Hospital Care for Jews in Nineteenth-century Amsterdam: The Emergence of the First Jewish Hospitals

In the early seventeenth century, the Jews formally established two separate communities in Amsterdam, the Portuguese Sephardi and the High German Ashkenazi congregations. Until the end of the eighteenth century, medical care for the Amsterdam indigent Jews had been controlled and regulated by the powerful Parnasim, the de facto rulers, of each community. The primary communal organizations that were exclusively responsible for medical care for the poor were the Bikur Holim societies. This approach for the care of the indigent Jewish sick became ineffective in the nineteenth century and was replaced by a hospital-based system. This essay describes how seriously ill indigent Jews in nineteenth-century Amsterdam received hospital care, tracing the establishment and development of the first Ashkenazi and Sephardi hospitals in the city. Although each community established their own hospital, they used different approaches to accomplish this goal

Évaluation d'un programme de parcours pré-professionnel : points de vue d’anciens étudiants du programme prémédical en milieu rural du Selkirk College

Background: Having a rural background is one of the most predictive factors in eventually having a rural practice, but people from rural areas face several barriers to post-secondary education. Pre-professional rural pathway initiatives are a potential solution. The Rural Pre-Medicine Program (RPM) at Selkirk College, British Columbia was developed to provide students with the credits necessary to apply to medicine and other health professional programs, an introduction to rural healthcare issues, and a unique and comprehensive support program to enable success. Methods: We administered a cross-sectional survey to former students who left the program from its inception in September 2014 to May 2020 to explore the extent to which program aims are being met. Results: The response rate was 49.4% (40/81). Respondents agreed the program increased their skills, their understanding of rural healthcare issues, and enhanced their competitiveness for applying to health professional programs. Most agreed the program increased their future rural work intentions. Respondents suggested that academic programming be more flexible to allow for more varied post-program pathways. Conclusion: This survey provides preliminary evidence the RPM Program is on track to increase the number of people with a rural affinity who prepare to become health professionals.Contexte : Le fait d'être issu d’un milieu rural est l'un des facteurs les plus prédictifs d'une pratique future dans un tel milieu. Toutefois, les habitants des régions rurales sont confrontés à plusieurs obstacles à l’accès à l'éducation postsecondaire. Les initiatives de parcours pré-professionnels en milieu rural sont une solution potentielle à ce problème. Le programme Rural Pre-Medicine (RPM) du Selkirk College, en Colombie-Britannique, a été conçu pour fournir aux étudiants les crédits nécessaires pour faire une demande d’admission en médecine et dans d'autres programmes de formation professionnelle en santé, une introduction aux enjeux des soins de santé en milieu rural et un programme de soutien unique et complet pour favoriser la réussite. Méthodes : Nous avons mené une enquête transversale auprès d'anciens étudiants ayant quitté le programme entre septembre 2014, année de sa création, et mai 2020 pour déterminer dans quelle mesure les objectifs du programme sont atteints. Résultats : Le taux de réponse a été de 49,4 % (40/81). Les répondants ont reconnu que le programme leur avait permis d'améliorer leurs compétences, de mieux comprendre les enjeux liés aux soins de santé en milieu rural et de rendre plus compétitive leur candidature aux programmes de formation professionnelle en santé. La plupart d'entre eux ont déclaré que le programme les avait confortés dans leur intention de travailler en milieu rural. Ils ont recommandé de rendre le cursus plus souple pour permettre des débouchés plus variés pour les diplômés. Conclusion : Les résultats de cette enquête semblent indiquer que le programme RPM permettrait d’augmenter le nombre de candidats à un métier de la santé attirés par le milieu rural

Comparative lipid profiles of milk bank breast milk and infant formulas

Lipid profiles of seven human breast milk samples obtained from milk banks and four infant formulas were compared in view of the potential food hypersensitivities of certain infants to human milk.The cholesterol (0.15-0.26 mM) content of the human samples was about 50% lower than that found in the infant formulas whereas the triglyceride (TG, 173-386 mM) contents of these products were found to be comparable.The major saturated fatty acid (SFA) and mono-unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) were 16:0 and 18:1 respectively. The major poly-unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) was 18:2 with otherPUFA members of the C18, C20 and C22 families identified and quantified. Although conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) was not detected in any infant formulas tested, no other major differences in the fatty acid patternswere found. However, the mean (13.6) of the ratio of n-6 PUFAs/n-3PUFAs in the human milk samples was about 50% higher than that observed in the infant formula samples.Although our results indicate that there are small yet significant differences in cholesterol and CLA content and the ratio of n- 6 PUFAs/n-3PUFAs, the lipid composition of milk bank, breast milk and infant formulas is quite comparable

