bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dall’epos arcaico all’epillio: alcune riflessioni
Authors: Nicolai Roberto
Published: June 2016

Il contributo intende delineare il percorso che dalle sezioni autonome dell’epos arcaico (cataloghi, ekphraseis, paradeigmata) e dai poemi epici brevi (lo Scutum pseudo-esiodeo, la Presa di Ecalia di Creofilo di Samo) conduce all’epillio ellenistico, genere letterario autonomo rispetto all’epos. Se in età arcaica l’unità dell’opera letteraria era un fatto legato all’esecuzione pubblica, in età ellenistica diventa una scelta d’autore, non condizionata dal contesto performativo. Tra le sezioni autonome viene approfondita in particolare l’ekphrasis, che svolge un ruolo importante nella pratica antica dell’epillio e nella definizione moderna del genere: dall’enciclopedia mitica del mantello di Giasone nelle Argonautiche di Apollonio Rodio alla narratized description del carme 64 di Catullo fino all’ekphrasis implicita che chiude il IV libro delle Georgiche di Virgilio con la vicenda di Orfeo e Euridice narrata per quadri giustapposti.
Epyllion as idyll or enigma? Thessaly as a mythico-literary landscape of war in Catullus 64 and in Callimachus’ Hymn to Delos
Authors: Ambühl Annemarie
Published: June 2016

Catullus’ poem 64 is a highly complex text, the interpretation of which has long divided scholarship. In the present paper I look at possible political resonances of the epyllion in its historical context. First, I propose an intertextual reading of two passages from Catullus 64 (the catalogues of mortal and divine guests that attend the wedding at Pharsalus) in the light of Callimachus’ Hymn to Delos. I argue that Catullus uses the Thessalian section of the hymn with the struggle between the river Peneios and the war-god Ares not only as a source for learned mythological and geographical details, but also as a substantial subtext for his dark vision of Thessaly as a landscape foreboding war and civil war. In a second reading, I then look back at Catullus 64 from the perspective of two later Roman poets, Virgil and Lucan, who historicize Catullus’ mythical Thessaly even more specifically in the light of the civil wars. As examples I take the epilogue to the first book of the Georgics and especially Lucan’s Thessalian excursus in the sixth book of his Bellum civile, where he reworks Catullus as well as Callimachus in order to characterize his Thessaly as a literary landscape predestined for the horrors of the civil war battle at Pharsalus.
La figure d’Hermione chez Collouthos
Authors: Frangoulis Hélène
Published: June 2016

Dans L’enlèvement d’Hélène de Collouthos, la figure d’Hermione se caractérise par sa richesse et sa complexité, grâce à un jeu subtil d’identifications successives, qui puisent leurs racines aussi bien dans les traditions mythiques liées à la famille de l’enfant que dans d’autres mythes mettant en scène des dieux ou des héros.
Assessment of the Reliability of the Indian Tsunami Early Warning System
Authors: Srinivasa Kumar T. , Venkatesan R. , Vedachalam N. , Padmanabham J. , Sundar R.
Published: June 2016

AbstractThis paper analyses the reliability of the Indian Tsunami Early Warning System (ITEWS), comprising a 24 × 7 manned and automated center capable of monitoring the seismic, open sea water level and coastal tide levels and disseminating tsunami bulletins with the
aid of proven prerun scenario models during a tsunamigenic earthquake. Since its inception in 2007, the ITEWS has undergone technological maturity with reliability as the prime objective. The system is expected to be in operation throughout the year and alerting the entire Indian Ocean rim
countries in the event of a tsunami. Based on International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61508 standards and field failure data, quantitative reliability modeling is done for the subsystems, and it is found that the seismic network, tsunami buoy network, and distress information dissemination
systems conform to Safety Integrity Level SIL4, while tide gauge stations conform to SIL4 with a maintenance interval of 45 days. In case of the tsunami buoy network, the failure of one tsunami buoy degrades the network to SIL3 and needs to be restored within 8 months. The study provides confidence
on ITEWS's reliable support to tsunami early warning.
Detecting and Correcting Biases in Long-Term Ocean Observatory Time Series: Case Study on Current Directions Estimated From Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Data
Authors: Morley Michael G. , Jeffries Marlene A. , Mihály Steven F. , Jenkyns Reyna , Biffard Ben R.
Published: June 2016

AbstractOcean Networks Canada (ONC) operates the NEPTUNE and VENUS cabled ocean observatories to collect continuous data on physical, chemical, biological, and geological ocean conditions over multiyear time periods. Researchers can download real-time and historical data
from a large variety of instruments to study complex earth and ocean processes from their home laboratories. Ensuring that the users are receiving the most accurate data is a high priority at ONC, requiring QAQC (quality assurance and quality control) procedures to be developed for a variety
of data types (Abeysirigunawardena et al., 2015). Acquiring long-term time series of oceanographic data from remote locations on the seafloor presents significant challenges from a QAQC perspective. In order to identify and study important scientific events and trends, data consolidated from
multiple deployments and instruments need to be self-consistent and free of biases due to changes to instrument configurations, calibrations, metadata, biofouling, or a degradation in instrument performance. As a case study, this paper describes efforts at ONC to identify and correct systematic
biases in ocean current directions measured by ADCPs (acoustic Doppler current profilers), as well as the lessons learned to improve future data quality.
The risks of defensive (emergency) medicine. The laboratory perspective
Authors: Montagnana Martina , Lippi Giuseppe
Published: June 2016

