GATS and the new developmentalism: Governing transnational education

This article introduces a relatively recent development, the inclusion of education as a tradable service under the World Trade Organization's (WTO's) General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATS). I focus on two Trade in Education Services forums—one in Washington, DC (USA), and one in Sydney (Australia)—to investigate the discursive strategies used to promote trade in education in the multilateral context. I identify the truth regimes that are concretized and the strategies used by both state and nonstate actors to define, codify, and delimit the discourse on trade in education. I argue that these strategies help create the conditions for a broader “epistemic lock in,” where various authorities associated with education are steered toward legitimizing a “new developmentalism,” namely, the reconfiguration of trade liberalization as a developmental tool. By framing the liberalization of trade in education in moral terms, as the means to alleviate global poverty and bridge the development divide, the implications of a GATS-sanctioned commercial agenda are rendered invisible. Using governmentality as a theoretical and methodological framework, I begin the inquiry into the discursive reconstruction of transnational education with the question of how ideas about trade liberalization are globalized. If globalization is imagined as flows, then what exactly is flowing across transnational education spaces? What kinds of ideas and practices are being transnationalized, and what are their “biopolitical”1 and geopolitical effects

New insights into the supression of plant pathogenic fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi) by compost leachates

Use of compost as a soil conditioner and low-grade fertiliser is gaining popularity worldwide (Epstein, 1997). Compost not only adds plant nutrients to the soil, but also improves physical properties of soil such as buffering capacity, cation exchange capacity and water holding capacity. In addition to these benefits, compost can also suppress plant diseases caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi (Hoitink et al., 1977), Pythium aphanidermatum (Mandelbaum and Hadar, 1990), Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfoii (Gorodecki and Hadar, 1990). Irwin et al., (1995) reported that the diseases caused by P. cinnamomi are directly responsible for considerable economic losses in many horticultural, ornamental and forestry industries throughout Australia. Phytophthora spp. continue to be the focus of attention of many researchers due to the diversity of P. cinnamomi-host interactions and their potential economic impact on a wide range of industries. The practise of using methyl bromide and other chemicals for disinfection of soil is widespread (Trill as et al., 2002). However, the use of methyl bromide and other chemicals is phased out in the USA and Europe. The suppression of soil-borne plant fungus by composts produced from tree barks (Spencer et al., 1982) and municipal solid wastes is well documented (Trill as et al., 2002). Composts that suppress plant disease have been extensively described and are used in greenhouse production systems (Lazarovitis et aI, 2001). However, most studies have focused on compo sting different types of materials and their effect on fungal pathogens inhibition rather than compo sting conditions that may produce suppressive composts. An objective of this study was to investigate the role of moisture, aeration and compost maturity in enhancing the inhibition effect of compost on the plant pathogen P. cinnamomi. A further objective was to generate an increased understanding of the mechanism of growth inhibition

The Utility of Capsule Endoscopy in Patients under 50 Years of Age with Recurrent Iron Deficiency Anaemia: Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

Background and Aims. The role of capsule endoscopy (CE) in the <50 years of age patients with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) remains unclear. We aim to assess its utility in this cohort. Methods. All patients referred for CE for recurrent IDA were included retrospectively. Patients were divided into Group 1 (<50 years) and Group 2 (≥50 years). Results. There were 971 patients with recurrent IDA and 28% belonged to Group 1. The mean age was 40 years in this group with a DY of 28% (). Significant diagnoses included erosions and ulcers (26%; ), small bowel (SB) angioectasia (AE) (10%; ), SB tumours (3%; ), Crohn’s disease (3%; ), SB bowel strictures (1%; ), and SB varices (1%; ). On logistic regression, the presence of diabetes () and the use of warfarin () was associated with increased DY. The DY in Group 2 was 38% which was significantly higher than in Group 1 (). While SB tumours were equally common in both groups, AE was commoner in Group 2 (). Conclusion. A significant proportion of patients <50 years are referred for CE. Although the DY is lower compared to those ≥50 years, significant pathology is found in this age group. CE is advisable in patients <50 years old with recurrent IDA and negative bidirectional endoscopies

Neurogenic Fever after Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, pathogenesis, and clinical outcomes related to neurogenic fevers following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed on thermodysregulation secondary to acute traumatic SCI in adult patients. A literature search was performed using PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus. Using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven relevant articles were obtained. RESULTS: The incidence of fever of all origins (both known and unknown) after SCI ranged from 22.5 to 71.7% with a mean incidence of 50.6% and a median incidence of 50.0%. The incidence of fever of unknown origin (neurogenic fever) ranged from 2.6 to 27.8% with a mean incidence of 8.0% and a median incidence of 4.7%. Cervical and thoracic spinal injuries were more commonly associated with fever than lumbar injuries. In addition, complete injuries had a higher incidence of fever than incomplete injuries. The pathogenesis of neurogenic fever after acute SCI is not thoroughly understood. CONCLUSION: Neurogenic fevers are relatively common following an acute SCI; however, there is little in the scientific literature to help physicians prevent or treat this condition. The paucity of research underscored by this review demonstrates the need for further studies with larger sample sizes, focusing on incidence rate, clinical outcomes, and pathogenesis of neurogenic fever following acute traumatic SCI

