Using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis for geochemical analyses of terrestrial impact structures: Current analytical procedures at the University of Vienna Geochemistry Activation Analysis Laboratory

The Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis Gamma Spectroscopy Laboratory at the Department of Lithospheric Research, University of Vienna, has been upgraded in the year 2006. This paper describes the sample preparation, new instrumentation and data evaluation for hundreds of rock samples of two terrestrial impact structures. The measurement and data evaluation are done by using Genie™ 2000 and a custom-made batch software for the used analysis sequences.     

Dissociating beliefs about heart rates and actual heart rates in patients with cardiac pacemakers.

Performance on heartbeat counting tasks is usually interpreted in terms of cardiac sensitivity. We tested the hypothesis that heartbeat counting is influenced by beliefs about heart rates by dissociating beliefs about heart rates and actual heart rates. In a within-subjects design, heart rates of 50 patients with cardiac pacemakers were set to a low (50 bpm), medium (75 bpm), or high (110 bpm) pacing rate unknown to the patients via remote control while they performed a heartbeat tracking task. Results showed that patients' heartbeat counting did not follow the shifts in their actual heart rates adequately, although their overall performance was comparable to that of young and healthy control participants. As a result, tracking scores decreased significantly in the high pacing rate condition where beliefs about heart rates and actual heart rates were most extremely dissociated. The findings suggest that tracking scores reflect beliefs about heart rates rather than cardiac sensitivity.     

Research on meaning-making and health in secular society: Secular,spiritual and religious existential orientations

This article proposes a framework of concepts for the field of existential meaning-making in secular cultures such as those of Northern Europe. Seeking an operational approach, we have narrowed the field’s components down to a number of basic domains and dimensions that provide a more authentic cultural basis for research in secular society. Reviewing the literature, three main domains of existential meaning-making emerge: Secular, spiritual, and religious. In reconfirming these three domains, we propose to couple them with the three dimensions of cognition (knowing), practice (doing), and importance (being), resulting in a conceptual framework that can serve as a fundamental heuristic and methodological research tool for mapping the field of existential meaning-making and health. The proposed grid might contribute to clearer understanding of the multidimensional nature of existential meaning-making and as a guide for posing adequate research and clinical questions in the field.     

Evaluation and proposal for optimization of neurophysiological tests in migraine: part 2--neuroimaging and the nitroglycerin test

Neuroimaging methods have been widely used in headache and migraine research. They have provided invaluable information on brain perfusion, metabolism and structure during and outside of migraine attacks, contributing to an improved understanding of the pathophysiology of the disorder. Human models of migraine attacks are indispensable tools in pathophysiological and therapeutic research. This review of neuroimaging methods and the attack-provoking nitroglycerin test is part an initiative by a task force within the EUROHEAD project (EU Strep LSHM-CT-2004-5044837-Workpackage 9) with the objective of critically evaluating neurophysiological tests used in migraine. The first part, presented in a companion paper, is devoted to electrophysiological methods, this second part to neuroimaging methods such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and voxel-based morphometry, as well as the nitroglycerin test. For each of these methods, we summarize the results, analyse the methodological limitations and propose recommendations for improved methodology and standardization of research protocols.     

超声对壶腹癌诊断价值及检查方法的探讨

目的总结壶腹癌的声像图特征,探讨提高其显示率的方法。方法对我院超声诊断并经手术或CT证实的23例壶腹癌的声像图进行回顾性分析总结,扫查时对胆总管扩张者按常规追踪胆总管至壶腹部,显示不清者令患者一次饮水500ml以上,采取不同的体位,仔细观察胆总管下段、胰头及充盈的十二指肠壶腹,必要时令患者深呼吸、局部加压或咳嗽,动态观察病变部位及其与以上三者的关系。结果1.饮水后右侧卧位比平卧位、坐位图像清晰,配合深呼吸、咳嗽,动态观察有意义。2.壶腹癌声像图分以下四型团块型11例(48%);乳头型3例(13%);厚壁狭窄型5例(22%);末端堵塞型2例(9%);2例仅显示胆管全程扩张型,未见明显占位病灶。结论超声检查并辅以简便易行的辅助方法能较好地显示壶腹癌及其与周围结构的关系,是壶腹癌诊断重要的检查手段。     