Diagnostic testing is a crucial aspect of the clinical decision making, especially in emergency settings where timely and accurate diagnoses are essential for appropriate patient management. Reliable statistics attest that the vast majority of clinical decisions for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of both acute and chronic diseases are influenced by results of laboratory analyses. As specifically concerns the emergency department, many unnecessary laboratory tests are also ordered in this healthcare setting, with unfavorable consequences on laboratory and healthcare organization. As far as the laboratory environment is concerned, defensive (emergency medicine) may be associated with incremental costs, derangement of laboratory organization, enhanced complexity of data management process, diagnostic delay attributable to performance of unnecessary testing, and litigation. Educative or even regulatory interventions are hence urgently needed to addresses problems of the current liability system, in order to decrease the detrimental effects of defensive (emergency) medicine in the laboratory.
Delayed neuropsychiatric syndrome after carbon monoxide poisoning: inclusion of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the recovery protocol
Authors: Lo Pardo Dante , Amedola Davide , Senatore Giuliana , Damiano Alberto , Pezzuti Gabriela , Pugliese Nicola , Locatelli Gianpiero , Siani Alfredo , Vitola Nicola Maria
Published: June 2016

The delayed neuropsychiatric syndrome can arise in the period from 4 days to 5 weeks following carbon monoxide poisoning, and is characterized by neuropsychological deficits, which in some cases become chronic. This case report describes an adult female who apparently suffered self-inflicted carbon monoxide poisoning. She was not treated with hyperbaric oxygen and developed delayed sequelae on day 20. The treatment started with 40 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and subsequently with neuropsychological rehabilitation and physiotherapy. The treatment resulted in a progressive and almost complete physical and psychological recovery as evidenced by neuropsychometric tests and diagnostic imaging performed in the follow-up. Recovery was attributed to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Although further research is required, we propose hyperbaric oxygen therapy also in the recovery protocol in the treatment of delayed neuropsychiatric syndrome.
Never underestimate renal colic: a case of pelvic rupture
Authors: Battista Tiziana , Cantiello Domenico , Salzillo Marta , Pezzulo Ermenegildo , Paternuosto Diego
Published: June 2016

Authors describe a case of pelvic rupture as a consequence of renal colic. Pelvic rupture is an unusual condition that often is not considered in patients suffering renal colic. In this case diagnosis was not considered on ultrasonography, was suspected when acute abdominal symptoms began and it was confirmed by computed tomography (CT).
Common errors in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections: the irrational use of antimicrobial agents
Authors: De Simone Belinda , Catena Fausto , Sartelli Massimo , Di Saverio Salomone , Coccolini Federico , Heyer Arianna , Catena Rodolfo , Ansaloni Luca
Published: June 2016

Antimicrobial resistance is a global, emergent problem because an increasing numbers of serious community acquired and nosocomial infections are caused by resistant bacterial pathogens. It is a direct consequence of the excessive and irrational use of antibiotics. The use of antimicrobial agents is very high, often improper, in the department of general and emergency surgery and in the Intensive Cure Units to decrease morbidity and mortality rate related to intra-abdominal infections. Source control and empiric antibiotic therapy have to be administrated as early as possible to decrease high mortality rates in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock and, in this, the general surgeon has a crucial role. Proper antimicrobial stewardship in selecting an appropriate antibiotic and optimizing its dose and duration to cure intra-abdominal infections may prevent the emergence of AR and decrease costs for antibiotics.
Severely atrophic human muscle fibers with nuclear misplacement survive many years of permanent denervation
Authors: Carraro Ugo , Kern Helmut
Published: June 2016

Likewise in rodents, after complete spinal cord injury (SCI) the lower motor neuron (LMN) denervated human muscle fibers lose completely the myofibrillar apparatus and the coil distribution of myonuclei that are relocated in groups (nuclear clumps) in the center of severely atrophic muscle fibers. Up to two years of LMN denervation the muscle fibers with nuclear clumps are very seldom, but in this cohort of patients the severely atrophic muscle fibers are frequent in muscle biopsies harvested three to six years after SCI. Indeed, the percentage increased to 27 ± 9% (p< 0.001), and then abruptly decreased from the 6th year onward, when fibrosis takes over to neurogenic muscle atrophy. Immunohistochemical analyses shown that nuclear misplacements occurred in both fast and slow muscle fibers. In conclusion, human muscle fibers survive permanent denervation much longer than generally accepted and relocation of nuclei is a general behavior in long term denervated muscle fibers.
Audio-visual stimulation in conjunction with functional electrical stimulation to address upper limb and lower limb movement disorder
Authors: Kumar Deepesh , Verma Sunny , Bhattacharya Sutapa , Lahiri Uttama
Published: June 2016

