Hand Contact Research Articles

The Hand on the Shakespearean Stage: Gesture, Touch and the Spectacle of Dismemberment by Farah Karim-Cooper

Reviewed by: The Hand on the Shakespearean Stage: Gesture, Touch and the Spectacle of Dismemberment by Farah Karim-Cooper Artemis Preeshl The Hand on the Shakespearean Stage: Gesture, Touch and the Spectacle of Dismemberment. By Farah Karim-Cooper. London: Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare, 2016; pp. 328. Farah Karim-Cooper opens her book The Hand on the Shakespearean Stage with some compelling anecdotes of hands in Shakespeare. She compares Katherina, who volunteers to place her hand beneath Petrucchio’s foot, to Hamlet, who holds Ophelia’s wrist hard. She observes that Paulina of The Winter’s Tale suggests an infant’s hand identifying its parents. She notes that Titus’s and Lavinia’s amputations robbed them of their power in society. Using extensive early modern sources, Karim-Cooper argues that Shakespeare and his contemporaries expressed identity, emotion, and social engagement through a character’s hand gesture, contact, and action. While at times the extent of the source work is exhaustive, Karim-Cooper skillfully locates the expressive hand in an emotional and theatrical context. In chapter 1, “The Idea of the Hand in Shakespeare’s World,” the author examines the function of the hand in Aristotle, Galen, Bulwer, and Vesalius. She connects these studies and Mannerist paintings of the hand to Elizabethan gestures, then locates the same gestures in Shakespeare. In one example, Karim-Cooper juxtaposes Hortensio’s attempt to teach Kate to play the lute in The Taming of the Shrew with Hamlet’s chiding of Guildenstern’s attempt to play him like an instrument. Karim-Cooper uses these and other close readings to reveal Shakespeare’s expressive mind/body connection through gesture. In chapter 2, “Manners and Beauty: The Social Hand,” Karim-Cooper assesses the hand in early modern social networks. She considers the function of hand gestures and handkerchiefs across classical and early modern sources. Karim-Cooper effectively contrasts Beatrice’s reference to taking hands in marriage with Othello’s symbolization of fidelity in Desdemona’s handkerchief. Her exploration of the literary treatment of the hand could have connected Shakespeare’s works with French medieval literature, such as the Iseult of the White Hands. Such an addition could have furthered the application of the function and appearance of hands on the Continent. In chapter 3, “‘Lively Action’: Gesture in Early Modern Performance,” Karim-Cooper astutely explains Johann de Witt’s subtle and comic gestures in an Elizabethan scene at the Swan. In Harry Peacham’s sketch of Shakespeare’s [End Page 375] Titus Andronicus, she distinguishes between Aaron’s direct pointing and Titus’s openhandedness. Her analysis of Cicero’s and Quintilian’s admonitions to use subtlety rather than extravagant gesture leads into her discussion of English acting. By describing Samson’s thumb-biting in Romeo and Juliet and Wall’s chink in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, she clarifies how precise gestures may express significant moments in Shakespeare’s plays. Karim-Cooper describes the way that gesture assists the plot through dumbshows and stage directions. Her specificity of the actor placement of a gesture above, below, or at waist-level underscores how the actors adapt gesture to emotionally connect with audiences in diverse spaces. Of keen interest to practitioners is Karim-Cooper’s discussion on the size of gesture in indoor and outdoor theatres. Her insight into the need for large gesture in candlelit indoor theatres suggested that the gestural style in theatres like the Globe and the Blackfriars was more similar than one might anticipate. In chapter 4, “Gesture and Shakespeare’s Narrative Art,” Karim-Cooper interrogates the convergence of gesture and emotion in narratives. She coalesces influences from painting, poetry, Elizabethan plays, and Castilgione’s treatise on courtly manners to show how the uses of the hand, glove, and nails inform characters. Her analysis of Paolo Lomazzo’s A Tracte Containing the Arts of Curious Paintinge, Caruinge and Buildinge suggests that corporal images lead observers to sense a character’s emotions and is particularly incisive. She demonstrates passionate gestures by juxtaposing Antonio wringing Bassanio’s hand with Perdita, Hermione, and Leontes lifting their hands in their reunion. In chapter 5, “‘Let Lips Do What Hands Do’: Shakespeare’s Sense of Touch,” Karim-Cooper explores desire and licentiousness...

