Years In Western Research Articles

Incidence, and factors associated with moderate/severe pediatric traumatic brain injury in children aged 5–15 years in western, Mexico

ObjectiveThe study objectives were to estimate the standardized incidence and evaluate factors associated with moderate/severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (p-TBI) in children aged 5–15 years in Western, Mexico. MethodsThe study was cross-sectional in design. We estimated the standardized incidence of moderate/severe p-TBI using the direct methods of the World Health Organization (WHO) standard populations. We utilized the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to identify moderate/severe p-TBI patients (GCS ≤ 13). Logistic regression analysis was applied to evaluate variables associated with moderate/severe p-TBI. ResultsThe standardized incidence of patients diagnosed with moderate/severe p-TBI was 31.0/100,000 person-years (95 % CI 28.7–33.4). According to age, the moderate/severe TBI group was included. A total of 254 (38.5 %) patients were aged 5–9 years, 343 (52.0 %) were aged 10–14 years, and 62 (9.5 %) were aged 15 years. Factors associated with moderate/severe TBI in the crude analysis were male sex (OR 5.50, 95 % CI 4.16–7.39, p < 0.001), primary school (OR 2.15, 95 % CI 1.62–2.84, p < 0.001), and falls (OR 1.34, 95 % CI 1.02–1.77, p = 0.035). Factors associated with moderate/severe p-TBI in the adjusted analysis were male sex (OR 6.12, 95 % CI 4.53–8.29, p < 0.001), primary school (OR 3.25, 95 % CI 2.31–4.55, p < 0.001), and falls (OR 1.78, 95 % CI 1.28–2.47, p < 0.001). ConclusionThe incidence of moderate/severe p-TBI in children aged 5–15 years in western Mexico in this study was higher than that in other studies. One of the biggest factors associated with moderate/severe p-TBI was male sex, specifically those with lower education levels and those who were prone to falls.

Effect of HIV stigma on depressive symptoms, treatment adherence, and viral suppression among youth with HIV.

We estimated the effects of HIV stigma on mental health and treatment outcomes for youth with HIV (YWH). Secondary analysis of data for YWH ages 15-24 years in Western Kenya. Participants completed a longitudinal survey (baseline, months 6 and 12) assessing socio-demographics, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), and HIV stigma (10-item Wright scale). First viral load (VL) after enrollment was abstracted from records. We estimated risk of depressive symptoms (score > 4), nonadherence (missing ≥2 days of ART in a month), and detectable VL (≥50 copies/ml) for each standard deviation (SD) increase in HIV stigma score, adjusted for age and sex (and regimen in VL model). The generalizing estimating equation models included measures for the three visits. Median age for the 1011 YWH was 18 years. At baseline, frequency of nonadherence, depressive symptoms and detectable VL was 21%, 21%, and 46%, respectively. Mean stigma score was 25 (SD = 7.0). Each SD stigma score increment was associated with higher risk of depressive symptoms {adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.31 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20-1.44]}, nonadherence [aRR 1.16 (CI: 1.05-1.27)] and detectable VL [aRR 1.20 (CI: 1.08-1.32)]. Experienced and anticipated stigma were associated with detectable VL [aRR 1.16 (CI: 1.10-1.22) and aRR 1.23 (CI: 1.12-1.35), respectively]. Internalized and perceived community stigma were associated with depressive symptoms [aRR 1.31 (CI: 1.21-1.40) and aRR 1.24 (CI: 1.13-1.36), respectively]. Stigma was associated with depressive symptoms, nonadherence and detectable VL. Interventions to decrease stigma may improve virologic and mental health outcomes in YWH.

Prognostic signature construction of energy metabolism-related genes in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is the 7th leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and its incidence and mortality rate have been on the rise in recent years in Western developed countries. The specificity of the disease and the lack of appropriate treatments have resulted in a 5-year overall survival rate of only 9%. In this study, we conducted a study based on the TCGA database and GEO database and analyzed using the energy metabolism gene set to establish a prognostic model with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator to identify 7-genes prognostic signature, and the gene expression was verified by Real-time PCR. The model was validated using a risk score calculation, and the OS rates of the 7 genes were analyzed using one-way Cox regression. The prognostic relationship between vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) and pancreatic cancer patients was analyzed by OS and progression-free survival, and the prognosis was found to be significantly worse in the high-expression group. A Nomogram showed that VAMP2 was an independent prognostic factor in pancreatic cancer. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that VAMP2 upregulation was enriched in pathways associated with immune response and that VAMP2 downregulation was enriched in metabolism-related pathways. The association of VAMP2 with immune cell infiltration was analyzed for the enrichment results, and VAMP2 was found to be positively associated with all 6 immune cells. The results of this study suggest that VAMP2 is an independent prognostic factor associated with energy metabolism in pancreatic cancer and may be involved in the immune response.

