Microbes, immunoregulation, and the gut

Two distinct, but rapidly converging, areas of research ( the hygiene hypothesis and the study of probiotic/prebiotic effects) have emphasised the need to understand, and ultimately to manipulate, our physiological interactions with commensal flora, and with other transient but harmless organisms from the environment that affect immunoregulatory circuits. The story began with allergic disorders but now inflammatory bowel disease is increasingly involved

Do successful tuberculosis vaccines need to be immunoregulatory rather than merely Th1-boosting?

Tuberculosis vaccine candidates are entering clinical studies in areas where BCG fails. This is a high-risk strategy. We suggest that geographical variation in the efficacy of BCG is related to the presence in developing countries of a cross-reactive background Th2-like response, probably attributable to exposure of mother and infant to helminths and environmental mycobacteria. Such Th2-like activity can stop Mycobacterium tuberculosis from being pushed into a latent state by the Th1 response, impair bactericidal functions and cause toxicity of TNF-alpha and pulmonary fibrosis. A successful vaccine, rather than driving a Th1 response, might need to suppress this pre-existing subversive Th2-like component. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

JIGSAW: Preference-directed, co-operative scheduling

Techniques that enable humans and machines to cooperate in the solution of complex scheduling problems have evolved out of work on the daily allocation and scheduling of Tactical Air Force resources. A generalized, formal model of these applied techniques is being developed. It is called JIGSAW by analogy with the multi-agent, constructive process used when solving jigsaw puzzles. JIGSAW begins from this analogy and extends it by propagating local preferences into global statistics that dynamically influence the value and variable ordering decisions. The statistical projections also apply to abstract resources and time periods--allowing more opportunities to find a successful variable ordering by reserving abstract resources and deferring the choice of a specific resource or time period

Not just for Christmas? How the Guardian tried to change development reporting

This report by Polis intern Aivory Gaw People are inherently self-interested. But with this self-interest comes the occasional need for altruistic action. Arise, Christmas charities where media outlets do their once a year act of humanitarian service that attracts people to donate to causes around the world. However, the problem is, this kind of service occurs just once a year. People donate money without really knowing where the funding goes or how much of a difference one donation can make. The Guardian sought to change this with Katine project

Simulation as an Assessment of Core Critical Skills for First Year Medical Interns

The transition from undergraduate medical education to graduate medical education is one that new interns are often underprepared for. Simulation scenarios offer a novel tool to develop and assess core critical skill areas that are imperative towards maximizing patient safety and patient care. This study evaluates an intern conference to develop and assess teamwork, consultation, escalation, informed consent, and handoffs using simulation. The “Walk the Walk” intern conference was held to establish a common culture of patient safety by training and evaluating intern skills in core critical skill areas. Interns were assessed on their performance in the aforementioned critical areas, and then provided with individualized feedback. In addition, pre-conference and post-conference self-efficacy in the areas of interest was recorded. Interns returned six months later, and were evaluated on the same fundamental competencies during a simulation performance. Results suggest that interns have considerable experience working in teams, but not as much experience with formal education to guide them on how to best work as a team. Self-reported ability in 4 out of the 5 core skill areas support the conference training was effective. Although there was no significant improvement in teamwork, interns reported feeling very confident in teamwork skills on average.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1049/thumbnail.jp

Clickable and swipe-able: the future of magazines

The magazine industry is facing a unique crossroads with the development of tablet technologies like the iPad. The Internet and its unlimited flow of information means that the articles people read in magazines are now in abundance online. If the Internet can do what a magazine does, and better, what is the point of a magazine? ` In 2009, Editor in Chief of Wired Magazine UK, David Rowan quoted William Gibson by saying “the future is already here, it’s just not evenly distributed yet”. On 3 February, 2011, hosted by the LSE Media Group, David Rowan spoke about the future of Wired UK, especially it’s clickable and swipeable future. POLIS intern Aivory Gaw reports