STUDY OF CORROSION AND WEAR OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS DURING STERILIZATION

Oral Communication presented at the ";Forum des Jeunes Chercheurs";, Brest (France) 2011

The PCA Lens-Finder: application to CFHTLS

We present the results of a new search for galaxy-scale strong lensing systems in CFHTLS Wide. Our lens-finding technique involves a preselection of potential lens galaxies, applying simple cuts in size and magnitude. We then perform a Principal Component Analysis of the galaxy images, ensuring a clean removal of the light profile. Lensed features are searched for in the residual images using the clustering topometric algorithm DBSCAN. We find 1098 lens candidates that we inspect visually, leading to a cleaned sample of 109 new lens candidates. Using realistic image simulations we estimate the completeness of our sample and show that it is independent of source surface brightness, Einstein ring size (image separation) or lens redshift. We compare the properties of our sample to previous lens searches in CFHTLS. Including the present search, the total number of lenses found in CFHTLS amounts to 678, which corresponds to ~4 lenses per square degree down to i=24.8. This is equivalent to ~ 60.000 lenses in total in a survey as wide as Euclid, but at the CFHTLS resolution and depth.Comment: 21 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication on A&

Surgical Mask to Prevent Influenza Transmission in Households: A Cluster Randomized Trial

Facemasks and respirators have been stockpiled during pandemic preparedness. However, data on their effectiveness for limiting transmission are scarce. We evaluated the effectiveness of facemask use by index cases for limiting influenza transmission by large droplets produced during coughing in households.A cluster randomized intervention trial was conducted in France during the 2008-2009 influenza season. Households were recruited during a medical visit of a household member with a positive rapid influenza A test and symptoms lasting less than 48 hours. Households were randomized either to the mask or control group for 7 days. In the intervention arm, the index case had to wear a surgical mask from the medical visit and for a period of 5 days. The trial was initially intended to include 372 households but was prematurely interrupted after the inclusion of 105 households (306 contacts) following the advice of an independent steering committee. We used generalized estimating equations to test the association between the intervention and the proportion of household contacts who developed an influenza-like illness during the 7 days following the inclusion. Influenza-like illness was reported in 24/148 (16.2%) of the contacts in the intervention arm and in 25/158 (15.8%) of the contacts in the control arm and the difference between arms was 0.40% (95%CI: -10% to 11%, P = 1.00). We observed a good adherence to the intervention. In various sensitivity analyses, we did not identify any trend in the results suggesting effectiveness of facemasks.This study should be interpreted with caution since the lack of statistical power prevents us to draw formal conclusion regarding effectiveness of facemasks in the context of a seasonal epidemic.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00774774

Long-term particulate matter exposure and mortality: a review of European epidemiological studies

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several studies considered the relation between long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) and total mortality, as well as mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Our aim was to provide a comprehensive review of European epidemiological studies on the issue.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We searched the Medline database for epidemiological studies on air pollution and health outcomes published between January 2002 and December 2007. We also examined the reference lists of individual papers and reviews. Two independent reviewers classified the studies according to type of air pollutant, duration of exposure and health outcome considered. Among European investigations that examined long-term PM exposure we found 4 cohort studies (considering total and cardiopulmonary mortality), 1 case-control study (considering mortality from myocardial infarction), and 4 ecologic studies (2 studies considering total and cardiopulmonary mortality and 2 studies focused on cardiovascular mortality).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Measurement indicators of PM exposure used in European studies, including PM10, PM2.5, total suspended particulate and black smoke, were heterogeneous. This notwithstanding, in all analytic studies total mortality was directly associated with long-term exposure to PM. The excesses in mortality were mainly due to cardiovascular and respiratory causes. Three out of 4 ecologic studies found significant direct associations between PM indexes and mortality.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>European studies on long-term exposure to PM indicate a direct association with mortality, particularly from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.</p

Particulate air pollution and survival in a COPD cohort

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several studies have shown cross-sectional associations between long term exposure to particulate air pollution and survival in general population or convenience cohorts. Less is known about susceptibility, or year to year changes in exposure. We investigated whether particles were associated with survival in a cohort of persons with COPD in 34 US cities, eliminating the usual cross-sectional exposure and treating PM₁₀as a within city time varying exposure.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using hospital discharge data, we constructed a cohort of persons discharged alive with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using Medicare data between 1985 and 1999. 12-month averages of PM₁₀were merged to the individual annual follow up in each city. We applied Cox's proportional hazard regression model in each city, with adjustment for individual risk factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found significant associations in the survival analyses for single year and multiple lag exposures, with a hazard ratio for mortality for an increase of 10 μg/m³PM₁₀over the previous 4 years of 1.22 (95% CI: 1.17–1.27).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Persons discharged alive for COPD have substantial mortality risks associated with exposure to particles. The risk is evident for exposure in the previous year, and higher in a 4 year distributed lag model. These risks are significantly greater than seen in time series analyses.</p

Violencia y acoso en el trabajo: significado y alcance del Convenio nº 190 OIT en el marco del trabajo decente (ODS 3, 5, 8 de la Agenda 2030)

