Congress Venue Research Articles

Conference Report: Bridging the Divide: Celebrating the City The Fourth ACSP/AESOP Joint Congress, Chicago, 2008

'Make no little plans,' said Daniel Burnham, the celebrated maker of the Plan of Chicago, 1909, because 'they have no magic to stir man's1 blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work ?'. The fourth joint ACSP and AESOP Congress in Chicago took Burnham's advice to heart. With 1124 participants from over 40 countries, the Chicago Joint Congress broke all previous records to become the largest gathering ever of planning scholars in the United States and Europe. It had been 17 years since the two associations held their first joint congress in Oxford in 1991, followed by further joint meetings in Toronto (1996) and Leuven (2003). The joint congresses have provided not only a forum for intellectual exchanges in the field of planning, but also an opportunity for better understanding of the working practices and institutional traditions of the two associations. They have proved to be an effective way of bridging the divides and celebrating diversity. Chicago: the city Chicago offered a magnificent place for celebrating the city and experiencing the lasting legacy of an influential plan. The city is home of the well-known 1909 Chicago Plan by Burnham and Bennett, the 1893 World 's Columbian Exposition, important twentieth-century architecture, a dramatic mayor-led city greening programme, the acclaimed Millennium Park, the American Planning Association, the Congress for New Urbanism, summer festivals and diverse neighbourhoods. The contrast between a downtown sky-line, to match any in the world, with the vast Lake Michigan was a startling urban experience as well as being a stunning example of new city planning and adventurous urban design. The level of architectural and planning awareness in the city was astonishing, with tourist boat trips dedicated to architectural excursions. The congress venue was the colossal Marriott Downtown hotel, located on Magnificent Mile - a one-mile boulevard lined up with some of the best architectural heritage of Chicago and representing the legacy of the Chicago Plan. Chicago: the host The Congress host was the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA) based at the University of Illinois at Chicago. UIC is a large, public, comprehensive research university with 25,000 students located on the edge of Chicago's vibrant downtown - the famous Loop. It has an explicit 'Great Cities Commitment' which is led by CUPPA. Its Urban Planning and Policy Department is the largest graduate planning programme in the United States with more than 200 students and a distinguished faculty. The congress theme The conference theme, 'bridging the divide: celebrating the city', focused attentions on the mediating role of cities. Many cities around the world remain divided and contested. The ways in which they are structured and managed sometimes play a role in reproducing identities that promote racial, ethnic, religious or territorial conflicts. A key question arising from the congress theme was: how could innovative approaches to planning and governance help to bridge these divides? Hence, the congress invited papers and debate which reflected on the nature of these divides and the role that cities play in spanning them, through, for example, place-shaping, infrastructure development, governance, fostering of bridging social capital, capacity building, promoting environmental justice, reducing health disparities, and creating mechanisms for conflict resolution. The metaphor of 'bridge building' also captured the spirit of the ongoing relationships between ACSP and AESOP, and between them and the wider community of planners across the globe. The latter has been particularly strengthened after the World Planning Schools Congress in Shanghai in 2001, which led to creation of the Global Planning Education Network (GPEAN). So, the congress theme was a call to build bridges in scholarship by sharing international perspectives and experiences on the role of cities in mediating conflict. …

