Integration of ground-penetrating radar, ultrasonic tests and infrared thermography for the analysis of a precious medieval rose window

Abstract. The integration of high-resolution, non-invasive geophysical techniques (such as ground-penetrating radar or GPR) with emerging sensing techniques (acoustics, thermography) can complement limited destructive tests to provide a suitable methodology for a multi-scale assessment of the state of preservation, material and construction components of monuments. This paper presents the results of the application of GPR, infrared thermography (IRT) and ultrasonic tests to the 13th century rose window of Troia Cathedral (Apulia, Italy), affected by widespread decay and instability problems caused by the 1731 earthquake and reactivated by recent seismic activity. This integrated approach provided a wide amount of complementary information at different scales, ranging from the sub-centimetre size of the metallic joints between the various architectural elements, narrow fractures and thin mortar fillings, up to the sub-metre scale of the internal masonry structure of the circular ashlar curb linking the rose window to the façade, which was essential to understand the original building technique and to design an effective restoration strategy

Closing the loop in child TB contact management: completion of TB preventive therapy outcomes in western Kenya

SETTING: Children especially those \u3c 5 years of age exposed to pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) are at a high risk of severe TB disease and death. Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) has been shown to decrease disease progression by up to 90%. Kenya, a high TB burden country experiences numerous operational challenges that limit implementation of TB preventive services. IPT completion in child contacts is not routinely reported in Kenya. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to review the child contact management (CCM) cascade and present IPT outcomes across 10 clinics in western Kenya. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of programmatic data of a TB Reach-funded active, clinic-based CCM strategy. RESULTS: Of 553 child contacts screened, 231 (42%) were reported symptomatic. 74 (13%) of the child contacts were diagnosed with active TB disease. Of those eligible for IPT, 427 (90%) initiated IPT according to TB REACH project data while 249 (58%) were recorded in the IPT register with 49 (11%) recorded as a transfer to other facilities. Of the 249 recorded in the IPT register, 205 (82%) were documented to complete therapy (48% of project initiation children). CONCLUSION: Our evaluation shows gaps in the routine CCM care cascade related to completeness of documentation that require further programmatic monitoring and evaluation to improve CCM outcomes

From traditional orchards to advanced fruitculture: establishing the bases of commercial horticulture in Afghanistan

The Afghan economy is based essentially on the primary sector and, namely, on fruit production. A cross road of trade along the "Silk route", local traditional fruitculture based on the bagh (home garden) is widely variegated in terms of species and varieties. Afghan fresh and dried fruits (namely raisins) and nuts, sweet and rich in flavors, are demanded by domestic and foreign consumers. The lack of traceability and quality of the propagation material has been considered one of the basic bottle necks hindering development of an advanced horticulture. During the period 2006-2015 the Perennial Horticulture Development Project (PHDP), funded by the EC-EuropeAid Program, has been supporting the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock of Afghanistan through a process of collection and selection of local fruit varieties in order to improve the private nursery system, as well as perennial horticulture. About 850 accessions of different fruit tree species have been collected and entered into the National Collections at six PHD Centres, where they undergo a standardised characterisation and identification procedure in order to be formally registered in a national list, hence contributing to their safeguard and protection. The best accessions were used as source for a traced propagation system after phytosanitary indexing and also in numerous adaptive experimentations. The PHDP contributed in capacity building at technical and institutional level, fostering the establishment of nursery sector associations, providing expertise and developing the Afghanistan National Nursery Growers Organization (ANNGO) and the apex Afghanistan National Horticulture Development Organization (ANHDO), mainly concerned with value chains