Supporting State Policymakers' Implementation of Federal Health Reform

Outlines the capacities states will need to implement federal healthcare reform in the areas of information and analysis, strategic implementation and planning, topic-specific technical assistance, communications, and coordination and integration

A State Policymakers' Guide to Federal Health Reform: Part I: Anticipating How Federal Health Reform Will Affect State Roles

Examines how federal healthcare reform will affect states' tools and roles in connecting people to services, promoting coordination and integration, improving care for those with complex needs, being results-oriented, and increasing efficiencies

Filarial antigenemia and Loa loa night blood microfilaremia in an area without bancroftian filariasis in the democratic republic of Congo

Implementation of mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis (LF) has been delayed in central Africa because of incomplete mapping and coendemic loiasis. We mapped two regions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that were suspected to have LF. Night blood samples were collected from 2,724 subjects in 30 villages. Filarial antigenemia rates by card test exceeded 1% in 28 villages (range = 0–14%). Prevalence rates for large sheathed microfilariae (Mf) ranged from 4% to 40%; Mansonella perstans rates ranged from 22% to 98%. Large Mf were exclusively Loa loa by microscopy, and only 1 of 337 samples tested by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was positive for Wuchereria bancrofti DNA. Filarial antigen positivity was strongly associated with high L. loa Mf counts. Periodicity studies revealed atypical patterns, with no significant diurnal periodicity in some individuals. Thus, methods routinely used for LF mapping may not be reliable in areas in central Africa that are highly endemic for loiasis

A comparative approach to confirm antibiotic-resistant microbes in the cryosphere

Antibiotic-resistant microbes pose one of the biggest challenges of the current century. While areas with proximity to human impact are closely studied, a lot is yet to learn about antimicrobial resistance in remote regions like the cryosphere. Nowadays, antibiotic (AB) resistance is considered a pollution that has reached the Earth’s most pristine areas. However, monitoring of resistant environmental bacteria therein faces several challenges that inhibit scientific progress in this field. Due to many cultivation-based antibiotic susceptibility tests being optimized for mesophilic pathogenic microorganisms, many researchers opt for expensive molecular biological approaches to detect antibiotic resistance in the cryosphere. However, some disadvantages of these methods prohibit effective comprehensive monitoring of resistant bacteria in pristine areas, hence we suggest established cultivation-based approaches when looking for antimicrobial resistance in the cryosphere. In this study, we compared two common antibiotic susceptibility tests and optimized them to meet the needs of psychrophilic microorganisms. The resulting cultures thereof originated from cryospheric habitats with differing anthropogenic impacts. The results show that these methods are applicable to detect antibiotic resistance in cryospheric habitats and could potentially increase the comparability between studies

Uniform thin film based polymer separators for rechargeable Li-ion batteries

Battery separator’s main function is to prevent physical contact of the electrodes while permitting ions to flow freely. They itself does not participate in any cell reactions, however, its properties significantly determine the performance and safety of the batteries. For high energy and power densities, the separator is required to be very thin and highly porous, while it adversely affects the safety and cycle life of the battery as a result of the reduced mechanical strength. The safety requirement is a top priority for rechargeable Li-ion batteries, especially these used in hybrid electric vehicles and power tools. Battery separators need to have excellent porosity, as well as low cost, lightness and durability