A Mechanical Automatic Urinal-Toilet Flusher for Swach Bharat Mission

A flush urinal-toilet disposes human waste by using water through a drainpipe to another location. A series of urinal-toilets are fitted in offices, malls, multiplexes, educational institutions, bus railway stations, airports, commercial complexes, stadia and other public places. Most have manual flushing systems like push button, trigger, pull chain, etc. however, use of such manually operated flush can spread germs and bacteria when contacted and thus users avoids to flush or lead to wastage of water if used. Now a day's laser or infrared sensor operated flushes is also used in the places of high commercial value and importance but are expensive and required continuous O&M. Therefore, the sanitary facility may remain un-flushed leading to unhygienic conditions and foul smell. Thus need for a low cost automatic flushing apparatus which can flush the right-controlled amount of water and avoid direct contact thus conserving water as well as maintaining personal hygiene and sanitation The present invention relates to a specially designed mechanical automatic urinal-toilet flusher and a mechanism thereof, which utilizes the weight load/pressure of the person using the urinal-toilet for automatic flushing the urinal- toilet with the specified or measured quantity of water to prevent odors, soil drain and scale buildup. It ensures the compulsory, regular and un-intentional flushing of the urinal-toilet without any direct hand contact of the user to the flush and also conserve water at the same time is simple and cheap, which can be fitted-retrofitted to new as well as existing water pipe line of the urinal-toilets.

Dietary Acculturation among Filipino Americans.

Acculturation, the subsequent changes that occur in one culture after continuous first hand contact with another culture, impacts the dietary habits and health risks of individuals. This study examines the acculturation, dietary habits and anthropometric measurements in a sample of 210 first generation Filipino American immigrants in New Jersey (NJ). Acculturation was measured using the Short Acculturation Scale for Filipino Americans (ASASFA). Dietary acculturation was measured using the Dietary Acculturation Questionnaire for Filipino Americans (DAQFA) and dietary intake was determined using the Block’s Brief Food Frequency Questionnaire (BFFQ). Anthropometric measurements were obtained including weight, height and waist circumference. Acculturation had a significant negative relationship with Filipino Dietary acculturation. Western dietary acculturation was significantly correlated with caloric intake (r(208) = 0.193, p < 0.01), percentage fat intake (r(208) = 0.154, p < 0.05), percentage carbohydrate intake (r(208) = −0.172, p < 0.05), Body Mass Index (BMI) (r(208) = 0.216, p < 0.01) and waist circumference (r(208) = 0.161, p < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between Filipino dietary acculturation, dietary intake and anthropometric measurements. The results showed that Filipino American immigrants have increased risks including increased BMI, waist circumference and increased fat intake. Over all, this research highlighted some dietary changes and their effects on dietary intake and health status.

Genital herpetik veziküllerle başvuran bir olgunun cinsel istismar yönünden değerlendirmesi

Assessment for sexual abuse in a case presenting with genital herpes Child sexual abuse is defined as the use of a child by an adult or a significantly older person for the purpose of sexual stimulation. Sexual relations within the family (incest) “particularly involving children” is prohibited in all faiths and societies; hence, incestuous child sexual abuse is the form of abuse most difficult to determine. Prepubertal genital herpes is a presentation that definitely needs to be assessed as a potential indication for sexual abuse. Even though in adults transmission is often by sexual route, it has been pointed out that especially in cases below the age of 5 years, anogenital herpes can be transmitted by non-sexual mechanisms. As paths for a possible non-sexual transmission of genital herpes, autoinoculation, finger contact by an adult changing nappies leading to infection, hand contact between children, or transmission via infected objects (plate, fork, garments, etc.) have been reported. Guidelines helping in the assessment of sexual abuse are insufficient regarding the question how the issue should be confronted in pediatric cases of genital herpes. More evidence is required to solve this problem. In our presentation, we discuss the process of assessment for sexual abuse in the case of a girl aged 2 years 3 months presenting to the emergency department with anogenital herpes.

MICROORGANISMS FROM HANDS OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICAL DOCTORS IN A CENTRAL HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT

Background: In a central hospital, the heavy clinical workload makes one to overlook its hazard to health and can to a large extent promote the&#x0D; transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. It is not uncommon however, to observe practices that deviate from normal standards of hygiene.&#x0D; Hand contact between doctors of TCM and patients may lead to nosocomial infections.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Samples were sourced and collected from hands of TCM doctors in a central hospital. The fungal isolates were&#x0D; identified by colonial morphology and microscopic examination. Sensitivity test were performed on each of the identified isolates using the&#x0D; Multiple Disc Diffusion method.&#x0D; Results: A total of 265 samples were collected from the fingers, palm and back of hands of TCM doctors. Seven organisms were isolated, with S.&#x0D; aureus being the most common bacterium with frequency of 55.9% in the hospital environment. Other bacteria isolated included P. aeruginosa,&#x0D; E. coli and K. aerogenes. S. cerevisae was the most common fungus isolated with frequency of 61.8%. Fungi isolated included P. chrysogenum&#x0D; and A. niger.&#x0D; Conclusion: The study showed clearly that hand contact between TCM doctors and patients may lead to infection of exposed susceptible&#x0D; patients. Results of antibiotic susceptibility pattern show that isolates in this study are mostly resistant to augmentin and most antibiotics of old&#x0D; generation, while gentamycin and pefloxacin were highly active against most of isolates. Considering the possibility of transmission of&#x0D; contamination, special attention should be directed towards disinfection of TCM doctors’ hands.

Hand Contamination, Cross-Transmission, and Risk-Associated Behaviors: An Observational Study of Team Members in ORs

Team members in ORs have frequent hand contact with many surfaces and sites during high workload, thus increasing the risk for microorganism cross-transmission. This study aimed at identifying risks for hand contamination and microorganism cross-transmission during invasive procedures in ORs. We carried out observations during 22 daytime sessions and analyzed data using qualitative content analysis. The results revealed that clinicians’ hands may be contaminated by self-contamination, via objects, or by touching the patient. Contamination may occur before, during, or directly after performing an invasive procedure requiring the use of aseptic technique, which risks cross-transmitting microorganisms. The results of the study contribute detailed knowledge about risk-associated activities and behaviors in relation to performing invasive procedures in the OR. This knowledge provides clinicians, managers, and educators with specific information that can be used in nursing and medical education and in quality improvement projects aimed at improving hand hygiene routines and enhancing aseptic technique.

Gastrointestinal, influenza-like illness and dermatological complaints following exposure to floodwater: a cross-sectional survey in The Netherlands.

Extreme rainfall events may cause pluvial flooding, increasing the transmission of several waterborne pathogens. However, the risk of experiencing clinically overt infections following exposure to pluvial floodwater is poorly estimated. A retrospective cross-sectional survey was performed to quantify the occurrence of self-reported gastrointestinal, influenza-like illness (ILI) and dermatological complaints, and the frequency of visits to the general practitioner (GP), during a 4-week observation period following pluvial flooding at seven locations in The Netherlands. Questionnaires were sent to 817 flooded households, 149 (17%) of which returned the questionnaire reporting information for 199 participants. Contact with floodwater was significantly associated with increased occurrence of gastrointestinal [odds ratio (OR 4·44)], ILI (OR 2·75) and dermatological (OR 6·67) complaints, and GP visits (OR 2·72). Having hand contact with floodwater was associated with gastrointestinal and dermatological complaints, whereas ILI complaints were associated with being engaged in post-flooding cleaning operations and having walked/cycled through floodwater. This study shows that floodwater-associated diseases occur in urban settings following extreme rainfall events in a high-income country. As pluvial floods are expected to escalate in the future due to global climate change, further research is warranted to determine the disease burden of pluvial flooding and to assess the effect of different interventions, including raising awareness among stakeholders.

Relationship Between Hand Contact Angle and Shoulder Loading During Manual Wheelchair Propulsion by Individuals with Paraplegia.

Shoulder loading during manual wheelchair propulsion (WCP) contributes to the development of shoulder pain in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). To use regression analysis to investigate the relationships between the hand contact angle (location of the hand on the pushrim at initial contact and release during the push phase of the WCP cycle) with propulsion characteristics, pushrim forces, and shoulder kinetics during WCP in individuals with paraplegia. Biomechanical data were collected from 222 individuals (198 men and 24 women) with paraplegia from SCI during WCP on a stationary ergometer at a self-selected speed. The average age of participants was 34.7 years (±9.3), mean time since SCI was 9.3 years (±6.1), and average body weight was 74.4 kg (±15.9). The majority (n = 127; 56%) of participants had lower level paraplegia (T8 to L5) and 95 (42%) had high paraplegia (T2 to T7). Increased push arc (mean = 75.3°) was associated with greater velocity (R = 0.384, P < .001) and cycle distance (R = 0.658, P < .001) and reduced cadence (R = -0.419, P <.001). Initial contact angle and hand release angles were equally associated with cycle distance and cadence, whereas a more anterior release angle was associated with greater velocity (R = 0.372, P < .001). When controlling for body weight, a more posterior initial contact angle was associated with greater posterior shoulder net joint force (R = 0.229, P = .001) and greater flexor net joint moment (R = 0.204, P = .002), whereas a more anterior hand release angle was significantly associated with increased vertical (R = 0.270, P < .001) and greater lateral (R = .293, P < .001) pushrim forces; greater shoulder net joint forces in all 3 planes - posterior (R = 0.164, P = .015), superior (R = 0.176, P = .009), and medial (R = 0.284, P < .001); and greater external rotator (R = 0.176, P = .009) and adductor (R = 0.259, P = .001) net joint moments. Current clinical practice guidelines recommend using long, smooth strokes during manual WCP to reduce peak shoulder forces and to prevent shoulder pain development. The position of the hand at both initial contact and hand release must be considered in WCP training. It is recommended that participants should reach back to initiate contact with the pushrim to maximize push arc but avoid a more anterior hand position at release, because this could increase shoulder load during the push phase of WCP.

INFLUENCE OF SHORT-TERM TRAINING ON THE DISTAL ADJUSTMENTS OF REACHING IN PRETERM INFANTS

Object: The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of short-term training on distal adjustments of reaching in preterm infants with low birth weight and compare them with full-term infants. Methods: Sixteen infants at the onset of reaching were equally allocated to a: preterm group (<34 weeks of gestational age) with a low birth weight (<2.5kg), and control group (full-term infants). The infants were submitted to two assessments carried out on a single day: pre-training (2 minutes) and post-training (2 minutes). The preterm group received one training session under a serial practice condition and the control group received one session of social training. It was used the repeated-measures analysis of variance, with Bonferroni adjustments. Results: The preterm infants presented more reaches with semi-open and oblique hand compared with the full-term infants and the short-term training increased more reaches and reaches with dorsal hand. Conclusion: We conclude that the preterm infants presented more reaches with semi-open and oblique hand compared with the full-term infants and that the short-term training was effective in providing more reaches, observed in the increase in the number of hand contacts with the object.

Misconceptions about Ebola seriously affect the prevention efforts: KAP related to Ebola prevention and treatment in Kouroussa Prefecture, Guinea.

IntroductionGuinea is the third hardest hit country in the region with 2,806 cases and 1,814 deaths as of January 11, 2015 after Sierra Leone and Liberia respectively. This KAP study was conducted in three sub-prefectures of Kouroussa in the Kankan region of Guinea from 15 December 2014 to 15 January 2015. It was conducted with the general objective of examining the knowledge, attitude and practice related to Ebola prevention and care among the public of Kouroussa Prefecture.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was employed to collect quantitative data to examine knowledge, attitude and practice related to Ebola. Structured questionnaire was administered by trained data collectors who were supervised by doctors and epidemiologists from WHO and Africa Union. Data were collected from 358 individuals (93% response rate) and analyzed in STATA 13 while tables and graphs are used to display results.ResultsOver 96% of the respondents have ever heard about Ebola while only 76.2% believed the disease existed in Kouroussa. Avoiding physical contacts including hand shaking and contacts with body fluids, and early treatment of persons sick from Ebola were the two important prevention methods frequently mentioned (96.8% and 93.9%). Only 35.7% of respondents were found to have comprehensive knowledge about Ebola (composite of correctly accepting three methods of prevention (85%) and rejecting misconceptions (55.7%)).ConclusionThe high level of knowledge about modes of transmission and prevention methods has not positively affected the level of comprehensive knowledge about Ebola. In contrast, the prevailing high level of misconceptions surrounding Ebola was found to be responsible for a low comprehensive knowledge.

Determination of grip contact areas with stereologic measurement in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy

Purpose: The aim of the study is to present a method used to estimate hand and finger contact areas on different sized objects and compare results of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) with healthy peers. Methods: A total of 51 children, 26 with hemiparetic CP classified as I or II according to Manuel Ability Classification System and had 1 or 1+ level spasticity as to Modified Ashworth Scale and 25 healthy peers were included to the study. The contact area was calculated by the Cavalieri principle of stereological estimation after children grasped cylindrical objects having diameters of 2.5, 4 and 5 cm. Results: The contact areas were found to be different at the thenar side for the grasped object with 2.5 cm diameter, and at the hypothenar side for the objects with 4 and 5 cm diameters (p<0.05). Discussion: Clinicians are more interested with thumb since the contribution of adductor spasticity in CP. However, hypothenar contribution should be also considered especially with objects having larger diameters. The data gained from the study can guide rehabilitation efforts towards improving hand function.

Emotional homework: A systematic literature review of patients’ intersession experiences.

Patients’ processing of therapy between sessions can be planned and deliberate (homework) or spontaneous and incidental (intersession experiences). Aiming to inform clinical practice and future research, this review synthesizes empirical findings relating to intersession experiences, including their types, prevalence, and associations with patient characteristics, therapeutic processes, and outcomes. Searches of electronic databases identified 781 journal articles, 14 met the inclusion criteria of investigating adult psychotherapy patients’ unplanned between-session experiences relating to their therapy and therapist, a further 4 were identified through hand searches and contact with authors. All 18 articles included in the review were written in either English or German language, 17 used quantitative and 1 qualitative methods. Their methodological quality was assessed using tools developed for the purpose of this review. Most patients report a range of intersession experiences, including recreating therapeutic dialogue, imagining interactions, images and dreams. Intensity and type were associated with patient personality, diagnosis, phase of therapy, alliance and outcome. Study limitations included small sample sizes, the exploratory nature of some designs, and the limited generalizability of results. Clinical implications include the potential of intersession experiences to provide information about the therapeutic relationship, and their association to treatment outcomes and possible post-therapy gains.

Could SecondaryDNATransfer Falsely Place Someone at the Scene of a Crime?,

The occurrence of secondary DNA transfer has been previously established. However, the transfer of DNA through an intermediary has not been revisited with more sensitive current technologies implemented to increase the likelihood of obtaining results from low-template/low-quality samples. This study evaluated whether this increased sensitivity could lead to the detection of interpretable secondary DNA transfer profiles. After two minutes of hand to hand contact, participants immediately handled assigned knives. Swabbings of the knives with detectable amounts of DNA were amplified with the Identifiler(®) Plus Amplification Kit and injected on a 3130xl. DNA typing results indicated that secondary DNA transfer was detected in 85% of the samples. In five samples, the secondary contributor was either the only contributor or the major contributor identified despite never coming into direct contact with the knife. This study demonstrates the risk of assuming that DNA recovered from an object resulted from direct contact.

Determination of Grip Contact Areas with Stereologic Measurement in Children with Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy

Purpose: The aim of the study is to present a method used to estimate hand and finger contact areas on different sized objects and compare results of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) with healthy peers. Methods: A total of 51 children, 26 with hemiparetic CP classified as I or II according to Manuel Ability Classification System and had 1 or 1+ level spasticity as to Modified Ashworth Scale and 25 healthy peers were included to the study. The contact area was calculated by the Cavalieri principle of stereological estimation after children grasped cylindrical objects having diameters of 2.5, 4 and 5 cm. Results: The contact areas were found to be different at the thenar side for the grasped object with 2.5 cm diameter, and at the hypothenar side for the objects with 4 and 5 cm diameters (p<0.05). Discussion: Clinicians are more interested with thumb since the contribution of adductor spasticity in CP. However, hypothenar contribution should be also considered especially with objects having larger diameters. The data gained from the study can guide rehabilitation efforts towards improving hand function.

Assessment of contamination using an ATP bioluminescence assay on doorknobs in a university-affiliated hospital in Japan.

BackgroundDoorknobs are inevitable points of hand contact. We monitored doorknob contamination in a university hospital using an ATP bioluminescence assay and stamp agar method. We selected grip-, lever-, push-, insert-, and two-pull-type doorknobs in staff lavatories and break rooms, a linen closet, dirty utility rooms, a newborn care unit, clinical lavatories and examination rooms, dressing rooms for radiological tests, and lavatories for health examination, as monitoring points in wards and clinics. Sequential monitoring with an ATP assay (six times) and culture (once) were performed at the same time of day in autumn, winter, and summer. We provided contamination data to appropriate healthcare providers and housekeepers, and queried the staff regarding decontamination of doorknobs.ResultsWhen comparing ATP values on the same type of doorknobs, significant differences in contamination were demonstrated among several clinical rooms and several rooms in wards during all three seasons. No correlation was observed between ATP values on clinical-examination-room doorknobs and outpatient numbers, or between ATP values at any monitoring point and microbial colony-forming units. ATP values on clinical-examination-room doorknobs were reduced after cleaning according to instructions.ConclusionsATP assay is useful for measuring baseline doorknob contamination in clinical rooms. Our findings confirm the need to improve routine decontamination in clinical departments. We need to analyze further the relationship between hospital-acquired infections and doorknob contamination, as assessed by ATP assay in clinics.

The effects of different hygiene procedures in reducing bacterial contamination in a model domestic kitchen

Few studies have compared the effectiveness of hygienic cleaning under simulated use conditions. This study compares commonly used and novel cleaning methods for food contact and hand contact surfaces in kitchens. We report results from two surveys on Norwegian consumers' cleaning procedures. Laboratory models involving cutting boards, tap handles and mobile phones contaminated with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were used to compare the hygiene efficacy of commonly used cleaning methods together with new technologies (sprays, single-use wipes, and chlorine-based disinfectants). Commonly used cleaning methods produced a mean log10 reduction (LR) in contamination of 1.5-2.5. The efficacy could be improved by drying or including a disinfection step (mean LR 3.1-4.6). Cleaning of mobile phones was common and was improved by including humidity (1.5-1.9 mean LR). In many situations, traditional methods used by consumers may be sufficient to hygienically clean surfaces. However, in some situations, such as where there are infected or immune-compromised individuals, or where high risk foods are being handled, hygiene practices resulting in higher LR should be recommended. This study demonstrates that data from models simulating use conditions are required to estimate the effectiveness of detergent-based removal practices and how these can be enhanced by inactivation processes such as drying and disinfection to ensure that contamination from food-borne pathogens is reduced to acceptable levels to prevent infection transmission.

In vivo viability of Echinococcus multilocularis eggs in a rodent model after different thermo-treatments

Echinococcus multilocularis is the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis, a serious and emerging zoonotic disease in many parts of the northern hemisphere. Humans but also primates and other accidental hosts can acquire the infection by the ingestion of eggs excreted by the carnivore definitive hosts, e.g. after hand contact with egg-contaminated environments or by consumption of contaminated food or beverages. The goal of this study was to develop a sensitive in vivo method to determine the viability of E. multilocularis eggs and to establish suitable conditions (optimal temperature, exposure time and humidity) for their (prophylactic) inactivation. The sensitivity of a rodent model was evaluated and, conclusively, C57Bl/6 mice were most susceptible to subcutaneous inoculation of small numbers of sodium hypochlorite-resistant oncospheres, even more than to oral inoculation of mature eggs.In the second part of the study, various combinations of exposure temperature (between 45 °C and 80 °C), times (between 30 min and 180 min) and relative humidity (70% vs. suspended in water) were tested. After heat treatment in an incubator, the sodium hypochlorite resistance test was used to assess in vitro egg viability at the time of inoculation. Subsequently, the infectivity of the oncospheres was evaluated by subcutaneous inoculation in mice. Eggs exposed to increasing temperatures were more resistant to heat if suspended in water as compared to eggs exposed on a filter paper at 70% relative humidity. As survival of eggs in water droplets on the vegetables cannot be excluded, further experiments were performed with eggs suspended in water only. Eggs were infectious after heat exposure at 65 °C for up to 120 min, however, no echinococcosis developed after treatment of the eggs at 65 °C for 180 min or at 70, 75 and 80 °C for 7.5, 15 or 30 min.

Investigation of hand hygiene among caretakers of children with chemotherapy and intervention effect

Objective To investigate hand hygiene awareness and performance for caretakers of children with chemotherapy, and explore effective intervention measures. Methods For 60 caretakers of children with chemotherapy in Hematology Department, we carried out a questionnaire survey of hand hygiene, and tracked the hand washing implementation. Also we carried on a six steps hand washing technique training for the caretakers, then compared and analyzed the hand washing qualified rate before and after the technique training. Results The hand washing cognitive rate of the caretakers when they directly contacting with sick children and before feeding food or medicine for sick children were 88.33% and 93.33%, and the implementation rate of those situation were 76.67% and 89.13% respectively. In addition, the hand washing cognitive rates of before contacting sick children′s objects and after contacting other people (including other sick children) were just 21.67% and 41.67%, and the implementation rates were 14.89% and 28.95% respectively. Before and after the six steps hand washing technique training, the bacterial colony count of the caretakers hands were (82.36±53.32)cfu/cm2 and (16.21±18.83)cfu/cm2 (t=9.061, P<0.01), but after training, the pathogenic bacteria detection rate was 31.67% and the qualified rates 61.67% with statistical difference (χ2=28.420, 27.638, respectively; P<0.01). Conclusions The hand hygiene cognition for caretakers of children with chemotherapy is relatively low, and the implementation and hand washing qualified rate are unacceptable. The health education propaganda of hand hygiene and hand washing technique training for caretakers should be further strengthen. Hospital should supervise and urge the hand hygiene implementation, in order to improve the hand washing qualified rate of caretakers, reduce the nosocomial infection through hand contact, and protect the health and safety of children with chemotherapy. Key words: Antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols; Children; Caretakers; Hand hygiene

English

The presence of Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and coliforms from the field to the packing process of bell pepper was evaluated. A total of 900 samples including bell pepper, worker hands, surfaces, and hand-washing fruits were collected from 11-sampling sites of a farm. From the total samples analyzed, 2.6, 3.0, and 53.7% contained Salmonella spp., E. coli and coliforms, respectively. The highest percentage of positive samples with Salmonella and E. coli occurred at the field and packing house, respectively; while coliforms levels increased, as it approached to the final packing process. E. coli O157:H7 was not detected in any of the analyzed samples, however Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium was found during the packing process of the produce. Good agricultural practices from the field to the packinghouse should be implemented; it is also imperative to emphasize hand washing and contact surface disinfection to ensure the safety of the final produce. Key words: Microbial tracking source, Salmonella, hand washing, surface contact, packinghouse, bell pepper (Capsicum annuum).

Modeling of Human Viruses on Hands and Risk of Infection in an Office Workplace Using Micro-Activity Data

Although the number of illnesses resulting from indirect viral pathogen transmission could be substantial, it is difficult to estimate the relative risks because of the wide variation and uncertainty in human behavior, variable viral concentrations on fomites, and other exposure factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the micro-activity approach for assessment of microbial risk by adapting a mathematical model to estimate probability of viral infection from indirect transmission. To evaluate the model, measurements of phage loading on fomites and hands collected before and after implementation of a Healthy Workplace Project intervention were used. Parameter distributions were developed from these data, as well as for micro-activity rates, contact surface areas, phage transfer efficiencies, and inactivation rates. Following the Monte Carlo simulations (n = 1,000), the estimated phage loading on hands was not significantly different from the loading of phage on hands measured in the experimental trials. The model was then used to demonstrate that the Healthy Workplace Project intervention significantly reduced risk of infection by 77% for rotavirus and rhinovirus. This is the first published study to successfully evaluate a model focused on the indirect transmission of viruses via hand contact with measured data and provide an assessment of the micro-activity approach to microbial risk evaluation.