text: FEDERATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH OF FEDERATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA FOOD AND NUTRITION POLICY OF FEDERATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Sarajevo, 2002. Publisher: Institute of Public Health of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Titova 9, 71000 Sarajevo Tel: + 387 33 663 940, Tel/Fax: + 387 33, 220 548 Mostar, Vukovarska b.b., Tel/Fax: + 387 36 324 687 Bosnia and Herzegovina Authors: Aida Filipović Hadžiomeragić M.D. Fatima Jusupović, M.D., D. Sc. Nijaz Uzunović, M.D. Vildana Doder, D.D.M. Contributors: Mervana Hadžimurtezić, B. Sc. Agr. Prof. Esma Čemerlić - Zečević, M.D., D. Sc. Prof. Husref Tahirović, M. D., D.Sc. Prim. Mira Ademović, M.D. Haris Hajrulahović, M. Sc. Slobodan Lučić M.Sc. Slađana Orlović, B.Sc. Expert Council of Instutute of Public Health of FB&H Formating: Muris Krupić Publishing editor: GIK "OKO" 4 CONTENT I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................7 II. SITUATION ANALYSIS...................................................................9 1. NUTRITION ..........................................................................................9 1.1. Nutritional status..........................................................................9 1.1.1. Undernutrition ....................................................................9 184.108.40.206. Children...............................................................................9 126.96.36.199. Adults.............................................................................12 1.2. MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES ......................................................14 1.2.1. Iodine.......................................................................................14 1.2.2. Iron.......................................................................................16 1.2.3. Vitamins...............................................................................17 184.108.40.206. Deficiencies of vitamin A and D ...................................18 1.3. Breastfeeding..............................................................................19 1.4. Dietary habits and food intake ..................................................20 1.5. Obesity and related diseases ......................................................24 2. FOOD SAFETY.....................................................................................27 2.1. Foodborne diseases....................................................................27 2.2. Supervision .................................................................................29 2.3. Laboratory control .....................................................................29 2.4. Legislation..................................................................................30 3. SUSTAINABLE FOOD SUPPLY ..............................................................30 III. GOAL, OBJECTIVES, STRATEGY AND ACTIVITIES .........33 1. GOAL ...............................................................................................33 2. OBJECTIVES .......................................................................................33 3. STRATEGY .........................................................................................34 4. ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................35 REFERENCES.......................................................................................39 5 6 I. INTRODUCTION Access to safe and healthy food is fundamental human right but also one of the biggest public health challenges. Need for promotion of nutritious and safe food, reduction of diseases, promotion of health, reduction of environmental risks and stimulation of economic development is permanently present. Those are also objectives of the policy that this document presents. Policy is developed on the base of number of political commitments that our country together with other member states made in last ten years. In wider context we are mentioning Agenda 21 from 1992 adopted at United Nations Conference on Environment and Development as well as WHO/FAO International Conference on Nutrition (ICN) from 1992 where World Declaration and Food and Nutrition Action Plan has been launched. In the context of health sector policy objectives that include promotion of health through well balanced nutrition, prevention of deficiency disorders and control of foodborne diseases, we are recalling health policy for European region, Health 21, adopted in 1998 by member states, and number of subsequent World Health Assembly resolutions on food safety, noncommunicable diseases, infant feeding (International Codex on Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and relevant resolutions) and prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders. Main task of health sector related to food and nutrition in intersectoral context is to place health and activities that can influence health in center of all policies. In that sense role of health sector is to collect and disseminate scientific evidences and information on relation between nutrition and health, assess impact and economic consequences of food and nutrition policies on health and to promote partnership with relevant organizations and sectors. This document addresses problems and activities from several points of view, elaborating three aspects of food and nutrition: nutrition, food safety and sustainable food supply. This approach has also been recommended by the First Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy for WHO European Region. Ministry of Health of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina established a working group with a task to develop this document. Group members were representatives from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture, Water Supply and Forestry, experts in the field of nutrition, food safety, control and supervision and other experts in the field of public health and relevant medical disciplines. Work has been 7 coordinated by the Institute of Public Health of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H PHI). Before addressing situation in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as an introduction, we will shortly present arguments relevant for our country in wider context that are given in the First Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy for WHO European Region. European Action Plan has been developed on the request of WHO member states as a support to development of national food and nutrition action plans. In 1995 it was estimated that each year around 130 millions of Europeans are affected by episodes of foodborne diseases. Diarrhea, which is the major cause of death and growth retardation in infants and young children, is the most common symptom of foodborne illness. It causes great problems in elderly population as well. New types of pathogens considered to be a cause of bovine spongioform encephalopathy well known as a mad cow disease are now considered to cause Jacob Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease in humans. Use of antibiotics in animal husbandry and possible transfer of antibiotic resistance to human pathogens are major public health concern. WHO estimates that decrease in breastfeeding practice – specially noticed in some parts of Europe is cause of about 1.5 million of infant deaths a year. Iodine deficiency disorders affect around 16% of the European population and are a major cause of mental retardation. Second deficiency disorder that also affects millions of people in Europe is iron deficiency anaemia. It is estimated that one third of cardiovascular diseases is related to unbalanced nutrition and that in WHO European Region chronic noncommunicable diseases endanger lives of more than 4 million people and kill half of them. Obesity is estimated to costs some health services around 7% of their total health care budget. Within the Region, around 2 million people dies of cancer every year and 30-40% of those cancers could be prevented through a better diet. Preliminary analysis from the Institute of Public Health in Sweden suggests that 4.5 % of DALYs are lost in EU countries due to poor nutrition and additional 3.7% and 1.4% due to obesity and physical inactivity. The total percentage of DALYs lost related to poor nutrition and physical inactivity is therefore 9.6% compared with 9% due to smoking. Further analysis, initiated by the Regional Office, is under way to asses total burden of food related ill health in the Region. 8 II. SITUATION ANALYSIS 1. Nutrition Nutrition studies problem of food and all food related factors that can influence development and health status as well as functional and vital abilities of humans. Following is insight in situation in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina related to nutritional status, food intake and food habits and review of leading diseases related to poor nutrition. 1.1. Nutritional status Nutritional status of population is direct indicator of health. Even before war, there was no systematic monitoring of population's nutritional status within health services in FB&H. Existing prewar data were collected through specific surveys. During the war, due to emergency situation, nutritional and household food security surveys have been intensively conduced both by local and international organizations and institutions. Since 1995 there were no extended surveys of population's nutritional status. Unfortunately, conditions for systematic gathering of those data are not fulfilled as jet. However, number of different surveys that included nutritional status indicators have been conducted and some of those findings will be presented further in text. 1.1.1. Undernutrition Although Former Yugoslavia was considered a developing country before the war, existing agriculture and industry could provide sufficient food for population and undernutrition has not been present in significant percentage. 184.108.40.206. Children Nutritional status of children is reflection of their overall health. When they have access to sufficient quantities of nutritious and safe food, when they are well taken care of and not exposed to repeated illnesses, they reach their growth potential and are considered well nourished. 9 Starvation among children in war, thanks to extraordinary care, has been avoided and they were spared of undernutrition 1 and its consequences. Survey on women and children in FB&H – Multiple Cluster Indicator Survey (MICS) conducted in 2000 by the Federal Ministry of Health and Institute of Public Health of FB&H and supported by UNICEF included assessment of nutritional status of children aged 0-5 years. It included calculation of nutritional status indices where Z score (standard deviations below the mean of the reference population) has been calculated. It has been found that 5% of children aged 0-5 years were undernourished (weight for age) and percentage of stunted children (weight for height) was 8% (expected percentage in population of developed countries was 5% 2 ). There were 13% of thin children (height for age). Figure 1. Percentage undernourished or severely undernourished children 0-5 years, FB&H, MICS 2000 6,00% 4,00% 2,00% 0,00% Underweight Severely underweight Series 1 4,80% 0,70% 1 WHO: Winter Nutrition Monitoring (1994 - 95), Nutrition Unit, Office for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2 Gregory J, Foster K, Tyler H & Wiseman M (1990): The Dietary and Nutritional Survey of British Adults. Office of Population Census and Surveys. London: HMSO. 10 Figure 1. Percentage of stunted or severely stunted children 0-5 years, FB&H, MICS 2000 10,0% 5,0% 0,0% Stunted Severely stunted Series 1 10% 3,20% Figure 1. Percentage of wasted or severely wasted children 0-5 years, FB&H, MICS 2000 10,00% 5,00% 0,00% Wasted Severely wasted Series 1 6,10% 1,90% 11 Figure 1. Percentage of children 0-5 years retarded in growth, FB&H, MICS 2000 20 18,2 15 13 12,9 13,8 11,3 11,9 10 10,4 8,6 8,6 9,3 7,4 6,9 6,2 6,4 6,5 5 4,2 3,5 3,9 0 < 6 months 6-11 months 12-23 24-35 36-47 48-59 months months months months underweight stunted wasted 184.108.40.206. Adults Survey on nutritional status of healthy working population of Sarajevo, done before the war (1990-91) by the Medical Faculty Institute of Hygiene, University of Sarajevo, showed that only 4.3% of participants were undernourished (BMI – body mass index = weight/height2, underweight = BMI <18.5). In population of developed countries expected percentage of undernutrition rates from 4 – 7%2. According to WHO survey conducted at the territory of FB&H during the war (1994 - 95)1, even during the hardest food