bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiosynovectomy in the Therapeutic Management of Arthritis
Authors: Knut Liepe
Published: February 2015

Radiosynovectomy is a well-established therapy in arthritis and involves an intra-articular injection of small radioactive particles to treat a synovitis. In Europe, frequent indications are rheumatoid and poly-arthritis. Especially in Germany radiosynovectomy is the second common therapy in Nuclear Medicine with about 40,000-60,000 treated joints per year. In Spain, USA, Turkey, Argentines and Philippines the therapy is more use in hemophilic arthritis with excellent results. Especially in developing countries with low availability of clotting factors, the radiosynovectomy represent a cost effective therapeutic option for repeated bleedings in hemophilic arthropathy. The special focus in these countries is maintaining of mobility and work ability. Often only the knee and medium joints (ankle, elbow and shoulder) are treated using yttrium-90, rhenium-186 or phosphorus-32. However, in rheumatoid arthritis most common affected joints are the fingers. For the treatment in these small joints, erbium-169 is necessary. Unfortunately, erbium-169 is only available in Europe. Further indications for radiosynovectomy are osteoarthritis and the articular effusion after joint replacement. The reported response rates in rheumatoid and poly-arthritis range from 60% to 80% depends from the stage of previous arthrosis. The best effectiveness of therapy was observed in hemophilic arthritis with response rate of 90% and significant reducing of bleeding frequency. The therapy is well-tolerated with low rate of side effects. In respect of the specific uptake of particles in the synovia and short range of beta radiation, the radiation exposure outside the joint is very low. The radiosynovectomy has efforts in comparison to surgical synovectomy: it′s a minor intervention with low costs; and simultaneous treatments of multiple joints or treatment in short intervals are possible. The presented paper summarized the published papers and reports our own experiences in >15,000 treated joints.
Clinical Effectiveness of 18 F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Single Institution Experience
Authors: Win Aung , Aparici Carina
Published: February 2015

Positron emission tomography (PET) is currently the most advanced technique of metabolic imaging available for tumor diagnosis and follow-up. The aim of this study was to examine the versatility and accuracy of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/computed tomography (CT) in the metastasis detection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We also compared our findings to other similar studies from the literature. This is the biggest study so far to examine the sensitivity and specificity of FDG PET/CT in the management of RCC. A retrospective review was carried out on all the FDG PET/CT studies done from January 1999 to January 2014 at our institution. Biopsy results were considered the gold standard. For our patients (n = 315) with biopsy results, FDG PET/CT studies exhibited 100% sensitivity, 100% specificity. Our results were better than results achieved by other studies. The use of FDG PET/CT in restaging and metastasis detection of RCC has many advantages, in addition to high accuracy. This imaging technique has great potential in influencing treatment decisions. We recommend the incorporation of FDG PET/CT in routine standard protocols for RCC.
The Added Value of a Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography-Computed Tomography in Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Patients with Breast Cancer and Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Bennie George , Vorster Mariza , Buscombe John , Sathekge Mike
Published: February 2015

Single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) allows for physiological and anatomical co-registration in sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and offers additional benefits over conventional planar imaging. However, the clinical relevance when considering added costs and radiation burden of these reported benefits remains somewhat uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the possible added value of SPECT-CT and intra-operative gamma-probe use over planar imaging alone in the South African setting. 80 patients with breast cancer or malignant melanoma underwent both planar and SPECT-CT imaging for SLN mapping. We assessed and compared the number of nodes detected on each study, false positive and negative findings, changes in surgical approach and or patient management. In all cases where a sentinel node was identified, SPECT-CT was more accurate anatomically. There was a significant change in surgical approach in 30 cases - breast cancer (n = 13; P 0.001) and malignant melanoma (n = 17; P 0.0002). In 4 cases a node not identified on planar imaging was seen on SPECT-CT. In 16 cases additional echelon nodes were identified. False positives were excluded by SPECT-CT in 12 cases. The addition of SPECT-CT and use of intra-operative gamma-probe to planar imaging offers important benefits in patients who present with breast cancer and melanoma. These benefits include increased nodal detection, elimination of false positives and negatives and improved anatomical localization that ultimately aids and expedites surgical management. This has been demonstrated in the context of industrialized country previously and has now also been confirmed in the setting of a emerging-market nation.
18 F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Infected Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Paschali Anna , Georgakopoulos Alexandros , Pianou Nikoletta , Anagnostopoulos Constantinos
Published: February 2015

A positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) study using 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG) was performed in a 54-year-old female with polycystic kidney disease, fever, and abdominal discomfort. Cyst′s infection was suspected, but CT and U/S findings were not specific to accurately depict pyocysts and guide surgical treatment. In PET/CT, both kidneys are enlarged with multiple cysts and little remaining parenchyma. There is intense focal or ring-shaped FDG uptake in cysts in the upper and lower poles of the left kidney indicative of active infection. There is also increased FDG uptake in para-aortic lymph nodes bilaterally. Hepatic and right renal cysts do not present increased FDG uptake. As this case illustrates, FDG PET/CT can be helpful for the precise localization of cyst infections in patients with polycystic kidney disease considered for surgical treatment.
Almost normal operators mod Hilbert–Schmidt and the $K$-theory of the algebras $E \Lambda (\Omega)$
Authors: Voiculescu Dan-Virgil
Published: February 2015

Is there a mod Hilbert–Schmidt analogue of the BDF-theorem, with the Pincus

g

-function playing the role of the index? We show that part of the question is about the

K

-theory of certain Banach algebras. These Banach algebras, related to Lipschitz functions and Dirichlet algebras have nice Banach-space duality properties. Moreover their corona algebras are