Actas del Seminario internacional sobre “Violencia y Acoso en el Trabajo: Significado y alcance del Convenio nº 190 OIT en el marco del trabajo decente (ODS 3, 5, 8 de la Agenda 2030)”, celebrado online los días 10 y 11 de diciembre de 2020.La aprobación en 2019 del Convenio núm. 190 de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo, sobre la violencia y el acoso laboral, coincidiendo con la celebración del Centenario de dicha organización, brinda una nueva oportunidad de análisis sobre la necesidad de permear las ideas de Dignidad, Derechos Fundamentales y Trabajo Decente en el debate del Futuro del Trabajo. Como resultado del Congreso Internacional celebrado en la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (2020), en esta obra se aglutinan distintas aportaciones que se centran, de una parte, en los aspectos más significativos y cruciales del Convenio 190 (definiciones, ámbitos objetivos y subjetivos generales de aplicación, mecanismos de implementación) y, de otra, en algunas experiencias comparadas. Desde ambas perspectivas, no se obvian las potencialidades del Convenio para resolver problemáticas ligadas a las especificidades que la violencia y el acoso en el trabajo presentan para algunos colectivos (como es el caso de las mujeres), así como las que se ponen de manifiesto a través de instrumentos de importancia emergente por su capacidad lesiva (nuevas tecnologías). En el caso de la legislación española, la eventual ratificación del Convenio ha de entrañar no pocos efectos en la configuración de los distintos mecanismos de protección jurídica, que también quedan analizados. En suma, el Convenio 190 OIT se puede concebir como un paso importante en la consecución de los objetivos vinculados a la Agenda 2030, por cuanto la lucha por la eliminación de la Violencia y el Acoso en el trabajo, cono ingrediente esencial de la idea de Trabajo Decente (ODS 8), no deja de estar imbricada con la protección de la salud y la promoción del bienestar laboral (ODS 3) y la eliminación de la discriminación por razón de genero (ODS 5).Evento financiado en el marco de la Convocatoria 2020 de ayudas para organización de congresos internacionales y reuniones científicas y workshops (Modalidad A: Congresos internacionales) por la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Código de proyecto 2020/00205/001).Agradecimientos / Manuel Correa Carrasco y María Gema Quintero Lima (pp. 9-13). -- Prólogo / Joaquín Nieto y Natalia Díaz (pp. 15-16). -- Capítulo I. El elemento teleológico (intencionalidad lesiva) en el concepto de violencia y acoso laboral contenido en el Convenio 190 OIT / Manuel Correa Carrasco (pp. 17-27). -- Capítulo II. El contenido del Convenio nº 190 de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo: Definiciones y ámbito de aplicación - "Vino nuevo en odres viejos"? / Ana Cristina Ribeiro Costa (pp. 29-59). -- Capítulo III. Los principios fundamentales del Convenio 190 OIT: Un análisis desde la perspectiva de género. La novedosa inclusión del trabajo de servicio doméstico / Sofía Olarte Encabo (pp. 61-90). -- Capítulo IV. Impacto en España del Convenio 190 OIT para la tutela efectiva frente a la violencia en el trabajo: obligados cambios legales y culturales / Cristóbal Molina Navarrete (pp. 91-116). -- Capítulo V. Perspectivas de futuro: El Convenio 190 en Francia / Loïc Lerouge (pp. 117-131). -- Capítulo VI. La ratificación del Convenio nº 190 de la OIT por Uruguay: Contextos normativos y de estructura sindical / Federico Rosenbaum Carli (pp. 133-161). -- Capítulo VII. La ratificación de Argentina del Convenio 190 de la OIT sobre violencia y acoso en el trabajo - Un repaso por la legislación y jurisprudencia nacional en torno a la temática / Rodrigo Méndez Filleul (pp. 163-186). -- Capítulo V‎III. Violencia en el trabajo y hostigamiento sexual: una lectura peruana del Convenio 190 de la OIT / Miguel F. Canessa Montejo (pp. 187-214). -- Capítulo IX. El ciberacoso y la violencia y el acoso en empresas tecnológicas y su encuadre en el marco del Convenio 190 de la OIT / Iván Williams Jiménez (pp. 215-246). -- Capítulo X. Impacto del Convenio 190 OIT en la estrategia española contra la violencia de género / Francisco Xabière Gómez García (pp. 247-279). -- Capítulo XI. Consecuencias de la aplicación del Convenio 190 OIT sobre acoso y violencia en el trabajo en el ordenamiento jurídico español / Manuel Velázquez Fernández (pp. 281-305). -- Epílogo: Las violencias del trabajo / María Gema Quintero Lima (pp. 307-317)

Health effects of ambient air pollution – recent research development and contemporary methodological challenges

Exposure to high levels of air pollution can cause a variety of adverse health outcomes. Air quality in developed countries has been generally improved over the last three decades. However, many recent epidemiological studies have consistently shown positive associations between low-level exposure to air pollution and health outcomes. Thus, adverse health effects of air pollution, even at relatively low levels, remain a public concern. This paper aims to provide an overview of recent research development and contemporary methodological challenges in this field and to identify future research directions for air pollution epidemiological studies

Outside the gate: sub-urban legal practices in early medieval England

Many aspects of English early medieval (Anglo-Saxon) legal landscapes can be discerned in archaeological and toponymic evidence, ranging from the locations of legislative councils and judicial assemblies to sites of capital punishment. Among the corpus of such sites a striking group can be detected at the periphery of urban spaces. Gates into a number of towns appear to have functioned as legislative meeting-places, and even gave their names to some legally constituted communities, while suburban locations also feature prominently as sites of gallows and public punishment. In this paper historical, archaeological and toponymic evidence is used to examine this phenomenon of suburban legal practices and to pose questions about the wider dimensions of the early medieval legal landscape