The provision of education and training for healthcare professionals through the medium of the internet

This paper describes a new initiative to provide Internet based courses to student and professional occupational therapists in four centres in the UK, Belgium the Netherlands and Sweden. The basis of this collaborative Occupational Therapy Internet School (OTIS) is the concept of the “Virtual College”. This comprises the design and implementation of a sophisticated Internet-based system through which courses can be managed, prepared and delivered online in an effective fashion, and where students can communicate both with the staff and their peers. The aim is to support and facilitate the whole range of educational activities within a remote electronic environment. A major feature of the course organisation is the adoption of a problem-based approach in which students will collaborate internationally to propose effective intervention in given case study scenarios. The paper outlines the rationale for OTIS, the content and structure of the courseware, the technical specification of the system and evaluation criteria. In addition to the more conventional web-based learning facilities generally offered, a number of agent-based approaches are being adopted to assist in the management of the course by ensuring the proper delivery of course materials and to assist the functioning of project groups. </p

Complex diffuse radio emission in the merging PLANCK ESZ cluster Abell 3411

We present VLA radio and Chandra X-ray observations of the merging galaxy cluster Abell 3411. For the cluster, we find an overall temperature of 6.4 keV and an X-ray luminosity of 2.8 x 10^{44} erg s^{-1} between 0.5 and 2.0 keV. The Chandra observation reveals the cluster to be undergoing a merger event. The VLA observations show the presence of large-scale diffuse emission in the central region of the cluster, which we classify as a 0.9 Mpc size radio halo. In addition, a complex region of diffuse, polarized emission is found in the southeastern outskirts of the cluster, along the projected merger axis of the system. We classify this region of diffuse emission as a radio relic. The total extent of this radio relic is 1.9 Mpc. For the combined emission in the cluster region, we find a radio spectral index of -1.0 \pm 0.1 between 74 MHz and 1.4 GHz. The morphology of the radio relic is peculiar, as the relic is broken up into five fragments. This suggests that the shock responsible for the relic has been broken up due to interaction with a large-scale galaxy filament connected to the cluster or other substructures in the ICM. Alternatively, the complex morphology reflects the presence of electrons in fossil radio bubbles that are re-accelerated by a shock.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ, 8 pages, 5 figure

Radio continuum observations of new radio halos and relics from the NVSS and WENSS surveys

Radio halos and relics are diffuse radio sources found in galaxy clusters showing significant substructure at X-ray wavelengths. These sources provide important information about non-thermal processes taking place in the ICM. Until now only a few dozen relics and halos are known, while models predict that a much larger number of these sources exist. In this paper we present the results of an extensive observing campaign to search for new diffuse radio sources in galaxy clusters. We discovered 6 new radio relics, including a probable double relic system, and 2 radio halos. In addition, we confirm the presence of diffuse radio emission in four galaxy clusters. By constructing a sample of 35 radio relics we find that relics are mostly found along the major axis of the X-ray emission from the ICM, while their orientation is perpendicular to this axis. This is consistent with the scenario that relics trace merger shock waves. The major and minor axis ratio distribution of the ICM for clusters with relics is also broader than that of the NORAS-REFLEX sample. We compared the X-ray luminosity and redshift distributions of clusters with relics to an X-ray selected sample from the NORAS and REFLEX surveys. We find tentative evidence for an increase of the cluster's relic fraction with X-ray luminosity and redshift. [abridged]Comment: 20 pages, 26 figures, accepted for publication in A\&A on July 14, 201

Scintigraphic assessment of bone status at one year following hip resurfacing : comparison of two surgical approaches using SPECT-CT scan