C*

-algebras.
Qu’est-ce que la phagothérapie ?
Authors: Dublanchet Alain
Published: February 2015

Tout virus se multiplie dans une cellule vivante qui peut être celle d’un mammifère, d’une plante ou encore d’un procaryote (bactérie et archée). Un virus qui a pour hôte une bactérie est nommé bactériophage (phage) . Un phage est très généralement spécifique d’une espèce bactérienne, voire uniquement de quelques souches d’une espèce. Dans la nature, les phages sont présents partout où il y a des bactéries qui sont les hôtes d’au moins un phage. La thérapeutique qui utilise les phages pour traiter les infections bactériennes est appelée phagothérapie . Les phages ont été découverts pendant la Première Guerre Mondiale à l’Institut Pasteur de Paris et la phagothérapie a été utilisée pour la première fois dès 1919 en France. De très nombreuses maladies bactériennes, cutanées, oculaires, ORL, digestives, osseuses, urinaires, pulmonaires, ont été traitées avec plus ou moins de succès par des phages préparés de manière artisanale ou même commercialisés. Mondialement très utilisée durant deux décennies, la phagothérapie a été remplacée dans les années 40 par l’antibiothérapie que l’on pensait être la solution définitive pour lutter contre les infections bactériennes. Cependant depuis quelques années, l’extension des résistances fait redouter un retour à l’ère pré-antibiotique. A la lumière des connaissances récentes, la réintroduction des phages dans l’arsenal thérapeutique paraît aujourd’hui envisageable. Mais avant tout il est nécessaire de disposer d’un médicament qui doit répondre aux normes modernes de fabrication. Ce n’est qu’après avoir évalué le bénéfice-risque d’un médicament de nature biologique, que la phagothérapie pourra être utilisée en substitution ou en complément de l’antibiothérapie.
Fonetične in ortografske interference pri govorjeni romunščini v Španiji
Authors: Jieanu Ioana , Baciu Eugenia
Published: February 2015

Članek Fonetične in ortografske interference pri govorjeni romunščini v Španiji prikaže z dvojne (fonetične in ortografske) perspektive nekaj pojavov, ki so nastali pri romunsko španskih stikih. Namen raziskave fonetičnega in ortografskega vpliva španščine na romunščino je identifikacija lingvističnih posledic, ki bi jih množično priseljevanje Romunov v Španijo lahko imelo.Pri analizi romunskega jezika priseljencev v romunskih skupnostih iz Španije smo zaznali dva načina fonetičnega prilagajanja: prilagajanje španskih izposojenk romunskemu fonetičnemu sistemu in prilagajanje romunskih besed španskemu fonetičnemu sistemu. Z vzporednim preučevanjem zvočnih in pisanih zapisov enajstih romunskih študentov v Španiji, v Castellón de la Plana, smo ugotovili, da se španske izposojenke fonetično prilagodijo romunskemu jeziku, pri pisavi pa te prilagoditve ne zaznamo.
Interprétation générique des indéfinis français et slovènes (Generična interpretacija nedoločnih določevalnikov v francoščini in slovenščini)
Authors: Struna Berden Tatjana
Published: February 2015

Pričujoči članek se osredotoča na kontrastivno analizo francoskih nedoločnih določevalnikov in slovenskih samostalniških in pridevniških zaimkov. Članek se omejuje na standardno generično in delno generično interpretacijo izbranih nedoločnih zaimkov (tout(e/s), chaque, quelque, plusieurs, certains in vsi, vsak, nekaj, več, nekateri) in proučuje njihov semantični, sintaktični in pragmatični vpliv na obe interpretaciji.V primerjavi obeh interpretacij proučujemo tudi, kako lahko položaj nedoločnega določevalnika, glede na to, ali se pojavlja v osebku ali predmetu, vpliva na končno interpretacijo. Analizirani so tudi primeri, iz katerih je razvidna nesprejemljivost ponovitve enega nedoločnega določevalnika v istem stavku, in primeri, kjer je včasih nemogoče ohraniti enako interpretacijo v obeh jezikih.Namen članka je pokazati podobnosti in razlike generične interpretacije v obeh jezikih. Kljub temu, da francoščina ima člen s katerim lažje izraža generičnost kot slovenščina, ki členov nima, pa v nobenem od jezikov ne obstajajo specifična jezikovna znamenja za izražanje generičnosti. Prikazano je, da na generičnost ne vpliva oblika, temveč v veliki meri interpretacija (konteksta in situacije) stavka.
Kako sladka so francoska vina – analiza napak študentov v prevodih besedil s področja vin in vinske kulture
Authors: Dobnik Nadja
Published: February 2015

V okviru dodiplomskega študija prevajalstva na Oddelku za prevajalstvo FF je pri prevajanju iz francoščine v slovenščino ena rdečih niti tema vin in vinske kulture. Vina so neizogibni del francoske kulture in gospodarstva, pomembno vlogo pa imajo tudi v slovenskem prostoru, zato prevajanje besedil s tega področja pomeni obenem vpogled v družbo, kulturo in gospodarstvo ter razmislek o številnih podobnostih in razlikah.Pri spremljanju dela študentov več generacij (1999 do 2011) in analizi njihovih prevodov se je izkazalo, da se poleg težav, za katere smo predvidevali, da jih bodo študenti naredili in so bile del didaktičnih ciljev predmeta, redno pojavljajo tudi napake, ki jih po naših predvidevanjih študenti ne bi smeli narediti. V članku so prikazane težave in napake študentov pri prevajanju avtentičnega besedila »Caractéristiques des vins d'Alsace« (Značilnosti alzaških vin). Analiza napak je pokazala na kompleksnost prepletanja jezikovnih in pomenskih napak, ki so delno sicer posledica slabe jezikovne in besedilne kompetence študentov, zlasti pa opozarjajo na pomanjkljivo tematsko-vsebinsko in kulturno kompetenco študentov.
Phraseme und Sprichwörter in offiziellen Dokumenten des slowenischen Bildungssystems (Frazemi in pregovori v uradnih dokumentih slovenskega šolskega sistema)
Authors: Kacjan Brigita , Jazbec Saša
Published: February 2015

