Artykuły w czasopismach na temat „Sigyn (laiva)”

The time of the Covid-19 pandemic stopped the theatre process and opened the way for new forms and techniques in the virtual environment, updating the concept of e-theatre. The research of these processes from an aesthetic point of view has also stimulated the development of a new discourse in Latvian theatre science, analyzing the technical solution of virtual or e-productions, the impact on viewers, as well as other aspects related to theatrical manifestations in the virtual environment. The aim of the article is to provide an overview of the aesthetic strategies and means of expression in Latvian e-theatre, researching this process from a semiotic approach (performance signs and sign systems in the virtual environment), as well as a phenomenological take (the impact of e-performances on the spectator). In the spring of 2020, soon after the Covid-19 restrictions, virtual experiments quickly developed in Latvian theatre. In the context of the global pandemic caused by Covid-19, we can talk about a complete transition of the theatre to a virtual space, forcibly changing the forms of performances to digital formats that do not require viewers and actors to be in the same room. At the same time, this forced transition of the theatre to the digital environment is connected with other risks, such as the natural competition between e-theatre and other virtual content on the internet. The author of the article offers an in-depth analysis of three different Latvian e-theatre performances, offering an overlook of the trends of digital theatre.

Latar belakang: Penyakit DBD di Kabupaten Sukoharjo mengalami peningkatan kasus dan kematian. Tahun 2020 terdapat 185 kasus (IR = 20,38 per 100.000) dan meningkat menjadi 222 kasus (IR = 24.35 per 100.000) pada tahun 2021. Kasus tertinggi terdapat di Kecamatan Grogol dengan jumlah 55 kasus (IR = 43,12 per 100.000) dan nilai ABJ sebesar 94%. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh indeks entomologi terhadap kasus DBD dan sebaran kasus DBD.Metode: Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah observasional dengan desain analytic case-control. Penelitian dilakukan pada bulan Maret – April 2022 dengan pemilihan sampel dilakukan secara purposive sampling dengan jumlah sampel 84 responden. Variabel yang digunakan pada penelitian ini yaitu HI, CI, BI dan ABJ dengan metode analisis univariat, bivariat dan analisis spasial.Hasil: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa house index (p-value = 0,000), container index (p-value=0,000), breteau index (p-value = 0,000) dan angka bebas jentik (p-value=000) berpengaruh terhadap kasus DBD. Keberadaan jentik yang diketahui melalui indeks entomologi merupakan tanda adanya populasi jentik. Kepadatan jentik yang tinggi menandakan risiko tinggi penularan DBD. Pola spasial kasus DBD Kabupaten Sukoharjo yaitu autokorelasi positif dengan pola berkelompok dan kepadatan kasus tertinggi di Kecamatan Grogol.Simpulan: Indeks entomologi yang mempengaruhi kasus DBD di Kabupaten Sukoharjo adalah house index, container index, breteau index dan angka bebas jentik dengan pola spasial sebaran kasus DBD yaitu berkelompok. ABSTRACT Title: Effect Of Entomological Index And Distribution Of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Cases In Sukoharjo RegencyBackground: Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) in Sukoharjo Regency has increased in cases and deaths. In 2020 there were 185 cases (IR = 20.38 per 100,000) and increased to 222 cases (IR = 24.35 per 100,000) in 2021. CFR in 2020 was 3.78% and increased to 4.95% in 2021. The highest cases were in Grogol District with 55 cases (IR = 43.12 per 100,000) with the larva-free number being 94%. This study aims to determine the effect of the entomological index on cases of DHF and the distribution of dengue cases.Method: The type of research used is observational with case-control analytic design. The study was conducted in March – April 2022 with the selection of samples carried out by purposive sampling with a total sample of 84 respondents. The variables used in this study are HI, CI, BI and larva-free number with univariate, bivariate and spatial analysis methods.Result: The results showed that the house index (p-value = 0.000), container index (p-value = 0.000), breteau index (p-value = 0.000) and larva-free numbers (p-value = 0.000) had an effect on dengue cases. The presence of larvae known through the entomological index was a sign of the presence of a larva population. High larva density indicated a high risk of dengue transmission. The spatial pattern of DHF cases in Sukoharjo Regency is a positive autocorrelation with a group pattern and the highest case density is in Grogol District.Conclusion: The entomological index that affected DHF cases in Sukoharjo Regency are the house index, container index, breteau index and larva-free numbers with a spatial pattern of distribution of DHF cases clustered.

Context Climate change is having significant impacts on species worldwide. The endangered eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) has recently undergone rapid and severe population decline, with no sign of recovery. Spatially and temporally-explicit weather modelling suggests a prolonged period of unfavourable weather conditions during 2001–03 as the proximate cause of decline. However, the mechanisms of this weather-induced decline are not currently understood. Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that changing weather conditions have altered the availability of key prey species, potentially contributing to the species’ decline. Methods We analysed 229 scats collected from 125 individual wild quolls across four sites between July 2011 and May 2012. Variation in dietary composition and niche breadth was compared across sites and seasons. We also compared contemporary dietary composition and niche breadth to historic dietary studies performed before the species’ decline, to identify any key changes in dietary composition over time. Key results Dietary composition and niche breadth were similar across sites but differed between seasons. Dietary niche contracted during winter (July) and early spring (September) when insect larvae formed the bulk of quoll diet, rendering the species vulnerable to weather-related fluctuations in food availability at that time. Large differences were also evident between current and historic dietary composition, with a marked shift from insect larvae to mammals, predominantly due to a reduction in corbie (Oncopera intricata) and southern armyworm (Persectania ewingii) moth larvae. Quoll abundance appears positively related to corbie larva abundance during winter, and both quoll and corbie larva abundance appear negatively related to winter rainfall. Conclusions The lower contribution of insects at sites with low quoll densities suggests that insects represent an important food item for eastern quolls during winter, when dietary niche is narrowest and energy demands are highest. Our findings suggest that weather-induced fluctuations in quoll abundance, including the significant statewide decline during 2001–03, are potentially driven by weather-induced fluctuations in corbie larva abundance. Implications Continued deterioration in climatic suitability with recent and predicted climate change could further threaten eastern quolls through reductions in the availability and stability of reliable food sources at critical life-history stages when dietary options are already limited.

AbstractFerrierite has been found at Tapu, Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand, as a mineral vein with calcite in altered hornblende andesite lava of the Miocene Beeson's Island Volcanics. The ferrierite is low in SiO2 (63.67%) and high in Al2O3 (13.75%), MgO (3.48%), and BaO(2.35%). The large a axis and cell volume (a 19.236(4), b 14.162(6), c 7.527(3) Å, V 2050 Å3) are consistent with the low SiO2, high Al2O3, high MgO chemistry. Optical orientation and optical sign (a = Z, b = X, c = Y, 2V(-)55°) of the mineral are different from those of the Lake Kamloops ferrierite reported by Graham (1918). Refractive indices α 1.487, γ 1.489, and density 2.136 were measured. Cleavage observed on (100) is perfect and on (001) is imperfect. Using data from eighteen occurrences so far reported including the Tapu mineral, the crystal chemistry of ferrierite has been studied.