Au soutien de la pré-médecine rurale : évaluation descriptive des premières cohortes d’un programme de doctorat de premier cycle inédit

Implication Statement Selkirk College’s Rural Pre-Medicine (RPM) program launched in 2014 as a unique undergraduate initiative designed to increase the number of students who prepare for future careers in rural healthcare and, in the longterm, to play a role in reducing rural health disparities. Preliminary evaluation indicates most students in the program have rural backgrounds and the majority of graduates with follow-up data go on to further health science programming, including medical school. Challenges with retention have been identified. RPM is committed to ongoing program improvement and to providing a model for similar programs in other jurisdictions. Énoncé des implications de la recherche En 2014, le Collège Selkirk a lancé son programme de doctorat de premier cycle en pré-médecine rurale (PMR), une initiative unique visant à attirer davantage d’étudiants vers une carrière dans le domaine de la santé en milieu rural et, à long terme, à réduire les inégalités en matière de santé dans les zones rurales. L’évaluation préliminaire indique que la plupart des étudiants inscrits dans ce programme sont issus du milieu rural et que la majorité des diplômés pour lesquels des données étaient disponibles poursuivent leurs études en sciences de la santé, y compris en médecine. Des problèmes de rétention ont été mis en évidence. Le PMR s’inscrit dans une démarche d’amélioration continue et désire faire du programme un modèle à suivre ailleurs au Canada

The indispensability of empathy : the role of empathy in making moral judgments

Do we need empathy as moral agents? Some philosophers think not. Some also deny that we benefit from empathy, and some go as far as to argue that empathy impairs our ability to make sound moral judgments. These doubts about empathy call into question its place in moral life. The aim of my dissertation is to remove these doubts by showing that empathy is indispensible to moral agents. Empathy helps us to appreciate others’ thoughts and feelings such that we are in a better position to make, correct, and recognize moral judgments. Empathy, however, is not just a helpful resource; it is not something optional that agents can choose to disregard. Instead, for those who can take advantage of it, empathy is required as a resource that enables more sophisticated participation in the moral community.Philosoph

The Generation of a Zebrafish Microbial Culture Collection to Facilitate Mechanistic Understanding of Host-Microbe Interactions

A rapidly expanding body of evidence suggests that relationships exist between the microbiome and vertebrate health and disease. The zebrafish is a frequently utilized model organism to support this claim. Specifically, its gut microbiome is an advantageous resource for the study of microbiome health and diversity. While it is an important model for understanding host-microbe interactions, its utility is mitigated by the limited number of cultured isolates made publicly available for zebrafish model systems. Establishment of a culture collection would enhance our ability to conduct empirical assessments of host microbiome interactions in a high-throughput manner. The resulting objective was to generate a foundational zebrafish microbial culture collection and quantify the proportion of zebrafish culturable gut microbial diversity. Gut microbes were cultured from 5D-line zebrafish fecal samples obtained at 5 different time points over a 6-month period. For each isolate we characterized morphological characteristics and oxygen tolerance abilities. To quantify taxonomic diversity of the culture collection we PCR amplified and Sanger Sequenced the 16S rRNA gene of each isolate. In total, 108 zebrafish gut microbes were isolated and preserved, and we were able to assign taxonomy to 78. Together, these represented approximately 50% of the typical zebrafish gut genera

Ice Patch Archaeology in Alaska: 2000–10

In the past decade, ice patch archaeological research has been initiated in several areas of Alaska, including Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the Amphitheater Mountains, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Denali National Park and Preserve, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Chugach National Forest, and Katmai National Park. Although still in its formative stages, this research demonstrates that high-altitude ice patches have been an important part of the annual subsistence cycles of Alaskan people for at least 4000 years. Researchers have found cultural materials at 13 Alaskan ice patches. Most artifacts recovered are related to caribou hunting; however, a growing body of evidence demonstrates that ice patches were the foci for a wide range of subsistence activities, such as hunting birds, harvesting berries, and snaring small mammals. Site interpretations are based on ethnographically documented cultural practices, animal behavior, alpine ecology and geology, and archaeological analyses.Au cours de la dernière décennie, des recherches archéologiques ont été entreprises dans plusieurs névés de l’Alaska, notamment dans les régions suivantes : Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, monts Amphitheater, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Denali National Park and Preserve, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Chugach National Forest et Katmai National Park. Bien que ces recherches en soient toujours au stade embryonnaire, elles ont déjà permis de constater que les névés en haute altitude ont joué un rôle important dans les cycles de subsistance annuels des peuples de l’Alaska pendant au moins 4 000 ans. Les chercheurs ont récupéré du matériel culturel dans 13 névés de l’Alaska. La plupart des artefacts qui ont été trouvés se rapportent à la chasse au caribou. Cependant, de plus en plus d’artefacts prouvent que les névés étaient le point de convergence d’une vaste gamme d’activités de subsistance, comme la chasse aux oiseaux, la récolte des petits fruits et le piégeage des petits mammifères. L’interprétation des sites s’appuie sur les pratiques culturelles documentées de manière ethnographique, sur le comportement animal, sur l’écologie et la géologie alpines ainsi que sur les analyses archéologiques