Preface

Abstract The 41st IUPAC World Chemistry Congress took place in Turin, Italy on 5-11 August 2007, under the patronage of the President of the Italian Republic. Local organization was carried out through active collaboration between the National Research Council (CNR), the Italian Chemical Society (SCI), the National Institute of Metrological Research (INRIM), the University of Turin (UNITO), the Turin Polytechnic (POLITO), and the University of Eastern Piedmont (UNIPMN). The Lingotto Conference Center in Turin served as the Congress venue. This recently modernized complex formerly housed what was once the largest motor car factory in the world, and is a fitting tribute to an industry that has played a major role in shaping the present-day city as an important industrial and cultural center. The Congress was well attended by more than 2000 delegates from all parts of the world, and they were rewarded with multidisciplinary insights and perspectives that catered for all aspects of the subject. At the same time, it was possible to enjoy the abundant hospitality of the local hosts and, when opportunity permitted, to explore some of the distinctive cultural, historical, and scenic features of Turin and its surroundings. The Congress theme of ‚ÄúChemistry Protecting Health, Natural Environment and Cultural Heritage‚Äù served to highlight topical and challenging issues, and presented a program that celebrated the societal relevance of the chemical sciences in modern times. The tone for the scientific proceedings was set by an outstanding program of plenary presentations that included three Nobel laureates, Profs. R. Hoffmann (Cornell University, USA), R. Hüber (Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Münich, Germany), and K. Wüthrich (ETH, Zürich, Switzerland), along with Profs. V. Balzani (University of Bologna, Italy), A. Fujishima (Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology, Japan), and Dr. J. Wouters (Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage, Belgium). Major program sessions were devoted to the title themes, exemplifying the positive role that chemistry plays in health, the natural environment, and cultural heritage. Six additional sessions were devoted to subdisciplinary themes and to chemical education. About 45 keynote lectures were delivered during parallel sessions, together with numerous contributed papers and posters. As always, poster sessions proved immensely popular amongst delegates and provided much opportunity for informal interaction, particularly with the large number of younger scientists who featured prominently in this part of the program. Publication of selected works based upon IUPAC Congress proceedings can be traced back to the origins of Pure and Applied Chemistry. It is therefore a pleasure to offer readers a representative glimpse of a diverse scientific program, and to continue a fine publication tradition that promises to enrich the archive. Congress papers are augmented in this issue by co-publication with those arising from the parallel event CHEM-BIO-TECH2007, a joint meeting of the IUPAC 1st Symposium on Chemical Biotechnology (ISCB-1) and the 8th Symposium on Bioorganic Chemistry (ISBOC-8). The organizers are grateful to all who contributed to a successful scientific program, and particularly thank those enthusiastic presenters who consented to contribute to this permanent record of a memorable Congress. James R. Bull IUPAC Scientific Editor Giuseppe Della Gatta Conference Editor

The 4th World Congress on Industrial Process Tomography

The 4th World Congress on Industrial Process Tomography (WCIPT4) was held in Aizu, Japan, from September 5 to 8, 2005 (home page: http://www.vcipt.org.uk/wcipt4/). The congress venue was OnYado Toho, a traditional Japanese hotel in Higashiyama Onsen, which is approximately 15 minutes from Aizu-wakamatsu station by car and approximately 4 hours from Narita Airport by train and shinkansen. The congress attracted 183 participants from 21 countries. Eight categories of parallel sessions and two poster sessions were held. A total of 174 papers were presented, including 3 invited lectures and 40 posters. In the plenary lectures, Professor Xi-Cheng Zhang presented "Terahertz Wave Imaging Technology", Professor Lynn Gladden explained the "Latest Development in Dynamic MRI of Multi-Phase Systems", and Professor Hideaki Koizumi discussed "Optical Topography for Higher-order Brain-function Imaging and its Practical Applications". The congress also incorporated some local events, including a technical tour of the University of Aizu. The university staff introduced the state-of-the-art computer facility. In addition, a city sightseeing excursion visited Tsurugajo Castle and a sake museum. All attendees enjoyed lavish dinners with traditional Japanese entertainment in the evenings.

A day at the European Respiratory Society Congress: passive smoking influences both outdoor and indoor air quality: Fig. 1—

To the Editors: Outdoor and indoor air quality is a well known determinant of human health 1. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a recognised risk factor for respiratory diseases 2 and the most important source of indoor particulate matter (PM) pollution 3. In recent years, several countries have issued smoking policy rules to protect nonsmoking people from ETS with a good compliance 4. This year, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress was held in Copenhagen (Denmark), a country where, like many others, comprehensive anti-smoking rules are not yet fully endorsed 5. In fact, although smoking has been restricted in state-owned governmental premises since 1988, the legislation doesn't apply to the hospitality industry or to workplaces in the private sector. The ERS has made the case of passive smoking one of utmost importance for respiratory prevention 6. Congress participants were advised to refrain from smoking both inside and in front of the Copenhagen Congress venue at the Bella Center, which was indicated by signs stating the following: “Tobacco is the major cause of lung disease. Please refrain from smoking in and …