Objectives: To study the vascularity and bone metabolism of the femoral head/neck following hip resurfacing arthroplasty, and to use these results to compare the posterior and the trochanteric-flip approaches. Methods: In our previous work, we reported changes to intra-operative blood flow during hip resurfacing arthroplasty comparing two surgical approaches. In this study, we report the vascularity and the metabolic bone function in the proximal femur in these same patients at one year after the surgery. Vascularity and bone function was assessed using scintigraphic techniques. Of the 13 patients who agreed to take part, eight had their arthroplasty through a posterior approach and five through a trochanteric-flip approach. Results: One year after surgery, we found no difference in the vascularity (vascular phase) and metabolic bone function (delayed phase) at the junction of the femoral head/neck between the two groups of patients. Higher radiopharmaceutical uptake was found in the region of the greater trochanter in the trochanteric-flip group, related to the healing osteotomy. Conclusions: Our findings using scintigraphic techniques suggest that the greater intra-operative reduction in blood flow to the junction of the femoral head/neck, which is seen with the posterior approach compared with trochanteric flip, does not result in any difference in vascularity or metabolic bone function one year after surgery

Diffusive Evolution of Stable and Metastable Phases II: Theory of Non-Equilibrium Behaviour in Colloid-Polymer Mixtures

By analytically solving some simple models of phase-ordering kinetics, we suggest a mechanism for the onset of non-equilibrium behaviour in colloid-polymer mixtures. These mixtures can function as models of atomic systems; their physics therefore impinges on many areas of thermodynamics and phase-ordering. An exact solution is found for the motion of a single, planar interface separating a growing phase of uniform high density from a supersaturated low density phase, whose diffusive depletion drives the interfacial motion. In addition, an approximate solution is found for the one-dimensional evolution of two interfaces, separated by a slab of a metastable phase at intermediate density. The theory predicts a critical supersaturation of the low-density phase, above which the two interfaces become unbound and the metastable phase grows ad infinitum. The growth of the stable phase is suppressed in this regime.Comment: 27 pages, Latex, eps

Treatment solutions to cure Xylella fastidiosa diseased plants

This opinion addresses the question of the efficacy of current treatment solutions to cure Xylella fastidiosa diseased plants, and discusses the experimental treatments under evaluation by two research groups in Apulian olive orchards infected by strain CoDiRO (Complesso del Disseccamento Rapido dell'Olivo). The increasing problems from newly emerging vascular bacterial diseases and the limited success to cure plants from such infections have stimulated numerous studies on treatments with chemical and biological compounds. Under field conditions, various formulations of copper and zinc as spray or root drench are currently used while further options, for example the application of bioactive substances, are at an experimental stage. In Apulia, preliminary results from intensive treatments with such formulations, in combination with the use of good crop management practices, reported more vigorous new growth of diseased trees. However, results provided so far confirmed the continued presence of X. fastidiosa after the treatments under evaluation. This is in agreement with current knowledge that there are no means to cure plants from this bacterial disease, in the sense of eliminating the pathogen from plant tissues. The reported positive response of the treated olive trees is most probably due to the effect of micronutrients and other bioactive compounds that, together with soil cultivation and agronomical practices, improve the vigour of the plants and their resilience to stress caused by bacterial infections. Notwithstanding the preliminary status of these findings, the Panel acknowledged the potentially positive effects of such treatments in prolonging the productive phase of olive trees and their putative relevance for the management of olive orchards, particularly in the containment area where eradication of the pathogen is considered no longer possible. The Panel also concluded that long-term studies are needed to confirm that the reported positive effects on crop performance can be sustained over many years

Susceptibility of Phoenix roebelenii to Xylella fastidiosa

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Plant Health Panel analysed a dossier submitted by Costa Rica Authorities to reach a conclusion on the host status of Phoenix roebelenii for Xylella fastidiosa. The Panel wishes first to stress the difficulties faced in providing compelling evidence for the non-susceptibility status of any particular plant species. The Panel acknowledges that the listing of P. roebelenii as a host of X. fastidiosa rests on a single report from California. Because isolation of X. fastidiosa from some hosts can be difficult, the Panel considers that the failure to isolate X. fastidiosa from P. roebelenii cannot be used to totally discard the detection of X. fastidiosa by ELISA and PCR. The Panel concludes that the detection of X. fastidiosa by two independent techniques provides sufficient evidence, although not totally conclusive, for the listing of P. roebelenii as a X. fastidiosa host plant. Concerning the survey data provided in the Costa Rican dossier, the Panel wishes to stress that such surveys cannot demonstrate the non-host status but can only provide a probability bound, upper estimate of the proportion of infected plants in the field. In the present case, and assuming all survey parameters to be optimal, the 95% confidence incidence threshold obtained is 0.2%, leaving the possibility that close to 25,000 P. roebelenii plants could be infected but undetected in the country. Accepting a scenario of local, non-systemic infection of P. roebelenii by X. fastidiosa would further increase uncertainties. In addition, the absence of data on the vector infection pressure further affects the ability to derive meaningful information on the P. roebelenii host status from the survey data. Appropriately conducted mechanical and/or vector-mediated inoculation experiments are critical to reach a more solid conclusion on the X. fastidiosa host status of P. roebelenii

Pest risk assessment of Radopholus similis for the EU territory

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest risk assessment on Radopholus similis, the burrowing nematode for the EU. The quantitative assessment focused on entry, establishment, spread and impact on tropical and subtropical ornamental host plants, the main pathways for entry of R. similis into the EU. Infested consignments are expected to enter the risk assessment area on ornamentals under all scenarios. For citrus, which is a closed pathway for entry, outdoor establishment was assessed. Establishment may only take place after successful transfer from ornamental plants to citrus production systems. This event is called ‘shift’ in this assessment, to indicate that this is an unusual transfer. It has been estimated that establishment of this nematode in the open field in the EU citrus production areas under current temperatures is possible in most parts of the citrus production area in the EU. Temperature conditions will prevent the nematode from establishing only in the northernmost citrus areas and at higher altitudes in the south. Host plants for planting originating from infested places of production (greenhouses) within the risk assessment area are considered the main pathway for spread within the risk assessment area. Under current climatic conditions, the population of R. similis is not expected to reach damaging population levels in the open field. In case of increased temperatures due to global warming, the nematode population may reach damaging levels in very few places outdoors. Currently, main impact is considered for ornamental greenhouse production in the risk assessment area. Impact will be either caused by direct plant growth reductions or loss due to phytosanitary measures applied on regulated plants. Despite the fact that R. similis is globally considered as one of the most destructive plant parasitic nematodes, the impact in the risk assessment area is considered low

Pest categorisation of Pseudocercospora pini-densiflorae

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Plant Health (PLH) Panel performed a pest categorisation of Pseudocercospora pini-densiflorae, a well-defined and distinguishable fungal species of the family Mycosphaerellaceae. The regulated harmful organism is the anamorph Cercoseptoria pini-densiflorae (synonym Cercospora pini-densiflorae) with the corresponding teleomorph Mycosphaerella gibsonii. P. pini-densiflorae causes a needle blight of Pinus spp. also known as Cercospora blight of pines or Cercospora needle blight. P. pini-densiflorae is reported from sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America, Asia and Oceania, but not from the EU. The pathogen is regulated in Council Directive 2000/29/EC (Annex IIAI) as a quarantine organism whose introduction into the EU is banned on plants (other than fruit and seeds) and wood of Pinus. The pest could enter the EU via plants for planting and other means (uncleaned seed, cut branches of pine trees, isolated bark, growing media accompanying plants, and mycorrhizal soil inocula). Hosts are widespread in the EU and favourable climatic conditions are present in Mediterranean countries. Pinus halepensis, Pinus nigra, Pinus pinea, Pinus pinaster and Pinus sylvestris are reported to be highly susceptible to the pathogen. The pest would be able to spread following establishment after introduction in the EU mainly on infected plants for planting. The pest introduction could have impacts in nurseries and young plantations. Cleaning seeds from needles and removing infected seedlings and pine litter from affected nurseries can reduce the risk of establishment in nurseries and of spread from nurseries to forests, especially given the limited scale of splash dispersal. The main knowledge gaps concern (i) the role of means of entry/spread other than plants for planting and (ii) the potential consequences in mature tree plantations and forests. The criteria assessed by the Panel for consideration as potential quarantine pest are met. For regulated nonquarantine pests, the criterion on the pest presence in the EU is not met