bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Übertragbare Krankheiten: Herausforderung für die Öffentliche Gesundheit
Authors: Herr Caroline
Published: July 2014

Einleitung

Infektionskrankheiten stehen zunehmend im Blickpunkt der Bevölkerung und der Wissenschaft. Durch Vernachlässigung von hygienischen Maßnahmen sowie nichtadäquaten Antibiotikaeinsatz hat die Zahl der Infektionen mit multiresistenten Erregern zugenommen. Im Falle von „Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases“ kam es auch durch Impflücken (z.B. Masern) und Impfskepsis zu einem deutlichen Anstieg. Im Innenraum sind Schimmel, im Außenluftbereich anthropogene Bioaerosolimmissionen aus Anlagen der Land- und Abfallwirtschaft sowie Legionellen aus Rückkühlwerken als Infektionsquellen in den Fokus gerückt. Der öffentliche Gesundheitsdienst ist hier präventiv tätig und versucht, durch unterschiedliche Herangehensweisen die Ausbreitung der Infektionskrankheiten zu verhindern, sie frühzeitig zu erkennen oder ein Wiederauftreten zu verhindern.
Noroviren – ein Impfstoff muss erst entwickelt werden
Authors: Hofmann Friedrich
Published: July 2014

Einleitung

Seit der ersten wissenschaftlich genauen Dokumentation der ‘winter vomiting disease’ mit den typischen Merkmalen einer Gastroenteritis im Jahre 1968 und der wenig später erfolgten Entdeckung des verantwortlichen Pathogens (heute als Norovirus bezeichnet) hat man in zahlreichen Studien versucht, Präventionsmaßnahmen zu erforschen. 2010 wurden erste Ergebnisse einer Studie zur Produktion eines Impfstoffs mit Hilfe virusartiger Partikel präsentiert, denen 2012 eine weitere, ähnliche Untersuchung folgte. In dieser Arbeit sollen die Eigenschaften von Noroviren und die Ergebnisse der Impfstoffstudien präsentiert werden.
Zur derzeitigen Bedeutung der Infektionskrankheiten
Authors: Hofmann Friedrich
Published: July 2014

Einleitung

Während der letzten beiden Jahrhunderte sind Hunderte von Infektionserregern entdeckt worden. Die epidemiologische Situation hinsichtlich der wichtigsten Infektionskrankheiten in Deutschland hat sich in den letzten zehn Jahren entscheidend geändert. Einem signifikanten Abfall der Hepatitis A- und B-Inzidenz steht die moderate Reduktion bei der Hepatitis C und der Tuberkulose gegenüber, während Masern und Hepatitis E erheblich an Bedeutung gewonnen haben. In dieser Arbeit werden Public Health-Maßnahmen zur Kontrolle von Infektionskrankheiten vor dem Hintergrund der Empfehlungen der Ständigen Impfkommission am Robert Koch-Institut diskutiert.
Kopfläuse und ihre Bekämpfung - eine unendliche Geschichte?
Authors: Mehlhorn Heinz
Published: July 2014

Einleitung

Regelmässig kommt es 4-6 Wochen nach den großen Schulferien zu Läusealarm in Kindergärten und Schulen. Läuseträger werden gemobbt, obwohl jeder bei Haar-zu-Haar-Kontakten von Läusen befallen werden kann. Es treten meist nur befruchtete Weibchen auf einen neuen Wirt über. Daher dauert es 4-5 Wochen, bis überhaupt Läuse bemerkt werden. Wenn nicht gleichzeitig alle Kinder/Personen behandelt werden, kommt es zu anhaltenden kostenträchtigen Ping-Pong-Infektionen. Pflanzliche Mittel wirken wenig und wirken potenziell allergen. Insektizide können auf bereits resistente Läusestämme treffen. Di- und Cyclomethicone wie auch ein liquides Bioprodukt wirken erstickend, wobei allerdings bei den Silikonen die Gefahr der leichten Entflammbarkeit besteht. Alle Produkte müssen aber stets bis auf die Kopfhaut aufgebracht werden, weil dort die meisten Läuse sitzen.
Infektionen im Kindesalter
Authors: Zoch Beate , Mikolajczyk Rafael
Published: July 2014

Einleitung

Das frühe Kindesalter stellt sowohl bezüglich der Exposition gegenüber Infektionskrankheiten als auch für die Entwicklung des Immunsystems die sensibelste Lebensphase dar. Weltweit wurden und werden zahlreiche Anstrengungen unternommen, um die Zusammenhänge zwischen Infektionen, Immunantwort und Langzeitfolgen zu untersuchen. Neue Erkenntnisse werden aus Geburtenkohorten erwartet, die sich besonders der Betrachtung von Infektionen widmen.
Der Frühsommer-Meningoenzephalitis (FSME) kann durch Impfung vorgebeugt werden
Authors: Niedrig Matthias , Klaus Christine
Published: July 2014

Einleitung

Die Frühsommer-Meningoenzephalitis (FSME) ist eine der bedeutendsten viralen durch Zecken übertragenen Krankheiten in Deutschland. Der Erreger, das FSME-Virus, kann durch alle Entwicklungsstadien der Zeckenspezies Ixodes ricinus übertragen werden. In seltenen Fällen kann eine Infektion auch durch Rohmilch und Rohmilchprodukte erfolgen. Der Schwerpunkt der Erkrankungsfälle liegt in Süddeutschland, Einzelfälle kommen aber in ganz Deutschland vor. Eine wirksame Impfung gegen FSME steht zur Verfügung. Eine spezifische Therapie für FSME Erkrankte steht nicht zur Verfügung
Sexually transmitted infections: incidence and awareness among German adolescents
Authors: Samkange-Zeeb Florence , Pöttgen Saskia
Published: July 2014