Erosive Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Rumination Syndrome

Rumination syndrome involves bringing up partially digested food into the pharynx voluntarily, followed by reswallowing or expelling. It was discovered in the 17th century; however, knowledge of the disorder has remained sparse until recently. Indeed, the first case of adult rumination in Japan was reported as recently as 2006. Due to this recent increase in awareness, notions about the disease have remained in a state of constant fluctuation. While first believed to be a disease of neurologically-impaired children between 3 and 8 months of age, it is now widely recognized as occurring in men and women of all ages and cognitive abilities. Originally rumination was labeled benign; however, it is now known to cause such complications as weight loss, malnutrition, dental erosions, halitosis, electrolyte abnormalities, abdominal discomfort, weight loss, choking, aspiration, and pneumonia. Similarly, while the absence of gastroesophageal reflux disease was an original criterion for the syndrome, it has been found that many of these patients have evidence of “pathologic gastroesophageal reflux.” Some suggest that thorough upper gastrointestinal workup, such as upper esophageal barium studies and EGD, not be done on children presenting with rumination, despite the presence of abdominal pain or other accompanying gastrointestinal symptoms. We performed a thorough upper gastrointestinal workup on a patient with concurrent rumination syndrome and heartburn, and were intrigued to find erosive eosinophilic esophagitis on EGD. These lesions were successfully treated with a proton pump inhibitor. The following article is a discussion on the starndard of care in Rumination Syndrome. That is, while knowledge of the disease has evolved, the treatment regimen has not

Plasmodium falciparum: detection and strain identification of Indian isolates by polymerase chain reaction

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed for detection and strain identification of P. falciparum in a comparative field study of Indian isolates. The primers were selected from highly conserved regions flanking the variable, tandemly repeated regions of highly polymorphic cell surface antigens, major merozoite surface antigen-1 (MSP-1), major surface antigen-2 (MSP-2), circumsporozoite surface antigen (CSP) and ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA). Out of the 52 microscopically positive P. falciparum infected field samples, 47 samples were positive by PCR. Variation in the size of the amplified products was observed using MSP-1, MSP-2 specific primers respectively in different field isolates of P. falciparum, but CSP and RESA did not exhibit any variation in size of the amplified product. The multiplex PCR results demonstrated that amplified products from these surface antigens vary in size and there is a specific pattern for each strain and this could be utilized to identify a particular field isolate. One P. falciparum infected field sample detected by the above PCR method was found to be a mixed infection by two different strains. Five microscopically positive P. vivax infeced samples were also analyzed by PCR method using P. falciparum cell surface antigen (MSP-2) specific primers. PCR results showed one P. vivax infected sample was positive when P. falciparum specific primers were used, this could be due to inaccurate and reduced limit of detection of Plasmodial species by microscopic examination

PHARMACOVIGILANCE OF RADIOGRAPHIC CONTRAST-INDUCED ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF SOUTH INDIA

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the nature and incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to radiographic contrast media (oral and intravenous) reported during a 1½ years' period in a tertiary care hospital in South India.Methods: The study was an observational prospective study of ADRs to radiographic contrast media (oral and intravenous) observed during a period of 1½ years from July 2014 to October 2015 in Department of Radio Diagnosis at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chromepet. The observations were analyzed for demographic profile, frequency, severity, causality, and temporal relationship of contrast administration to the occurrence of ADRs.Results: A total of 33 ADRs were observed for oral and intravenous radiographic contrast media administered for radiographic study for the above-mentioned period. It included 17 (51.5%) males and 16 (48.5%) females. Among the 33 ADRs, 19 (57%) were for oral and intravenous radiographic contrast and 14 (42%) for intravenous radiographic contrast alone. The most frequent ADRs were vomiting and nausea 16 (48%), skin rashes 9 (27%), and thrombophlebitis 9 (27%). As per Naranjo's algorithm and WHO causality assessment, all reactions are probable except in one patient who received intravenous contrast administration was possible. According to the Hartwig severity scale, 23 (69%) reactions were mild, 7 (21%) reactions were moderate, and 3 (9%) reactions were severe. There was no fatality observed. Adverse events required immediate treatment in 22 (66%). Most of the reactions, i.e., 21 (63%) appeared immediately after contrast administration. 12 (36%) reactions appeared within next 30 minutes after contrast administration.Conclusion: The common adverse reactions to radiographic contrast were mild in severity such as nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, and giddiness. Most of the reactions occur immediately after administration of contrast. The causality of majority of the ADRs is probable. Pharmacovigilance is an important tool in detection, reporting and thereby preventing ADRs due to radiographic contrast media

Taxonomic studies on subgenus Pseudomegachile Friese under genus Megachile Latreille (Hymenoptera) from Sutlej basin plains (India)

Genus Megachile forms an integral part of the ecosystem as its members are important pollinators of both wild and cultivated flora. Surveying on a large scale helps in gathering a lot of information about their spatial and temporal data. This also helps in studying their biodiversity and taxonomy. Three species of solitary bees under subgenus Pseudomegachile Friese of the genus Megachile Latreille collected from Sutlej basin plains of India have been studied and described taxonomically. Megachile (Pseudomegachile) creusa (Bingham), M. (P.) ramakrishnae Cockerell and M. (P.) elfrona (Cameron) with 21 examples are described including their morphological characters, taxonomically important characters, zoogeographic records, floral associations along with genitalic and sternal plates. Since most of the areas included in the study have been surveyed first time for Megachile study, these are new records for the studied area