Still ‘dairy farm fever’? A Bayesian model for leptospirosis notification data in New Zealand

Routinely collected public health surveillance data are often partially complete, yet remain a useful source by which to monitor incidence and track progress during disease intervention. In the 1970s, leptospirosis in New Zealand (NZ) was known as ‘dairy farm fever’ and the disease was frequently associated with serovars Hardjo and Pomona. To reduce infection, interventions such as vaccination of dairy cattle with these two serovars was implemented. These interventions have been associated with significant reduction in leptospirosis incidence, however, livestock-based occupations continue to predominate notifications. In recent years, diagnosis is increasingly made by nucleic acid detection which currently does not provide serovar information. Serovar information can assist in linking the recognized maintenance host, such as livestock and wildlife, to infecting serovars in human cases which can feed back into the design of intervention strategies. In this study, confirmed and probable leptospirosis notification data from 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2016 were used to build a model to impute the number of cases from different occupational groups based on serovar and month of occurrence. We imputed missing occupation and serovar data within a Bayesian framework assuming a Poisson process for the occurrence of notified cases. The dataset contained 1430 notified cases, of which 927 had a specific occupation (181 dairy farmers, 45 dry stock farmers, 454 meatworkers, 247 other) while the remaining 503 had non-specified occupations. Of the 1430 cases, 1036 had specified serovars (231 Ballum, 460 Hardjo, 249 Pomona, 96 Tarassovi) while the remaining 394 had an unknown serovar. Thus, 47% (674/1430) of observations had both a serovar and a specific occupation. The results show that although all occupations have some degree of under-reporting, dry stock farmers were most strongly affected and were inferred to contribute as many cases as dairy farmers to the burden of disease, despite dairy farmer being recorded much more frequently. Rather than discard records with some missingness, we have illustrated how mathematical modelling can be used to leverage information from these partially complete cases. Our finding provides important evidence for reassessing the current minimal use of animal vaccinations in dry stock. Improving the capture of specific farming type in case report forms is an important next step.

A Review of National Occupational Standards and the Role of Human Resource Development in their Implementation

This review of the literature focuses on an increasingly prevalent global phenomenon known as national occupational standards (NOSs). As the term suggests, NOSs present specific information describing the requirements for individuals’ qualifications to enter and perform successfully in a specific occupation. Many countries rely upon information from NOSs as part of their broader workforce development efforts. In spite of their prevalence, there remain critical questions about their eventual adoption by employers, a situation that HRD researchers could potentially help address based on the unique perspective of the HRD field. This paper seeks to review what is known about NOSs, to discuss the challenges related to their implementation at the organizational and national levels, and finally, to propose how HRD researchers, through their unique perspectives, might contribute to addressing the challenges most commonly encountered when implementing NOSs. It is expected that through this greater awareness, HRD professionals might be able to advance the effective use of this important global phenomenon.

Radiological Manifestation of Progressive Massive Fibrosis as a Complication of Silicosis-Case Report

Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) is the outcome of complicated silicosis and falls in the category of occupational lung diseases. The underlying etiological factors responsible for this are fine particles of silica, inhaled by workers in certain specific occupation. We present a 42-year-old male patient with chief complaint of breathlessness and had occupational background in relation to sandblasting. HRCT chest had shown confluent fibrotic densities in bilateral upper lobes with loco regional bronchietatic changes and adjacent pleural thickening. The patient was diagnosed of having PMF on the history and classical HRCT findings

Clinical Characteristics and Mortality of Health-Care Workers With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in Mexico City

Background We evaluated the risk of death for health-care workers (HCW) with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in Mexico City during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and describe the associated factors in hospitalized HCW, compared with non-HCW. Methods We analyzed data from laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases registered from 27 February–31 August 2020 in Mexico City’s public database. Individuals were classified as non-HCW or HCW (subcategorized as physicians, nurses, and other HCW). In hospitalized individuals, a multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the potential factors associated with death and compare mortality risks among groups. Results A total of 125 665 patients were included. Of these, 13.1% were HCW (28% physicians, 38% nurses, and 34% other HCW). Compared with non-HCW, HCW were more frequently female, were younger, and had fewer comorbidities. Overall, 25 771 (20.5%) were treated as inpatients and 11 182 (8.9%) deaths were reported. Deaths in the total population (9.9% vs 1.9%, respectively; P < .001) and in hospitalized patients (39.6% vs 19.3%, respectively; P < .001) were significantly higher in non-HCW than in HCW. In hospitalized patients, using a multivariate model, the risk of death was lower in HCW in general (odds ratio [OR], 0.53) than in non-HCW, and the risks were also lower by specific occupation (OR for physicians, 0.60; OR for nurses, 0.29; OR for other HCW 0.61). Conclusions HCW represent an important proportion of individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Mexico City. While the mortality risk is lower in HCW compared to non-HCW, a high mortality rate in hospitalized patients was observed in this study. Among HCW, nurses had a lower risk of death compared to physicians and other HCW.

