Perioperative management of face transplantation: A survey

Background: Since the first facial allograft transplantation was reported in France in 2005, 18 cases have been performed in 4 countries and the rate is increasing. Methods: We have devised a survey to assess anesthesia-related management and rationale of facial allograft transplantation. It was sent to the lead anesthesiologists of the first 14 face transplants performed worldwide. Results: Responses were received corresponding to 13 face transplants. The median duration of surgery and anesthesia was 19 hours (95% confidence interval 15-23 hours). The surgical preparation and dissection of multiple small anatomical structures of the recipient was time-consuming for 11 cases. Blood loss was considerable. All patients received packed red blood cells (median 20 U, 95% confidence interval 5-28 U). A median of 13 L of crystalloid was administered (95% confidence interval 10-18 L). Conclusions: During facial allograft transplantation, the anesthesiologist must be prepared for a long anesthetic with rapid blood loss after reperfusion of the graft. Comment in Out on a limb with composite tissue allografts: expanding the immunology toolbox. [Anesth Analg. 2012

The Impact of Domestic Energy Efficiency Retrofit Schemes on Householder Attitudes and Behaviours

Retrofitting existing housing stock to improve energy efficiency is often required to meet climate mitigation, public health and fuel poverty targets. Increasing uptake and effectiveness of retrofit schemes requires understanding of their impacts on householder attitudes and behaviours. This paper reports results of a survey of 500 Kirklees householders in the UK, where the Kirklees Warm Zone scheme took place. This was a local government led city-scale domestic retrofit programme that installed energy efficiency measures at no charge in over 50,000 houses. The results highlight key design features of the scheme, socio-economic and attitudinal factors that affected take-up of energy efficiency measures and impacts on behaviour and energy use after adoption. The results emphasise the role that positive feedback plays in reinforcing pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours of participants and in addressing concerns of non-participants. Our findings have implications for the design and operation of future domestic energy efficiency retrofit schemes

Male Attractiveness Is Influenced by UV Wavelengths in a Newt Species but Not in Its Close Relative

Background: Functional communication in the UV range has been reported in Invertebrates and all major groups of Vertebrates but Amphibians. Although perception in this wavelength range has been shown in a few species, UV signalling has not been demonstrated in this group. One reason may be that in lentic freshwater habitats, litter decomposition generates dissolved organic carbon that absorbs UV radiation and thus hinders its use for visual signalling. We tested the effect of male UV characteristics on female sexual preference in two newt species that experience contrasting levels of UV water transmission when breeding. Methodology/Principal Findings: We analysed water spectral characteristics of a sample of breeding ponds in both species. We quantified male ventral coloration and measured male attractiveness under two lighting conditions (UV present, UV absent) using a no-choice female preference design. UV transmission was higher in Lissotriton vulgaris breeding sites. Male UV patterns also differed between experimental males of the two species. We observed a first common peak around 333 nm, higher in L. vulgaris, and a second peak around 397 nm, more frequent and higher in L. helveticus. Male attractiveness was significantly reduced in L. vulgaris when UV was not available but not in L. helveticus. Male attractiveness depended on the hue of the first UV peak in L. vulgaris. Conclusion/Significance: Our study is the first report of functional UV-based communication in Amphibians. Interestingly

Field-usable sharpless wafers for Josephson effect devices at millimeter waves

It is shown how modified Sharpless wafers can be used for point contact Josephson effect detectors, converters, oscillators and parametric amplifiers. First experimental data indicate that this method results in devices that are rugged, can be permanently adjusted at room temperature and can be cycled in temperature.On montre comment des « Sharpless wafers » modifiés peuvent etre utilisés pour des dispositifs Josephson à contact à pointe, tels que détecteurs, changeurs de fréquence, oscillateurs et amplificateurs paramétriques. Les premiers résultats expérimentaux montrent que ces dispositifs sont robustes, peuvent être réglés à la température ambiante et être recyclés thermiquement sans dommage

I know what you searched for: A legal analysis of Section IX of R.A. 9775

Child pornography is a blight upon society-- it drives families apart, taints the mind, and destroys the hopes and dreams of innocent children. A response, a call to action is needed to eliminate this evil that tears the foundations of society apart. To this end, a law was passed to fight child pornography entitled R.A. 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Law of 2009. However, we must be wary of the implications of the new law and make certain that all measures be exhausted to ensure that it can never be used, intentionally or unintentionally, to the detriment of society.The goal of this research was to determine whether or not Section 9 of R.A. 9775, or the Anti-Child Pornography Law, bears stipulations that are not in line with the privacy and freedom of expression rights guaranteed in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). To this end, this research tackled the internet filtering and ISP monitoring classes found in Section 9 of R.A 9775