Schottky barrier formation at amorphous-crystalline interfaces of GeSb phase change materials

The electrical properties of amorphous-crystalline interfaces in phase change materials, which are important for rewritable optical data storage and for random access memory devices, have been investigated by surface scanning potential microscopy. Analysis of GeSb systems indicates that the surface potential of the crystalline phase is similar to 30-60 mV higher than that of the amorphous phase. This potential asymmetry is explained qualitatively by the presence of a Schottky barrier at the amorphous-crystalline interface and supported also by quantitative Schottky model calculations. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3691179

De novo fragment-based design of inhibitors of DXS guided by spin-diffusion-based NMR spectroscopy

We applied for the first time an innovative ligand-based NMR methodology (STI) to a medicinal-chemistry project aimed at the development of inhibitors for the enzyme 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXS). DXS is the first enzyme of the 2C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, present in most bacteria (and not in humans) and responsible for the synthesis of the essential isoprenoid precursors. We designed de novo a first generation of fragments, using Deinococcus radiodurans DXS as a model enzyme, targeting the thiamine diphosphate (TDP) pocket of DXS whilst also exploring the putative substrate-binding pocket, where selectivity over other human TDP-dependent enzymes could be gained. The STI methodology – suitable for weak binders – was essential to determine the binding mode in solution of one of the fragments, circumventing the requirement for an X-ray co-crystal structure, which is known to be particularly challenging for this specific enzyme and in general for weak binders. Based on this finding, we carried out fragment growing and optimisation, which led to a three-fold more potent fragment, about as potent as the well-established thiamine analogue deazathiamine. The STI methodology proved therefore its strong potential as a tool to support medicinal-chemistry projects in their early stages, especially when dealing with weak binders

A call for action to establish a research agenda for building a future health workforce in Europe

This Call for Action is closely linked to the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) and its new section ‘Health Workforce Research’. The idea was first developed during a pre-conference and two workshops at the EUPHA Conference in November 2016 in Vienna and further investigated at the EUPHA Conference in November 2017. We wish to thank all participants for inspiring discussions and for sharing ideas and knowledge.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Influence of routine computed tomography on predicted survival from blunt thoracoabdominal trauma

Item does not contain fulltextINTRODUCTION: Many scoring systems have been proposed to predict the survival of trauma patients. This study was performed to evaluate the influence of routine thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) on the predicted survival according to the trauma injury severity score (TRISS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 1,047 patients who had sustained a high-energy blunt trauma over a 3-year period were prospectively included in the study. All patients underwent physical examination, conventional radiography of the chest, thoracolumbar spine and pelvis, abdominal sonography, and routine thoracoabdominal CT. From this group with routine CT, we prospectively defined a selective CT (sub)group for cases with abnormal physical examination and/or conventional radiography and/or sonography. Type and extent of injuries were recorded for both the selective and the routine CT groups. Based on the injuries found by the two different CT algorithms, we calculated the injury severity scores (ISS) and predicted survivals according to the TRISS methodology for the routine and the selective CT algorithms. RESULTS: Based on injuries detected by the selective CT algorithm, the mean ISS was 14.6, resulting in a predicted mortality of 12.5%. Because additional injuries were found by the routine CT algorithm, the mean ISS increased to 16.9, resulting in a predicted mortality of 13.7%. The actual observed mortality was 5.4%. CONCLUSION: Routine thoracoabdominal CT in high-energy blunt trauma patients reveals more injuries than a selective CT algorithm, resulting in a higher ISS. According to the TRISS, this results in higher predicted mortalities. Observed mortality, however, was significantly lower than predicted. The predicted survival according to MTOS seems to underestimate the actual survival when routine CT is used

A new skilled emigration dynamic: Portuguese nurses and recruitment in the southern European periphery