Der Beitrag behandelt ein interessantes und bedeutendes, aber bisher vernachlässigtes Thema, das Vorhandensein von Phrasemen und Sprichwörtern in den slowenischen Lehrplänen und/oder Wissenskatalogen. Dabei handelt es sich um offizielle nationale Dokumente, die auf der Makroebene den Rahmen des Sprachenunterrichts abstecken und in die auch Phraseme und Sprichwörter gehören, geht es dabei doch um natürliche, polylexikale, frequente, stabile sprachliche Einheiten, für die die Idiomatizität charakteristisch ist. Sie stellen einen bedeutenden Teil der Alltagssprache dar und man würde erwarten, dass sie dementsprechend auch in den Lehrplänen/Wissenskatalogen für die Sprachfächer in der gesamten Vertikale des slowenischen Schulsystems vertreten sein werden. Im empirischen Teil, in dem Ausschnitte aus insgesamt 11 Lehrplänen/Wissenskatalogen angeführt werden, zeigt sich, dass Phraseme und Sprichwörter nur in einem sehr bescheidenen Ausmaße, unsystematisch und sporadisch vorkommen, dass die diesbezügliche Terminologie nicht einheitlich ist und dass die didaktischen Richtlinien häufig nur angedeutet sind. Diese Darstellung wird im Fazit abgerundet, wo auch Möglichkeiten zur Behebung dieses Missstands aufgezeigt werden. Prispevek obravnava zanimivo in pomembno, a doslej prezrto temo, to je zastopanost frazemov skupaj s pregovori v učnih načrtih in/ali katalogih znanja. Ti dokumenti so uradni nacionalni dokumenti, ki določajo okvire pouka na makroravni. Vanje sodijo tudi frazemi vključno s pregovori, saj gre za naravne več besedne, frekventne, stabilne jezikovne enote, za katere je značilna idiomatičnost. Kot take so pomemben del vsakdanjega jezka in pričakovali bi, da so torej posledično ustrezno zastopani, obravnavani v učnih načrtih in/ali katalogih znanja za jezikovne predmete na različnih stopnjah celotne vertikale izobraževanja. V empiričnem delu, kjer so nanizani izseki iz skupno 11 učnih načrtov ali katalogov znanja, se je pokazalo, da so frazemi in pregovori zelo skromno zastopani, da se pojavljajo nesistematično, sporadično, da je terminološki aparat neenoten, didaktični postopki pa pogosto zgolj nakazani. Tak prikaz stanja je zaokrožen v zaključku, kjer so nakazane še možnosti za izboljšanje ugotovljenega stanja.
Complex Clause Syntax in the Italian Classroom – the Learners Between Transfer and Interference
Authors: Mertelj Darja , Premrl Mirjam
Published: February 2015

When teaching Italian as a foreign language, learners’ insecurities about using conjunctions and tenses in subordinate clauses can be noticed very early. Temporality, relative temporality and modality are signalled by Italian verb forms which function in a largely different (or apparently similar) way in comparison to Slovene. If ‘true’ similarities can be exploited in the process of teaching/learning by means of a positive transfer, apparent ‘similarities’ and ‘differences’ between the two language systems should, on the other hand, be clarified to avoid negative transfer (interference). During the whole learning process language awareness should be developed, also through contrastive insights into the linguistic systems concerned. Taking as a starting point a text suitable for level B1, some problematic points are presented, for which a series of tasks can be suggested with the aim of helping the learner master complex clause syntax and develop language awareness.Key words: Italian, foreign/second language, complex clause, syntax, transfer, language awareness
Bernstein, Nils: „kennen sie mich herren/meine damen und herren”. Phraseologismen in Moderner Lyrik am Beispiel von Ernst Jandl und Nicanor Parra.
Authors: Valenčič Arh Urška
Published: February 2015

Bernstein, Nils (2011): „kennen sie mich herren/meine damen und herren”. Phraseologismen in Moderner Lyrik am Beispiel von Ernst Jandl und Nicanor Parra. Würzburg: Königshausen&Neumann. ISBN: 978-3-8260-4699-5, mehka vezava, 262 strani, 38,00 EUR
Poučevanje angleščine na zgodnji stopnji po metodi Helen Doron
Authors: Kladnik Manca , Dagarin Fojkar Mateja
Published: February 2015

Pojem večjezičnost ima na pragu 21. stoletja vse večjo vlogo na vseh ravneh; na ravni sveta, Evrope, Evropske unije, Slovenije, posameznika. Posledično nastaja tudi vedno več jezikovnih institucij po vsem svetu. V članku je podrobneje predstavljena metoda za učenje angleščine Helen Doron Early English z lastnimi jezikovnimi centri za učenje angleščine po celem svetu. Opisana sta najpomembnejša vpliva na razvoj metodologije; metoda Glenna Domana in Suzukijeva metoda. Članek zajema tudi Doronino kritiko tradicionalnega šolskega sistema, usposabljanje učiteljev ter rezultate Helen Doron Early English. V raziskovalnem delu je opisana kvalitativna raziskava (študija primera), ki je bila opravljena v ljubljanskem centru Helen Doron Early English. Rezultati analize so predstavljeni po posameznih raziskovalnih vprašanjih. V zaključku so povzete glavne lastnosti metode in predlog za nadgraditev raziskave z objektivno longitudinalno empirično raziskavo o rezultatih metode.
Los nombres, ¿con o sin artículo?
Authors: Montero Gálvez Sonia
Published: February 2015

