Signs Of Emergence Research Articles

Military Collaboration with Humanitarian Organizations in Complex Emergencies

Until the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, few aside from professional aid workers paid attention to one of the first major humanitarian crises of the twenty-first century. After over twenty years of continuous warfare, the Afghani population was nearly at the breaking point; more than 2 million Afghani refugees lived in Iran and Pakistan after fleeing civil battles and three years of drought. (1) Millions more were internally displaced inside Afghanistan, victims of ongoing struggles between the Northern Alliance and the Taliban, the Afghani ruling regime. After the terrorist attacks, world attention focused on the Afghani humanitarian crisis because the Taliban had a symbiotic relationship with Osama bin Laden and his organization al-Qaida, the alleged perpetrators of the attacks. As the United States and its coalition partners prepared for operations against Osama bin Laden, al-Qaida, and the Taliban, the potential for a humanitarian disaster of unprecedented dimensions quickly came to the atten tion of the world's press. By October 2001, with U.S. forces beginning military operations, a new wave of Afghani refugees began streaming into neighboring Pakistan and Iran. Although the United States pledged humanitarian assistance as part of its overall strategy, the international relief community was abandoning its operations on the ground. (2) Under the best of circumstances, aid workers and refugees in Afghanistan were insecure. Complicating relief efforts, the Taliban itself, alQaida loyalists, and Afghanistan's neighboring governments posed security risks to aid workers and refugees alike. Even before the current crisis, nongovernmental organization (NGO) relations with the nominal ruler of Afghanistan, the Taliban, were complicated by the religious affiliations of some NGOs. After the initial U.S. attacks, news reports indicated that Taliban members assaulted local UN aid workers. Worse still, aid workers were endangered by the U.S. air strikes themselves. In the fall of 2001, the situation in Afghanistan and neighboring countries exhibited all the signs of a potential complex humanitarian emergency by combining serious civilian suffering (from hunger, poor sanitation, and lack of shelter in the face of rapidly worsening weather) with concerns about the physical safety of both the refugees and aid workers. Yet, as with the Great Lakes region, Chechnya, and the various Balkan crises of the 1990s, the world community remained largely unprepared for the consequences of humanitarian disaster taking place in regions where political, religious, and ethnic conflicts might undermine the best efforts of humanitarian organizations. (3) Although international military intervention has often been justified on humanitarian grounds and many humanitarian NGOs receive government support, few formal measures have been undertaken by donor governments to increase the security of those providing relief to the victims of conflict. NGO aid workers are left on their own even when they operate, in effect, as proxies for international organizations and national governments. The same is also true when the military operations themselves lead to humanitarian emergencies, as in post-Gulf War Iraq. Traditionally, most humanitarian organizations have supported this hands-off approach because they have seldom believed that using military forces to protect aid workers is appropriate. In fact, many members of the humanitarian community believe that official involvement may make their jobs more difficult, exacerbate complex emergencies, and even endanger the local victims. Thus, despite the increased internationalization and privatization of humanitarian assist ance, the governments who fund relief activities have taken few measures to increase the security of humanitarian aid workers. In this article, we argue that this position is untenable in a world of failed states, gray area phenomena, increasingly violent internal conflicts, and, as recent events demonstrate, a global war on terror. …

Emergence and pupal mortality factors of Anastrepha obliqua (Macq.) (Diptera: Tephritidae) along the fruiting season of the host Spondias dulcis L.

