Human tularemia in Italy. Is it a re-emerging disease?

In order to evaluate whether tularemia is re-emerging in Italy, data on mortality and morbidity (obtained by the National Institute of Statistics; ISTAT), Italian cases described in the scientific literature and data concerning hospitalizations for tularemia (obtained by the National Hospital Discharge Database) were analysed. From 1979 to 2010, ISTAT reported 474 cases and no deaths. The overall number of cases obtained from the literature review was at least 31% higher than that reported by ISTAT. Moreover, the number of cases reported by ISTAT was 3·5 times smaller than hospitalized cases. The real frequency of the disease should be carefully investigated and taken into account in order to implement specific prevention measures.Tularemia is a contagious infectious disease due to Francisiella tularensis that can cause serious clinical manifestations and significant mortality if untreated. Although the frequency and significance of the disease has diminished over the last decades in Central Europe, over the past few years, there is new evidence suggesting that tularemia has re-emerged worldwide. To know the real epidemiology of the disease is at the root of correct control measures. In order to evaluate whether tularemia is re-emerging in Italy, data on mortality and morbidity (obtained by the National Institute of Statistics; ISTAT), Italian cases described in the scientific literature and data concerning hospitalizations for tularemia (obtained by the National Hospital Discharge Database) were analysed. From 1979 to 2010, ISTAT reported 474 cases and no deaths. The overall number of cases obtained from the literature review was at least 31% higher than that reported by ISTAT. Moreover, the number of cases reported by ISTAT was 3·5 times smaller than hospitalized cases. In Italy tularemia is sporadic, rarely endemic and self-limiting; but, although the trend of reported tularemia does not support the hypothesis of a re-emerging disease, the study demonstrates a wide underreporting of the disease. The real frequency of the disease should be carefully investigated and taken into account in order to implement specific prevention measures

Riuso delle acque grigie in ambiente domestico: implicazioni per la sanità pubblica

The Authors describe the main microbiological characteristics of gray and rain waters, the evidence of infections related to the reuse of such waters and the main Italian and international standards and guidelines in this regard. In light of the review, the authors conclude that the limits defined by the Italian regulations are very precautionary and should ensure a very low risk of bacterial and/or viral infection (< 10.5 and 10.9 cases/year). It remains an open problem the risk of parasitic infections, for which the evidences to draw final conclusions are not sufficient yet

Leading advertisers efficiency evaluated by data envelopment analysis

ISSN: 1828-688

Indicatori di qualità microbiologica delle acque: problemi e prospettive

Gli indicatori convenzionali di contaminazione fecale forniscono un prezioso contributo alla valutazione della qualità igienica dell’acqua. Negli ultimi anni sono stati individuati alcuni limiti importanti che ne hanno messo in discussione la validità e hanno posto il problema della necessità di una rivisitazione del loro significato. Nei Paesi industrializzati, nei quali la normativa vigente che concerne la qualità delle acque è molto rigorosa, si sono verificate numerose epidemie, nonostante gli indicatori convenzionali di contaminazione fecale indicassero una qualità microbiologica adeguata. Queste epidemie sono state attribuite a microrganismi patogeni emergenti, che sono spesso caratterizzati da una resistenza ai processi di disinfezione superiore rispetto agli indicatori convenzionali.Per assicurare un’adeguata qualità microbiologica delle acque, sono stati avviati vari percorsi tra i quali i Water Safety Plans dell’Organizzazione Mondiale della Sanità, la rivisitazione del ruolo dei possibili indicatori di qualità microbiologica, la messa a punto di metodi specifici per alcuni microrganismi patogeni e di metodi per una rapida rilevazione di qualità microbiologica non adeguata

