The mass‐produced postcard and the photography of emotions

During its heyday, roughly 1890–1940, the mass‐produced European picture‐postcard brought a tremendous variety of scenes, real and fabricated, within the reach of an avid buying public. While many people early in the present century did put together albums of postcards—commonly unused ones—others were able to use these for brief formalized messages to friends and family once the post office had decided to transmit such things. Amateurs and local commercial photographers alike could also make up their own picture‐postcards, to memorialize local scenes or even fleeting emotional states. Yet in the main postcard production was a large industry and a genuine mass medium. At the beginning of the century Germany alone was producing about 9 million cards a month. Examples from several countries are presented here.     

Experimental assessment of proton dose calculation accuracy in inhomogeneous media

PurposeProton therapy with Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) has the potential to improve radiotherapy treatments. Unfortunately, its promises are jeopardized by the sensitivity of the dose distributions to uncertainties, including dose calculation accuracy in inhomogeneous media. Monte Carlo dose engines (MC) are expected to handle heterogeneities better than analytical algorithms like the pencil-beam convolution algorithm (PBA). In this study, an experimental phantom has been devised to maximize the effect of heterogeneities and to quantify the capability of several dose engines (MC and PBA) to handle these.MethodsAn inhomogeneous phantom made of water surrounding a long insert of bone tissue substitute (1 × 10 × 10 cm³) was irradiated with a mono-energetic PBS field (10 × 10 cm²). A 2D ion chamber array (MatriXX, IBA Dosimetry GmbH) lied right behind the bone. The beam energy was such that the expected range of the protons exceeded the detector position in water and did not attain it in bone. The measurement was compared to the following engines: Geant4.9.5, PENH, MCsquare, as well as the MC and PBA algorithms of RayStation (RaySearch Laboratories AB).ResultsFor a γ-index criteria of 2%/2 mm, the passing rates are 93.8% for Geant4.9.5, 97.4% for PENH, 93.4% for MCsquare, 95.9% for RayStation MC, and 44.7% for PBA. The differences in γ-index passing rates between MC and RayStation PBA calculations can exceed 50%.ConclusionThe performance of dose calculation algorithms in highly inhomogeneous media was evaluated in a dedicated experiment. MC dose engines performed overall satisfactorily while large deviations were observed with PBA as expected.     

Papel futuro de la micafungina en el tratamiento de las micosis invasoras por hongos filamentosos

BackgroundMicafungin is a echinocandin. It inhibits β-1,3-D-glucan synthesis, thus achieving fungicidal activity against virtually all Candida spp., including those resistant to fluconazole, and fungistatic activity against Aspergillus spp., as well as several but not all pathogenic molds. Results from in vitro studies, animal models, small clinical trials, hint at possible future indications such as invasive aspergillosis and empirical viantifungal therapy, although currently there is little information published.AimsTo describe published data of micafungin as treatment against invasive mold infections, specially analysing its role in the inmunodepressed host and critical care setting.MethodsA sistematic review of literature using the principal medical search engines was performed. Terms such as micafungin, aspergillosis, zygomycosis, invasive fungal infections, emerging fungal infections, antifungal treatment or therapy, antifungal prophylaxis, empiric or pre-emptive therapy were crossed. Febrile neutropenia patients were excluded.ResultsSeveral studies in these setting were identified and were described in this review. Although there were no blinded randomized clinical trials published, treatment or prophylaxis of invasive aspergillosis and other invasive mould infections with micafungin described in open clinical studies were analyzed.ConclusionsMicafungin could play a future important role as a primary or rescue therapy, alone or in combination, in the treatment or prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections caused by moulds. New randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy.     

Chain Mall in Plains Archeology

Abstract

Beginning in the 1880s, chain mail fragments have been found subsurface at five archeological sites in the Central Plains. All were in association with native Indian materials assignable to the Great Bend aspect and datable to the earliest period of European contacts with Central Plains Village Indian communities in the mid-sixteenth century. Among the several types of mail fabric represented, none is inconsistent with a 16th century Spanish provenience. Possible sources from which these items may have reached the Indians by pillage, theft, or trade are considered.     