Despite the fact that they are largely preventable and curable, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) present a major global public health problem disproportionally affecting young persons aged 15-25 years. Several STIs can occur without, or only with mild and passing symptoms over long periods of time, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment, and also increasing the chance of the infections being passed on during unprotected sexual intercourse. According to reports, many adolescents get information on STIs such as chlamydia and human papillomavirus only after getting infected.
Die Wiederentdeckung Sexuell übertragbarer Infektionen jenseits von HIV
Authors: Stiehler Matthias
Published: July 2014

Einleitung

Sexuell übertragbare Infektionen (STI) gewinnen in den letzten Jahren wieder zunehmend an Bedeutung. Insbesondere der Zusammenhang der Zunahme von STI- und HIV-Infektionen forderten wieder eine stärkere Beschäftigung mit Syphilis, Chlamydien und Gonorrhoe. Dabei werden verschiedene Probleme deutlich: Es fehlt an bundesweit verlässlichen Daten, der Aufklärungsstand zu den STI ist verglichen mit HIV gering und es fehlt an flächendeckenden Screeningmöglichkeiten.
Presentazione
Authors: Rossi Franco
Published: July 2014

La ricerca di modalità adeguate con cui, date le risorse a disposizione, procedere alla remunerazione dei costi dei servizi sanitari pubblici può essere definita come “a never ending task”. La ragione principale consiste nel fatto che, in un contesto in cui prevalgono criteri regolatori ispirati alla universalità dell'offerta e alla equità di accesso ai servizi, le modalità di allocazione delle risorse tra i vari produttori e tra le varie tipologie di servizio incorporano, accanto al contenuto “tecnico”, valenze di natura più generale che in qualche modo rappresentano le istanze legate ai criteri regolatori appena richiamati. In altri termini qualsiasi modalità di remunerazione dei costi di qualsiasi servizio sanitario pubblico, cioè finanziato con risorse pubbliche, è chiamata ad assolvere contemporaneamente ad una duplice funzione, dovendo rappresentare uno strumento orientato verso il perseguimento di maggiori livelli sia di efficienza allocativa, sia di equità distributiva intesa come opportunità di accesso ai servizi.
Capitolo 6: Il costo dei pazienti
Authors: Arrighi Enrico , di Maio Alessandra , Mapelli Vittorio
Published: July 2014

La stima del costo annuo di trattamento (CT paz) del paziente psichiatrico all'interno del DSM ha comportato (figura 6.1): a) la descrizione e quantificazione delle prestazioni ricevute nelle strutture delle UOP nel corso del 2000; b) la valorizzazione del trattamento attraverso la determinazione di costi medi standard delle prestazioni. Data l'ampiezza del campione si è optato per un modello di activity based costing, in cui la stima del costo del prodotto è ottenuta come somma dei costi di singole attività generate dall' organizzazione. Nel caso specifico l'organizzazione, il prodotto e le attività sono rappresentati rispettivamente dalla UOP, dal trattamento complessivo ricevuto dal paziente nel corso del 2000 e dalle singole prestazioni erogate dalle strutture della UOP.

La prima fase (punto a) ha utilizzato il flusso informativo regionale Psiche per rilevare le prestazioni erogate nel 2000 per singolo paziente reclutato.
Capitolo 7: Il modello esplicativo della variabilità dei costi di trattamento dei pazienti: metodologia e risultati
Authors: di Maio Alessandra , Lora Antonio , Torri Valter
Published: July 2014

La forte variabilità nei costi di trattamento e l'obiettivo di definire un sistema di classificazione dei pazienti psichiatrici in gruppi iso-risorse hanno suggerito di ricorrere all'analisi statistica e in particolare ai modelli di analisi della varianza per rispondere ai seguenti interrogativi:

– in che misura la diagnosi è in grado di predire i costi di trattamento dei pazienti psichiatrici;

– qual è la capacità esplicativa della gravità dei pazienti psichiatrici rispetto ai loro costi di trattamento;

– quali sono gli altri fattori predittivi dei costi, oltre alla gravità e alla diagnosi.

Si è proceduto, dapprima, con modelli univariati, nei quali i costi per paziente (variabile dipendente) sono stati correlati, di volta in volta, con la diagnosi, la gravità o altre variabili esplicative. Successivamente, le variabili più esplicative, sono state regredite tutte insieme con i costi per paziente, secondo il modello interpretativo illustrato successivamente.

Nella maggior parte delle regressioni sono stati utilizzati i dati relativi ad una coorte di 5.390 pazienti, che corrispondono a quelli reclutati nella prima rilevazione HoNOS (16 gennaio-16 febbraio 2000) per i quali, al momento della stesura di questo rapporto, era possibile calcolare il costo annuo delle prestazioni consumate, risultante dalle informazioni raccolte tramite il Sistema Informativo PSICHE nel 2000.
Conclusioni
Authors: Erlicher Arcadio , Lora Antonio
Published: July 2014

Il progetto ha rappresentato un notevole sforzo organizzativo, che ha coinvolto per un anno un ampio numero di DSM/UOP, di operatori e di pazienti.

La ricerca ha dimostrato che, all'interno e tra i Dipartimenti di Salute Mentale:

possibile costruire un network di ricerca,

che possono essere utilizzati nella routine strumenti per la valutazione della gravità e dell'esito,

possibile raccogliere ampi campioni di pazienti rappresentativi della realtà clinica dei servizi,

gruppi di clinici possono collaborare tra loro per raccogliere dati sull'effective-ness e sui costi dei trattamenti.

