Search

Resumen Introduccion La pandemia por COVID-19 ha conllevado la suspension de la actividad programada en la mayoria de las Unidades de Endoscopia de nuestro medio. El objetivo del presente documento es facilitar el reinicio de la actividad endoscopica electiva de forma eficiente y segura. Material y metodos Se formulo una serie de preguntas consideradas de relevancia clinica y logistica. Para la elaboracion de las respuestas, se realizo una busqueda bibliografica estructurada en las principales bases de datos y se revisaron las recomendaciones de las principales instituciones de Salud Publica y de endoscopia digestiva. Las recomendaciones finales se consensuaron por via telematica. Resultados Se han elaborado un total de 33 recomendaciones. Los principales aspectos que se discuten son: 1) la reevaluacion y priorizacion de la indicacion; 2) la restructuracion de espacios, agendas y del personal sanitario; 3) el cribado de la infeccion, y 4) las medidas de higiene y los equipos de proteccion individual. Conclusion La AEG y la SEED recomiendan reiniciar la actividad endoscopica de forma escalonada, segura, adaptada a los recursos locales y a la situacion epidemiologica de la infeccion por SARS-CoV-2.

Background A proportion of veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research has shown reduced effectiveness of commonly offered psychotherapies in military personnel. Some research suggested the usefulness of art therapy for veterans with PTSD, but its mechanism of operation has been unclear. The current project aimed to establish participants’ perceptions of any impact of group art therapy and some of the perceived mechanisms of change. Method In a grounded theory design, single semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine veterans who had received group art therapy, two art therapists, and a veteran's wife. Interviews were transcribed and analysed. Findings Theorised categories included (a) art therapy group as “the family”, (b) “the gentle conductor”, (c) trust, (d) doing the work, (e) art therapy as "a communication tool", (f) "points of recognition", (g) "making things concrete", and (h) "not a cure". Limitations Shortcomings included a homogenous sample who all attended art therapy alongside other interventions, reliance on subjective and unmeasured symptom change, and researcher effects related to qualitative methodology. Conclusion The developed grounded theory is consistent with existing evidence and neuropsychological theory. Group art therapy may enable some veterans to prepare for verbal-only therapy, by offering a safe space in which to approach non-verbal traumatic and trauma-related contextual material in a controlled way. Artworks may provide a bridge to facilitate communication of experiences within subsequent verbal therapy and with loved-ones. It is suggested to replicate the project at different sites. Elements of the developed theory may be investigated further to establish its transferability.

It is well recognised that adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer have inequitable access to oncology services that provide expert cancer care and consider their unique needs. Subsequently, survival gains in this patient population have improved only modestly compared with older adults and children with cancer. In 2015, the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE) established the joint Cancer in AYA Working Group in order to increase awareness among adult and paediatric oncology communities, enhance knowledge on specific issues in AYA and ultimately improve the standard of care for AYA with cancer across Europe. This manuscript reflects the position of this working group regarding current AYA cancer care, the challenges to be addressed and possible solutions. Key challenges include the lack of specific biological understanding of AYA cancers, the lack of access to specialised centres with age-appropriate multidisciplinary care and the lack of available clinical trials with novel therapeutics. Key recommendations include diversifying interprofessional cooperation in AYA care and specific measures to improve trial accrual, including centralising care where that is the best means to achieve trial accrual. This defines a common vision that can lead to improved outcomes for AYA with cancer in Europe.

German Abstract: Dieser Beitrag uber die Zukunft der Europaischen Union zeichnet die historische Entwicklung uber die Frage "Wo kommen wir her?" uber die Frage "Wo stehen wir?" nach. Anschliesend wird die Frage "Wo wollen wir hin?" anhand des Weisbuchprozess der Europaischen Kommission erortert. Der Autor skizziert kurz die verschiedenen Szenarien des Weisbuch, um abschliesend mogliche Bausteine fur die Zukunft der EU im Jahre 2025 zu identifizieren. English Abstract: This paper on the future of the European Union traces the historical development from the question "Where have we come from?" to the question "Where are we?". Then the question "Where do we want to go?" is discussed on the basis of the European Commission's White Paper process. The author briefly outlines the different scenarios of the White Paper to conclude by identifying possible building blocks for the future of the EU in 2025.

Here a novel paper-based electrochemiluminescence (ECL) device was developed for the detection of HL-60 cancer cells. In this approach, porous filter paper as a thin-layer electrochemical cell connected to a sheet of ITO working electrode. Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) and graphene were coated on the surface of ITO to immobilize capture HS-DNA. Then, the aptamer of HL-60 cancer cells, which is labeled with Ru(bpy)32+-conjugated silica nanoparticles (RuSi@Ru(bpy)32+) is hybridized with the capture DNA to form bioconjugates. In the presence of HL-60 cells, the aptamer would conjugate with glycoprotein at cell surface and RuSi@Ru(bpy)32+ NP-aptamer would be released. After the dissociation of RuSi@Ru(bpy)32+ NP-aptamer from the surface of ITO, ECL signal would decline. This simple, portable and disposable testing platform could detect HL-60 cancer cells down to 56 cells/mL. Keywords: Paper-based device, ITO electrode, Electrochemiluminescence, Aptamer, Cancer cells