Anaemia prevalence and its associated factors in children under 5 years in Western China: a systematic review

BackgroundIron-deficiency anaemia disproportionately affects children in low-income and middle-income areas; Western China is a prime example. Given the health risks associated with childhood anaemia and the large heterogeneity of published...

William James, Radical Empiricism, and the Affective Ground of Religious Life

William James, Radical Empiricism, and the Affective Ground of Religious Life

Infant and young child feeding practices and its associated factors among mothers of under two years children in a western hilly region of Nepal.

Infant and young child feeding is a key area to improve child survival and promote healthy growth and development. Nepal government has developed and implemented different programs to improve infant and young child feeding practice. However, the practice remains poor and is a major cause of malnutrition in Nepal. This study aims to identify infant and young child feeding practices and its associated factors among mothers of children aged less than two years in western hilly region of Nepal. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 360 mothers of under two years' children in Syangja district. A semi structural questionnaire was used. Data was entered in EpiData and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics were used to report the feeding practices and other independent variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model was used to establish the factors associated with infant and young child feeding practices. The prevalence of breastfeeding, timely initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, timely initiation of complementary feeding, minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) were 95.6%, 69.2%, 47.6%, 53.3%, 61.5%, 67.3% and 49.9% respectively. Normal delivery (AOR 6.1, 95% CI 1.2-31.3) and higher maternal autonomy (AOR 5.2, 95% CI 1.8-14.6) were significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Similarly, crop production and food security (AOR 3.8, 95% CI 1.9-7.7), maternal knowledge on MAD (AOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.0-6.2) and maternal autonomy (AOR 4.2, 95% CI 2.1-8.4) were significantly associated with minimum acceptable diet. Factors such as maternal education, maternal health services utilization, maternal knowledge, and maternal autonomy were associated with infant and young child feeding practices, which warrants further attention to these factors to reduce malnutrition.

Logica modernorum

Abstract Logica modernorum. A critical note on Habermas’s portrait of medieval philosophy In his monumental history of philosophy, the eminent scholar Jürgen Habermas has managed to provide us with a thorough and very nuanced overview of thousands of years of western thought. The famous philosopher paints an impressive picture of the vicissitudes of the modernisation processes featuring in the history of western philosophy. The Leitmotiv of Habermas’s narrative is the way in which throughout history philosophy dealt with the question concerning the relationship between faith and reason. When it comes to the Middle Ages, it is not surprising that Habermas should focus on the opposition between Thomas Aquinas and William of Ockham. However, by confining himself to the concepts of fides and ratio, he completely overlooks thirteenth-century developments in the domain of logic. To take note of these developments is fundamental to understand the process of modernisation in philosophy. The aim of this paper is to fill in the gap, by concentrating on thirteenth-century discussions of necessity and (logical) consequences.

Lifespans of passenger cars in Europe: empirical modelling of fleet turnover dynamics

Cars have a high share of global transport-related CO2 emissions. To model the market diffusion of new energy carriers and powertrains like electric vehicles, fleet turnover models are commonly used. A decisive influence factor for the substitution dynamics of such transformations is the survival rate of the national car fleet of a country. It represents the likelihood of a car reaching a certain lifespan. Due to a lack of data, current methods to estimate such survival probabilities neglect the imports and exports of used cars. Existing studies are limited to countries with a predominant market of new cars, compared to low numbers of imported and exported used cars. In this study, we resolve this marked simplification and propose a new method to estimate survival probabilities for countries with a high number of imported and exported used cars. Empirical data on the car stock, on inflows of new and used cars, and on outflows of exported and scrapped cars are gathered from 71 national statistics offices. Survival rates of the car fleets of 31 European countries are derived, for which we find a pronounced regional variability. Average lifespans of cars vary from 8.0 to 35.1 years, with a mean of 18.1 years in Western and 28.4 years in Eastern European countries, revealing the high impact of cross-border flows of cars. The study also shows that survival rate estimates can be improved significantly even in the absence of reliable data if a combination of a Weibull and a Gaussian distribution is used. It is likely that the predictive power of existing models (regarding the future environmental impact of car fleets) could be improved significantly if these findings were considered accordingly. The findings of this study can directly be included in fleet turnover and policy assessment models. They also enable the analysis of economic and environmental spillover effects from the imports and exports of used cars between countries.