Neurological disorders often manifest themselves in the form of movement deficit on the part of the patient. Conventional rehabilitation often used to address these deficits, though powerful are often monotonous in nature. Adequate audio-visual stimulation can prove to be motivational. In the research presented here we indicate the applicability of audio-visual stimulation to rehabilitation exercises to address at least some of the movement deficits for upper and lower limbs. Added to the audio-visual stimulation, we also use Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). In our presented research we also show the applicability of FES in conjunction with audio-visual stimulation delivered through VR-based platform for grasping skills of patients with movement disorder.
Exploring selective neural electrical stimulation for upper limb function restoration
Authors: Tigra Wafa , Guiraud David , Andreu David , Coulet Bertrand , Gelis Anthony , Fattal Charles , Maciejasz Pawel , Picq Chloé , Rossel Olivier , Teissier Jacques , Azevedo Coste Christine
Published: June 2016

This article introduces a new approach of selective neural electrical stimulation of the upper limb nerves. Median and radial nerves of individuals with tetraplegia are stimulated via a multipolar cuff electrode to elicit movements of wrist and hand in acute conditions during a surgical intervention. Various configurations corresponding to various combinations of a 12-poles cuff electrode contacts are tested. Video recording and electromyographic (EMG) signals recorded via sterile surface electrodes are used to evaluate the selectivity of each stimulation configuration in terms of activated muscles. In this abstract we introduce the protocol and preliminary results will be presented during the conference.
A study on the effect of electrical stimulation as a user stimuli for motor imagery classification in Brain-Machine Interface
Authors: Bhattacharyya Saugat , Clerc Maureen , Hayashibe Mitsuhiro
Published: June 2016

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) provides a neuroprosthetic interface to non-recovered muscle groups by stimulating the affected region of the human body. FES in combination with Brain-machine interfacing (BMI) has a wide scope in rehabilitation because this system directly links the cerebral motor intention of the users with its corresponding peripheral muscle activations. In this paper, we examine the effect of FES on the electroencephalography (EEG) during motor imagery (left- and right-hand movement) training of the users. Results suggest a significant improvement in the classification accuracy when the subject was induced with FES stimuli as compared to the standard visual one.
Translation, adaptation and initial validation of Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire: child form in Greek
Authors: Morou Zoe , Lyrakos Georgios N. , Papadopoulos Nikolaos G. , Douladiris Nikolaos , Tatsioni Athina , Dimoliatis Ioannis D.K.
Published: June 2016

The aim of the study is to determine the reliability and validity of the Greek version of the Food Allergy Quality of life Questionnaire- Child Form (FAQLQ-CF). After linguistic validation, the Greek FAQLQCF, Food Allergy Independent Measure (FAIM) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) were used by a physician to interview children diagnosed with food allergy and aged 8-12 via telephone. Cronbach’s alpha was used to evaluate reliability, and factor analysis to assess construct validity. The correlation between FAQLQ-CF and FAIM was moderate (rho=0.509, P<0.001) and internal consistency was strong (Cronbach’s alpha 0.905). FAQLQ-CF discriminated well each question’s contribution to children’s quality of life deterioration (32- 80%), each child’s quality of life (17-89%), children differing in doing things with others (total score 3.55 vs 2.57, difference =0.98 > minimal clinical importance difference = 0.5; P<0.001), but not children differing in reporting anaphylaxis. The total FAQLQ-CF score correlated with the total PedsQL™ score and with the score of one of PedsQL™ subscales, demonstrating convergent validity. Factor analysis uncovered an underlying structure of four factors, explaining 50% of the variance. We can conclude that Greek FAQLQ-CF is a reliable, valid, discriminant tool for interviewing food allergic children aged 8- 12, detecting those in need for immediate care.
Tuberculosis Biomarkers: From Diagnosis to Protection
Authors: Goletti Delia , Petruccioli Elisa , Joosten Simone A. , Ottenhoff Tom H.M.
Published: June 2016

New approaches to control tuberculosis (TB) worldwide are needed. In particular, new tools for diagnosis and new biomarkers are required to evaluate both pathogen and host key elements of the response to infection. Non-sputum based diagnostic tests, biomarkers predictive of adequate responsiveness to treatment, and biomarkers of risk of developing active TB disease are major goals. Here, we review the current state of the field. Although reports on new candidate biomarkers are numerous, validation and independent confirmation are rare. Efforts are needed to reduce the gap between the exploratory up-stream identification of candidate biomarkers, and the validation of biomarkers against clear clinical endpoints in different populations. This will need a major commitment from both scientists and funding bodies.
New Antituberculosis Drugs: From Clinical Trial to Programmatic Use
Authors: Gualano Gina , Capone Susanna , Matteelli Alberto , Palmieri Fabrizio
Published: June 2016

Treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases is challenging because it relies on second-line drugs that are less potent and more toxic than those used in the clinical management of drug-susceptible TB. Moreover, treatment outcomes for MDR-TB are generally poor compared to drug sensitive disease, highlighting the need for of new drugs. For the first time in more than 50 years, two new anti-TB drugs were approved and released. Bedaquiline is a first-in-class diarylquinoline compound that showed durable culture conversion at 24 weeks in phase IIb trials. Delamanid is the first drug of the nitroimidazole class to enter clinical practice. Similarly to bedaquiline results of phase IIb studies showed increased sputum-culture conversion at 2 months and better final treatment outcomes in patients with MDR-TB. Among repurposed drugs linezolid and carbapenems may represent a valuable drug to treat cases of MDR and extensively drugresistant TB. The recommended regimen for MDR-TB is the combination of at least four drugs to which M. tuberculosis is likely to be susceptible for the duration of 20 months. Drugs are chosen with a stepwise selection process through five groups on the basis of efficacy, safety, and cost. Clinical phase III trials on new regimen are ongoing that could prove transformative against MDR-TB, by being shorter (six months), simpler (an alloral regimen) and safer than current standard therapy. It is fundamental that the adoption of the new drugs is done responsibly to avoid inappropriate use. Concentration of inpatient MDR-TB treatment in specialized centers could be considered in countries with low numbers of cases in order to provide appropriate clinical case management and to prevent emergence of drug resistance.
A New Era in the Control of Tuberculosis
Authors: Girardi Enrico , Ippolito Giuseppe
Published: June 2016

In the last two decades of the twentieth century, the world faced an unexpected resurgence of tuberculosis. [...]
Study of the population dynamics of Listeria monocytogenes and Pseudomonas fluorescens in buffalo-milk mozzarella cheese by means of challenge testing
Authors: Nava Donatella , Capo Salvatore , Caligiuri Vincenzo , Giaccone Valerio , Biondi Loredana , Vaccaro Gerardo Francesco , Guarino Achille , Capuano Federico
Published: June 2016

Campania buffalo mozzarella is a greatly appreciated cheese in Italy and worldwide. From a microbiological standpoint, it is a highly perishable food and potentially at risk of contamination by pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). The present paper reports the results of a challenge test carried out with the aim to assess the population dynamics of L. monocytogenes, alone and in the presence of Pseudomonas fluorescens (Ps. fluorescens), in buffalo mozzarella. For this purpose buffalo mozzarella samples were contaminated with L. monocytogenes alone or combined with Ps. fluorescens. In samples wherein L. monocytogenes was inoculated alone, the bacterial load remained unchanged. By contrast, in samples contaminated with L. monocytogenes and Ps. fluorescens, the growth of L. monocytogenes was increased.
Molecular typing of Staphylococcus aureus isolate responsible for staphylococcal poisoning incident in homemade food
Authors: Macori Guerrino , Bellio Alberto , Bianchi Daniela Manila , Gallina Silvia , Adriano Daniela , Zuccon Fabio , Chiesa Francesco , Acutis Pier Luigi , Casalinuovo Francesco , Decastelli Lucia
Published: June 2016

In October 2012, two persons fell ill with symptoms consistent with staphylococcal food poisoning after eating home-canned tuna fish and tomatoes. Laboratory investigation detected the enterotoxins in the home-canned tuna and molecular analysis of the isolated Staphylococcus aureus confirmed it carried toxin genes. Qualitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and enzime linked fluorescent assay methods and quantitative assay identified the enterotoxins in the food leftovers, specifically staphylococcal enterotoxins type A (SEA) and D (SED), respectively 0.49 and 2.04 ng/g. The laboratory results are discussed considering the relation to the fish in oil, survival and heat resistance of S. aureus, and presumptive microbial contamination due to improper handling during home-canning procedures. This is the first reported cluster of foodborne illnesses due to staphylococcal enterotoxins in tuna in Italy. In this study, we reported cases described and analysed for their spa-type. Showing a high heterogeneity of isolates, spa-type t13252 is correlated in a node of the minimum spanning tree and it has never been reported as responsible for foodborne outbreak. This case underlines the importance of risk communication and dissemination of home-canning guidelines to reduce the incidence of foodborne outbreaks caused by homemade conserves.
Differences in chemical, physical and microbiological characteristics of Italian Burrata cheeses made in artisanal and industrial plants of the Apulia Region
Authors: Rea Stefano , Marino Leonardo , Stocchi Roberta , Branciari Raffaella , Loschi Anna Rita , Miraglia Dino , Ranucci David
Published: June 2016

The Burrata cheese is a traditional product from Southern Italy, consisting of an envelope of pasta filata (stretched curd) filled with cream and pasta filata strips (usually leftovers from mozzarella production). Physical (aw, pH), chemical (moisture, NaCl content) and microbiological [total viable count (TVC), L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Y. enterocolitica, B. cereus, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, coagulase-positive staphylococci] characteristics of Burrata cheeses manufactured in an artisanal and an industrial plant were evaluated. The artisanal Burrata showed lower aw values in the filling and the final product. The same was recorded in the filling for the moisture, probably due to differences between the types of cream used in the artisanal and the industrial cheesemaking. The pH value of the filling differed between the two groups but no difference was recorded in the final product. Microbiological differences were also recorded, with higher values for TVC and E. coli in artisanal Burrata than in industrial one. All samples were negative for the other microbial determinations carried out, with the exception of coagulase-positive staphylococci and Y. enterocolitica that were detected in artisanal Burrata. Differences in the cheesemaking process were probably responsible for the strong variability of the physical and chemical data between the two cheeses; furthermore differences in the hygienic features were also recorded. Even though artisanal products showed lower aw and pH values, and higher NaCl concentration, the higher E. coli loads highlighted the need for a more accurate compliance with hygienic procedures along the artisanal cheesemaking process.
Delirium: the invisible syndrome
Authors: Gnerre Paola , La Regina Micaela , Bozzano Chiara , Pomero Fulvio , Re Roberta , Meschi Michele , Montemurro Domenico , Marchetti Annalisa , Di Lillo Mariangela , Tirotta Daniela
Published: June 2016

