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Palestine Forum Japan
News Special
The First Victory of the BDS Campaign against Israel in Japan
On 1st December, the Muji officially announced the cancellation of its plan of opening a store in Israel on their website. Since the Muji released its plan on 12th April 2010, in order to respond to the BDS Campaign against Israel called upon the people in the world by Palestinians, we, Palestine Forum, had appealed to the Muji to cancel the plan along with other civil organisations and individuals.
For over 7 months, various nationwide actions such as appeal actions in front of some of the Muji branches, constant appeal through websites or Twitter and sending message cards to the Muji, had been addressed as the Stop Muji Campaign. Additionally the appeal action in front of the Muji branch in Seoul, South Korea, was organised. Since the campaign was gradually growing into the international movement, the Muji management finally had to cancel the plan.
According to the Muji's announcement, the cancellation of its plan was made because of the "economic reason". However, when some members of the Palestine Forum made inquiries at the Muji management in last August, they replied that it seemed hard to be understood its plan of supplying Muji's brand goods into Israel by all the people, therefore, we had to say that our plan had been "undecided". So from this reply, we could substantially say that the final decision of the cancellation was made due to the request for cancellation by citizens of Japan.
The official announcement of the cancellation can be placed as the first historical victory of the BDS Campaign against Israel in Japan. We can also expect that this victory will bring big progress to the internationally expanding BDS Campaign in Asia. The Victory in this context means the first and certain step to change the international society which has kept silence against Israel's criminal act.
We also believe that this tiny victory is one of the examples of which people's anger against Israel's continued criminal act even after the Gaza Attack conducted from the end of 2008 to early 2009, such as blockade of Gaza or expanding settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and deep sympathies for solidarity to Palestinians moved the reality.
We, Palestine Forum, have a high opinion of the Muji's sensible judgement that opening a store in Apartheid state Israel does not bring not only economic profit but also moral profit to the company. We request the Muji to keep and raise its corporate ethics and business sense which do not slight the issue on human rights and racism from now on, too.
We, Palestine Forum, declare that we will continue urging Japanese corporations which benefit from Israel's human rights abuses and war crimes against Palestinians, such as retail shops selling cosmetic products of the settlement company "Ahaba" which extracts resources from occupied Palestinians' land. We also call upon many civil organisations and individuals for a joint struggle towards the next victory.
3rd December 2010,
Palestine Forum, Osaka, Japan


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NO to HPPs on Vrbas!
The Vrbas is one of the last remaining rivers providing habitat to the critically endangered 'tiger of rivers' – the Huchen. The construction of further HPPs on the river would put this species even more at risk as well as endangering the water supply for residents of Banjaluka. Our Blue Heart partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Center for Environment – are fighting projects, which would destroy the Vrbas once and for all. Read their latest press release!

subset: commoncrawl


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Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam - Blackout Cowboy
- by James Weiskittel Release Date:2018-11-09 Label: By The Time It Gets Dark
Setting aside the conversation-piece masquerading as a band name (not that sunshine, frisbees, and laserbeams aren't awesome), Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam have been nothing short of prolific over the past few years. The Birmingham indie-punk five-piece has independently released over a hundred tracks via their Bandcamp page and is now set to release their first 'official' full-length, Blackout Cowboy.
For those who may be unfamiliar with the band (and/or might be intimidated by their ever-expanding catalog), Blackout Cowboy offers potential fans an opportunity to check out what Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam is all about. The album-opening "Running From My Ghost" is an infectious DIY rocker while the record's first single, "All The Way Over The Edge," pairs rousing psyche-tinged punk with an endearing lo-fi charm.
From there, the record careens back and forth between post-punk workouts ("Adult Memory Ow", "Blackout Cowboy"), and dreamy power-pop gems ("Meatloaf To The Camera", "Mind Control"). At times, it almost sounds like these lads decided to throw their collective record collection into a blender and pour the contents onto the tape, but the steady stream of sonic twists and turns somehow works (for the most part).
To that end, Blackout Cowboy is an incredibly confident debut. There's a tongue-in-cheek vibe that evokes early Pinkerton-era Weezer (before they polished off all of those endearing rough edges). And while there's a tangible chemistry between the band, it's the pronounced element of dark-humor that permeates singer Pete Dixon's lyrical musings that really sets Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam apart from the fray.
After distilling over a hundred pieces of music into the eight solid tracks that comprise Blackout Cowboy, it's evident that Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam has clearly figured out their modus operandi: all killer, no filler.