The emergence and pupal mortality factors of Anastrepha obliqua (Macq.) (Diptera: Tephritidae) along the fruiting season of the host plant, Spondias dulcis L. (Anarcadiaceae), were studied in Sertãozinho, SP, Brazil, under field and laboratory conditions. Eclosed and uneclosed puparia were recorded in two experimental conditions. The number of emerged flies and parasitoids were determined in the eclosed puparia. The uneclosed puparia were inspected and classified into living (dormant) and dead. The following pupal mortality factors were considered: disease, desiccation, predation and parasitism. Out of the total of 1,204 puparia analyzed, 53% emerged and 47% remained uneclosed. Out of the uneclosed puparia, 25.3% contained dormant pupae and 21.7% showed no signs of emergence. Among the dormant pupae, 17.8% were flies, 0.2% of which emerged; 7.5% were parasitoids, 4.7% of them emerged. The initial parasitism was 8.6%, increasing to 15.3% after the emergence of dormant pupae. Predatory activity (natural condition), especially when time of exposure was long, and desiccation (laboratory condition) were the predominant causes of pupal mortality. Variation in mortality caused by parasites and pathogens (bacteria and fungi) seems to play a minor role. Control by predators on fruit fly population is significant. However, the factors, which regulate induction, maintenance and termination of dormancy, are still to be determined. An estimate of the dormancy and of the biotic and abiotic pupal mortality factors are essential to understand the adaptive strategies of A.obliqua and its parasitoids and to develop effective methods of control in tropical regions.

New guide available: ignorance of law on emergency signs and lighting could have tragic consequences

New guide available: ignorance of law on emergency signs and lighting could have tragic consequences

Reboxetine in the treatment of depression in the elderly: pilot study.

Elderly patients are particularly susceptible to the potential side effects of current antidepressants due to agerelated physiologic changes. We report a pilot study to examine the tolerability of increasing doses of reboxetine, a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (selective NRI), in elderly depressed patients. Twelve elderly female patients (75-87 years) with either major depression or dysthymia received reboxetine titrated to 8 mg/day over a 4-week period. Tolerability was assessed and included the measurement of vital signs. Electrocardiograms were recorded at baseline and on days 14 and 28. Newly emergent signs and symptoms were recorded throughout the study. Efficacy was assessed using four rating scales, including the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Eleven patients completed the study, nine received the maximal dose of reboxetine 8 mg/day, and two received maximum doses of reboxetine 6 mg/day due to cardiac rhythm changes in week 3. A total of five patients experienced tachycardia (including two with cardiac rhythm changes in week 3). At the end of the study, seven patients were "much" to "very much" improved on the CGI scale with a concomitant decrease in HAM-D total score of 22% to 41%. Reboxetine was well tolerated by the majority of patients and efficacy outweighed side effects in 75% of patients. Reboxetine 4 mg/day, increasing to 6 mg/day on the basis of individual patient tolerability, may be considered as a safe dose range for testing the efficacy and tolerability of reboxetine in long-term controlled clinical trials in elderly patients with depression.

Evaluation of Unassigned Sign Colors for Incident Management Trailblazing

Efforts to design and evaluate a new sign design for incident route trailblazing are reported here. Phase 1 was an off-road field experiment conducted to determine the best sign color combination, letter stroke width, and letter size for emergency signs. Based on the results of Phase 1, three color combinations were chosen for testing (black on coral, black on light blue, and yellow on purple) against a baseline color combination of black on orange. Phase 2 was conducted with an instrumented vehicle through a construction zone-related detour. Questionnaire data were also obtained. The independent variables of interest were sign color combination, age, and visibility condition. The findings of Phase 2 indicated that use of a color combination other than the traditional black-on-orange sign would improve driver performance and safety when used for trailblazing during critical incidents. The following conclusions were reached: ( a) yellow on purple or black on light blue will likely result in fewer late-braking maneuvers if the road geometry includes many tight curves; ( b) black on light blue will result in the fewest number of turn errors; ( c) black on orange will result in more turn errors, especially during the day and particularly when it is overlapped with existing detour and construction zone signs; ( d) black on coral is least preferred by older and younger drivers; and ( e) younger drivers tend to prefer yellow on purple and older drivers tend to prefer black on light blue.

Emerging zoonoses.