Educational differences in smoking: international comparison

ObjectiveTo investigate international variations in smoking associated with educational level.DesignInternational comparison of national health, or similar, surveys.SubjectsMen and women aged 20 to 44 years and 45 to 74 years.Setting12 European countries, around 1990.ResultsIn the 45 to 74 year age group, higher rates of current and ever smoking among lower educated subjects were found in some countries only. Among women this was found in Great Britain, Norway, and Sweden, whereas an opposite pattern, with higher educated women smoking more, was found in southern Europe. Among men a similar north-south pattern was found but it was less noticeable than among women. In the 20 to 44 year age group, educational differences in smoking were generally greater than in the older age group, and smoking rates were higher among lower educated people in most countries. Among younger women, a similar north-south pattern was found as among older women. Among younger men, large educational differences in smoking were found for northern European as well as for southern European countries, except for Portugal.ConclusionsThese international variations in social gradients in smoking, which are likely to be related to differences between countries in their stage of the smoking epidemic, may have contributed to the socioeconomic differences in mortality from ischaemic heart disease being greater in northern European countries. The observed age patterns suggest that socioeconomic differences in diseases related to smoking will increase in the coming decades in many European countries.     

Radiotherapy in small countries

AimTo examine the availability of radiotherapy in small countries.MethodsA small country was defined as a country with a population less than one million persons. The economic status of each country was defined using the World Bank Classification. The number of cancers in each country was obtained from GLOBOCAN 2012. The number of cancer cases with an indication or radiotherapy was calculated using the CCORE model.ResultsThere were 41 countries with a population of under 1 million; 15 were classified as High Income, 15 Upper Middle Income, 10 Lower Middle Income and one Low Income. 28 countries were islands. Populations ranged from 799 (Holy See) to 886450 (Fiji) and the total number of cancer cases occurring in small countries was 21,043 (range by country from 4 to 2476). Overall the total number of radiotherapy cases in small countries was 10982 (range by country from 2 to 1239). Radiotherapy was available in all HIC islands with 80 or more new cases of cancer in 2012 but was not available in any LMIC island. Fiji was the only LMIC island with a large radiotherapy caseload. Similar caseloads in non-island LMIC all had radiotherapy services. Most non-island HIC did not have radiotherapy services presumably because of the easy access to radiotherapy in neighbouring countries.ConclusionThere are no radiotherapy services in any LMIC islands.     

Life cycle assessment of electricity generation: a review of the characteristics of existing literature

Purpose

The environmental impacts of electricity generation are a critical issue towards sustainability and thus an important research topic in several countries. The life cycle assessment methodology has been widely employed to assess electricity generation. However, there are still gaps in research to be explored within this theme. Therefore, this paper aims to conduct a systematic theoretical analysis of the state of the art of the scientific research on LCA of electricity generation systems in the world.

Methods

A critical review of 47 studies was conducted. The study is comprehensive in the analysis of the main aspects of the identified high impact studies as follows: authors, countries, universities, keywords, journals, number of citations, life cycle impact assessment methods, impact categories, software tools, and databases. The Methodi Ordinatio was applied to rank the studies in terms of impact factor and number of citations, pointing out high impact research.

Results and discussion

Wind and solar powers have two of the smallest impact indices in their generation in terms of global warming, compared to other sources. The ecoinvent database was the most used among the studies analyzed, providing data for potential environmental impacts. The most frequently used impact category in the assessments was climate change. The studies are not equally distributed but most of them are concentrated in European countries. In some countries, clean sources seem promising due to their capacity to generate electricity in places with high wind incidence and high capacity for sunlight capture.

Conclusions

The conclusions of this article summarize the characteristics of existing literature and provide suggestions for future work. The results of the study can also be used to promote development actions and foment changes in energy matrices in a global context. The main studies in this area point that in the future, the main sources for electricity generation will be renewable ones, since life cycle assessment of electricity generation systems has been seeking to generate knowledge to support informed decision-making.