El presente trabajo constituye una propuesta didáctica pensada para ser llevada al aula en un nivel inicial o elemental de E/LE. El objetivo de la propuesta es presentar el uso y significado de tres tipos de expresiones nominales: a) las constituidas por nombres (plurales y continuos) sin artículo como expresión de cantidad indeterminada, b) las introducidas por un/una/unos/unas como expresión de unidad y c) las introducidas por el/la/los/las como expresiones de carácter específico o de carácter genérico. La propuesta se basa en los planteamientos que se presentan en una tesis doctoral que todavía está en proceso de desarrollo, y trata de ofrecer una visión cognitiva de los citados contenidos gramaticales. Además, adopta un enfoque contrastivo con el fin de determinar los aspectos más relevantes en los que debe focalizarse una primera introducción a las expresiones nominales.Puesto que la citada tesis doctoral todavía no ha sido finalizada, conviene advertir que tanto el presente trabajo como la tesis en la que se basa constituyen propuestas que todavía no han sido validadas o legitimadas por la comunidad científica y académica. Sin embargo, nos atrevemos a presentar aquí esta pequeña muestra porque consideramos que puede resultar útil en la enseñanza y aprendizaje de E/LE.
Uporaba avtentičnih besedil pri predavanjih in vajah iz tujega strokovnega jezika na tehniških fakultetah
Authors: Mulej Sabina , Županek Tanja
Published: February 2015

Za uspešnost pri vsakem študiju je prav gotovo zelo pomembna bralna pismenost, ta pa glede na najnovejše raziskave upada. Pri slabši bralni pismenosti je na vseh ravneh izobraževanja tudi učenje oteženo in daje slabše rezultate. Da bi izboljšali bralno pismenost na tehniških fakultetah, lahko pri predavanjih in vajah iz tujega jezika stroke uvedemo delo z avtentičnimi besedili. Strokovni članki vsebujejo teme, ki so študentom zanimive in tako vzpodbujajo branje. So avtentično gradivo in so dostikrat v primerjavi z učbeniki aktualnejši, saj se stroka oziroma znanost hitro razvijata. Primerni so tako za delo z večjimi kot z manjšimi skupinami študentov. V prispevku navajava nekaj primerov uporabe člankov pri predavanjih oziroma vajah iz tujega strokovnega jezika: individualno delo, delo v parih in skupinsko delo. Delo z avtentičnimi besedili pa ne razvija samo jezikovnih kompetenc, ampak ima tudi sociološki vidik, saj spodbuja sodelovanje med študenti, kadar ti delajo v skupinah. Lektor se odloči za najprimernejšo strategijo pri obravnavi besedila oziroma kombinacijo le-teh. Pomembno je, da bralno razumevanje utrjujemo z izborom ustreznih vaj. Tematika besedil je tudi izvrstna iztočnica za govor. Pri takšnem delu pa se lahko zgodi, da bodisi zaradi prevelike skupine študentov ali zaradi dejstva, da jezikovno šibkejši študenti težje sledijo, ne dosegamo optimalnih rezultatov. Lektorji za delo izberemo takšne članke, ki so v realnem odnosu do stroke in njene vsebine. Avtentični teksti morajo študente usposobiti, da razumejo tipične oblike besedil, ki so značilne za jezik stroke in da so sposobni to znanje praktično uporabiti v podobnih situacijah. Avtentična nepredelana besedila izkazujejo vse strukturne značilnosti strokovnega jezika in omogočajo veliko možnosti predelav in prilagoditev. Isti članek lahko uporabimo v različnih okoliščinah, če pripravimo različne naloge. Za predavanja oziroma vaje so avtentična pisna besedila za določeno stroko lahko dosegljiva in jih je moč hitro posodobiti, dodati nove informacije in/ali spremeniti podatke.
Pregelj, Barbara: Leo, leo: priročnik motiviranja branja za šolsko leto 2014/2015
Authors: Santiago Alonso Gemma
Published: February 2015

Pregelj, Barbara (2014): Leo, leo: priročnik motiviranja branja za šolsko leto 2014/2015. Medvode: Malinc. ISBN 978-961-6886-10-9, mehka vezava, 44 strani, 10 EUR
Amici d'Italia (livello 1 e 2)
Authors: Mertelj Darja
Published: February 2015