A fractional optimal control problem for maximizing advertising efficiency

ISBN: 978-5-7525-1858-

MORRER EM VIDA: OS LUTOS DA VELHICE FEMININA

Esse trabalho apresenta um relato de experiência de uma atividade desenvolvida em conjunto com idosas frequentadoras de uma oficina da Universidade Aberta à Terceira Idade (UNATI) da UNESP/Assis. O objetivo desse texto é analisar e discutir as perdas relacionadas ao processo de envelhecimento feminino. Partimos do pressuposto de que o luto não precisa ser elaborado apenas em situações de morte concreta, mas também se faz necessário quando há mortes simbólicas, como é o caso da aposentadoria, das mudanças corporais e das expectativas de comportamento que acompanham a velhice. O método adotado foi a Análise de Conteúdo, utilizado para refletir sobre as falas recolhidas durante a realização das atividades

Structure formation in poly(ethylene terephthalate) upon annealing as revealed by microindentation hardness and X-ray scattering

Abstract The micromechanical properties (microindentation hardness, H, elastic modulus, E) of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), isothermally crystallized at various temperatures (T a ) from the glassy state are determined to establish correlations with thermal properties and nanostructure. Analysis of melting temperature and crystal thickness derived from the interface distribution function analysis of SAXS data reveals that for T a !190 8C the occurrence of two lamellar stack populations prevails whereas for samples annealed at T a O190 8C a population of lamellar stacks with a unimodal thickness distribution emerges. The H and E-values exhibit a tendency to increase with the degree of crystallinity. The results support a correlation E/Hw20 in accordance with other previously reported data. The changes of microhardness with annealing temperature are discussed in terms of the crystallinity and crystalline lamellar thickness variation. Unusually high hardness values obtained for PET samples crystallized at T a Z190 8C are discussed in terms of the role of the rigid amorphous phase which offers for the hardness of amorphous layers constrained between lamellar stacks a value of H a w150 MPa. On the other hand, for T a Z 240 8C the decreasing H-tendency could be connected with the chemical degradation of the material at high temperature.

Intense versus standard regimens of intermittent occlusion therapy for unilateral moderate amblyopia in children: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: We reported that in our previous study that wearing intermittent occlusion therapy glasses (IO-therapy) for 4 hours (h) was non-inferior to patching for 2 h in 3 to 8-year-old children with amblyopia. We hypothesize that an intense regimen of 12-h IO-therapy per day for 4 weeks could be as effective as the standard regimen of 4-h IO-therapy per day for 12 weeks in treating moderate amblyopia in 3 to 8-year-old children. Methods/design: A total of 56 children between 3 and 8 years of age with amblyopia in association with anisometropia and/or strabismus will be enrolled. All participants will be prescribed IO-therapy glasses (Amblyz™), set at 30-s opaque/transparent intervals (i.e., occluded 50% of wear time). They will be randomized to receive the standard regimen for 12 weeks or the intense regimen for 4 weeks. Adherence to using the IO-therapy glasses will be objectively monitored in each participant by means of a microsensor dose monitor. The primary study objective is to compare the effectiveness of an intense regimen to a standard regimen of IO-therapy in 3 to 8-year-old children with moderate amblyopia. The secondary study objectives are to determine whether adherence differs between an intense regimen and a standard regimen of IO-therapy, and to determine the dose-response relationship of IO-therapy. Discussion: In addition to testing the effectiveness, this study will test for the first time the association between treatment adherence and the visual outcome of IO-therapy, which will enhance our understanding of the dose-response relationship of IO-therapy. If an intense regimen is shown to be effective, it would alter amblyopia treatment strategies and improve visual outcomes. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02767856. Registered on 10 May 2016

Maroon Archaeology Beyond the Americas: A View From Kenya

Archaeological research on Maroons—that is, runaway slaves—has been largely confined to the Americas. This essay advocates a more global approach. It specifically uses two runaway slave communities in 19th-century coastal Kenya to rethink prominent interpretive themes in the field, including “Africanisms,” Maroons’ connections to indigenous groups, and Maroon group cohesion and identity. This article’s analysis demonstrates that the comparisons enabled by a more globalized perspective benefit the field. Instead of eliding historical and cultural context, these comparisons support the development of more localized and historically specific understandings of individual runaway slave communities both in Kenya and throughout the New World