Investigation of the Nanoscale Morphology in Industrially Relevant Clearcoats of Waterborne Polymer Colloids by Means of Variable-Angle-Grazing Incidence Small-Angle X-ray Scattering

Soft polymer colloidal water suspensions are extremely important formulations for industrial applications such as water-based environmental-friendly coatings, paints, and adhesives. Homogeneity of the final coating at the micrometer and nanoscale is a crucial factor for optimal coating performance, such as barrier properties against solvent permeation. Here, we investigated the remnant nanostructure in slot-die-coated micrometer-sized thick clear coating films (clearcoats) of three different waterborne polymer colloids (pure soft, pure hard, and soft/hard multiphase), commonly utilized as primers in paint formulations [Mader et al. Prog. Org. Coat. 2011, 71, 123-135], using variable-angle grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) complemented with cross-sectional atomic force microscopy (cs-AFM). After complete macroscopic drying, the coating films exhibit the presence of residual nanostructure with characteristic distance (d*) smaller than the original particle size and even smaller

Drug suicide: a sex-equal cause of death in 16 European countries

Background: There is a lack of international research on suicide by drug overdose as a preventable suicide method. Sex- and age-specific rates of suicide by drug self-poisoning (ICD-10, X60-64) and the distribution of drug types used in 16 European countries were studied, and compared with other self-poisoning methods (X65-69) and intentional self-injury (X70-84).Methods: Data for 2000-04/05 were collected from national statistical offices. Age-adjusted suicide rates, and age and sex distributions, were calculated.Results: No pronounced sex differences in drug self-poisoning rates were found, either in the aggregate data (males 1.6 and females 1.5 per 100,000) or within individual countries. Among the 16 countries, the range (from some 0.3 in Portugal to 5.0 in Finland) was wide. 'Other and unspecified drugs' (X64) were recorded most frequently, with a range of 0.2-1.9, and accounted for more than 70% of deaths by drug overdose in France, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain. Psychotropic drugs (X61) ranked second. The X63 category ('other drugs acting on the autonomic nervous system') was least frequently used. Finland showed low X64 and high X61 figures, Scotland had high levels of X62 ('narcotics and hallucinogens, not elsewhere classified') for both sexes, while England exceeded other countries in category X60. Risk was highest among the middle-aged everywhere except in Switzerland, where the elderly were most at risk.Conclusions: Suicide by drug overdose is preventable. Intentional self-poisoning with drugs kills as many males as females. The considerable differences in patterns of self-poisoning found in the various European countries are relevant to national efforts to improve diagnostics of suicide and appropriate specific prevention. The fact that vast majority of drug-overdose suicides came under the category X64 refers to the need of more detailed ICD coding system for overdose suicides is needed to permit better design of suicide-prevention strategies at national level

Community pharmacists' attitude toward depression: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacists' expanding roles may be witness to greater involvement in mental illnesses, of which depression is the disorder with the highest prevalence. Little, however, is known on pharmacists' attitude toward depression, although it may affect pharmacists' service provision and lead to stigmatization of patients. OBJECTIVE: This study is intended as a pilot to explore community pharmacists' attitude toward depression, components in the attitude, and factors related to it. METHODS: A random sample of 200 community pharmacists in Belgium was surveyed on the attitude toward depression. To measure this attitude, we used a modified version (adapted to the specific context of pharmacists) of the Depression Attitude Questionnaire (DAQ), which covers several aspects of the attitude toward depression. RESULTS: Pharmacists' attitude toward depression was generally favorable, but some opinions about depression treatment were not. This attitude could be summarized by 4 components (the attitude toward the treatment of depression, toward the course of depression, toward pharmacists' role in depression care, and toward patients with depression), although several limitations in the component solution were observed. Older pharmacists and those with a more pessimistic attitude toward the course of depression endorsed a more negative attitude toward patients with depression. CONCLUSIONS: The generally favorable attitude of community pharmacists toward depression is promising with regard to their role in depression care. Training programs, preferably including patients with depression themselves, are needed to further improve unfavorable attitudes. Further work is needed to refine the pharmacists' adapted DAQ

