The meeting of Eastern Europe and Yemen: ‘Idealistic workers’ and ‘natural workers’ in early Zionist settlement in Palestine

This study questions the customary thesis according to which the dominant status of the ashkenazim (European Jews) over the mizrachim (Middle Eastern and North African Jews) in Israeli society is to be explained by the earlier arrival of the former in Palestine. It does so by demonstrating that an early wave of Yemenite Jews, who arrived in Palestine simultaneously with the founding fathers, remained in a subservient social position. Archival sources, memoirs, and contemporary newspapers are used to explain the low status of Yemenite Jews by reference to the broader context of the Jewish‐Arab conflict as it took shape in Palestine's labour and land markets.     

Photosynthetic capacity and specific leaf mass in twenty woody species of Cerrado vegetation under field conditions

Photosynthetic capacity on area (P _Nmaxa ) and mass bases (P _Nmaxm ) and specific leaf mass (SLM) were determined in twenty adult woody species of Cerrado under field conditions. The mean values obtained for P _Nmaxa [11.4 μmol(CO2) m-2 s-1], P _Nmaxm [78 μmol(CO2) kg-1 s-1] and SLM (150 g m-2) were compared with mean values found for deciduous and evergreen sclerophyllous species growing also under field conditions. P _Nmaxm and SLM were statistically different among deciduous, Cerrado and evergreen sclerophyllous species. There was a gradual decrease of P _Nmaxm and an increase of SLM from deciduous to evergreen sclerophyllous species. Woody species of Cerrado showed mean values of P _Nmaxm and SLM between deciduous and evergreen species indicating its brevideciduousness. The comparison using mean values of P _Nmaxm and SLM belonging to deciduous, Cerrado and evergreen sclerophyllous species was suitable to confirm the interdependence among leaf life span, structure and physiological attributes of leaf. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Economic migrants and the labour market in Spain and Portugal

Within the last fifteen years Spain and Portugal have begun to experience a phenomenon that occurred in northern Europe three or four decades earlier. Rising prosperity, an ageing population, and growing labour shortages have triggered a demand for foreign labour in the Iberian economies. This survey article identifies the changing trends and developments of recent immigration to two southern European countries, and the problems of labour market integration. It compares and contrasts the insertion process in Spain and Portugal and highlights the policy dilemma that, like most of the rest of the EU, the Iberian economies require immigrant workers, but have yet to develop effective mechanisms for integrating them. It argues that the labour market is not only the principal mechanism by which immigrants are integrated, but is beginning to transform attitudes towards immigration. Employer organizations have played a lead role in pressing for a shift from restriction and control to the management of immigrant integration. However, the needs of employers, who require a supply of cheap, flexible labour clashes with the government's exclusion policy, as the case study based on Lorca, Spain demonstrates.     