La possibilità di costruire un network di ricerca nei servizi clinici richiede uno sforzo organizzativo e ha un costo. Per fare questo sono necessari una struttura centrale in grado di dare supporto formativo, epidemiologico, informatico e di analisi, un sistema strutturato di incentivi scientifici e la restituzione agli operatori “in tempo reale” delle informazioni ricavate dalla ricerca.

Questa ricerca ha portato ad una estesa conoscenza sulle caratteristiche sociodemografiche e cliniche (diagnosi e gravità) dei pazienti in trattamento nei servizi di salute mentale: il campione indagato è il più ampio oggi raccolto in Italia. La ricerca è anche stata la prima esperienza nazionale di stima dei costi per 50 strutture, con analisi dei costi standard delle singole prestazioni e del pattern di trattamento annuo e relativi costi.
Modelli concettuali di qualità della vita
Authors: Ruggeri Mirella , Santolini Nazario , Stegagno Marco , Imperadore Giuseppe , Dall'Agnola Rosa Bruna
Published: July 2014

Lo studio della qualità della vita nei pazienti affetti da disturbi mentali risale ai primi anni '80 (Malm et al., 1981; Lehman et al., 1982; Lehman, 1983; Baker & Intagliata, 1982; Bigelow et al., 1982). Negli stessi lavori compare per la prima volta un tentativo di riflessione teorica sul concetto di qualità della vita in psichiatria: un elemento condiviso dagli autori che si sono occupati di qualità della vita in quel periodo è il superamento delle tradizionali misure legate alla malattia (sintomi, compromissione, disabilità) per includere nell'indagine l'esperienza che il paziente ha della propria condizione di vita; tuttavia, vi sono notevoli differenze tra i vari autori nella concettualizzazione del rapporto tra le condizioni obiettive di vita e la loro percezione soggettiva e circa i fattori che influenzano questa relazione. Descriveremo di seguito alcuni modelli di qualità della vita facendo riferimento alla recente opera di Katschnig et al. (1997).
Presentazione
Authors: Condò Franco
Published: July 2014

Accolgo con favore l'iniziativa del Centro Studi e Ricerche della ASL Roma E di realizzare un'edizione italiana del rapporto dell'Organizzazione Mondiale della Sanità sulla salute mentale delle popolazioni indigene nel mondo.

Questa pubblicazione, ottimamente curata dal dr. Pompeo Martelli, è motivo d'orgoglio per la nostra Azienda impegnata nel miglioramento continuo della qualità dei servizi sanitari e delle prestazioni offerte alla cittadinanza per la promozione della salute, la prevenzione, la cura e la riabilitazione.

Gli operatori della salute pubblica del nostro paese si confrontano sempre più spesso con cittadini provenienti da altre culture.

Le regole per l'assistenza sanitaria agli immigrati indirizzate dal Ministero della Salute agli operatori del SSN e ai cittadini che provengono da paesi non appartenenti all'Unione Europea e le “Linee guida per l'assistenza sanitaria agli stranieri” pubblicate dall'Assessorato alla Sanità della Regione Lazio pur caratterizzandosi come iniziative molto avanzate nel panorama normativo europeo hanno altresì bisogno di un valido e collaudato modello di servizio sanitario “culturalmente sensibile”, obiettivo questo che la nostra Azienda si è impegnata a percorrere considerando che lo sviluppo di nuove procedure di accesso per utenti stranieri conduce a cambiamenti significativi nell'attuale organizzazione dei servizi.
Prefazione
Authors: Webster Ted
Published: July 2014

L'esame generale sulla salute mentale delle popolazioni indigene effettuato dal dr. Alex Cohen si inserisce a pieno titolo tra gli sforzi dell'Organizzazione Mondiale della Sanità nel promuovere la salute mentale, prevenire i principali disturbi mentali e neurologici, assicurare l'offerta di cure appropriate particolarmente ai soggetti più vulnerabili e bisognosi di servizi sanitari.

Presentando questo lavoro in un contesto più ampio può essere utile richiamare uno dei principi costitutivi dell'OMS, che “il godimento del più elevato standard di salute raggiungibile è uno dei diritti fondamentali di ogni essere umano senza distinzione di razza, religione, fede politica, condizione economica o sociale”. L'Organizzazione Mondiale della Sanità considera la salute come “uno stato di completo benessere fisico, mentale e sociale e non meramente l'assenza di malattia o infermità”.

Inoltre questo resoconto giunge a noi nel punto centrale dello svolgimento del programma International Decade of the World's Indigenuos People. Tale programma è patrocinato dall'Alto Commissariato per i diritti umani delle Nazioni Unite e dal Gruppo di Lavoro sulle Popolazioni Indigene (Working Group on Indigenous Populations-WGIP) che riferiscono i risultati raggiunti all'Assemblea Generale delle Nazioni Unite attraverso la ECOSOC, la Commissione sui Diritti Umani e la sub-Commissione sulla Prevenzione della Discriminazione e Protezione dei Minori. Al WGIP è assegnato il compito di analizzare gli sviluppi riguardanti le attività di promozione e protezione dei diritti umani e fondamentalmente la libertà delle popolazioni indigene, ponendo particolare attenzione all'evoluzione degli standard relativi ai diritti di queste popolazioni. Al WGIP è stata richiesta la stesura della Dichiarazione sui diritti delle Popolazioni Indigene del mondo che al momento è in discussione e la cui conclusione è attesa nel corso del programma decennale.
Postfazione
Authors: Losavio Tommaso
Published: July 2014

Indagini condotte in diverse città italiane rilevano che i cittadini stranieri utilizzano i servizi del SSN in modo proporzionalmente più basso al confronto con quello della popolazione autoctona (AA.VV. La salute straniera: Epidemiologia, culture, diritti, ESI, Napoli, 1994).

