Management of major accidents with on-site 144 dispatcher

Introduction: An excellent coordination between firefighters, policemen and medical rescue is the key to success in the management of major accidents. In order to improve and assist the medical teams engaged on site, the Swiss "medical command and control system" for rescue operations is based on a binomial set up involving one head emergency doctor and one head rescue paramedic, both trained in disaster medicine. We have recently experimented an innovative on-site "medical command and control system", based on the binomial team, supported by a dedicated 144 dispatcher. Methods: A major road traffic accident took place on the highway between Lausanne and Vevey on April 9th 2008. We have retrospectively collected all data concerning the victims as well as the logistics and dedicated structures, reported by the 144, the Hospitals, the Authority of the State and the Police and Fire Departments. Results: The 72-car pileup caused one death and 26 slightly injured patients. The management on the accident site was organized around a tripartite system, gathering together the medical command and control team with the police and fire departments. On the medical side, 16 ambulances, 2 medical response teams (SMUR), the Rega crew and the medical command and control team were dispatched by the 144. On that occasion an advanced medical command car equipped with communication devices and staffed with a 144 dispatcher was also engaged, allowing efficient medical regulation directly from the site. Discussion: The specific skills of one doctor and one paramedic both trained for disaster's management proved to be perfectly complementary. The presence of a dispatcher on site with a medical command car also proved to be useful, improving orders transmission from the medical command team to all other on- and off-site partners. It relieved the need of repeated back-and-forth communication with the 144, allowing both paramedic and doctor to focus on strategy and tactics rather than communication and logistics.

Methods for integration site distribution analyses in animal cell genomes.

The question of where retroviral DNA becomes integrated in chromosomes is important for understanding (i) the mechanisms of viral growth, (ii) devising new anti-retroviral therapy, (iii) understanding how genomes evolve, and (iv) developing safer methods for gene therapy. With the completion of genome sequences for many organisms, it has become possible to study integration targeting by cloning and sequencing large numbers of host-virus DNA junctions, then mapping the host DNA segments back onto the genomic sequence. This allows statistical analysis of the distribution of integration sites relative to the myriad types of genomic features that are also being mapped onto the sequence scaffold. Here we present methods for recovering and analyzing integration site sequences.

Deposições rituais de vasos cerâmicos em contextos domésticos: os exemplares do povoado calcolítico fortificado do Outeiro Redondo (Sesimbra)

A identificação de dois recipientes colocados ritualmente em posição invertida, conotáveis com a derradeira fase de ocupação do povoado calcolítico do Outeiro Redondo (Sesimbra), e deste modo com uma cerimónia de abandono do próprio sítio arqueológico, conduziu à procura de exemplos comparáveis. Tal procura estendeu‑se, depois, às evidências de utilização ritual, em contextos habitacionais, de recipientes cerâmicos, desde a época a que pertencem os exemplares em causa, até ao Período Romano. Teve‑se ainda em consideração o contributo da Etnografia e da Arqueologia africana, através da experiência do signatário, relacionada com intervenção arqueológica que dirigiu em unidade doméstica do século XVII/XVIII da ilha de São Vicente (República de Cabo Verde). Sem se pretender assumir a continuidade desta prática ritual no actual território português, desde o Calcolítico até pelo menos à Época Romana, por poder tratar‑se de uma simples convergência, recorrentemente verificada ao longo da Idade do Bronze e do Ferro. Como se deverá interpretar o achado do Outeiro Redondo? As evidências assinaladas através do uso ritual de recipientes cerâmicos em contextos habitacionais podem ter um significado ligado ao próprio quotidiano, como no povoado de Fraga da Pena (Fornos de Algodres). Aquelas afiguram‑se, contudo, mais abundantes e expressivas no que se refere quer às práticas de natureza fundacional, quer às relacionadas com o abandono; por vezes, dada a presença de aves sacrificadas, tais rituais poderiam também revestir uma função propiciatória, que não é incompatível com as duas funções mencionadas, também elas não incompatíveis entre si.