In the past few years, emergent disease episodes have increased; nearly all have involved zoonotic or species-jumping infectious agents. Because there is no way to predict when or where the next important new zoonotic pathogen will emerge or what its ultimate importance might be, investigation at the first sign of emergence of a new zoonotic disease is particularly important. Such investigation may be described in terms of a discovery-to-control continuum: from recognition of a new disease in a new setting to complex phases involving the hard science disciplines pertaining to discovery, the epidemiologic sciences pertaining to risk assessment, and activities pertaining to risk management. Today, many activities involving zoonotic disease control are at risk because of a failed investigative infrastructure or financial base. Because zoonotic diseases are distinct, their prevention and control will require unique strategies, based more on fundamental research than on traditional approaches. Such strategies require that we rebuild a cadre of career-committed professionals with a holistic appreciation of several medical and biologic sciences.

Experiments with Glow-in-the-Dark Toys: Kinetics of Doped ZnS Phosphorescence

Many semiconductors exhibit the property of phosphorescence, the phenomenon whereby a material excited by visible or ultraviolet radiation glows (i.e., emits visible light) for a substantial time after the excitation source has been removed. One phosphorescent semiconductor commonly used in glow-in-the dark toys and emergency signs is copper-doped zinc sulfide (ZnS:Cu), a material that produces a yellow-green glow. The study of this light emission is a suitable introduction to kinetics and to semiconductors. Intensity data were recorded for a Glow-Yo yo-yo, an Amazing Glow Ball, Hanovia P-1000 pigment, and Glo-Vinyl Tape by spectrofluorophotometer and also by using a CdS photocell and ohmmeter. The emission of the ZnS semiconductor is not across the band gap, but involves interband traps associated with the Cu doping material. The phosphorescence decay of ZnS:Cu fits a second order equation, consistent with recombination of relatively equal populations of holes and electrons (n ~ p). Arrhenius data show the delocalized electrons in the conduction band must overcome asmall but measurable activation energy of about 15 kJ/mol to fall back to the localized copper-site holes for the recombination that produces phosphorescence.

Emergent signs of cancer

Primary care physicians have a crucial role in recognition of potentially emergent conditions in patients with known or suspected cancer. This task presents a significant challenge because the initial manifestations of these conditions are usually nonspecific. In most cases, therapy is far more effective when diagnosis is made at the earliest possible point. Thus, physicians should become familiar with conditions commonly seen in cancer patients, such as superior vena cava syndrome, malignant pericardial effusion, spinal-epidural metastasis, and altered mentation from brain metastases, metabolic encephalopathy, or hypoglycemia.

Controlled comparison of two doses of milnacipran (F 2207) and amitriptyline in major depressive inpatients

A multicenter study compared the antidepressant efficacy and the tolerance of two doses of milnacipran (50 mg and 100 mg/day) and amitriptyline (150 mg/day) in three parallel groups of 45 major depressive inpatients defined by Research Diagnostic Criteria. After a wash-out period of 4-7 days on placebo with lorazepam and/or nitrazepam if necessary, patients were randomly assigned to a daily dose of milnacipran 50 mg, milnacipran 100 mg or amitriptyline 150 mg reached on the 5th day and then stable over a 4-week period, with weekly assessments by means of the Montgomery and Asberg depression scale, the Hamilton depression scale, the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) and the Target Emergent Signs and Symptoms. Results showed significant superiority of both milnacipran 100 mg/day and amitriptyline over milnacipran 50 mg/day at the end of the treatment period. However, amitriptyline induced a nonsignificant trend toward more rapid improvement after 2 weeks of treatment, mainly based on items related to insomnia, supporting more sedative properties of amitriptyline as compared to milnacipran. Anticholinergic side-effects were significantly lower with milnacipran than with amitriptyline, explaining why milnacipran 100 mg exhibited at the end of the treatment period, a nonsignificantly better efficacy index on the CGI. Moreover, in contrast to milnacipran, amitriptyline was responsible for a significant decrease in blood pressure and a significant weight gain.

