Sea Level Rise (SLR) poses a range of threats to natural and built environments in coastal zones around the world. Assessment of the risks due to exposure and sensitivity of coastal communities to coastal flooding is essential for informed decisionmaking. Strategies for public understanding and awareness of the tangible effects of climate change are fundamental in developing policy options. A multidisciplinary, multinational team of natural and social scientists from the United States, United Kingdom, and Brazil developed the METROPOLE Project to evaluate how local governments may decide between adaptation options associated with SLR projections. METROPOLE developed a participatory approach in which public actors engage fully in defining the research problem and evaluating outcomes. Using a case study of the city of Santos, in Brazil, METROPOLE developed a method for evaluating risks jointly with the community, comparing 'no-action' to 'adaptation' scenarios. At the core of the analysis are estimates of economic costs of the impact of floods on urban real estate under SLR projections through 2050 and 2100. Results helped identify broad preferences and orientations in adaptation planning, which the community, including the Santos municipal government, co-developed in a joint effort with natural and social scientists.

Collar transverse incision is the typical surgical access for operations on thyroid and parathyroids. The cosmetic outcome resulting from its closure is of paramount importance given its anatomical exposure. The traditional methods of closure include metal clips, subcuticular stitch and glue. In this study we evaluated the cosmetic results on 10 patients who had their cervicotomy wound closed with clips comparing it to a second group of 10 patients who had the same incision closed with subcuticular stitch. The cosmetic outcome was evaluated with a questionnaire answered by the patients, by the operating surgeon and by a surgical nurse who was blinded to the technique used. The results of the questionnaire were grossly similar with no differences in the two groups. Only two complications were recorded in the subcuticular group. Both the techniques associate to similar cosmetic outcome, and the choice between the two should be left to the surgeon's personal preference.

Abstract:The characterization of natural and cultural heritage using popular entertainment, such as TV movies and series, can become an effective and original way to involve society in protecting territory and enhancing local development, thanks to the dissemination of knowledge. The aim is to make the complex aspects of landscape related to its geological and ecological assessment understandable to the public. The tools here proposed are the episodes of the TV series "Inspector Montalbano" filmed in Sicily. The stories, written by Andrea Camilleri, are located in Sicily (the biggest Italian island in the southern Mediterranean Sea), in particular with some World Heritage Sites. The natural and cultural landscapes, which provide fascinating scenery to the films, represent a meaning in the representation of the plot. At the same time, if recognized and understood, they become part of the cultural heritage of each component of the local community and of society. The cognitive process activates a virtuous circle revitalizing the links between humanity and environment. Moreover, it promotes a creative participation of the public in new policies, OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2015, 7 4101 oriented towards sustainable development, and tourism-especially geotourism and ecotourism-becomes an important resource, especially in these times of crisis.

Some natural events are considered catastrophic for their damaging effects on society; however, many of these effects are due more to inappropriate management of the environment rather than the event itself. In order to prevent the continuation of the occurrence of such pernicious situations, it is necessary to spread the knowledge of natural mechanisms so that the general public becomes aware of the dynamics that characterize our planet's balance. To this aim, we argue it is indispensable to find, create and test new methods of communication in order to reach a wide audience in an understandable way. We believe in science popularization as an ethic mission: the proposal is dedicated to those Outdoor Sports that take place in the landscape, considered as an ideal vector of information, as people develop curiosity and motivation to learn about natural history. Our study focuses particularly on cycling because of its popularity as well as for its close ties to the environment.

One of the clear signals of the ongoing climate change is sea level rise (SLR). Normal oceanic tides superimposed on a rising sea level and coastal flooding will affect many coastal communities. An international collaboration among Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States was designed to evaluate local decision making processes and to open space for local urban managers to reflect on possible actions toward adaption to sea level rise given the historical constraints imposed by administrative and institutional structures. This project focused on the processes that shape adaptation of three coastal communities in three countries. It worked jointly with these communities in defining the problem, examining risks, and understanding the benefits and obstacles that may hinder implementation of adaptation options. The framework was co-designed by an interdisciplinary team that incorporated social and natural scientists from the three countries, including local government How to cite this paper: Marengo, J., Muller-Karger, F., Pelling, M., Reynolds, C.J., Merrill, S.B., Nunes, L.H., Paterson, S., Gray, A.J., Lockman, J.T., Kartez, J., Moreira, F.A., Greco, R., Harari, J., Souza, C.R.G., Alves, L.M., Hosokawa, E.K. and Tabuchi, E.K. 404officials. The study addressed 1) evaluation of adaptive capacity through participant surveys and 2) physical and cost impact simulations using geospatial models of the built infrastructure and implementation of adaptation options under different hazard scenarios, including 50 and 100-year sea level rise projections and severe storms. Based on the surveys' results, there is a clear sense of the awareness of each community of the risk of floods due to intense storms, and of the usefulness of engaging early in a process that promotes the understanding of risks, impacts, and costs. A majority of workshop participants prioritized pursuing physical and green infrastructure actions now or within coming years or decades. A positive common aspect of the three sites was the commitment shown by the stakeholders in taking part in the process and evaluating which adaptation measures could be more effective in their cities. While in the US and UK structural solutions and voluntary buyouts were prioritized for the future, Brazil prioritized structural solutions and ecosystems restoration and not voluntary buyouts. All of these are choices to increase resiliency against sea level rise that have a high benefit-cost ratio. The Adaptive Capacity Index (ACI) results illustrate barriers to adaptation action, including technical, economic and political issues that reveal inequalities in adaptive capacity among case studies.

In bloodless surgery a series of measures has to be implemented to reduce the perioperative need for transfusion of whole blood or its components. Jehovah's Witness are the most representative group of patients opting for bloodless surgery as their faith follows strict believes that prohibits receiving blood. Geriatric patients requiring bloodless surgery are even more delicate and represent a challenge for surgeons. The physiological response of the over 65 year population to decreased hemoglobin level is slower and less effective than in young and adult patients. Herby we describe the perioperative protocol implemented in our surgical Department offered to geriatric Jehovah's Witness patients. Preoperative optimization of the patients is the key step in the preparation period. Intraoperative anesthetic and surgical measures are also required along with a strict postoperative follow-up. From our experience, bloodless surgery is feasible in the geriatric population as long as it is performed in specialized centers where a multidisciplinary team is prepared to specifically manage this scenario. Rigorous patients selection and preparation are mandatory.

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The number of countries that took part at each Olympiad varies according to the history of the competition, and the attention that National Governments and societies give different subjects. The idea to create an International Earth Science Olympiad originated from the International Geoscience Education Organization (IGEO) (http://www.geoscied.org/) because this was the last scientific subject without an international competition. IGEO is affiliated to and sponsored by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and collaborates with the Commission on Geoscience Education, Training and Technology Transfer (COGE). Members from over 35 countries are represented in IGEO. Since 1959 when the first International Math Olympiad for school students was held, other scientific Olympiads have developed, last but not least, the International Earth Science Olympiad-(IESO) in 2007. This article summarizes the organisation of this event that to date has involved 39 countries and aims to involve more in the future. IESO is a competition for school students where the best students from all over the world test their knowledge and abilities in the subject. It is an amazing opportunity for brilliant students, with an interest in Earth science to get to know each other, share their passion and grow an international network. It highlights the importance of increasing the range of countries that participate in this competition and the role national selection processes can play to focus the attention of National Ministries of Education to give the appropriate time and space for Earth science in the school curricula. This in turn can lead to more school students continuing with post-school studies in the Earth sciences and take up careers in this field, following their passion for Earth science and thus contributing to their countries growth.