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Volume 12, Number 10—October 2006
Antimicrobial Drugs in the Home, United Kingdom
A total of 6% of 6,983 households in the United Kingdom had leftover antimicrobial drugs, and 4% had standby antimicrobial drugs. Respondents with leftover drugs were more educated, more knowledgeable about antimicrobial drugs, younger, and female. Of respondents with leftover drugs, 44% kept them in case of future need, and 18% had taken these drugs without medical advice.
Antimicrobial drug resistance is increasing worldwide and is related to use of these drugs (1,2). Use of leftover drugs may increase antimicrobial drug resistance in the community by exerting selective pressure in the commensal flora (3,4). Retention and use of leftover antimicrobial drugs are widespread in countries that sell antimicrobial drugs without a prescription (i.e., over-the-counter) (5,6). In countries in which over-the-counter antimicrobial drug sales are restricted, studies on use of leftover drugs have been few and mostly questionnaire-based, relying on respondent recall (7,8). A large survey of British household drug practices showed that 2% of medicines were leftover or standby drugs (9), but no information was obtained about the households containing them. To inform antimicrobial drug education campaigns (10,11) and research examining the relationship between antimicrobial drug prescribing and resistance (12), we conducted a household survey to identify antimicrobial drugs present and the characteristics of respondents who kept them.
The survey formed part of the Office for National Statistics' Omnibus Survey in the United Kingdom in February, March, June, and July 2003. A representative sample of households was selected by using previously published methods (9). Households were invited by letter to participate in a study about their views and experiences on a variety of subjects. For households with >1 adult member, 1 person >16 years of age was selected by a random number tables. At the household visit, respondents were informed that the survey was sponsored by the department of health and was about drugs for treating infections. Respondents were asked to show the interviewer all drugs in the household that had been prescribed for infections, even if the person for whom they were prescribed was not present (temporarily or permanently), and asked whether the drugs were currently being used for an infection for which they were prescribed, had been prescribed for a previous infection (leftover drugs), or were being kept for use in the future (standby drugs). The amount of unused drug was noted and prescription details were recorded and coded by their listing in the British National Formulary. Antimicrobial drugs included all antifungal and antibacterial drugs.
Respondents were asked a series of questions about their use of antimicrobial drugs and whether they agreed or disagreed with a series of statements from education campaigns (10,11) about the usefulness of these drugs for coughs and colds, viruses, bacteria, and normal flora; the importance of completing courses of drug therapy, and antimicrobial drug resistance. Ethical approval was not required for this ongoing national survey, but respondents were able to refuse participation in any part of the survey at any time and were told that all information was anonymous and strictly confidential.
To enable comparison with nationally prescribed antimicrobial drugs, the number of community-prescribed drugs in England was obtained from prescribing analysis and cost data (PACT) (13). Sampling weights based on the 2001 census data for Great Britain were applied to household and respondent data to allow for any oversampling or undersampling by region, Carstair's deprivation quintile, age group, and sex. Multivariable logistic regression (ignoring sampling weights) was used to investigate independent associations between respondent characteristics and the presence of leftover antimicrobial drugs prescribed for the respondent.
Of 10,981 selected households, 25% refused to participate and 10% could not be contacted. Respondents in 7,120 (65%) households completed the questionnaire and 6,983 (64%) agreed to the drug survey. A total of 19% of the 6,983 households had an antimicrobial drug leftover (6%), kept for standby use (4%), or currently in use (11%) (Table 1). Six percent of leftover drugs had been prescribed for <3 days, 16% for 4–5 days, 61% for >6 days, and 17% were to be taken as required. No specific class of oral antimicrobial drugs was kept more often as leftover drugs relative to PACT prescription rates (Figure 1).
Four percent of respondents had leftover antimicrobial drugs that had been prescribed. The most educated respondents were twice as likely as those least educated to have leftover antimicrobial drugs (5.4% with a university degree vs. 2.4% with no formal degree) (Table 2). Respondents most knowledgeable about antimicrobial drugs (6.1% if all 11 questions were answered correctly) were twice as likely as those least knowledgeable (3.1% if >5 were answered incorrectly) to keep them (Table 2, Figure 2). Level of education and knowledge of antimicrobial drugs were independently associated with being more likely to have leftover drugs (Table 2). Younger respondents and women were more likely to have leftover drugs (Table 2, Figure 2). Thirty-eight percent of respondents' leftover drugs had been dispensed >1 year earlier, and 48% of these drugs had more than half of the original amount remaining (Table 1). Of those who had kept a leftover antimicrobial drug prescribed in the past year, 44% did so for future need (Table 1). Of those with a leftover drug, 18% had taken antimicrobial drugs without advice compared with 4% of respondents who did not have a leftover drug (p<0.0005).
When directly questioned, 38% of respondents (95% confidence interval 36.4–38.8%) recalled that they had been prescribed a drug in the past year. Younger age in women (50% if 16–24 years of age, 43% if 25–44 years of age, and 44% if 45–54 years of age) and lower level of education (33% with a degree and 40% with no formal qualifications on leaving school at the minimum age [16 years]) were independently associated with being prescribed an antimicrobial drug.
This large survey of household antimicrobial drugs, which was conducted in a country with restricted over-the-counter sales, showed an association between keeping leftover antimicrobial drugs and higher education and knowledge about these drugs, younger age, and being female. The strength of this study is that we asked a large representative sample to show us their antimicrobial drugs rather than relying on respondent memory. However, we may not have been shown all antimicrobial drugs, and some of the leftover drugs may have been misclassified as standby drugs. The characteristics of respondents in households with standby drugs were similar to those of respondents with leftover drugs. The number of antimicrobial drugs found was twice that found by a recent survey in Sweden that relied on respondent recall; in that study, the respondents also reported a lower number of antimicrobial drug prescriptions (8).
Persons may keep leftover antimicrobial drugs because too much was prescribed for their initial infection. Most community-acquired infections are respiratory or urinary, for which many prescribed courses of antimicrobial drugs are longer than necessary (14). If the standard duration of treatment could be shortened and package size reduced to contain enough drug for 3 to 5 days, the temptation to keep antimicrobial drugs might be diminished. Our finding supports this suggestion because prescriptions for >6 days constituted 61% of leftover drugs, whereas prescriptions for <3 days constituted 6% of leftover drugs. Evidence shows that repeated treatment with antimicrobial drugs exerts greater selective pressure on normal bacterial flora than a single course of treatment (14,15). Consequently, persons who use leftover antimicrobial drugs repeatedly are at greater risk for colonization and infection with drug-resistant organisms (1,3,4,15).
Our results show that any public education campaign to reduce retention and use of leftover antimicrobial drugs must be directed at well-educated groups rather than the less educated, who are prescribed more antimicrobial drugs. One explanation may be that well-educated people are confident that they can make their own decisions about antimicrobial drug use, and this may be particularly relevant when their infection is less severe or becomes asymptomatic. Furthermore, they do not discard these drugs because 44% of those with leftover antimicrobial drugs admitted keeping them in case of future need. Antimicrobial drug education campaigns should reinforce the message that leftover drugs should be returned to the pharmacist or that these drugs should only be taken after the advice of a health professional.
Our finding of high levels of leftover antimicrobial drugs suggests that prescription does not equate to use. This will be an important source of bias in epidemiologic studies examining risk factors for antimicrobial drug resistance (12) that include dose and duration of antimicrobial drug treatment in their analysis of exposure (1,4).
Dr McNulty is a consultant medical microbiologist and head of the Health Protection Agency Primary Care Unit in Gloucester, UK. Her research interests include management of infectious disease in primary care, guidance development, and facilitation of education.
We thank the staff at the Office for National Statistics who were involved in the household survey, in particular, Amanda Wilmot, Alessio Fiacco, and Laura Rainford, and staff at the Department of Health, who provided the PACT data, in particular, Candida Ballantyne, Anne Custance, and Anne Emery.
This study was supported by a grant from the Department of Health, England, whose staff had no involvement in the design, collection, analysis, or interpretation of data in this study or in writing this paper or submitting it for publication.
- Donnan PT, Wei L, Steinke DT, Phillips G, Clarke R, Noone A, Presence of bacteriuria caused by trimethoprim-resistant bacteria in patients prescribed antibiotics: multilevel model with practice and individual patient data. BMJ. 2004;328:1297. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Goossens H, Ferech M. Vander-Stichele-R, Elseviers M. Outpatient antibiotic use in Europe and association with resistance: a cross-national database study. Lancet. 2005;365:579–87.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Gustafsson I, Sjölund M, Torell E, Johannesson M, Engstrand L, Cars O, Bacteria with increased mutation frequency and antibiotic resistance are enriched in the commensal flora of patients with high antibiotic usage. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2003;52:645–50. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Jonsson M, Qvarnstrom Y, Engstrand L, Swedberg G. Clarithromycin treatment selects for persistent macrolide-resistant bacteria in throat commensal flora. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2005;25:68–74. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Stratchounski LS, Andreeva IV, Ratchina SA, Galkin DV, Petrotchenkova NA, Demin AA, The inventory of antibiotics in Russian home medicine cabinets. Clin Infect Dis. 2003;37:498–505. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Okumura J, Wakai S, Umenai T. Drug utilisation and self-medication in rural communities in Vietnam. Soc Sci Med. 2002;54:1875–86. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Ceaser S, Wurtz R. "Leftover" antibiotics in the medicine cabinet. Ann Intern Med. 2000;133:74.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Svensson E, Haaijer-Ruskamp FM, Lundborg CS. Self-medication with antibiotics in a Swedish general population. Scand J Infect Dis. 2004;36:450–2. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Woolf M. Left-over medicines, a report on OPCS omnibus survey data. OPCS Omnibus Survey Publications Report 4. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office; 1995.
- Finch RG, Joshua MP, Davey PG, Baker LJ. Educational interventions to improve antibiotic use in the community: report from the International Forum on Antibiotic Resistance (IFAR) colloquium, 2002. Lancet Infect Dis. 2004;4:44–53. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Department of Health Standing Medical Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance. The path of least resistance. Occasional report. London: The Stationery Office; 1998.
- Steinke D, Davey P. Association between antibiotic resistance and community prescribing: a critical review of bias and confounding in published studies. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;33(Suppl 3):S193–205. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Lovejoy AE, Savage I. Prescribing analysis and cost tabulation (PACT) data: an introduction. Br J Community Nurs. 2001;6:62–7.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Lambert HP. Don't keep taking the tablets? Lancet. 1999;354:943–5. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Magee JT. The resistance ratchet: theoretical implications of cyclic selection pressure. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2005;56:427–30. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
TablesCite This Article
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Investigación y Educación en Enfermería
Print version ISSN 0120-5307On-line version ISSN 2216-0280
Invest. educ. enferm vol.29 no.3 Medellín Oct./Dec. 2011
Surgical site infection incidence after a clean-contaminated surgery in Yasuj Shahid Beheshti hospital, Iran
Incidencia de infección de herida por cirugía limpia contaminada en el hospital Yasuj Shahid Beheshti, Irán
Incidência de infecção de ferida depois de cirurgia limpa-contaminada em hospital Yasuj Shahid Beheshti, Irã
Mohebbi Nobandegani Zinat1, Najafi Doulatabad Shahla2, Rambod Masoumeh3, Afraseyabi Ardeshir4
1 MSc. Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Shiraz Medical University, Shiraz, Iran. email: email@example.com.
2 MSc. Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran. email: email@example.com.
3 MSc. Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Shiraz Medical University, Shiraz, Iran. email: firstname.lastname@example.com.
4 Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran. email: email@example.com.
Subvenciones y ayudas: This study had financial support of Yasuj University of Medical Science.
Conflicto de intereses: ninguno a declarar.
Cómo citar este artículo: Mohebbi Nobandegani Zinat, Najafi Doulatabad Najafi Doulatabad Shahla, Rambod Masoumeh, Afraseyabi Ardeshir. Surgical site infection incidence after a clean-contaminated surgery in the Yasuj Shahid Beheshti hospital, Iran. Invest Educ Enferm. 2011;29(3)
Objective. To determine the incidence rate of infection after a clean-contaminated surgery and its relationship with some risk factors. Methodology. Cross sectional study, in a convenience sample of 300 patients who underwent surgery classified as clean-contaminated in a hospital of Yasuj, Iran. Samples were taken directly from the wound at the first dressing change to all the patients. They were studied to determine bacteria growth. Results. The rate of infection after a clean-contaminated surgery was 53%. The most common gram positive microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus (22%), and among gram negative: Escherichia coli (26%), Klebsiella sp (26%) and Pseudomonas sp (25%). Significant correlation between the type of surgery and surgical site infection was found, it was not seen with the variables sex and surgical procedure. Conclusion. This study shows important problems regarding patients safety. Protocols should be reviewed to control infections.
Key words: bacterial infections; cross infection; surgical wound infection.
Objetivo. Determinar la tasa de incidencia por infección de herida por cirugía limpia-contaminada y su relación con algunos factores de riesgo. Metodología. Estudio de corte transversal en una muestra por conveniencia de 300 pacientes sometidos a cirugía clasificada como limpia-contaminada. A todos los pacientes les tomaron una muestra para cultivo directamente de la herida en el primer cambio del apósito, la cual se estudió para determinar el crecimiento de bacterias. Resultados. La tasa de infección en heridas quirúrgicas limpias-contaminadas fue del 53%. El microorganismo gram positivo más frecuente fue Staphylococcus aureus (22%), y dentro de los gram negatives fueron: Escherichia coli (26%), Klebsiella sp (26%) y Pseudomonas sp (25%). Se encontró asociación significativa entre el tipo de cirugía y la infección de la herida quirúrgica, lo que no se observó con las variables sexo y el procedimiento quirúrgico. Conclusión. Este estudio muestra problemas importantes en el aseguramiento del paciente. Por consiguiente, es preciso revisar los protocolos para el control de las infecciones.
Palabras clave: infecciones bacterianas infección hospitalaria; infección de herida operatoria.