Objectives: Stresses produced during the fabrication of copings and by chewing activity can induce a tetragonal-to-monoclinic (t–m) transformation of zirconia. As a consequence, in the m-phase, the material is not able to hinder possible cracks by the favorable mechanism known as “transformation toughening”. This study aimed at evaluating if different marginal preparations of zirconia copings can cause a premature phase transformation immediately after manufacturing milling and after chewing simulation. Methods: Ninety copings using three commercial zirconia ceramics (Nobel Procera Zirconia, Nobel Biocare Management AG; Lava Classic, 3M ESPE; Lava Plus, 3M ESPE) were prepared with deep-chamfer, slight-chamfer, or feather-edge finish lines (n = 10). Specimens were tested in a chewing simulator (CS-4.4, SD Mechatronik) under cyclic occlusal loads simulating one year of clinical service. Raman spectra were acquired and analyzed for each specimen along the finish lines and at the top of each coping before and after chewing simulation, respectively. Results: Raman analysis did not show any t–m transformation both before and after chewing simulation, as the typical monoclinic bands at 181 cm−1 and 192 cm−1 were not detected in any of the tested specimens. Conclusions: After a one-year simulation of chewing activity, irrespective of preparation geometry, zirconia copings did not show any sign of t–m transformation, either in the load application areas or at the margins. Consequently, manufacturing milling even in thin thickness did not cause any structural modification of zirconia ceramics “as received by manufacturers” both before and after chewing simulation.

AbstractDespite the profound health implications of Necator americanus infection in humans, many aspects of its interaction with the host immune system are poorly understood. Here we investigated the early events at the interface of N. americanus larvae (L3) and human dendritic cells (DCs). Our data show that co-culturing DCs and the larvae trigger ex-sheathing of hookworms rapidly where a majority of DCs are sequestered onto the larval sheath allowing the ex-sheathed larvae to migrate away unchallenged. Intriguingly, DCs show negligible interaction with the ex-sheathed larvae, alluding to differences between the surface chemistry of the larva and its sheath. Furthermore, blocking of two key C-type lectin receptors on DC surface (i.e. DC-SIGN and mannose receptor) resulted in inhibition of ex-sheathing process and DC sequestration, highlighting the importance of C-type lectins on DCs in the induction of the ex-sheathing. Analyses of DC phenotype and cytokine profile after co-culture with the N. americanus larvae showed an immature phenotype as evidenced by the low expression of the maturation markers and cytokines. These data provide new insights into early events at the interface of human DCs and N. americanus larvae and could explain how L3 evade immune recognition upon initial interaction with DCs.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is caused by dengue virus. The number of cases reported annually to World Health Organization ranged from 0,4 to1,3 million in the decade 1996–2005. The outbreak is annually happen on some provinces in Indonesia. The outbreak at 1998 and 2004 were the most cases in number. Surabaya city was an endemic area. It had suffered 640 people with 13 people were dead in 2015, which case fatality rate was 2,03%. This study aims to analyze a correlation of humidity and r ainfall with the incidence of d engue hemorrhagic fever at Gunung Anyar Primary Health Care, 2010–2016. The method of this research was time trend ecological study with the unit of analysis was per month during seven years. The results were showed that humidity correlated with dengue hemorrhagic fever (p = 0.002 and r = + 0.351). So did the r ainfall (p = 0.042 and r = + 0.230). This research was concluded that humidity and rainfall correlated significantly with the incidence of dengue hemorrhagic fever. Sign of positive meant when humidity and rainfall increased, the incidence of dengue hemorrhagic fever increased too. Climate condition at Gunung Anyar district supports to make the incidence of dengue hemorrhagic fever happen. Because of that, people should improve their attention when peak seasons are coming, like doing mosquito breeding place elimination, keeping fish of mosquito larva predators, and using repellent among daily activities.

Felsic magmatic systems represent the vast majority of volcanic activity that poses a threat to human life. The tempo and magnitude of these eruptions depends on the physical conditions under which magmas are retained within the crust. Recently the case has been made that volcanic reservoirs are rarely molten and only capable of eruption for durations as brief as 1,000 years following magma recharge. If the “cold storage” model is generally applicable, then geophysical detection of melt beneath volcanoes is likely a sign of imminent eruption. However, some arc volcanic centers have been active for tens of thousands of years and show evidence for the continual presence of melt. To address this seeming paradox, zircon geochronology and geochemistry from both the frozen lava and the cogenetic enclaves they host from the Soufrière Volcanic Center (SVC), a long-lived volcanic complex in the Lesser Antilles arc, were integrated to track the preeruptive thermal and chemical history of the magma reservoir. Our results show that the SVC reservoir was likely eruptible for periods of several tens of thousands of years or more with punctuated eruptions during these periods. These conclusions are consistent with results from other arc volcanic reservoirs and suggest that arc magmas are generally stored warm. Thus, the presence of intracrustal melt alone is insufficient as an indicator of imminent eruption, but instead represents the normal state of magma storage underneath dormant volcanoes.

In 2018 there were 81 cases, IR: 19.77 per 100,000 population based on the initial survey at the health office there were 131 cases, the highest was at Kabanjahe Health Center: 46, the lowest was at Kuta Buluh Health Center: 2 and Lau Baleng Health Center 2 cases. The purpose of this study was to analyze environmental factors and distribution patterns to predict areas prone to dengue fever in Karo Regency. The analysis is divided into 3 categories, namely the District Level using time series data analysis, forecasting (Arima) which aims for Early Warning Sign, the Kelurahan/Village level using GIS data processing describing the sub-districts as very vulnerable, vulnerable and not vulnerable. Individual level using case control design, chi square test analysis and mapping with GIS aims to describe the distribution of areas with dengue fever and exposure behavior that affects the incidence of dengue and see the most dominant factor using multiple logistic regression analysis. The density of larvae is the most influential factor with the density of Aedes Aegypti in Karo Regency with Exp B 4,102 (p-value ,000, 95% CI ,333 – 18,012), Community behavior (knowledge, actions and attitudes) has no relationship with Aedes Aegypti density in Karo Regency. Population density based on distribution pattern has no relationship with Aedes Aegypti density in Karo Regency, Occupancy density has no relationship with Aedes Aegypti density in Karo Regency, House index (HI) in Karo Regency is at Density Figure (4) at medium density, Container index (CI) and Breteau index (BI) are in the Density Figure (9) in high density and the larva-free rate at 72.54% is below the national standard of 95%, There are clusters of cases that have a risk of 2.69 times affected by DHF for patients who are in the cluster compared to patients who are outside the cluster, the cluster radius is 2.76 km.