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated reporting completeness and transparency in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted using administrative data based on 2021 CONSORT Extension for Trials Conducted Using Cohorts and Routinely Collected Data (CONSORT-ROUTINE) criteria. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: MEDLINE and the Cochrane Methodology Register were searched (2011 and 2018). Eligible RCTs used administrative databases for identifying eligible participants or collecting outcomes. We evaluated reporting based on CONSORT-ROUTINE, which modified eight items from CONSORT 2010 and added five new items. RESULTS: Of 33 included trials (76% used administrative databases for outcomes, 3% for identifying participants, 21% both), most were conducted in the United States (55%), Canada (18%), or the United Kingdom (12%). Of eight items modified in the extension; six were adequately reported in a majority (>50%) of trials. For the CONSORT-ROUTINE modification portion of those items, three items were reported adequately in >50% of trials, two in

Objectives Compassionate care is a core value of healthcare practice. In the post-Francis arena, the Shape of Caring review scrutinised healthcare education and training. The aim of the review was to better enable healthcare providers in delivering compassionate care and support to people with complex challenging health needs today and in the future. The review also reiterated the role of educators and universities in developing curricula capable of promoting compassionate care. Despite the review focussing upon the nursing profession, this paper suggests there is a similar role for radiography educators in delivering curricula suitable for promoting compassionate care. Potential pedagogic methods and their suitability within the radiography education setting will be considered. Key findings Relationships and emotions were noted as important aspects of promoting compassionate care. The themes ‘practising compassionately’ and ‘individual and relationship factors …’ are of particular relevance to education. Conclusions Compassion remains a priority in policy which must be promoted to students as an integral aspect of healthcare education. A facilitated discussion of students' reflections around practice experiences to promote compassion is suggested. Supplemented by service user stories, students would be able to develop the skills needed to ‘practise compassionately’.

Researchers who cross a discipline may experience culture shock at the different worlds of science and medicine. This paper outlines the differences in concepts and philosophies and in presentation styles. The acute difficulties when attempting to read or write works in different disciplines are also addressed, as well as the differences in perceptions and values when approaching written works in unfamiliar branches of academia.

Animals frequently compete over limited resources such as food, territories or mating opportunities. Contest behaviour varies based on factors such as the value of the contested resources and the agonistic ability of rivals. Much work on animal contests has examined aggression, but vigilance, or a state of heightened alertness directed towards specific stimuli, may also be an important component of competition in many species. In this study, we measure the relationships among social vigilance, aggression, agonistic ability and resource value during staged contests over nest ownership in Polistes dominula nest-founding wasps. Our results show that both social vigilance and aggression are involved in mediating social risk during contests. Nest owner vigilance towards a rival increased with the time of season, a measure of nest value. Owner vigilance was also positively associated with aggression such that more aggressive owners were more vigilant. During contests, aggression of owners and rivals was influenced by different factors. Owner aggression was positively associated with nest size, another measure of nest value, while rival aggression was unrelated to nest size. Instead, rival aggression was associated with facial patterns that function as signals of agonistic ability; rivals were less aggressive to owners that signalled high agonistic ability than they were to owners that signalled low agonistic ability. The distinct predictors of contest behaviour between owners and rivals indicate that competitive role has a surprisingly strong influence on cues used to inform contest behaviour. Differences may occur because owners and rivals have different information and/or motivation. These results also suggest that social vigilance and aggression may be complementary behaviours that animals use to mitigate social threat.

In this paper tracing paper was used as the support on which interdigitated graphite electrodes (IGE) were deposited by a line patterning technique (LPT). This substrate was characterized before and after the patterning procedure by thermogravimetric analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The performance of the IGEs prepared by LPT as humidity sensors were evaluated in an electronic nose system, under different humidities (in triplicate) at room pressure and temperature in a closed chamber. The relative humidity (RH) in the chamber was varied from 20 to 70% using dry nitrogen as a carrier gas, which was passed through a bubbler containing water to generate humidity. Slight changes in the morphology of the tracing paper were noted after the processes used to produce the IEG, but these changes did not prevent these sensors performing well under varied environmental conditions, as part of an electronic nose system to detect humidity. The results showed that humidity sensors were sensitive (215% ± 1.02) and provided good repeatability and reversibility (99% ± 0.01) after several cycles of exposure to RH.

