In vitro analysis of osteogenic inhibition in non-union spinal fusion caused by nucleus pulposus cells.

Discectomy and spinal fusion is the gold standard for spinal surgery to relieve pain. However, fusion can be hindered for yet unknown reasons that lead to non-fusions with pseudo-arthrosis. Clinical observations indicate that presence of residual intervertebral disc (IVD) tissue might hinder the ossification. We hypothesize that BMP-antagonists are constantly secreted by IVD cells and potentially prevent the ossification process. Furthermore, L51P, the engineered BMP2 variant, stimulates osseo-induction of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) by antagonizing BMP-inhibitors. Human MSCs, primary nucleus pulposus (NPC) and annulus pulposus cells (AFC) were isolated and expanded in monolayer cultures up to passage 3. IVD cells were seeded in 1.2% alginate beads (4Mio/mL) and separated by culture inserts from MSCs. MSCs were kept in 1:control medium, 2:osteogenic medium±alginate beads, 3:osteogenic medium+NPC (±L51P) and 4:osteogenic medium+AFC (±L51P) for 21 days. Relative gene expression of bone-related genes, alkaline phosphatase assay and histological staining were performed. Osteogenesis of MSCs was hindered as shown by reduced alizarin red staining in the presence of NPC. No such inhibition was observed if co-cultured with alginate only or in the presence of AFC. The results were confirmed on the RNA and protein level. Addition of L51Pto the co- cultures, however, induced mineralization of MSCs in presence of NPC. We demonstrated that NPC secrete BMP-antagonists that prevent osteogenesis of MSCs and L51P can antagonize BMP-antagonists and induce bone formation.

Investigation of bone inhibition in non-union spinal fusion caused by intervertebral disc cells in vitro

Introduction: Discectomy and spinal fusion is the gold standard for spinal surgery to relieve pain. However, fusion can be hindered for yet unknown reasons that lead to non-fusions with pseudo-arthrose. It is hence appealing to develop biomaterials that can enhance bone formation. Clinical observations indicate that presence of residual intervertebral disc (IVD) tissue might hinder the ossification. We hypothesize that BMP-antagonists are constantly secreted by IVD cells and potentially prevent the ossification process. Furthermore, L51P, the engineered BMP2 variant, stimulates osteoinduction of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) by antagonizing BMP-inhibitors. Methods: Human MSCs, primary nucleus pulposus (NPC) and annulus pulposus cells (AFC) were isolated and expanded in monolayer cultures up to passage 3. IVD cells were seeded in 1.2% alginate beads (4Mio/mL) and separated by culture inserts from MSCs in a co-culture set-up. MSCs were kept in 1:control medium, 2:osteogenic medium+alginate control, 3:osteogenic medium+NPC (±L51P) and 4:osteogenic medium+AFC (±L51P) for 21 days. Relative gene expression of bone-related genes, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) assay and histological staining were performed. Results: Osteogenesis of MSCs was hindered as shown by reduced alizarin red staining in the presence of NPC. No such inhibition was observed if co-cultured with alginate only or in the presence of AFC. The results were confirmed on the RNA and protein level. Addition of L51P to the co-cultures induced mineralization of MSCs, however a reduced ALP was observed. Conclusion: We demonstrated that NPC secrete BMP-antagonists that prevent osteogenesis of MSCs and L51P can antagonize BMP-antagonists and induce bone formation.

A combined biomaterial and cellular approach for annulus fibrosus rupture repair

Recurrent intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation and degenerative disc disease have been identified as the most important factors contributing to persistent pain and disability after surgical discectomy. An annulus fibrosus (AF) closure device that provides immediate closure of the AF rupture, restores disc height, reduces further disc degeneration and enhances self-repair capacities is an unmet clinical need. In this study, a poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) scaffold seeded with human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and covered with a poly(ester-urethane) (PU) membrane was assessed for AF rupture repair in a bovine organ culture annulotomy model under dynamic load for 14 days. PTMC scaffolds combined with the sutured PU membrane restored disc height of annulotomized discs and prevented herniation of nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue. Implanted MSCs showed an up-regulated gene expression of type V collagen, a potential AF marker, indicating in situ differentiation capability. Furthermore, MSCs delivered within PTMC scaffolds induced an up-regulation of anabolic gene expression and down-regulation of catabolic gene expression in adjacent native disc tissue. In conclusion, the combined biomaterial and cellular approach has the potential to hinder herniation of NP tissue, stabilize disc height, and positively modulate cell phenotype of native disc tissue.

Core outcomes and definitions for pediatric fever and neutropenia research: a consensus statement from an international panel.