Cross-national comparison of sex differences in ADL and IADL in Europe: findings from SHARE.

Women experience greater longevity than men, but have poorer health, although sex differences vary across health measures and geographical regions. We aim to examine sex differences in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) over age across European regions in a cross-sectional setting including 51,292 men and 62,007 women aged 50+ from a pooled sample of waves 1 (2004-2005) to 6 (2015) in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. ADL and IADL were dichotomised into no limitations and at least one limitation. Binomial regression models were used to estimate absolute and relative sex differences. Women had higher risk than men of ADL limitations (RR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.16; 1.27) and IADL limitations (RR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.48; 1.60), corresponding to risk differences of 1.3% and 5.7%, respectively. When we stratified by age groups and regions, sex differences in ADL were found in all age groups in Southern Europe, in the age groups 65-79years and 80+ years in Western and Eastern Europe, and from the age of 80 in Northern Europe. For IADL, sex differences were found in all age groups in the four European regions, except from ages 50-64 in Eastern Europe. The absolute sex differences increased with age in all European regions. In conclusion, our results lend support for the male-female health survival paradox by showing that European women have higher risk of ADL and IADL limitations than European men and that sex differences increase with advancing age.

Impact of a Comprehensive Adolescent-Focused Case Finding Intervention on Uptake of HIV Testing and Linkage to Care Among Adolescents in Western Kenya.

Background:Low HIV testing uptake prevents identification of adolescents living with HIV and linkage to care and treatment. We implemented an innovative service package at health care facilities to improve HIV testing uptake and linkage to care among adolescents aged 10–19 years in Western Kenya.Methods:This quasi-experimental study used preintervention and postintervention data at 139 health care facilities (hospitals, health centers, and dispensaries). The package included health worker capacity building, program performance monitoring tools, adolescent-focused HIV risk screening tool, and adolescent-friendly hours.The study population was divided into early (10–14 years) and late (15–19 years) age cohorts. Implementation began in July 2016, with preintervention data collected during January–March 2016 and postintervention data collected during January–March 2017. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the numbers of adolescents tested for HIV, testing HIV-positive, and linked to care services. Preintervention and postintervention demographic and testing data were compared using the Poisson mean test. χ2 testing was used to compare the linkage to care rates.Results:During the preintervention period, 25,520 adolescents were tested, 198 testing HIV-positive (0.8%) compared with 77,644 adolescents tested with 534 testing HIV-positive (0.7%) during the postintervention period (both P-values <0.001). The proportion of HIV-positive adolescents linked to care increased from 61.6% to 94.0% (P < 0.001). The increase in linkage to care was observed among both age cohorts and within each facility type (both P-values <0.001).Conclusions:The adolescent-focused case finding intervention package led to a significant increase in both HIV testing uptake and linkage to care services among adolescents in Western Kenya.

How do tree stand parameters affect young Scots pine biomass? – Allometric equations and biomass conversion and expansion factors