German Abstract: Das Max-Planck-Institut fur Innovation und Wettbewerb nimmt hiermit zum Diskussionsentwurf eines Zweiten Gesetzes zur Vereinfachung und Modernisierung des Patentrechts Stellung, der vom Bundesministerium der Justiz und fur Verbraucherschutz im Januar 2020 vorgelegt wurde. Das Institut begrust die Initiative des Ministeriums, empfiehlt im Hinblick auf die Beschrankung des patentrechtlichen Unterlassungsanspruchs und die Starkung des Schutzes von Geschaftsgeheimnissen in Patentstreitsachen jedoch gewisse Prazisierungen. Mit Blick auf die Beschrankung des Unterlassungsanspruchs nach Masgabe des Grundsatzes der Verhaltnismasigkeit wird vorgeschlagen, die Verhaltnismasigkeitsprufung nicht auf einen Anwendungsfall der Gebote von Treu und Glauben zu reduzieren, sondern im Sinne der ratio legis des Patentrechts zu verstehen; insoweit als Masnahme zur Verhinderung dysfunktionaler Effekte des Ausschlieslichkeitsrecht bzw. des damit verbundenen Unterlassungsanspruchs. Zur Veranschaulichung des Ansatzes wird auf die Fallgruppen der komplexen Produkte, der Patentverwerter und der standardessenziellen Patente Bezug genommen, ohne sie jedoch im Detail durchzuprufen. Mit Blick auf die im Rahmen der Verhaltnismasigkeitsprufung vorzunehmende Interessenabwagung wird darauf hingewiesen, dass die Interessen des Patentinhabers gegenuber jenen des Verletzers keinen grundsatzlichen Vorrang geniesen. Daruber hinaus sind bei der Abwagung nicht nur die Interessen der Streitparteien, sondern auch jene Dritter, insbesondere das offentliche Interesse, zu berucksichtigen. Mit Blick auf den Schutz von Geschaftsgeheimnissen in Patentstreitsachen verweist die Stellungnahme auf Unzulanglichkeiten des Verfahrens in Geschaftsgeheimnisstreitsachen, die durch die angedachte Anwendung der entsprechenden Vorschriften auf das Patentstreitverfahren ubertragen werden. Hingewiesen wird auch auf eine mogliche Regelungslucke in Bezug auf das “Dusseldorfer Verfahren”, die von Patentinhabern fur sog. “fishing expeditions” ausgenutzt werden konnte. English Abstract: This position paper of the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition provides comments on the amendments proposed by the German Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection in its discussion draft of January 2020 on the modernization and simplification of the German Patent Act. While the Institute generally welcomes the initiative, the paper offers some suggestions aimed at increasing precision in the areas of first, the concept and the implementation of the proportionality test for granting injunctive relief, and, second, the need for enhanced protection of trade secrets in patent disputes. With regard to the proportionality assessment, the Institute suggests that, rather than reducing it to an application of the principle of good faith, the concept of proportionality should be interpreted and applied in light of the ratio legis of patent protection with a view to preventing dysfunctional effects potentially resulting from the exercise of the exclusive right and the associated claim to an injunction. Scenarios involving complex products, non-practicing entities and standard-essential patents are used to illustrate the approach. As regards the weighing and balancing of interests when assessing proportionality, the position paper argues that it is neither desirable nor appropriate to prioritize the interests of the patentee over those of the infringer as a matter of principle. In addition, it is not only the interests of parties to the dispute, but also those of third parties, in particular the public interest, that should be taken into account. With regard to the protection of trade secrets in patent disputes, the position paper refers to certain procedural insufficiencies of the Trade Secrets Act to adequately protect the defendant’s secrecy interests. It also points out a potential loophole in relation to the ‘Dusseldorf proceedings’ that may facilitate ‘fishing expeditions’. Note: Downloadable document is in German.

Carbon papers were prepared wet-laid process of pitch-coated carbonized glass fibers, and the electrical conductivity of conductive carbon paper was investigated based on the structural and morphology of pitch-coated carbonized glass fibers prepared by different carbonization temperature. The electrical conductivity of the carbon paper which made of pitch-coated carbonized glass fibers was decreased at 900 °C and 1000 °C of carbonization temperature of pitch-coated glass fibers. This is due to the low stacked crystalline structure of pitch-coated glass fibers which is resulting from a basal carbon loss, in situ gasification and pyrolysis of low molecular compounds of coated pitch, at high carbonization temperature.

Spanish Abstract: El sindrome de burnout o de desgaste profesional es el resultado de la exposicion a un estres prolongado. Este sindrome ha sido ampliamente estudiado en profesionales de la salud, aunque puede afectar a trabajadores de diferentes sectores. Este es un estudio sobre la aplicabilidad, en el mundo y en Colombia, de los instrumentos para medir el sindrome de burnout a partir de nueve criterios: caracteristicas, validez, confiabilidad, profesiones, costo, idiomas, duracion, ventajas y desventajas. Para tal fin, se realizo una busqueda en las bases de datos Scopus y Web of Science de articulos que evaluaran la confiabilidad y validez de los instrumentos mas utilizados. Este documento esta dirigido para todo aquel que quiere evaluar el sindrome de burnout, ya que se dan pautas de los instrumentos mas usados de tal forma que pueda identificar cual podria aplicar en su organizacion o investigacion segun su necesidad, ya que tienen un validez y confiabilidad similar. Palabras clave: Burnout, confiabilidad, instrumentos English Abstract: Burnout syndrome is the result of exposure to prolonged stress. This syndrome has been widely studied in health professionals, although it can affect workers in different sectors. This is a study on the applicability, in the world and in Colombia, of instruments to measure burnout syndrome based on nine criteria: characteristics, validity, reliability, professions, cost, languages, duration, advantages, and disadvantages. To this end, a search was made in the Scopus and Web of Science databases for articles that evaluated the reliability and validity of the most used instruments. This document is intended for anyone who wants to evaluate burnout syndrome since it provides guidelines of the most commonly used instruments so that you can identify which instrument could be applied in your organization or research according to your needs since they have similar validity and reliability

Around 60% of people living with cancer are aged 65 years or older. Older cancer patients face a unique set of age-associated changes, comorbidities and circumstances that impact on their quality of life (QoL) in ways that are different from those affecting younger patients. A Task Force of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology recommends and encourages all healthcare professionals involved in cancer care to place greater focus on the QoL of older people living with cancer. This paper summarizes current thinking on the key issues of importance to addressing QoL needs of older cancer patients and makes a series of recommendations, together with practical guidance.