Background. The distinction between combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before the operation has an important clinical significance for optimizing the treatment plan and predicting the prognosis of patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been widely used in the preoperative diagnosis and evaluation of primary liver malignant tumors. Purpose. The aim is to study the value of preoperative clinical data and enhanced MRI in the differential diagnosis of HCC and cHCC-CC and obtain independent risk factors for predicting cHCC-CC. Study type. Retrospective. Population. The clinical and imaging data of 157 HCC and 59 cHCC-CC patients confirmed by pathology were collected. Field Strength/Sequence. 1.5T; cross-sectional T1WI (gradient double echo sequence); cross-sectional T2WI (fast spin echo sequence, fat suppression); enhancement (3D LAVA technology). Assessment. The differences between the HCC and cHCC-CC patients were compared. Statistic Tests. Using the t-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result. 1. CHCC-CC was more likely to show multiple lesions than HCC (28.81% vs. 10.83%, P = 0.001 ) and more prone to microvascular invasion (MVI) (36.31% vs. 61.02%, P < 0.001 ). However, HCC had a higher incidence of liver cirrhosis than cHCC-CC (50.85% vs. 72.61%, P = 0.003 ). 2. The incidence of nonsmooth margin was higher in the cHCC-CC group (84.75% vs. 52.23%, P < 0.001 ). The incidence of peritumor enhancement in the arterial phase was higher in the cHCC-CC group (11.46% vs. 62.71%, P < 0.001 ) 3. According to the multivariate analysis, arterial peritumor enhancement (OR = 8.833,95%CI:4.033,19.346, P < 0.001 ) was an independent risk factor for cHCC-CC ( P < 0.001 )). It had high sensitivity (62.71%) and specificity (88.54%) in the diagnosis of cHCC-CC. Date Conclusions. Liver cirrhosis and the imaging findings of GD-DTPA-enhanced MRI are helpful for the differential diagnosis of HCC and cHCC-CC. In addition, the imaging sign of peritumoral enhancement in the arterial phase has high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of cHCC-CC.

The Queen Charlotte Islands form the western margin of the Tertiary Queen Charlotte Basin, which is situated on the western margin of the North American Plate. They contain seven major dyke swarms of Late Eocene to Miocene age, a period when the relative motions of the Pacific and the North American plates in this region were dominantly dextral strike slip (transform margin), with intervals of highly oblique divergence and convergence. Within each swarm, dykes have a systematic trend. However, trends vary from swarm to swarm, indicating that the stress field varied. A total of 678 cores (1352 specimens) were collected from 129 dykes in six swarms over a distance of about 200 km. Magnetic stability is variable. One hundred and one dykes yielded records of the paleofield. Data are also reported from an Oligocene pluton (5 sites, 27 cores, 52 specimens) and Miocene lavas (8 sites, 52 cores, 101 specimens). Both normal and reversed magnetizations occur, but irrespective of sign, the mean directions of remanent magnetization of each swarm and of the pluton and the lavas have systematically steeper inclinations than the value calculated from coeval rocks in North America. To explain this it is proposed that, after dyke emplacement, the sampling areas were tilted to the north or northwest by amounts that vary between 9 and 16°. Apparently, crustal tilting, similar in magnitude and direction, extended over distances of approximately 200 km. This cannot reflect tilting of a single block. Instead, it is argued that at least the southern Queen Charlotte Islands underwent considerable northerly or north-northwesterly directed extension and normal block faulting, which followed and in part was concurrent with the formation of widespread mid-Tertiary dyke swarms, plutons and lava flows. Making use of the fact that dykes propagate perpendicular to the direction of extension, and combining previously measured dyke orientations with paleomagnetic data, three stages of extension are proposed: east–west extension sometime during the Late Eocene to Early Oligocene; north–south extension sometime in the interval Late Oligocene to Early Miocene; and northwest–southeast extension sometime during Late Miocene or later time.