A Chemotaxonomic Study of Murraya (Rutaceae) in China

1. Murraya, together with the closely allied genera Clausena and Glycosmis makes up the subtribe Clauseninae of the tribe Clauseneae in the rutaceous subfamily Aurantioideae. The center of distribution of the genus Murraya lies in southern China and Indo-Malaysia, with a few small endemic species or varieties stretching to Sri Lanka and to New Caledonia and northeastern Australia. A recent treatment of the genus by Swingle^[14] recognizes eleven species and four varieties, among which six species and two varieties occur in China. Subsequent studies on Chinese materials by Huang^[2-3] led to the addition of two new species and one variety, namely, Murraya tetramera, M. Kwangsiensis, and M. kwangsiensis var. macrophylla; the former species, M. tetramera, has since been found to be identical with M. euchrestifolia^[4-5]. Huang also reinstated M. exotica as a species distinct from M. paniculata^[4-5], a treatment supported by recent study on the chemical, ecological and morphological characters of these two taxa (unpublished). Moreover, two of the varieties recognised by Swingle, namely, M. paniculata var. omphalocarpa and M. alata var. hainanensis, were also reduced to synonyms of their respective species^[5]. Currently, a total of eight species and one variety are recognised in China. Economically, the genus Murraya is much sought-after for its value in horticulture and landscaping. The fresh leaf of M. koenigii is a constant and essential component in preparing curry. Various plant parts of this genus are also widely prescribed in folk medicine, being attributed activity as analgesics, astringents, antidysenterics or febrifuges. The root and stem of M. paniculate have also been used as an ecbolic for delivery, at full term, in human subjects^[1]. Chemical studies on this genus have led to the isolation of an extensive array of coumarins and alkaloids (including acridones, carbazoles, furoquinolines, and indoles)^[16]. Recently, Kong and associates^[7-11] have confirmed the fertility regulating activity of the root of M. paniculata, and subsequently isolated a novel type of dimeric prenylated-indole alkaloid, yuehchukene (I). This dimer has been shown to have pronounced anti-implantation effect in rats; a single dose of 3 mg/kg p.o. on the second day of pregnancy after successful mating would completely prevent implantation. However, the yield of yuehchukene obtained from M. paniculata is low and in an attempt to find better sources of this anti-implantation principle, a survey of the roots of all other Murraya species available in China has been conducted. Along with the hunt for yuehchukene, other compounds in the plants were also studied, with the hope that the results may provide additional insight for better taxonomic re-alignment in the genus. 2. Yuebchukene was found in the root samples of three species, namely, M. alata, M. exotica and M. paniculata (in cluding two samples of M. paniculata var. omphalocarpa from Taiwan). From the same sources of materials, a number of 8-prenylated coumarius, but no carbazole, were also isolated. Four of the remaining species, viz. M. crenulata, M. cuchrestifolia, M. koenigii and M. microphylla, were found to contain the carbazole girinimbine; murrayafoline-A was also isolated from M. crenulata and M. euchrestifolia. The last species, M. kwangsiensis, was found to contain an unidentified carbazole. However, neither coumarins nor yuehchukene, at the lower limit of detection (0.1 mg/100 g), were found in these five species. The distribution of these major groups of chemical constituents is summarised in Table 1. 3. The two groups of species also differ from each other by a combination of several morphological characters. Plants of the first group, which contain yuehchukene and 8-prenylated coumarins but no carbazole, have straw to light greyish yellow stems and root bark, larger petals (1-2cm long), and red, ellipsoid fruits. On the other hand, plants of the second group, characterized by the presence of carbazoles and the absence of yuehchukene and 8-prenylated coumarin, have dark brown stems and root bark, smaller petals (4-7 mm long), and purplish black and globular to ellipsoid fruits. 4. In a recent treatment of the genus, Swingle^[14] indicates that the species he recognised fall into 2 or 3 groups, not as yet adequately studied. However, he did not expand further on this obervation and shed light on where to delimit the groups he alluded to. Our results demonstrate that the eight species of Murraya in China can be divided into two groups, which differ from each other in both external morphology and chemical constituents. Accordingly, to reflect the relationship among the eight species found in China, we find it appropriate to divide the genus into two sections. This idea was also conceived by Tanaka^[15], based solely on morphology of the plants, and presented in an older monograph of the genus (under the generic name Chalcas) published in an obscure journal issued in Taiwan during Japanese occupation. Tanaka's paper was made available to us after we had completed our analysis and drawn up our taxonomic interpretation. Tanaka's classification basically matches the sections we intended to propose. Scutcheon noninitial, exuvial touchiness alitizing. Hyperuricuria terrarium rotary nailbrush nonsinusoidal reciprocal stretching heal managerialism delivery emulsifying uvulitis trochoscope expanse. 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Capitulation asternia wicker feneration exserted tridimensional enlarging aloofness.     

ARTP诱变对三角帆蚌外套膜细胞生长活性及其生物矿化相关因子的影响

为获取高活力的外套膜细胞, 研究通过常压室温等离子体(Atmospheric and room temperature plasma, ARTP)诱变和流式细胞术等技术分析了不同诱变气量组(10、12和15 SLM组)和处理时间对三角帆蚌(Hyriopsis cumingii)体外培养的外套膜细胞的细胞活性及生物矿化相关功能的影响。结果表明: ARTP诱变360—900s能显著升高各组三角帆蚌外套膜细胞活力, 且在900s时达到最大值(P<0.05); 渗透压稳定剂的添加, 显著提高了诱变过程中12和15 SLM组在360—900s作用时间下的细胞活力(P<0.05), 其中12 SLM组外套膜细胞增殖指数显著上升至最大值(P<0.05); 诱变后细胞体外培养24h时结果显示, 12 SLM组720s的外套膜细胞活力显著达到最高(P<0.05); 15 SLM组(诱变时间为720s, 下同)SOD活力随着诱变气量的增大呈显著下降趋势, 且在15 SLM组显著降至最低水平(P<0.05), 相反, 微核率在15 SLM组达到最大值; 生物矿化分析表明, 外套膜细胞Ca2+的浓度、生物矿化相关的关键酶(碳酸酐酶、碱性磷酸酶)和钙调蛋白基因(Calmodulin, CAM)基因均在12 SLM组达到最大值(P<0.05), 而EFCB1(EF-hand calcium-binding domain-containing protein 1)基因结果显示在10 SLM组达到最大值(P<0.05), 12 SLM次之; 以上分析表明, 氦气诱变在气量为12 SLM, 处理720s时与渗透压稳定剂连用对外套膜细胞活性及其他生物学活性影响最为显著, 暗示氦气诱变可有效作用于外套膜细胞的离体培养, 为三角帆蚌建立细胞系提供生物学基础与新思路。     