Una ricerca concernente la città di Torino ha documentato in effetti come solo il 50% dei cittadini stranieri residenti ed aventi pertanto diritto risultava regolarmente iscritto al Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (Città di Torino, Osservatorio statistico provinciale sugli stranieri, Ufficio di Statistica, Torino: 1998)

I flussi migratori, che in modo particolare in questi ultimi anni hanno interessato il nostro Paese, contribuiscono a modificare l'assetto sociale, economico e culturale della società italiana ed anche i modelli di organizzazione e funzionamento dei servizi socio-sanitari.

Come scrive Roberto Beneduce “…sollecitare il riconoscimento dei diritti, incoraggiare l'integrazione e la conoscenza reciproca di gruppi e cittadini, disegnare strategie di intervento e di prevenzione più adeguate in relazione agli specifici modelli di malattia e bisogni di cura, diventano obiettivi che qualsiasi azione di promozione della salute nella popolazione immigrata dovrebbe riuscire a perseguire unitariamente” (Beneduce R., Frigessi D., Vacchiano F., L'attività del Centro Frantz Fanon nell'assistenza psichiatrica agli immigrati, PNSM, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma 2000).
Indicatori per la valutazione dei Servizi Psichiatrici di Diagnosi e Cura
Authors:   Nucleo di Valutazione Progetto QUALI DSM, Regione Lazio
Published: July 2014

È un indicatore (descrittore) di struttura e, in parte, di processo. Esprime, con un punteggio, la maggiore o minore aderenza della struttura, in tre aree (ambiente, organizzazione e umanizzazione), alle norme relative ai DSM e al Decreto legislativo 502/92 recepito dal DM 15/10/96.

Ad ogni requisito soddisfatto è attribuito un punto. Il punteggio totale è dato dalla somma dei punti ottenuti per un massimo di 34.
Attivitá e interventi del Dipartimento di Salute Mentale
Authors: Amaddeo F. , Bacigalupi M. , de Girolamo G. , Di Munzio W. , Lora A. , Semisa D.
Published: July 2014

Per attività si intende il complesso di più tipi di intervento, caratterizzati da finalità comuni.

Ciascuno intervento è caratterizzato da contenuti specifici, che ne permettono la differenziazione rispetto ad altri tipi di intervento, inseriti nella medesima attività.

Le attività svolte fanno riferimento a funzioni e aree del DSM:

1.

funzione organizzativa

2.

area di prevenzione ed educazione sanitaria

3.

area terapeutico - riabilitativa
Computers and process description for community mental health care
Authors: Bale Rob , Fiander Matthew , Burns Tom
Published: July 2014

The focus of mental health care has seen a significant shift from institutional care to community based care and has been well described (Thornicroft & Bebbington, 1989). This shift has necessitated the development of new and flexible models for ensuring that patients' needs are met. Mental health professionals have to operate across a wide range of community contexts dealing with a complex range of needs. Intensive Case Management (ICM) also known as Assertive Community Treatment is a model of service provision to the long term mentally ill in the community. The Programme of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) developed by Stein & Test (1980) in the United States has a number of Key elements (figure 1).

ACT-based ICM is unusual in that it has been extensively researched (principally in the United States of America), and programmes are relatively well described. Such descriptions, especially of programmes outside America, often focus on underlying principals and philosophies and do little to measure practice. Teague et al. (1995), however, devised clear criteria for measuring practice components and McGrew et al. (1994) asked ACT “experts” to rate the “key” elements of PACT and related a number of these to levels of hospital use. In the United Kingdom, Thornicroft (1991) listed twelve axes for describing the central practice characteristics of case management (a broad concept including ICM). These UK ‘practice characteristics’ also focus more on macro-level programme description rather than on the practices of programme staff. There is a pressing need for research into exactly what teams do.
Evaluating mental health services. A world perspective
Authors: Sartorius Norman
Published: July 2014

Evaluations of mental health services are much in demand. Their results are supposed to help in improving the quality of mental health care and in making them economically better viable.

Yet, world-wide there is:

1)

little agreement about the content of terms such as evaluation, mental health service, outcome of an activity although these and other terms are widely used;

2)

uncertainty about the best use of results of evaluative research;

3)

lack of consensus about who should evaluate what and by what method.
Quantification of pharmaceutical peptides using selenium as an elemental detection label
Authors: Møller Laura Hyrup , Gabel-Jensen Charlotte , Franzyk Henrik , Bahnsen Jesper Søborg , Stürup Stefan , Gammelgaard Bente
Published: July 2014

Se-labelling of pharmaceutical biomolecules provides detailed quantitative and qualitative information on the fate of the biomolecule in cell uptake studies.
6-Oxoverdazyl radical polymers with tunable electrochemical properties
Authors: Price Jacquelyn T. , Paquette Joseph A. , Harrison Christopher S. , Bauld Reg , Fanchini Giovanni , Gilroy Joe B.
Published: July 2014

6-Oxoverdazyl radical polymers were synthesized and their tunable redox properties studied in solution and the solid-state.
The efficient hydroxyalkylation of phenol with formaldehyde to bisphenol F over a thermoregulated phase-separable reaction system containing a water-soluble Brønsted acidic ionic liquid
Authors: Wang Qing , Wu Zhi Min , Li Yongfei , Tan Ying , Liu Ning , Liu Yuejin
Published: July 2014