中国检测D-二聚体诊断试验的文献质量评价

目的评价国内关于D-二聚体的检测文献方法学质量。方法电子检索中国学术期刊网(1994～2006)和中国生物医学数据库(1978～2006),收集免疫比浊法、乳胶凝集法、胶体金免疫渗透法、酶联免疫吸附法检测D-二聚体的方法学研究文献。结果共检索到相关文献63篇,最终纳入7篇文献,其中仅有一篇文献可提取四格表数据进行临床诊断准确性评价。结论目前国内检测D-二聚体的诊断试验文献不多,质量较低。今后关于检测D-二聚体的研究应注重临床诊断敏感度和特异度的研究,以给读者提供更多有价值的信息。     

泰州市卫生监督信息化建设面临的问题及对策

江苏省卫生监督系统自2011年全面启动信息化建设以来,泰州市卫生监督所包括市级监督所、2个区卫生监督所以及4个市县级卫生监督所,按照上级要求,采用领先带动、后续跟进、资源信息共享、部门督导、巡回指导等推进策略,在全省信息化建设工作中居于领先地位,取得了阶段性成果。在推进过程中,笔者发现市县级卫生监督部门的信息化建设存在人员信息化水平参差不齐、卫生监督系统管理软件开发不完善、网络设备性能不稳定、信息化应用的习惯难培养等4大问题,并提出相应的对策。     

Transaction logfile analysis in health communication research: challenges and opportunities

Objective

To investigate the individualized nature of eHealth communication, it is necessary for us to go beyond the conventional approach to explain the effect of eHealth initiatives. The current article proposes transaction logfile analysis as a unique method to probe the process by which individuals locate needed information and obtains benefits out of it.

Methods

This article discusses the background of logfile analysis along with practical and methodological issues related to the analysis of log data.

Results

This article recommends potential solutions to resolve issues discussed in the Section 2.

Conclusions

This article discusses how transaction logfile analysis could benefit eHealth researchers, along with its relevance and application in health communication research. Logfile analysis could provide rich knowledge on how eHealth applications and tools work if performed on a regular basis, incorporated with appropriate measurement techniques and research design, and interpreted carefully.

Practice implications

Logfile analysis can point toward important design implications for more effective eHealth applications. Further, interventions employing logfile analysis require not only well-designed research models but also interdisciplinary research team to handle the multifaceted work involved in the process.     

The advantages and challenges of unannounced standardized patient methodology to assess healthcare communication

Objective

This paper provides an overview of the implementation of using unannounced standardized patients (USPs) to conduct health communication research in clinical settings.

Methods

Certain types of health communication situations are difficult to capture because of their rarity or unpredictable nature. In primary care the real reasons for a visit are frequently unknown until the consultation is well under way. Therefore, it is logistically difficult for communication studies to capture many real-time communications between patients and their physicians. Although the USP methodology is ideal for capturing these communication behaviors, challenges to using this method include developing collaborative relationships with clinical practices, logistical issues such as safeguarding the identity of the USP, training USPs and creating their identities, maintaining fidelity to the role, and analyzing the resultant data.

Results

This paper discusses the challenges and solutions to USP implementation. We provide an example of how to implement a USP study using an on-going study being conducted in primary care practices.

Conclusion

This paper explores the advantages and challenges as well as strategies to overcome obstacles to implementing a USP study.

Practice implications

Despite the challenges, USP methodology can contribute much to our understanding of health communication and practice.     

Publication biases and phase II trials investigating anticancer targeted therapies

Summary  The aim of this study was to determine which parameter may affect impact factor (IF) of journals publishing reports of phase II trial (P2T) investigating molecular targeted therapies (MTT). We reviewed 74 reports of P2Ts investigating MTT (imatinib, n = 55; sorafenib, n = 11; sunitinib, n = 5; dasatinib, n = 3) issued between 1/2002 and 6/2008. As a result, we found that the final result of the trial itself was the most important parameter that was related to IF, as the median-IF was significantly lower for negative trials than for positive trials (2.71 vs 6.14, p = 0.004).