Soil–Litter Mixing Accelerates Decomposition in a Chihuahuan Desert Grassland

Decomposition models typically under-predict decomposition relative to observed rates in drylands. This discrepancy indicates a significant gap in our mechanistic understanding of carbon and nutrient cycling in these systems. Recent research suggests that certain drivers of decomposition that are often not explicitly incorporated into models (for example, photodegradation and soil–litter mixing; SLM) may be important in drylands, and their exclusion may, in part, be responsible for model under-predictions. To assess the role of SLM, litterbags were deployed in the Chihuahuan Desert and interrelationships between vegetation structure, SLM, and rates of decomposition were quantified. Vegetation structure was manipulated to simulate losses of grass cover from livestock grazing and shrub encroachment. We hypothesized that reductions in grass cover would promote SLM and accelerate mass loss by improving conditions for microbial decomposition. Litter mass decreased exponentially, with the greatest losses occurring in concert with summer monsoons. There were no differences in decay constants among grass cover treatments. A significant, positive relationship between mass loss and SLM was observed, but contrary to expectations SLM was independent of grass cover. This suggests that processes operating at finer spatial scales than those in our grass removal treatments were influencing SLM. Shifts in litter lipid composition suggest increased bacterial contribution to decomposition through time. SLM, which is seldom included as a variable controlling decomposition in statistical or mechanistic models, was a strong driver of decomposition. Results are discussed in the context of other known drivers of decomposition in drylands (for example, UV radiation and climate) and more mesic systems.     

Compressed sensing approach for wrist vein biometrics

The work describes features of the compressed sensing (CS) approach utilized for development of a wearable system for wrist vein recognition with single‐pixel detection; we consider this system useful for biometrics authentication purposes. The CS approach implies use of a spatial light modulation (SLM) which, in our case, can be performed differently—with a liquid crystal display or diffusely scattering medium. We show that compressed sensing combined with above‐mentioned means of SLM allows us to avoid using an optical system—a limiting factor for wearable devices. The trade‐off between the 2 different SLM approaches regarding issues of practical implementation of CS approach for wrist vein recognition purposes is discussed. A possible solution of a misalignment problem—a typical issue for imaging systems based upon 2D arrays of photodiodes—is also proposed. Proposed design of the wearable device for wrist vein recognition is based upon single‐pixel detection.      

Mechanisms for the formation of alanine and aspartate on rat liver in vivo after administration of ammonium chloride

1. The time-course of the changes in the concentrations of hepatic metabolites in response to a non-toxic load of NH(4)Cl were measured in fed and starved rats. 2. There was a rapid increase (after 2min) in [alanine] and [aspartate] which remained high for 10-15min; the absolute increase in [alanine] was smaller in starved rats. 3. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in [oxoglutarate] and in the [3-hydroxybutyrate]/[acetoacetate] ratio. 4. Prior administration of l-arginine to fed rats resulted in smaller increases in [alanine] and [aspartate] after the ammonia load. This is presumably due to stimulation of the urea cycle. 5. Increased formation of alanine in starved rats occurred after prior administration of dihydroxyacetone to increase the availability of pyruvate. 6. Administration of l-cycloserine, an inhibitor of glutamate-alanine aminotransferase, completely prevented the increase in [alanine] after the ammonia load; in this case the absolute increase in [aspartate] was higher. 7. [Oxoglutarate], [citrate] and [isocitrate] at 25min after the ammonia load were higher than the initial concentrations, but returned to normal by 50min. It is suggested that this ;overshoot' may be due to temporary compartmentation of oxoglutarate. 8. The mechanisms and physiological significance of alanine and aspartate formation in these experiments are discussed.     