     

New perspectives in radiation oncology: Young radiation oncologist point of view and challenges

AimTo assess the role of the young radiation oncologist in the context of important recent advancements in the field of radiation oncology, and to explore new perspectives and competencies of the young radiation oncologist.BackgroundRadiation oncology is a field that has rapidly advanced over the last century. It holds a rich tradition of clinical care and evidence-based practice, and more recently has advanced with revolutionary innovations in technology and computer science, as well as pharmacology and molecular biology.Materials and methodsSeveral young radiation oncologists from different countries evaluated the current status and future directions of radiation oncology.ResultsFor young radiation oncologists, it is important to reflect on the current practice and future directions of the specialty as it relates to the role of the radiation oncologist in the comprehensive management of cancer patients. Radiation oncologists are responsible for the radiation treatment provided to patients and its subsequent impact on patients’ quality of life. Young radiation oncologists must proactively master new clinical, biological and technical information, as well as lead radiation oncology teams consisting of physicists, dosimetrists, nurses and technicians.ConclusionsThe role of the young radiation oncologist in the field of oncology should be proactive in developing new competencies. Above all, it is important to remember that we are dealing with the family members and loved ones of many individuals during the most difficult part of their lives.     

A systematic review of evidence-based practices for clinical education and health care delivery in the clinical teaching unit

Background:The clinical teaching unit is a widespread clinical training model that requires reform to prepare physicians for practice in the 21st century. In this systematic review, we aimed to identify evidence-based practices in internal medicine clinical teaching units that contribute to improved clinical education and health care delivery.Methods:We searched several databases from 1993 until Apr. 5, 2021, to identify published studies in inpatient clinical teaching units that involved medical trainees and reported outcomes related to trainee education or health care delivery. We identified emergent themes using a narrative approach and determined confidence in review findings using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (GRADE-CERQual) methodology.Results:We included 107 studies of internal medicine clinical teaching units, of which 93 (87%) were conducted in North America. Surveys (n = 31, 29%), trials (n = 17, 16%) and narrative studies (n = 15, 14%) were the most prevalent study designs. Practices identified as contributing to improved clinical education or health care delivery included purposeful rounding (high confidence), bedside rounding (moderate confidence), resource stewardship interventions (high confidence), interprofessional rounds (moderate confidence), geographic wards (moderate confidence), allocating more trainee time to patient care or educational activities (moderate confidence), “drip” continuous models of admission (moderate confidence), limiting duty hours (moderate confidence) and limiting clinical workload (moderate confidence).Interpretation:In this review, we identified several evidence-based practices that may contribute to improved educational and health care outcomes in clinical teaching unit settings. These findings may offer guidance for policies, resource allocation and staffing of teaching hospitals.

Medical education in North America is largely based on an educational model that is now more than a century old.¹ To keep pace with changing social, economic and health system circumstances, substantial educational reform is necessary to prepare physicians for practice in the 21st century. Over the past decade, numerous national organizations, including the Association of Faculties of Medicine in Canada and the American Medical Association, have echoed this call to action.^1,2The clinical teaching unit (CTU) provides a joint model of undergraduate and postgraduate clinical education in which trainees contribute to direct patient care, with graded levels of responsibility reflective of their level of training.³ The CTU describes an approach to delivering learner education and patient care in parallel, and since its inception in Canada in 1962, this model of care has become almost ubiquitous across clinical specialties in many countries. Although the use of CTUs is a common approach to organizing an inpatient teaching service, the implementation of CTUs is highly variable with regard to elements such as the number of learners and patients, and regionalization to specific hospital wards. Moreover, a systematic evaluation of practices that maximize the CTU’s effectiveness has not been conducted, meaning evidence to inform CTU design is lacking.The purpose of this systematic review was to identify practices in internal medicine CTUs that contribute to improved clinical education for resident physicians and medical students, as well as to health care delivery.     

The integration of long-term marginal electricity supply mixes in the ecoinvent consequential database version 3.4 and examination of modeling choices

Purpose

The long-term marginal electricity supply mixes of 40 countries were generated and integrated into version 3.4 of the ecoinvent consequential database. The total electricity production originating from these countries accounts for 77% of the current global electricity generation. The goal of this article is to provide an overview of the methodology used to calculate the marginal mixes and to evaluate the influence of key parameters and methodological choices on the results.

Methods

The marginal mixes are based on public energy projections from national and international authorities and reflect the accumulated effect of changes in demand for electricity on the installation and operation of new-generation capacities. These newly generated marginal mixes are first examined in terms of their compositions and environmental impacts. They are then compared to several sets of alternative electricity supply mixes calculated using different methodological choices or data sources.