Movement under emergency lighting: Comparison between standard provisions and photoluminescent markings

Photoluminescent markings are currently finding application in emergency and safety signs. The material glows in the dark (if previously excited) and is therefore particularly useful at times of power failure, especially since its temporal luminance decay is matched approximately by dark adaptation of the human eye. Comparability was found between speeds of movement under the minimum BS5266 emergency illuminance and with photoluminescent markings alone. Questionnaire scores from subjects indicated that the latter is at least as acceptable on escape routes and is often preferred. Data are given on the photometric properties of such markings and interim design guidance is offered for their use as potential alternative or supplementary provision to the traditional emergency lighting approach.

避難口誘導灯の誘目性

避難口誘導灯の誘目性

Current concepts in treatment of hypertensive urgencies

The correlation between hypertension and endorgan damage (heart, kidney, brain, etc.) is now well recognized, although there is no definite systolic or diastolic level of blood pressure that by itself can be used to distinguish between a hypertensive emergency and an urgency in individual patients. Some patients seemingly tolerate very high blood pressure for years without symptoms, whereas less fortunate patients experience catastrophic end-organ damage at lower blood pressures. Symptoms and signs of hypertensive emergency and urgency are nonspecific and tend to blend together. The distinction usually depends upon the clinical assessment of the degree and rate of rise of blood pressure and the presence of potential for end-organ damage or loss of life over time (hours to days vs days to weeks) (Table I).

Resolution and assignment of the configuration of secondary aliphatic alcohols by gas chromatography on chiral phase

The study of the resolution of sixteen secondary aliphatic alcohols by gas chromatography on (+)-dodecyl (2R, 3R)-tartrate, trapping the ascending part of the peak from a conventional filled column, has allowed the determination in a single operation of the sign and order of emergence of enantiomers. A correlation between the configuration of these secondary alcohols and their order of emergence has been established.

情報環境に関する研究 : 第 4 報サインの冗長さの定量化

Signs around underground paths, etc. are generally designed and located in overabundance, so especially the emergency signs such as "EMERGENCY EXIT" are in excess. Nevertheless there are few answers for this kind of problem from the architectural planning point of of view. In the previous report, through the indoor experiment, basic visual reactions were investigated and several basic results were reported. In this paper, based on these results, the measures for estimating sign planning in the architectural scenes are going to be introduced by investigating the trend of visual searching of signs. So the experiments for visual searching of signs were carried out in the actural underground environment where many variable factors such as spacial volume, several human behaviors, noise, etc., exist. First of all visual processing time was investigated which is one of the measures representing human behavior which is only possible by obtaining many kinds of visual information, and so physical factors explaining visual processing time were picked up and analysed. They are the sign's subtended angle, angle between horizontal line of sight to the center of environmental scene and they are acceptable physical factors for the singular target. With these factors the model of processing time for a singular target was introduced. Then the plural targets were analysed. In the plural target's case, there are plural signs to be searched, so each sign has each processing time calculated by the model of singular target, and processing time for plural targets takes a minimum amount of processing time calculated for each target. So mean of processing time can be determined by using combined graphs based on the model of processing time of singular target. That is, mean of processing time is the area whithin the line which takes a minimum of processing time for each sign. The combined graph is quite useful for simple judgement of the effectiveness of sign positioning. Also by investigating the relation between mean of processing time and the subtended angle which differs according to the numbers of signs and the sign positioning, redundancy of signs around one specific point can be known. As a result of this analysis, processing time was found not necassarilly to be shortened even if the numbers of signs were in excess.

Place of computed tomography in pancreatic disease. Comparison with other radiological methods

Specific and non-specific signs of chronic pancreatitis, pseudocyst, pancreatic tumor and pancreatic emergencies are analysed in a series of 100 cases of surgically controlled pancreatic disease studied with CT. The CT results are compared with those obtained with other radiological methods (plain film of the abdomen; upper G.I. tract examination; cholangiography; ERCP; angiography), in order to define the role of CT in the diagnostic protocol of pancreatic disease.

