Proper distance from ourselves: the potential for estrangement in the mediapolis

This article discusses how, and with what consequences, the news in today’s increasingly global and porous environment tells us about ourselves, showing us images that are often uncomfortable, strange and disturbing. In particular, it examines how, in times of conflict, in narrating and imaging ‘us’ as a nation, the news media can contribute to an ethical project of estrangement — achieving distance from ourselves, seeing ourselves as others, as a way to address injustice and enhance democratic public spheres. The analysis is based on a comparison of coverage of the 2005 riots in France and the reporting of the 2008/9 Gaza war in Israel. The discussion explores ways in which the aesthetics of news can be mobilized for estrangement, what incentives journalism might have for promoting an ethics of estrangement, and the opportunities and dangers this project entails. This exploration shows how Silverstone’s concept of proper distance may play out in different situations of news coverage of conflict, especially when there is a tension between national and international reporting

Expansion of Adult Hepatitis A and B Vaccination in STD Clinics and other Settings in New York State

Since 1995, the New York State (NYS) Adult Hepatitis Vaccination Program has promoted adult hepatitis B vaccination for those receiving sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic services. An average of 6,333 doses was administered annually from 1995 to 1999. By 2000, only 15 of 57 county STD programs in NYS outside of New York City participated. From 2000 to 2005, efforts to enroll county health departments and others included outreach, provision of hepatitis A and B vaccine, materials and training, and new collaborations. All 57 counties now participate. From 2000 to 2005, the number of settings offering hepatitis vaccination increased from 57 to 119. Sites include STD clinics; jails; migrant, Indian health, and college health centers; and methadone clinics. More than 125,000 doses of hepatitis A and B vaccine were administered from 1995 through 2005, with annual increases up to a high of 21,025 doses in 2005. Intensive promotion expanded hepatitis vaccination to all county STD clinics and other settings where high-risk adults can be vaccinated. </jats:p

Hepatocellular carcinoma responding to superselective transarterial chemoembolization: an issue of nodule dimension?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the per-nodule efficacy of superselective transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2006-2009, 271 cirrhotic patients with 635 nodules underwent a first superselective transarterial chemoembolization, repeated "on demand" after local recurrences (LR) or partial responses (PR). Complete response (CR), time to nodule progression (TTnP), and local recurrence rate (LRR), according to three size classes ( 64 2 cm, 2.1-5 cm, and>5 cm) were evaluated. RESULTS: After the first superselective transarterial chemoembolization, the CR was 64%, sustained over time in 77%, higher in small (68%) and intermediate-size (64%) nodules than in large nodules (25%; P5 cm had a CR of 25% after the first superselective transarterial chemoembolization, LR of 50% and PR of 25%, and after the second and third superselective transarterial chemoembolizations, PR of 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Effectiveness of superselective transarterial chemoembolization has a clear cutoff above and below 5-cm nodules, with better results in smaller nodules. In HCCs 64 5 cm, the efficacy of the first and second superselective transarterial chemoembolizations performed for LR was higher than the second superselective transarterial chemoembolization for PR and the third superselective transarterial chemoembolization. For HCCs>5 cm, retreatment of PR is of little value, and the third cycle is ineffective

Walking in Jozi: Guided Tours, Insecurity and Urban Regeneration in Inner City Johannesburg

This article explores how the emerging tourism sector in Johannesburg is intertwined with current processes of urban regeneration and development. Using walking tours as a case study, I illustrate how tour operators navigate insecure urban spaces and contribute to their (re-)development by performing (in)security, by offering ‘authentic’ experiences and by actively engaging in social and economic activities. I argue that walking tours promote a particular kind of urban development that aims to appeal to a new urban middle class and is in line with the vision pursued by big private investors and new urban entrepreneurs. Similar to other global gentrification processes, this vision draws on Western notions of hip urban lifestyles and aesthetics in order to foster an image of the city as pan-African and cool. While making new spaces accessible, this approach to urban development also affects and threatens other inner city users, including African migrants living or working in precarious conditions. I contend that these side effects of the currently promoted urban regeneration have so far been overlooked. In order to create a social and sustainable urban development that supersedes apartheid-era spatial segregation, these effects should be taken into account by the tourism sector, by private investors and policy makers alike