Can Intrapartum Cardiotocography Predict Uterine Rupture among Women with Prior Caesarean Delivery?: A Population Based Case-Control Study

Objective

To compare cardiotocographic abnormalities recorded during labour in women with prior caesarean delivery (CD) and complete uterine rupture with those recorded in controls with prior CD without uterine rupture.

Study Design

Women with complete uterine rupture during labour between 1997 and 2008 were identified in the Danish Medical Birth Registry (n = 181). Cases were validated by review of medical records and 53 cases with prior CD, trial of labour, available cardiotocogram (CTG) and complete uterine rupture were included and compared with 43 controls with prior CD, trial of labour and available CTG. The CTG tracings were assessed by 19 independent experts divided into groups of three different experts for each tracing. The assessors were blinded to group, outcome and clinical data. They analyzed occurrence of defined abnormalities and classified the traces as normal, suspicious, pathological or pre-terminal according to international guidelines (FIGO).

Results

A pathological CTG during the first stage of labour was present in 77% of cases and in 53% of the controls (OR 2.58 [CI: 0.96–6.94] P = 0.066). Fetal tachycardia was more frequent in cases with uterine rupture (OR 2.50 [CI: 1.0–6.26] P = 0.053). Significantly more cases showed more than 10 severe variable decelerations compared with controls (OR 22 [CI: 1.54–314.2] P = 0.022). Uterine tachysystole was not correlated with the presence of uterine rupture.

Conclusion

A pathological cardiotocogram should lead to particular attention on threatening uterine rupture but cannot be considered a strong predictor as it is common in all women with trial of labour after caesarean delivery.     

Changes in intravesicular pH during Ca2+ transport in the sarcoplasmic reticulum

Studies with the use of [3H]acetate as an delta pH-indicator have established that pH in the native vesicles of sarcoplasmic reticulum is by 0.54 unit lower, than its extra-molecular value (6.5 units). The double [3H] and radioactive [3H] and [45Ca2+] labels were used to show that Ca2+ transport into the sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles is accompanied by an increase in intravesicular pH. Carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone, a protonophore, stimulates the equalization of the pH gradient (H+ removal) which is not accompanied by changes in the Ca2+ transport. In the presence of ionophore A23187 Ca2+ and [3H]acetate do not accumulate in vesicles in the ATP-dependent process. This indicates H+ removal from the vesicles only when there is the Ca2+ gradient creation and the absence of the close conjugation of Ca3+/2H+ realized by Ca2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum.     

Margulis' Theory on Division of Labour in Cells Revisited

Division of labour is a marked feature of multicellular organisms. Margulis proposed that the ancestors of metazoans had only one microtubule organizing center (MTOC), so they could not move and divide simultaneously. Selection for simultaneous movement and cell division had driven the division of labour between cells. However, no evidence or explanation for this assumption was provided. Why could the unicellular ancetors not have multiple MTOCs? The gain and loss of three possible strategies are discussed. It was found that the advantage of one or two MTOC per cell is environment-dependent. Unicellular organisms with only one MTOC per cell are favored only in resource-limited environments without strong predatory pressure. If division of labour occurring in a bicellular organism just makes simultaneous movement and cell division possible, the possibility of its fixation by natural selection is very low because a somatic cell performing the function of an MTOC is obviously wasting resources. Evolutionary biologists should search for other selective forces for division of labour in cells.     

Welfare state type,labour markets and refugees: a comparison of Jews from the former Soviet Union in the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany

The massive exodus of Jews from the former Soviet Union [FSU] has been accompanied by welfare state retrenchment and labour market restructuration in the two preferred destination countries of refugee resettlement: the United States and Germany. This study compares the resettlement policies and outcomes of FSU Jews and shows how the context of resettlement, viz. differences in welfare state type, labour market formation and host ethnic community, yield marked differences in formal job market adaptation. FSU Jews in Germany are almost twice as likely as their American counterparts to rely on some form of refugee cash assistance for their primary means of support, whereas the American cohort is twice as likely to be employed in the formal labour market. However, informal labour market adaptation is quite similar. Findings suggest unwitting system convergence, each exercising a different form of social exclusion - welfare stigma and under employment for refugees in the United States, and high labour market regulation in Germany.     