Abstract Background: For patients with Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (R/R CLL), targeted time-limited treatment options are warranted. Thus far, therapeutic options are based on a (one-size-fits-all) fixed treatment duration or treatment until progression independent of individualized responsiveness. Post-treatment minimal residual disease (MRD) predicts outcome for patients receiving venetoclax-based therapy. Aim: To evaluate Progression-Free Survival (PFS) for patients with R/R CLL 12 months after MRD guided treatment cessation of venetoclax + ibrutinib (V+I) treatment (arm B) with the option to reinitiate V+I based on MRD reappearance. Methods: Patients (BTK inhibitor naïve) received ibrutinib lead-in (420 mg daily) for two (28-day) cycles. Venetoclax ramp-up was initiated during cycle 3, reaching 400 mg daily at cycle 4 with continued V+I during cycle 4-15. Patients reaching at least partial remission (PR) and undetectable (u)MRD (&lt;10 -4) in blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM, by central 8-color flow cytometry) at cycle 15 day 15 were randomized 1:2 between ibrutinib maintenance (arm A) or treatment cessation (arm B). Patients later becoming MRD positive (&gt;10 -2) in arm B reinitiated V+I. MRD positive patients at cycle 15 remained on ibrutinib until progression. Results: 225 patients were enrolled: median age 68 years (range 36-87), median CIRS score 2 (range 0-12), Binet stage B/C 84%, IGHV unmutated: 64%, TP53 aberrations (deletions and/or mutations): 24%. Planned treatment until randomization was completed by 194 (86%) patients, 8 patients went off protocol due to toxicity, 5 (2%) patients died during the first two cycles of ibrutinib lead-in (unknown cause, myocardial infarction, intracranial hemorrhage, Richter's transformation and tick-borne viral encephalitis), 15 patients went off protocol due to refusal to continue or other reasons and 3 patients progressed. At cycle 15, 81 (36%) patients achieved uMRD in both PB (112, 50%) and BM (84, 37%) and overall responses were 86%, of which 145 pts (64%) CR(i). Patients with uMRD were randomized to ibrutinib maintenance arm A (n 24 11%) or observation arm B (n 48 21%). Patients who did not achieve uMRD (n 125, 56%) continued ibrutinib maintenance without randomization while 5 patients went off protocol. The primary endpoint of the trial was met; PFS was achieved for 47 (98%) of 48 patients randomized to observation arm B at 12 months after randomization (27 months after starting therapy). One patient died during observation due to myelodysplastic syndrome and 1 patient, without sign of progression, reinitiated per protocol due to MRD positivity. A similar proportion of uMRD patients randomized to ibrutinib maintenance (arm A) or observation (arm B) remained uMRD after 12 months (month 27 after treatment start); 75% and 71%, respectively; see figure. No difference in blood uMRD at cycle 15 was seen neither between TP53 aberrated/wildtype (uMRD: 46%, 52%) nor between IGHV unmutated/mutated patients (uMRD: 50%, 50%). The most frequent adverse event (AE, only grade ≥2) was infections with 68 (30%) grade 2 and 62 (28%) grade ≥3 during the first 15 cycles, while 14 (58%) and 6 (12%) infections appeared after randomization in the treatment arm A and observation arm B, respectively. Atrial fibrillation was reported for 29 (13%) patients during the first 15 cycles, for 4 (3%) during ibrutinib maintenance (arm A + non-randomized) while no patients were reported with atrial fibrillation in arm B. Hypertension was reported for 23 (10%) patients during the first 15 cycles and for 10 (7%) patients during ibrutinib maintenance while no events were reported in arm B. One fatal bleeding event was reported in addition to 32 (14%) grade 2-3 bleeding events during the first 15 cycles; 12 (9%) grade 2-3 bleeding events were reported during ibrutinib maintenance, while no events were reported in arm B. Laboratory tumor lysis grades 2-3 was reported for 11 (5%) of patients. Conclusion: MRD guided time-limited treatment with ibrutinib and venetoclax in the setting of R/R CLL is feasible and demonstrates a favorable benefit-risk profile. No new safety signals were detected. No patients progressed after treatment cessation while patients becoming MRD positive successfully reinitiated therapy, thus proving MRD-guided cessation and reinitiation of targeted therapy feasible in CLL. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Niemann: CSL Behring, Genmab, Takeda, Octapharma: Consultancy; Abbvie, AstraZeneca, Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novo Nordisk Foundation: Research Funding. Dubois: Abbvie: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding. Brieghel: AstraZeneca: Consultancy. Kersting: Cellgene: Other: travel grant. Enggaard: Abbvie: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy. Mellink: Financial support related to microarray analysis of Murano samples: Research Funding; Genome Diagnostics Laboratory, AUMC: Current Employment; Cytogenetic Field: Consultancy. Poulsen: Janssen: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy. Frederiksen: Abbvie: Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Alexion: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Janssens: Sanofi: Consultancy; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie, Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Trael Grant, Speakers Bureau; Beigene, AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Mattsson: Gilead: Research Funding. Bellido: Janssen: Other: educational funding. Tran: Novartis, Janssen, Abbvie, Takeda, CSL Bering: Consultancy; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy. Levin: Roche, Janssen, Abbvie: Other: Travel Expenses, Ad-Board. Kater: Genmab, LAVA: Other: Ad Board, Steering Committee; BMS, Roche/Genentech: Other: Ad Board, , Research Funding; Janssen, AstraZeneca: Other: Ad Board, steering committee, Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria, Other: Ad Board, Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: The combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax is not registered for treatment of CLL, both drugs are separately registered for treatment of CLL

Abstract Dermatobia hominis, the human botfly, is native to South and Central America with cases of infestation seen in travelers to these areas. Myiasis is the cutaneous manifestation of larvae between two periods of molting (instar) and presents as a firm furuncular mass with a central pore that can be easily clinically overlooked. Ultrasound is useful in the diagnostic workup and has specific features and techniques to demonstrate live larva. We present a patient who acquired cutaneous furuncular myiasis caused by D. hominis , the human botfly, during her jungle trek in the Amazon forests in South America. Over 5 weeks, she developed a firm furuncular lesion with a central pore. Ultrasound revealed a hypoechoic mass with a hyperechoic oblong-shaped core that showed a fluid circulation, confirming the presence of a viable larva. Surgery was performed and a second-instar D. hominis larva was confirmed. We discuss the key ultrasound findings and management of cutaneous furuncular myiasis with the aim of raising awareness of this condition, adding to the growing body of literature likely associated with the re-opening of global travel routes.

Strongyloidiasis is a frequent and often unrecognized parasitic disease because of the frequently asymptomatic nature and lack of sensitivity of diagnostic tests. Under conditions of immunosuppression (particularly systemic corticosteroid treatment), potentially fatal dissemination may occur. Thus, prevention and early diagnosis are important. Larva currens is a rare and pathognomonic cutaneous sign of strongyloidiasis, but is poorly described because of its unpredictable and fleeting occurrence. We report seven imported cases of larva currens seen in Paris between 1990 and 2020. We illustrate the clinical and biological features of this specific but uncommon sign of strongyloidiasis with clinical pictures. There were three males and four females, aged between 29 and 58 years. There were five migrants from endemic countries, one tourist and one expatriate. Digestive disorders were the main extracutaneous signs. All patients had eosinophilia above 0.5 G/L. All cases were confirmed by stool tests. All were cured with ivermectin. The rapidity and the short duration of the creeping eruption distinguish it from other parasitoses. Ivermectin is a treatment of choice. The key point is to think about preventing disseminated strongyloidiasis before giving corticosteroids not only among migrants but also among expatriates and tourists in endemic countries.

The selection of planktons as live feed for milkfish larvae is a vital tool to meet the natural character as herbivorous species and to fulfill the needs for nutritious food for fish larval growth and survival. Phytoplankton Nannochloropsis sp. and zooplankton rotifer (Brachionus sp.) were two-selected plankton used as the main food source for the milkfish larvae. We performed this study in two times larval culture batch with four observations of tanks as replication. The results showed that we nourished both targeted planktons as larval food, regarding the positive impacts on larval growth (12±1,37 mm of total length, 7±4.89 mg of body weight) and a high survival rate (65.93–77.70%) achieved at the end of the culture period. Plankton diversity analysis presented that Class of rotifer (Monogononta) and Nannochloropsis sp. (Eustigmatophyceae) were both counted as the most dominant plankton group found in the rearing media, showing a decent sign of food supply for fish in rearing water column. The total number of planktons was high and had the tendency to follow the concentration of selected planktons over the culture period in the controlled water.