Abstract Due to the impact of climate change and rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, assessment of forest carbon pools becomes a crucial task for forest ecology. One of the scientific gaps in this task is the assessment of young tree stands, not included in forest inventories, due to lack of merchantable volume. We aimed to provide a comprehensive set of allometric equations (AEs) and biomass conversion and expansion factors (BCEFs) for young Scots pine tree stands and to develop models of tree stand biomass based on stand features easy-measurable by remote sensing: height and density. We used data collected in 77 tree stands of Scots pine ranging in age from 3 to 20 years in Western and Central Poland, covering forest, post-agricultural and post-industrial sites. Our dataset included 423 sample trees. Our study resulted in collection of 256 site-specific AEs, 12 generalized AEs and equations allowing for dynamic BCEF calculation. Due to lack of BCEF applicability for young trees, we also provided age- and height-dependent functions allowing for precise biomass estimation at the tree-stand level. It was found that tree-stand biomass increased with tree-stand age, height and volume, and decreased with increasing density in the chronosequence. BCEFs decreased with tree-stand age, height and volume and increased with increasing density. Using these relationships we provided stand-level equations based on BCEFs and on tree height – the stand characteristic which is easily obtained from airborne data. These two models did not show a big difference in accuracy. Thus, height-based models are expected to be useful for extensive assessments of young tree stand biomass and carbon sequestration, allowing for better estimation of forest carbon pools. Moreover, our models, in comparison with IPCC guidelines, give more precise values of carbon pools and biomass of young Scots pine tree stands.

Individual-level protective factors for sexual health outcomes among sexual minority youth: a systematic review of the literature.

Although factors associated with negative sexual health outcomes among sexual minority youth (SMY) have been well documented, protective factors have been less studied. This review summarises the current state of science on individual-level protective factors for SMY and identifies gaps to inform future research. A systematic search of non-intervention, empirical peer-reviewed research was conducted. Articles that examined an a priori-identified individual-level protective factor and at least one sexual health outcome in a sample or subsample of SMY aged 10-24 years in Western, industrialised countries were eligible for inclusion. A total of 21 articles that reported data from 13 unique studies met inclusion criteria. Only two studies described findings for young sexual minority women and thus the literature synthesis was limited to studies reporting on young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in the USA. A total of 11 individual-level protective factors were examined. Subjective peer norms and attitudes about condom use were repeatedly protective in cross-sectional analyses. Findings related to self-efficacy, self-esteem and clear and positive identity were more mixed. The findings of this review suggest that attitudes and subjective peer norms related to condom use are promising intervention targets for YMSM. There is a need, however, for longitudinal research to confirm these protective effects and to consider them among other SMY. Moreover, protective factors related to skills and competencies have been insufficiently studied among SMY. Addressing these gaps will help develop a robust body of evidence to inform interventions.

Clinical Characteristics of Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia: A 15-Year Hospital-Based Study.

To analyze the clinical profile of invasive mole (IM) and choriocarcinoma (CCA) in the past 15 years in Western China. A retrospective study was performed on 221 patients with IM and 70 patients with CCA treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from 1994 to 2009. Patients were assigned into 3 groups by 5 years, and the clinical characteristics were compared among these groups. The incidence was not significantly changed in the past 15 years, whereas the mean age of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) was increased significantly, especially for the patients 40 years or older. The symptoms of the patients with GTN did not show significant variation, but the number of patients with CCA without clinical symptoms was increased significantly. The mean values of beta human chorionic gonadotropin in the patients with IM and those with CCA were 459.43 and 661.70 mIu/L, respectively, and the size of uterine lesion was concentrated at 4 cm or less in both the patients with IM and those with CCA, without significant differences. In the past 15 years, the incidence of GTN was still higher than in other countries from 1994 to 2009, and the mean age of patients with GTN was increased significantly, especially for the patients older than 40 years. Furthermore, patients with no clinical manifestations increased significantly, which should be paid more attention in the future works. Serum level of beta human chorionic gonadotropin and pelvic ultrasonography are still 2 important indexes for diagnosing and monitoring condition of GTN.