BACKGROUND There are no specific recommendations for the design and reporting of studies of children with fever and neutropenia (FN). As a result, there is marked heterogeneity in the variables and outcomes that are reported and new definitions continue to emerge. These inconsistencies hinder the ability of researchers and clinicians to compare, contrast and combine results. The objective was to achieve expert consensus on a core set of variables and outcomes that should be measured and reported, as a minimum, in pediatric FN studies. PROCEDURE The Delphi method was used to achieve consensus among an international group of clinicians, pharmacists, researchers, and patient representatives. Four surveys focusing on (i) the identification of a core set of variables and outcomes; and (ii) definitions of these variables and outcomes, were administered electronically. Consensus was predefined as more than 80% agreement on any statement. RESULTS There were forty-five survey participants and the response rate ranged between 84 and 96%. There was consensus on eight core variables and 10 core outcomes that should be collected and reported in all studies of children with FN. Consensus definitions were identified for all of the core outcomes. CONCLUSION Using the Delphi method, expert consensus on a set of core variables and outcomes, and their corresponding definitions, was achieved. These core sets represent the minimum that should be collected and reported in all studies of children with FN. This will promote collaboration and ensure consistency and comparability between studies.

Multifaceted impacts of sustainable land management in drylands: A review

Biophysical restoration or rehabilitation measures of land have demonstrated to be effective in many scientific projects and small-scale environmental experiments. However circumstances such as poverty, weak policies, or inefficient scientific knowledge transmission can hinder the effective upscaling of land restoration and the long term maintenance of proven sustainable use of soil and water. This may be especially worrisome in lands with harsh environmental conditions. This review covers recent efforts in landscape restoration and rehabilitation with a functional perspective aiming to simultaneously achieve ecosystem sustainability, economic efficiency, and social wellbeing. Water management and rehabilitation of ecosystem services in croplands, rangelands, forests, and coastlands are reviewed. The joint analysis of such diverse ecosystems provides a wide perspective to determine: (i) multifaceted impacts on biophysical and socio-economic factors; and (ii) elements influencing effective upscaling of sustainable land management practices. One conclusion can be highlighted: voluntary adoption is based on different pillars, i.e. external material and economic support, and spread of success information at the local scale to demonstrate the multidimensional benefits of sustainable land management. For the successful upscaling of land management, more attention must be paid to the social system from the first involvement stage, up to the long term maintenance.

Causes, forms and consequences of the professionalization of international sport federa-tions in Switzerland: Conceptual framework and first results