Cerebral sparganosis is clinically non-specific and easily misdiagnosed, exposing patients to the risk of severe brain damage and neurological dysfunction caused by actively migrating larvae. Diagnostic biomarkers from typical cases can help to establish an early diagnosis and proper treatment. We present a 25-year-old woman who suffered from 9 years of refractory epilepsy and was misdiagnosed with glioma and subjected to surgery. The postoperative pathology confirmed granuloma, and the tumor-like foci reappeared 3 months later. Along with the “tunnel sign” on MRI, cerebral sparganosis was suspected and confirmed by positive serum and cerebrospinal fluid antibodies against Spirometra mansoni. The patient visited us after a failure of four cycles of praziquantel treatment, recurrent seizures and hemiplegia with basal ganglia foci. Craniotomy was not carried out until the larva moved to the superficial lobe on follow-up MRIs, and pathology revealed sparganosis granuloma. The patient became seizure-free and recovered myodynamia but had long-lasting cognitive dysfunction due to severe brain damage. This case indicated the importance of tunnel signs and moving tumor-like foci on MRI as diagnostic clues of cerebral sparganosis. An early diagnosis is vitally important to avoid severe neural dysfunction by the long-living and moving larvae. Surgical removal of the larva is a critical remedy for cases failed by praziquantel treatment.

AbstractVery Long Period (VLP) signals with periods longer than 2 s may occur during eruptive or quiet phases at volcanoes of all types (shield and stratovolcanoes with calderas, as well as other stratovolcanoes) and are inherently connected to fluid movement within the plumbing system. This is supported by observations at several volcanoes that indicate a correlation between gas emissions and VLPs, as well as deformation episodes due to melt accumulation and migration that are followed by the occurrence of VLPs. Moment tensors of VLPs are usually characterized by large volumetric components of either positive or negative sign along with possibly the presence of single forces that may result from the exchange of linear momentum between the seismic source and the Earth. VLPs may occur during a variety of volcanological processes such as caldera collapse, phreatic eruptions, vulcanian eruptions, strombolian activity, and rockfalls at lava lakes. Physical mechanisms that can generate VLPs include the inflation and deflation of magma chambers and cracks, the movement of gas slugs through conduits, and the restoration of gravitational equilibrium in the plumbing system after explosive degassing or rockfalls in lava lakes. Our understanding of VLPs is expected to greatly improve in the future by the use of new instrumentation, such as Distributed Acoustic Sensing, that will provide a much denser temporal and spatial sampling of the seismic wavefield. This vast quantity of data will then require time efficient and objective processing that can be achieved through the use of machine learning algorithms.

Abstract Background Anisakiasis is a parasitic infection caused by Anisakis worms found in raw fish. Most cases of anisakiasis occur in the stomach and rarely occur in the intestine. It is extremely rare for live larvae to break through the intestine into the mesentery and cause severe intestinal ischemia. Anisakiasis can be treated conservatively, because the larvae will die in approximately 1 week, but, sometimes, a serious condition can arise, as in this case. We report the first case of extraluminal anisakiasis in which a live Anisakis worm caused severe intestinal ischemia. Case presentation The patient was a 26-year-old woman who ate squid a week prior. She had abdominal pain and was admitted to our emergency department. On physical examination, abdominal guarding and rebound tenderness were present in her lower abdomen. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed ascites, the whirl sign, localized submucosal edema of the intestinal wall, and a dilated small bowel segment with edema. We suspected the strangulated small bowel obstruction based on the CT-scan findings. To rule out the strangulated small bowel obstruction, laparoscopic exploration was performed. Bloody ascites in the pouch of Douglas and severe inflammation in 20 cm of the ileum were observed. An Anisakis larva had perforated the intestinal wall and was found alive in the mesentery. The ileum had developed a high degree of ischemia, so the affected section was resected. Histopathological examination revealed that the Anisakis worm body was in the inflamed mesentery and caused a high degree of ischemia in the intestinal tract. The patient was discharged 9 days after surgery. Conclusions A living Anisakis larva punctured the mesentery of the small intestine, resulting in severe intestinal ischemia. As seen in this case, intestinal anisakiasis may cause serious symptoms, and a low threshold for performing diagnostic laparoscopy for the early diagnosis of bowel ischemia secondary to anisakiasis can be useful in determining the definite diagnosis and indications for resection.

The dynamics of suspensions plays a crucial role in the evolution of geophysical systems such as lava lakes, magma chambers and magma oceans. During their cooling and solidification, these magmatic bodies involve convective viscous fluids and dispersed solid crystals that can form either a cumulate or a floating lid by sedimentation. We study such systems based on internal heating convection experiments in high Prandtl fluids bearing plastic beads. We aim to determine the conditions required to produce a floating lid or a sedimented deposit. We show that, although the sign of particles buoyancy is the key parameter, it is not sufficient to predict the particles fate. To complement the model we introduce the Shields formalism and couple it with scaling laws describing convection. We propose a generalized Shields number that enables a self-consistent description of the fate of particles in the system, especially the possibility to segregate from the convective bulk. We provide a quantification of the partition of the mass of particles in the different potential reservoirs (bulk suspension, floating lid, settled cumulate) through reconciling the suspension stability framework with the Shields formalism. We illustrate the geophysical implications of the model by revisiting the problem of the stability of flotation crusts on solidifying rocky bodies.

Abstract Background Alloeocranum biannulipes Montr. and Sign.(Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is a predator present in stored yam chips and a promising biological control agent against Dinoderus porcellus Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). Numerical responses of A. biannulipes to different densities (1, 2, 4, 6, and 8) of D. porcellus larvae were evaluated under ambient laboratory conditions (T°: 25 ± 2 °C; RH: 75–80%; photoperiod 12:12 h (L/D)). The number of consumed prey, duration of pre-oviposition and oviposition, number of eggs laid, pre-imaginal development times and mortality rate of the predator were recorded. Results The results revealed that A. biannulipes females preying on the highest larval density of D. porcellus (8) presented the highest predation rate (4.34 ± 0.18 larvae/predator/day), shortest pre-oviposition period (11.01 ± 0.57 days) and the highest oviposition period (15.83 ± 1.02 days). The daily number of eggs laid by A. biannulipes female (y) as a function of the number of D. porcellus larvae consumed (x) was modelled by the equation y = 0.158x2 – 0.4073x + 3.8151 (R2 = 0.571). The efficiency of prey conversion into eggs of A. biannulipes females decreased with increased prey density. The prey density did not affect the hatching rate of A. biannulipes eggs and the pre-imaginal development times. However, A. biannulipes nymphs fed with more (2 to 8) D. porcellus showed a significantly higher survival rate than those fed with a single larva. Conclusions The positive numerical response of A. biannulipes suggests that this predator could play a key role in biological control program against D. porcellus.