Results and discussion

Renewable energy sources (RES) as well as natural gas power plants show the highest growth rates and usually dominate the marginal mixes. Nevertheless, important variations may exist between the marginal mixes of the different countries in terms of their technological compositions and environmental impacts. The examination of the modeling choices reveals substantial variations between the marginal mixes integrated into the ecoinvent consequential database version 3.4 and marginal mixes generated using alternative modeling options. These different modeling possibilities include changes in the methodology, temporal parameters, and the underlying energy scenarios. Furthermore, in most of the impact categories, average (i.e., attributional) mixes cause higher impact scores than marginal mixes due to higher shares of RES in marginal mixes.

Conclusions

Accurate and consistent data for electricity supply is integrated into a consequential database providing a strong basis for the development of consequential Life Cycle Assessments. The methodology adopted in this version of the database eliminates several shortcomings from the previous approach which led to unrealistic marginal mixes in several countries. The use of energy scenarios allows the evolution of the electricity system to be considered within the definition of the marginal mixes. The modeling choices behind the electricity marginal mix should be adjusted to the goal and scope of individual studies and their influence on the results evaluated.

     

In search of self‐reliance: Problems of marine technology transfer to the developing countries: The case of West Africa

Abstract

This study presents some of the main features of the marine technology transfer process and identifies the key factors determining the particular transfer arrangements available for developing countries of West Africa under different circumstances. Emphasis is made on the fisheries sector because of its economic importance in that region. It examines the principal characteristics of suppliers and recipients of fisheries technology and their prevailing attitudes with regard to transfers. It draws on empirical research covering several international cooperative fisheries arrangements in Mauritania, Guinea‐Bissau, and Guinea‐Conakry that have high potential to function as a technology transfer mechanism from developed to developing coastal countries.     

Macroanalytic study of development and fertility: Consideration of transition models

Abstract

Macroanalytic studies of the relationship of fertility and development have been applied in the past based mostly on cross‐sectional aggregate data from various countries. Because these countries belong to different models of the epidemiologic transition, variation in the dynamic relationship among these models should be allowed for. In this paper, various techniques (including linear and quadratic regression, a minimum‐maximum method of plotting the relationship, a special approach of stepwise regression) were applied to a data set from 85 countries. The crude birth rate was used as the dependent variable with several demographic, economic, social health, and family planning indicators as independent variables, measures over the period 1950–75. The results confirm the existence of submodels of countries with varying relationships between fertility and its correlates. The results disallow direct transferability of the experience of one group of countries (such as Europe) to another group belonging to another model (such as the less developed countries). The study also found the strength of the family planning effort to be a significant factor and one to be singled out as a major contributor in the fertility decline between 1965–75 in the developing countries. Its effect, however, stands to be enhanced in various degrees by concurrent social and economic development.     

The past and future of farmland birds in Hungary

Capsule Populations of birds on farmland are larger and more stable in Hungary than in the UK and may provide baseline targets when planning population restoration programmes in more intensively farmed regions of Europe.

Aims To review the available evidence on farmland bird populations and their changes over the past century in Hungary, and to compare this with similar data for the UK.

Methods Published papers and grey literature were searched to determine long-term bird population trends for birds on farmland in Hungary, and for research evidence on the relationship between farmland management and bird diversity in Hungary.

Results Population density of common farmland birds is higher and trends are more positive in Hungary compared to the UK. These findings correlate with the recent change to generally less intensive agriculture in Hungary. However, while the birdlife associated with farmland in Hungary can be considered to have high diversity and density, it is still lower than it was in the first half of the 20th century and earlier. The few studies available showed that low-intensity traditional management promotes a rich biodiversity in both grasslands and arable systems in Hungary. Agri-environment schemes were introduced when Hungary joined the EU in 2004; however, their influence on biodiversity has not been systematically monitored.

