How prepared are we for cross-border outbreaks? An exploratory analysis of cross-border response networks for outbreaks of multidrug resistant microorganisms in the Netherlands and Germany

Background: The emergence and spread of multidrug resistant microorganisms is a serious threat to transnational public health. Therefore, it is vital that cross-border outbreak response systems are constantly prepared for fast, rigorous, and efficient response. This research aims to improve transnational collaboration by identifying, visualizing, and exploring two cross-border response networks that are likely to unfold during outbreaks involving the Netherlands and Germany.Methods: Quantitative methods were used to explore response networks during a cross-border outbreak of carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae in healthcare settings. Eighty-six Dutch and German health professionals reflected on a fictive but realistic outbreak scenario (response rate ≈ 70%). Data were collected regarding collaborative relationships between stakeholders during outbreak response, prior working relationships, and trust in the networks. Network analysis techniques were used to analyze the networks on the network level (density, centralization, clique structures, and similarity of tie constellations between two networks) and node level (brokerage measures and degree centrality).Results: Although stakeholders mainly collaborate with stakeholders belonging to the same country, transnational collaboration is present in a centralized manner. Integration of the network is reached, since several actors are beneficially positioned to coordinate transnational collaboration. However, levels of trust are moderately low and prior-existing cross-border working relationships are sparse.Conclusion: Given the explored network characteristics, we conclude that the system has a promising basis to achieve effective coordination. However, future research has to determine what kind of network governance form might be most effective and efficient in coordinating the necessary cross-border response activity. Furthermore, networks identified in this study are not only crucial in times of outbreak containment, but should also be fostered in times of non-crisis

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION OF LONG DISTANCE WALKERS: STUDYING FOUR DAYS MARCHES PARTICIPANTS.

OBJECTIVE: Studies show physical activity to be beneficial for cognitive function. However, studies usually included individuals who were not particularly inclined to exercise. Following research among master athletes, we examined associations between physical activity and cognitive function in participants of the International Nijmegen Four Days Marches. These individuals are also inclined to exercise. On 4 consecutive days > 40,000 participants walk a daily distance of 30-50 km (120-200 km or 75-125 miles in total). METHOD: Four Days Marches participants and less active or inactive control participants from the Nijmegen Exercise Study were examined. Self-reported current and lifelong physical activities were quantified in Metabolic Equivalent of Task minutes/day and training walking speed was estimated in km/h. Cognitive functioning in the domains of working memory, executive function, and visuospatial short-term memory was assessed using the validated Brain Aging Monitor. RESULTS: Data from 521 participants (mean age 54.7, standard deviation 12.9) showed neither positive associations between lifelong physical activity and working memory, executive function, and visuospatial short-term memory nor positive associations between current physical activity and cognitive functioning in these domains (P-values > 0.05). However, a positive association between training walking speed and working memory was revealed (age adjusted Beta = 0.18, P-value < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Walking speed, as a surrogate marker of fitness, but not lifelong and current physical activity levels were associated with cognitive function. Therefore, walking speed deserves more attention in research aimed at unravelling associations between physical activity and cognitive function

Spin-Dependent Macroscopic Forces from New Particle Exchange

Long-range forces between macroscopic objects are mediated by light particles that interact with the electrons or nucleons, and include spin-dependent static components as well as spin- and velocity-dependent components. We parametrize the long-range potential between two fermions assuming rotational invariance, and find 16 different components. Applying this result to electrically neutral objects, we show that the macroscopic potential depends on 72 measurable parameters. We then derive the potential induced by the exchange of a new gauge boson or spinless particle, and compare the limits set by measurements of macroscopic forces to the astrophysical limits on the couplings of these particles.Comment: 37 page

The weak strangeness production reaction pn→pΛpn \to p\Lambda in a one-boson-exchange model

The weak production of Lambdas in nucleon-nucleon scattering is studied in a meson-exchange framework. The weak transition operator for the $NN \to N \Lambda$ reaction is identical to a previously developed weak strangeness-changing transition potential $\Lambda N \to NN$ that describes the nonmesonic decay of hypernuclei. The initial $NN$ and final $YN$ state interaction has been included by using realistic baryon-baryon forces that describe the available elastic scattering data. The total and differential cross sections as well as the parity-violating asymmetry are studied for the reaction $pn \to p\Lambda$. These observables are found to be sensitive to the choice of the strong interaction potential and the structure of the weak transition potential.Comment: 25 pages, 8 postscript figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Neutron star matter equation of state and gravitational wave emission

The EOS of strongly interacting matter at densities ten to fifteen orders of magnitude larger than the typical density of terrestrial macroscopic objects determines a number of neutron star properties, including the pattern of gravitational waves emitted following the excitation of nonradial oscillation modes. This paper reviews some of the approaches employed to model neutron star matter, as well as the prospects for obtaining new insights from the experimental study of gravitational waves emitted by neutron stars.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures. To be published as a Brief Review in Modern Physics Letters

The nonmesonic weak decay of the hypertriton

The nonmesonic decay of the hypertriton is calculated based on a hypertriton wavefunction and 3N scattering states, which are rigorous solutions of 3-body Faddeev equations using realistic NN and hyperon-nucleon interactions. The pion-exchange together with heavier meson exchanges for the $\Lambda N \to N N$ transition is considered. The total nonmesonic decay rate is found to be 0.5% of the free $\Lambda$ decay rate. Integrated as well as differential decay rates are given. The p- and n- induced decays are discussed thoroughly and it is shown that the corresponding total rates cannot be measured individually.Comment: 27 pages, 20 figures, revtex, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Pion-Lambda-Sigma Coupling Extracted from Hyperonic Atoms

The latest measurements of the atomic level width in Sigma-hyperonic Pb atom offer the most accurate datum in the region of low-energy Sigma-hyperon physics. Atomic widths are due to the conversion of Sigma-nucleon into Lambda-nucleon. In high angular momentum states this conversion is dominated by the one-pion exchange. A joint analysis of the data of the scattering of negative-Sigma on proton converting into a Lambda and a neutron and of the atomic widths allows to extract a pseudovector pion-hyperon-Sigma coupling constant of 0.048 with a statistical error of +-0.005 and a systematic one of +-0.004. This corresponds to a pseudoscalar coupling constant of 13.3 with a statistical uncertainty of 1.4 and a systematic one of 1.1.Comment: 12 pages, 1 figure, Use of Revtex.st

Inclusive K+K^+ and exclusive K+YK^+Y photoproduction on the deuteron: Λ\Lambda- and Σ\Sigma-threshold phenomena

Inclusive $K^+$ and exclusive $K^+Y$ photoproduction on the deuteron are investigated theoretically. Modern hyperon-nucleon forces and a recently updated kaon photoproduction operator for the $\gamma +N\to K^++Y$ process are used. Sizable effects of the hyperon-nucleon final state interaction are found near the $K^+\Lambda N$ and $K^+\Sigma N$ thresholds in the inclusive reaction. Angular distributions for the exclusive process show clear $YN$ final state interaction effects in certain kinematic regions. Precise data especially for the inclusive process around the $K^+\Sigma N$ threshold would help to clarify the strength and property of the $\Lambda N-\Sigma N$ interaction.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figure