shortage undernutrition did not reach alarming levels. Table 1. Percentage of undernutrition (BMI < 18.5) among adult and elderly population in three cities on the territory of FB&H (December 1994) Adults (18-59 yrs.) Elderly (60+yrs.) No. % BMI<18.5 No. % BMI<18.5 SARAJEVO 302 5.0 284 7.0 TUZLA 360 3.1 435 7.9 ZENICA 374 1.9 252 5.2 Source: Winter Nutrition Monitoring (1994 - 95), Nutrition Unit, Office for Bosnia and Herzegovina 12 In 2001, supported by the WHO, Institute of Public Health of FB&H conducted "CINDI health monitoring" survey. For assessment of nutritional status of adults self reported weight and height of 1988 participants in Sarajevo canton have been used and BMI has been calculated. Analysis showed that 60.76% had normal weight, 25.96% of participants were overweight and obese and 6.39% of participants were underweight. The biggest number of undernurished adults has been found in the age group 19-24 years. In regard to sex, representation of males and females in underweight and normal weight group was equal. This most recent survey showed that undernutrition is not a big problem but it also showed that obesity is increasing and can be considered a serious health risk (see chapter Obesity and related diseases). Figure 5. Nutritional status of adult population, FB&H, CINDI 2000 Underwight BMI < 18.5 Normal weight BMI 18.5 - 24.9 Overweight/obese BMI >25 Do not know 6,89% 6,39% 25,96% 60,76% 13 1.2. Micronutrient deficiencies 1.2.1. Iodine Mandatory iodine prophylaxis program where salt has been iodized with 5-15 mg of KJ/kg was introduced in FB&H in 1953. Medical Faculty Institute of Hygiene conducted first survey on goiter prevalence in B&H in 1956 and than for the purposes of evaluation of iodine prophylaxis conducted the same survey in 1962 and 1973. Results showed that goiter prevalence was in constant decreasing. Figure 6. Decrease of goiter prevalence at endemic localities after 20 years of salt iodization 70 60 50 Srebrenica 40 Bratunac 30 Doboj 20 Fojnica 10 0 1953 1973 Source: Institute of Public Health of FB&H In the first half of 1999, financially supported by UNICEF and based on WHO/ICCIDD (International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders) recommendations, Pediatric Clinic of University Clinical Center Tuzla conducted a prospective study of iodine prophylaxis and goiter prevalence at the territory of FB&H 3 . Study took place in primary schools and included 5523 randomly selected children aged 7 to 14 years, both sexes and with equal distribution of participants in relation to age and place of living (urban – rural). Goiter prevalence in FB&H was found 3 H. Tahirović "Jodni deficit u Bosni i Hercegovini" 14 to be 27.06% were 24.72% of children had goiter grade I and 2.33% of children had goiter grade II. Goiter prevalence ranged by cantons, from 12.9% in Zapadna Hercegovina canton to 51.2% in Bosna - Podrinje canton. Figure 7. Age and sex distribution of goiter prevalence among school children in FB&H 50 girls boys 40 30 Frequency % 20 10 0 6+7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Age (years) Source: Iodine deficiency disorders survey in FB&H, Pediatric Clinic of University Clinical Center Tuzla and UNICEF, 1999 Survey also included assessment of iodine content in salt samples and Table 2 shows results of conducted analyses. Table 2. Distribution of salt samples and iodine content (mg/kg) Iodine content (mg/kg) % Less than 10 mg/kg 23.3 10 – 20 mg/kg 58.7 More than 20 mg/kg 18 Source: Iodine deficiency disorders survey in FB&H, Pediatric Clinic of University Clinical Center Tuzla and UNICEF, 1999 15 Analyses of iodine content in urine have been done as well and in 34.1% of urine samples iodine content was lower that 50 µg/l, and in 69.7% of urine samples iodine content was less that 100 µg/l. According to those findings it has been concluded that iodine intake per person is still lower than recommended (150-300 µg/day WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD recommendations). As FB&H was found to be a mild to moderate iodine deficient area and existing preventive public health measures insufficient, working group was formed to develop strategy for management of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Results of their work is new Decree on Household Salt Quality (Official Gazette FB&H no. 46-2001, page 1002) that regulates salt iodization with 20-30 mg of iodine per kg of salt in the form of NaI, NaIO3, KI or KIO3. 1.2.2. Iron Iron deficiency, especially iron deficiency anaemia is one of the most serious nutritional deficiencies in world. It strikes all age groups. It can cause retardation in cognitive development of children, damage of immune mechanisms and is related to increase of morbidity rate. In pregnancy, iron deficiency is related to increased risk of bleeding, sepsis, maternal mortality, perinatal mortality and low birth weight. In active males and females it reduces physical working capability. Even before the war, according to ambulance and clinical morbidity reports anaemia was one of the leading causes of diseases in FB&H. For example, according to FB&H PHI data, in 1991 anaemia was on the sixth place of ten leading causes of diseases list (morbidity rate 25.0/1000). Biggest number of cases was found among preschool children and women. WHO Survey conducted on general population in May 1994 4 , showed that 36% of participants were anaemic, and that prevalence was high in all age and sex groups. 4 Anaemia Survey, F BH 1994, WHO Sarajevo Office 16 Figure 8. Prevalence of anaemia in children less than 5 years old in four countries 30 25 20 % 15 10 5 0 Armenia Former Bosnia and United Yugoslav Herzegovina Kingdom Republic of Macedonia severe moderate mild Total Source: Anaemia Survey, FB&H 1994, WHO Sarajevo Office In postwar period no population based study or study on vulnerable groups that would confirm or deny opinion of health professionals that anaemia is a significant public health problem in F B&H has been done. Therefore it is necessary to conduct extended population survey that would give evidences and serve as a base for implementation of appropriate public health programs. 1.2.3. Vitamins Before war, vitamin deficiency disorders were rare in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Access to food rich in vitamins and production of vitamin enriched foods resulted in appearance of only sporadic cases of vitamin deficiencies in adults. Also, preventive program for children that included administration of vitamin A and D supplements to infants from second week of life till the end of first year has been implemented. Therefore rickets were almost eliminated in FB&H. War brought huge changes in life conditions specially in besieged areas. A lot of time have been spent in cellars and shelters, access to medical facilities and adequate medical care was limited, nutrition poor. That was the reason for WHO Bosnia and Herzegovina Office to conduct the study "Micronutrient status of the besieged residents of Sarajevo" in May 17 1993. Laboratory analyses showed that levels of beta carotene, folate and vitamin D in serum were low, indicating low consumption of green vegetables and vegetables in general. As vegetables are important source of vitamin C and riboflavin it is probable that intake of those and other vitamins (thiamin, pyridoxine, and nicotinic acid) was low as well. However, nutritional surveys done by WHO ("Winter Nutrition Monitoring, 1993-95) on general population at whole FB&H territory that included assessment of clinical signs of vitamin deficiencies as well did not find any widespread micronutrient deficiencies. We can probably thank it to undertaken preventive measures. It included iron, calcium and folic acid fortified flour, powdered milk and fat fortified with vitamin A and D distributed in humanitarian aid. Powdered vitamin juice specially rich in vitamin C and vitamin tablets were also sporadically distributed in humanitarian aid. Nowadays clinically manifested vitamin deficiencies are rarely reported. 188.8.131.52. Deficiencies of vitamin A and D Vitamin A deficiency can have negative influence on human immune functions and should be prevented. Taking into consideration that severe forms of vitamin A deficiency at the territory of F B&H have not been recorded for long, preventive prophylactic program has been seized. Recommendation on vitamin A supplementation stopped earlier but it was officially announced in 2000 in the Protocol on Infant Feeding brought by the Ministry of Health of FB&H and Initiative Committee for Promotion of Natural Nutrition of Children. Instead, Protocol recommends modifications in diet with special emphasis on improvement of weaning practices. Up to date studies on vitamin D deficiencies are not available and real causes of appearance of rickets on the territory of FB&H are not known. However, prophylactic program of vitamin D supplementation is still in progress. Protocol on Infant Feeding recommends administration of 400 – 800 units/day of vitamin D for breastfeeding infants and 400units/day for not breastfed infants as well as everyday exposure of infants to sunlight. 18 1.3. Breastfeeding Poor nutritional status can be put in direct correlation with inappropriate dietary habits that start to develop already in infancy and childhood. Breastfeeding provides ideal food for growth and development of child and health and economic benefits of breastfeeding are well known. Prewar health statistics did not include breastfeeding indicators. Breastfeeding surveys conducted during the war with support of UNICEF and WHO, showed that breastfeeding practice in FB&H was strongly neglected. Table 3. Breastfeeding practice in babies up to 16 weeks of age during 1993 Exclusive Breastmilk/ Infant Not breastfeeding sweetened formula/wheat breastfed water/tea cows milk Number % % % % Bosnia 288 5 42 28 25 Source: UNICEF/WHO Nutrition and Immunization Survey of Bosnian Women and Children During 1993 In 1993 our country become a signatory of Innocenti Declaration on Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding and since than breastfeeding promotion program coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Health and Breastfeeding Committee has been conducted. In order to evaluate the program, in 1999 with the support of UNICEF, Institute of Public Health of FB&H conducted breastfeeding survey. WHO/UNICEF guidelines and methodology that ensured validity of data have been used. Results were following: exclusive breastfeeding rate up to four months of age was 8.1%, exclusive breastfeeding rate up to six months of age was 5.5%, predominant breastfeeding rate up to six months of age was 77.3%, early introduction of solid foods (before six months) rate was 81.3% and continuing breastfeeding up to one year rate was 40.7%. 19 Figure 9. Feeding practice of infants 0-6 months of age by cantons, FB&H 1999 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Srednjebosanski Kanton Sarajevo Unsko-sanski Tuzlanski Goraždanski Hercegovina Hercegovacko- Posavski dobojski bosanski Zenicko- Herceg- neretvljanski Zapadna Exclusive breastfeeding Predominant breastfeeding Arteficial feeding Source: Survey "Breastfeeding in F B&H", Institute of Public Health of F B&H and UNICEF 1999 Results showed that breastfeeding rates are still lower than expected and that weaning has been early introduced and inadequate. Part of breastfeeding promotion program is implementation of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. So far five hospitals in FB&H have been certified Baby Friendly and three more hospitals await assessment. Goal of this initiative is for all hospitals in FB&H to become Baby Friendly by the end of 2004. Unfortunately, International Code on Marketing of Breastmilk substitutes neither has been incorporated partly or in whole in some of existing laws nor it has been adopted as separate law. 1.4. Dietary habits and food intake In addition to neglected breastfeeding practice other data as well offer arguments for conclusion that our population have inadequate food intake and inappropriate dietary habits. Recent surveys showed that as much as 11% of children aged 0-5 years were found to be overweight and 5% 20 obese (MICS, 2000). Also, CINDI Health Monitoring Survey done in 2001 found 25.96% of overweight and obese adults. Prewar surveys indicated that diet was mostly abundant and characterized by intake of huge quantities of meat, fatty food and alcohol and combined with low level of physical activity 5 . Table 4. Reported food intake among non-manual workers in Sarajevo before war compared with Former Yugoslavia recommended daily allowances Reported food Recommended daily allowances intake in Former Yugoslavia Kcal 3100 2700 Protein 110 46 Fat 94 70 Carbohydrate 450 350 Source: Nutrition in Prewar Sarajevo, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Volume 49, Supplement 2, October 1995 There are no valid data on annual food intake for population. However, available data on average daily consumption of fruit and vegetables per person can serve for rough estimate. Unfortunately, it is clear (source: Statistical Institute of FB&H) figure of 22gr of fruit and vegetables consumed per person per day is not valid6 . System of data collection is insufficient as it collects data only from official public markets and does not include data from private groceries, illegal markets, supermarkets and food stores that present bigger part of market. But, even if we multiply this existing figure by ten and get fruit and vegetable consumption of 200gr per person per day it is still much less than recommended by WHO (400gr/person/day). 