A temperature-dependent biphasic system of IL–phenol–water was applied in the hydroxyalkylation of phenol with formaldehyde to bisphenol F. [C6MIM][HSO4] gave high yield of 80.5% and selectivity of 96.9% for bisphenol F. The recovered [C6MIM][HSO4] retained the original activity after six recycling-uses.
Superacid BF3–H2O promoted benzylation of arenes with benzyl alcohols and acetates initiated by trace water
Authors: Zhang Shuting , Zhang Xiaohui , Ling Xuege , He Chao , Huang Ruofeng , Pan Jing , Li Jiaqiang , Xiong Yan
Published: July 2014

An efficient in situ prepared superacid BF3–H2O promoted benzylation of arenes using benzyl alcohols and acetates achieves various diarylalkanes.
Self-aligned graphene as anticorrosive barrier in waterborne polyurethane composite coatings
Authors: Li Yaya , Yang Zhenzhen , Qiu Hanxun , Dai Yigang , Zheng Qingbin , Li Jing , Yang Junhe
Published: July 2014

Graphene reinforced waterborne polyurethane composite coatings were fabricated on steel surfaces. Superior anticorrosion properties were achieved by the addition of 0.4 wt% self-aligned graphene.
Non-toxically enhanced sulfur reaction for formation of chalcogenide thin films using a thermal cracker
Authors: Cho Dae-Hyung , Lee Woo-Jung , Park Sang-Woo , Wi Jae-Hyung , Han Won Seok , Kim Jeha , Cho Mann-Ho , Kim Dongseop , Chung Yong-Duck
Published: July 2014

The proposed safe and cheap method for enhanced sulfur reaction enables the formation of high-quality chalcogenide thin films.
Photo-switching of magnetization in iron nanoparticles
Authors: Al-Aqtash Nabil , Sabirianov Renat
Published: July 2014

We report the theoretical study of the light-induced switching of magnetization in core–shell nanoparticles.
Metamaterials: The early years in the USA
Authors: Ziolkowski Richard W.
Published: July 2014

Metamaterials are artificial materials formed by embedding highly subwavelength inclusions in a host medium, which yield homogenized permittivity and permeability values. By design they offer the promise of exotic physics responses not generally available with naturally occurring materials, as well as the ability to tailor their properties to specific applications. The initial years of discovery emphasized confirming many of their exotic properties and exploring their actual potential for science and engineering applications. These seed efforts have born the sweet fruit enjoyed by the current generation of metamaterials scientists and engineers. This review will emphasize the initial investigative forays in the USA that supported and encouraged the development of the metamaterials era and the subsequent recognition that they do have significant advantages for practical applications.
Approach to control polarization and magnetic properties for multiferroics with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction
Authors: Wang Shuling , Li Ruixue , Fu Hua-Hua , Ding Linjie , Yao Kailun
Published: July 2014

We propose a theoretical model for one-dimensional (charge transfer magnets with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interaction. By using Green's function theory, we have studied the effect of DM interaction on ferroelectric and magnetic properties, where ferroelectricity is induced through symmetric mechanism. It is shown that the uniform DM interaction reduces the polarization and makes the magnetization plateau narrow down. Moreover, the transition temperature descends as the uniform DM interaction ascends, which is attributed to the decrease of the energy gap. In addition, the staggered DM interaction, which is related to intersite distance, is also discussed. It is also found that there exists a critical point, above or below which the staggered DM interaction plays different roles on the polarization, transition temperature, and magnetic behavior. As the staggered DM interaction is larger, it enhances the polarization and transition temperature and meanwhile widens the magnetization plateau, otherwise it reduces the polarization, transition temperature, and magnetization plateau. The results provide approach to control the transition temperature and physical behavior of multiferroics.
Memristive learning and memory functions in polyvinyl alcohol polymer memristors
Authors: Lei Yan , Liu Yi , Xia Yidong , Gao Xu , Xu Bo , Wang Suidong , Yin Jiang , Liu Zhiguo
Published: July 2014

Polymer based memristive devices can offer simplicity in fabrication and at the same time promise functionalities for artificial neural applications. In this work, inherent learning and memory functions have been achieved in polymer memristive devices employing Polyvinyl Alcohol. The change in conduction in such polymer devices strongly depends on the pulse amplitude, duration and time interval. Through repetitive stimuli training, temporary short-term memory can transfer into consolidated long-term memory. These behaviors bear remarkable similarities to certain learning and memory functions of biological systems.
Health workforce policy and industrial relations in Australia: ministerial insights into challenges and opportunities for reform
Authors: Sgrò Silvana
Published: July 2014

Since the Productivity Commission released its research report Australia’s Health Workforce in 2005, there has been a significant increase in government funding and policy capacity aimed at health workforce reform and innovation in Australia. This research paper presents the results of semistructured interviews with three key stakeholders in health policy formation in Australia: (1) The Honourable Lindsay Tanner, former Federal Minister for Finance and therefore 100% shareholder of Medibank Private on behalf of the Commonwealth; (2) The Honourable Daniel Andrews, former Victorian Minister for Health and current Victorian Opposition Leader; and (3) The Honourable Jim McGinty, former Minister for Health and Attorney General of Western Australia and current inaugural Chair of Health Workforce Australia. The paper examines key issues they identified in relation to health workforce policy in Australia, particularly where it intersects with industrial relations, and conducts a comparative analysis between their responses and theoretical methodologies of policy formation as a means of informing a reform process.

What is known about the topic?
Australia is experiencing an increasing demand for ever-improving health services and outcomes from an increasingly health-literate public, coupled with significant workforce shortages across some key categories of healthcare professionals. Health costs are also increasing. As a result governments in all nine jurisdictions in Australia are seeking to rein in those costs without negatively impacting on quality, safety or continued improvements in health outcomes. They are simultaneously seeking to minimise any political controversy or negative electoral repercussions associated with health reform.