Ganymede: A Bit of Everything

Ganymede: A Bit of Everything

Acute Labyrinthine Disorders

A patient seeking emergency treatment for a labyrinthine disorder is usually complaining of dizziness. The task at hand in the emergency room is, first, to rule out the truly life threatening emergent disorders, and then by means of a rapid but adequate history and physical examination to aid in the differentiation between central and peripheral etiologies. If the problem is central, and especially if there are signs of a true emergency, there should be no hesitation in sharing the responsibility for the care of this patient with a neurologist or neurosurgeon. If one is convinced that the problem is of a peripheral etiology, one most likely is dealing with Meniere's disease, vestibular neuronitis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or true labyrinthitis. An acoustic tumor must always be considered. Appropriate laboratory and x-ray studies may be initiated and therapy begun. Although the emergency room evaluation can be inclusive and accurate, it is necessarily incomplete. There is no substitute for a more thorough history and physical examination under more relaxed conditions, complete audiometry, electronystagmography, polytomography, myelography, angiography, or whatever additional sophisticated studies are deemed necessary. If performed well, however, the emergency room encounter forms an invaluable foundation upon which further diagnostic and treatment decisions are based.

Germination Behaviour and Metabolism of Rice Seeds under Water-logged Condition

Summary In air-grown intact rice seedlings, piercing of the coleoptiles and emergence of the second leaves took place after 3 days germination. In completely submerged condition kept for several days, seedling growth never proceeded beyond coleoptile stage and there was no sign of emergence of the second leaf. The optimum temperature for coleoptile growth with or without GA 3 was 30°C. GA 3 promoted coleoptile growth, whereas kinetin produced inhibitory effect. Respiration rate was much higher in air-grown seedlings than the water-grown coleoptiles of the same age. TIBA was not effective at all in breaking dormancy of second leaf. Treatments with H 2 O 2 or exposure to white light were effective means for release of suppression of second leaf indicating that lack of sufficient oxygen in water environment was the major cause of dormancy of second leaf. Activity of hydrolases was greatly reduced in submerged condition which was stimulated to a variable degree by GA 3 , while kinetin effect was inhibitory. Catalase and peroxidase of water-grown coleoptiles were also maintained at much lower level than air-grown seedlings. Catalase was promoted but peroxidase inhibited by GA 3 .

Free verse (al-shi'r al-ḥurr) in modern Arabic literature: Abū Shādī and his school, 1926–46

The beginning of the twentieth century marked a new and revolutionary stage in the history of Arabic poetry. Through the increasing influence of Western literature, some new genres which show only preliminary signs of emergence in the nineteenth century found official recognition, as in the case of the strophic verse, or experimenting with them was resumed, as in the case of the blank verse (shi'r mursal), which was first practisd by Rizq Allāh Ḥassūn in 1869 and which was revived in 1905, probably unconsciously, by Jamīl Ṣidqī al-Zahāwī (1863–1936), under the name of shi'r mursal.

Scopolamine-Methadon-Demerol Treatment of Emergency Status Asthmaticus

There is perhaps no condition that better tests the therapeutic skill of the physician than chronic bronchial asthma. Yet sometimes, despite most skillful handling or through deficient cooperation on the part of the patient or even because of extraordinary circumstances, the apparent end of the road is an extreme status asthmaticus. The sight and the actuality are most alarming. The dusky plethoric or gray cyanosis of face and mucous membranes, the stridor of extreme air hunger, the weak rapid pulse are signs of emergency and may be prelude to death. To combat this emergent abnormal state a number of therapeutic maneuvers have been recommended. Without entering into debate on the relative merits of the various therapeutic agents or their sequential recommended use we would like to detail a typical case history and outline a successful method of use of a combination of scopolamine with methadon given intravenously. We have not observed any mention in the literature of the use of these agents in this manner for this purpose. In other and more numerous cases meperidine (Demerol#{174}) with equal benefit was used in place of methadon in the combination.