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In 1995, in agreement with the German Federal Ministry of Health, the Robert Koch Institute established a public health microbiology system consisting of national reference centers (NRCs) and consultant laboratories (CLs). The goal was to improve the efficiency of infection protection by advising the authorities on possible measures and to supplement infectious disease surveillance by monitoring selected pathogens that have high public health relevance. Currently, there are 19 NRCs and 40 CLs, each appointed for three years. In 2009, an additional system of national networks of NRCs and CLs was set up in order to enhance effectiveness and cooperation within the national reference laboratory system. The aim of these networks was to advance exchange in diagnostic methods and prevention concepts among reference laboratories and to develop geographic coverage of services. In the last two decades, the German public health laboratory reference system coped with all major infectious disease challenges. The European Union and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) are considering implementing a European public health microbiology reference laboratory system. The German reference laboratory system should be well prepared to participate actively in this upcoming endeavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Adequate modeling of a tourism destination image, closely related to its various components, allows identifying its weaknesses and strengths and, therefore, it allows planning actions in order to enhance the destination. In this paper, two models have been obtained for the image of a sun and beach destinations group, by using a statistical multiple regression and an artificial neural network, respectively. The goodness of fit, the distribution of residuals and some other important information about the models have been given by means of several statistical parameters and graphs. Finally, a comparison between the models has been carried out, demonstrating the superiority of the one based on neural network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is argued that the technologies of data processing and telecommunications are now inseparable, and that attempts by agencies such as the U.S. Federal Communications Com mission to define a boundary between the two can only lead to confusion and impede the development of public net works. There has been a rapid growth in the number of private networks, particularly in industrial firms, for various reasons relating to economy and transmission speeds, but also because public switched data transmission networks do not exist. With the imminent start-up of EURONET (which is described in some detail), private network operators will have the choice of moving to public networks, but they will do so only if such networks are more efficient. It is argued that the separation of data from teat, voice and image transmission is not good commercial sense, and that because packet switch ing technology is not suitable for voice or image, digital communication systems are to be preferred. This argument is supported by reference to developments in the U.S.A. and Japan, and to the growth of word processing and the view- data system. Finally the situation in Ireland is discussed, with the conclusion that high-level political decisions are necessary if the country is to take proper advantage of the information economy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]