Objetivo. Determinar a taxa de incidência por infecção de ferida depois de cirurgia limpa-contaminada e sua relação com alguns fatores de risco. Metodologia. Estudo de corte transversal numa mostra por conveniência de 300 pacientes submetidos a cirurgia classificada como limpa-contaminada num hospital de Yasuj, Irã. A todos os pacientes lhes foi tomada uma mostra para cultivo diretamente da ferida na primeira mudança do apósito, a qual foi estudada para determinar o crescimento de bactérias. Resultados. A taxa de infecção em feridas depois de cirurgia limpa-contaminada foi de 53%. O microorganismo gram positivo mais frequente foi Staphylococcus aureus (22%), e dentro dos gram negativos: Escherichia coli (26%), Klebsiella sp (26%) e Pseudomonas sp (25%). Encontrou-se associação significativa entre o tipo de cirurgia e a infecção da ferida cirúrgica, o que não se observou com as variáveis sexo e o procedimento cirúrgico. Conclusão. Este estudo mostra problemas importantes na garantia do paciente. Devem revisar-se os protocolos para o controle das infecções.
Palavras chaves: infecções bacterianas; infecção hospitalar; infecção da ferida operatória.
Surgical site infections (SSI) are the most common health careassociated infections in surgical patients1,2 and are serious surgical complications happening in approximately 2% of surgical procedures, although rates differ widely according to the type of procedure.3 In the United States, the incidence of SSI is computed to be approximately 5% to 6%, with an attributable mortality of 3.6% (40 000 to 80 000 deaths annually) in Europe.3 Studies have shown an SSI prevalence of 4.4% to 38.4%,4,5 but estimates of incidence are scarce.6
SSI can have a devastating effect on the patients course of treatment and is related to increased treatment intensity, prolonged stay in the hospital,7 and higher cost, morbidity and mortality,8 leading to a deterioration in the quality of life.9 Patients with SSI need more nursing care, additional dressing and, in some cases readmission to the hospital and further surgery.7 SSI which appears during the hospitalization period is known as nosocomial infection (NI). It is suspected to be one of the national and international problems and should be assessed urgently.10
The mortality and expenditure of nosocomial infection can be prevented by its timely diagnosis and control. Therefore, in this respect, the present study was carried out in order to determine the rate of surgical site infection in clean-contaminated wounds in the Yasuj Shahid Beheshti hospital.
Cross- sectional descriptive study, carried out during a 12-month period from August 2006 to July 2007. 300 patients, who had undergone surgery in the general surgery ward of the Yasuj Shahid Beheshti hospital in southwest Iran, were hospitalized for more than 48 hours, and had clean-contaminated wounds participated in the study. A laboratory technician took a wet culture sample from the patients wound, using a sterile swab before changing the dressing. It was studied in order to determine bacteria growth or non- growth in blood agar and EMB (Eosine Methylene Blue) environment. All the patients information such as age, gender, surgical service, surgical site and type of surgery was obtained from medical records.
The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Yasuj University of Medical Science (YUMS). Patients were informed about the study both verbally and written. Participation was voluntary and the patients could stop their cooperation in the study without giving any reasons. The questionnaires were coded in order to guarantee anonymity.
Data were analyzed using the SPSS software (version 10) and descriptivestatistics methods (central tendency index, scatter and absolute and relative frequency), chi-square and fisher exact test.
The convenience sample consisted of 300 patients, 192 (64.0%) males and 108 (36.0%) females. The mean age of the patients was 22.6±12.5 years. The surgical procedures included general surgery 193 (64.0%), orthopedic 35 (11.7%), urology 49 (16.3%) and neurosurgery 23 (7.7%). Most of the surgeries were performed on the abdomen and chest (68.0%). The six most frequent types of surgery were: abdominal surgery 139 (46.3%), urinary system 49 (16.3%), fracture 35 (11.7%), skin graft 22 (7.3%) and craniotomy 21 (7.0%). Table 1 shows the general characteristics of the patients.
In this study, the rate of bacterial infection in clean-contaminated wounds was 53.0% (n=159). In addition, the most prevalent gram-positive organism was Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (n=35, 22.0%). Escherichia coli (n= 42, 26.4%), Klebsiella sp. (n=42, 26.4%) and Pseudomonas sp. (n=40, 25.2%) were the most prevalent species among gram-negative bacteria. The most common microorganisms causing infection were Gram-negative (78.0%).
The study indicated that there was no association between age and gender with SSI (Table 1). In addition, surgical procedure and surgical site were not associated with SSI. However, the relationship between the type of surgery and SSI was statistically significant and the most common types of surgeries were gastrointestinal and skin graft surgeries.
Postoperative antibiotic administration was widespread. The six most common antibiotics prescribed to the patients were: Gentamicin (55.7%), Cephalothin Sodium (53.3%), Metronidazol (15.0%), Vancomycin (6.3%), Nalidixic Acid (4.7%) and, Ciprofloxacin (3.4%). Most of the cultures were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin (73.0%), and Gentamicin (59.7%). However, the lowest sensitivity was related to sulfonamides such as sulfamethoxazole (1.3%). In addition sulfonamides such as sulfamethoxazole (91.2%), amikacin (77.4%) and Nalidixic Acid (56.0%) had the highest antibiotic resistance (Table 2).
Nosocomial infection surveillance is time consuming and requires substantial human resources. Anyway, infection control and prevention initiatives through surveillance have been found to be cost effective and improve patients safety.11,12
In this study, the rate of surgical wound infection was 53%. Hadadi et al.13 showed that it was 11% in Tehran, Iran. Szilagyi et al.14 found an overall SSI of 2.3% in their research. In Brazil and Mexico, it was reported to be 10-15%15 and in African countries it was estimated to be 16- 38.7%.16,17 High incidence of SSI in comparison to other researches could be due to the quality of infection preventive measures and differences in infection control practices, but may also be explained by variations in case randomization, distribution of surgical procedures, sample sizes, and surveillance methodology including methods used to detect SSI.
Microbiologic findings demonstrated gram-negative as the most frequently found organisms in our patients, as in previous studies.18,19 The results of a research in Ethiopia also showed that approximately 90% of micro-organisms were gram-negative and 84% were Enterobacter type.20 However, Mitt et al.21 reported that the most common pathogens in their study were Gram-positive.
In this study the most prevalent bacteria responsible for infection were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus. Researchers have indicated that microorganisms involved in bacteremia are mainly Enterobacteriaceae (n=27), including Escherichia-coli and Proteus mirabilis. Other important microorganisms in their study in decreasing order were: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.22 According to international studies, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia-coli, Pseudomonas and Staphilococus aureus are mentioned as organisms causing SSI.23
The finding that Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen for SSI seem to be consistent with other reports.24 This may be because the surgical procedures under surveillance consisted mainly of gastrointestinal tract surgery. Moreover, E. coli is normal flora of the gastrointestinal tract.
Findings suggested an association between SSI and type of surgery. The rate of infection was also higher in abdominal surgery in comparison to the other groups. This result is similar to other studies.8 It was reported that the risk of SSI in gastrointestinal surgery was 2.8% and was more common than the other surgeries.8 In this study, most of the patients who had graft surgery had SSI. This could be linked to the use of immunosuppressive drugs which are prescribed to control graft rejection.
The most common antibiotics used were gentamicin and cephalothin sodium. Researchers reported that first, or second generation cephalosporin with high anti-staphylococcal activity, such as cefazolin, is the most often used drug for antibiotic prophylaxis for clean surgery and high risk clean-contaminated surgery.7 Improving antibiotic prophylaxis is crucial and may be an important first step in reducing SSI.2,25
The current analysis suggests that most of the cultures were sensitive to fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin73%) and aminoglycosides such as gentamicin (59.7%). In other studies, susceptibility to cephalosporins and ciprofloxacin was more than 80, higher than the current study.26,27 Low antibiotic sensitivity rates in this study in comparison to other researches may vary substantially between regions. Therefore, local, hospital-based surveillance of the bacterial spectrum and antibiotic sensitivity is paramount for rational empiric therapy.28
Most of the cultures were resistant to aminoglycosides (amikacin), sulfonamides (sulfamethoxazole) and quinolones (nalidixic-acid). In the hospital environment, antibiotic use is extensive, resulting in selective pressure for antibiotic resistant pathogens.7 Resistance to ciprofloxacin was 8.8% in our study, and this is less than that of the study from Argentina and Brazil in which more than 80% and 25.5%, were resistant to ciprofloxacin.29,30
The present survey provides important data for patients safety. However, the main limitation of the current study was the small number of patients because it was done in one center at the southwest of Iran. Therefore it was suggested to perform more researches in other geographical areas in Iran. Another limitation is the early administration of antibiotics to some patients. This might have caused negative culture results and consequently sampling bias. Therefore, the resistance rate is likely to be slightly overestimated.
Considering these findings, it is concluded that to reduce the risk of infection among patients, better hand-washing and environmental cleaning protocols should be strengthen to diminish contamination. In addition, effective and efficient preoperative patient skin preparation is an essential intervention that may decrease the number of wound contaminations and reduce the risk of postoperative SSI. Indeed, antibiotic prophylaxis and improving host defenses are all important strategies that together will help prevent further infection. Much more studies of the causes of infection and strategies for its prevention are needed.
Acknowledgments. The authors would like to thank to all the patients who participated in the study and to Dr Nasrin Shokrpour at center for development of clinical research of Nemazee Hospital for editorial assistance.
1. Horan TC, Culver DH, Gaynes R P, Jarvis WR, Edwards JR, Reid CR. Nosocomial infections in surgical patients in the United States, January 1986-June 1992. National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) System. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1993;14(2):73-80. [ Links ]
2. Mangram AJ, Horan TC, Pearson ML, Silver LC, Jarvis WR. Guideline for prevention of surgical site infection, 1999. Am J Infect Control. 1999;27(2):97-132. [ Links ]
3. Raymond DP, Pelletier SJ, Crabtree TD, Schulman AM, Pruett TL, Sawyer RG. Surgical infection and the aging population. Am Surg. 2001;67(9):827-32. [ Links ]
4. Haley RW, Culver DH, White JW, Morgan WM, Emori TG. The nationwide nosocomial infection rate. A new need for vital statistics. Am J Epidemiol. 1985;121(2):159-67. [ Links ]
5. Pittet D, Allegranzi B, Storr J, Donaldson L. Clean Care is Safer Care: the Global Patient Safety Challenge 2005-2006. Int J Infect Dis. 2006;10(6):419-24. [ Links ]
6. Kanerva M, Ollgren J, Virtanen MJ, Lyytikäinen O; Prevalence Survey Study Group. Estimating the annual burden of health care-associated infections in Finnish adult acute care hospitals. Am J Infect Control. 2009;37(3):227-30. [ Links ]
7. Dohmen PM. Antibiotic resistance in common pathogens reinforces the need to minimise surgical site infections. J Hosp Infect. 2008;70 Suppl 2:15-20. [ Links ]
8. Astagneau P, LHériteau F, Daniel F, Parneix P, Venier AG, Malavaud S, et al. Reducing surgical site infection incidence through a network: results from the French ISO-RAISIN surveillance system. J Hosp Infect. 2009;72(2):127-34. [ Links ]
9. Kanellakopoulou K, Papadopoulos A, Varvaroussis D, Varvaroussis A, Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, Pagonas A, et al. Efficacy of teicoplanin for the prevention of surgical site infections after total hip or knee arthroplasty: a prospective, open-label study. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2009;33(5):437-40. [ Links ]
10. Smeltzer SC, Bare BG, Hinkle JL, Cheever KH. Brunner & Suddarths Textbook of medical surgical nursing. 11th (Ed). China: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins a Wolters Kluwer Company; 2008. p. 1521-52. [ Links ]
11. Haley RW, Culver DH, White JW, Morgan WM, Emori TG, Munn VP, Hooton TM. The efficacy of infection surveillance and control programs in preventing nosocomial infections in US hospitals. Am J Epidemiol. 1985;121(2):182-205. [ Links ]
12. Brandt C, Sohr D, Behnke M, Daschner F, Rüden H, Gastmeier P. Reduction of surgical site infection rates associated with active surveillance. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2006;27(12):1347-51. [ Links ]
13. Hadadi A, Rasoulinejad M, Maleki Z, Yonesian M, Shirani A, Kourorian Z. Antimicrobial resistance pattern of Gram-negative bacilli of nosocomial origin at 2 university hospitals in Iran. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2008;60(3):301-5. [ Links ]
14. Szilágyi E, Böröcz K, Gastmeier P, Kurcz A, Horváth-Puhó E.The national nosocomial surveillance network in Hungary: results of two years of surgical site infection surveillance. J Hosp Infect. 2009;71(1):74-80. [ Links ]
15. Santos KR, Bravo Neto GP, Fonseca LS, Gontijo Filho PP. Incidence surveillance of wound infection in hernia surgery during hospitalization and after discharge in a university hospital. J Hosp Infect. 1997;36(3):229-33. [ Links ]
16. Moreea S, Rajah F, Rycken J. Pilot study of post operative infections in incisional wounds and split skin grafts in a provincial hospital in Zimbabwe. Trop Doct. 1993;23(4):160-4. [ Links ]
17. Kotisso B, Aseffa A. Surgical wound infection in a teaching hospital in Ethiopia. East Afr Med J. 1998;75(7):402-5. [ Links ]
18. Olsen MA, Sundt TM, Lawton JS, Damiano RJ Jr, Hopkins-Broyles D, Lock-Buckley P, et al. Risk factors for leg harvest surgical site infections after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2003;126(4):992-9. [ Links ]
19. LEcuyer PB, Murphy D, Little JR, Fraser VJ. The epidemiology of chest and leg wound infections following cardiothoracic surgery. . Clin Infect Dis. 1996;22(3):424-9. [ Links ]
20. Habte-Gabr E, Gedebou M, Kronvall G. Hospital-acquired infections among surgical patients in Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Am J Infect Control. 1988;16(1):7-13. [ Links ]
21. Mitt P, Adamson V, Lõivukene K, Lang K, Telling K, Päro K, et al. Epidemiology of nosocomial bloodstream infections in Estonia. J Hosp Infect. 2009;71(4):365-70. [ Links ]
22. Akpabie A, Duché C, Le Gaudion M. Nosocomial bacteremia: impact of empirical antimicrobial treatment on the patients outcome. Pathol Biol (Paris). 2009;57(1):51-5. [ Links ]
23. Mayon-White RT, Ducel G, Kereselidze T, Tikomirov E. An international survey of the prevalence of hospital-acquired infection. J Hosp Infect. 1988;11 Suppl A:43-8. [ Links ]
24. Kasatpibal N, Jamulitrat S, Chongsuvivatwong V. Standardized incidence rates of surgical site infection: a multicenter study in Thailand. J Infect Control. 2005;33(10):587-94. [ Links ]
25. Brown S, Kurtsikashvili G, Alonso-Echanove J, Ghadua M, Ahmeteli L, Bochoidze T, et al. Prevalence and predictors of surgical site infection in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia. J Hosp Infect. 2007;66(2):160-6. [ Links ]
26. Orrett FA. Resistance patterns among selective Gram-negative bacilli from an intensive care unit in Trinidad, West Indies. Saudi Med J. 2004;25(4):478-83. [ Links ]
27. Rhomberg PR, Fritsche TR, Sader HS, Jones RN. Comparative antimicrobial potency of meropenem tested against Gram-negative bacilli: report from the MYSTIC surveillance program in the United States (2004). J Chemother. 2005;17(5):459-69. [ Links ]
28. Wagenlehner FM, Weidner W, Naber KG. Emergence of antibiotic resistance amongst hospital-acquired urinary tract infections and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic considerations. J Hosp Infect. 2005;60(3):191-200. [ Links ]
29. Rodríguez CH, Juárez J, de Mier C, Pugliese L, Blanco G, Vay C, et al. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics in gram-negative rods isolated from intensive care units. Comparative analysis between two periods (1998 and 2001). Medicina (B Aires). 2003;63(1):21-7. [ Links ]
30. Mendes C, Oplustil C, Sakagami E, Turner P, Kiffer C; MYSTIC Brazil Group. Antimicrobial susceptibility in intensive care units: MYSTIC Program Brazil 2002. Braz J Infect Dis. 2005 Feb;9(1):44-51 [ Links ]
Fecha de Recibido: 17 de enero de 2011. Fecha de Aprobado: 16 de agosto de 2011.