Ercolino, Elettra & Pellegrino Anna T. (2013): Amici d'Italia (livello 1), libro dello studente. Loreto: ELI, ISBN 978-88-536-1511-4, mehka vezava, 144 strani, 14,50 EUR Ercolino, Elettra & Pellegrino Anna T. (2013): Amici d'Italia (livello 1), eserciziario. Loreto: ELI, ISBN 978-88-536-1512-1, mehka vezava, 80 strani, 11,00 EUR Ercolino, Elettra & Pellegrino Anna T. (2013): Amici d'Italia (livello 1), guida. Loreto: ELI, ISBN 978-88-536-1513-8, mehka vezava, 160 strani, 22,80 EUR Ercolino, Elettra & Pellegrino Anna T. (2013): Amici d'Italia (livello 2), libro dello studente. Loreto: ELI, ISBN 978-88-536-1515-2, mehka vezava, 144 strani, 14,50 EUR Ercolino, Elettra & Pellegrino Anna T. (2013): Amici d'Italia (livello 2), eserciziario. Loreto: ELI, ISBN 978-88-536-1516-9, mehka vezava, 80 strani, 11,00 EUR Ercolino, Elettra & Pellegrino Anna T. (2013): Amici d'Italia (livello 2), guida. Loreto: ELI, ISBN 978-88-536-1517-6, mehka vezava, 160 strani, 22,80 EUR
Deployable, portable, and temporary hospitals; one state's experiences through the years
Authors: Kearns, DHA, MSA Randy D. , Skarote, NREMT-P, LPN Mary Beth , Peterson, NREMT-P, BS Jeff , Stringer, MD, FACA Lew , Alson, MD, PhD, FACEP, FAAEM Roy L. , Cairns, MD, FACS Bruce A. , Hubble, PhD, MBA, NREMT-P Michael W. , Rich, MD, MBA, FACS Preston B. , Cairns, MD, FACEP, FAHA Charles B. , Holmes IV, MD, FACS James H. , Runge, MD, FACEP Jeff , Siler, DO, MBA, FACEP, FAAEM Sean M. , Winslow, Md, MPH James
Published: February 2015

This article will review the use of temporary hospitals to augment the healthcare system as one solution for dealing with a surge of patients related to war, pandemic disease outbreaks, or natural disaster. The experiences highlighted in this article are those of North Carolina (NC) over the past 150 years, with a special focus on the need following the September 11, 2001 (9/11) attacks. It will also discuss the development of a temporary hospital system from concept to deployment, highlight recent developments, emphasize the need to learn from past experiences, and offer potential solutions for assuring program sustainability. Historically, when a particular situation called for a temporary hospital, one was created, but it was usually specific for the event and then dismantled. As with the case with many historical events, the details of the 9/11 attacks will fade into memory, and there is a concern that the impetus which created the current temporary hospital program may fade, as well. By developing a broader and more comprehensive approach to disaster responses through all-hazards preparedness, it is reasonable to learn from these past experiences, improve the understanding of current threats, and develop a long-term strategy to sustain these resources for future disaster medical needs.
How do emergency managers use social media platforms?
Authors: Bennett, PhD DeeDee M.
Published: February 2015

Social media platforms are increasingly becoming a useful tool for victims, humanitarians, volunteers, and the general public to communicate during disasters. Research has shown that there are multiple advantages to using social media and the applicability of these platforms crosses several different types of disasters (human-caused, natural, and terrorist) here in the United States and abroad. However, some emergency management agencies have been reluctant to use social media as one of their many communications tools. In this study, the usefulness of social media for emergency management was examined over a 30-day period following a series of tornadoes. Using an observational approach, the public posts disseminated from an emergency management agency were analyzed to determine how two social media platforms were used. The findings show how emergency management agencies could leverage the connectedness of social media to reach victims and make unlikely partnerships.
The role of information technology in emergency preparedness by local health departments: A literature review
Authors: Nguh, PhD, MSN, MHSA, RN Jonas
Published: February 2015

Ever since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the federal government increased funding for emergency preparedness. However, the literature continues to document several areas of weaknesses in public health emergency management by local health departments (LHD). This literature review discusses the role of information technology (IT) for emergency preparedness by LHDs. The focus areas for this review include evaluating the strategic management of IT by LHD, evaluation of the adoption and implementation of IT in emergency management, and assessing LHD's capacity and capability for emergency preparedness. Findings reveal that LHDs face significant challenges in the utilization of IT for emergency preparedness purposes such as weak capacity and capabilities, lack of structured planning and program implementation, and limited resources. Implications from this review include the development of “best practices,” increased funding for IT infrastructure, and the establishment of strategic management framework for IT initiatives.
Building a geospatial data model for humanitarian response
Authors: Cowan, DSc, MA, BA Nuala M.
Published: February 2015

Objective: An effectual emergency response effort is contingent upon the quality and timeliness of information provided to both the decision making and coordinating functions; conditions that are hard to guarantee in the urgent climate of the response effort. The purpose of this paper is to present a validated Humanitarian Data Model (HDM) that can assist in the rapid assessment of disaster needs and subsequent decision making. Substandard, inconsistent information can lead to poorly informed decisions, and subsequently, inappropriate response activities. Here we present a novel, organized, and fluid information management workflow to be applied during the rapid assessment phase of an emergency response. A comprehensive, peer-reviewed geospatial data model not only directs the design of data collection tools but also allows for more systematic data collection and management, leading to improved analysis and response outcomes.Design: This research involved the development of a comprehensive geospatial data model to guide the collection, management and analysis of geographically referenced assessment information, for implementation at the rapid response phase of a disaster using a mobile data collection app based on key outcome parameters. A systematic review of literature and best practices was used to identify and prioritize the minimum essential data variables.Subjects: The data model was critiqued for variable content, structure, and usability by a group of subject matter experts in the fields of humanitarian information management and geographical information systems.Conclusions: Consensus found that the adoption of a standardized system of data collection, management, and processing, such as the data model presented here, could facilitate the collection and sharing of information between agencies with similar goals, facilitate the better coordination of efforts by unleashing the power of geographic information for humanitarian decision support.
Preparedness for epidemic disease or bioterrorism: Minimum cost planning for the location and staffing of urban point-of-dispensing centers
Authors: Bowen, PhD William M. , Chen, PhD Jen-Yi , Tukel, PhD Oya I.
Published: February 2015