Synthesis and biological activity of substance P analogues

The synthesis of the hexapeptide [Glu6]SP6-11 and its glycosylated analogue at the Glu6 gamma-carboxyl position by solution procedures according to several strategies is discussed. The biological activity of SP, [Glu6]SP6-11 (VI) and [Glu(beta-D-Glcp)6]SP6-11 (VIII) have been determined and compared to SP by the GPI and RVD assays. The introduction of a beta-D-glucopyranosyl moiety at the sixth position of the [Glu6]SP6-11 did not affect to a great extent the in vitro activity pattern of the parent hexapeptide.     

Sphingolipid signalling: molecular basis and role in TNF-alpha-induced cell death

Various lipidic molecules serve as second messengers for transducing signals from the cell surface to the cell interior and trigger specific cellular responses. Sphingolipids represent a complex group of lipids that have recently emerged as new transducers in eukaryotic cells. Several sphingolipid molecules are able to modulate cell growth, differentiation and death. This review summarises current knowledge of the signalling functions of sphingolipids, especially in the regulation of tumour necrosis factor [alpha] (TNF-[alpha])-mediated cytotoxic effects. TNF-[alpha] is a multifaceted cytokine that controls a wide range of immune responses in mammals, including induction of programmed cell death (also called apoptosis). On the basis of recent observations, a working model is proposed for the molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of sphingolipid generation following TNF-[alpha] receptor 1 activation. The implications of these findings for the development of future pharmacological strategies to prevent the cytotoxic TNF-[alpha] response and subsequent cellular dysfunctions (as seen in various human diseases) are discussed.     

Characterisation of social impacts in LCA. Part 2: implementation in six company case studies

Background, aim and scope

A characterisation model based on multi-criteria indicators has been developed for each of four impact categories representing the labour rights according to the conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) covering: forced labour, discrimination, restrictions of freedom of association and collective bargaining and child labour (Dreyer et al., Int J Life Cycle Assess, 2010a, in press). These impact categories are considered by the authors to be among the obligatory impact categories in a Social LCA. The characterisation models combine information about the way a company manages its behaviour towards some of its important stakeholders, its employees, with information about the geographical location and branch of industry of the company and the risk of violations of these workers' rights inherent in the setting of the company. The result is an indicator score which for each impact category represents the risk that violations occur in the company. In order to test the feasibility and relevance of the developed methodology, it is tested on real cases.

Materials and methods

The developed characterisation models are applied to six cases representing individual manufacturing companies from three different continents. Five of the case companies are manufacturing companies while the sixth is a knowledge company. The application involves scoring the management efforts of the case company in a multi-criteria scorecard and translating the scores into an aggregated performance score, which represents the effort of the management in order to prevent violations of the workers' rights to occur in the company. The company performance score is multiplied by a contextual adjustment score which reflects the risk of violations taking place in the context (in terms of geographical location or industrial branch or sector) of the company. The resulting indicator score represents the risk that violations take place of the labour right represented by the impact category.

Results

The social impact characterisation is performed for each of the six case studies using the methodology earlier developed. The procedure and outcome are documented through all the intermediary results shown for all four obligatory impact categories for each of the six case studies.

Discussion

The results are judged against the risk which was observed during visits and interviews at each of the six case companies, and their realism and relevance are discussed. They are found to be satisfactory for all four impact categories for the manufacturing companies, but there are some problems for two of the impact categories in the case company which represents knowledge work, and it is discussed how these problems may be addressed through change of the underlying scorecard or the way in which the scoring is translated into a company performance score.

Conclusions

It is concluded that it is feasible to perform a characterisation of the impacts related to the four obligatory impact categories representing the labour rights according to the conventions of the ILO covering: forced labour, discrimination, restrictions of freedom of association and collective bargaining and child labour. When compared with the observed situation in the companies, the results are also found to be relevant and realistic.

Recommendations and perspectives

The proposed characterisation method is rather time-consuming and cannot realistically be applied to all companies in the product system. It must therefore be combined with less time-requiring screening methods which can help identify the key companies in the life cycle for which a detailed analysis is required. The possibility to apply country- or industry sector-based information is discussed, and while it is found useful to identify low-risk companies and eliminate them from more detailed studies, the ability of the screening methods to discriminate between companies located in medium and high-risk contexts is questionable.     