Deposições rituais de vasos cerâmicos em contextos domésticos: os exemplares do povoado calcolítico fortificado do Outeiro Redondo (Sesimbra)

A identificação de dois recipientes colocados ritualmente em posição invertida, conotáveis com a derradeira fase de ocupação do povoado calcolítico do Outeiro Redondo (Sesimbra), e deste modo com uma cerimónia de abandono do próprio sítio arqueológico, conduziu à procura de exemplos comparáveis. Tal procura estendeu‑se, depois, às evidências de utilização ritual, em contextos habitacionais, de recipientes cerâmicos, desde a época a que pertencem os exemplares em causa, até ao Período Romano. Teve‑se ainda em consideração o contributo da Etnografia e da Arqueologia africana, através da experiência do signatário, relacionada com intervenção arqueológica que dirigiu em unidade doméstica do século XVII/XVIII da ilha de São Vicente (República de Cabo Verde). Sem se pretender assumir a continuidade desta prática ritual no actual território português, desde o Calcolítico até pelo menos à Época Romana, por poder tratar‑se de uma simples convergência, recorrentemente verificada ao longo da Idade do Bronze e do Ferro. Como se deverá interpretar o achado do Outeiro Redondo? As evidências assinaladas através do uso ritual de recipientes cerâmicos em contextos habitacionais podem ter um significado ligado ao próprio quotidiano, como no povoado de Fraga da Pena (Fornos de Algodres). Aquelas afiguram‑se, contudo, mais abundantes e expressivas no que se refere quer às práticas de natureza fundacional, quer às relacionadas com o abandono; por vezes, dada a presença de aves sacrificadas, tais rituais poderiam também revestir uma função propiciatória, que não é incompatível com as duas funções mencionadas, também elas não incompatíveis entre si.

A estação arqueológica de Salamansa (ilha de São Vicente, República de Cabo Verde)

Apresentam‑se os principais resultados obtidos nas duas missões arqueológicas patrocinadas pelo Centro Português de Actividades Subaquáticas (CPAS) à ilha de São Vicente (República de Cabo Verde), em 1998 e em 2005. Em 1998, confirmou‑se o efectivo interesse arqueológico do sítio, localizado sobre o mar, em local abrigado da vasta baía de Salamansa, situada na parte setentrional da ilha, tendo‑se registado a respectiva extensão e estratigrafia e procedido à colheita de amostras para datação. Embora os resultados dessa campanha tivessem sido publicados, indicando estação de carácter habitacional, revelada pela notável acumulação de conchas, acompanhada de abundantes fragmentos de cerâmicas manuais, de produção africana, mantinha‑se indefinida a sua verdadeira natureza. Impunha‑se, assim, proceder à escavação integral da área que ainda subsistia da estação — sujeita de forma contínua a forte erosão marinha — bem como à colheita de novos materiais para datação, de forma a confirmar as conclusões preliminares anteriormente obtidas, objectivos que se concretizaram em 2005. Deste modo, foi possível concluir que, contrariando a hipótese, de início considerada, de poder corresponder a um testemunho da ocupação da ilha em época anterior à chegada dos Portugueses — hipótese que já as primeiras datas de radiocarbono contradiziam — se trata de um sítio onde uma unidade habitacional construída por muros de pedra seca, de planta ortogonal, revela inspiração europeia, aliás sublinhada pelos materiais exumados, onde estão representados produtos com tal origem, como cachimbos de caulino, vidros, faianças portuguesas, e projécteis de armas de fogo, a par de objectos oriundos do Extremo Oriente, num quadro dominado pelas produções cerâmicas africanas. Esta situação evidencia um estabelecimento cuja ocupação se centrou no século XVII, conforme indicam os materiais recolhidos e os resultados das datações obtidas, francamente aberto aos contactos de longa distância, apesar do isolamento do local escolhido. Os restos faunísticos recolhidos, com a presença deburro e de boi, sugerem um estacionamento sedentário, sendo a alimentação assegurada essencialmente pela captura de tartarugas, pela pesca e pela recolecção de moluscos marinhos (especialmente grandes lapas) e complementada pelo consumo de cabra, que poderia ser doméstica ou caçada, dado o estado selvagem a que retornou ali esta espécie. na última parte do trabalho, discutem‑se as diversas hipóteses susceptíveis de explicar esta estação — desde um entreposto comercial relacionado com a exploração agro‑pecuária da ilha de Santo Antão, passando por pequeno estabelecimento especializado de apoio à navegação, com a produção de carne salgada de tartaruga, até ter constituído refúgio relacionado com a intensa pirataria vigente à época no arquipélago, tendo presente os elementos históricos conhecidos, que, aliás, indicam que o início da ocupação permanente de São Vicente só se produziu a partir da segunda década do século XIX. Seja como for, a forte componente cultural africana revelada pelo espólio destes primeiros ocupantes da ilha expressa‑se também pelos rituais que terão envolvido o abandono do estabelecimento, com o enterramento de dois vasos emborcados sob o chão da habitação explorada, e a deposição de uma pequena taça, nas mesmas circunstâncias, junto à parede da mesma, do lado externo.

