Scientific languages and the science of complexity

For centuries the goal of galileian and newtonian science has been the discovery of the universal laws of nature governing all natural phenomena. But, starting with the sixties of this century, advanced research has concentrated on the study of the characteristic aspects of irregular and unrepeatable evolutionary processes. Signs of this change are the rediscovery of Poincaré's results on the dynamics of non linear systems, and the extraordinary development of evolutionary thinking. Three properties characterize complex systems: the multiplicity of their levels of organization, the presence of self-referential loops of internal communication, and the irreducible nature of their past history to structural properties. The traditional cartesian gap between mind and body therefore falls down, as argued at length by the works of Gregory Bateson. His arguments are further strengthened by the neurologist Antonio Damasio in his book on reason, emotion and human brain, whose title is L'errore di Cartesio (The error of Descartes), where the negative consequences of this error on the development of science in general and on contemporary medicine in particular, are illustrated.     

Countries of origin and languages of Australian medical students

Monash University medical students were surveyed to determine whether they represented the cultural diversity of their community. A total of 878 students completed self reports which showed they originated from forty countries and spoke forty-one languages. The medical school academic intake procedure had selected students from many ethnic groups reflecting the cultural diversity of the community. All had passed the Higher School Certificate English Examination or equivalent to enter the course. A total of 21% reported fluency in a language other than English, and 62% reported having a usable other language in which they were not fluent. The number of fluent languages spoken was constant over the medical course while the number of languages in which students were not fluent decreased significantly. Findings refuted the stereotype that Australian medical students were all monolingual Anglo-Saxons. Training in use of interpreters, and positive discrimination for medical school entry were considered.     

有向无环图:语言、规则及应用

几乎所有的科学研究都在探索因果关系,有向无环图（DAGs）是因果关系研究的图形工具。本文系统地介绍了DAGs的图形语言、基本规则和干扰规则,及其在识别研究问题、理解和实施研究设计、指导数据分析、偏倚分类等方面的应用。DAGs对因果关系的研究具有重要的指导价值。     

Innovative Prevention Programming:

As one component of a comprehensive, media-based alcohol and drug abuse prevention program, an innovative lifestyle magazine for adolescents was developed. The firts goal of the magazine is to serve as an interesting and relevant publication that will be attractive to an audience of adolescents. A second goal is to contribute to the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse by focusing on a positive lifestyle approach. The magazine is distributed free of charge to approximately 120,000 adolescents four times per year. Each issue of the magazine contains current news on activities of interest to adolescents, and information on various health and lifestyle issues, including alcohol and drug use. The content, tone, and approach of the magazine have all contributed to its popularity and success with adolescents.     

Maternal Fructose Diet-Induced Developmental Programming

Developmental programming of chronic diseases by perinatal exposures/events is the basic tenet of the developmental origins hypothesis of adult disease (DOHaD). With consumption of fructose becoming more common in the diet, the effect of fructose exposure during pregnancy and lactation is of increasing relevance. Human studies have identified a clear effect of fructose consumption on maternal health, but little is known of the direct or indirect effects on offspring. Animal models have been utilized to evaluate this concept and an association between maternal fructose and offspring chronic disease, including hypertension and metabolic syndrome. This review will address the mechanisms of developmental programming by maternal fructose and potential options for intervention.     

Programming requirements of x-ray computed tomography

The results of the technological support for the creation of the software for the first whole body USSR CPT-5000 Tomograph are being discussed. The questions for the consideration: creation of the means totality for the construction of operation pseudoenvironment and usage of the structural programming principles.