Our aim was to summarise current published evidence about the prognosis of various techniques of craniofacial distraction osteogenesis, particularly its indications, protocols, and complications. Published papers were acquired from online sources using the keywords "distraction osteogenesis", "Le Fort III", "monobloc", and "syndromic craniosynostosis" in combination with other keywords, such as "craniofacial deformity" and "midface". The search was confined to publications in English, and we followed the guidelines of the PRISMA statement. We found that deformity of the skull resulted mainly from Crouzon syndrome. Recently craniofacial distraction has been achieved by monobloc distraction osteogenesis using an external distraction device during childhood, while Le Fort III distraction osteogenesis was used in maturity. Craniofacial distraction was indicated primarily to correct increased intracranial pressure, exorbitism, and obstructive sleep apnoea in childhood, while midface hypoplasia was the main indication in maturity. Overall the most commonly reported complications were minor inflammatory reactions around the pins, and anticlockwise rotation when using external distraction systems. The mean amount of bony advancement was 12.3mm for an external device, 18.6mm for an internal device and 18.7mm when both external and internal devices were used. Treatment by craniofacial distraction must be validated by long-term studies as there adequate data are lacking, particularly about structural relapse and the assessment of function.

In this study, we have demonstrated the humidity sensitivity of graphite pencil marks sensing material drawn on paper. The fabricated sensing devices (sensors) were characterized for their humidity sensitivity by measuring the resistance changes across the pencil marks. In order to improve the humidity sensitivity of the sensing material, ethanol chemical treatment was applied on the pencil marks to increase their surface hydrophilicity. Sensors with different levels of intrinsic resistances were also prepared and tested. Results showed that the ethanol-treated sensors have better humidity sensitivities and the intrinsic resistances of the sensors were directly proportional to their humidity sensitivity. To evaluate this carbon-based sensing material, the humidity sensing characteristics of the pencil graphite were gauged with other forms of carbon materials that have been reported in previous studies, such as carbon quantum dots film, carbon nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide and graphene.

Italian Abstract: La legge sul diritto d’autore collide frontalmente con il progresso scientifico. Mentre l’evoluzione della scienza si basa sul dialogo pubblico tra uomini, la legge sul diritto d’autore restringe sempre di piu gli spazi di libera discussione e lo fa paradossalmente nel momento in cui l’umanita dispone della piu potente tecnologia (il Web) utile a rafforzare ed estendere la comunicazione tra esseri pensanti. La politica legislativa europea sul diritto d’autore e sempre piu plasmata su (alcuni) interessi commerciali e sempre meno incline a propiziare il progresso della conoscenza. La direttiva UE 2019/790 sul diritto d’autore nel mercato unico digitale aggiunge un altro tassello al puzzle della legislazione che minaccia l’evoluzione della scienza. Cio non dovrebbe preoccupare solo gli scienziati ma tutti i cittadini e anche le imprese che si dedicano all’innovazione tecnologica. Senza una scienza autonoma, libera e pubblica, senza una scienza aperta, non ci puo essere ne democrazia, ne progresso culturale, ne innovazione tecnologica. Da questa prospettiva la disciplina delle c.d. eccezioni e limitazioni (al diritto di esclusiva) concernenti la ricerca scientifica che adopera tecniche di text and data mining non risolve il conflitto tra scienza e legge sul diritto d’autore. La politica dell’UE appare sempre piu contraddittoria, da una parte rafforza la proprieta intellettuale, dall’altra promuove (o dice di voler promuovere) la scienza aperta. Si tratta di obiettivi inconciliabili. English Abstract: Copyright law collides with scientific progress. While the evolution of science is based on the public dialogue among human beings, copyright law has increasingly reduced space for free discussion paradoxically when humanity can count on the most powerful technology - the Web - to strength-en and extend human communication. European Union copyright policy appears to be shaped by strong commercial interests and less inclined to foster the progress of knowledge. The EU Copyright Digital Single Market Directive adds another complicated piece to the legislative puzzle that is threatening the evolution of science. This policy should be of concern not only to scientists but also to citizens and companies that are dedicated to technological innovation. Without an autonomous, free and public (open) science there will not be democracy, neither cultural progress, nor techno-logical innovation. From this perspective, the discipline of the exceptions and limitations concerning scientific research based on Text and Data Mining does not resolve, but on the contrary aggravates the conflict between science and copyright law. EU policy appears more and more contradictory, on the one hand it strengthens intellectual property, on the other it declares to promote open science. These are irreconcilable goals.

Vaccines currently recommended for adolescents by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have the potential to improve the health of youth by preventing conditions such as: tetanus, pertussis, meningococcal disease, influenza, and genital warts, as well as later adult outcomes such as cervical and other human papillomavirus-related cancers. Adolescent vaccine coverage lags behind that for younger age groups. A requirement to obtain parental consent for vaccination can present a significant barrier to improving adolescent vaccine uptake across all health care settings in which adolescents access care. The ability of minors to consent to vaccination can influence whether adolescents receive indicated vaccines during adolescent health care visits when parents are absent and when adolescents are seen for confidential services. State laws govern consent for the delivery of health care to minors. All states have some laws that allow minors to consent to health care based either on their status or on the services they are seeking. Some of these laws would allow them to consent to vaccination. It is the Position of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine that, within ethical and legal guidelines, it will be important to develop strategies that maximize opportunities for minors to receive vaccinations when parents are not physically present, including opportunities for them to give their own consent.