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Posted by miam on July 4, 2013 at 9:52 pm
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I photographed this juvenile Loggerhead Shrike two days ago on Antelope Island State park in northern Utah. The juvenile came in so close to the pickup that I opted to take portraits of it. Nikon D300, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC, not baited


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….that I was gonna shut up for awhile, that was pertaining to race and racial politics. I am just not as 'woke' enough on the subject as I should be to comment very much. But I think we all know that I can't shut up on everything. Or for very long. And, don't make the mistake of thinking that I am well-steeped in the rest of the subjects that I write about, either. I am not. I am just steeped enough to have an opinion on those other topics but the racial issue is a deeper-felt and complicated subject than is OTG'ing or general politics. General politics is fair game for the ignorant and ill-informed as much as anyone and I definitely qualify for that.
NOT talking about racial issues is not the right answer, either. But, as I implied, now is the time to listen more. And, if you are listening, you are NOT talking. Or writing. Soooo………
What can I talk about? What do I know? What and where is my expertise? Hmmmmm…..maybe I really should just shut up? But I do have some opinions on electric vehicles, weather, the environment, Trump and Trudeau (of course), the police, the economy and living OTG. I have opinions about marriage, men and women, relationships and family, too, but so does everyone so…….and that is what the comment section is for.
Let's do a tiny bit on the economy. Canada added 290,000 jobs in May! The loon is up! Seems some people, despite Covid, are doing boffo. A contractor friend of mine is doing exceptionally well right now building suites in homes. He figures (from talking to the owners) that the 'mortgage helpers' are less about the general rental market and more about getting elderly parents out of rest homes. In a weird way, Covid-19 may bring some families together a bit more.
I have a couple of other friends whose adult children are moving back home and they, too, are adding bedrooms or suites. Or buying motorhomes for the back yard.
Some of those new jobs are in delivering goods and packages. Our little community has pretty much embraced the food delivery, package delivery, materials delivery phenomena much more than ever before. We have 'cut down' unnecessary travel by at least half and, judging from the vehicle parking lot we use on the other island, probably more. Those cars aren't moving much at all. We haven't driven in two months! We are saving fuel, time, wear and tear on the vehicle and we are saving money in the process as well – people are just buying less. All that has to play out as a bit of a palliative for the environment. Maybe even part of the cure? It sure has injected new life into the 'gig' economy.
The restaurant industry, on the other hand, is struggling and I do not see that bouncing back too soon. Same for tourism-based businesses. Same for air travel.
Our fish stocks will likely do better around here this year simply because the numbers of American and Canadian Sportsmen fishing for salmon and foraging for shellfish is way, way down. I wouldn't mind a few years of that. There have been few – if any – whale watching boats so far and that would be good for the whales 'cept part of the reason for no boats is that we have not seen any whales this year. Well, one pod of Orcas about two weeks ago.
The e-bike revolution has started and it is gonna be big. Urban traffic will be a bit confused for awhile but, eventually, e-bikes will make a big difference. We may be moving to the New York model where the well-off have a car that they do not use except on the weekends. It is fascinating to watch the development and the iterations of that old transportation component (now with more bicycles and e-vehicles) being revitalized. That technical adjustment to the way society works is a good one and I am a huge fan.
On the gardening front, we are exploding with new veggies, plants and flowers. Our bees runneth over. I have not been an advocate for planting flowers since I prefer to eat what I grow but the the plight of bees is still with us. I am helping to add more flowers – just for them. Seems they need us more than ever.
Sal's new knee is better than her old, good one. She says she is more confident with the new one when she has to push the limit a bit. That is marvelous news. She's off to 'first yoga' today.
And that is it for we OTG'ers the 5th of June, 2020. Things are alright with our mostly isolated world.