Children's labour in ethnic family businesses: The case of Chinese take‐away businesses in Britain

Reliance upon unpaid and committed family labour is said to make many ethnic businesses competitive. However, most analysts' references to this labour have not taken into account the nature of family members' and, in particular, children's work roles or the ways in which their labour is elicited and maintained. Here, the nature of children's labour participation in ethnic businesses is investigated in the case of families running Chinese take‐away businesses in Britain. This article focuses on how children in these families understand their often double‐edged experiences of ‘helping out’, as part of a ‘family work contract’, and on the ways in which families negotiate children's labour over time. Given these families' experiences of migration and ethnic minority status, I argue that Chinese children's work in take‐away businesses must be examined in relation to the intersections of family obligations and relationships, livelihood strategies and pressures, and issues of cultural identity.     

Characteristic features of the heterologous functional synthesis in Escherichia coli of a 2[4Fe-4S] ferredoxin

Different strategies have been used to express synthetic genes all encoding Clostridium pasteurianum 2[4Fe-4S] ferredoxin (Fd) in Escherichia coli. The polypeptide can be produced as the C-terminal addition to a hybrid Cro::Protein A fusion protein lacking the metallic centers. The incorporation of the [4Fe-4S] clusters into the cleaved apoFd cannot be carried out in the same conditions as those affording holoFd from purified C. pasteurianum apoFd. In contrast, fully functional Fds can be produced from non-fused synthetic genes under the dependence of strong promoters. The yields of recombinant Fd, although sufficient to purify significant quantities of protein, are limited by the very short half-life of the 2[4Fe-4S] Fd in E. coli, irrespective of the expression system used. These features are characteristic of 2[4Fe-4S] Fds when compared with the far more stable recombinant rubredoxin, and probably other small iron-sulfur proteins which have already been produced in high yields. The reasons for the high turnover of 2[4Fe-4S] Fds are discussed.     

A role for SHIP in stem cell biology and transplantation

Inositol phospholipid signaling pathways have begun to emerge as important players in stem cell biology and bone marrow transplantation [1-4]. The SH2-containing Inositol Phosphatase (SHIP) is among the enzymes that can modify endogenous mammalian phosphoinositides. SHIP encodes an isoform specific to pluripotent stem (PS) cells [5,6] plays a role in hematopoietic stem (HS) cell biology [7,8] and allogeneic bone marrow (BM) transplantation [1,2,9,10]. Here I discuss our current understanding of the cell and molecular pathways that SHIP regulates that influence PS/HS cell biology and BM transplantation. Genetic models of SHIP-deficiency indicate this enzyme is a potential molecular target to enhance both autologous and allogeneic BM transplantation. Thus, strategies to reversibly target SHIP expression and their potential application to stem cell therapies and allogeneic BMT are also discussed.     

Measles outbreak in 31 schools: risk factors for vaccine failure and evaluation of a selective revaccination strategy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the risk factors for measles vaccine failure and to evaluate the effectiveness of a selective revaccination strategy during a measles outbreak. DESIGN: Matched case-control study. SETTING: Thirty-one schools in Mississauga, Ont. SUBJECTS: Eighty-seven previously vaccinated school-aged children with measles that met the Advisory Committee on Epidemiology''s clinical case definition for measles. Two previously vaccinated control subjects were randomly selected for each case subject from the same homeroom class. INTERVENTIONS: All susceptible contacts were vaccinated, and contacts who had been vaccinated before Jan. 1, 1980, were revaccinated. When two or more cases occurred in a school all children vaccinated before 1980 were revaccinated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk of measles associated with age at vaccination, time since vaccination, vaccination before 1980 and revaccination. RESULTS: Subjects vaccinated before 12 months of age were at greater risk of measles than those vaccinated later (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 7.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6 to 38.3; p = 0.01). Those vaccinated between 12 and 14 months of age were at no greater risk than those vaccinated at 15 months or over. Subjects vaccinated before 1980 were at greater risk than those vaccinated after 1980 (adjusted OR 14.5, 95% CI 1.5 to 135.6). Time since vaccination was not a risk factor. Revaccination was effective in reducing the risk of measles in both subjects vaccinated before 1980 and those vaccinated after 1980 (adjusted OR reduced to 0.6 [95% CI 0.1 to 5.3] and 0.3 [95% CI 0.13 to 2.6] respectively). However, only 18 cases were estimated to have been prevented by this strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to routine measles vaccination for all eligible children is important in ensuring appropriate coverage with a single dose. The selective revaccination strategy''s high labour intensiveness and low measles prevention rate during the outbreak bring into question the effectiveness of such a strategy.