5 Nutrition in Prewar Sarajevo, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Volume 49, Supplement 2, October 1995 6 Statistički podaci o privrednim/gospodarskim i drugim kretanjima, Broj 2, Sarajevo, Februar 2001 ISSN 1512-5017 21 CINDI Health Monitoring collected most recent data on dietary habits and weekly consumption of foodstuffs in 2001. Only 48.1% of adults consume fresh fruit every day and 38.3% of adults consume fresh vegetables every day. As much as 38.5% of participants consume red meat 3-5 times a week and 45% of participants do not consume cereals at all. The ones that do eat cereals belong to younger age groups but they also consume fizzy drinks more frequently. That can be explained with only recent availability of cereals on market in our country and strong soft drinks advertising campaigns targeted of youth, as they are the ones that visit bars where those drinks are served most often. Figure 10. Weekly frequency of consumption of foods, FB&H, CINDI 2000 70,0 60,0 50,0 40,0 30,0 20,0 10,0 0,0 Boiled potato Fried potato Fresh fruit/berries Other fruit/berries Meat Fresh vegetables Other vegetables Meat products Non alchocolic Chicken Cheese Cereals Rice/Pasta Sweet peistry Eggs Sweets beverages Never 1-2 times 3-5 times 6-7times Habit of drinking coffee is strongly present in population of adults. 47.2% of adults drink 3-5 cups of coffee a day, and 21% drink as much as 5-10 cups of coffee a day. Tradition of tea consumption among adults is week and almost 95% of participants reported to drink only 1-2 cups of tea a day. 22 Figure 11. Daily consumption of tea and coffee by age groups, FB&H, CINDI 2000 120 100 80 19-24 25-34 60 35-44 45-54 40 55-65 20 0 Coffee 1-2 Coffee 2-5 Coffee 5-10 Tea 1-2 cups Tea 2-5 cups Tea 5-10 cups cups cups cups Highest percentage of population (64.34%) use oil for preparation of food and 12.32% use butter. Highly educated (university degree) adults have the healthiest diet. 68.40% of them use oil for food preparation and only 0.99% of them use lard and saturated fats. On contrary, 6.52% of participants with lower level of education use lard and saturated fats for preparation of food. Figure 12. Type of fat used for preparation of food in house, FB&H, CINDI 2000 13,83% 3,52% Vegetable oil 0,45% Margarine 2,92% Butter and butter products Lard, animal fats 12,32% No fats 2,62% 64,34% Do not know Does not prepare food 23 So in general it can be concluded that intake of read meat, fat and coffee is high while intake of fruit, vegetables and cereals is low. 1.5. Obesity and related diseases Both in developed and developing countries of Europe and world obesity became increasing public health concern. Obesity was present in Bosnia and Herzegovina and on the whole territory of Former Yugoslavia even before war and chronic noncommunicable diseases were major burden for health services and significant financial burden for country. Available prewar data related to obesity in FB&H came from survey conducted by Sarajevo Medical Faculty Institute of Hygiene in 19915. Assessment of nutritional status, health status, food intake and physical activity has been done on population of workers of four big companies in Sarajevo. Results showed that 8% of participants were obese. There were more obese women (11.6%) than man (5.5%). Survey also confirmed strong relation between obesity and precipitating factors. During the war fear of undernutrition and deterioration of population's nutritional status diverted attention from obesity. However, in the last round of WHO survey done in February 19952, obesity was assessed and high percent was found. Again, there were more obese women than men. Table 5. Obesity in adults and elderly in FB&H by sex, February 1995 % BMI >30 SARAJEVO TUZLA ZENICA ENGLESKA Adults Males 2.0 9.7 9.4 8.0 Females 9.5 21.5 15.5 12.0 Elderly Males 5.1 7.4 5.3 7.3 Females 12.9 16.5 12.4 12.8 Source: Report of WHO Nutrition Unit in B&H "Winter Nutrition Monitoring 1995" Survey on women and children MICS 2000, found obesity in children (12% of children 0-5 years old were overweight and 5% obese) and CINDI Health Monitoring found as much as 25.96% overweight and 24 obese adults. Biggest number of obese adults was found in age group 45- 54 and 55-65 years and again there were more obese women than man. According to statements of participants hypertension was the most frequent noncommunicable disease (21.01%) followed by muscle and skeletal diseases (19.52%) and angina pectoris (12.4%). Figure 13. Age distribution of self reported diagnosed diseases, FB&H CINDI 2000 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Back pain Hypertension Decompensation Diabetes Ulcer Angina pectoris Bronchitis Chest pain Asthma Arthritis Hart failure cholesterol High 19-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-65 Official morbidity statistics data of the FB&H PHI Statistical Service indicate that chronic noncommunicable diseases are in increase and that nutrition related diseases continue to be present on ten leading chronic noncommunicable diseases list. 25 Figure 14. Leading chronic noncommunicable diseases in FB&H, 1999-2001god., rate at 100000 300 Malignant neoplasm 320 230 Tyroid gland 385 418 malfunction 448 1.358 Diabetes 1.548 1.493 1.316 Chronic obstructive 1.797 pulmonary disorder 1.758 2001. 1.734 Iron deficiency anemia 1.881 2000. 2.035 1999. Mental and behavioral 2.100 2.428 disorders 2.238 Chronic diseases of 2.852 2.321 digestive system 4.153 4.594 Diseases of muscle 4.947 and skeletal system 4.286 8.300 Diseases of circulatory 8.636 system 8.066 Source: Report on Health Status of Population of F B&H in 2001, Institute of Public Health of F B&H Although secondary and tertiary health care professionals keep warning on relation between nutrition and some malignant diseases there is no register of malignant diseases in FB&H that would serve as a base for further analyses and research. However there is sufficient evidence on presence of obesity in population of FB&H and there is a need for development of appropriate strategies and implementation of specific preventive programs. 26 2. Food safety Industrialization and development of technology led to increase of number of products and improvement of production, transport, distribution, storage and preparation of food. All this together with import of food increased the risk of biological contamination of food with bacteria, parasites, fungi and their toxic metabolites – mycotoxines as well as risk of chemical contamination with heavy metals, pesticide residues, antibiotics. In addition, war left deteriorating consequences on overall food production, circulation, supervision and control system at the territory of F B&H. 2.1. Foodborne diseases Microbiological contamination of food and foodborne diseases are unsolved issues in FB&H, specially after collapse of the state caused by war. Data on safety of foodstuff and common use objects are collected within the mandatory health statistics reporting system. Laboratories for food control within cantonal institutes of public health are responsible for collection of data and sending of three months, six months and annual summary reports to the Institute of Public Health of FB&H. However, this reporting system is insufficient as it does not include data from other food safety and quality control laboratories like those within scientific and research institutions (Veterinary Faculty, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Faculty of Agriculture, etc.) and like food industry internal laboratories. Therefore real magnitude of existing overall food control is not known and it is not known if it fulfills legislative requirements (analysis of 15 samples per 1000 inhabitants). Table 6. Summary review of analyses done in public health laboratories for food safety and quality control in three year period at the territory of FB&H Microbiological Chemical Year No. of Incorrect % No. of examined Incorrect % examined samples samples 1998 5864 1307 22.3 2902 508 17.5 1999 6523 906 13.9 3276 753 23 2000 9027 975 10.8 3425 702 20.5 Source: Institute of Public Health of FB&H 27 Most frequent causes of not meeting microbiological criteria were increased total number of microorganisms, increased number of Enterobacter, E. Coli, coagulasis positive staphylococci and salmonellas. Most frequent causes of not meeting chemical criteria were inappropriate content, use of forbidden additives or presence of over quantities of allowed additives (synthetic organic colors, preservatives). Reporting on alimentary toxic infections and intoxications as well as foodborne epidemics is a part of mandatory communicable diseases reporting system. Epidemiological services in cantonal public health institutes are responsible for data collection and sending of reports to PHI FB&H Epidemiological Service that provides summary reports for FB&H. At the territory of FB&H in 2001 alimentary infections morbidity rate was 36,62 %000 and it put them at eight place of ten leading communicable diseases list. There were 5 epidemics of alimentary toxic infections with 108 causes. It is certain that low awareness and low level of education on hygiene and principles of handling, preparation and storage of food in house highly contribute to appearance of epidemics. Table 7. Ten leading communicable diseases at the territory of FB&H in period of 1997-2001 god. YEAR Disease 1997. 1998. 1999. 2000. 2001. diseased diseased diseased diseased diseased Range No. of Range No. of Range No. of Range No. of Range No. of Influenza 1 14445 1 16274 1 52145 1 39321 1 35695 Scabies 2 6908 3 4700 4 3514 5 2229 5 1865 Varicellae 3 6020 4 4462 3 3930 2 4309 2 4130 Enterocollitis 4 4555 2 5578 2 4334 3 3703 3 3590 Morbilli 5 4060 5 2811 - 69 - 34 - 26 Angina streptocc. 6 2264 6 2483 5 2064 6 1686 6 1719 Mononucleosis inf. 7 2235 - 247 - 199 - 190 - 269 TBC Pulmonum 8 1645 7 1706 6 1732 8 1555 7 1581 Rubeola 9 1092 - 167 - 61 - 75 - 44 Scarlatina 10 617 9 587 9 422 10 408 10 499 Toxinfectio Alimentaris - 565 8 959 8 965 9 1072 8 845 Parotitis epidemica - 159 - 113 7 1136 4 3512 4 3020 Source: Institute of Public Health of FB&H 28 As it can be seen there is plenty of data on foodborne diseases but insight in real situation still is not complete due to inaccuracy of reporting, absence of modern information and networking system and lack of capacity for identification of causal agent. 2.2. Supervision Supervision of circulation and production of foodstuffs in FB&H is under authority of sanitary inspection of the Ministry of Health, veterinary and phytosanitary inspection that work under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Supply and Forestry and market inspection that works under the Ministry of Trade. Presence of illegal border crossings and unorganized customs system interfere work of those inspection services. New organization of customs, border service (with 20 border crossings and 3 customs stations) and inspection services that is in progress, should provide complete supervision of food import and overall circulation and production of food including objects and stuff. 