Evaluation of a Monoclonal Antibody for Studying MHC Class I Antigen Presentation In-Vitro

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family, is frequently dysregulated in a variety of cancers. Overexpression of the receptor leads to increased cell proliferation and resistance to cell death due to downstream signaling effects. Proteasomal degradation of HER2 results in the generation of HER2-peptide, which is then presented by major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules to the immune system. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a customized antibody (RL01) to monitor the changes in presentation of HER2-peptide on Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-immortalized B-cell lymphoblastoid (JY cells) cell surface. The RL01 antibody detected the antigenic peptide-MHC complex in cells that were exposed to high concentrations of the HER2 peptide. RL01 antibody showed more specificity in HER2-overexpressed JY cells following stripping of existing MHCI on the cell surface. Our findings suggest that RL01 has been moderately successful in detecting the desired peptide under specific conditions

Evaluation of a pre-professional pathway program: perspectives of former students in the rural pre-medicine program at Selkirk College

Background: Having a rural background is one of the most predictive factors in eventually having a rural practice, but people from rural areas face several barriers to post-secondary education. Pre-professional rural pathway initiatives are a potential solution. The Rural Pre-Medicine Program (RPM) at Selkirk College, British Columbia was developed to provide students with the credits necessary to apply to medicine and other health professional programs, an introduction to rural healthcare issues, and a unique and comprehensive support program to enable success. Methods: We administered a cross-sectional survey to former students who left the program from its inception in September 2014 to May 2020 to explore the extent to which program aims are being met. Results: The response rate was 49.4% (40/81). Respondents agreed the program increased their skills, their understanding of rural healthcare issues, and enhanced their competitiveness for applying to health professional programs. Most agreed the program increased their future rural work intentions. Respondents suggested that academic programming be more flexible to allow for more varied post-program pathways. Conclusion: This survey provides preliminary evidence the RPM Program is on track to increase the number of people with a rural affinity who prepare to become health professionals

5th International Conference on Future-Oriented Technology Analysis (FTA) - Engage today to shape tomorrow

The practice-oriented paper reflects on the results of a strategic technology roadmapping project realised in the Green Triangle region of South Australia. The project integrated different methods in order to provide policy recommendations for the renewal of the forest industry in the region. Firstly, the project created a multi-criteria assessment framework for the evaluation of the present state of local companies. Secondly, the project made three value chain depictions: one that described the present value chain based on physical, monetary and information flows, and two so-called ‘potential’ value chain descriptions. Thirdly, the projectformulated technology roadmaps and assessed the potential for forest industry renewal. Fourthly, the project provided detailed policy recommendations based on the findings in the project.The integrated methodological approach of the project provided a robust basis for construction of policy recommendations. The company assessment grouped the local companies in four categories for comparative assessment purposes: forest owners, harvesters and hauliers, sawmills, and specialised suppliers. For the roadmap construction, the main information categories were drivers, markets, regulation, customer needs, solutions, and enabling technologies, and the specific dynamics connected to all these categories. This information was structured into three temporal spans: present, short term (ca. 3-5 years)and long term (ca. 5-10 years).There are, at least, three novel aspects of the project. Firstly, the integration of multi-criteria evaluation, value chain analysis and roadmapping creates new opportunities, but also new challenges. Secondly, the future-oriented view of the Australian forest industry is a new aspect. Thirdly, the project also had a strong regional policy perspective, especially connected with the discussions on path dependency and path creation in the regional development context.The project had both practical and managerial implications. Firstly, the company assessment identified the domains where each individual firm had weaknesses as well as where the group as a whole lagged global best practice. Secondly, the value chain analysis showed strengths and weaknesses of the present structure, but also delineated the necessary components to be developed in order to move towards higher value added production. Thirdly, the roadmaps showed the frontiers of research and business in advanced cellulose fibre-based industries, and made possible the positioning of the Green Triangle region.The project had two wider implications for policy. Firstly, the integrated methodological approach of the foresight exercise enabled the production of detailed policy recommendations that were embedded in the local industrial context. Secondly, the project open a window of opportunity to consider so-called platform policies, that is, policies that aim to develop the fragmented regional structure of the Green Triangle’s forest industry towards an integrated cluster-based platform, which would enable the region to benefit from agglomeration economics through a collaborative strategy.</p