Carbon screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) are recognized as disposable, single-use, and inexpensive sensors to measure various analytes, including phosphates. SPEs have multiple applications using cyclic voltammetry (CV), which is a powerful electrochemical technique used to investigate the redox reactions of specific analytes. However, high demand for SPEs in laboratories creates questions about their economical feasibility and disposal after a single-use, while it has been found that polishing the surfaces of SPEs shows potential for reuse. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of polishing SPEs using office paper on their reproducibility, repeatability, and amperometric response for phosphate electrochemical sensing. The effect was determined by measuring the peak currents of the CV scans of phosphate analytes before and after SPE polishing. The sensitivity, limit of detection, and reproducibility of the electrochemical phosphate test were significantly improved by polishing the SPEs with office paper. For example, the paper polished SPEs increased the phosphate sensitivity response by 63.6% and showed reuse efficacy up to successive 20 CV cycles. Compared to carbon pretreatment methods that use chemicals in SPE mechanical polishing, the proposed paper polishing method is eco-friendly, cost-effective, and shows great promise towards more sustainable phosphate tests.

Informed consent is an ethical concept that is codified in the law and is in daily practice at every health care institution. Three fundamental criteria are needed for clinical informed consent: the patient must be competent, adequately informed and not coerced. Physician-patient interaction is rooted in the ethical concept of beneficence, but over the 19th and 20th centuries, case law and societal changes brought respect for autonomy and with it--informed consent. This article briefly reviews the basics of informed consent, when is it required, how did informed consent evolve into what it is today and what can the surgeon do to truly achieve informed consent.

The oxidation of sisal pulp fibers by the laccase–TEMPO system was investigated and the influence of process variables including the laccase and TEMPO doses, and reaction time, on various properties of the oxidized fibers and of handsheets made from them was for the first time assessed using a three-variable statistical plan. The laccase–TEMPO system was found to oxidatively modify cellulose fibers, largely by introducing aldehyde groups and, to a much lesser extent, by introducing carboxyl groups. Based on the mathematical models used, increasing the TEMPO dose and reaction time increases the aldehyde content of the fibers, thereby also increasing their wet strength by effect of inter-fiber covalent bonding via hemiacetal linkages. Although no accurate model for the carboxyl content could be established, this property was found to peak under the specific conditions yielding the highest response in the dry tensile index model. The fact that the oxidative treatment diminished pulp viscosity is indicative of partial depolymerization of cellulose. This was especially marked under the conditions providing the highest contents in aldehyde and carboxyl groups, and the greatest improvements in the dry and wet tensile indices.

Background: Due to the aging of the population, cancer has become a health priority worldwide. While the number of elderly cancer patients is rapidly increasing, many barriers still exist to their effective management. Compared with their younger counterparts, the elderly are less likely to receive optimal medical, psychological and spiritual treatment provided in a culturally competent manner. Design: The scanty literature on cultural competence in elderly cancer patients has been reviewed. Additional material has been selected based on the authors' clinical research in medical oncology and psycho-oncology, and on their scholarly work in anthropology and bioethics. Results: The aging process is a synergistic product of biological, behavioral and social issues within a cultural context. Knowledge about how older people understand, perceive and experience their illness trajectory and make choices is essential to the planning and delivering of effective cancer care. Conclusion: This position paper of the SIOG Task Force on Cultural Competence in the Elderly creates awareness of the influence of culture in geriatric oncology. Negotiating cross-cultural issues in geriatric oncology helps managing possible conflicts between patients, families and physicians over differing health care values, beliefs, or practices. Possible areas of future scholarly investigation and clinical research are identified.

Flame spread along combustible material must be accurately identified in fire hazards. Flame spread is controlled by heat and mass transfer phenomena, effects of flow, and chemical reaction. Flame spread has been studied in various conditions, for example, flame spread over liquids and solids. In solid fuel combustion, it was reported finger-like smolder spread over a thin cellulosic fuel with external airflow in microgravity and the fingering propagation along a thin solid in a narrow space with external airflow in normal gravity. Any other researchers treated as condition that the narrow space suppressed the buoyant flow. Furthermore, external airflow was supplied in the narrow space. We focused on the natural convection which is caused by the temperature gradient which the flame became heat source. The objective of this study is to obtain fundamental knowledge for the flame spread characteristics of thin solid fuel in narrow gaps, the behavior of the flame and the effect of the narrow gaps between two plates, experimentally. In this research, the behavior of smoke in the vertical cross section was visualized by a sheet laser. We observed behavior of smoke which occurred from paper-disk. Furthermore, we measured flame spread rates of upper and lower flames.

This white paper is the culmination of a 5-year commitment by the Task Force on Professionalism to study and promote pharmacy student professionalism. The Task Force is a collaborative effort involving the American Pharmaceutical Association Academy of Students of Pharmacy (APhA-ASP) and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Council of Deans (AACP-COD). The two primary goals of the Task Force are to raise awareness and to lead action on the issue of pharmacy student professionalism. The intended audience for this white paper is the entire pharmacy profession, as each member plays an important role in the development of professionalism, whether he or she is a pharmacy educator, student, practitioner, association executive, or state board member. The discussion and recommendations presented herein are intended to assist these parties as they participate in the development of professional attitudes and behaviors among future pharmacists.

In the report, results of research on possibility of using a beam of accelerated electrons for a decrease of exhaust in an environment of detrimental smelling nasty substances generated during sulfate cellulose-paper production are presented. The two methods of radiation usage are described: with a direct action of beam on detrimental substances containing gas or water on a so-called “tailing” of production process and at the beginning of production with influence of electron beam on wood chips before the boiling process.