text: Monday Map: State Business Incentives October 21, 2013 Scott Drenkard Scott Drenkard, The data for this week's Monday Map comes from a component of the 2014 State Business Tax Climate Index that looks at business tax incentives in each state. All maps and other graphics may be published and re-posted with credit to the Tax Foundation. (Click on map to enlarge it. Click here for previous maps.) Many states provide tax credits which lower the effective tax rates for certain industries and/or investments, often for large firms from out of state that are considering a move. Policymakers create these deals under the banner of job creation and economic development, but the truth is that if a state needs to offer such packages, it is most likely covering for a bad business tax climate. Economic development and job creation tax credits complicate the tax system, narrow the tax base, drive up tax rates for companies that do not qualify, distort the free market, and often fail to achieve economic growth. A more effective approach is to systematically improve the business tax climate for the long term. Thus, this component of the Index rewards those states that do not offer the following tax credits, and states that offer them score poorly. Investment Tax Credits. Investment tax credits typically offer an offset against tax liability if the company invests in new property, plants, equipment, or machinery in the state offering the credit. Sometimes, the new investment will have to be "qualified" and approved by the state's economic development office. Investment tax credits distort the free market by rewarding investment in new property as opposed to the renovation of old property. Job Tax Credits. Job tax credits typically offer an offset against tax liability if the company creates a specified number of jobs over a specified period of time. Sometimes, the new jobs will have to be "qualified" and approved by the state's economic development office, allegedly to prevent firms from claiming that jobs shifted were jobs added. Even if administered efficiently, which is uncommon, job tax credits can misfire in a number of ways. They push businesses whose economic position would be best served by spending more on new equipment or marketing to hire new employees instead. They favor businesses that are expanding anyway, punishing firms that are already struggling. Thus, states that offer such credits score poorly on the Index. Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credits. R&D tax credits reduce the amount of tax due by a company that invests in "qualified" research and development activities. The theoretical argument for R&D tax credits is that they encourage the kind of basic research that is not economically justifiable in the short run but that is better for society in the long run. In practice, their negative side effects—greatly complicating the tax system and establishing a government agency as the arbiter of what types of research meet a criterion so difficult to assess—far outweigh the potential benefits. To the extent that there is a public good justification for R&D credits, it is likely that a policy implemented at the federal level will be the most efficient since the public good aspects of R&D are not bound by state lines. Thus, states that offer such credits score poorly on the Index. Stay informed on the tax policies impacting you. Subscribe to get insights from our trusted experts delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Share Tweet Share Email Topics Center for State Tax Policy Business Taxes Data State Business Tax Climate Index


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by Neil Gaiman
This is typical Gaiman: the nightmarish landscapes and events are always presented with a reassuring glow of beauty that makes the scene and the story much less horrifying. Rather, it becomes purely entertaining. A bit of chill here and there and things mostly work out — except that there is always that trademark tinge of melancholy – like a lonely tinkling of a music box that plays a haunting and unfamiliar tune, slowly coming to a pause. The book reads like an expanded short story and I think it probably would have benefited from being a short story, rather than a novel (which even though meets the "novel" length requirement, reads more or less like a novella, with such a local setting and a tight plot time frame.)
Did I enjoy it? Definitely. Did it sweep me off of my feet? Not like some of his other work did in the past. However, since Gaiman proclaimed that this is as close to an "actual account" of his childhood as he could manage, the readers do get a glimpse of this creative writer's mental landscape and the psyches that bring us illuminating stories.
I got a bit curious about the definition of novels, novella, etc. by length, and found this list on the Nebula award:
- Short Story: less than 7,500 words;
- Novelette: at least 7,500 words but less than 17,500 words;
- Novella: at least 17,500 words but less than 40,000 words
- Novel: 40,000 words or more.
- At the author's request, a novella-length work published individually, rather than as a part of a collection, anthology, or other collective work, shall appear in the novel category.
Source: http://www.sfwa.org/nebula-awards/nebula-weekend/faq/
On the same site, I also found an article about the definition of "a word":
"So, years ago, publishers set up a standard definition: a word is six characters (including spaces)." — more detailed explanation and rationale for this can be found here:


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I get more and more like a middle-aged lady every year, but I'm just going to go ahead and ask how it is that it's May already. I think it was January last week? And Firework Night?
There was a spectacular show of indifferent ignorance on the radio this morning, with presenters from the Today programme asking people if they were voting… some didn't know who the Prime Minister is. I can't really complain about that because they do in fact all look the same. But still, Mr Apathetic Citizen, has it not occurred to you that by not voting you have no right to complain about any sort of governmental process? You say that politics doesn't affect you but that's just 'cause you don't know anything about it. Have a sniff around and I'm pretty sure you'll discover the odd law that dictates your life.
Speaking of laws, I finally watched this film:
(Well I watched it twice because I rented it from the library and I like to
get my money's worth support local services.) It was funnier than I thought it would be… most civil rights-esque stories make me want to cry and throw things. Well I did get a bit sniffly but what was really funny – and I mean this in every interpretation of the word – was that the people who spewed homophobic bullshit in the 1970s are completely identical to the people who spew it now.
It was like when I listened to MLK's I Have a Dream Speech and kept thinking of Ferguson. A lot of good things have happened in the last three or four decades, but it seems unlikely that the world will ever be completely rid of fuckin' idiots.
On the plus side, this Thursday we might be able to remove a few of them from public office. I don't hold out much hope for electing anyone better though… that shit's stayed in the '70s.


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I want to be where sand and sea play while the sun radiates overhead. There's a place I know, where the sun shines brightest and the Pacific, deceivingly inviting makes it all the more alluring. A place where the sand stretches for as long as the sun shines. A place where you can gorge on the spoils of Mother Nature's buffet if you're willing to do the prep work.
To get to this place, persistence (and a cooler full of goodies) pays in spectacular sunsets, a sense of awe and a renewed belief in the world beyond our tiny screens.
We begin by piling into the car on a typical warm afternoon, on a mission for provisions. Parked beneath the monkeypods in Koloa, we scoop up enough ahi poke to match our company's tastes. Better make it a few pounds. Those bentos are calling our names too, and don't forget the Hawaiian Sun juices, beer, water if we must. Today is not the day to count calories, friends.
We continue on Kaumuali'i Highway, but locals don't call it that. No need. We're headed West to the literal end of the road where we hang left onto unpaved, dust and gravel and play vehicular hop scotch to dodge the potholes. This game lasts for two miles through remnants of Hawaii's now defunct sugar economy, a faint reminder of how generations before me took root in the islands and an important part of my story as well.
Are we there yet?
Not until after you've exhausted your repertoire of insert-songs-from-your-high-school-years' greatest hits because by this point, the only tunes the radio is playing is sweet, useless static. Not until the bushes playfully whip your car as the road narrows and curves right to reveal; another length of anticipation.
Let's make that equal parts anticipation and hope. Hope that your tires have enough traction to propel you through the same sand you'll dig your toes into, or let pour through your fingers while your mind slides through time like those grains of sand.
The powder stretches long, ending at a point beyond your eyesight and continues. The shimmering blue commands respect. This is Polihale's allure, though the real seduction begins when the sand cools and the sky glows with warm swirls of orange, reds and pinks.
On most days, it's a place where the universe strips away distraction, obligation. Exposed are sensations no photograph, vividly crafted prose or sweeping aerial video can fully capture; a balmy breeze dances with salt-garnished air to grant your hair a coveted, tousled effect. An ombre sky unraveling the most tightly wound thoughts cannot be contained.
Not even the most enterprising individual can bottle this up. Polihale leaves you so full, you may not even want dessert, but you brought a cooler, so crack it open, will you?


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I am Chief Scientist at Wilton Consulting Group, providing advice to IT and business leader and architects on using architecture for digital transformation and improved decision making. I'm also a Founding Member and VP of the Business Architecture Guild. Prior to returning to consulting, I was Global Research Vice President for Strategic Architecture at industry analyst firm IDC. I've worked with over 100 enterprises, from small to large, in numerous industries and 10 different countries to create transformation strategies, implement enterprise solutions and create or improve their architecture programs. I'm into my 40th years in IT as an advisor and technical leader architecting, designing, and developing software applications and products, including roles as CTO, chief architect, product architect, technical leader, and developer for commercial middleware products from IONA, BEA and Digital.
Why am I involved with Architectural Thinking?
Architecture is a critical aspect of enterprises today as they try to move forward in the new digital economy. But, architecture still suffers from the stereotype of "high level, not relevant, waste of time and money", and in many (or perhaps most) cases, it is still organized and practiced in the ways that created and promoted that stereotype. For the past 15 years I have been saying that "creating architecture provides no value. Value is only realized when architecture is used to influence decisions". So, as we shift our focus from architectural creation to architectural delivery in order to create actionable and defensible work products, we must also ensure and maintain architectural integrity and expand the value of architecture by continuously building a usable architectural knowledge base. This requires us to understand, preserve and apply important architecture principles in new ways. In other words, to think architecturally.
Some of the Things That I Do
- Published books in 1997, 2001, 2008
- Have a quarterly column on digital transformation on BPTrends.com
- Teach classes in Business Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, BizOps, and Digital Transformation
- Present at IRM's Enterprise Architecture Conference, Business Architecture Innovation Summit, and BBC
- Adjunct Research Advisor on architecture for IDC
- Board of Directors of Business Architecture Guild and FEAPO (Federation of Enterprise Architecture Professional Organizations)
- Fractional CIO and Fractional Architect
- Ski, hike, climb
More About Me
Ask LinkedIn