Dietary intake, leisure time activities and obesity among adolescents in Western Sweden: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundOverweight and obesity among adolescents are increasing worldwide. Risk factors include dietary intake characteristics and high levels of physical inactivity. In Sweden, few large comprehensive population-based surveys of dietary intake and lifestyle among adolescents have been carried out. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to describe dietary intake and food choices as well as leisure time activities in relation to overweight and obesity in a total sample of all schoolchildren aged 15 years in Western Sweden.MethodsIn 2008, a questionnaire was sent to all 21,651 adolescents born in 1992 in Västra Götaland Region, Sweden. Participation rate was 54.3 % (50.7 % girls/49.3 % boys). The questionnaire included a 73-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and questions on lifestyle. Results were evaluated against the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations and Swedish indicators of healthy diet and exercise habits. Associations with concurrent overweight and obesity were evaluated in multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsAmong girls, 49.5 % reached the goal of consuming fruit and vegetables at least daily, whereas for boys the figure was 34.4 %. Among both sexes, 15 % reached the goal of consuming fish at least twice weekly. Two-thirds of both sexes reached the goal of regular moderate or vigorous physical activity weekly. In total, 12.4 % were overweight and 2.4 % were obese. More girls than boys were underweight, whereas more boys than girls were overweight or obese (p < 0.001). Boys exhibited a more frequent intake of sodas and concentrated fruit juices, milk 3 % fat, bread and potatoes and fast food (p < 0.001). Frequent intake of candies and chocolate was reported by both sexes. Among girls and boys, living in rural areas, living in apartments and reporting no frequent leisure time physical activity were significant risk factors for being overweight or obese, also when adjusted for other risk factors.ConclusionsDietary habits of adolescents in Western Sweden warrant improvements. Public health actions should be taken to increase consumption of fruit, vegetables and fish, and decrease consumption of sodas and candies and also to increase frequency of physical activity. These actions may be helpful in reducing risks for overweight and obesity.

Correlation Between the Stature and Cranial Measurements in Population of North India

Introduction: Height has been one of the impressive factors for personal identification of individuals since long ago & has always been of immense interest to anthropologists & for medico-legal purposes in Forensic Medicine. Methods: The present study was conducted on 800 Students (400 male & 400 female) medical students of cosmopolitan origin, ranging from age group of 17 – 25 years of Western U.P. The measurements were taken at fixed time between 2 to 5 p.m. to eliminate the discrepancies due to diurnal variation. Results: Gender differences with respect to the mean cranial length, cranial breadths were found to be significantly larger in males compared to females. Correlation coefficient between the stature and measured cranial dimensions were found to be statistically significant and positive in both males and females. Independent linear regression analyses for predicting the stature using the head length and head breadth in both genders were: Male - Stature = 109.97+3.18 x hl; Stature = 107.64+4.19 x hb Female - Stature = 121.54+2.03 x hl; Stature = 114.88+2.58 x hb. For height & cranial dimensions measurements, all three estimates yielded a very high degree of precision (TEM < 0.5 cm, rTEM < 0.84%, and R ≥ 0.98). These results suggest that both height and cranial dimensions a are sufficiently precise for anthropometric research applications. Conclusion: If one of the parameter is known the other can be known by applying the regression equations and this is of paramount importance to the forensic and anthropology sciences.

Educación y pedagogía en el contexto del paradigma emergente: una nueva forma de pensar y percibir el mundo para la formación de ciudadanía

The document below is proposed, intended to generate some thoughts, (as has been done the last 50 years in Western thought) about education, teaching and research, in the context of social practices contribute to the understanding of complex world in which intervenes civic culture, characterized by the convergence of different elements and multiple interactions in which the dynamism is its greatest feature, allowing the instruments relegation guiding the development of emerging and complex educational guidelines. The problem is formulated here, and so is made a priori, is the lack or absence of a mechanism that achieves attack pedagogical shortcomings of civic culture in regard to the social, and the existence of diversity social, and asking questions that guide reflection what are the characteristics of a pedagogy within education and research complex, allowing the formation of people with democratic qualities and citizenship skills.

Homicide-Suicide Cases in Switzerland and Their Impact on the Swiss Weapon Law

Homicide followed by the suicide of the offender is a well-known phenomenon. In most cases, it takes place in the context of the so-called "family tragedies." A recent series of such family tragedies in Switzerland prompted an intensive debate in the media and the Swiss government concerning the Swiss Weapon Law, in particular the requirement to keep personal army weapons at home. The present study of Homicide-Suicide cases in Switzerland, thus focuses on the role played by guns, especially military weapons, in such crimes. We investigated retrospectively 75 cases of Homicide-Suicide, comprising 172 individuals and spanning a period of 23 years in western and central Switzerland. Our results show that if guns were used in 76% of the cases, army weapons were the cause of death in 25% of the total. In 28% of the deaths caused by a gunshot, the exact type of the gun and its origin could not be determined. Thus, the majority of Homicide-Suicide cases in Switzerland involve the use of guns. The exact percentage of cases were military weapons were involved could not be defined. In our opinion, a stricter weapons law, restricting access to firearms, would be a factor of prevention of Homicide- Suicide cases in Switzerland.