Polyaniline (PANI)-deposited electrically conductive and flame retardant paper composite was prepared using phytic acid (PA) as dopant or co-dopant. PA as doping acid greatly improved the flame retardancy of PANI-deposited paper composite whilst the conductivity was lower compared with using 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) as doping acid. Lower temperature was favorable to obtain PANI-deposited paper composite with both higher conductivity and better flame retardancy. Conductivity of PANI-deposited paper composite increased with increase of doping acid concentration and the suitable PA concentration range was 0.15-0.3 mol/L depending on the requirement of conductivity and flame retardancy. The PANI-deposited paper composite was characterized by SEM, TGA and XPS. The outstanding flame retardancy of PA-doped paper composite was caused by the synergetic effect of PANI coating and H3PO4. Both higher flame retardancy and higher conductivity of PANI-deposited paper composite were obtained by co-doping of SSA with PA.

How many of the authors who publish in Cell Stem Cell dream that their work will eventually wind up in the clinic? Probably quite a few. In the 10 years since its launch, Cell Stem Cell has featured many innovative discoveries, and several of them have gone on to become the seeds of burgeoning biotechnology companies with therapeutic aspirations. Two scientists who have seen that happen are Benjamin Reubinoff (Figure 1) and Derrick Rossi (Figure 2), both of whom led the clinical translation of technologies that made their public debut in Cell Stem Cell.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared and used for surface treatment of oil paintings painted on paper supports. The prepared coating mixture containing 2% of ZnO nanoparticles showed excellent transparency. The effect of coating on protecting the paper support and paintings against microbial attack by Trichoderma reesei and Aspergillus niger, dirt accumulation, and UV aging was studied. Coatings containing ZnO nanoparticles enhanced the durability of linseed oil-based paintings toward UV aging regarding the change in color. Coatings containing ZnO nanoparticles improved resistance to microbial attack when subjected to inoculums containing T. reesei or A. niger fungi. In addition, coatings containing ZnO nanoparticles reduced accumulation of dirt on oil paintings when left in open air for 6 months; cleaning of paintings was quite easy compared to the non-coated paintings or those coated with the varnish without ZnO nanoparticles.

Intersex/disorders of sex development advocacy groups and associated health care professionals question the legitimacy of the Council of Europe issue paper, express their worries about its potentially harmful consequences, and urge the Council of Europe to consult more widely with relevant stakeholders.

English translation of the Policy Paper "Integration of Mediation into Ukrainian Court System" is available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=3054519. Ukrainian Abstract: Звіт підготовлено Тетяною Кисельовою у рамках проекту Ради Європи «Підтримка впровадженню судової реформи в Україні» з метою розробити комплексні рекомендації, які слугуватимуть основою для подальших дій щодо інтеграції медіації в судову систему України відповідно до стандартів Ради Європи. Цей звіт базується на результатах наукового дослідження про перешкоди розвитку медіації в Україні, яке автор здійснював у межах пост-докторської програми ім. Марії Кюрі впродовж 2016-2017 років на базі Туринського університету, Італія. Звіт складається з аналізу поточної ситуації в сфері медіації в Україні, інформації щодо основних дієвців (стейкхолдерів) процесу впровадження медіації, аналізу досягнень пілотних проектів з медіації в судах України, аналізу можливих сценаріїв інтеграції медіації в судову систему та рекомендацій для подальших дій. English Abstract: This study is prepared by Dr. Tatiana Kyselova and aims at comprehensive policy guidelines for planning further actions with regards to integration of mediation into the Ukrainian court system in line with the Council of Europe mediation recommendations. This report is based on the findings of the empirical case-study of mediation in Ukraine which was conducted by the author as a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellow in 2016-2017. The report offers analysis of the current situation, main stakeholders of mediation, piloted court mediation schemes, possible scenarios of mediation integration into the court system, and recommendations for further actions. The main findings of the study are as follows. Given the specific socio-political context in Ukraine and relative cost- and time-efficiency of Ukrainian courts, integration of mediation into the court system will achieve better results if it is soft, gradual but quick - beginning from the voluntary schemes of court mediation and decentralized professional self-regulation with minimum state involvement. Soft integration of mediation within the courts should be reflected in the law on mediation and procedural codes expected to be adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament in 2017. All the models of court mediation piloted in 1997-2016 have potential for further development and mediation regulation should leave doors open to any of these models. The prospective law on mediation should encourage an experimental approach based on pilot court mediation schemes that are continuously monitored and may lead to the possible introduction of mandatory and more centralized elements in the future. It is suggested that the Ukrainian mediation community should primarily be responsible for coordinating and promoting the integration of mediation within the court system. It should be supported by the international community in such a development including projects to gain the support of the judiciary and the political elite; joint projects with the courts to test court mediation schemes; strategy development and coordination of efforts with lawyers and other stakeholders; drafting of mediation legislation; development of quality control, professional training and ethical standards for mediators.