2.3. Laboratory control Another issue is laboratory control of safety and quality of foodstuffs. First of all, number of food safety and quality laboratories is insufficient. Out of ten cantonal public health institutes only five do have laboratories and one more is in construction. Those laboratories are insufficiently equipped and therefore many required microbiological, physical and chemical parameters can not be examined. In most chemical laboratories only simple instrumental techniques that use spectrophotometric and titrimetric methods are in use and only basic chemical parameters have been examined. Use of sophisticated methods like thinlayer chromatography, liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, gas spectrometry and flame techniques is limited not only due to inadequate equipment but due to inadequate education and training of staff as well. Therefore it is still impossible to do specific analyses of additives, mycotoxins, antibiotics, hormones, vitamins and some toxic substances (dioxin) in F B&H. Pesticide analysis include only quantity. Although atomic absorptive spectrometry is in use in some laboratories whole palette of heavy metals can not be analyzed in any of them. Also control of radiological contamination of foodstuffs has been introduced only recently and can be done only in the Institute of Public Health of FB&H. 29 Additional training of exisiting stuff for use of new laboratory equipment is in progress but improvement of work of laboratory would require new professional stuff as well. Only recently, Federal agency for standardization has started evaluation of laboratories for license and accreditation as referral laboratories for food safety and quality control. Federal Public Health Institute laboratory has got this license. Process of accreditation needs to be finished as soon as possible. 2.4. Legislation Legislation is another important issue in the field of food safety. Existing laws are outdated and inadequate in many aspects. Those laws are takenover from Former Yugoslavia and have not been either revised or harmonised with international standards and norms as jet. That comlicates work in control and supervision (for example number of new aditives emerge but laboratory control standards for them do not exist) enables abuse and creates new health risks. Ministry of Health of F B&H is authorised for regulation of following laws related to food safety: law on safety of foodstuffs and common use objects, law on protection of population from communicable diseases and law on sanitary inspection. Ministry of health works on revision of those laws. Initiative for accession to European Union has been introduced in B&H in 1998. It has been proposed for harmonization of laws related to food safety to be done according to European Union White Book from 1995. 3. Sustainable food supply Aim of sustainable food supply is to ensure sufficient quantities of good quality food, while helping to stimulate rural economies and promote social cohesion within rural societies. War caused damage of 15% of agricultural land, 70% of agricultural production equipment, around 60% of livestock fund, 20% of forests. Also 27% of best agricultural land is out of use due to presence of minefields. 30 Existing system of food supply at the territory of FB&H is jagged. Domestic food production makes only 37-40% of total food supply and only 3% of it have been produced in state owned sector. Table 8. Prewar and postwar agricultural production in FB&H Husbandry 199-91 1995/ 1995/ 1997/ 1998/ Change D Ha raisingsa (ha) 96 96 98 99c 99/91 Grains 193157 106424 115482 111059 102344 53.0% -90813 Vegetables 65741 49254 48513 50210 50834 77.3% -14907 Industrial plants 7987 737 857 1305 1362 17.1% -6625 Fodder 117811 52398 56074 64851 62898 53.4% -54913 Total 384696 228813 220926 227425 217438 56.5% -167258 Cattle fundc 1990 1996 1997 1998 1999 97/90 D No. Ox total 447371 205390 216731 222895 Np 49.8% -224476 Cows and Np 152180 158801 172973 Np Np Np heifers in calf Other Np 53210 57930 49922 Np Np Np Sheep total 651819 236663 263781 290189 Np 44.5% -361630 Breeding sheep Np 170497 189246 209577 Np Np Np Other Np 66166 74535 80612 Np Np Np Pigs 179288 90765 80865 76853 Np 42.9% -102435 Sow and first Np 10797 12928 15272 Np Np Np litter Other Np 79968 67937 61581 Np Np Np Poultry 2782950 1480656 1877488 2848322 Np 102.3% 65372 Horses 46628 17964 18979 19226 Np 41.2% -27402 Goats Np 31672 30313 35621 Np Np Np Source: Institute for Statistics, Sarajevo a Harvest, bSowed land, con 31st December Industrial production is represented with only several state owned food processing and production factories and with number of small private factories having outdated equipment, uneducated stuff and poor hygiene practice. In addition, existing domestic food production is burdened with ecological risks. Minefields, unsolved issue of disposal of liquid and solid waste, inadequate waste deposits and inadequate liquid waste filters present direct risk for contamination of land and indirect consequent contamination of food. Cultivation of land along highways and air pollution pose a risk for indirect contamination of food with heavy metals. Use of pesticides in agricultural production is in increase and it has been estimated that almost 10% of agricultural land have been contaminated by pesticides. 31 Supervision and control of primary and secondary production and distribution is complicated. Also, work of sectors involved in food production circulation and control is not coordinated. Responsibilities and activities of individual sectors are not precisely defined and that causes overlapping. Responsibility of food producers and distributors for assurance of safe food is small so they neglect potential risks and transfer their accountability to other subjects. Knowledge of employed staff on hygienic requirements in the process of food production and distribution is low and rarely refreshed. Particularly weak is knowledge on principles and implementation of HACCP system that includes risk assessment, determination of critical points and continuing control within the production process and than in whole food chain. World incidents (use of antibiotics in animal husbandry) and consequent health risks also need to be mentioned as 60% of food supply in FB&H is imported and capacities of laboratory control are limited. In addition to import of ready products that contain GMO there is potential threat of genetically modified organisms as biological pollutants (i.e. seed for cultivation) as their effects when relieved in environment have not been sufficiently examined. FB&H does not have capacity either for evaluation of submitted risk assessment or for process of reapproval of GMOs prior to import which is prerequisite for joining EU. Issues of food production and food supply influence health and therefore are mentioned here but are elaborated in details in document "Strategy of agricultural development of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina" that Federal Ministry of Agriculture Water Supply and Forestry developed with support of FAO in 2000. Document proposes models of sustainable development of food production and food supply that would help promotion and improvement of health of population. Document also stresses the need for stronger collaboration of health and agricultural sector. 32 III. GOAL, OBJECTIVES, STRATEGY AND ACTIVITIES 1. GOAL Goal of food and nutrition policy is to protect and promote health and reduce burden of diseases related to food and nutrition while contributing to social and economic development and sustainable environment. More specifically, main goal of health sector is promotion of health through well balanced diet, prevention of nutritional deficiencies and prevention and control of foodborne diseases. In that context and taking into consideration our present situation, objectives have been set as well as strategic approaches and priority activities for achievement of those objectives. 2. OBJECTIVES Nutrition • Reduction of obesity and undernutrition rates in population • Reduction of prevalence of anaemia and iodine deficiency disorders • Improvement of dietary habits of population • Improvement of information and education in the field of nutrition Food safety • Reduction of incidence of foodborne diseases • Insurance of safety of food in every process and every section of food production circulation and distribution chain from primary producer to consumer • Raising of public awareness on food safety and sanitation Sustainable food supply • Promotion of sustainable (environmentally friendly) food production that will ensure enough food of good quality while stimulating rural economies and social cohesion within rural societies 33 3. STRATEGY For accomplishment of overall goal and specific objectives stated in this document following strategic approaches are recommended: Nutrition • Education of health professionals in the field of nutrition at all levels • Education and information of public in the field of nutrition • Monitoring of nutritional status, dietary habits and food intake, as well as chronic noncommunicable diseases related to nutrition • Breastfeeding promotion and promotion of healthy nutrition • Conducting of specific programs for prevention of obesity and noncommunicable diseases • Conduction of programs for prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies • Conduction of programs aimed for socio-economically and nutritionally vulnerable groups Food safety • Strengthening of food safety and control system • Insurance of implementation of HACCP practice in whole food processing chain • Monitoring of food contaminants • Research aimed to gathering of data on positive and negative influence of food on health Sustainable food supply • Insurance of sufficient quantities of nutritious and safe food • Promotion of sustainable food production • Cooperation with food industry in implementation of specific programs (food fortification, production of foodstuffs with reduced salt content etc.) Main mechanism for implementation of this strategy is intersectoral coordination and collaboration and involvement of all relevant sectors – health, education, agriculture, environment protection, industry, media, non-governmental sector and strengthening of collaboration and partnership at local, national and international level. 34 In that context development of food and nutrition policy and action plan at state level is strongly recommended. 4. ACTIVITIES In implementation of food and nutrition policy in next five year period following activities are considered priority ones: • Establishment of intersectoral advisory and coordinating body such as food and nutrition committee Actors: Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Supply and Forestry, Federal Ministry of Education and Science, Federal Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mining, Institute of Public Health of F B&H, B&H Academy of Sciences and Arts Nutrition • Using international methodology and protocols to conduct population and specific vulnerable groups (i.e. school children) surveys that would serve as a base for establishment of systematic monitoring of nutritional status and dietary habits of population • To develop dietary guidelines for health professionals based on CINDI dietary guidelines • To develop dietary guidelines for population • In the frame of health information system work on establishment of cancer register • To conduct promotional activities and campaigns on healthy diet separately and within exiting campaigns and programs (CINDI, NEHAP, World Food Day, World Environment Day, Healthy Cities and Healthy Schools) • To conduct specific programs for vulnerable groups • Within existing breastfeeding promotion program: • Conduct assessment of all hospitals and maternity boards for Baby Friendly Hospital certification • Conduct continuous education of mothers on breastfeeding • Develop guidelines on weaning for infants and young children • Continuously conduct promotional activities (breastfeeding week) 35 • Work on implementation of International Code on Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes in some of relevant laws (law on safety and quality of foodstuffs, law on drags etc.) • Establish monitoring of implementation International Code on Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes • Within existing program for prevention of iodine deficiency disorders: • Establish committee for iodine deficiency disorders • Adopt and implement regulations on import and domestic production of salt • Train stuff working in inspection on monitoring of iodine content in salt • Continuously monitor iodine content in salt at all other levels • Continuously educate health professionals on iodine deficiency disorders prevention • Promote use of iodized salt in population's diet • Monitor iodine status in population specially among children • Establish integrated program for prevention of iron deficiency anaemia • Collaborate and coordinate activities with relevant partners at entity level • Continuously collaborate with international partners in exchange of experiences and information, gaining knowledge and providing expertise Actors: Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Education and Science, Federal Ministry of Agriculture Water Supply and Forestry, Federal Ministry of Energy Industry and Mining, Federal Ministry