EVOLUTION OF VIVIPARITY IN REPTILES: INTRODUCTION TO THE SYMPOSIUM

The Fifth World Congress of Herpetology, held in 2005 at the University of Stellenbosch (Republic of South Africa), provided an excellent opportunity to host a symposium on the evolution of viviparity in reptiles. Several symposia on viviparity have been held during the past 15 years, and these have yielded comprehensive reviews of squamates (e.g., Blackburn, 1993, 1998, 2000; Stewart, 1993; Stewart and Thompson, 2000, 2003; Thompson et al., 2000, 2004) and many other papers. However, most of these symposia were limited in scope to particular features (placental membranes, the oviduct) or aspects (morphology, physiology). The World Congress venue represented the first broad-based symposium to focus on viviparity in squamates, a taxon of special importance to biologists interested in viviparity. This symposium was multi-disciplinary, and integrated morphology, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and evolutionary theory. The evolution of viviparity holds intrinsic interest for a number of reasons. First, humans are viviparous and have natural curiosity about their own reproduction. Second, mode of reproduction relates closely to a species’ ecology, physiology, and behavior, and is central to its life history strategy. Third, viviparity is a central, recurring theme in vertebrate history, and its existence raises fascinating functional and evolutionary questions. Squamate reptiles provide an excellent model system for studies on the evolution of viviparity because live-bearing reproduction has evolved in the Squamata at least 100 times (Blackburn, 1999), and complex placentae have evolved four or five times (Thompson and Speake, 2006). Many of the reptilian origins of viviparity have occurred at low taxonomic levels and in geologically recent times, potentially allowing a reconstruction of the transition to viviparity. Additionally, reptiles are amniotes, and their fetal membranes are homologous to those that contribute to mammalian placentae. Consequently, squamate reptiles arguably are the best available model for attempts to understand the evolution of mammalian reproduction. Nevertheless, squamates have a reptilian physiology as well as unique features (such as a yolk cleft and an isolated yolk mass), and the sequence by which viviparity and placentation evolved differs in squamates and mammals (Blackburn, 2006). Therefore, caution is required in applying conclusions from reptilian studies to mammalian systems. One mark of the growing maturity of the field is that studies on squamate viviparity are justified in their own right, aside from whatever insight they may give into mammals. This symposium addressed two related questions: how viviparity has evolved from oviparity, and how complex placentae have evolved from simple placentae. The symposium consisted of fifteen invited presentations, beginning with a review of the utility of reptiles to a more general model of the evolution of viviparity, followed by three papers on morphological details of extraembryonic and placental development and structure. Four papers described aspects of the physiology of maternal-embryonic interactions, including the occurrence of HoxA10 genes. The afternoon session began with a focus on eggs and oviparous species and the factors that may have led to or limited the evolution of viviparity, and concluded with a series of papers that covered diverse topics in ecology, morphology, and physiology. The symposium highlighted the rapid progress that has been made in understanding CORRESPONDENCE: e-mail, Mike.Thompson@bio.usyd. edu.au Herpetological Monographs, 20, 2006, 129–130 E 2006 by The Herpetologists’ League, Inc.

NFOG and its Congress in 2006

The Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology (NFOG) is a federation of the five national societies of obstetricians and gynecologists in the Nordic countries: DSOG (Denmark), NGF (Norway), SGY (Finland), FIK (Iceland) and SFOG (Sweden). All individual members of these societies are members of the NFOG. The board of NFOG is composed of the chairpersons of the five national societies, as well as the offices of President, Secretary General and Treasurer. The officers are elected at the NFOG assembly, wich convenes every other year. The aim of NFOG is to promote the scientific and practical cooperation between obstetricians and gynecologists of the Nordic countries, and to develop the speciality by supporting education at all levels. NFOG has established two standing committees to handle central activities of the Federation: A Scientific Committee and an Educational Committee. In addition, NFOG has had ad hoc committies working on quality assessments within the speciality NFOG owns and publishes Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, with 12 issues a year. The Chief Editor is appointed by the NFOG Board, as are the national editors after nomination by the national societies. NFOG arranges a scientific congress every other year. The 35th Nordic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology will be held in Göteborg, Sweden, 20–23 May 2006. Through its website (http://www.nfog.org) NFOG informs its members and others about the activities of the Federation. The President of the 2006 NFOG Congress, Professor Ian Milsom, has conveyed the following message to the members of the national societies of the Nordic countries: You are cordially invited to attend the XXXV Congress of the Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology (NFOG) which is to be held on May 20–23 2006 in the city of Göteborg, Sweden. The scientific programme for this congress has been carefully chosen by the local organising committee in cooperation with NFOG's scientific committee and will provide an important update on the latest developments within our fascinating medical specialty of obstetrics and gynecology. Presentations will cover virtually the whole of our specialty and subspecialties and there will be ample opportunity for colleagues both young and old to present their latest data as a free communication or as a poster. We also promise you an interesting and exciting social programme where there will be an opportunity to meet and mingle with your colleagues and friends after the completion of the day's scientific activities. Göteborg is centrally positioned within the Nordic countries and has become one of Europe's leading event cities, beautifully situated on the west coast of Sweden. It has a well known University and it also has rich cultural attractions such as the Swedish National Orchestra and one of Europe's most modern Opera houses as well as important industrial infrastructure. Göteborg is easily accessible by air, train or ferry from all the Nordic countries as well as the remainder of Europe. The congress venue is located in the city centre with easy walking distance to most hotels and you will find, in addition, many gourmet restaurants and good entertainment. The atmosphere in Göteborg is known to be open and friendly and we are confident that you as our guests will have an enjoyable stay in our city. For further information about the congress such as how one registers, abstract deadline, etc, please go to our home page: http://www.nfog2006.se It is my hope that also non-Nordic colleagues will find their way to Göteborg next May and participate in this English language congress with both Nordic and international speakers! Acta will cover the highlights of the congress!