Russian Abstract: Проблемы международной безопасности и противодействия терроризму являются тематикой крайне популярной в самых разных точках мира, поскольку редкие регионы совершенно не сталкиваются с подобного рода вызовами общественной и государственной безопасности. В зависимости от того, какой тип террористической угрозы привлекает больше внимание общественности и государственных служащих, в центре обсуждения оказываются те или иные проблемы, ведь каждая террористическая угроза имеет свои причины возникновения, связанные с этим особенности распространения и противодействия со стороны активных граждан и государственных органов. Немалое количество публкаций по этой тематике мы можем обнаружить и в современной российской академической периодике социально-политической тематики. Список монографий и сборник может быть и еще более обширным даже только на русском языке. Простое перечисление здесь будет малопродуктивным. В данной рецензии важно отметить одно: практически никогда тексты не пишутся лицами, которые принимают непосредственное участие в формулировании антитерроистической политики. Из различных государственных документов мы можем получить статистическую информацию и высказывания, оценивающие нынешнюю ситуацию и направление её развития, однако познакомиться с внутренней кухней практически никогда не удается. В случае со статьей В.П. Журавеля, который является сотрудником нескольких учреждений, определяющих антитеррористическую политику, которая, к тому же, напечатана в научном издании, мы могли бы ожидать интересной информации, которую невозможно получить из официальных источников и строгий научный анализ российской и международной политики. К сожалению, ожидания остаются неоправданными, в силу нескольких причин, которые не стоило бы разбирать, если бы они не являлись атрибутами российских и многих зарубежных текстов, посвященных атнтитеррористической политике. English Abstract: This short note shows common approach to security and terrorism topic in Russian scientific literature. It centers on one article but shows it's content in comparison with other books and conference proceedings. Author finds out that emphasis on government plans and policies and lack of author voice in texts of such types makes this literature hard to evaluate in scientific context.

A birth certificate establishes a child's legal identity and age, but few quantitative estimates of the significance of birth registration exist. Birth registration laws were enacted by U.S. states in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Using 1910–1930 census data, this study finds that minimum working age legislation was twice as effective in reducing under-aged employment if children had been born with a birth registration law, with positive implications for school attendance. There is some evidence that registration laws also improved the enforcement of schooling laws for younger children. A retrospective analysis with the 1960 census shows that the long-term effect of registration laws was to increase educational attainment by approximately 0.1 years.

Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons, Sydney, Australia Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; The Baird Institute; University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital; Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne Victorian Heart Centre, Epworth Hospital; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Austin Hospital; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Monash Health and Department of Surgery (Monash Medical Centre), Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia

The present study examined the equivalency and test–retest reliability of two administration methods (paper-and-pencil and computerized) of the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), and SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36) in a sample of 97 veterans. The two-week test–retest reliability for the conventional paper-and-pencil administrations of the AQ, BIS-11, and the SF-36 in the veteran population were generally reliable and comparable to the test–retest reliability of these measures noted in the research for other populations. Equivalence of the computer vs. paper-and-pencil administrations were examined and results indicated that for the AQ, ICCs for all four subscales and total score were substantially lower for the PC administration. For the BIS-11, ICCs were comparable with the exception of the Motor subscale, which was lower in the PC condition. For the SF-36, two of the domains were higher in the PC condition, with four more being comparable. Overall, the computerized administration of the BIS-11 and SF-36 was found to be equivalent to the “gold standard” paper-and-pencil administration of these measures and can be utilized successfully among veterans. The computerized administration of the AQ, however, was not found to be equivalent to the paper-and-pencil administration of the measure.

DNR is a written instruction from the physicians to the medical staff not to try to revive the patient if breathing or heart beat has stopped. The decision to do-not-resuscitate is a very complex decision and raises many ethical and legal concerns. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the DNR policy in King Hussein Cancer Center in regard to, administrative ease, cost and benefits, equality, legality, and political acceptability to find out the weakness and strength points in this policy, and try to add some modification and suggest some alternatives then all these alternatives will be evaluated again in order to choose the most effective, ease, legal, equal, acceptable, and cost effective one. The alternatives that added to DNR policy of King Hussein Cancer Center are: 1) identify patient who can sign on DNR order, 2) the actions that will done and the actions that will not done with DNR order, 3) consent form for DNR order, 4) paper for Non-hospital Order Not to Resuscitate, 5) increase nursing role in DNR order because It is the responsibility of the physicians only to implement this policy, 6) need of multi-disciplinary work to make complete dissection about DNR by team of (primary attending physician, residence, psychologist, nurse manager of the department, patient, family and chief), 7) put steps for assessment of patient capacity and if patent lack capacity prioritizes the surrogate according to patient.Summary and Conclusion: After added this aspect the DNR policy will be comprehensive and have a solution to any conflict that may face us when we apply DNR new policy, to prevent any abuse of DNR order and protect patient rights’ in self-etermination end of life issue, and protect health team from legal problems because of absent of consent form in DNR order.

Sixty-eight undergraduate students experienced 32 hands-on tasks designed to provide a behavioral validation for the paper-and-pencil Disgust Scale, which the students had completed 2 months before. Tasks assessed participant-determined degree of exposure (looking at, picking up, touching, and in some cases eating) to objects such as a cockroach, cremated ashes, and a freshly killed pig's head and to disgusting video clips (seconds watching). These tasks elicited strong negative affect in a way that was ethical and not very disturbing to participants; they may be useful for future laboratory study of emotion. Participants also experienced nondisgusting control tasks, such as imitating a chicken or holding one's hand in ice-water. Analysis of task intercorrelations indicated four factors: food-related disgust, body-violation-and-death-related disgust, compliance motivation, and embarrassability. Only the two disgust factors correlated significantly with the paper-and-pencil Disgust Scale; a combination of the two correlated .58 with Disgust Scale scores obtained months before the laboratory assessment and correlated .71 with scores obtained immediately after this assessment. Most generally, these results are a reminder that there is no gold standard for personality assessment. As with paper-and-pencil measures, behavioral measures require getting beyond face validity to assess threats to validity from factors such as embarrassment and compliance motivation.

