staff (by inmates) are assessed. Specifically, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression is employed to examine the variation in perceptions that is accounted for by measures of the inmates' social, demographic, and criminal histories (i.e., imported characteristics) as well as the characteristics of the facilities in which they are housed (i.e., deprivation measures). Individual characteristics exert significant effects on inmate perceptions of staff, whereby (1) younger inmates, (2) minority inmates, (3) inmates with higher levels of education, and (4) inmates with more extensive criminal histories were more likely to hold more negative views of correctional staff. Institutional characteristics also significantly influence inmate perceptions of staff, whereby inmates who have (1) experienced victimization, (2) received less social support, and (3) participated in treatment programs were more likely to hold more negative views of correctional staff. Findings suggest that staff can serve as either agents of change or control for inmates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the requirements for approval of the importation of unregistered medicines for use in the public sector in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.Methods: The study reviewed the legal provisions and requirements to be fulfilled when importing unregistered medicines for the public sector in SADC countries relative to two comparators drawn from countries with stringent regulatory systems through extant document analysis. The relative implementation index score was calculated and used to measure the level of implementing legal provisions and requirements to be fulfilled. Analysis was performed using the STATA software package.Results: Approximately 13 out of 16 SADC countries had a relative implementation index below 50%. The aggregated implementation index across all SADC countries was 44%, ranging from 4 to 54%, while the two comparators had a relative implementation index of 81% and 85%, respectively.Conclusion: Implementing the minimum requirements for importing unregistered medicines for the public sector was deficient compared to the jurisdictions with stringent regulatory systems, and wide implementation gaps also existed within the SADC region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen fertilizers are generated from the manufacture of anhydrous ammonia (NH3), which involves the reaction of hydrogen with atmospheric nitrogen, and are used in energy sources such as natural gas, naphtha and asphalt waste. Among these hydrogen sources, natural gas is the most used and the most suitable, generating a greater concentration of nitrogen fertilizer producing units near petrochemical refineries. In Brazil, fertilizer production costs are considerably high due to logistical problems, represented by insufficient port infrastructure and freight prices, which increase the cost of imported raw material, consequently reflecting on the final price of fertilizers. Although the country shows high growth rates in the demand for fertilizers, the domestic production that provides its basic raw materials is not meeting its own demand. More than 80% of the fertilizers consumed in the country come from imports and domestic production accounts for less than 20% of the country’s demand. The state of Mato Grosso is the largest Brazilian agricultural hub with high rates of grain and fiber productivity, and areas available for growth. The researches carried out were descriptive, bibliographical and case study. Thus, the study aimed to analyze the behavior and price variation of nitrogen fertilizers, encompassing in a general way the national and world scenario with the state of Mato Grosso in recent years, and the difficulties encountered by the state and its future projections before the fertilizer market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]