Forkhead box O (FoxO), a key transcription factor in many species, participates in numerous physiological and pathological processes of organisms through a variety of signaling pathways. In the present study, we established DsFoxO knockout (DsFoxO-KO) strain using CRISPR/Cas9, and the influence on development and fecundity of mutant strain were evaluated. To clarify the corresponding mechanism, a transcriptome analysis was conducted subsequently. The results showed that the survival rates of the DsFoxO-KO strainin larval, pupal, and adult stages were all significantly lower than those of control. The duration of the pupal stage was similar between the two strains; however, durations of egg, larva, adult preoviposition period (APOP), and total APOP (TPOP) in the DsFoxO-KO strain were all significantly longer compared to those of the control strain. The fecundity of the DsFoxO-KO strain was 20.31 eggs/female, which was significantly lower than that of the control strain (430.47 eggs/female). With the transcrip tome analysis, 612 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Following COG and GO analyses, we found that most of the DEGs were associated with the metabolic process. According to the KEGG database, the mTOR signaling, MAPK signaling, Wnt sign aling, and Toll and Imd signaling pathways; insect hormone biosynthesis; autophagy; and apoptosis were altered in the DsFoxO-KO strain. These results demonstrated that knockout of DsFoxO in D. suzukii significantly influenced its development and fecundity, while transcriptome analysis provided insights to explore the corresponding molecular mechanism. These findings highlighted the critical role of FoxO in D. suzukii and might contribute to the development of novel management strategies for these flies in the future.

Introduction: Scrub typhus is transmitted by the bite of the larva (chigger) of a microscopic trombiculidae mite (Leptotrombidium) found in moist areas and vegetation, which serves as both vector and reservoir. Scrub typhus is an often neglected and misdiagnosed febrile illness; clinical suspicion is the only key to diagnosis. Aim: To study clinicolaboratory profile and outcome of serologically confirmed scrub typhus in children from sub Himalayan tribal district of India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Department of Paediatrics at Government District Hospital, Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, India, from May 2019 to April 2020. Children upto 18 years admitted with positive Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies for scrub typhus were enrolled. The observational data including detail history and examination, relevant laboratory investigation and treatment was analysed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 18.0 and Chi-square test with p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were total 55 patients with scrub typhus, mean age was 9.2 years, most common age group was 7-12 years, 51% were male. Fever was most common complaint, followed by vomiting (27.3%), abdomen pain (25.4%), respiratory (1.8%), and rash (9%). Clinical examination findings were generalised lymphadenopathy in 46 (83.6%) patients and splenomegaly in 29 (52.7%). Eight patients presented with respiratory signs and tachypnea at the time of admission. Eschar was present in only 3 (5.5%) patients. Sign of meningeal irritation was present in 4 (7.3% cases and low GCS score (below 9) observed in 7 (12.7%) patients. Eight patients required mechanical ventilatory support. Nineteen patients were prescribed doxycycline alone; while 34 were given both azithromycin and doxycycline. There were total five deaths; on multivariate logistic regression, respiratory complaint, need for mechanical ventilation, pain abdomen with liver damage, history of seizures and duration of fever more than 4 days before presentation to hospital were associated with adverse outcome. Conclusion: The prevalence of scrub typhus is considerably high during rainy season, and should be considered as a differential diagnosis of fever among children in this period regardless of the presence of an eschar. Immediate medical care, treatment with doxycycline with early defervescence of fever reduce mortality

Partindo do fato de que a Eucaristia é a fonte e o cume da vidacristã, o autor apresenta uma síntese da teologia e da prática eucarística.Adverte para a importância da mesa da Palavra, da qual os fiéis se alimentamcomo se alimentam do Corpo de Cristo, e chama a atenção para a ação doEspírito nos sacramentos, de modo especial neste, chamado o “santíssimoSacramento”. Reflete sobre o que significa a Eucaristia como “ceia do Senhor”e como “ação de graças”. Estuda também o caráter sacrifical da Missa, “sacrifícioda nova Aliança”, e mostra como na Eucaristia se manifesta a “presença doRessuscitado”. Demonstra igualmente como “Eucaristia é lava-pés, diaconia,serviço, em favor dos irmãos”, e como a sua prática é “compromisso detransformação”. Aborda, ainda, a dimensão escatológica deste sacramento,“certeza de vida eterna”, e conclui refletindo sobre a Eucaristia como“sacramento da unidade”.Abstract: The Eucharist is described as the fundamental principle of Christian life and fullachievement of religious perfection which is grasped of what a synthesis oftheological studies on the Church doctrine is setting forth. Special attention isdrawn to the communication of the word of God which nourishes the faithfulthrough spiritual food distributed in Holy Communion. Thus the Eucharist bringsabout the union with God by means of the liturgy of divine praise and the sacrificeof thanksgiving. Further theological insight is to be found by considering theEucharist in the light of both “the Lord’s Supper” and “the Eucharistic action”.Another topic is the Holy Mass as a liturgical act of sacrifice which ratifies thenew Covenant. The Eucharist is to be seen as well as a visible sign of Christ’spresence as the risen Lord. Even the ritual of the washing of the feet recalls notonly a concrete moment of the Last Supper but draws attention to the pastoralwork (diakonia) as the Church’s work for salvation of the brethren as acommitment to transformation and not merely to social assistance. Lastly, theeschatological dimension of the Eucharist is reflected upon in a prospectiveview of the “certainty of eternal life” and thus the “sacrament of unity” anticipatesthe permanent status of one’s own existential situation on earth and in heaven.

The Legion Camp from Berzovia is the only one of its kind in Banat and its archaeological research is very difficult, the site being completely covered today by the modern human settlement. But it was not always so! An article published more than 200 years ago, in a cultural almanac (Neues Ungrisches Magazin) in Bratislava, in the Habsburg Empire, reveals with remarkable details how the Habsburgs identified the ruins of the imposing roman fort and its inner buildings and annexes. At that time the village was called Jidovin and covered only a small part of the southern area of the fortification. The year 1783 seems to have marked the beginning of the systematic research of the archaeological site, on the surface of which the walls were visible in many places over 1 meter high, the archaeological excavations being led by the k.u.k. mining engineer von Braun from Bocsa and were supervised by Hoffinger – the one who also published them – a representative of the Oraviţa Imperial Upper Mining Office.The significance of this text may not be so great if information that does not match the real situation in the field does not persist in the literature. For the author of the present article it is very clear that the Romanian archeologist who dealt with Berzovia did not have access to this text and nobody tried to republic it completely. The information provided by Hoffinger and von Braun throws another light on the stratigraphic situation in the castle and even changes our knowledge about the size of the fortification. The text is accompanied by a situation plan and drawing profiles through the unveiled ruins, with very interesting details. It is worth mentioning the existence in Berzovia (Jidovin) of two balneary / thermae edifices, with underfloor heating system, which were completely unveiled by the excavation of the Habsburgs. Unfortunately, the Austrian report also reveals a sad reality of what followed the unveiling of the ruins, namely that the imperial administration reused the building material they had recovered from the Roman walls. Spelling was done systematically, the Austrians appreciating superlatively the quality of the stone and bricks resulting from the digging of the Roman ruins for their urban needs. For this reason, today there is a low chance of archaeologically identifying the existence of a Roman wall at Berzovia, at most its implanthole.The relevance of topographic sketches and measurements published by Hoffinger provides other important information that deserves a detailed analysis. Thus, at the moment, we are sure that the theory of Dumitru Protase, related to the existence of just one defensive system phase of the castrum made only from earth and wood, is denied by the text of the 18th century report and more real seems the succession of more phases offered by Alexandru Flutur, who explain us with stratigraphical arguments that the fortification had also a stone wall period in use before abandonment. Also from this german literary source we know that in Berzovia, during the functioning of the legion camp, there were two roman baths buildings, one extra muros and another one intra muros. The fortress bathrooms seems to be a likely annex of the praetorium, the commander house and presenting in one of the chambers the traces of a roman mosaic. All the construction bricks used by the bath buildings were stamped with the sign of Leg (io) IIII F (lavia) F (elix)