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The debate on the consequences and costs of artificial intelligence (AI) is intensifying daily, with a number of influential thinkers, activists and business leaders voicing their view and frequently taking opposing stands.
Let's take them in twos. First a chess player and a physicist.
Gary Kasparov, the former world chess champion and human rights activist who played IBM's supercomputer, Deep Blue, in a series of globally publicized chess matches in 1996 and 1997 (Gary won the first round and lost the rematch) is a passionate advocate of AI. In his keynote at the recent Def Con conference, Gary urged the world to embrace and accelerate the AI revolution. He views the rise of authentically intelligent machines as a necessary force of creative destruction and doesn't believe they will be a huge threat to humanity.
The nonpareil mind of physicist Stephen Hawking doesn't agree entirely. In an interview with BBC, Professor Hawking said that a rise in AI technologies could produce favorable outcomes, such as the eradication of disease and the conquest of climate change. But he also warned that they could cause severe economic disruption, and spawn an assortment of outcomes disastrous for humanity, such as autonomous weapons and machines capable of developing a will of their own.
Next, two global business icons who clash on the future of AI.
Elon Musk, a technology visionary, and Tesla and SpaceX CEO, perceives AI as an existential threat, a "fundamental threat to human civilization." Speaking at the U.S. National Governors Association summer meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, he strongly advocated for the proactive regulation of artificial intelligence because if we are reactive, it could be "too late."
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is bullish on the prospects of AI and rejects the doomsayers as irresponsible. "With AI especially, I am really optimistic," he said. "In the next five to 10 years, AI is going to deliver so many improvements in the quality of our lives."


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Catherine R. Guiles
Metro Washington, D.C.
443-465-1381 | email@example.com
linkedin.com/in/catherineguiles | catherineguiles.com
Copy editor and writer
Informing people and inspiring them to act
through clear, accurate communication
Extensive expertise creating and correcting copy for online and print publications. Pay close attention to detail while meeting frequent deadlines. Work with others to determine news coverage as well as work independently and under pressure. Write news articles and criticism for publications targeting various audiences. Successful track record of ensuring accuracy and clarity on multiple complex subjects.
Professional experience
SmartBrief, Washington, D.C. 2012-present
Copy editor/writer, copy editor
Write and/or edit between five and 12 curated email newsletters per day for trade associations including the National Recreation and Park Association and America's Health Insurance Plans.
- Ensure accuracy, proper grammar and spelling, taste, legality, compliance with SmartBrief and Associated Press style and agreement with association requests and preferences.
- Have one of lowest correction rates among SmartBrief copy editors.
- Present content in concise, web- and mobile-friendly formats to drive reader engagement.
- Contribute original content to While You Were Working SmartBrief, which has over 100,000 subscribers.
- Write SmartBrief Originals articles on human resources topics using search engine optimization.
- Edit content marketing reports and infographics to ensure consistency and compliance with style.
- Collaborate with other editors and copy editors, most of whom work remotely, to provide editorial direction, choose material for inclusion and incorporate edits.
Times Herald-Record, Middletown, N.Y. 2008-2012
Copy editor, designer
Edited copy for multiple platforms and designed print pages for a daily newspaper.
- Wrote engaging headlines and captions, seeking fairness, accuracy, readability and compliance with grammar and style.
- Promoted to supervise five copy editors and designers in daily production of the print edition, collaborating to revise content, ensure proper page flow and resolve production issues.
- Managed and created web content using content management system. Revised headlines for web.
The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y. 2003-2007
Copy editor, copy desk chief, designer
Edited articles, wrote headlines and designed print pages for a six-days-a-week newspaper.
- Promoted to copy desk chief, supervising other copy editors, designers and interns.
- Wrote editorials.
- Co-designed a special "First Amendment Edition" section that won first place in an Ottaway Newspapers companywide contest.
Other experience
Various publications, multiple US cities 2017-present
Freelance reporter, book reviewer
Write news articles and book reviews for Religion News Service, the Arlington (Va.) Connection and the Englewood Review of Books.
- RNS article published by USA Today, the Houston Chronicle and at least four other media outlets.
Medill News Service, Chicago, Ill. 2008
Urban issues reporter
Covered education and religion for Northwestern University's wire service produced by Medill students.
- Reported and wrote a six-part series on the role of Christian liberal arts colleges in the 2008 presidential election, funded by a grant from the Lilly Endowment.
- Published articles in the Chicago Journal and The Windy Citizen and published photographs in Education Week.
- Reported stories in audio and visual formats.
- Master of Science in Journalism, Northwestern University, 2008
Evanston, Ill.
- Bachelor of Arts with departmental honors, English, Calvin University 2003
(formerly Calvin College), Grand Rapids, Mich.
Additional training
- Copy editing boot camps and national conference 2012, 2016, 2017
held by ACES, The Society for Editing
Technical skills
- Content management systems
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe InDesign, InCopy, Photoshop and Premiere Elements (video)
- WordPress
- Slack


text:
By Princess Jones
Local businesses are en vogue right now. But there are some small business owners that think that being local is the benefit. It's not. A benefit is what your customers get from you. You being a local business doesn't mean anything if the customer doesn't benefit directly from it.
If you're a local business but you're not providing the benefits your customers expect from one, it's time to get to work.
Uninformed Staff
Often, big box stores are hiring warm bodies with smiling faces. Obviously, they're looking for good employee but being particularly informed is not a priority. On the other hand, customers expect some specialized knowledge from the person behind the counter at a local business.
If you're hiring from the same pool as the big box stores in your area, you can still make your staff stand out. Make it a point to educate them into brand ambassadors. If you sell coffee, make sure that your employees can answer every question about coffee someone could possibly ask. Hold regular education sessions and make it clear that you expect your employees to know their stuff.
Generic Products
Local stores rarely beat big box stores on pricing. High volume discounts allow those retailers to price items cheaper while maintaining the same margins. But where local stores can win is in the product selection. Big retailers tend to be collectors, meaning they try to stock as much variety as profit allows. But small local businesses need to be curators. They need to be selective about what they're going to stock. Not everything will fit and sometimes you'll have to say no.
Let's say you're running a local tea shop. The Walmart down the street carries five or six brands tea bags, too. But you're not competing with them because you are curating your products with a certain standard in mind. You carry teas from various countries, teas with certain flavors, and teas with homeopathic properties. You're not catering to the casual tea drinker who is also looking for a six pack of socks. And it shows in your product offerings.
Low Stock
For a customer to make a choice to buy locally, they have to drive past all of the big box stores and chains to your store. If the thing they want isn't there when they do, they are that much likely to stay home next time. We all stock is an investment and affects your business' liquidity. But one of the benefits of being a local business is that instant gratification that comes from putting a product in a customer's hands immediately. If they wanted to wait a week for it, they could have ordered it from Amazon for less money.
Isolated from the Community
When most consumers make it a point to shop local, they want to support their local economy. They want to support a business that affects where they live. If you have small business that operates like it's not a part of the community, you're not providing this benefit.
One way to get connected to your local community is to sponsor local organizations, like a kids' baseball team or an animal shelter. You can also participate in local events, like a festival or Small Business Saturday. Show your customers that you're a part of their community and the money they spend with you goes back into it.


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UNC's South Side Farmers Market will host 2017 CSA Day this Saturday, Feb 25th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 509 Cedar Avenue in Scranton.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a direct farm-to-customer business model. Members pay for a season's worth of produce or meats (a membership) in advance and receive a "share" of fresh produce, meat, eggs, or flowers through the harvesting season. This is great for the farmers because they get the revenue when they most need it to get ready for the growing season.
Fullers Overlook Farm offers weekly CSA shares of produce, eggs, pasture raised meat, and flowers. Participants who sign up at UNC's South Side Farmers Market will be entered into a contest to win a $20 gift card for the Farm. No Bull Ranch offers monthly and weekly CSA shares of beef and Berkshire pork and will offer a discounted price on CSA signup at CSA Day this Saturday. Both farms offer CSA pickups at UNC's South Side Farmers Market on Saturdays.
For more information, please contact Chrissy Manuel, UNC's Revitalization Manager, at 570-346-6203, ext. 105


