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Waste-disaster production is often considerate less urgent or less important than access to health or water. However, it may be central in recovery and reconstruction process of the affected area. It reduces negatives effects (pollution, canal obstruction, interrupted communications...) while participating in economic revitalization of this area (waste recycling, stimulating economic sectors...).In this context, the article presents results of research carried out in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and one of its districts, Tabarre, following the January 12, 2010 earthquake. The aim is to analyze spatial dimension of waste post-disaster management. This analysis permit to understand the destination of 94% of the 10 million m3 of earthquake-waste, that have not been sent to the official landfills and recycling center. It allows understanding the spatial logics waste management implemented by national and international authorities, such as civil society and informal sector. It correspond to relegation waste logical threw sacrificed spaces. This removal takes place at several scales, taking into account use landing and proximity between the waste fields and waste disposal sites. Existing logic of spatial household waste and construction waste management are exacerbating after the disaster. The findings made in Port-au-Prince agree with international feedback about disasters. These advocate, as possible, anticipated management of post-disaster waste, especially where disasters are frequent, as in Haiti, including planning of landfills and temporary intermediate places for transit and sorting waste.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common peripheral neuropathy. The anatomical configuration of the carpal tunnel is that of an inelastic channel. Any increase in its volume or alteration in shape will usually result in a significant increase in interstitial pressure. Systemic associated diseases (for example diabetes) can be considered cause CTS. The efficacy of different types of electrotherapy for painful peripheral neuropathy has been evaluated in many studies. We describe the rehabilitation treatment effect in the CTS with diabetes mellitus etiology. Case report. A 52-years-old female person, with diabetes mellitus type II, non-insulin dependent, with symptoms of CTS, that do not yield to treatment with NSAIDs and analgesics. Electrodiagnostic evaluation confirmed diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, radiography of the wrist and right hand and the carpal tunnel sonography do not revealed changes which would suggest a local cause of the carpal tunnel syndrome. Rehabilitation program (electrotherapy, massage, physical exercises, occupational therapy) is aimed to reducing pain and numbness, maintain the pain-free range of motion and muscle toning, increase the ability of the hand. Conclusion. Rehabilitation treatment has had a favorable impact on patient's symptoms, leading to pain and numbness disappearance, daily activities can be performed without difficulty and the Sensory Nerve Conduction Velocity (CV) increased with 36 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose was to examine the efficiency of two interventions for neck-shoulder complaints to computer workers: a short-term physical therapeutic program and a home exercises program. Material and method. We performed a 6-month interventional therapeutic study on 164 computer workers with musculoskeletal neck-shoulder complaints who were divided in two groups. In the first phase (2 weeks) group I (92 subjects) followed a physical therapy intervention (electrotherapy and massage) and group II (72 subjects) followed the same physical therapy intervention and an exercise program. In the second phase (6 month) group I was the control group without therapeutic intervention and group II continued the home exercises program aimed to increase force and endurance for neck muscles. We monitored the evolution of pain scores Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) measured by algometry. Results. After 10 sessions of physicall therapy all parameters were significantly better for both groups. Group II had a better evolution on functional score NDI. After 6 month all parameters (VAS, NDI, PPT) were significantly better for group II who performed a home exercises program. For the control group, the evolution was also good for VAS and NDI, but non significant for PPT. Conclusions. Analgesic electrotherapy and massage improves the symptoms for short and medium term, but strength and endurance exercises for neck muscles improves also physical functions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Fibromyalgia is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by widespread chronic pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, depression or anxiety and cognitive alterations. It has several therapy options, physical exercise being one of the most recommended. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a combined training program on pain and associated symptoms in fibromyalgia patients. Methods The study included 34 patients who underwent a 12-week physical training program. The program included 3 weeks of flexibility exercises, 3 weeks of postural hygiene and balance exercises, 3 weeks of aerobic exercises and 3 weeks of Pilates. We monitored the number of tender points, pain rated by the patient and measured with a digital algometer in 6 points of the body, level of anxiety and depression and disease impact. All the parameters were evaluated before and after the program, as well as 4 months after the program was over. Results: The average number of tender points dropped from an initial 12 to 5.6, scores for pain registered a 43% decrease and disease impact diminished from 53.1 to 39.1 (p<0.001). The pain threshold indicated by the algometer improved on all measured points. Positive results in these parameters were still observed at follow-up. No significant results were found for depression and anxiety. Conclusion: a mixed training program improves the level of pain, number of tender points, disease impact and quality of life in fibromyalgia patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proposal of a separation strategy of disaster waste in order to increase recycling feasibility in small islands contextRoxana Popescu: PhD at Mons University, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, 20, Place du Parc, B7000 Mons – Belgium; research fellow at Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée University, 5 Boulevard Descartes, 77420 Champs-sur-Marne, FranceContact: popescu.roxana.mihaela@gmail.com In small islands territories, like Commonwealth of Dominica, that are exposed to an increased frequency and intensity of extreme events, managing disaster waste is becoming a major issue. In the light of a series of context base challenges like limited space for separation and disposal of waste, knowledge and capacity to design an efficient operational plan taking into consideration time constrains related to recovery and reconstruction, insufficient treatment facilities and insufficient funds, most of the disaster waste is disposed directly to landfills that are already reaching capacity, missing the financial opportunities of recycling. The objective of this poster is to propose a solution for the separation of the disaster waste produced in Dominica by the impact of the category 5 hurricane Maria, in order to increase the recycling rate. The evaluation and analysis of this study case was realized through field observation and interviews during a 3 weeks expert mission mobilized upon the request of the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency and deployed through the UN Environment / OCHA Joint Unit, 3 weeks after the impact. Heavy rains and 300km/hour winds that blew up for almost 8 hours over the whole island caused the destruction of almost 100% of the agriculture sector, 90% of buildings was damaged or partially damaged, and 75 % of tropical forest was reported blown down or having foliage and branches stripped, roadblocks due to boulders, trees and soil from landslides. The destruction resulted in enormous quantities of mixed waste that were collected and stored in an uncontrolled manner in two official temporary storage sites and various illegal dumping sites, without any other treatment solution identified.In this study case, the proposed sorting strategy is adapted to the limited open space and the urgency to clean the affected areas, constrains often encountered in dense urban areas. The recycling options identified are taking into consideration the recycling feasibility of the main post disaster waste streams at national level, as well as the local available resources. The results are emphasizing the need to improve the management of disaster waste for resilient territories, through the optimization of the relation between variables like sorting strategies, time and space constrains and recycling rate. These research challenges are just recently addressed, like for example in the research project DePOs (Hurricane Waste Studies) coordinated by Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée University.Keywords: disaster waste, recycling, temporary storage sites [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]