There is an old Danish fable that says that the Devil was watching when God created the earth, and that, as the creation progressed, he became increasingly agitated over the wondrous achievements he was made to witness. At the end of it all, the Devil turned to God, and said, ‘Now, watch this.’ He created Iceland. It’s a vision of the country that resembles my own. I have always thought of Iceland as the island apart. The place that came last in the earth’s construction, whoever the engineer, and so remains forever distant. Perhaps that’s because, for me, Iceland is a home far from home. It is the country that I am from, and the place to which I am always tending—in my reading, my travels, and my thoughts. But since we left when I was ten, I am only ever in Iceland for mere glimpses of the Devil’s work, and always leave wanting more, some kind of deeper involvement. Perhaps all of his temptations are like that. Iceland’s is an inverted landscape, stuck like a plug on the roof of the Earth, revealing all the violence and destruction of the layers beneath. The island expands as the tectonic plates beneath it move. It grows by ten centimetres a year, but in two different directions—one towards the States, and the other towards Europe. I have noticed something similar happening to me. Each year, the fissure is a little wider. I come to be more like a visitor, and less like the one returning to his birthplace. I last visited in February just gone, to see whether Iceland was still drifting away from me and, indeed, from the rest of the world. I was doing research in Germany, and set aside an extra week for Reykjavík, to visit friends and family, and to see whether things were really as bad as they appeared to be from Brisbane, where I have lived for most of my life. I had read countless bleak reports of financial ruin and social unrest, and yet I couldn’t suppress the thought that Iceland was probably just being Iceland. The same country that had fought three wars over cod; that offered asylum to Bobby Fischer when no-one else would take him; and that allowed Yoko Ono to occupy a small island near Reykjavík with a peace sculpture made of light. Wasn’t it always the country stuck out on its own, with a people who claimed their independent spirit, and self-reliance, as their most-prized values? No doubt, things were bad. But did Iceland really mean to tie itself closer to Europe as a way out of the economic crisis? And what would this mean for its much-cherished sense of apartness? I spent a week of clear, cold days talking to those who made up my Iceland. They all told me what I most wanted to hear—that nothing much had changed since the financial collapse in 2008. Yes, the value of the currency had halved, and this made it harder to travel abroad. Yes, there was some unemployment now, whereas before there had been none. And, certainly, those who had over-extended on their mortgages were struggling to keep their homes. But wasn’t this the case everywhere? If it wasn’t for Icesave, they said, no-one would spare a thought for Iceland. They were referring to the disastrous internet bank, a wing of the National Bank of Iceland, which had captured and then lost billions in British and Dutch savings. The result was an earthquake in the nation’s financial sector, which in recent years had come to challenge fishing and hot springs as the nation’s chief source of wealth. In a couple of months in late 2008, this sector all but disappeared, or was nationalised as part of the Icelandic government’s scrambling efforts to salvage the economy. Meanwhile, the British and Dutch governments insisted on their citizens’ interests, and issued such a wealth of abuse towards Iceland that the country must have wondered whether it wasn’t still seen, in some quarters, as the Devil’s work. At one point, the National Bank—my bank in Iceland—was even listed by the British as a terrorist organization. I asked whether people were angry with the entrepreneurs who caused all this trouble, the bankers behind Icesave, and so on. The reply was that they were all still in London. ‘They wouldn’t dare show their faces in Reykjavík.’ Well, that was new, I thought. It sounded like a different kind of anger, much more bitter than the usual, fisherman’s jealous awareness of his neighbours’ harvests. Different, too, from the gossip, a national addiction which nevertheless always struck me as being rather homely and forgiving. In Iceland, just about everyone is related, and the thirty or so bankers who have caused the nation’s bankruptcy are well-known to all. But somehow they have gone too far, and their exile is suspended only by their appearances in the newspapers, the law courts, or on the satirical T-shirts sold in main street Laugavegur. There, too, you saw the other side of the currency collapse. The place was buzzing with tourists, unusual at this dark time of year. Iceland was half-price, they had been told, and it was true—anything made locally was affordable, for so long unthinkable in Iceland. This was a country that had always prided itself on being hopelessly expensive. So perhaps what was being lost in the local value of the economy would be recouped through the waves of extra tourists? Certainly, the sudden cheapness of Iceland had affected my decision to come, and to stay in a hotel downtown rather than with friends. On my last full day, a Saturday, I joined my namesake Kári for a drive into the country. For a while, our conversation was taken up with the crisis: the President, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, had recently declined to sign a bill that ensured that Iceland repaid its debts to the British and Dutch governments. His refusal meant a referendum on the bill in the coming March. No-one doubted that the nation would say no. The terms were unfair. And yet it was felt that Iceland’s entry into the EU, and its adoption of the Euro in place of the failed krónur, were conditional on its acceptance of the blame apportioned by international investors, and Britain in particular. Britain, one recalled, was the enemy in the Cod Wars, when Iceland had last entered the international press. Iceland had won that war. Why not this one, as well? That Iceland should suddenly need the forgiveness and assistance of its neighbours was no surprise to them. The Danes and others had long been warning Icelandic bankers that the finance sector was massively over-leveraged and bound for failure at the first sign of trouble in the international economy. I remember being in Iceland at the time of these warnings, in May 2007. It was Eurovision Song Contest month, and there was great local consternation at Iceland’s dismal showing that year. Amid the outpouring of Eurovision grief, and accusations against the rest of Europe that it was block-voting small countries like Iceland out of the contest, the dire economic warnings from the Danes seemed small news. ‘They just didn’t like the útrásarvíkingar,’ said Kári. That is, the Danes were simply upset that their former colonial children had produced offspring of their own who were capable of taking over shops, football clubs, and even banks in main streets of Copenhagen, Amsterdam and London. With interests as glamorous as West Ham United, Hamleys, and Karen Millen, it is not surprising that the útrásarvíkingar, or ‘Viking raiders’, were fast attaining the status of national heroes. Today, it’s a term of abuse rather than pride. The entrepreneurs are exiled in the countries they once sought to raid, and the modern Viking achievement, rather like the one a thousand years before, is a victim of negative press. All that raiding suddenly seems vain and greedy, and the ships that bore the raiders—private jets that for a while were a common sight over the skies of Reykjavík—have found new homes in foreign lands. The Danes were right about the Icelandic