What does this paper add?
This paper further informs an understanding of how health workforce policy is formulated and implemented by presenting the results of interviews with two former Ministers for Health and the former Federal Finance Minister on health workforce policy reform in Australia. It analyses their responses and their decision-making processes against theoretical frameworks of health policy formation, including agenda setting, and the political reality of policy formation at a ministerial level.

What are the implications for practitioners?
This paper provides a unique and original analysis for practitioners of policy formation. It also illustrates and analyses ministerial insights into the current health workforce reform agenda being developed and implemented by the Council of Australian Governments and contributes to an evidence base of the reform process going forward.
Analyzing recursiveness patterns and retrospective protocols of professional translators in L1 and L2 translation tasks
Authors: Ferreira Aline
Published: July 2014

This study aims to investigate cognitive processing during translation by eight professional translators. In particular, it examines the extent to which the translation process is modulated by the direction of the translation: from English (L2) to Brazilian Portuguese (L1) and vice versa. The data collection was based on the triangulation of translation process data, combining different data elicitation tools to investigate the translation process (Alves 2003a; Jakobsen 1999). The analyses of the translation data drew on linear representations of the variable recursiveness. The recursive movements were calculated and classified, and the results from various tasks were compared. The quantitative data analyses revealed a higher number of recursive movements in L1 when compared to the L2 translation when the participants translated texts on the same topic. However, recursiveness was less in L1 translation when the same participants translated texts on different topics. These quantitative data were analyzed in parallel with the qualitative data provided by the retrospective protocols, permitting meta-reflection instances to be evaluated during decision-making processes (Alves and Gonçalves 2007). Results show that recursiveness and retrospective protocols can be used as indicators to measure translation task difficulty.
Sally Kornbluth: Nature’s incredible contraptions
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: July 2014

Kornbluth’s laboratory studies cell cycle and apoptosis in cancer cells and Xenopus egg extracts.
YASARA View—molecular graphics for all devices—from smartphones to workstations
Authors: Krieger Elmar , Vriend Gert
Published: July 2014

Summary: Today's graphics processing units (GPUs) compose the scene from individual triangles. As about 320 triangles are needed to approximate a single sphere—an atom—in a convincing way, visualizing larger proteins with atomic details requires tens of millions of triangles, far too many for smooth interactive frame rates. We describe a new approach to solve this ‘molecular graphics problem’, which shares the work between GPU and multiple CPU cores, generates high-quality results with perfectly round spheres, shadows and ambient lighting and requires only OpenGL 1.0 functionality, without any pixel shader Z -buffer access (a feature which is missing in most mobile devices).

Availability and implementation: YASARA View, a molecular modeling program built around the visualization algorithm described here, is freely available (including commercial use) for Linux, MacOS, Windows and Android (Intel) from www.YASARA.org .

Contact:  elmar@yasara.org

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
TAPAS: tools to assist the targeted protein quantification of human alternative splice variants
Authors: Yang Jae-Seong , Sabidó Eduard , Serrano Luis , Kiel Christina
Published: July 2014

Motivation: In proteomes of higher eukaryotes, many alternative splice variants can only be detected by their shared peptides. This makes it highly challenging to use peptide-centric mass spectrometry to distinguish and to quantify protein isoforms resulting from alternative splicing events.

Results: We have developed two complementary algorithms based on linear mathematical models to efficiently compute a minimal set of shared and unique peptides needed to quantify a set of isoforms and splice variants. Further, we developed a statistical method to estimate the splice variant abundances based on stable isotope labeled peptide quantities. The algorithms and databases are integrated in a web-based tool, and we have experimentally tested the limits of our quantification method using spiked proteins and cell extracts.

Availability and implementation: The TAPAS server is available at URL http://davinci.crg.es/tapas/ .

Contact:  luis.serrano@crg.eu or christina.kiel@crg.eu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Notification of changes in taxonomic opinion previously published outside the IJSEM
Authors: Oren Aharon , Garrity George M.
Published: July 2014

The Bacteriological Code deals with the nomenclature of prokaryotes. This may include existing names (the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names) as well as new names and new combinations. In this sense the Code is also dealing indirectly with taxonomic opinions. However, as with most codes of nomenclature there are no mechanisms for formally recording taxonomic opinions that do not involve the creation of new names or new combinations. In particular, it would be desirable for taxonomic opinions resulting from the creation of synonyms or emended descriptions to be made widely available to the public. In 2004, the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (IJSEM) agreed unanimously that it was desirable to cover such changes in taxonomic opinions (i.e. the creation of synonyms or the emendation of circumscriptions) previously published outside the IJSEM, and to introduce a List of Changes in Taxonomic Opinion [Notification of changes in taxonomic opinion previously published outside the IJSEM; Euzéby et al. (2004). Int J Syst Evol Microbiol
54, 1429–1430]. Scientists wishing to have changes in taxonomic opinion included in future lists should send one copy of the pertinent reprint or a photocopy or a PDF file thereof to the IJSEM Editorial Office or to the Lists Editor. It must be stressed that the date of proposed taxonomic changes is the date of the original publication not the date of publication of the list. Taxonomic opinions included in the List of Changes in Taxonomic Opinion cannot be considered as validly published nor, in any other way, approved by the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes and its Judicial Commission. The names that are to be used are those that are the ‘correct names’ (in the sense of Principle 6) in the opinion of the bacteriologist, with a given circumscription, position and rank. A particular name, circumscription, position and rank does not have to be adopted in all circumstances. Consequently, the List of Changes in Taxonomic Opinion must be considered as a service to bacteriology and it has no ‘official character’, other than providing a centralized point for registering/indexing such changes in a way that makes them easily accessible to the scientific community.
Transcriptomic analysis of the role of Rim101/PacC in the adaptation of Ustilago maydis to an alkaline environment
Authors: Franco-Frías Eduardo , Ruiz-Herrera Jose , Aréchiga-Carvajal Elva T.
Published: July 2014

