164 research outputs found
Questioning cultural narratives of economic development—an investigation of Kitchener-Waterloo
The version of record [Spigel, B. & Bathelt, H. (2019). Questioning cultural narratives of economic development - An investigation of Kitchener-Waterloo. Canadian Geographer, 63(2), 267-283.] is available online at:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cag.12512This paper investigates the relationship between culture and economy and scrutinizes cultural narratives of economic development in Kitchener-Waterloo, southern Ontario. It argues for the need to carefully conceptualize the link between culture and economic development to avoid boosting deterministic stereotypes. In the case of Kitchener-Waterloo, a notable hub of high-technology firms and technology development, a link is frequently drawn between the German community and culture and the region’s technology economy and entrepreneurial culture. A social capital analysis, however, reveals that the German ethnic community neither has the strong professional internal ties nor the external social ties to other regional communities that could constitute a lead role in economic development. Rather, the legacy of Kitchener-Waterloo’s ethnic German population has been absorbed into the region’s self-image and creates a feeling of belonging and common reference points for joint social and economic initiatives in the region
Ornamental plants, 1979: a summary of research
An analysis of production costs for containerized nursery products / David E. Hahn, Jerry L. Robertson, and Elton M. Smith -- Monoterpene investigations with creeping juniper cultivars (Juniperus horizontalis Moench.) / Thomas A. Fretz -- Woody flora in Hokkaido adaptable to the north central United States / Makoto Kawase -- An evaluation of microfoam on plant quality following overwintering of container-grown woody ornamentals / Christopher F. Rizzo, Elton M. Smith, and Thomas A. Fretz -- Evaluation of winter barrels as a heat source in woody ornamental winter storage structures / Christopher F. Rizzo, Elton M. Smith, and Thomas A. Fretz_ -- Effective utilization of applied fertilizer in relation to multiple flushes of growth on 'Helleri' holly / C. H. Gilliam and R. D. Wright -- Tissue nitrogen changes during a growth flush on 'Helleri' holly / C. H. Gilliam and R. D. Wright -- Controlling winter annual and perennial weeds in field-grown Cotoneaster divaricata / Elton M. Smith and Sharon A. Treaster -- Evaluation of oxadiazon for weed control in container-grown nursery stock / Thomas A. Fretz and Wendy J. Sheppard -- A 10-year evaluation of flowering crabapple susceptibility to apple scab in Ohio / Elton M. Smith -- Fungicides for the control of diseases of ornamental plants: results of 1977 trials / C. C. Powell and James A. Chatfield -- An evaluation of fungicides on container-grown woody ornamentals during winter storage under microfoam / Christopher F. Rizzo, Elton M. Smith, and Thomas A. Fretz -- Resistance of maple cultivars and species to verticillium wilt: a preliminary report / H. A. J. Hoitink, T. D. Sydnor, and C. L. Wilso
The Prevalence of Norovirus in returning international travelers with diarrhea
Background: There is a high incidence of diarrhea in traveling populations. Norovirus (NV) infection is a common cause of diarrhea and is associated with 7% of all diarrhea related deaths in the US. However, data on the overall prevalence of NV infection in traveling populations is limited. Furthermore, the prevalence of NV amongst travelers returning to Europe has not been reported. This study determined the prevalence of NV among international travelers returning to Germany from over 50 destinations in and outside Europe. Methods: Stool samples of a total of 104 patients with a recent (< 14days) history of international travel (55 male, mean age 37 yrs.) were tested for the presence of NV genogroup (GG) I and II infection using a sensitive and well established quantitative RT PCR method. 57 patients experienced diarrhea at the time of presentation at the Department of Infectious Diseases & Tropical Medicine. The remaining 47 patients had no experience of diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms for at least 14 days prior to their date of presentation at our institute. Results: In our cohort, NV infection was detected in 15.7% of returning travelers with diarrhea. The closer to the date of return symptoms appeared, the higher the incidence of NV, ranging as high as 21.2% within the first four days after return. Conclusions: In our cohort, NV infection was shown to be frequent among returning travelers especially in those with diarrhea, with over 1/5 of diarrhea patients tested positive for NV within the first four days after their return to Germany. Due to this prevalence, routine testing for NV infection and hygienic precautions may be warranted in this group. This is especially applicable to patients at an increased risk of spreading the disease, such as healthcare workers, teachers or food-handlers
Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Guinea-Bissau: A Sexually Transmitted Genotype 2 with Parenteral Amplification?