economy, just as they’d been right about the Devil’s landscaping efforts. But hundreds of years of colonial rule and only six decades of independence made it difficult for the Icelanders to listen. To curtail the flight of the new Vikings went against the Icelandic project, which from the very beginning was about independence. A thousand years before, in the 870s, Iceland had been a refuge. The medieval stories—known collectively as the sagas—tell us that the island was settled by Norwegian chieftains who were driven out of the fjordlands of their ancestors by the ruthless King Harald the Fair-Haired, who demanded total control of Norway. They refused to humble themselves before the king, and instead took the risk of a new life on a remote, inhospitable island. Icelandic independence, which was lost in the 1260s, was only regained in full in 1944, after Denmark had fallen under German occupation. Ten years later, with the war over and Iceland in the full stride of its independence, Denmark began returning the medieval Icelandic manuscripts that it had acquired during the colonial era. At that point, says the common wisdom, Icelanders forgave the Danes for centuries of poor governance. Although the strict commercial laws of the colonial period had made it all but impossible for Icelanders to rise out of economic hardship, the Danes had, at least, given the sagas back. National sovereignty was returned, and so too the literature that dated back to the time the country had last stood on its own. But, most powerfully, being Icelandic meant being independent of one’s immediate neighbours. Halldór Laxness, the nation’s Nobel Laureate, would satirize this national characteristic in his most enduring masterpiece, Sjálfstætt fólk, or Independent People. It is also what the dominant political party of the independence period, Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn, The Independence Party, has long treasured as a political ideal. To be Icelandic means being free of interference. And in a country of independent people, who would want to stop the bankers on their raids into Europe? Or, for that matter, who was now going to admit that it was time to join Europe instead of emphasizing one’s apartness from it? Kári and I turned off the south road out of Reykjavík and climbed into the heath. From here, the wounds of the country’s geological past still dominated the surface of the land. Little wonder that Jules Verne claimed that the journey to the centre of the world began on Snæfellsnes, a peninsula of volcanoes, lava, and ice caps on a long arm of land that extends desperately from the west of the island, as if forever in hope of reaching America, or at the very least Greenland. It was from Snæfellsnes that Eirík the Red began his Viking voyages westwards, and from where his famous son Leif would reach Vínland, the Land of Vines, most probably Newfoundland. Eight hundred years later, during the worst of the nation’s hardships—when the famines and natural disasters of the late eighteenth century reduced the nation almost to extinction—thousands of Icelanders followed in Leif’s footsteps, across the ‘whale road’, as the Vikings called it, to Canada, and mainly Winnipeg, where they recreated Iceland in an environment arguably even more hostile than the one they’d left. At least there weren’t any volcanoes in Winnipeg. In Iceland, you could never escape the feeling that the world was still evolving, and that the Devil’s work was ongoing. Even the national Assembly was established on one of the island’s most visible outward signs of the deep rift beneath—where a lake had cracked off the heath around it, which now surrounded it as a scar-scape of broken rocks and torn cliffs. The Almannagjá, or People’s Gorge, which is the most dramatic part of the rift, stands, or rather falls apart, as the ultimate symbol of Icelandic national unity. That is Iceland, an island on the edge of Europe, and forever on the edge of itself, too, a place where unity is defined by constant points of separation, not only in the landscape as it crunches itself apart and pushes through at the weak points, but also in a persistently small social world—the population is only 320,000—that is so closely related that it has had little choice but to emphasise the differences that do exist. After a slow drive through the low hills near Thingvellir, we reached the national park, and followed the dirt roads down to the lake. It’s an exclusive place for summerhouses, many of which now seem to stand as reminders of the excesses of the past ten years: the haphazardly-constructed huts that once made the summerhouse experience a bit of an adventure were replaced by two-storey buildings with satellite dishes, spa baths, and the ubiquitous black Range Rovers parked outside—the latter are now known as ‘Game Overs’. Like so much that has been sold off to pay the debts, the luxury houses seem ‘very 2007,’ the local term for anything unsustainable. But even the opulent summerhouses of the Viking raiders don’t diminish the landscape of Thingvellir, and a lake that was frozen from the shore to about fifty metres out. At the shoreline, lapping water had crystallized into blue, translucent ice-waves that formed in lines of dark and light water. Then we left the black beach for the site of the old Assembly. It was a place that had witnessed many encounters, not least the love matches that were formed when young Icelanders returned from their Viking raids and visits to the courts of Scandinavia, Scotland, Ireland, and England. On this particular day, though, the site was occupied by only five Dutchmen in bright, orange coats. They were throwing stones into Öxará, the river that runs off the heath into the Thingvellir lake, and looked up guiltily as we passed. I’m not sure what they felt bad about—throwing stones in the river was surely the most natural thing to do. On my last night, I barely slept. The Saturday night street noise was too much, and my thoughts were taken with the ever-apart Iceland, and with the anticipation of my returning to Brisbane the next day. Reykjavík the party town certainly hadn’t changed with the financial crisis, and nor had my mixed feelings about living so far away. The broken glass and obscenities of a night out didn’t ease until 5am, when it was time for me to board the Flybus to Keflavík Airport. I made my way through the screams and drunken stumblers, and into the quiet of the dark bus, where, in the back, I could just make out the five Dutchmen who, the day before, Kári and I had seen at Thingvellir, and who were now fast asleep and emitting a perfume of vodka and tobacco smoke that made it all the way to the front. It had all seemed too familiar not to be true—the relentless Icelandic optimism around its independence, the sense that it would always be an up-and-down sort of a place anyway, and the jagged volcanoes and lava fields that formed the distant shadows of the half-hour drive to the airport. The people, like the landscape, were fixed on separation, and I doubted that the difficulties with Europe would force them in any other direction. And I, too, was on my way back, as uncertain as ever about Iceland and my place in it. I returned to the clinging heat and my own separation from home, which, as before, I also recognized as my homecoming to Brisbane. Isn’t that in the nature of split affinities, to always be nearly there but never quite there? In the weeks since my return, the Icelanders have voted by referendum to reject the deal made for the repayment of the Icesave debts, and a fresh round of negotiations with the British and Dutch governments begins. For the time being, Iceland retains its right to independence, at least as expressed by the right to sidestep the consequences of its unhappy raids into Europe. Pinning down the Devil, it seems, is just as hard as ever.