of Physical Planning and Environment, Federal Ministry of Displaced Persons and Refugees, Federal Ministry of Work and Social Affairs, relevant ministries at cantonal level, Institute of Public Health of F B&H, cantonal institutes of pubic health, Institute of Statistics of F B&H, medical faculties, stomatological faculties, University clinical center, health centers, relevant non – government organizations (Breastfeeding Advancement Group), mass media, food industry. Food safety • To establish working groups and make plan of action for revision of laws related to food safety and supervision and for their harmonization with international standards 36 • To improve laboratory equipment and educate laboratory stuff for its use as a base for establishment of systematic monitoring of food contaminants • To improve existing reporting and surveillance system on foodborne diseases morbidity and mortality with laboratory diagnostics data on causal agents • To define referral laboratories for supervision over foodstuffs specially imported ones • To undertake measures for membership and participation in work of Codex Alimentarius and its commissions • To establish registers of sanitary inspectors and data base on available equipment and stuff in laboratories for food safety and quality control • Continuously educate stuff employed in food industry and circulation on HACCAP principles and involve chapters on HACCAP principles in curricula of relevant undergraduate studies • Continuously inform public on food hygiene and safe food handling • Collaborate and coordinate activities with relevant partners at entity level • Continuously collaborate with international partners in exchange of experiences and information, gaining knowledge and providing expertise Actors: Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Energy Industry and Mining, Federal Ministry of Agriculture Water Supply and Forestry, Federal Ministry of Education and Science, Federal Ministry of Physical Planning and Environment, relevant ministries at cantonal level, Institute of Public Health of FB&H, cantonal institutes of pubic health, Institute for Standards, Norms and Patents of FB&H, medical faculties, veterinary faculties, food technology faculties, relevant non – government organizations (Consumer Association), mass media, food industry. Sustainable food supply • To establish universal monitoring system that would include entire chain of food production with a special emphasis on monitoring of use of pesticides antibiotics and biological stimulators in primary production • In secondary production and distribution verify appropriate production procedures and supervise it through competent inspection services • To educate produces in primary and secondary production • To promote sustainable food production 37 • To collaborate and coordinate activities with relevant partners at entity level • Continuously collaborate with international partners in exchange of experiences and information, gaining knowledge and providing expertise Actors: Federal Ministry of Agriculture Water Supply and Forestry, Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry Education and Science, Federal Ministry of Physical Planning and Environment, Federal Ministry of Energy Industry and Mining, relevant ministries at cantonal level, B&H Academy of Sciences and Arts, Institute of Public Health of F B&H, cantonal institutes of pubic health, Institute of Statistics of F B&H, relevant non – government organizations (Consumer Association), mass media, food industry. 38 REFERENCES 1. The First Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy, WHO European Region 2000-2005, WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2001 2. Food & Health in Malta, A situation Analysis and Proposals for Action, M. Bellizzi, H. A. Muscat, G. Galea 1992. 3. Nutrition Policy in Finland, National Nutrition Council, Helsinki 1992 4. Republique Francaise, National Nutritional – Health Program 2001 – 2005, Ministere de lEmploi et de la Solidarite; Ministere Delegue a la Sante 5. Croatian Food and Nutrition Policy, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb 1999. 6. Strategy of National Nutrition Policy in the Republic of Slovenia, draft September 2001 7. Earth Summit Agenda 21: the United Nations Program of Action from Rio. New York, United Nations Department of Public Information, 1992. 8. Nutrition policy in WHO European Member States: progress report following the 1992 International Conference on Nutrition, Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe, 1995 9. Health 21: the health for all policy - framework for the WHO European Region. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe, 1999 (European Health for All Series, No. 6). 10. Ishrana u Sarajevu prije rata, S. Zec, B. Telebak, O. Sljepčević, A. Filipović - Hadžiomeragić, 1994 godina Institut za higijenu, Medicinski fakultet Univerziteta u Sarajevu 11. Statistički godišnjak SR BiH (1991), Republički zavod za statistiku, Sarajevo 12. The Dietary and Nutritional Status of British Adults, 1990, J.Gregory, K. Foster, H. Tyler, M. Wiseman 13. WHO Winter Nutrition Monitoring Summary Report December '93 - February '94, WHO Nutrition Unit, Regional Office for Europe, Zagreb Area Office 14. WHO Annual report 1994, WHO Mission in the Former Yugoslavia 15. Who are the Nutritionally vulnerable in Bosnia - Herzegovina, January 1994, F. Watson, J. Vespa (unpublished) 39 16. Report on Nutritional Status and Household Food Security in December 1994 and February 1995 Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zenica, WHO Regional Office for Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina Office, Sarajevo 17. Stanje endemske gušavosti u BiH - komparativna studija ispitivanja izvršenih u 1956 i 1960 godini, M. Radovanović, G. Žarković, Z. Jeftić, M. Džumhur, S. Fočo, F. Čerkez, N. Šaćirbegović, Z. Knežević, N. Vučijak, F. Čustović, F. Bašić, B. Radojčić, Publikacija br. 3, Juni 1962 18. Stanje gušavosti u pet hiperendemskih žariša BiH na uzorku školske djece nakon dvadeset godina jodne profilakse, A. Filipović, D. Šiljak, Medicinski arhiv 28. Vol. - br. 5, 1974. 19. Anaemia Survey in Sarajevo, S. Mardel, B. Hailey, A. Mahmutović, Who Regional Office for Europe, Sarajevo Office, Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen U.K. 20. Akcioni plan za okoliš i zdravlje – NEHAP, nacrt, Zavod za javno zdravstvo F B&H, 1999 21. Strategija poljoprivrednog razvoja Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine, Federalno ministarstvo poljoprivrede, vodoprivrede i Sumarstva, Sarajevo 2000 22. Comparative analysis of progress on the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe 2000. 23. Prevention and control of iron deficiency anaemia in women and children: report of the UNICEF/WHO regional consultation, New York, United Nations Children's Fund, 1999. 24. Obesity – preventing and managing the global epidemic: report on a WHO consultation, Geneva, World Health Organization, 1998 (document WHO/NUT/NCD/98.1). 25. Michaelsen K. et al. Feeding and nutrition of infants and young children. Guidelines for the WHO European Region with emphasis on the former Soviet countries. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2000 (WHO Regional Publication, European Series, No. 87). 26. CINDI (Countrywide Integrated Noncommunicable Diseases Intervention) dietary guide. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2000 (document EU/00/5018028). 27. Draft urban food and nutrition action plan, Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe 1999 (document EU/ICP/LVNG 03 01 02). 28. Infant feeding in emergencies, Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe, 1997 (document EU/ICP/LVNG 01 02 08). 40 29. Comparative analysis of policies in WHO European Member States – second analysis of policies, Copenhagen WHO Regional Office for Europe 2000. In preparation. 41 42


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Marca Binny's 1949 Tres Petit Corona 4x44
Binny's is proud to offer the Marca Binny's 1949 series. We are confident that this smoke will amaze any cigar afficianado for its rich, complex, refined and balanced flavors, especially at this price.
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Fall is approaching. Make sure to stock up on cute fall colored, cozy, outfits.
enjoy :)
Fall is approaching. Make sure to stock up on cute fall colored, cozy, outfits.
enjoy :)
The Hype Cult. Get Initiated.
Allison Harvard was one of our favorite Americas Next Top Model contestants. She has the perfect mixture of adorable bunny-like features and an amazing style outside of ANTM.
Go check her out for some cute outfit ideas.
Ear cuffs seem to be getting very popular this summer. There are so many different varieties and styles that everyone can find one to fit their style from girly to goth to vintage.
The great thing about them is you don't have to go through actually getting your ear pierced to wear one. Although they do have them for pierced ears too…which is great!
Danielle has her cartilage pierced and has a cute ear cuff her mom found and was awesome enough to buy it for her. I just got my helix pierced (almost the same as cartilage piercings) and am looking forward to finding a cute ear cuff.
Connected by TCP: Save on smart LED lights today!
absolutely in love with this blouse from nastygal
who says skulls can't be classy?
Long time no post i suppose. We miss Tumblr :( It's been a crazy and hectic spring and we have both had little to no time to think of anything to post let alone even log on to Tumblr, but we have plenty of new ideas for posts that we will hopefully be able to work on soon and upload on to Tumblr for all yous people to see. So thank you for your patience :) much love to our followers <3
Keep the peace!
Danielle and Beth


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Lena Dunham Dyes Her Hair Green
Actress Lena Dunham now has green hair for fall. Could you do the same?Read More
Actress Lena Dunham now has green hair for fall. Could you do the same?Read More
Newlywed Lauren Conrad shared a new short hairstyle on her Instagram page on October 22nd. "Just got my first haircut in years," the designer…Read More
Discover 5 cool Halloween makeup tutorials from Youtube stars. From Maleficent to the Wicked Witch, get some inspiration for your beauty look this Halloween.Read More
The latest celebrity spokesperson for L'Oreal Paris is Australian actress Naomi Watts. Joining the ranks of Julianne Moore, Eva Longoria and Blake Lively; the…Read More
Take a look at Revlon's 1980s makeup advertisements featuring supermodels Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington + more. They're "the most unforgettable women in the world".Read More
Kate Goes Pink–In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, actress Kate Hudson showed off a new pink hairdo at the 28th American Cinematheque Award…Read More
MAC Cosmetics x Nasty Gal, Coming Soon–Sophia Amoruso, Nasty Gal's founder, has teamed up with MAC Cosmetics for a line of three lipsticks and…Read More
Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar shared a short hairstyle over the weekend with her Twitter fans. The "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" alum channeled her early…Read More
Check out these 5 unique Halloween beauty ideas sure to make your holiday all that much more glamorous. See the looks ranging from vampy makeup to punk hair.Read More
Shupette for Shu Uemura Available Now–Inspired by his cat, Choupette, Karl Lagerfeld has teamed up with Japanese makeup brand Shu Uemera on another limited…Read More


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Comfort Suites
2601 N. Crownpointe Drive
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
Phone: (928) 771-2100
Fax: (928) 771-2228
Starting From
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2601 N. Crownpointe Drive, Prescott Valley, AZ, US, 86314
- Phone: (928) 771-2100
- Fax: (928) 771-2228
4.7 out of 5 (231 reviews)
94% of guests recommend this hotel
A town rich in history and culture, Prescott was founded as the Territorial Capital of Arizona in 1864. After losing this status to Tucson in 1867, and then regaining it in 1877, it was Phoenix that finally nabbed the privilege of being the State capital. Named after the historian, William H Prescott, this town is home to several architecturally significant buildings, especially the ones on Whiskey Row, with 809 of these structures being on the National Register of Historic Places. Prescott also has a rich cultural scene and is the venue for events like the Frontier Days, the Bluegrass Festival, the Acker Music Festival, and the Cowboy Poets Gathering. See the website to know more about the town.