Delirium is a neuropsychiatric sindrome characterized by acute onset, a fluctuating course, an altered level of consciousness, disturbances in orientation, memory, attention, thinking, perception and behaviour. One third of patients aged 70 or older were admitted to the general medical service of an acute care hospital experience delirium. The development of delirium is associated with worse outcome increased a 10-fold risk for death and a 3- to 5-fold risk for nosocomial complications, prolonged length of stay, and greater need for nursing home placement after discharge. Therefore patients with delirium have higher morbidity and mortality rates, higher re-admission rates, and a greater risk of long term institutionalization care, thereby having a significant impact on both health and social care expenditure. The cost of delirium to the health-care system is then substantial. Despite its clinical importance and health-related costs, it often remains under-recognized and inadequately managed. Recent evidence suggests that a better understanding and knowledge of delirium among health care professionals can lead to early detection, the reduction of modifiable risk factors, and better management of the condition in the acute phase.
Compression in hypertensive leg ulcer (Martorell’s ulcer)
Authors: Senet Patricia
Published: June 2016

Not available
An approach to the development of a national strategy for controlling invasive alien plant species: The case of Parthenium hysterophorus  in South Africa
Authors: Terblanche Colette , Nänni Ingrid , Kaplan Haylee , Strathie Lorraine W. , McConnachie Andrew J. , Goodall Jeremy , Van wilgen Brian
Published: June 2016

Invasive alien species require co-ordinated strategic management if negative impacts are to be effectively avoided. Here we describe a strategy for the management of Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae) in South Africa. P. hysterophorus is an annual herb native to tropical America, which has become invasive in over 30 countries. The strategy sets goals for (1) the prevention of spread to new areas; (2) local eradication of isolated populations; (3) containment in areas where eradication is not possible; and (4) actions to protect assets where containment is no longer an option. We developed both a national strategy to set policy and to monitor progress towards goals at a national level and an implementation plan to set goals and timeframes for their achievement at local levels. It is not clear, at this stage, whether or not the goals of the strategy are achievable because implementation will face many challenges arising from ecological features of the target plant, social and cultural practices that will influence management, inadequate levels of funding and multiple political considerations. Our strategy proposes regular assessment using high-level indicators, a practice that is widely recognised as essential but seldom implemented at a national scale. Because the outcomes are uncertain, it is vital that regular monitoring of outcomes should be instituted from the start, so that both appropriate adjustments can be made to the strategy and lessons for the implementation of similar strategies elsewhere can be derived.
Exploration of indigenous knowledge systems in relation to couching in Nigeria
Authors: Tafida Abubakar , Gilbert Clare
Published: June 2016

Background: Couching is a traditional treatment for cataracts but often has poor visual outcomes, as identified during the Nigerian National Blindness Survey.Objectives: To investigate why couching is accessed by individuals with cataracts in northern Nigeria.Methods: The ten rural clusters in Jigawa State included in the National BlindnessSurvey were revisited to trace four groups of participants: cataract blind individuals, those couched or who had undergone cataract surgery and local couchers. Additional postoperative patients were recruited from the local eye department. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with cataract blind and cataract-operated participants, and 27 in-depth interviews were conducted with those couched and five couchers. Qualitative data were translated, transcribed and analysed after immersion and reflection using a thematic framework.Results: Half of the cataract blind attributed the cause to spiritual factors or past misdeeds, only 25% knew they had cataracts and 83% had not undergone ophthalmic examination. Cost, distance and unreliability of services were the main barriers to accessing surgery. Facilitators of couching were the responsiveness of couchers in relation to location, timing and payment, and immediate visual improvement. Couchers understood local beliefs, were itinerant and used a network of case finders.Conclusions: Couching is accepted as it is entrenched in traditional beliefs and indigenous knowledge systems, and couchers are responsive. Lack of awareness and inaccessibility were barriers to cataract surgery. Strategies to improve cataract surgery must take account of local beliefs and factors influencing health-seeking behaviour. Couchers were willing to collaborate with professional eye care providers, but this will require time, skill and mutual trust.Keywords: couching
Chest radiographic manifestations of scrub typhus
Authors: Abhilash KPP , Mannam PR , Rajendran K , John RA , Ramasami P
Published: June 2016

Background and Rationale:

Respiratory system involvement in scrub typhus is seen in 20–72% of patients. In endemic areas, good understanding and familiarity with the various radiologic findings of scrub typhus are essential in identifying pulmonary complications.

Materials and Methods:

Patients admitted to a tertiary care center with scrub typhus between October 2012 and September 2013 and had a chest X ray done were included in the analysis. Details and radiographic findings were noted and factors associated with abnormal X-rays were analyzed.