Conclusions Insights emerging from farmland bird research in those European countries which still practice extensive agricultural techniques could be used to set general baseline targets for restoring biodiversity in regions where farmlands are now intensively managed. At the European scale urgent tasks are to: (1) investigate the relationships between management and bird diversity and density on a much wider geographical scale, (2) evaluate the geographical generality of the existing evidence base (which is mainly based on studies conducted in more intensively farmed regions), and (3) enhance the policy impact of conservation research.     

Evangelism,Ethnography and Linguistics: Carl Strehlow and J. R. B. Love

ABSTRACT

This article considers the intersection of evangelism, ethnography and linguistics in the work of two missionaries living among Aboriginal communities in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Carl Strehlow was one of several German missionaries working in central Australia in the 1890s and into the twentieth century. J. R. B. Love met Strehlow briefly in 1913, but did not become a fully committed missionary himself until the 1920s. This paper first considers Strehlow’s evangelical, linguistic and ethnographic interests in relation to some of his German contemporaries, before comparing his approach to that of the younger, Presbyterian, Love to elucidate the inter-relationships between evangelism, linguistics and ethnography in the 1890s and early twentieth century in Australia.     

Explaining the Role of Proximate Determinants on Fertility Decline among Poor and Non-Poor in Asian Countries

ObjectivesWe examined the overall contributions of the poor and non-poor in fertility decline across the Asian countries. Further, we analyzed the direct and indirect factors that determine the reproductive behaviour of two distinct population sub-groups.DesignData from several new rounds of DHS surveys are available over the past few years. The DHS provides cross-nationally comparable and useful data on fertility, family planning, maternal and child health along with the other information. Six selected Asian countries namely: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, and Vietnam are considered for the purpose of the study. Three rounds of DHS surveys for each country (except Vietnam) are considered in the present study.MethodsEconomic status is measured by computing a “wealth index”, i.e. a composite indicator constructed by aggregating data on asset ownership and housing characteristics using principal components analysis (PCA). Computed household wealth index has been broken into three equal parts (33.3 percent each) and the lowest and the highest 33.3 percent is considered as poor and non-poor respectively. The Bongaarts model was employed to quantify the contribution of each of the proximate determinants of fertility among poor and non-poor women.ResultsFertility reduction across all population subgroups is now an established fact despite the diversity in the level of socio-economic development in Asian countries. It is clear from the analysis that fertility has declined irrespective of economic status at varying degrees within and across the countries which can be attributed to the increasing level of contraceptive use especially among poor women. Over the period of time changing marriage pattern and induced abortion are playing an important role in reducing fertility among poor women.ConclusionsFertility decline among majority of the poor women across the Asian countries is accompanied by high prevalence of contraceptive use followed by changing marriage pattern and induced abortion.     

Driving integration: how is it done

ABSTRACT

The present dilemma of immigrant integration in the West is, that for previous generations of immigrants in Europe and the United States, education and politics were strong engines that drove integration. However, these engines have not worked so well for this current wave of immigration, despite emerging progress. In this review, I examine the chapters on education and politics. Two questions emerge: first, with regard to education, how much can the ineffectiveness of the education system be attributed to the cultural challenges of immigration, compared to the challenges of class, with implications for immigrants and natives as well? and second, with regard to politics, is the problem not just the numbers of minority representatives, but how they are organized, and for what purpose – indeed, if they have a purpose?     

Prospective sustainability assessment: the case of wood in automotive applications

Purpose

The introduction of renewable materials into automotive applications is perceived as an innovative lightweight solution. Wood-based materials are advantageous in that they have potentially lower environmental impacts as compared with other materials such as steel. However, using wood per se does not automatically ensure more sustainability. Few prospective sustainability assessment methods or studies on the use of wood-based materials in automotive applications have been carried out, although these are needed to reduce unintended, negative sustainability effects and to support sustainable oriented research and innovation. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the potential sustainability effects and consequences of introducing a wood-based component into an automotive application.

Methods

A combination of methods was used to analyze the potential sustainability effects when introducing wood into automotive applications. This prospective life cycle sustainability analysis solely relied on secondary data. The environmental impacts were analyzed using a simplified environmental life cycle assessment on the product level. A multi-regional input-output-based assessment was conducted to model the country-specific environmental and socioeconomic consequences. The potential shift in social risks and opportunities on a national scale was analyzed by conducting a generic social life cycle assessment. Various aspects of each approach differ, with each providing a specific perspective of the system under study.