Collection and storage of medicinal plants in The Canon of Medicine

The Canon of Medicine was the reference of medical sciences for many years in western and eastern countries. The second book of this medical encyclopedia is on pharmacology which has a chapter on collection and storage of plant materials. In this work a comparison was done on the Canon of Medicine and modern rules in this area. It seems that Ibn Sina had developed ideas on the condition of plant collection and storage which guaranteed the quality of primary materials. Overall, his rules and modern ones are alike in the most parts.

From torture to fascination: changing Western attitudes to Japanese music

This article documents over 400 years of Western writing about Japanese music, from Jesuit missionaries in the late sixteenth century, through diplomats, traders and travellers in the late nineteenth century, to musicologists and composers in the twentieth. It demonstrates that negative assessments of Japanese music prevailed for much of this long period, giving way to curiosity and respect only in fairly recent decades, and some of the reasons for these negative assessments are explored.

Dispassionate History

American Heview introduction to focus: Europeana, &CAndrew Ervin, Focus Editor Aneon sign in a downtown Philadelphia storefront , not far from where I grew up, summarized thousands of years of Western thought and that single, bright red utterance taught me as much as four years—okay, four and a half—in the salt mines of an undergraduate philosophy department. It said: LOGOS COPIES. For the full effect, I want you to open and close youreyes afew times. See ifyou can make this newsprint blink offand on. There. Thank you. I'm writing this intro in mid-July though am told it will run in the November/December issue, so I'm going to pretend that I watched Monday Night Football last week. I mean, I almost certainly did watch it. Didn't you? And I'm certain that I was astounded and dismayed by the number of insignias and logos on display at every moment. They were unavoidable (except of course for those willing to take the subversive step of switching off the television entirely) and stood in for dozens of corporate entities, many with patriotic names: the American Broadcast Co., the National Football League, Budweiser, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Ford Motor Co. In my future-memory the list seems endless. The corporate logos and, yes, corporate Logos were omnipresent. As a viewer, I was more marketed to than entertained; that made me wonder if most network TV-watching people enjoy being marketed to and if, oh shit, I do too? My fear, as you've no doubt figured out all on your own, is that our logos and our Logos have become indistinguishable, that whoever controls the logos controls the Logos. (And please don't think it amiss ifI use the capital L to represent the Greek Logos as defined so eloquently by James Harkness in the introduction to his translation of Foucault's This Is Nota Pipe (1983): "For the Greeks, Logos connoted both reality and knowledge (hence expressibility) of reality.") We are no longer viewers, only demographics , and the language that binds us together as a culture—our Logos—has become essentially visual in nature. It's an arrangement that both allows and necessitates advertisers and corporate interests to speak to us in a new high-speed visual vernacular in which language as we know it has lost its intellectual currency. Our logos and our Logos have become indistinguishable. In preparing this Focus it was my intention not only to entertain and delight but to remind the viewing masses, the part of which that reads ABR, that by forsaking the written tradition for the corporate -visual we have unwittingly accepted the role of something less than human. Now, I'm going to resist the temptation to turn this essay into yet another requiem for fiction in translation, about how foreign literature in particular has withered in the immense heat of television's blue glow. Yeah, yeah. Instead, let me say a few words about this focus, "Europeana, &c." First off, the cover illustration, Sugar and Spice, is by Regina Allen. Because I don't know where else her bio would go in this issue, I'll tell you that she is a professional artist and college instructor living in Austin, Texas, with her husband and young son. You can see more of her work at www.vingallery.com. Need I remind you that not all visual culture is evil? I didn't think so. For the reviews themselves I tracked down seven of my favorite young fiction writers working today and asked them to share their thoughts on some translated , more or less Eastern European literature. All ofthese contributors have published books that have shaken me in different ways; you'll see the titles in their respective bios, and I'd urge you to read a few of them. Like these reviews, they will take you in different directions and expose new vistas. My hope, finally, was to commission a series ofreviews capable ofbeginning a new conversation, of inspiring you to read not only the books under discussion (or some of them) but also books by those discussing them. One great text begets another. Logos copies. Andrew Ervin is...