Prescott, AZ 86303
+1 928 777 1100
Earn valuable points toward free nights.


text: Fender Starcaster Pak with Amp, Stand, Cord, Strap, Strings, Tuner, Gigbag, and Picks - Black Flag this deal What's the matter? Choose a reason Dead deal Duplicate Bad link Spam Inaccurate No value Alive again Edit deal nthsll Aug 08, 2012 Great price. I paid that much for an acoustic guitar with nothing included 1 like Reply FibroMom Aug 08, 2012 Silly, boy - you should KNOW to wait for me to post a deal for you! ;) 1 like Reply nthsll Aug 08, 2012 SHAME on me. :-) 1 like Reply


text: life, love, note, we found love Added: May 8, 2012 | Image size: 500 x 333 px | More from: silatmdg.tumblr.com | Source: linkRELATED IMAGES:This image is in 10 setsTags;Love Hurts!by gwensdaaFirst Setby na9saucyby saucyNo comments Please log in or sign up to post a comment. add to set Views: 2345 Likes (**Who?): 10 Comments: 0 Tagged with :life 74063love 442940note 1303we found love 168Log in or Sign upLog In" or Sign Up


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Story: Nov 18, 2014
New film studies prof helps students appreciate film as art ...
CIA Exhibition: Nov 07, 2014
Fall 2014 Exhibitions
Story: Nov 15, 2014
Students capture two of the top prizes in museum's surreal d...
Events: Dec 05, 2014
Student Holiday Craft Sale
Social: 2 days ago via Facebook
Registration opens on Monday, Nov. 25 for the Cleveland Institute of Arts 2D3D national art and design competition for high school students. There are 13 cash ...
Story: Nov 04, 2014
New CIA building taking shape; set for December completion
Story: Nov 03, 2014
New Uptown Residence Hall featured in CIA video
Story: Aug 18, 2014
CIA again named to "Best in the Midwest" list
Cinematheque . Film Schedule . Ninotchka
A Touch of Lubitsch
United States | 1939 | Ernst Lubitsch
"Garbo laughs" (or so proclaimed the original ads) in this celebrated Lubitsch comedy starring Greta Garbo and co-written by Billy Wilder. Prior to cracking up, Garbo is a severe, no-nonsense Soviet agent who has been sent to Paris to supervise the sale of some valuable jewels for her government. While there she falls for a debonair Western playboy (Melvyn Douglas) who represents everything she hates. With Bela Lugosi.
110 min. New 35mm Print!
at the Cleveland Institute of Art
11141 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106
Become a Cinematheque member and save off regular admission prices for one full year!
General Admission: $9
Member: $7 (includes CIA I.D. holders)
Age 25 & under: $7 (proof of age required)
*Additional film on the same day: $7


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Northeast posts 20 pct February home sales drop
NEW YORK Home sales in the Northeast tumbled nearly 20 percent in February from last year, the worst region in the country, as the recession and layoffs made buyers cautious, the National Association of Realtors said Monday.
The median sales price in the Northeast fell under 5 percent year-over-year to $251,200.
Nationally, sales of existing homes fell 10.3 percent in February from a year ago, without adjusting for seasonal factors. The U.S. median sales price slid almost 16 percent to $165,400.
"We're at a point in our economy where everyone knows someone who's been personally affected," said Nicolas Retsinas, director of Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. "That certainly affects psychology and, as we know, psychology is a very important part of the housing market."
While the West Coast is getting a sales boost from heavily discounted foreclosures – but a walloping on prices – the Northeast housing market, which has a much smaller amount of distressed sales, is withering under the national recession and job losses, Retsinas said.
Home sales in seven major Northeast cities recorded double-digit declines in February, while median prices continue to fall across the region, according to The Associated Press-Re/Max Monthly Housing Report, also released Monday.
The report analyzed sales transactions in nine Northeast metropolitan statistical areas filed by all real estate agents, regardless of company affiliation.
Pittsburgh sales fell the most in the region, plunging nearly 44 percent in February from the year before. The median price there, however, only dipped 1.4 percent to $109,450, the best showing in the Northeast. Inventory fell by more than 23 percent year-over-year.
The city's housing prices didn't balloon like other places in the country, so its bust has been more moderate, said Sheryl Morgan, an agent with Keller Williams Real Estate Professionals in Canonsburg, Pa. But Morgan worries the recession will change the city's fortunes.
"I've lost two listings because of pay cuts," Morgan said. "They planned to move into a bigger home, but instead of selling and buying a new home, they're staying and refinancing."
She remains optimistic, though, saying low interest rates and the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit will likely increase traffic this spring.
Erik Pearson, an agent at Prudential Prime Properties in Boston, also expects a brisk spring in Beantown. He said there's been more interest from first-time homebuyers looking in the $300,000 to $700,000 range compared to the last few months of 2008.
"People feel the end is here or very close," he said.
However, the city didn't fare well compared with February last year. Sales there declined more than 16 percent in January from the year before, according to the AP-Re/Max report, while the median price fell almost 14 percent to $280,000.
The pink slips on Wall Street haven't discouraged buyers from shopping around, said John Allegro, a real estate agent with ERA Caputo Realty in New Hyde Park, N.Y.
"Open house attendance is up. Activity has perked up a little," he said.
But few are pulling the trigger yet, according to AP-Re/Max's data. Home sales in the suburban counties surrounding New York City – Suffolk, Nassau and Westchester counties – look like the stock market. Sales were off by 33 percent in February and the median price fell more than 13 percent to $370,000. The supply of unsold homes also grew by nearly 5 percent, the only area in the Northeast to show an increase.


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Karl Klooster — History, Features & 'The Cork'
Graining ground
Aug 9, 2013
Centerpiece for food and drink opens in Granary District read more... -
Eventful insight on IPNC
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Dinner and tasting encapsulate weekend read more... -
Quintessential intersection
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Four corners encompass public safety, education and finance read more... -
The full Nelson
Jul 26, 2013
Local doctor raised family of health professionals read more... -
The inside story
Jul 26, 2013
Wine & Art auction boasts a new host with indoor space to spare read more... -
Ivories and icicles
Jul 18, 2013
McMinnville pianist makes sweet music in remote Alaskan town read more... -
A taste of trouble
Jul 18, 2013
Sting puts Dundee Hills winery in hot water read more... -
New star on sip scene
Jul 12, 2013
Sokol Blosser Winery opens top tier tasting room read more... -
'An appalling story of homicide' in Whiteson
Jul 12, 2013
Shocking murder-suicide made local headlines in 1891 read more... -
Rosés aren't red
Jul 5, 2013
Festival attracts profusion of pink drinkers read more... -
All fired up
Jul 5, 2013
Latest book from Gaston author gathers heat read more... -
Great grape gadgets
Jun 27, 2013
Some wine gizmos work as ballyhooed, or even better read more... -
Firing up a fabulous Fourth
Jun 27, 2013 | 1 Comment
Willamina volunteers spark a stellar celebration read more... -
Six-year wait decided its fate
Jun 21, 2013
Abandoned hospital finally made way for Walgreens read more... -
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• Bermudez family struggles with unanswered questions (5087)
• UPDATE: Child located safe after being taken from custody hearing (5012)
• Downtown stabbing injures McMinnville man (3469)
• Remembering Parker (3400)
• Three officers fired on stabbing suspect (3201)
• Work crew walkaway taken into custody (3027)
• Let not this devastating act divide us one from another (2216)
• Letters to the Editor - Nov. 21, 2014 (1870)
• Moore's math teacher remembers (1565)
• DA Brad Berry: All three officers fired weapons (36)
• Bermudez family struggles with unanswered questions (17)
• Let not this devastating act divide us one from another (5)
• Letters to the Editor - Nov. 21, 2014 (2)
• Work crew walkaway taken into custody (2)
• Downtown stabbing injures McMinnville man (2)
• Wind firm sues to block release of bird-death data (1)
• Final election results show no changes (1)
• Ryan Adams - Losing a student to tragedy (1)


text:
I have a Gitzo 2531 tripod in mint condition and a manual lens Nikkor 28mm 2.0 AI (or AIS?). I'm looking to trade for a D700, Sigma 35 1.4, 16-35mm, 14-24mm..or any other interesting trade offers will be considered. I will add cash obviously. Please shoot me an email if interested. Thanks.
Visit my Nikonians gallery.
Email sent.
Sorry ....computer hung up!
Sorry ... computer hung up!
Pictures of the 28/2 to see if it's an AI or AIS?What shape is it in?- John
Copyright © Nikonians 2000, 2014
All Rights Reserved
Nikonians®, NikoScope® and NikoniansAcademy™ are trademarks owned by Nikonians.org.
Nikon®, Nikonos® and Nikkor® are registered trademarks of Nikon Corporation.


text:
November 26, 2014
June 26, 2014
Some students in Charlottesville are creating works of art by combining technology and design.
Ten and 11-year-old students have been creating pop-up cards featuring LED lights. The cards were designed on computers before being printed. The circuitry was then inserted into the cards.
A group of students and teachers at Walker Upper Elementary School judged the entries. The goal of the project is to inspire creativity.
"What we know from the research is that we can start engaging those kids in the reasoning, in the team work and collaboration skills, and in integrating technologies in new and different ways at a younger and younger age," said Paula Dickinson
The project is part of the school's STEM - science, technology, engineering, and mathematics - program.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
XC Results 9/18-19
Cross country runners went from running in the cold last week to the very warm again this weekend.
Cross country runners went from running in the cold last week to the very warm again this weekend.
Not only did some teams establish their validity, a few of them made some HUGE statements in the process.