This paper addresses a potential constitutional right to consume marijuana, at least in a medical context, following recent legal and cultural developments. In addition to addressing the argument based on a fundamental right to bodily autonomy and principles of federalism, it also examines policy considerations surrounding the War on Drugs. It attempts to inject humor into the analysis wherever possible.

Depictions of doctors and medical situations in caricatures, cartoons and comics have a history several hundred years long. This paper examines the background and the appearance of anesthesia and pain-related topics in cartoons and comics over the past two centuries.

Erratum to ‘‘Volatiles from the venom of five species of paper wasps (Polistes dominulus, P. Gallicus, P. Nimphus, P. Sulcifer and P. Olivaceus)’’ [Toxicon 47 (2006) 812–825] Claudia Bruschini , Francesca R. Dani, Giuseppe Pieraccini, Francesco Guarna, Stefano Turillazzi Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e Genetica ‘‘Leo Pardi’’, Universita degli Studi di Firenze, Via Romana 17, 50125 Firenze, Italy Centro Interdipartimentale di Spettrometria di Mass (CISM), Universita degli Studi di Firenze, V.le G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy Dipartimento di Chimica Organica, Universita degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 13 I, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy

L'A. analyse les caracteristiques stylistiques de la correspondance epistolaire familiere et personnelle au 18 e siecle. Il considere son statut problematique en tant que genre litteraire, textuel, et en tant que registre ecrit de la langue orale. Il utlise la technique pragmatique de l'implicature pour rendre compte du sens en contexte. Les lettres analysees sont celle qu'echangerent Lady Mary Pierrepont et son mari Edward Wortley au cours de leurs fiancailles en 1710-1713

Computer-administered versions of personality tests were examined for differences from the identical tests in standard paper and pencil formats. It was hypothesized that, when measuring negative affect via computer terminals, significant differences would be found relative to a paper-and-pencil control group, particularly in those individuals identified as computer anxious. Undergraduate student volunteers (N = 97) were administered a written version of the Computer Anxiety Rating Scale (CARS; Heinssen, Glass, & Knight, 1987) prior to being assigned to one of the two conditions. Subjects were then administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck, 1967) and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Spielberger, Gorsuch, & Lushene, 1970). In support of the hypotheses, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed significant differences between computer and control conditions on the personality inventories. Mean differences were found across administration conditions for the Beck and State Anxiety inventories. Further analyses revealed that the correlation between BDI and CARS scores was significantly greater in the computer versus the control condition. This suggests that computer anxiety may artificially inflate negative affect scores during computer administration.

The purpose of this research is to study the effect of four sponsors (honor society, university, marketing research firm, and an unidentified sponsor) on the response rates to a questionnaire sent to a commercial population. In addition, the main and interaction effects of color of stationery (pink, green, yellow, and white) are examined. This research expands on the previous use of limited types of questionnaire source by including the first use of two source types, an academic honor society and an unidentified sponsor. Also, this research for the first time studies the interaction of types of questionnaire source and paper color on survey response rates. The authors conclude that mean response rates for a university or academic honor society are significantly higher than those for a marketing research firm or an unidentified sponsor. However, they found no significant impact on response rates by the use of different colors of stationery and also found no source and color interaction effects.

L'A. presente un modele qui permet de saisir le fonctionnement des systemes de regulation et notamment des systemes judiciaires. Il souligne que ce type de modele met en relation, d'une part, appareil de regulation, organisation et interet des acteurs et, d'autre part, regulation, coercition et organisation

Diabetes, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome are starting to overtake communicable diseases as major threats to health worldwide. The prevalence rates of diabetes and obesity are rising sharply, and while some of the causes are clear—for example, adverse changes in physical activity and diet, led in some populations by demographic change—better strategies for prevention and treatment are still needed. Research into treatment, public health and education interventions, and epidemiology is urgently required to address this epidemic. The Lancet and The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology want to hear from authors of clinical research papers in diabetes, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome to coincide with the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden on Sept 14–18, 2015, and the World Diabetes Congress in Vancouver, Canada on Nov 30–Dec 4, 2015. We recognise the importance of high quality evidence in the delivery of excellent care and we are committed to publishing the very best research from researchers in all countries. We invite original submissions that refl ect the rich variety of research in diabetes, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome. The Lancet journals have a special interest in randomised trials that advance the evidence base in treatment of disease. We are also interested in work that has the potential to change clinical and public health practice. Both Lancet journals off er a fast-track publication process in which papers can be published online in as little as 20 days from submission, and we can off er publication to coincide with presentation at the meetings. These papers can also be accompanied by author podcasts on the website of the Lancet journals. Please submit your paper through our online submission system, mentioning this call for papers in your covering letter. We also welcome presubmission enquiries. If you are presenting your research at the meeting, please let us know so we can time publication to your presentation. The deadline for submissions for EASD is July 16, 2015, and for the World Diabetes Congress is Sept 18, 2015. We very much look forward to reading about your research.

See paper by Salvadori et al. on pages 108-14. *Corresponding author at: Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima, Rodovia Comandante Joao Ribeiro de Barros Km 225/226, 17034-971, Bauru, SP, Brazil. E-mail address: vanianbrito@gmail.com (V.N.B. de Souza). 1516-8484/$ see front matter © 2014 Associacao Brasileira de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.5581/1516-8484.20140021 Scientific comment