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How to Use Rent Payments to Improve Your Credit
Using rent payments to improve your credit is now easier than ever. We cover the websites that can help you report your rent to credit bureaus.
If you're among the 36.6% of US households that rent, you're probably missing out on the single biggest credit reference: Your rent payment!
Traditionally, the only way that your rent payments affect your credit score is if unpaid rent goes into collection. Your many years of making rent payments on time aren't even recognized. Fortunately, that situation is changing. You may be able to help your own cause by learning how to report rent payments to credit bureaus.
Here are several services that can help you do just that.
Experian RentBureau
Experian has been moving forward in reporting rent histories through its Experian RentBureau. The service started in December, 2010, when Experian became the first credit reporting agency to include on-time rent payment data on its credit reports.
RentBureau will show your rental arrangement as a trade line, and includes your payments for the past 25 months. The data in the trade line will also show the date you started renting and your monthly payment amount.
There's some really good news here, too. Experian will only include positive rental history. The reason is that negative rental information will usually show up as a collection account, which is already reported by the collection agencies.
Of course, there is a bit of a catch in the way this works. Your landlord won't likely automatically report your rental history. That may be true even if you live in a very large apartment complex.
If you rent and you want your rent history included in your credit report, you'll have to ask your landlord or property manager if they report to Experian RentBureau. If they do, you're all set. But if they don't, you'll have to encourage them to do so. They may not want to. But there's a workaround on how to report rent payments to credit bureaus.
How to Report Rent Payments to Credit Bureaus
To do that, you'll have to have the landlord or property manager contact Experian RentBureau to set up the reference. Since there are fees (and extra work) involved, your landlord may have little interest in participating. If that's the case, you can sign up for a rental payment service that works with Experian RentBureau.
When you do, you'll actually make your rent payments through the rental payment service. The service will forward the rent to your landlord and then report the payment to Experian.
The downside to using a rental payment service is that you will usually have to pay a fee. Some services have a setup fee that could be as high as $50. But almost all have a per-payment fee as well. That fee can be a few dollars for each check payment or a percentage of either a debit card or credit card payment.
For example, if a service charges a 2.75% fee for a credit card payment and your rent is $1,000 per month, you will pay $27.50 per payment.
That's obviously a bit steep. But if you're looking to build a credit rating, it could be an expense worth paying.
Rental payment service providers that cooperate with Experian RentBureau include:
- PayLease – Must sign up to determine fees.
- PayYourRent – ACH fee (undisclosed) or 2.75% credit card fee.
- RENTTRACK – ACH $6.95, debit card 2.75%, credit card 2.95%. ***Also reports to Equifax and TransUnion.***
- ClearNow – Fees paid by landlord who might charge them back to you.
- eRentPayment – ACH/eCheck $3 per transaction. ***Also reports to Equifax and TransUnion.***
- rentler – $1.95 for bank transactions, 1.9% for debit cards, 2.9% for credit cards.
With services where the fee is paid by the landlord, it's almost certain that the landlord will pass those fees on to you.
Rental Kharma
Rental Kharma is a service that reports your rent payment history to TransUnion. They do this after verifying your lease and your monthly payments with your landlord. After that, each payment that you make will be verified. You could also add your last 24 months of rent payments to fast-forward the process of building your credit score.
Rental Kharma isn't a rental payment service. Instead, they contact your landlord once you've made your payment and verify that you made it on time. That means that though you will subscribe to the service for credit purposes, you will still make your rent payment directly to your landlord.
Rental Kharma also has what could be a big advantage for certain tenants. Rent payments are only considered late if they are more than 30 days past the due date. So if your rent is due on November 1, it will not be reported late to the credit bureau as long as it's paid by November 30. But they do recommend that if you sometimes go beyond 30 days, you may not want to subscribe to the service. That is, rent payments more than 30 days late will count against you.
In order to join the service, you have to pay a one-time validation fee of $25. After that, you pay a monthly subscription fee of $6.95 for ongoing reporting. If you want to add your previous rent history, the fee is $5 for each month verified, up to a maximum of 24 months.
Your landlord must be willing to participate in the service, since they will need to verify your rent payments. But Rental Kharma is an easier sell to a landlord because the landlord isn't required to pay any fees.
TransUnion RentReporters
You can also get TransUnion involved directly in rent reporting through their RentReporters service. Like Rental Kharma, they verify your rent payments with your landlord and then include the history on your TransUnion credit report.
Their website advertises that "The average credit score can increase 35 to 50 points in 15 days" as a result of adding your rent history to your credit report.
RentReporters has a one-time enrollment fee of $45.95. That fee includes both the landlord verification process and reporting up to two years of previous rental payments. To continue reporting future payments, there is a monthly subscription fee of $9.95.
If you have had different landlords in the past two years, RentReporters can verify your rent payment history for an additional fee of $50 for each landlord.
So that's how to report rent payments to credit bureaus. All you need is a few extra dollars and a willing landlord, and you can have your rent payment history added to your credit report. If that history has been a good one, you could see an almost immediate increase in your credit score.


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What do you do?
Hi, I'm Bilal! I've been working for Google for the last 7 years in London, Dublin and now New York. I work with fashion & sports brands on their digital strategy & marketing.
What else should we know about you?
I recently launched a podcast called Creator Lab, where I have honest conversations with leading entrepreneurs, non-profit founders, award winning designers, educators, artists and everything else in between. If you fancy a listen, my favorite episode so far was with Scott Harrison from charity: water.
I'm also a spoken word artist and perform around New York city in the evenings!
What's your historical London and New York connection?
Born and bred in East London, as a kid I often came to New York to visit family in Queens. About 5 years ago, I started working with our New York office and decided to make the switch permanent 3 years ago to get the full experience!
Describe your experience in New York as a Londoner.
Both are incredibly diverse, HUGE and there's an unlimited number of things to do and see. The only things you run out of are time, money and stamina 🙂
The thing that surprised me the most before I lived here was how go-with-the-flow you can be in NYC. Many people who move here say the first 6-12 months feel like a holiday. That feeling of spontaneity and anything can happen hasn't worn off yet.
How can the two cities better engage with each other?
I think they actually have a pretty good connection already in most cases. But specifically in my world: the tech & the startup space – I'd love to see the silicon roundabout area in Old Street have a more seamless entry point into the hubs we have in NYC, and vice-versa. It's sometimes hard to know where to turn up to when visiting for the first time, because there are so many options.
Favorite NYC secret spot:
Not so much a secret, but my fav place is the Nuyorican Poets Cafe.
Favourite London secret spot:
Not a secret either, but definitely less known to my American friends than the famous Tayyabs. For the best lamb chops and authentic Pakistani/Indian food, got to love Lahore Kebab House.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
If I could speak Spanish, I would do laps around South America.
In flight entertainment:
My fav album this year has been Kaytranada, 99.9%.


text:
Koji Igarashi is 46 years old. Dubbed "Iga" by fans, he's best known for his work on the Castlevania series. Nearly half his life was spent making games at Konami. Yesterday, he announced he was leaving that company, and in an exclusive interview with Kotaku, he explains why.
"I was at Konami for 24 years," Iga told me last week. Iga was the force behind such iconic Castlevania games as Symphony of the Night, Dawn of Sorrow, and Portrait of Ruin. He even wrote the groundbreaking dating sim Tokimeki Memorial. What made Iga's games so great was not only an understanding of his—and his team's—strengths, but of what made the games themselves work as well as a deep appreciation of 2D action and sleek combat.
We met in a coffee shop in north Osaka. He's nursing yet another cup of coffee, arriving early this morning from Tokyo. He didn't bring his signature accoutrements—such as a whip and cowboy hat—that he'd often have at interviews to promote Castlevania. He didn't need them to stick out: his tall, lanky frame towered over everyone else in the cafe.
"Twenty two of those years, I made core video games," Iga continued. "For two of them, I made social games."
I remembered hearing a rumor that Iga was working on Konami's social games, which were increasingly profitable for the company. Iga didn't think this was necessarily a bad thing. "I don't dislike social games," he said, adding that he requested to be shifted into the social games section. With social games being incredibly popular in Japan and seeming to eclipse traditional games, Iga thought there was something he could learn and that social games would be a good platform for quirky, unusual titles.
And since social games are so profitable in Japan, the industry is focusing on them. "I think there will be even more of a shift towards social games in Japan," said Iga, putting down his cup of coffee. "And at Konami as well."
But if he didn't hate social games, why leave Konami?
"I keep getting messages from fans, via Facebook and such, telling me that they wanted me to make consumer games," he said. "The people who like my games tend to play traditional video games." Those messages struck a nerve, it seems. "I'm in my mid-forties. If I don't strike out on my own now, then when will I? The voices of those fans will just get softer and softer over time." Iga thought this was the best timing to make his own road. "I'm not getting any younger, and there are games I still want to make."
In 2010, Konami released Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. It was a new take on the franchise, and Konami farmed out development to a Spanish group, Mercury Steam. Iga, however, was not in charge of the franchise.
In an interview at the time, Mercury Steam's Dave Cox told Edge, "We needed to make a change, so we did. The Castlevania series wasn't going anywhere, sales were dwindling and it was appealing only to a very small, hardcore fanbase. That's how franchises die... We have to take these risks if Castlevania is to survive, otherwise it's just going to be like Mega Man."
Today, gamers might wonder, what's wrong with being like Mega Man? But, like with many long-running franchises, game companies look for ways to, in their view, revitalize franchises. Whether fans want that, or if they are even necessary, is another matter entirely. But changing 2D games to 3D ends up being low-hanging fruit.
I asked Iga why he wasn't in charge of Lords of Shadow. "We made two 3D Castlevania games," he said. "And to be honest, they didn't turn out so well. Mercury Steam is very skilled at creating beautiful 3D images, so they were brought in to develop the game."
In 2010, Konami didn't quite yet have its own game engine that could handle Castlevania. Remember, this was years before the Fox Engine.
"Couldn't you still have been in charge?" I asked.
"It would've been difficult, with them in Europe and me in Japan," he said. "And since the quality for our 3D Castlevania games wasn't that high, it wasn't really our place to tell them how to do one. They had that expertise."
It's an uncomfortable line of questioning, I know. Iga didn't just make Castlevania games, he was their biggest cheerleader and biggest fan. He lived, breathed, and ate Castlevania. Iga embraced a game series like few creators do. To pass that on must have been difficult.
There's a jazz song playing that I should know, but don't. I check the voice recorder and asked him what he thought of the new Castlevania games. "Looking from the outside, I think they did a good job," Iga said. "But for many fans, they automatically think 2D when they hear Castlevania. So there's that to overcome."
"When we did our 3D versions, many fans said they preferred 2D. So because of that, it might be difficult to make 3D Castlevania games."
"Were you depressed when you were no longer in charge of Castlevania?" I asked.
"Yes, of course, I was depressed," he replied, grinning. "But, I am a huge Castlevania fan. I want there to be Castlevania games for the next one hundred years. I want them to continue making those games."
"Were you bitter?" I asked.
"Certainly not. I didn't create the franchise. It was something I worked on."
"But you made it your own."
"Well, this is the next phase of Castlevania," said Iga. "I have a lot to be grateful for because of Castlevania."
There isn't a trace of bitterness in Iga. He's upbeat, jovial, and incredibly humble—even by Japanese standards of humility. You'd talk to him about the games at Konami, whether that's Portrait of Ruin, Symphony of the Night, or even that odd Castlevania fighting game, and his eyes would light up. He'd become incredibly animated. He's excited to talk about the games he's made—be that the successes or the failures—as well as his plans for the future.
"I was really inspired by the reaction that Keiji Inafune got with Mighty No. 9," said Iga. "It showed me that if you have the fans, you can provide them the games they want."
"Are you going to do a Kickstarter?" I asked.
"That's an option," Iga said, taking a sip of coffee. "There are many options, such as venture capital."
"What kind of game are you going to make?"
"I want to make games that people like, and that I'm good at," Iga replied.
"So 2D action?"
"I haven't decided yet, but maybe 2D," he said, smiling.
The traditional corporate entity is a long-standing pillar in Japan. While lifetime employment is no longer the norm, there are plenty of salarymen and salarywomen who spend their entire lives at one firm. But, things like Kickstarter, digital distribution, and a stronger awareness and appreciation of indie games is freeing Japanese developers like never before. There are other options. They don't have to work for an enormous company. They can make their own small studio and their own games.
In the U.S. or Europe, it's not a huge deal if someone leaves a company. The tradition of strong corporate fealty has subsided. Yet, it is a big deal in Japan. Then again, after 24 years, it would be a big deal anywhere.
"You have to be pretty brave to leave a big company like Konami," I said. "Was your family against it?"
"Once I made the decision, they fully supported me," Iga said.
"I don't think my family would," I replied, thinking of my wife and two—soon, three—kids.
"Well," he said, pausing momentarily. "I guess I could always get a job somewhere if I have to."
Don't worry, Iga. Something tells me that won't be necessary.
Symphony of the Night Screenshot: GameFAQs
To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter @Brian_Ashcraft.