Philippine and Indian nurses have been emigrating for many years, but Portu-guese nurses and other South and East Europeans have recently started to replace them in the UK. This study focuses on the recent migration of Portuguese nurses – both as emigrants and immigrants – within the European area. The research mixes extensive and intensive methodologies. Health agencies start-ed to recruit heavily among Portuguese nurses after 2008, which often led to their decision to leave the country with a guaranteed job abroad. In turn, this dynamic of emigration being motived by institutional and recruitment networks was caused by a structural factor: the barriers erected in 2010 by UK immigration pol-icies against the contracting of nurses from outside the EU, which led the job agencies to search for nurses inside Europe. The chapter’s main finding is that alt-hough the push factor of economic recession and increased unemployment that hit the European periphery after the 2008 financial crisis played a role in the out-flow of Portuguese nurses, it was the pull factor that was more significant. The second finding is that this new mass emigration of nurses is not just a Portuguese phenomenon but rather is in keeping with other Southern and East European pe-ripheral countries.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Support for people with long-term neurological condition in rural English communities

Nineteen percent of people in England live in rural areas (LGA and PHE, 2017). Compared to urban populations, the rural population is older, and faces greater difficulties in accessing medical services. At the same time, healthcare teams in rural areas face particular challenges in recruiting and retaining staff, travelling between patients, and keeping specialised knowledge up-to-date. Drawing upon a recent health needs assessment for people living with long-term neurological conditions in a rural English county, and upon a broader review of the literature, this paper considers the challenges of rurality, and discusses potential solutions. Technological and community-based responses have often been suggested as responses to challenges of rurality. However, there is likely to be a need for up-front investment of resources and careful consideration of individual and community needs before these solutions can be applied to rural neurological care

Multidisciplinaire Richtlijn Probleemgedrag bij volwassenen met een verstandelijke beperking

Probleemgedrag komt regelmatig voor bij mensen met een verstandelijke beperking (VB). Het kan een grote impact hebben op de persoon zelf, diens familie en op anderen in de omgeving. Zo kan probleemgedrag leiden tot een verminderde kwaliteit van leven en (mogelijk vermijdbaar) hoog zorggebruik. De richtlijn ‘Probleemgedrag bij volwassenen met een verstandelijke beperking’ is ontwikkeld om de kwaliteit van leven bij volwassenen met een VB en probleemgedrag te verbeteren en last en lijden bij deze groep én naastbetrokkenen te verminderen. Belangrijke bijkomende doelen zijn het beter signaleren, vaststellen en behandelen van psychiatrische stoornissen, het verbeteren van de inzet van niet-medicamenteuze behandelingen en de effectieve inzet van psychofarmaca

Nurse prescribing of medicines in Western European and Anglo-Saxon countries: a systematic review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A growing number of countries are introducing some form of nurse prescribing. However, international reviews concerning nurse prescribing are scarce and lack a systematic and theoretical approach. The aim of this review was twofold: firstly, to gain insight into the scientific and professional literature describing the extent to and the ways in which nurse prescribing has been realised or is being introduced in Western European and Anglo-Saxon countries; secondly, to identify possible mechanisms underlying the introduction and organisation of nurse prescribing on the basis of Abbott's theory on the division of professional labor.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A comprehensive search of six literature databases and seven websites was performed without any limitation as to date of publication, language or country. Additionally, experts in the field of nurse prescribing were consulted. A three stage inclusion process, consisting of initial sifting, more detailed selection and checking full-text publications, was performed independently by pairs of reviewers. Data were synthesized using narrative and tabular methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One hundred and twenty-four publications met the inclusion criteria. So far, seven Western European and Anglo-Saxon countries have implemented nurse prescribing of medicines, viz., Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, the UK and the USA. The Netherlands and Spain are in the process of introducing nurse prescribing. A diversity of external and internal forces has led to the introduction of nurse prescribing internationally. The legal, educational and organizational conditions under which nurses prescribe medicines vary considerably between countries; from situations where nurses prescribe independently to situations in which prescribing by nurses is only allowed under strict conditions and supervision of physicians.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Differences between countries are reflected in the jurisdictional settlements between the nursing and medical professions concerning prescribing. In some countries, nurses share (full) jurisdiction with the medical profession, whereas in other countries nurses prescribe in a subordinate position. In most countries the jurisdiction over prescribing remains predominantly with the medical profession. There seems to be a mechanism linking the jurisdictional settlements between professions with the forces that led to the introduction of nurse prescribing. Forces focussing on efficiency appear to lead to more extensive prescribing rights.</p