Urban health authorities in the United States have been charged with developing plans for providing the infrastructure necessary to dispense prophylactic medications to their populations in the case of epidemic disease outbreak or bioterrorist attack. However, no specific method for such plans has been prescribed. This article formulates and demonstrates the use of an integer programming technique for helping to solve a part of the dispensing problem faced by cities, namely that of providing the federally required infrastructure at minimum cost, using their limited time and resources. Specifically, the technique minimizes the number of point-of-dispensing (POD) centers while covering every resident in all the census tracts within the city's jurisdiction. It also determines the optimal staffing requirement in terms of the number of nurses at each POD. This article includes a demonstration of the model using real data from Cleveland, OH, a mid-sized US city. Examples are provided of data and computational results for a variety of input parameter values such as population throughput rate, POD capacities, and distance limitations. The technique can be readily adapted to a wide range of urban areas.
Use of a global model to understand speciated atmospheric mercury observations at five high-elevation sites
Authors: Weiss-Penzias P. , Amos H. M. , Selin N. E. , Gustin M. S. , Jaffe D. A. , Obrist D. , Sheu G.-R. , Giang A.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Atmospheric mercury (Hg) measurements using the Tekran® analytical system from five high-elevation sites (1400–3200 m elevation), one in Asia and four in the western US, were compiled over multiple seasons and years, and these data were compared with the GEOS-Chem global model. Mercury data consisted of gaseous elemental Hg (GEM) and "reactive Hg" (RM), which is a combination of the gaseous oxidized (GOM) and particulate bound (< 2.5 μm) (PBM) fractions as measured by the Tekran® system. We used a subset of the observations by defining a "free tropospheric" (FT) data set by screening using measured water vapor mixing ratios. The oxidation scheme used by the GEOS-Chem model was varied between the standard run with Br oxidation and an alternative run with OH–O3 oxidation. We used this model–measurement comparison to help interpret the spatio-temporal trends in, and relationships among, the Hg species and ancillary parameters, to understand better the sources and fate of atmospheric RM. The most salient feature of the data across sites, seen more in summer relative to spring, was that RM was negatively correlated with GEM and water vapor mixing ratios (WV) and positively correlated with ozone (O3), both in the standard model and the observations, indicating that RM was formed in dry upper altitude air from the photo-oxidation of GEM. During a free tropospheric transport high RM event observed sequentially at three sites from Oregon to Nevada, the slope of the RM / GEM relationship at the westernmost site was −1020 ± 209 pg ng−1, indicating near-quantitative GEM-to-RM photochemical conversion. An improved correlation between the observations and the model was seen when the model was run with the OH–O3 oxidation scheme instead of the Br oxidation scheme. This simulation produced higher concentrations of RM and lower concentrations of GEM, especially at the desert sites in northwestern Nevada. This suggests that future work should investigate the effect of Br- and O3-initiated gas-phase oxidation occurring simultaneously in the atmosphere, as well as aqueous and heterogeneous reactions to understand whether there are multiple global oxidants for GEM and hence multiple forms of RM in the atmosphere. If the chemical forms of RM were known, then the collection efficiency of the analytical method could be evaluated better.
Fundamental molecules of life are pigments which arose and evolved to dissipate the solar spectrum
Authors: Michaelian K. , Simeonov A.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. The driving force behind the origin and evolution of life has been the thermodynamic imperative of increasing the entropy production of the biosphere through increasing the global solar photon dissipation rate. In the upper atmosphere of today, oxygen and ozone derived from life processes are performing the short wavelength UVC and UVB dissipation. On Earth's surface, water and organic pigments in water facilitate the near UV and visible photon dissipation. The first organic pigments probably formed, absorbed, and dissipated at those photochemically active wavelengths in the UVC that could have reached Earth's surface during the Archean. Proliferation of these pigments can be understood as an autocatalytic photochemical process obeying non-equilibrium thermodynamic directives related to increasing solar photon dissipation rate. Under these directives, organic pigments would have evolved over time to increase the global photon dissipation rate by; (1) increasing the ratio of their effective photon cross sections to their physical size, (2) decreasing their electronic excited state life times, (3) quenching radiative de-excitation channels (e.g. fluorescence), (4) covering ever more completely the prevailing solar spectrum, and (5) proliferating and dispersing to cover an ever greater surface area of Earth. From knowledge of the evolution of the spectrum of G-type stars, and considering the most probable history of the transparency of Earth's atmosphere, we construct the most probable Earth surface solar spectrum as a function of time and compare this with the history of molecular absorption maxima obtained from the available data in the literature. This comparison supports the conjecture that many fundamental molecules of life are pigments which arose and evolved to dissipate the solar spectrum, supports the thermodynamic dissipation theory for the origin of life, constrains models for Earth's early atmosphere, and sheds some new light on the origin of photosynthesis.
Identification of storm surge vulnerable areas in the Philippines through the simulation of Typhoon Haiyan-induced storm surge levels over historical storm tracks
Authors: Lapidez J. P. , Tablazon J. , Dasallas L. , Gonzalo L. A. , Cabacaba K. M. , Ramos M. M. A. , Suarez J. K. , Santiago J. , Lagmay A. M. F. , Malano V.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Super Typhoon Haiyan entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) 7 November 2013, causing tremendous damage to infrastructure and loss of lives mainly due to the storm surge and strong winds. Storm surges up to a height of 7 m were reported in the hardest hit areas. The threat imposed by this kind of natural calamity compelled researchers of the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (Project NOAH), the flagship disaster mitigation program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Government of the Philippines, to undertake a study to determine the vulnerability of all Philippine coastal communities to storm surges of the same magnitude as those generated by Haiyan. This study calculates the maximum probable storm surge height for every coastal locality by running simulations of Haiyan-type conditions but with tracks of tropical cyclones that entered PAR from 1948–2013. One product of this study is a list of the 30 most vulnerable coastal areas that can be used as basis for choosing priority sites for further studies to implement appropriate site-specific solutions for flood risk management. Another product is the storm tide inundation maps that the local government units can use to develop a risk-sensitive land use plan for identifying appropriate areas to build residential buildings, evacuation sites, and other critical facilities and lifelines. The maps can also be used to develop a disaster response plan and evacuation scheme.
A ground temperature map of the North Atlantic permafrost region based on remote sensing and reanalysis data
Authors: Westermann S. , Østby T. , Gisnås K. , Schuler T. V. , Etzelmüller B.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Permafrost is a key element of the terrestrial cryosphere which makes mapping and monitoring of its state variables an imperative task. We present a modeling scheme based on remotely sensed land surface temperatures and reanalysis products from which mean annual ground temperatures (MAGT) can be derived at a spatial resolution of 1 km on continental scale. The approach explicitly accounts for the uncertainty due to unknown input parameters and their spatial variability at subgrid scale by delivering a range of MAGTs for each grid cell. This is achieved by a simple equilibrium model with only few input parameters which for each grid cell allows scanning the range of possible results by running many realizations with different parameters. The approach is applied to the unglacierized land areas in the North Atlantic region, an area of more than 5 million km2 ranging from the Ural mountains in the East to the Canadian Archipelago in the West. A comparison to in-situ temperature measurements in 143 boreholes suggests a model accuracy better than 2.5 °C, with 139 considered boreholes within this margin. The statistical approach with a large number of realizations facilitates estimating the probability of permafrost occurrence within a grid cell so that each grid cell can be classified as continuous, discontinuous and sporadic permafrost. At its southern margin in Scandinavia and Russia, the transition zone between permafrost and permafrost-free areas extends over several hundred km width with gradually decreasing permafrost probabilities. The study exemplifies the unexploited potential of remotely sensed data sets in permafrost mapping if they are employed in multi-sensor multi-source data fusion approaches.
Sending photos through WhatsApp: A faster method for teleconsultation
Authors: Suliman M Taifour
Published: February 2015