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(Image by Lolame from Pixabay)
Why wax poetic?
Why wax poetic?
Waxing poetic allows me to find the flow
I need to make it through the day
This process provides the therapy, don't you know?
You cannot get if you pay
Why the need you might say?
Thoughts, sounds, lights
Are all around
They color life for us all to see
The poetry provides my outline, the margins I need
To continue to color within the lines
Without the lines you have abstracts
And confusion
So, do you see?
Waxing poetic is just for me
"Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility".
(William Wadsworth)


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text:
NMM 4572. Cornet by C. G. Conn, Elkhart, Indiana,
1883. Gold-plated, jeweled, ornately engraved. Conn frequently
adorned his turn-of-the-century cornets and saxophones with multi-colored,
mirror-backed glass "jewels." Purchase funds gift of Margaret
& Ray T. DeVilbiss, Vermillion, and Verna Lippert, Sioux Falls, South
Dakota, 1989.
Instruments representing major stages in the history
and development of the world-famous Conn Company are featured in several
display cases in the Museum's Everist Gallery.
The University of South Dakota
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text:
How Much Does a Typical Wedding Cost in Philadelphia?
So you're wondering "how much does a typical wedding cost in Philadelphia?" Well the answer is broad. A typical wedding in Philadelphia can cost anywhere from $1k to $30k+ depending on how small or large the wedding is. But the size or cost is not what makes it special. Alison Dunn Photography Weddings are a…Read More


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As I sit here enjoying a bit of pizza while waiting for my power to be restored (gas stove, lights by match … modern gas oven with buttons? Not so much) I've hit the end of Ready or Not!!
Okay, I feel very good about what I have. I still have to give it back to my editor, though. Still … depending her own workload this could be out as early as next month, but expect April or May with June on the outside.
I'm thinking I might put Love or Lust on sale to celebrate. I'll get back to you on that. Sales are a wretch from a cell phone and no computer at the moment.
P.s. Forgive me if my typos are worse than usual, I am using a cell phone.
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Every so often the boy would take a stick, go out to his backyard and play sword fight with a bush. He'd imagine that he was in the Amazon and that he was being attacked by savages. He'd beat and slash at a few plants, but one in particular was sturdier and had just the right shape. After a few minutes of playing, he'd feel proud of his skill and head back home for a cold glass of lemonade.
The bush, would get back to doing what was in its nature. It would heal what it could, deal with the broken limbs and as best as it could would continue growing upwards, ever seeking to get closer to the Sun and the Stars.
The years went on, more combats happened in the boy's head and the bush continued surviving. Sometimes it would look as if it wold not make it to next the season. It's trunk and leaves would be very damaged but the roots kept going. As the boy grew, going out to beat a plant didn't seem so interesting anymore.
Eventually the boy became a man and the bush became a tree. Nowadays the man sits under this tree and enjoys it's beauty, shade and fruits. The man also hugs this tree and calls him his friend. He's apologized often for having been so blind when younger. Once the man dozed off and as he slept the tree replied: "I have never had hard feelings for you, I was blessed not to have eyes, ears or senses that felt what you were doing, so don't be so hard on yourself, you were growing in your own way too. My senses were only focused in doing what was true to my nature"
Know your nature and be true to it…
For Shamanic Sessions or Classes please contact me below:


text:
(HT Carole Mundell)
Last summer, the American Physical Society's journal Physical Review Physics Education Research published a focused collection on gender. In their contribution, "Gender discrimination in physics and astronomy: Graduate student experiences of sexism and gender microaggressions", Ramón Barthelemy, Melinda McCormick and Charles Henderson tell us what they learned from semi-structured interviews with 21 predominantly white, middle-class women pursuing PhDs in physics, astronomy or astrophysics at "major research universities that are highly ranked and respected in the physics and astronomy communities".
They found that 5 had no experiences they would attribute specifically to gender, 2 had positive gender experiences, 5 experienced overt gender-based hostility, and 16 experienced the ambiguously negative encounters that are commonly called "microaggressions". Interestingly, the purpose of the paper isn't actually to establish prevalence but, rather, "to share the gendered experiences of successful women in pursuit of their educations in physics or astronomy, while also demonstrating a language for physicists and astronomers to discuss sexism in their departments" (p. 12).
Since they are explicitly suggesting their results as a "demonstration" of a "language to discuss sexism", I'm a bit concerned about the way they have coded their interviews. It seems to me that they are calibrating their instrument in an overly sensitive way.
Here's an example of a form of sexual objectification that the paper classifies as a "microaggression". A female PhD students explained that:
At conferences I feel like I get a lot of attention at my posters because, I don't know, I feel like people want to come talk to the friendly young girl and maybe they don't want to talk to some guy. (P. 8)
As I understand this, the decision to talk to a "friendly young girl" rather than "some guy" at a poster session is here being counted as a microaggression. That is, if you find yourself at a poster session and a woman catches your eye, you should not try to strike up a conversation with her. The argument, I guess, is that she's "at work", so you should only talk to her if you actually find her poster interesting.
To me, the obvious solution here is for pretty young women to get used to the attention of men and to brush them off if they aren't asking them anything interesting about the poster. Or, conversely, if no one is actually interested in the poster, to enjoy the company of an interested man to pass the time. To count this as evidence of sexism in science strikes me as absolutely ridiculous.
But it gets worse when we go beyond the microaggressions. Here's an example of "hostile sexism"* that is given in the paper. An interviewee recounts an experience from high school:
Many of the boys in [the AP physics] class expressed interest in engineering. When it got around to me, I responded that I wanted to major in physics. The teacher raised an eyebrow and said "Oh, so you're going to be a waitress". (P. 10)
I suspect this is just a misunderstanding. Suppose the same thing had happened in a high-school English class and everyone had been expressing an interest in journalism. Then a boy says he wants to major in poetry. And the teacher now jokingly says, "Oh, so you're going to be a barista." Similarly, I don't think the point here was that girls can't do physics. It was that the road from high-school physics to a paying job normally runs through engineering. It was the idea that you could actually be a full-time physicist that the teacher found implausible.
Now, it's possible he wouldn't have made the joke if the aspiring physicist had been a boy. But that doesn't make it a sexist joke. In any case, to code this as "hostile sexism", i.e., as something worse than a microaggression, suggests to me that the instrument is going to give us way too many false positives.
I've reached out to the authors with my concerns and will report back when I hear from them. After all, I too think we need to learn how to talk about sexism in science.
*Update: It's instructive to look at their definition. "Hostile sexism is defined as overt discrimination against women, which may include sexual harassment. An example of hostile sexism would be making sexual advances toward a co-worker or believing that a female co-worker should not be in the workplace because of her gender" (pp. 3-4). Notice that merely propositioning someone you are sexually attracted to is here counted as a "hostile" and "sexist" act. Notice also that merely holding a sexist belief is counted as a kind of hostility. I'm not, of course, saying that these acts and beliefs aren't worth discussing. I'm just saying that coding them in this way is imprecise and is likely to make communication between the sexes more difficult.