Congress Venue

Congress Venue

XXIII International Congress of the European Hernia Society

The summer of 2001 began with a scientific meeting of international importance. The XXIII International Congress of the European Hernia Society was held in Milan 21–23 June, in honor of Prof. Piero Pietri (Fig. 1). The Congress took place at the University of Milan, with Prof. Giampiero Campanelli serving as Congress President and Organizer. The city of Milan welcomed the 800 national and international participants with 3 days of sunny weather. More than 130 invited speakers from all over Europe and America, including the most well known hernia surgeons worldwide, participated in the Congress. The meeting began at 2 p.m. on 21 June, with two opening symposia which preceded the opening ceremony. The first, dedicated to the history of hernia repair, had as President Prof. Nyhus, who introduced the session with a magisterial lecture and featured as Chairmen Prof. Corcione and Prof. Chevrel, President and Secretary General of the European Hernia Society, and had as speakers Heniford, Read, Stoppa, Rutkow, and Troidl. The second opening symposium on ‘‘Economics and Day Surgery in:...’’ featured President Alexandre, Chairmen Fitzgibbons and Mandala, and speakers Fitzgibbons, Greco, Kingsnorth, Parmentier, Rutkow, and Simmermacher. At 6 p.m. the prestigious ‘‘Fanfara dei Carabinieri’’ initiated the opening ceremony with musical that included Italy’s national anthem. Greetings of the dignitaries followed, including the welcoming speech by Prof. Giampiero Campanelli, President of the Congress, and the impressive lecture on embryology and anatomy of the inguinal canal by Prof. Chevrel and Prof. Flament. At the end of the opening ceremony more than 500 guests were taken to the Villa Borromeo in Cassano D’Adda where Prof. Campanelli and Prof. Pietri, Honorary President of the Congress, welcomed the participants with cocktails, jazz music, and a pleasant social dinner. Great expectation accompanied the live surgery sessions on Friday and Saturday morning. The President of the Congress invited some of the main speakers to show the audience their techniques. On Friday morning Ugahary, Kugel, Kukleta, Benchetrit, and Bendavid operated on five patients in the operating rooms of the Milan Policlinico Hospital and explained and discussed their personal techniques with the speakers invited to the debate through a direct connection with the Congress venue. A lunch symposium dedicated to the new ‘‘dual facing meshes’’ followed this session. The different experiences reported by the speakers confirmed that these prostheses are optimal for intraperitoneal treatment of ventral hernias. The scientific program on ‘‘New Techniques’’ started simultaneously in three different rooms at 2.30 p.m. In the Large Auditorium there was great interest in the session on inguinal hernia recurrences, featuring different experiences on Wantz’s technique, on the use of the polytetrafluoroethylene patch, and on the possibility of performing anterior approaches such as Trabucco’s technique even for inguinal recurrences. A protocol also highlighted the importance of surgeon’s ability for a good outcome of any tension free repair and to prevent recurrences. In the following session on day surgery Trabucco explained his technique, and Gilbert the correct way to position PHS prosthesis, also presenting the series of Florida Hernia Institute (only two recurrences in 2761 patients). PHS proved an excellent instrument for inguinal hernia repair and is indicated particularly in difficult cases. PHS and Lichtenstein repair were also by Kingsorth. The conclusions were that PHS is easier to position, entails less early postoperative pain, and allows the patient an earlier return to normal life. Long-term results were similar, but PHS seems to have a lower recurrence rate due to an additional preperitoneal patch. On the other hand, Schumpelick underlined that 97% of Hernia (2002) 6: 153–154 DOI 10.1007/s10029-002-0049-1

Draft Minutes of the 10th Ordinary General Meeting of the EADV

The 10th Ordinary Meeting of the EADV took place in Lisbon, Portugal on Wednesday October 16, 1996 at the congress venue at 13.15 p.m.