Perspektiver inden for teknologisk-assisteret indsamling af data i psykologisk forandring – rammesat af den synergetiske psykologi.

It is a methodological challenge to describe change processes within psychology, as change is often characterized by both loss and growth in function. Especially compensatory processes may be impossible to describe by conventional methods. These methods typicallydetect changes in the level of functionality from one point to another, but are unable to identify the processes that mediate the development. A micro-genetic method that is based on high-frequency data collection, may be suitable to describe change processes in normativepopulations, as well as psychopathological. As data density is greater and the observed processes of change can be non-linear, registration, analyzes, and interpretation of microgenetic data do, however, challenge the conventional methods of measurement in psychologicalresearch. Within the framework of Synergetics (a theory of self-organization in complex dynamical systems), Günter Schiepek and colleagues have developed a tool for registration and analysis: the Synergetic Navigation System. This system enables closemonitoring of clients’ mental state during critical development phases and offers support for therapeutic processes. In both cases, clients’ dynamic development processes exhibit characteristics that can be described and analyzed using concepts and methods from Synergetics. This publication describes how the approach can be applied in research in adult development of emotion regulation and how it may be useful in a clinical setting

Pesticide Residues in Commercial Lettuce, Onion, and Potato Samples From Bolivia:A Threat to Public Health?

Bolivia does not have a surveillance program for pesticide residues in food. The few published studies have suggested that pesticide contamination in food may present a public health problem. Data are lacking for all foods except tomatoes and breast milk. In this study 10 potato, 10 onion, and 10 lettuce samples from La Paz were sampled on August 15, 2015 at a local market and screened for 283 pesticides. Residues of cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, difenoconazol, or/and λ-cyhalothrin were detected in 50% of the lettuce samples, whereas no pesticides were found in potatoes and onions. In 20% of the lettuce samples, the measurements were above the maximum residue limits, and 2 or 3 pesticides were identified simultaneously. Washing almost halved the pesticide levels, but still 20% of the samples showed measurements above the limits. No samples contained concentrations of pesticides which alone or together would lead to exposures that exceeded the acceptable daily intake or the acute reference dose. To protect consumers from pesticide poisonings and chronic effects, the development of measures for prevention, control, and monitoring of food contamination by pesticides in Bolivia is suggested

Management of Empty Pesticide Containers—A Study of Practices in Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Aims: The mismanagement of empty containers of pesticides, posing a risk to the environment and the health of people, has motivated the promotion of international policies and guidelines to mitigate such problems. Despite these guidelines, attention to this problem is inadequate in Bolivia. The objective was to study the knowledge and practical management of the containers and to implement a responsible management plan for empty pesticide containers. Methods: This study implemented the project from 2014 to 2016 in 2 municipalities of the Department of Santa Cruz. Integral and participatory processes of information, education, and training were used. A questionnaire study among pesticide users was used to investigate knowledge and management of the empty pesticide containers. Results: The authorities and the population responded to the program by taking a critical and active approach to the problem, improving their responsible practices, and 5500 kg of empty containers were collected. The cross-sectional study showed that 93% of the empty containers were disposed of in vulnerable places; 62% of the population did not know what triple washing is; 60% felt discomfort, headache, and/or dizziness while using pesticides; and 31% of the empty containers had pesticide residue inside them. Conclusions: The study illustrates a complex situation, mainly caused by lack of knowledge and clear guidelines. We recommend documentation of the social, economic, and productive characteristics of the region before any municipal program action is undertaken. The key element to sustainable change is an informed and coordinated participation of all actors

Serotype distribution in non-bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia:association with disease severity and implications for pneumococcal conjugate vaccines

BACKGROUND: There is limited knowledge of serotypes that cause non-bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (NBP). Here we report serotypes, their associated disease potential and coverage of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) in adults with NBP and compare these to bacteremic pneumonia (BP). METHODS: Adults with pneumonia and Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from the lower respiratory tract or blood were included 1 year in a population-based design in Denmark. Pneumonia was defined as a new infiltrate on chest radiograph in combination with clinical symptoms or elevated white blood count or plasma C-reactive protein. All isolates were serotyped using type-specific pneumococcal rabbit antisera. All values are medians with interquartile ranges. RESULTS: There were 272 cases of NBP and 192 cases of BP. Ninety-nine percent were hospitalized. NBP and BP cases were of comparable age and sex but NBP cases had more respiratory symptoms and less severe disease compared to BP cases. In total, 46 different serotypes were identified. Among NBP cases, 5 serotypes accounted for nearly a third of isolates. PCV10 and -13 types covered 17% (95% confidence interval (CI): 11-23%) and 34% (95% CI: 25-43%) of NBP isolates, respectively. In contrast, the five most frequent serotypes accounted for two-thirds of BP isolates. PCV10 and -13 types covered 39% (95% CI: 30-48%) and 64% (95% CI: 48-79) of BP isolates, respectively. More severe NBP disease was associated with infection with invasive serotypes while there was an inverse relationship for BP. CONCLUSIONS: Only a third of cases of adult non-bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia would potentially be preventable with the use of PCV13 and just one sixth of cases with the use of PCV10 indicating that PCVs with increased valency are needed to increase vaccine coverage for NBP in adults. PCV13 could potentially prevent two-thirds of adult bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia