Time Overseas Research Articles

Dengue fever in febrile returning travellers to a UK regional infectious diseases unit

Background. Dengue occurs in many tourist destinations, and is increasingly imported by returning travellers. We review the epidemiology and clinical features of confirmed dengue in returning travellers presenting to a UK regional infectious diseases unit. Methods. A retrospective, case-record review of febrile returning travellers, admitted to Leicester Royal Infirmary during 2000–2002. The presenting clinical features of patients with positive dengue serology were compared to those who had negative serological tests. Results. Dengue, including two cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and 1 shock syndrome, was diagnosed in 16 of approximately 250 (6.4%) hospitalised returning travellers. 10/16 (62.5%) patients returned from Asia. There was no difference in symptoms between those with or without serological evidence of dengue. Dengue was associated with thrombocytopenia ( p=0.001), leucopenia ( p=0.03) and elevated alanine transminase ( p=0.01). Following multivariate analysis, dengue was associated with first time travel to an endemic area (odds ratio 10.9, 95% CI 1.21–99.9), early onset of symptoms after return (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.07–3.43), duration of time overseas (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01–1.15) and thrombocytopenia (OR 29.4, 95% CI 1.8–494). Conclusions. Dengue is an important cause of illness in hospitalised febrile returning travellers. It should be considered in first-time travellers, with thrombocytopenia and negative malaria films who present with symptoms soon after return.

Diarrheal disease incidence and morbidity among United States military personnel during short-term missions overseas.

Outpatient medical surveillance of U.S. troops was conducted during 11 different overseas missions between 1981 and 1990. In addition, at the end of each of 18 overseas missions during the same period, a sample of troops was queried regarding illnesses and exposures experienced in the preceding time overseas. Diarrhea was among the leading causes of morbidity during all of these short-term missions. Diarrhea incidence rates were found to be highest during summer months, and were higher during missions to Thailand (median = 25%, range = 20-29%), Latin America (median = 26%, range = 1-43%), and northeastern Africa and southwest Asia (median = 19%, range = < 1-52%). Rates were lowest in troops deployed to the Republic of South Korea (median = 16%, range = 8-27%). During April and May 1990, a focused surveillance and questionnaire study was conducted during a five-week, joint U.S.-Thai military training exercise in central Thailand. Among 2,600 U.S. personnel, diarrheal illness was found to be the most common medical problem for troops (estimated cumulative incidence = 29%). Travel outside of the base of operations and consumption of ice were found to be important risk factors. The 10-year database analyzed for this report is the largest, published summary showing the significant impact of diarrheal diseases on U.S. military forces during short-term deployments to less developed areas.

Returning to the homeland

Abstract Research on the issues of the learners of Japanese outside Japan has increased with the expansion of Japanese language teaching worldwide, but research on those who teach them has received less attention. This paper focuses on one of the issues which Japanese instructors overseas face, in particular, that of native speakers. An individual’s competence in his/her first language in a foreign environment changes over time. The changes become more obvious when first language speakers find themselves in their own country after spending some considerable time overseas. In this study the speakers of the first language were thirteen native speaker instructors teaching at tertiary institutions in Australia. They were interviewed while on a visit to Japan regarding their communication skills in Japan both at the linguistic and non-linguistic levels. The results of the study show a wide range of changes observed; some features are common to many of these instructors while other changes are not. Changes in reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are reported. Associated aspects include skills for determining politeness levels. Non-linguistic features include socio-cultural aspects of Japanese society such as gift-giving customs, and appropriate dress. These changes in communication skills were detected and evaluated by the speakers themselves based on their own encounters while in Japan. The implications for their role as language instructors outside Japan are also discussed.

COMING HOME TO THE ARCTIC COLD: ANTECEDENTS TO FINNISH EXPATRIATE AND SPOUSE REPATRIATION ADJUSTMENT

Building on repatriation adjustment research for U.S. managers and spouses, this study is one of the first to identify potential cross‐cultural differences by assessing these processes theoretically and empirically in a non‐U.S. sample. Focusing on Finnish expatriates and spouses, this study examined anticipatory and in‐country variables related to work, interaction, and general repatriation adjustment. Specifically, time overseas, time since returning home, role discretion, and role clarity were significant correlates of Finnish repatriates' work adjustment. Time overseas, culture novelty, and social status correlated significantly with repatriates' adjustment to interacting with home country nationals. Time overseas and time back home correlated significantly with repatriate' general adjustment. For Finnish repatriates' spouses, time back home, culture novelty, and housing conditions correlated significantly with adjustment to interacting with home country nationals. For spouses' general adjustment, time overseas, time back home, culture novelty, and housing conditions were significant correlates. Implications of these findings for researchers and practitioners are explored.Coming back home was more difficult than going abroad because I had expected changes when going overseas. During repatriation it was real culture shock! I felt like an alien in my own country. Surprisingly, I was totally unprepared for the long, harsh, cold, dark Arctic winter. My attitudes had changed so much that it was difficult to understand Finnish customs. Old friends had moved, had children, or just vanished. Others were interested in our experiences, but only sort of. Most simply could not understand our overseas experience or just envied our way of life. (Finnish Spouse returning from Australia)

O Kaerinasai: Factors Related to Japanese Repatriation Adjustment

This study examined anticipatory and in-country individual, job, organizational, and non-job variables and their relationship with work, interaction, and general repatriation adjustment for Japanese managers. The study also directly tested the generalizability of measures and findings of recent theoretical and empirical work on repatriating American managers. Age, total time overseas, role discretion, role clarity, and social status were generally related to repatriation adjustment. Practical and research implications are explored.

The Rocky Mountain-Samuel Bulkley Travelling Fellowship

Abstract Rocky Mountain Orthodontics and The Australian Society of Orthodontists Foundation for Research and Education provide a Fellowship to enable a new orthodontic graduate the opportunity to spend time overseas engaged in research. The present discussion deals not so much with the details of the research (which are to be published ), but rather provides an overview of the Fellowship activities, and aims to encourage present postgraduate students to apply for the award.

When Yankee Comes Home: Factors Related to Expatriate and Spouse Repatriation Adjustment

This study examined anticipatory and in-country individual, job, organizational, and non-work variables and their relationship with work, interaction, and general repatriation adjustment for U.S. managers. The study also examined anticipatory and in-country individual and non-work variables and their relationship with interaction and general repatriation adjustment for the spouses of the managers who were married. Age, total time overseas, social status, and housing conditions were generally related to all facets of repatriation adjustment for both expatriates and spouses. Practical and research implications are explored.

Overseas Relief Organizations

Spending time overseas providing health care to people in disaster or famine-related situations can be a very rewarding experience. This article presents lists of various organizations available for health care professionals who wish to spend time in relief work. The lists include qualifications and/or professional needs, locations, lengths of service, and focuses of the organizations. Some of these organizations provide a stipend for the relief worker. In others, the entire cost of the experience must be paid for by the volunteer. Guidelines are given to assist the prospective relief worker in looking for an appropriate agency, such as to obtain a complete job description; know the details of living arrangements; make sure you have compatible philosophies; ask about health concerns; find out if adequate health insurance is provided; and gain knowledge of the culture (e.g., especially about customs, relationships of nationals to relief workers, and religious beliefs). Interested health care providers can write to any of the organizations to obtain further information.

The deer wars

Abstract Graeme Caughley, vertebrate population dynamicist of world repute and former New Zealand Forest Service scientist, has written an interesting little book on what he interprets as “The Deer Wars”. Caughley has an impeccable background for such a work, as a former Wildlife Service cadet and deer culler (one season), followed by New Zealand and Australian degree studies and later experience elsewhere in the world, wherever it was available. These travels took him to many places including Antarctica, Nepal, Afghanistan and the American and African continents. For most of his time overseas he was working under the aegis of FAO. He is now a Principal Research Scientist with CSIRO Division of Wildlife Research Canberra, Australia.

Atmospheric Dynamics and Numerical Weather Prediction in the People's Republic of China –

Abstract The scope of activities and accomplishments in areas of atmospheric dynamics and numerical weather prediction under investigation in the People's Republic of China during the period 1949–1966 is surveyed. The principal topics considered include cumulus and turbulent boundary layer dynamics and the dynamics of meso-, synoptic-, and planetary-scale motions. Attention is focused on the complementary research paths followed in theoretical and numerical dynamics, particularly in relation to the development of operational forecasting models. These latter accomplishments are traced from the late 1950s until mid-1966, at which time over-seas distribution of Chinese scientific journals was discontinued. Significant investigations of both regional and global circulation regimes have also been noted. However, a more exhaustive overview of the contributions made by Chinese meteorologists to the theory of the general circulation appears warranted.

Contemporary Cartography: Directorate of Overseas Surveys, Tolworth, Surrey, England

Abstract The Directorate of Overseas Surveys was set up in 1946 under the United Kingdom Colonial Development and Welfare Acts in order to carry out Geodetic surveys and topographical mapping in the British Overseas Territories. Since that time Overseas Surveys has used photogrammetric methods to produce over three-quarters of a million square miles of medium scale topographical mapping. Provided initially as a basis for economic development plans in the many varied and widely separated dependent territories of the United Kingdom, Overseas Surveys' mapping programme is currently being extended under Mutual Technical Assistance Schemes to include newly independent members of the Commonwealth.