Alkaline pH triggers an adaptation mechanism in fungi that is mediated by Rim101/PacCp, a zinc finger transcription factor. To identify the genes under its control inUstilago maydis, we performed microarray analyses, comparing gene expression in a wild-type strain versus arim101/pacCmutation strain of the fungus. In this study we obtained evidence of the large number of genes regulated mostly directly, but also indirectly (probably through regulation of other transcription factors), by Rim101/PacCp, including proteins involved in a large number of physiological activities of the fungus. Our analyses suggest that the response to alkaline conditions under the control of the Pal/Rim pathway involves changes in the cell wall and plasma membrane through alterations in their lipid, protein and polysaccharide composition, changes in cell polarity, actin cytoskeleton organization, and budding patterns. Also as expected, adaptation involves regulation by Rim101/PacC of genes involved in meiotic functions, such as recombination and segregation, and expression of genes involved in ion and nutrient transport, as well as general vacuole functions.
Flippase (FLP) recombinase-mediated marker recycling in the dermatophyte Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii
Authors: Yamada Yohko , Maeda Mari , Alshahni Mohamed Mahdi , Monod Michel , Staib Peter , Yamada Tsuyoshi
Published: July 2014

Biological processes can be elucidated by investigating complex networks of relevant factors and genes. However, this is not possible in species for which dominant selectable markers for genetic studies are unavailable. To overcome the limitation in selectable markers for the dermatophyteArthroderma vanbreuseghemii(anamorph:Trichophyton mentagrophytes), we adapted the flippase (FLP) recombinase-recombination target (FRT) site-specific recombination system from the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaeas a selectable marker recycling system for this fungus. Taking into account practical applicability, we designed FLP/FRT modules carrying two FRT sequences as well as theflpgene adapted to the pathogenic yeastCandida albicans(caflp) or a synthetic codon-optimizedflp(avflp) gene with neomycin resistance (nptII) cassette for one-step marker excision. Bothflpgenes were under control of theTrichophyton rubrumcopper-repressible promoter (PCTR4). Molecular analyses of resultant transformants showed that only theavflp-harbouring module was functional inA. vanbreuseghemii. Applying this system, we successfully produced theKu80recessive mutant strain devoid of any selectable markers. This strain was subsequently used as the recipient for sequential multiple disruptions of secreted metalloprotease (fungalysin) (MEP) or serine protease (SUB) genes, producing mutant strains with doubleMEPor tripleSUBgene deletions. These results confirmed the feasibility of this system for broad-scale genetic manipulation of dermatophytes, advancing our understanding of functions and networks of individual genes in these fungi.
Inhibition of agronomically relevant fungal phytopathogens by tyrocidines, cyclic antimicrobial peptides isolated from Bacillus aneurinolyticus
Authors: Troskie Anscha M. , de Beer Abré , Vosloo Johan A. , Jacobs Karin , Rautenbach Marina
Published: July 2014

The tyrocidines, a complex of analogous cyclic decapeptides produced byBacillus aneurinolyticus, exhibited noteworthy activity against a range of phytopathogenic fungi, includingFusarium verticillioides,Fusarium solaniandBotrytis cinerea. The activity of the tyrocidine peptide complex (Trc mixture) and purified tyrocidines exhibited minimum inhibition concentrations below 13 µg ml−1(~10 µM) and was significantly more potent than that of the commercial imidazole fungicide, bifonazole. Although the tyrocidines’ activity was negatively influenced by the presence of Ca2+, it remained unaffected by the presence of Mg2+, Na+and K+. Microscopic analysis revealed significant impact on the morphology ofF. solaniandBot. cinereaincluding retarded germination and hyperbranching of hyphae. Studies with membrane-impermeable dyes, SYTOX green and propidium iodide suggested that the main mode of action of tyrocidines involves the disruption of fungal membrane integrity. Because of the tyrocidines’ broad spectrum and potent antifungal activity, possible multiple targets reducing the risk of overt resistance and general salt tolerance, they are promising candidates that warrant further investigation as bio-fungicides.
Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration for hyperlactatemia caused by telbivudine in a patient with chronic hepatitis B: A case report and update review
Authors: Wang Yan Hong , Wu Ben Quan , Liu Hui
Published: July 2014

Although there have been reports on telbivudine‐induced myopathy and creatine kinase (CK) elevation, few reports focus on its effect on hyperlactatemia in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Here we reported a case of hyperlactatemia during telbivudine treatment. A 26‐year‐old Chinese man had been receiving telbivudine for CHB since July 2011, with a CK level of 68 U/L before the antiviral therapy. After 3 months he felt muscular weakness in both upper and lower extremities. A check in the local clinic found his CK level was increased to 222 U/L (upper limit of normal 170 U/L). However, he did not visit his doctor or stop the telbivudine treatment until he felt myalgia throughout his body. By this time his CK level had increased to 4151 U/L. Even after the withdrawal of telbivudine, his myalgia was exacerbated and his CK level was decreased extremely slowly. His constant myolysis developed into hyperlactatemia and he finally recovered after successful venovenous hemodiafiltration. The findings in this patient suggest that telbivudine may lead to high CK levels and hyperlactatemia may occur if telbivudine is not discontinued immediately when CK levels are clearly increased. Moreover, we emphasized that serum CK and lactate levels should be monitored closely during treatment with telbivudine in patients with CHB.
vanI: a novel d‐Ala‐d‐Lac vancomycin resistance gene cluster found in Desulfitobacterium hafniense
Authors: Kruse Thomas , Levisson Mark , de Vos Willem M. , Smidt Hauke
Published: July 2014