Projecten voor Gezondheidspromotie Een handleiding voor kwaliteitsvol werken

Deze handleiding is bedoeld als handleiding bij het opzetten en uitvoeren van projecten voor gezondheidspromotie. Daartoe wordt zowel een algemeen kader aangereikt, als praktische richtlijnen gegeven. Naast een theoretische afbakening, aandacht voor de basisprincipes en strategieën op het gebied van gezondheidspromotie, kwaliteit en projectmatig werken, wordt ruim ingegaan op de verschillende fasen in de planning en de uitvoering van een project. Per fase worden inhoudelijke aandachtspunten en praktische richtlijnen beschreven. Zo zijn er inzichten opgenomen uit o.a. planningsmodellen, gedragsverklaringsmodellen, projectmanagement, netwerking, evaluatie, … Checklists bevatten de belangrijkste criteria om kwaliteitsvol werken in de betreffende fase mogelijk te maken. Hierdoor kan de gebruiker de kwaliteit van zijn project gemakkelijker inschatten en eventueel evalueren. Deze handleiding richt zich tot alle personen en organisaties in Vlaanderen die projecten voor gezondheidspromotie opzetten. Het is etevens een handzaam didactisch middel voor opleidingen in gezondheidspromotie. Theoretisch kader: Een begripsafbakening - Strategieën - De ‘ evidence base’ voor gezondheidspromotie - Projecten en projectmatig werken – De fasen in een project: Oriëntatie - Analyse - Strategiebepaling - Projectuitwerking - Uitvoering - Afronding

Pharmacists' role in depression care: A survey of attitudes, current practices, and barriers

Objective: Pharmacists may be well placed to take up a role in depression care, complementing the role of general practitioners. However, depression care is a relatively new role for pharmacists, and little is known of their attitudes, current practices, and barriers toward it. Methods: A random sample of 200 community pharmacists in Belgium was surveyed about the care of patients with depression in comparison with patients with other, physical conditions. Results: The 69 pharmacists who responded to the survey generally endorsed a very positive attitude toward their potential role in depression care. This willingness was, however, not reflected in current practice, and fulfilling this role appeared to be more difficult with patients with depression in comparison with patients with other, physical conditions. A lack of training in mental health issues was the most important barrier reported. Cooperation with general practitioners in depression care was desired, but the current level of cooperation was rather low. Conclusions: For pharmacists to effectively take up depression care, perceived barriers need to be addressed through specific training programs and increased cooperation with general practitioners.status: publishe

Pharmaceutical care for patients with depression: a survey of pharmacists' attitudes, current practices and barriers

status: publishe

Pharmacists' role in depression care: a survey of attitudes, current practices, and barriers.

OBJECTIVE: Pharmacists may be well placed to take up a role in depression care, complementing the role of general practitioners. However, depression care is a relatively new role for pharmacists, and little is known of their attitudes, current practices, and barriers toward it. METHODS: A random sample of 200 community pharmacists in Belgium was surveyed about the care of patients with depression in comparison with patients with other, physical conditions. RESULTS: The 69 pharmacists who responded to the survey generally endorsed a very positive attitude toward their potential role in depression care. This willingness was, however, not reflected in current practice, and fulfilling this role appeared to be more difficult with patients with depression in comparison with patients with other, physical conditions. A lack of training in mental health issues was the most important barrier reported. Cooperation with general practitioners in depression care was desired, but the current level of cooperation was rather low. CONCLUSIONS: For pharmacists to effectively take up depression care, perceived barriers need to be addressed through specific training programs and increased cooperation with general practitioners

Suicide Intervention Skills and Related Factors in Community and Health Professionals

Health and community professionals have considerable exposure to suicidal people and need to be well skilled to deal with them. We assessed suicide intervention skills with a Dutch version of the SIRI in 980 health and community professionals and psychology students. Suicide intervention skills clearly differed among professional groups and were strongly related to experience, especially suicide-specific experience. Some community professionals scored below acceptable levels on their ability to respond appropriately to suicidal people they encounter, and tended to overestimate their skills level. Training is therefore indicated for these groups, and may be useful to more highly experienced groups too

Patient Suicide: The Experience of Flemish Psychiatrists

The experience of the most distressing patient suicide on Flemish psychiatrists is described. Of 584 psychiatrists, 107 filled a self-report questionnaire. Ninety-eight psychiatrists had been confronted with at least one patient suicide. Emotional suffering and impotence were the most common feelings reported. Changes in professional practice were described and included a more structured approach to the management of suicidal patients. Colleagues and contact with the patient's family were the most frequently used sources of help, whereas team case review and colleagues were rated as the most useful ones. Patient suicide leads to emotional suffering and has a considerable professional impact.status: publishe