Differential Recognition of Old World and New World Arenavirus Envelope Glycoproteins by Subtilisin Kexin Isozyme 1 (SKI-1)/Site 1 Protease (S1P).

The arenaviruses are an important family of emerging viruses that includes several causative agents of severe hemorrhagic fevers in humans that represent serious public health problems. A crucial step of the arenavirus life cycle is maturation of the envelope glycoprotein precursor (GPC) by the cellular subtilisin kexin isozyme 1 (SKI-1)/site 1 protease (S1P). Comparison of the currently known sequences of arenavirus GPCs revealed the presence of a highly conserved aromatic residue at position P7 relative to the SKI-1/S1P cleavage side in Old World and clade C New World arenaviruses but not in New World viruses of clades A and B or cellular substrates of SKI-1/S1P. Using a combination of molecular modeling and structure-function analysis, we found that residueY285 of SKI-1/S1P, distal from the catalytic triad, is implicated in the molecular recognition of the aromatic "signature residue" at P7 in the GPC of Old World Lassa virus. Using a quantitative biochemical approach, we show that Y285 of SKI-1/S1P is crucial for the efficient processing of peptides derived from Old World and clade C New World arenavirus GPCs but not of those from clade A and B New World arenavirus GPCs. The data suggest that during coevolution with their mammalian hosts, GPCs of Old World and clade C New World viruses expanded the molecular contacts with SKI-1/S1P beyond the classical four-amino-acid recognition sequences and currently occupy an extended binding pocket.

Geophysical Investigations for Hydrogeological Characterization at the Kappelen Test Site (Switzerland)

Vertical electric soundings, 2D resistivity imaging and several logging measurements were performed at Kappelen test site to identify the various geolelectric facies that allowed determining the tabular and horizontal structure of the aquifer. The surface-based geoelectric methods allowed for a reliable characterization of the overall structure and the geometry of the aquifer, while geophysical logging methods allowed for inferring detailed hydrogeophysical characteristics, such as the electrical resistivity, total porosity, global and matrix density and hydraulic conductivity. The synoptic interpretation and integration of this broad and diverse database allows for constraining the key hydrological characteristics and hence forms the basis for the detailed hydraulic modelling of flow and transport process.

Site Development and Facility Expansion Regularly Assistance Program, November 1, 2006

The Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) helps businesses expand or locate all or part of their business in Iowa. It just makes sense for companies engaged in advanced manufacturing, biosciences and information solutions/financial services to look at Iowa and IDED helps to ensure theireconomic development timelines are met. Iowa is nationally recognized as an innovator in helping businesses by meeting their development needs in a timely and effective manner. IDED networks with Regulatory Assistance Coordinators in agencies across state government to reduce response time to businesses. This agency coordination helps to ensure that regulatory and compliance questions, or other needs associated with project site development and facility expansion are serviced quickly. We have listed information below about some of the more common regulatory requirements related to site development and expansion.

Egg laying site selection by a host plant specialist leaf miner moth at two intra-plant levels in the northern Chilean Atacama Desert

Egg laying site selection by a host plant specialist leaf miner moth at two intra-plant levels in the northern Chilean Atacama Desert. The spatial distribution of the immature stages of the leaf miner Angelabella tecomae Vargas & Parra, 2005 was determined at two intra-plant levels (shoot and leaflet) on the shrub Tecoma fulva fulva (Cav.) D. Don (Bignoniaceae) in the Azapa valley, northern Chilean Atacama Desert. An aggregated spatial pattern was detected for all the immature stages along the shoot, with an age dependent relative position: eggs and first instar larvae were clumped at apex; second, third and fourth instar larvae were mostly found at intermediate positions; meanwhile the spinning larva and pupa were clumped at basis. This pattern suggests that the females select new, actively growing leaflets for egg laying. At the leaflet level, the immature stages were found more frequently at underside. Furthermore, survivorship was higher for larvae from underside mines. All these results highlight the importance of an accurate selection of egg laying site in the life history of this highly specialized leaf miner. By contrast, eventual wrong choices in the egg laying site selection may be associated with diminished larval survivorship. The importance of the continuous availability of new plant tissue in this highly human modified arid environment is discussed in relation with the observed patterns.

Mesenteric fat-control site for bacterial translocation in colitis?

In Crohn's disease bacteria could be detected in the adjacent mesenteric fat characterized by hypertrophy of unknown function. This study aimed to define effector responses of this compartment induced by bacterial translocation during intestinal inflammation. Dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis served as a model of intestinal inflammation. Translocation of peptides and bacteria into mesenteric fat was evaluated. Innate functions of mesenteric fat and epithelium were characterized at whole tissue, cellular, and effector molecule levels. Orally applied peptides translocated in healthy wild-type (WT) mice. Bacterial translocation was not detected in healthy and acute but increased in chronic colitis. Mesenteric fat from colitic mice released elevated levels of cytokines and was infiltrated by immune cells. In MyD88(-/-) mice bacterial translocation occurred in health and increased in colitis. The exaggerated cytokine production in mesenteric fat accompanying colonic inflammation in WT mice was less distinct in MyD88(-/-) mice. In vitro studies revealed that fat not only increases cytokine production following contact with bacterial products, but also that preadipocytes are potent phagocytes. Colonic inflammation is accompanied by massive cytokine production and immune cell infiltration in adjacent adipose tissue. These effects can be considered as protective mechanisms of the mesenteric fat in the defense of bacterial translocation.

Reconstructing mid-to-recent Holocene paleoenvironments in the vicinity of ancient Amarynthos (Euboea, Greece).

This article examines the shoreline evolution and human occupation in the vicinity of the important archeological site of Amarynthos (Euboea Island, Greece) over the last six millennia. Archeological evidence indicates a continuous occupation of the site from the Bronze Age to the Roman period and the site is well-known, thanks to the existence of a sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Based on the study of four boreholes, a paleogeographic reconstruction of the coastal landscape is proposed. Facies were determined based on mollusc identification, and sedimentology based on grain-size measurements (hand sieving for the fraction above 2 mm and LASER technique for particles below 2 mm) and loss-on-ignition. In addition, a series of 12 AMS radiocarbon dates define a reliable chronostratigraphy. Results suggest the presence of a fully marine environment from the early Holocene to ca. 2600-2400 cal. BC, which developed into a brackish environment from ca. 2600-2400 cal. BC to ca. 750 cal. BC due to the deltaic progradation of the nearby stream (Sarandapotamos River). From ca. 750 cal. BC onward, coastal swamps prevailed in the study area. Human-environmental interaction is discussed and particular attention is paid to the paleolandscape configuration of Amarynthos.

Polypes et cancers colo-rectaux par sous-localisation: données épidémiologiques genevoises et vaudoises [Colorectal polyps and cancers by sub-site: epidemiologic findings in Geneva and Vaud].

The present study is a comparative analysis of the adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancers, registered during a determined period within the population of the cantons of Geneva and Vaud. The analysis is particularly based on the polyp/cancer ratio by sub-site. Histological type as well as age and sex of the patient are taken into consideration.

Iowa Construction Site Erosion Control Manual, 2006

The purpose of this Iowa manual is to serve as a guide, provide solutions, and offer suggestions on construction sites to comply with Iowa's current soil erosion and storm water runoff regulations. This need is particularly important when land undergoes a land use change. Information provided in this manual will be helpful to land owners, developers, consultants, contractors, planners, local government, as well as the general public. This manual is intended to provide techniques that will meet the mandates of current legislation. Innovations that will benefit the user and still provide effective control are encouraged.