BACKGROUND: Sub-Saharan Africa is the continent with the highest prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Genotype 2 HCV is thought to have originated from West Africa several hundred years ago. Mechanisms of transmission remain poorly understood. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To delineate mechanisms for HCV transmission in West Africa, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of individuals aged ≥50 years in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. Dried blood spots were obtained for HCV serology and PCR amplification. Prevalence of HCV was 4.4% (47/1066) among women and 5.0% (27/544) among men. In multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors for HCV infection were age (baseline: 50–59 y; 60–69 y, adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.67, 95% CI: 0.91–3.06; ≥70 y, AOR: 3.47, 95% CI: 1.89–6.39), belonging to the Papel, Mancanha, Balanta or Mandjako ethnic groups (AOR: 2.45, 95% CI:1.32–4.53), originating from the Biombo, Cacheu or Oio regions north of Bissau (AOR: 4.16, 95% CI: 1.18–14.73) and having bought or sold sexual services (AOR: 3.60, 95% CI: 1.88–6.89). Of 57 isolates that could be genotyped, 56 were genotype 2. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that transmission of HCV genotype 2 in West Africa occurs through sexual intercourse. In specific locations and subpopulations, medical interventions may have amplified transmission parenterally
Temporary techno-social gatherings? A (hacked) discussion about open practices
This paper is rooted in an experimental inquiry of issue-oriented temporary techno-social gatherings or TTGs, which are typically referred to as hackathons, workshops or pop-ups and employ rapid design and development practices to tackle technical challenges while engaging with social issues. Based on a collaboration between three digital practitioners (a producer, a researcher and a designer), qualitative and creative data was gathered across five different kinds of TTG events in London and in Tartu which were held in partnership with large institutions, including Art:Work at Tate Exchange within Tate Modern, the Mozilla Festival at Ravensbourne College and the 2017 Association of Internet Researchers conference hosted in Tartu. By analysing data using an open and discursive approach manifested in both text and visual formats, we reflect on the dynamic and generative characteristics of TTG gatherings while also arriving at our own conclusions as situated researchers and practitioners who are ourselves engaged in increasingly messy webs where new worlds of theory and practice are built
Development of Grb2 SH2 Domain Signaling Antagonists: A Potential New Class of Antiproliferative Agents
Aberrant signaling through protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK)-dependent pathways is associated with several proliferative diseases. Accordingly, PTK inhibitors are being developed as new approaches for the treatment of certain cancers. Growth factor receptor bound protein 2 (Grb2) is an important downstream mediator of PTK signaling that serves obligatory roles in many pathogenic processes. One of the primary functions of Grb2 is to bind to specific phosphotyrosyl (pTyr)-containing sequences through its Src homology 2 (SH2) domain. Agents that bind to the Grb2 SH2 domain and prevent its normal function could disrupt associated PTK signaling and serve as alternatives to kinase-directed inhibitors. Starting from the X-ray crystal structure of a lead peptide bound to the Grb2 SH2 domain, this review will summarize important contributions to these efforts. The presentation will be thematically arranged according to the region of peptide modified, proceeding from the N-terminus to the C-terminus, with a special section devoted to aspects of conformational constraint
Institutional risk factors for norovirus outbreaks in Hong Kong elderly homes: a retrospective cohort study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Most of the institutional outbreaks of norovirus in Hong Kong occur in elderly homes, the proportion being 69% in 2006. Residents in elderly homes are a special population seriously affected by norovirus infections, it is necessary to investigate the risk factors of the norovirus outbreaks in Hong Kong elderly homes at the facility level.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cohort of 748 elderly homes was followed up from January 2005 to December 2007; each elderly home was treated as one observation unit and the outcome event was the norovirus outbreak. Cox regression models were fitted to estimate the rate ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the potential risk factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 276 norovirus outbreaks were confirmed during the study period; the outbreak rate was 12.2 (95% CI: 9.9-14.6) per 100 home-years; elderly homes with a larger capacity (RR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.3-1.5 (per 30-resident increment)), a higher staff-to-resident ratio (RR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1-1.3 (per 1/30 increment) and better wheelchair accessibility (RR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3-3.2) were found to have an elevated norovirus outbreak rate in Hong Kong elderly homes; Elderly homes with partitions between beds had a lower rate of norovirus outbreaks (RR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.8).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Elderly home capacity, staff-to-resident ratio and wheelchair accessibility were risk factors for norovirus outbreaks in Hong Kong elderly homes. Partitions between beds were a protective factor of norovirus outbreaks. These results should be considered in the infection control in Hong Kong elderly homes.</p
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