Results and discussion

The results indicate that implementing wood into automotive application can have environmental, social, and economic benefits, according to most of the indicators analyzed. Mostly due to the product weight reduction due to the use of a wood-based component, the results show that environmental impacts decrease. Some possible consequences of using wood-based materials are increased value added and increasing the number of jobs in European countries. Similarly, the social risks and opportunities are shifted from countries all over the world to European countries, which perform better than developing countries according to several indicators. However, some indicators, such as migrant acceptance or local supplier quantity, perform better in the current situation.

Conclusions

The presented case study is particularly notable, because the results clearly indicate the advantages of using wood-based materials in automotive applications, although the application of such relatively holistic and complex approaches often may lead to rather indifferent pictures. Policy makers, researchers, and companies can apply this combination of methods that rely solely on generic data to obtain both feasible and informative results. These methods also allow users to link the product level assessment with a regional and social perspective and screen critical topics to support sustainability research and innovation.

     

Introduction

Abstract

Japanese fishing in the coastal waters of China and Korea has often caused serious disputes and was, at times, held by these two countries as a political pawn against Japan. Fishery disputes between Japan and Korea date from the fifteenth century, but culminated in an unprecedented hostility over fourteen years up to 1965. The fisheries agreement of 1965 restored peace between the parties, but is in need of review. Since 1955 fishery relations between China and Japan are regulated by nongovernmental arrangements. Preparations are under way for a formal agreement, whereupon Japan will seek to remove some of the restrictions imposed on its fishermen by China. An ideal method to regulate fishing in such enclosed waters as the Yellow and East China Seas is to conclude a multilateral treaty. Apart from the political relations among the coastal states, the outcome of the Third Law of the Sea Conference may improve the prospect.     

Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption as risk factors for thymoma – A European case-control study

PurposeHardly anything is known about the aetiology of thymoma. This paper presents data regarding tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption in relation to thymoma from the first case-control study performed on this rare tumour.MethodsA European multi-centre case-control study including incident cases aged 35–69 years with thymoma between 1995 and 1997, was conducted in seven countries. A set of controls, used in seven parallel case-control studies by the same research group was used, including population-based controls from five countries and hospital controls with colon cancer from two countries. Altogether 103 cases, accepted by a reference pathologist, 712 colon cancer controls, and 2071 population controls were interviewed.ResultsTobacco smoking was moderately related with thymoma (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.9–2.2), and a tendency to dose-response was shown (p = 0.04), with an increased risk for heavy smokers defined as ≥41 pack-years (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–3.9). A high consumption of spirits defined as ≥25 g of alcohol per day was associated with an increased risk of thymoma (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1–5.4), whereas no association was found with beer or wine.ConclusionsTobacco smoking and a high intake of spirits were indicated as risk factors for thymoma.     

Medieval and Early Modern Whaling in Portugal

ABSTRACT

Mainland Portugal is not renowned for having been a whaling nation of significance. However, preliminary studies have brought to light enough historical references to suggest that whaling occurred from at least the 13th century, and the present work identifies 38 historical sources documenting whale use or whaling on the Portuguese coast between 1201 and 1728. A peak of whale-related sources occurred during the 13th and 14th centuries, and almost all Portuguese accounts are contemporary to those found from the French and Spanish Basque countries, such that the beginning of the whaling activity seems to be coeval. No geographical cluster of whaling activities can be established—they seem to have been unevenly scattered along the entire coastline. Nor can a chronological north–south movement of coastal whaling activities be discerned. The geographical and chronological patterns give support to the assumption that whaling was not introduced to Portugal by the Basques, who are known to have spread westward from the French Labourd (11th century), via Golf of Biscay, to Asturias, and southward to Galicia (14th century). Rather, Portuguese whale use seems to have originated independently of Basque influence. Several of the sources specify “black whales” as the target species. This is consistent with modern knowledge about the distribution and migration patterns of North Atlantic right whales during Basque medieval and early modern whaling. The Portuguese sources are not clear as to numbers of whales taken, nor to the whaling technology used, but the activity was sufficiently well organized and developed to warrant the levying of tithes in the feudal system of 13th-century Portugal.