Results:

The study cohort contained 398 patients. Common presenting complaints included fever (100%), generalized myalgia (83%), headache (65%), dyspnea (54%), cough (24.3%), and altered sensorium (14%). Almost half of the patients (49.4%) had normal chest radiographs. Common radiological pulmonary abnormalities included pleural effusion (14.6%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (14%), airspace opacity (10.5%), reticulonodular opacities (10.3%), peribronchial thickening (5.8%), and pulmonary edema (2%). Cardiomegaly was noted in 3.5% of patients. Breathlessness, presence of an eschar, platelet counts of <20,000 cells/cumm, and total serum bilirubin >2 mg/dL had the highest odds of having an abnormal chest radiograph. Patients with an abnormal chest X-ray had a higher requirement of noninvasive ventilation (odds ratio [OR]: 13.98; 95% confidence interval CI: 5.89–33.16), invasive ventilation (OR: 18.07; 95% CI: 6.42–50.88), inotropes (OR: 8.76; 95% CI: 4.35–17.62), higher involvement of other organ systems, longer duration of hospital stay (3.18 ± 3 vs. 7.27 ± 5.58 days; P< 0.001), and higher mortality (OR: 4.63; 95% CI: 1.54–13.85).

Conclusion:

Almost half of the patients with scrub typhus have abnormal chest radiographs. Chest radiography should be included as part of basic evaluation at presentation in patients with scrub typhus, especially in those with breathlessness, eschar, jaundice, and severe thrombocytopenia.
Bioaccumulation of methylmercury in fish tissue from the Roosevelt River, Southwestern Amazon basin
Authors: Dos Anjos Marcelo Rodrigues , Machado Nadja Gomes , Da Silva Maria Eliana Peixoto , Bastos Wanderley Rodrigues , Miranda Márcio Rodrigues , De Carvalho Dario Pires , Mussy Marília Higino , De Holanda Igor Bruno Barbosa , Biudes Marcelo Sacardi , Fulan João Ânderson
Published: June 2016

Mercury is a major pollutant in the Amazon River system, and its levels in fish and human hair are usually above the limit recommended by health agencies. The objective of this study was to analyze the methylmercury (MeHg) concentration in fish tissue from the Roosevelt River. The river’s water velocity, depth, pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen and substrate type were measured, and fifty specimens distributed in 14 fish species were collected. A total of 64.3% of the sampled species were of the order Characiform and 71.4% of the species were carnivores. Fifty percent of the species had MeHg concentrations above threshold limit (Hg-T 0.5 mg kg-1) established for food by the World Health Organization. Cichla monoculus had the highest value of MeHg (2.45 mg kg-1). The MeHg concentration in fish varied according to dietary habits. The study also found bioaccumulation of MeHg in fish tissue in the following descending order: carnivorous > detritivorous > frugivore. Low significant correlations were found between fish weight or length and MeHg. Further studies on MeHg contamination are recommended in tissues of fish consumed in human riverine communities in the Roosevelt River Basin.
The Language of the Past
Authors: Wilson Ross
Published: June 2016

The Language of the Past analyses the use of history in discourses within the political, media and the public sphere. It examines how particular terms, phrases and allusions first came into usage, developed and how they are employed today. To speak of something or someone as representing the ‘stone age’, or characterize an institution as ‘byzantine’, to describe a business relationship as ‘feudal’ or to disparage ideals or morality as ‘Victorian’, refers to both a perception of the past and its relationship to the present. Whilst dictionaries and etymologies define meanings and origin points of words or phrases, this study examines how history is maintained and used within society through language.

Detailing the specific words and phrases associated with particular periods used to describe contemporary society, this thorough examination of language and history will be of great interest to those studying historiography, social history and linguistics.
Wat dragen we vandaag: een hemd met blazer of een shirt met jasje?
Authors: Daems Jocelyne , Heylen Kris , Geeraerts Dirk
Published: June 2016

What to wear today: een hemd met blazer (‘a dress shirt with suit jacket’) or een shirt met jasje (‘a dress shirt with suit jacket’)?
Convergence and divergence in Dutch clothing terminology

This paper reports on a corpus-based investigation into naming preferences in Belgian Dutch and Netherlandic Dutch for fourteen clothing terms. The study is a follow-up of Geeraerts, Grondelaers and Speelman (1999), in which soccer and clothing terminology from 1950, 1970 and 1990 was analysed as an indicator of standardisation in Dutch. This study extends the clothing corpus with new, comparable data from 2012 collected from magazines and shop windows. A profile-based measure of linguistic uniformity quantifies the differences in naming preferences across the 14 concepts between different varieties of Dutch. The results shed new light on the current linguistic situation in the Low Countries. The diachronic convergence between Belgian Dutch and Netherlandic Dutch found in Geeraerts, Grondelaers and Speelman (1999) seems to have come to a halt in present-day Dutch. On the other hand, the recent data confirm that the distance between the language in the lower register shop windows and the standard language in magazines remains largest in Belgian Dutch.
Social Attention Promotes Partner Intimacy
Authors: Ohtsubo Yohsuke , Tamada Shiori
Published: June 2016