The glycopeptide vancomycin was until recently considered a drug of last resort against Gram‐positive bacteria. Increasing numbers of bacteria, however, are found to carry genes that confer resistance to this antibiotic. So far, 10 different vancomycin resistance clusters have been described. A chromosomal vancomycin resistance gene cluster was previously described for the anaerobic Desulfitobacterium hafniense Y51. We demonstrate that this gene cluster, characterized by its d‐Ala‐d‐Lac ligase‐encoding vanI gene, is present in all strains of D. hafniense, D. chlororespirans and some strains of Desulfosporosinus spp. This gene cluster was not found in vancomycin‐sensitive Desulfitobacterium or Desulfosporosinus spp., and we show that this antibiotic resistance can be exploited as an intrinsic selection marker for Desulfitobacterium hafniense and D. chlororespirans. The gene cluster containing vanI is phylogenetically only distantly related with those described from soil and gut bacteria, but clusters instead with vancomycin resistance genes found within the phylum Actinobacteria that include several vancomycin‐producing bacteria. It lacks a vanH homologue, encoding a D‐lactate dehydrogenase, previously thought to always be present within vancomycin resistance gene clusters. The location of vanH outside the resistance gene cluster likely hinders horizontal gene transfer. Hence, the vancomycin resistance cluster in D. hafniense should be regarded a novel one that we here designated vanI after its unique d‐Ala‐d‐Lac ligase.
Association analysis of PTPN22, CTLA4 and IFIH1 genes with type 1 diabetes in Colombian families在哥伦比亚家族中进行的PTPN22、CTLA4以及IFIH1基因与1型糖尿病的相关性分析
Authors: Rodríguez Alejandra , Alfaro Juan Manuel , Balthazar Vital , Pineda Trujillo Nicolás
Published: July 2014

Background

Protein tyrosine phosphatase, non‐receptor type 22 (lymphoid) (PTPN22), cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated protein 4 (CTLA4), and interferon induced with helicase C domain 1 (IFIH1) are among the confirmed type 1 diabetes (T1D) susceptibility genes in several populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of PTPN22, CTLA4, and IFIH1 gene variants in the development of T1D in a Colombian population.

Methods

Associations of PTPN22, CTLA4, and IFIH1 variants with T1D were investigated in a sample of 197 nuclear families, including 205 affected children, in the Colombian population. Three to four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed per gene: rs2476600, rs2476601, rs1217418, and rs2488457 for PTPN22; rs1990760, rs3747517, and rs10930046 for IFIH1; and rs231775, rs3087243, and rs231779 for CTLA4. A transmission disequilibrium test was performed for the global sample, in addition to stratified analysis considering autoimmunity, age at onset, and parent of origin. Haplotypes per gene were also analyzed.

Results

There was no significant transmission distortion for CTLA4. Conversely, SNPs rs10930046 (IFIH1) and rs2476601 (PTPN222) exhibited significant transmission distortion of the C and T alleles, respectively, from parents to affected children (odds ratio [OR] 0.57 and 1.83, respectively). In addition, decreased transmission of the C allele for rs10930046 occurred preferentially from mothers. Stratification analysis revealed that this association was maintained in individuals who were positive for autoantibodies and in those with an age of diagnosis <5 years.

Conclusion

The results show that IFIH1 and PTPN22 are associated with T1D in Colombian families.
Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors' Standardized Letter of Recommendation: The Program Director's Perspective
Authors: Love Jeffrey N. , Smith Jessica , Weizberg Moshe , Doty Christopher I. , Garra Greg , Avegno Jennifer , Howell John M. ,   The SLOR Task Force
Published: July 2014

Objectives

The standardized letter of evaluation (SLOE) was created in 1997 to provide residency program directors (PDs) with a summative evaluation that incorporates normative grading (i.e., comparisons to peers applying to emergency medicine [EM] training). Although the standard letter of recommendation (SLOR) has become increasingly popular and important in decision‐making, it has not been studied in the past 12 years. To assess the SLOR's effectiveness and limitations, the perspective of EM PDs was surveyed in this study.

Methods

After validation of the questionnaire by 10 retired PDs, the survey was sent to the PD of each of the 159 EM residencies that existed at that time. The survey was circulated via the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors' (CORD) listserv from January 24, 2013, to February 13, 2013. Weekly e‐mail reminders to all PDs served to increase participation.

Results

A total of 150 of 159 PDs (94.3%) completed the questionnaire. Nearly all respondents (149 of 150; 99.3%) agreed that the SLOR is an important evaluative tool and should continue to be used. In the application process, 91 of 150 (60.7%) programs require one or more SLORs, and an additional 55 (36.7%) recommend but do not require a SLOR to be considered for interview. When asked to identify the top three factors in deciding who should be interviewed, the SLOR was ranked first (139 of 150; 92.7%), with EM rotation grades ranked second (73 of 150; 48.7%). The factors that were most often identified as the top three that diminish the value of the SLOR in order were 1) “inflated evaluations” (121 of 146; 82.9%), 2) “inconsistency between comments and grades” (106 of 146; 72.6%), and 3) “inadequate perspective on candidate attributes in the written comments” and “inexperienced authors” (60 of 146; 41.1% each).

Conclusions

The SLOR appears to be the most important tool in the EM PD's armamentarium for determining which candidates should be interviewed for residency training. Although valuable, the SLOR's potential utility is hampered by a number of factors, the most important of which is inflated evaluations. Focused changes in the SLOR template should be mindful that it appears, in general, to be successful in its intended purpose.