Here is the schedule for Week 3 Football along with links to listen live via some great Wyoming Radio Stations.
Most teams are getting to work on conference business, and there's a few small invitationals this weekend.
This is the last week of the regular season.
Video highlights of the Friday, September 12th 3A Football game, between #3 Douglas at #2 Cody.
Cross Country runners had cool conditions to run in this weekend.
The season is moving right along, and a few teams are getting some conference games in.
Weather shortened golf events to one day in Casper and Powell.
A few teams that have been near the bottom the past years, are suddenly making a move towards the top.


text:
Announcing: Slashdot Deals - Explore geek apps, games, gadgets and more. (what is this?)
We are sorry to see you leave - Beta is different and we value the time you took to try it out. Before you decide to go, please take a look at some value-adds for Beta and learn more about it. Thank you for reading Slashdot, and for making the site better!
Dan Mcculley, the interviewee in this video, works for Intel and claims they have "about 140" projects going on inside their fabs and factories, of which the Smart Toolbox is but one, and it's one some technicians came up with because Intel workers lose something like $35,000 worth of tools every year. This project is based on the same Galileo boards Intel has used to support some high-altitude balloon launches -- except this is an extremely simple, practical application. Open source? You bet! And Dan says the sensors and other parts are all off-the-shelf items anyone can buy. (Alternate Video Link)
43 comments | 1 hour ago
HughPickens.com writes Jason Kane reports at PBS that emergency treatments delivered in ambulances that offer "Advanced Life Support" for cardiac arrest may be linked to more death, comas and brain damage than those providing "Basic Life Support." "They're taking a lot of time in the field to perform interventions that don't seem to be as effective in that environment," says Prachi Sanghavi. "Of course, these are treatments we know are good in the emergency room, but they've been pushed into the field without really being tested and the field is a much different environment." The study suggests that high-tech equipment and sophisticated treatment techniques may distract from what's most important during cardiac arrest — transporting a critically ill patient to the hospital quickly.
Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances stick to simpler techniques, like chest compressions, basic defibrillation and hand-pumped ventilation bags to assist with breathing with more emphasis placed on getting the patient to the hospital as soon as possible. Survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients are extremely low regardless of the ambulance type with roughly 90 percent of the 380,000 patients who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year not surviving to hospital discharge. But researchers found that 90 days after hospitalization, patients treated in BLS ambulances were 50 percent more likely to survive than their counterparts treated with ALS. Not everyone is convinced of the conclusions. "They've done as much as they possibly can with the existing data but I'm not sure that I'm convinced they have solved all of the selection biases," says Judith R. Lave. "I would say that it should be taken as more of an indication that there may be some very significant problems here."
100 comments | 7 hours ago
hypnosec writes: Analogue, a theater/art group, has developed an interactive installation called "Transports," powered by the Raspberry Pi, that lets you experience symptoms of Parkinson's disease. In the illusion, a person's mind is tricked into believing that his/her hand is the hand shown in a point-of-view video, and the motorized glove worn by the user gives the feeling of tremors associated with Parkinson's. The glove recreates tremors, the ones experienced by patients, at 6 hertz – the upper limit of what is experienced by people with Parkinson's disease. Users are asked to follow instructions fed through headphones while using the glove, which creates an illusion of a virtual limb. They are supposed to mimic the movements of a man on the screen and manipulate real cutlery as he does.
36 comments | yesterday
HughPickens.com writes Kate Briquelet reports in the NY Post that Principal Mark Federman of East Side Community HS has invited the New York Civil Liberties Union to give a two-day training session to 450 students on interacting with police. "We're not going to candy-coat things — we have a problem in our city that's affecting young men of color and all of our students," says Federman.
"It's not about the police being bad. This isn't anti-police as much as it's pro-young people ... It's about what to do when kids are put in a position where they feel powerless and uncomfortable." The hourlong workshops — held in small classroom sessions during advisory periods — focused on the NYPD's stop-and-frisk program and how to exercise Fourth Amendment rights when being stopped and questioned in a car or at home.
Some law-enforcement experts say the NYCLU is going beyond civics lessons and doling out criminal-defense advice. "It's unlikely that a high school student would come away with any other conclusion than the police are a fearful group to be avoided at all costs," says Eugene O'Donnell, a former police officer and professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. NYCLU representatives told kids to be polite and to keep their hands out of their pockets. But they also told students they don't have to show ID or consent to searches, that it's best to remain silent, and how to file a complaint against an officer. Candis Tolliver, NYCLU's associate director for advocacy, says was the first time she trained an entire high school. "This is not about teaching kids how to get away with a crime or being disrespectful. This is about making sure both sides are walking away from the situation safe and in control."
463 comments | yesterday
HughPickens.com writes: Scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are studying a mysterious ecosystem at one of the world's deepest undersea hydrothermal vents to get clues about what life could be like on other planetary bodies, such as Jupiter's icy moon Europa, which has a subsurface ocean. At the vents, tiny shrimp are piled on top of each other, layer upon layer, crawling on rock chimneys that spew hot water. "You go along the ocean bottom and there's nothing, effectively," says Max Coleman. "And then suddenly we get these hydrothermal vents and a massive ecosystem. It's just literally teeming with life." Bacteria, inside the shrimps' mouths and in specially evolved gill covers, produce organic matter that feed the crustaceans. The particular bacteria in the vents are able to survive in extreme environments because of chemosynthesis, a process that works in the absence of sunlight and involves organisms getting energy from chemical reactions. In this case, the bacteria use hydrogen sulfide, a chemical abundant at the vents, to make organic matter. The temperatures at the vents can climb up to a scorching 842 degrees Fahrenheit (450 degrees Celsius), but waters just an inch away are cool enough to support the shrimp. The shrimp are blind, but have thermal receptors in the backs of their heads.
According to the exobiologists, these mysterious shrimps and its symbiotic bacterium may hold clues "about what life could be like on other planetary bodies." It's life that may be similar—at the basic level—to what could be lurking in the oceans of Europa, deep under the icy crust of the Jupiter moon. According to Emma Versteegh "whether an animal like this could exist on Europa heavily depends on the actual amount of energy that's released there, through hydrothermal vents." Nobody is seriously planning a landing mission on Europa yet. But the European Space Agency aims to launch its JUpiter ICy moons Explorer mission (JUICE) to make the first thickness measurements of Europa's icy crust starting in 2030 and NASA also has begun planning a Europa Clipper mission that would study the icy moon while doing flybys in a Jupiter orbit.
75 comments | 3 days ago
jones_supa writes: In Windows, the kernel version number is once again in sync with the product version. Build 9888 of Windows 10 Technical Preview is making the rounds in a private channel and the kernel version has indeed been bumped from 6.4 to 10.0. Version 6.x has been in use since Windows Vista. Neowin speculates that this large jump in version number is likely related to the massive overhaul of the underlying components of the OS to make it the core for all of Microsoft's products. The company is working to consolidate all of its platforms into what's called OneCore, which, as the name implies, will be the one core for all of Microsoft's operating systems. It will be interesting to see if this causes any software compatibility issues with legacy applications.
170 comments | 4 days ago
An anonymous reader writes: Microsoft is testing a group of five robot security guards. They contain a sophisticated sensor suite that includes 360-degree HD video, thermal imaging, night vision, LIDAR, and audio recorders. They can also detect various chemicals and radiation signatures, and do some rudimentary behavioral analysis on people they see. (And they look a bit like Daleks.) The robots are unarmed, so we don't have to worry about a revolt just yet, but they can sound an alarm and call for human officers. They weigh about 300 lbs each, can last roughly a day on a battery charge, and know to head to the charging station when they're low on power.
140 comments | 4 days ago
NotInHere writes: The advocacy group "European Digital Rights" (EDRi) reports on leaked documents proposed by the Presidency of the council of the EU (currently held by Italy), which plans to remove vital parts from the telecommunications package that introduced net neutrality. The changes include removing the definition of "net neutrality" and replacing it with a "reference to the objective of net neutrality," which EDRi says will impair any ability to enforce it.
Also, the proposed changes would allow ISPs to "block, slow down, alter, degrade or discriminate" traffic in order to meet "obligations under a contract with an end-user to deliver a service requiring a specific level of quality to that end-user." EDRi writes that "[w]ith all of the talk of the need for a single digital market in Europe, we would have new barriers and new monopolies."
The council of the EU is one of its two legislative chambers. The EU parliament can now object or propose further changes to prevent the modified telecommunications package from passing.
76 comments | 4 days ago
Freshly Exhumed writes A bizarre and oddly beautiful display of spider webs have been woven across a large field along a walking trail in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. "Well it's acres and acres; it's a sea of web," said Allen McCormick. Prof. Rob Bennett, an expert on spiders who works at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, BC, Canada, said tiny, sheet-web weaver spiders known as Erigoninae linyphiidae most likely left the webs. Bennett said the spiders cast a web net to catch the wind and float away in a process known as ballooning. The webs in the field are the spiders' drag lines, left behind as they climb to the top of long grass to be whisked away by the wind. Bennett said it's a mystery why these spiders take off en masse.
80 comments | 5 days ago
Robotron23 writes: The latest attempt at NSA reform has been prevented from passage in the Senate by a margin of 58 to 42. Introduced as a means to stop the NSA collecting bulk phone and e-mail records on a daily basis, the USA Freedom Act has been considered a practical route to curtailment of perceived overreach by security services, 18 months since Edward Snowden went public. Opponents to the bill said it was needless, as Wall Street Journal raised the possibility of terrorists such as ISIS running amok on U.S. soil. Supporting the bill meanwhile were the technology giants Google and Microsoft. Prior to this vote, the bill had already been stripped of privacy protections in aid of gaining White House support. A provision to extend the controversial USA Patriot Act to 2017 was also appended by the House of Representatives.
437 comments | about a week ago
This is not a practical bike. "Even on smooth pavement, your vision goes blurry because you're vibrating so hard," Collin said to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter back in 2012 when he was only 15 -- and already building wooden bicycles. Collin's wooden bikes are far from the first ones. Wikipedia says, "The first bicycles recorded, known variously as velocipedes, dandy horses, or hobby horses, were constructed from wood, starting in 1817." And not all wooden bicycles made today are as crude as Collin's. A Portland (OR) company called Renovo makes competition-quality hardwood bicycle frames -- for as little as $2200, and a bunch more for a complete bike with all its hardware fitted and ready to roll.