Advances in telecommunication are continuously improving modalities of telemedicine. We present the use of WhatsApp Messenger as an alternative method in telemedicine. Based on a surgical consultation case in Saudi Arabia, the use of the instant messaging service allowed for a fast consultation and saved the patient travel time and expenses. Thus, we recommend the use of WhatsApp as a more efficient method in teleconsultation, especially in cases when the patient is still present with the physician.
Pulmonary agenesis: A case report with review of literature
Authors: Khurram Mir Sumsam Ali , Rao Sundari Pratap , Vamshipriya Akkena
Published: February 2015

Congenital pulmonary agenesis is a rare condition which poses diagnostic difficulties. More than 50% of these patients die before the first five years of life. Few patients may remain asymptomatic throughout their life. We report a case of a two month old male infant with right pulmonary agenesis who presented with severe respiratory distress in whom a diagnosis was made following computed tomography of the chest.
Mothers' knowledge of domestic accident prevention involving children in Baghdad City
Authors: Lafta Riyadh K. , Al-Shatari Sahar A. , Abass Seba
Published: February 2015

Background: Accidental injuries are the most common cause of death in children over the age of one. Every year, millions of children are permanently disabled or disfigured because of accidents. Objective: To assess the level of knowledge of women with respect to children's domestic accidents, and to determine its association with some demographic factors. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in both sides of Baghdad City during the period from April through to August 2013. The targeted population were women attending the primary health care centers (PHCCs). A random sample of 20 PHCCs was taken through a stratified random sampling technique by dividing Baghdad City into its two main parts Karkh and Russafa. Ten centers were then chosen from each sector by a simple random sampling technique. A well-structured questionnaire was developed that constituted of questions on four main types of accidents involving children (poisoning by chemicals and detergents, electric shock, injuries from sharp instruments in the kitchen, and burns). Results: The total number of women enrolled in this study was 1032 aged from 15–50 years. The results revealed that only 9.2% of the mothers acquired a good level of knowledge in prevention of injuries from chemicals and detergents, and more than 90% were found to have poor knowledge. The same was found regarding knowledge about preventing electrical accidents caused by power sockets and electrical appliances where only 10.2% of the mothers were found to have a good level of knowledge. The results were not much better regarding accidents caused by fire, only 11.6% of the mothers scored well. With respect to dealing with accidents caused by sharp instruments in the kitchen, only 6.3% of the mothers obtained a score that indicated a good level of knowledge. Older mothers were statistically found to have a better level of knowledge than younger mothers. Higher educated mothers' were statistically associated with a lower level of knowledge in accident prevention. Mothers with more children and those whose children had previously been involved in an accident were found to have a better level of knowledge. Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study that women in Baghdad are poorly educated about how to protect their children against domestic accidents.
Muslim-Christian Trusteeship of the Earth: What Jesus Can Contribute
Authors: Johnston David
Published: February 2015