Striking a balance

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Despite increasing gender equality at home and in the workplace, there remains a satisfaction gap in terms of work-life balance, with women continuing to perform the greater share of childcare and home responsibilities as well as taking on paid employment. Government family-friendly policies aim to aid employees to achieve a satisfactory balance. Despite self-selecting roles to suit pay and flexibility needs (especially in careers in which the opposite gender is traditionally dominant), this article demonstrates that a gender gap persists, and can be dependent on the specific occupation. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Developing Entrepreneurial Skills

There is more than enough material theorizing on how to improve entrepreneurial skills of the students. Learning it from the leaders of the Industry shall be more fructifying. A practical approach through available literature and real time experience shall go a long way. If we catch the students young and bring experiential learning in school curriculum it would bring good dividends. The lessons are not enough, in print. We should invest in weaving entrepreneurship into the culture of our society. With the Government and an established support system entrepreneurship will be imbibed into our DNA, if the culture prevails. Entrepreneurship not only creates opportunities for an individual to realize one’s own dreams. It also helps in employment generation. It boosts the economy and hereby the strength of the Nation as well. Hence it is of paramount importance to the society. Any society that is forward looking essentially has to delve deep into enhancing entrepreneurship skills. Another very attractive feature of entrepreneurship is that it is not related to any specific occupation, discipline or qualification. That paved the way for interdisciplinary people to study, contribute, indulge and revel in it even someone has not got a basic degree in Entrepreneurship or Management as well. The society needs to concentrate on building various skill sets across disciplines to etch out a successful path to create tomorrow’s entrepreneurs. Hence this paper on ‘Improving Entrepreneurship skills” from a anon Management stream.

Cutting Through

This chapter brings out the influence of caste on social class mobility and analyses in detail the association between caste and social class in India. While theories of social change posit a decline in the impact of caste on social mobility over time, this chapter questions whether we see evidence of this at the national level. More crucially has the association between caste and class declined? And, has the relative importance of caste on achieveing a specific occupation, and hence social mobility, also declined overtime? In light of debates on affirmative action, this chapter asks whether certain castes find it harder to take advantage of upward class mobility chances, and conversely whether some castes are cushioned from downward mobility chances.

Global HRM standards as boundary objects: a device to enhance legitimacy and status

Purpose In 2016, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced new standards for human resource management (HRM). The purpose of this paper is to describe and explain the significance that human resource (HR) professionals attribute to global HRM standards, what outcomes they envisage for the profession and organizations, and what influences engagement in the standardization project. Design/methodology/approach The analyses interpret the relationship between standards, professions, and organizations by combining theories of professions with concepts from institutional theory. The study is ethnographic and consists of observations of meetings and interviews with eight participants from the Swedish committee participating in the ISO project. Findings HR professionals consider HRM standards positive for the profession’s legitimacy, status, and development, which are also considered beneficial for organizations. However, difficulties in recruiting participants and organizations to the standardization project may prevent positive exchanges for the profession, and point to a weak interest in HRM issues from the HR professionals themselves. Research limitations/implications The generalizability of the results is somewhat limited due to the small sample size. Nevertheless, the study provides insights into how HR professionals reason about their profession and professionalization. Practical implications Gaining insights into the forthcoming global standards for HRM is important for HR professionals. These standards may be implemented in organizations worldwide and affect how HRM is conducted, and therefore also have a profound effect on the profession. Originality/value The ISO’s targeting of a specific occupation is unique. The paper contributes with the knowledge on how professionals relates to standardization of the given field.

Licensed to skill? The impact of occupational regulation on fitness instructors

Occupational licensing, which restricts entry to a job to those with certain qualifications, has traditionally been associated with professionals. Can such forms of occupational regulation support skill development and higher wages lower down the labour market? Cross-national comparisons of a specific occupation can highlight differences in regulation and the interaction between skill formation and industrial relations institutions. We compare the regulation of the occupation of fitness instructor in the UK, France and Norway, focusing on the impact on skills and wages, and suggest that while licensing offers some beneficial outcomes, the relationship with these other institutions is critical.