Of course, while it might be sensible to buy a Renovo product if you want a wood-framed bike to Race Across America, you won't improve your woodworking skills the way Collin's projects have improved his to the point where he's made a nice-looking pair of wood-framed sunglasses described in his WOOD YOU? SHOULD YOU? blog. (Alternate Video Link)
71 comments | about a week ago
Quantus347 writes: Physicists at The Australian National Univ. (ANU) have engineered a spiral laser beam and used it to create a whirlpool of hybrid light-matter particles called polaritons. Polaritons are hybrid particles that have properties of both matter and light. The ability to control polariton flows in this way could aid the development of completely novel technology to link conventional electronics with new laser- and fiber-based technologies. Polaritons form in semiconductors when laser light interacts with electrons and holes (positively charged vacancies) so strongly that it is no longer possible to distinguish light from matter.
59 comments | about a week ago
HughPickens.com writes: Every year the works of thousands of authors enter the public domain, but only a small percentage of these end up being widely available. So how do organizations such as Project Gutenberg choose which works to focus on? Allen Riddell has developed an algorithm that automatically generates an independent ranking of notable authors for any given year. It is then a simple task to pick the works to focus on or to spot notable omissions from the past. Riddell's approach is to look at what kind of public domain content the world has focused on in the past and then use this as a guide to find content that people are likely to focus on in the future.
Riddell's algorithm begins with the Wikipedia entries of all authors in the English language edition (PDF)—more than a million of them. His algorithm extracts information such as the article length, article age, estimated views per day, time elapsed since last revision, and so on. This produces a "public domain ranking" of all the authors that appear on Wikipedia. For example, the author Virginia Woolf has a ranking of 1,081 out of 1,011,304 while the Italian painter Giuseppe Amisani, who died in the same year as Woolf, has a ranking of 580,363. So Riddell's new ranking clearly suggests that organizations like Project Gutenberg should focus more on digitizing Woolf's work than Amisani's. Of the individuals who died in 1965 and whose work will enter the public domain next January in many parts of the world, the new algorithm picks out TS Eliot as the most highly ranked individual. Others highly ranked include Somerset Maugham, Winston Churchill, and Malcolm X.
55 comments | about a week ago
sciencehabit writes: If you had the choice between hurting yourself or someone else in exchange for money, how altruistic do you think you'd be? In one infamous experiment, people were quite willing to deliver painful shocks to anonymous victims when asked by a scientist. But a new study that forced people into the dilemma of choosing between pain and profit finds that participants cared more about other people's well-being than their own. It is hailed as the first hard evidence of altruism for the young field of behavioral economics.
123 comments | about a week ago
HughPickens.com writes Josh Planos writes at The Atlantic that the isolated village of Hogewey on the outskirts of Amsterdam has been dubbed "Dementia Village" because it is home to residents who are only admitted if they're categorized as having severe cases of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. "There are no wards, long hallways, or corridors at the facility," writes Planos. "Residents live in groups of six or seven to a house, with one or two caretakers. Perhaps the most unique element of the facility—apart from the stealthy "gardener" caretakers—is its approach toward housing. Hogeway features 23 uniquely stylized homes, furnished around the time period when residents' short-term memories stopped properly functioning. There are homes resembling the 1950s, 1970s, and 2000s, accurate down to the tablecloths, because it helps residents feel as if they're home."
In Holland, everyone pays into the state health care system during their working years, with the money then disbursed to pay for later-in-life expenses — and that means living in Hogewey does not cost any more than a traditional nursing home. The inspiration came about in 1992, when Yvonne van Amerongen and another member of staff at a traditional nursing home both had their own mothers die, being glad that their elderly parents had died quickly and had not had to endure hospital-like care. A series of research and brainstorming sessions in 1993 found that humans choose to surround and interact with other like-minded people of similar backgrounds and experiences; the arrangement at Hogewey provides this by ensuring that residents with similar backgrounds continue to live closely together. On a physical level, residents at Hogewey require fewer medications; they eat better and they live longer. On a mental level, they also seem to have more joy. "The people here keep their independence, as much as they can have of it, and they stay active," says Theo Visser. "Here they still have a life. It's not the sort of slow, quiet death you get in other places. Here everyone feels at home."
231 comments | about a week ago
Recently you had a chance to ask acclaimed author of comics, novels, and television, Warren Ellis, about his work and sci-fi in general. Below you'll find his answers to your questions.
15 comments | about a week ago
An anonymous reader writes Scientists from Los Alamos National Laboratory have used Wikipedia logs as a data source for forecasting disease spread. The team was able to successfully monitor influenza in the United States, Poland, Japan, and Thailand, dengue fever in Brazil and Thailand, and tuberculosis in China and Thailand. The team was also able to forecast all but one of these, tuberculosis in China, at least 28 days in advance.
61 comments | about two weeks ago
RogueyWon (735973) writes "The latest entry in the long-running Assassin's Creed game series, Assassin's Creed: Unity released this week. Those looking for pre-release reviews on whether to make a purchase were out of luck; the publisher, Ubisoft, had provided gaming sites with advance copies, but only on condition that their reviews be withheld until 17 hours after the game released in North America. Following the game's release, many players have reported finding it in a highly buggy state, with severe performance issues affecting all three release platforms (PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One). Ubisoft has been forced onto the defensive, taking the unprecedented step of launching a live-blog covering their efforts at debugging the game, but the debacle has already had a large impact on the company's share value and the incident has drawn widespread attention to the increasingly common practice of review embargoes."
473 comments | about two weeks ago
Bennett Haselton writes: A editorial with 24,000 Facebook shares highlights the differences in public reaction to two nearly identical breastfeeding photos, one showing a black woman and one showing a white woman, each breastfeeding an infant. The editorial decries the outrage provoked by the black woman's photo compared to the mild reaction elicited by the white woman's photo, and attributes the difference to racism. I tried an experiment using Amazon's Mechanical Turk to test that theory. Read on to see the kind of results Bennett found.
350 comments | about two weeks ago
benrothke writes A word to describe the book Takedown: The Pursuit and Capture of Americas Most Wanted Computer Outlaw was hyperbole. While the general storyline from the 1996 book was accurate, filler was written that created the legend of Kevin Mitnick. This in turn makes the book a near work of historical fiction. Much has changed in nearly 20 years and Countdown to Zero Day: Stuxnet and the Launch of the Worlds First Digital Weapon has certainly upped the ante for accurate computer security journalism. The book is a fascinating read and author Kim Zetters attention to detail and accuracy is superb. In the inside cover of the book, Kevin Mitnick describes this as an ambitious, comprehensive and engrossing book. The irony is not lost in that Mitnick was dogged by misrepresentations in Markoff's book. Keep reading for the rest of Ben's review.
58 comments | about two weeks ago


text:
The March 2006 USA tour of Via Kabul: Central Asia Without Borders — presented and curated by the Aga Khan Music Initiative in Central Asia — features three groups of performers: Tengir-Too, from Kyrgyzstan, The Academy of Shashmaqâm, from Tajikistan, and Homayun Sakhi and Taryalai Hashimi, from Afghanistan (via California).
All of these performers are featured on Music of Central Asia, volumes 1-3, which is being released by Smithsonian Folkways in March 2006. The innovative series, which will eventually comprise 10 volumes, includes a CD as well as a DVD featuring a documentary film on the musicians as well as interactive instrument glossaries and maps.
The Concert schedule is as follows:
American Concert Premiere
Freer Gallery of Art, Meyer Auditorium, Washington, DC
Tickets: $18.00 - 25.00,
Performance: 7:30 pm
Freer Gallery of Art, Meyer Auditorium, Washington, DC
Tickets: $18.00 - 25.00,
Performance: 7:30 pm
Alfred Lerner Hall, Black Box Theatre, 5th Floor, Columbia University, New York
Free Admission,
Performance: 2:00 p.m. Interactive Family Concert, Ages: 6 to 17
Miller Theater (Columbia University), New York
Tickets $25,
Performance: 8:00 p.m.
Rudder Theater, College Station, TX
Free admission with ticket.
Performance: 8 pm
KiMo Theater, Albuquerque, NM
Tickets: $20.00 - 25.00,
Performance: 8 pm
Hall Auditorium (Miami University), Oxford, Ohio
Tickets: $5.00 - 10.00,
Performance: 7:30 pm
For more information:
Venues and tickets, please see the home of the USA tour.
About "Via Kabul" events.
Press enquiries, please see the press advisory or contact:
In the USA:
Dmitri Vietze
rock paper scissors
216 west allen street, suite 137
Bloomington, in 47403 USA
Tel. +1.812.339.1195
Fax +1.801.729.4911
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Website: http://www.rockpaperscissors.biz
In Europe:
Sam Pickens
Information Officer
Aga Khan Development Network
P.O. Box 2049
1211 Geneva 2
Tel: (+41 22) 909 7277
Fax: (+41 22) 909 7292
Mobile: (+41 78) 661 8714
E-mail: email@example.com
Quick links
What's new
26 November 2014
Agreement to Implement Disaster Preparedness Project in Central Asia
14 November 2014
Aga Khan Academy Selected as a Microsoft "Showcase School"
31 October 2014
AKDN Statement at the "Heart of Asia" Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan in Beijing
10 November 2014
Architects, Urban Planners and Academics Gather in Pakistan to Discuss Aga Khan Award for Architecture
03 November 2014
Aga Khan Reviews Progress of University of Central Asia's Naryn Campus
© 2007 The Aga Khan Development Network. This is the only authorised Website of the Aga Khan Development Network.


text:
Brandon Moore Cut Official
By Sean M. Deegan
Publisher, Jets Insider.com
February 26th, 2009
Confirming reports that have been surfacing all week, the Jets roster gutting continued today as they officially released veteran Guard Brandon Moore.
The move was announced by the Jets late this afternoon and saves the Jets another $7.5MM on this year's salary cap, a figure that was due to Moore via a roster bonus on March 1st.
After parting ways with Laveranues Coles yesterday, the team now has glaring holes at WR and on the offensive line. The Jets are reportedly high on youngster offensive linemen Wayne Hunter and Robert Turner who could fill in for Moore, but more likely the team will try to sign a free agent who can fill in. The first name that comes to mind is a player Head Coach Rex Ryan is familar with, the Ravens' Jason Brown who will likely become a FA come midnight.
Moore is now free to sign with any team and will be very sought after starting at midnight.