The call for a global ethic to tackle environmental and social injustice is being responded to by Muslims and Christians alike. The concept of ‘human trusteeship’ of creation belongs to both Muslim and Christian traditions, and is central to this response. In this paper I outline and explore this shared concept as: the faithful and sustainable management of earth’s resources and social solidarity that mandates social justice. I also argue that none of this would be possible without societal stability, which necessitates ‘peacebuilding’. For Muslims there is a renewed interest in the principles and purpose of the Shari’a—guidelines for comportment based on the Quran and prophetic sayings (hadith)—towards a renewed concept of trusteeship of the earth. Whilst in the Christian tradition, Jesus’ lessons of ‘transforming initiatives,’ are a source of inspiration in tackling the threats of global warming and human conflict. Having written about Muslim-Christian trusteeship in great detail, highlighting Muslim resources in particular, here I would like to highlight a new angle in the contribution of Jesus, or ‘Isa bin Maryam’ (the son of Mary). I conclude by stating that Jesus’ teaching and example can be powerful tools in the hands of both Muslims and Christians, encouraging them to forge ahead in caring for the planet and one another in the name of their Creator.
Jewish Perspectives on Climate Change and Environment
Authors: Dobb Rabbi Fred Scherlinder
Published: February 2015

Like other great faiths, Judaism is a gloriously wide-ranging tradition, whose texts and values rarely point in just one direction. Still, the overwhelming weight of this sacred tradition points us toward an environmental ethic far more intense than what our society now practices, and suggests a most urgent response to the threat of climate change. Jewish values can help correct the excesses of modern life which got us into today’s climate crisis, and they can help us address it by bringing us back into loving connection with Creation. This article considers six specific approaches drawn from the Jewish tradition: (1) the biblical creation story, which in Jewish tradition points us toward 'enlightened stewardship'; (2) the collective humility engendered by understanding that "The Earth is God's", not ours; (3) conservation mandates via the Jewish law, "thou shall not waste"; (4) other relevant legal categories including "love your neighbor", and the precautionary principle's biblical basis in Deut. 22:8; (5) Jewish theology, which bids us to be like God in giving a preferential option for the poor; and (6) the Jewish annual holidays which root us in cycles of nature, and weekly Sabbath which is central to Judaic conceptions of sustainability.
الافتتاحية
Authors: Laude Patrick
Published: January 2015

العائلة والوطن اللذان يمثّلان مصدر التواصل بين الأجيال، ومنبع التراث، يلتقيان مع الدين في هدفين، هما تنشئة
الأجيال من ناحية، والتواصل الأخلاقيّ والثقافيّ، والحفاظ عليهما عبر الأجيال، من ناحية ثانية. ويضاف إلى ذلك أنّ
هذا التلاقي يوفّر الطاقة العاطفيّة لعمليّة التنشئة.
الحركة العموديّة تمثّل الرمز الملازم للتعاليم الدينيّة التي ترمز أهدافها دوما إلى العلوّ. وم يُلاحظ أنّ الحركات
الدينيّة المعاصرة عزّزت القيم الأسريّة عبر شبكة التفاعلات العائليّة، يصبح الأفراد البالغين جزءًا من مجتمع المؤمنين،
يتمتّع بكامل الأهليّة.
جميع الأديان تدعو إلى الحبّ العائليّ، لأنّ الفطرة هي التربة التي ينطلق منها إلى ما وراء الطبيعة. يقول الله سبحانه
وتعالى:{وَاخْفِضْ لَهُ جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُلْ رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُ كَ رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا}(سورة الإسراء: الآية 24).
وفي بعض الأحيان، يمكن أن ينشأ بين القرابة والدين توتّر قد يصل إلى التصادم. يحصل هذا عند ما تتعارض مواقف
القرابة الطبيعيّة مع ما يهدف إليه الدين، والمتمثّل بالتقوى.
ومن المنطلق الدينيّ، لن تصل العلاقة الإنسانية إلى كمالها إلّا إذا اندرجت في سياق العلاقة الإلهيّة. وهذا هو السبب
الذي دفع بالكثير من المفكّرين، سواء في الغرب أو من علماء المسلمين، أن يرفع من قدر المعلّم إلى مرتبة تتجاوز
مرتبة الوالد.
وفي هذا الصدد يمكن القول بأنّ القرابة الطبيعيّة لن تصل إلى كمالها إلّا بالأخوّة الروحيّة. ومن دون ذلك تبقى عرضةً
لصراعات داخليّة أو خارجيّة. وهذا ما يؤكّده الإنجيل، حين يقول: "جئت لأفرّق بين الرجل وأبيه، بين البنت وأمّها،
بين المرأة وحماتها" (إنجيل متّى).
ولكن ما الذي سيحدث حين يصبح دور الدين في المجتمع هامشيًّا؟ كيف يمكن للمرء أن يدافع عن المعروف بدون
أن يصطدم بالأجواء العلمانيّة، أو المفاهيم المنحرفة التي تحيط بنا؟ أسئلة حاولت المقالات التالية
أن تجيب عنها:
1 . من واجب الدين أن يحافظ على نقل ما يمكن نقله.
2. لا يمكن نقل قيمتَي الفضيلة والإخلاص، بل يمكن فقط تحقيقهما، وهذا في ذاته هو امتياز ومسؤوليّة.
3 . علينا خلق الأجواء التي يمكن أن تُسهم في تحقيق مثل هذه التجارب النادرة أص ،ًال والمحافظة عليها، وعلى وجه
الخصوص في ما يتعلّق، بتأثير الدين الحقّ على المجتمع.
لقاء مع المطران رُوان وِليامز
Authors: Williams Rowan
Published: January 2015

يتناول المطران في للقاء موضوع تربية النشء وكيفية تعامل مع هذه العملية من منظور الدين؛ وهنا يطرح رجل الدين نظرة نقدية، تتحرى الموضوعية، من داخل المؤسسة الدينية نفسها. يقترح المطران التربية بالقدوة، ترتكز على غرس المفاهيم من خلال الممارسة. كما يرى أن الأسلوب الفعال في تربية النشء يكمن في الدمج بين الحسم واللين، واستدعاء الإقناع العقلي ولين العاطفة.