Social animals develop intimate bonds with their social partners. However, bond formation entails the risk of being exploited by partners. Previous studies have shown that people monitor partner attention to themselves to assess commitment to the relationship. Accordingly, a partner’s social attention promotes the receiver’s intimacy with the partner. This study expanded previous finding by manipulating partner attention in a naturalistic manner. In particular, naïve participants were assigned to one of two roles (i.e., signal Sender and Receiver) in the laboratory. Receiver first wrote a self-instruction essay, and Sender read it under either of two instructions: to pay close attention to the content of the essay (the high attention condition) or to some peripheral aspects of the essay (the low attention condition). After reading the essay, Sender’s memory of the essay was assessed. Naturally, Sender recalled it more accurately in the high attention condition. Knowing Sender’s accuracy, Receiver reported a sense of intimacy toward Sender. Receiver’s intimacy was higher in the high attention condition than in the low attention condition. Therefore, this study confirmed that paying attention to a partner, which translates to accurate understanding of the partner, promotes the intimacy in the partner.
Does facial width-to-height ratio predict Japanese professional football players’ athletic performance?
Authors: Fujii Takayuki , Goto Akira , Takagishi Haruto
Published: June 2016

A number of studies have shown that facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR)—the distance between the two zygomatic arches (width) compared with the distance from the top of the lip to the bottom of the eyebrows (height)—is related to aggressive behavior and is reflective of testosterone levels. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between fWHR and the athletic performance of Japanese professional football players. Photographs of 343 Japanese professional football players were measured for fWHR and compared with the number of penalty cards (yellow and red) acquired by players and goals scored in the 2012 season. The results showed that fWHR was not associated with the number of goals scored in any football position. However, the number of penalty cards acquired was associated with fWHR in the forward offensive position. These findings showed that fWHR is not related to goals scored by Japanese football players, but is related to the penalty cards acquired in the offensive domain.
The evolution of biomass-burning aerosol size distributions due to coagulation: dependence on fire and meteorological details and parameterization
Authors: Sakamoto Kimiko M. , Laing James R. , Stevens Robin G. , Jaffe Daniel A. , Pierce Jeffrey R.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Biomass-burning aerosols have a significant effect on global and regional aerosol climate forcings. To model the magnitude of these effects accurately requires knowledge of the size distribution of the emitted and evolving aerosol particles. Current biomass-burning inventories do not include size distributions, and global and regional models generally assume a fixed size distribution from all biomass-burning emissions. However, biomass-burning size distributions evolve in the plume due to coagulation and net organic aerosol (OA) evaporation or formation, and the plume processes occur on spacial scales smaller than global/regional-model grid boxes. The extent of this size-distribution evolution is dependent on a variety of factors relating to the emission source and atmospheric conditions. Therefore, accurately accounting for biomass-burning aerosol size in global models requires an effective aerosol size distribution that accounts for this sub-grid evolution and can be derived from available emission-inventory and meteorological parameters. In this paper, we perform a detailed investigation of the effects of coagulation on the aerosol size distribution in biomass-burning plumes. We compare the effect of coagulation to that of OA evaporation and formation. We develop coagulation-only parameterizations for effective biomass-burning size distributions using the SAM-TOMAS large-eddy simulation plume model. For the most-sophisticated parameterization, we use the Gaussian Emulation Machine for Sensitivity Analysis (GEM-SA) to build a parameterization of the aged size distribution based on the SAM-TOMAS output and seven inputs: emission median dry diameter, emission distribution modal width, mass emissions flux, fire area, mean boundary-layer wind speed, plume mixing depth, and time/distance since emission. This parameterization was tested against an independent set of SAM-TOMAS simulations and yields R2 values of 0.83 and 0.89 for Dpm and modal width, respectively. The size distribution is particularly sensitive to the mass emissions flux, fire area, wind speed, and time, and we provide simplified fits of the aged size distribution to just these input variables. The simplified fits were tested against 11 aged biomass-burning size distributions observed at the Mt. Bachelor Observatory in August 2015. The simple fits captured over half of the variability in observed Dpm and modal width even though the freshly emitted Dpm and modal widths were unknown. These fits may be used in global and regional aerosol models. Finally, we show that coagulation generally leads to greater changes in the particle size distribution than OA evaporation/formation does, using estimates of OA production/loss from the literature.
Understanding isoprene photooxidation using observations and modeling over a subtropical forest in the southeastern US
Authors: Su Luping , Patton Edward G. , Vilà-Guerau de Arellano Jordi , Guenther Alex B. , Kaser Lisa , Yuan Bin , Xiong Fulizi , Shepson Paul B. , Zhang Li , Miller David O. , Brune William H. , Baumann Karsten , Edgerton Eric , Weinheimer Andrew , Misztal Pawel K. , Park Jeong-Hoo , Goldstein Allen H. , Skog Kate M. , Keutsch Frank N. , Mak John E.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. The emission, dispersion, and photochemistry of isoprene (C5H8) and related chemical species in the convective boundary layer (CBL) during sunlit daytime were studied over a mixed forest in the southeastern United States by combining ground-based and aircraft observations. Fluxes of isoprene and monoterpenes were quantified at the top of the forest canopy using a high-resolution proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS). Snapshot (∼  2 min sampling duration) vertical profiles of isoprene, methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) + methacrolein (MACR), and monoterpenes were collected from aircraft every hour in the CBL (100–1000 m). Both ground-based and airborne collected volatile organic compound (VOC) data are used to constrain the initial conditions of a mixed-layer chemistry model (MXLCH), which is applied to examine the chemical evolution of the O3–NOx–HOx–VOC system and how it is affected by boundary layer dynamics in the CBL. The chemical loss rate of isoprene (∼  1 h) is similar to the turbulent mixing timescale (0.1–0.5 h), which indicates that isoprene concentrations are equally dependent on both photooxidation and boundary layer dynamics. Analysis of a model-derived concentration budget suggests that diurnal evolution of isoprene inside the CBL is mainly controlled by surface emissions and chemical loss; the diurnal evolution of O3 is dominated by entrainment. The NO to HO2 ratio (NO : HO2) is used as an indicator of anthropogenic impact on the CBL chemical composition and spans a wide range (1–163). The fate of hydroxyl-substituted isoprene peroxyl radical (HOC5H8OO·; ISOPOO) is strongly affected by NO : HO2, shifting from NO-dominant to NO–HO2-balanced conditions from early morning to noontime. This chemical regime change is reflected in the diurnal evolution of isoprene hydroxynitrates (ISOPN) and isoprene hydroxy hydroperoxides (ISOPOOH).
What would dense atmospheric observation networks bring to the quantification of city CO2 emissions?
Authors: Wu Lin , Broquet Grégoire , Ciais Philippe , Bellassen Valentin , Vogel Felix , Chevallier Frédéric , Xueref-Remy Irène , Wang Yilong
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Cities currently covering only a very small portion ( <  3 %) of the world's land surface directly release to the atmosphere about 44 % of global energy-related CO2, but they are associated with 71–76 % of CO2 emissions from global final energy use. Although many cities have set voluntary climate plans, their CO2 emissions are not evaluated by the monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) procedures that play a key role for market- or policy-based mitigation actions. Here we analyze the potential of a monitoring tool that could support the development of such procedures at the city scale. It is based on an atmospheric inversion method that exploits inventory data and continuous atmospheric CO2 concentration measurements from a network of stations within and around cities to estimate city CO2 emissions. This monitoring tool is configured for the quantification of the total and sectoral CO2 emissions in the Paris metropolitan area (∼  12 million inhabitants and 11.4 TgC emitted in 2010) during the month of January 2011. Its performances are evaluated in terms of uncertainty reduction based on observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs). They are analyzed as a function of the number of sampling sites (measuring at 25 m a.g.l.) and as a function of the network design. The instruments presently used to measure CO2 concentrations at research stations are expensive (typically ∼  EUR 50 k per sensor), which has limited the few current pilot city networks to around 10 sites. Larger theoretical networks are studied here to assess the potential benefit of hypothetical operational lower-cost sensors. The setup of our inversion system is based on a number of diagnostics and assumptions from previous city-scale inversion experiences with real data. We find that, given our assumptions underlying the configuration of the OSSEs, with 10 stations only the uncertainty for the total city CO2 emission during 1 month is significantly reduced by the inversion by ∼  42 %. It can be further reduced by extending the network, e.g., from 10 to 70 stations, which is promising for MRV applications in the Paris metropolitan area. With 70 stations, the uncertainties in the inverted emissions are reduced significantly over those obtained using 10 stations: by 32 % for commercial and residential buildings, by 33 % for road transport, by 18 % for the production of energy by power plants, and by 31 % for total emissions. These results indicate that such a high number of stations would be likely required for the monitoring of sectoral emissions in Paris using this observation–model framework. They demonstrate some high potential that atmospheric inversions can contribute to the monitoring and/or the verification of city CO2 emissions (baseline) and CO2 emission reductions (commitments) and the advantage that could be brought by the current developments of lower-cost medium precision (LCMP) sensors.
Role of needle surface waxes in dynamic exchange of mono- and sesquiterpenes
Authors: Joensuu Johanna , Altimir Nuria , Hakola Hannele , Rostás Michael , Raivonen Maarit , Vestenius Mika , Aaltonen Hermanni , Riederer Markus , Bäck Jaana
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) produced by plants have a major role in atmospheric chemistry. The different physicochemical properties of BVOCs affect their transport within and out of the plant as well as their reactions along the way. Some of these compounds may accumulate in or on the waxy surface layer of conifer needles and participate in chemical reactions on or near the foliage surface. The aim of this work was to determine whether terpenes, a key category of BVOCs produced by trees, can be found on the epicuticles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and, if so, how they compare with the terpenes found in shoot emissions of the same tree. We measured shoot-level emissions of pine seedlings at a remote outdoor location in central Finland and subsequently analysed the needle surface waxes for the same compounds. Both emissions and wax extracts were clearly dominated by monoterpenes, but the proportion of sesquiterpenes was higher in the wax extracts. There were also differences in the terpene spectra of the emissions and the wax extracts. The results, therefore, support the existence of BVOC associated to the epicuticular waxes. We briefly discuss the different pathways for terpenes to reach the needle surfaces and the implications for air chemistry.