Synopsis: Sport organisations are facing multiple challenges originating from an increasingly complex and dynamic environment in general, and from internal changes in particular. Our study seeks to reveal and analyse the causes for professionalization processes in international sport federations, the forms resulting from it, as well as related consequences. Abstract: AIM OF ABSTRACT/PAPER - RESEARCH QUESTION Sport organisations are facing multiple challenges originating from an increasingly complex and dynamic environment in general, and from internal changes in particular. In this context, professionalization seems to have been adopted by sport organisations as an appropriate strategy to respond to pressures such as becoming more “business-like”. The ongoing study seeks to reveal and analyse the internal and external causes for professionalization processes in international sport federations, the forms resulting from it (e.g. organisational, managerial, economic) as well as related consequences on objectives, values, governance methods, performance management or again rationalisation. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND/LITERATURE REVIEW Studies on sport as specific non-profit sector mainly focus on the prospect of the “professionalization of individuals” (Thibault, Slack & Hinings, 1991), often within sport clubs (Thiel, Meier & Cachay, 2006) and national sport federations (Seippel, 2002) or on organisational change (Griginov & Sandanski, 2008; Slack & Hinings, 1987, 1992; Slack, 1985, 2001), thus leaving broader analysis on governance, management and professionalization in sport organisations an unaccomplished task. In order to further current research on above-mentioned topics, our intention is to analyse causes, forms and consequences of professionalisation processes in international sport federations. The social theory of action (Coleman, 1986; Esser, 1993) has been defined as appropriate theoretical framework, deriving in the following a multi-level framework for the analysis of sport organisations (Nagel, 2007). In light of the multi-level framework, sport federations are conceptualised as corporative actors whose objectives are defined and implemented with regard to the interests of member organisations (Heinemann, 2004) and/or other pressure groups. In order to understand social acting and social structures (Giddens 1984) of sport federations, two levels are in the focus of our analysis: the macro level examining the environment at large (political, social, economic systems etc.) and the meso level (Esser, 1999) examining organisational structures, actions and decisions of the federation’s headquarter as well as member organisations. METHODOLOGY, RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS The multi-level framework mentioned seeks to gather and analyse information on causes, forms and consequences of professionalization processes in sport federations. It is applied in a twofold approach: first an exploratory study based on nine semi-structured interviews with experts from umbrella sport organisations (IOC, WADA, ASOIF, AIOWF, etc.) as well as the analysis of related documents, relevant reports (IOC report 2000 on governance reform, Agenda 2020, etc.) and important moments of change in the Olympic Movement (Olympic revenue share, IOC evaluation criteria, etc.); and secondly several case studies. Whereas the exploratory study seeks more the causes for professionalization on an external, internal and headquarter level as depicted in the literature, the case studies rather focus on forms and consequences. Applying our conceptual framework, the analysis of forms is built around three dimensions: 1) Individuals (persons and positions), 2) Processes, structures (formalisation, specialisation), 3) Activities (strategic planning). With regard to consequences, we centre our attention on expectations of and relationships with stakeholders (e.g. cooperation with business partners), structure, culture and processes (e.g. governance models, performance), and expectations of and relationships with member organisations (e.g. centralisation vs. regionalisation). For the case studies, a mixed-method approach is applied to collect relevant data: questionnaires for rather quantitative data, interviews for rather qualitative data, as well as document and observatory analysis. RESULTS, DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS With regard to causes of professionalization processes, we analyse the content of three different levels: 1. the external level, where the main pressure derives from financial resources (stakeholders, benefactors) and important turning points (scandals, media pressure, IOC requirements for Olympic sports); 2. the internal level, where pressure from member organisations turned out to be less decisive than assumed (little involvement of member organisations in decision-making); 3. the headquarter level, where specific economic models (World Cups, other international circuits, World Championships), and organisational structures (decision-making procedures, values, leadership) trigger or hinder a federation’s professionalization process. Based on our first analysis, an outline for an economic model is suggested, distinguishing four categories of IFs: “money-generating IFs” being rather based on commercialisation and strategic alliances; “classical Olympic IFs” being rather reactive and dependent on Olympic revenue; “classical non-Olympic IFs” being rather independent of the Olympic Movement; and “money-receiving IFs” being dependent on benefactors and having strong traditions and values. The results regarding forms and consequences will be outlined in the presentation. The first results from the two pilot studies will allow us to refine our conceptual framework for subsequent case studies, thus extending our data collection and developing fundamental conclusions. References: Bayle, E., & Robinson, L. (2007). A framework for understanding the performance of national governing bodies of sport. European Sport Management Quarterly, 7, 249–268 Chantelat, P. (2001). La professionnalisation des organisations sportives: Nouveaux débats, nouveaux enjeux [Professionalisation of sport organisations]. Paris: L’Harmattan. Dowling, M., Edwards, J., & Washington, M. (2014). Understanding the concept of professionalization in sport management research. Sport Management Review. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.smr.2014.02.003 Ferkins, L. & Shilbury, D. (2012). Good Boards Are Strategic: What Does That Mean for Sport Governance? Journal of Sport Management, 26, 67-80. Thibault, L., Slack, T., & Hinings, B. (1991). Professionalism, structures and systems: The impact of professional staff on voluntary sport organizations. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 26, 83–97.

Feasibility study of a single-blind randomised controlled trial of an occupational therapy intervention.

BACKGROUND Several factors facilitate or hinder efficacy research in occupational therapy. Strategies are needed, therefore, to support the successful implementation of trials. AIM To assess the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT). The main feasibility objectives of this study were to assess the process, resources, management, and scientific basis of a trial RCT. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 10 occupational therapists, between the ages of 30 and 55 (M 43.4; SD 8.3) with seven to 26 years' (M 14.3; SD 6.1) experience, participated in this study. Qualitative data collected included minutes of meetings, reports, and field notes. The data were analysed based on the principles of content analysis, using feasibility objectives as the main categories. RESULTS Data analysis revealed strengths in relation to retention and inclusion criteria of participants, the study protocol, study organisation, and the competence of researchers. Weaknesses were found related to recruitment, randomisation, data collection, time for training and communication, commitment, and design. CONCLUSION The findings indicated that there are several factors which had a considerable impact on the implementation of an RCT in practice. However, it was useful to assess methods and procedures of the trial RCT as a basis to refine research plans.

Comparability of Outcome Frameworks in Medical Education: Implications for framework development

Background: The demand for international harmonization in medical education increases with the growing mobility of students and health professionals. Many medical societies and governmental offices have issued outcome frameworks (OF), which describe aims and contents of medical education based on competencies. These national standards affect the development of curricula as well as assessment and licensing procedures. Comparing OF and identifying factors that limit their comparability may thus foster international harmonization of medical education. Summary of Work: We conducted a systematic search for national OF in MedLine, EmBase and the internet. We included all OF in German or English that resulted from a national consensus process and were published or endorsed by a national society or governmental body. We extracted information in five predetermined categories: history of origin, audience, formal structure, medical schooling system and key terms. Summary of Results: Out of 1816 results, 13 OF were included into further analyses. OF reference each other, often without addressing existing differences (e.g. in target audiences). The two most cited OF are “CanMEDs” and “Scottish Doctor”. OF differ especially in their level of detail as well as in the underlying educational system. Discussion and Conclusions: Based on our results we propose a two-step blueprint for OF, that may help to establish comparability for internationally aligned key features – so-called “core competencies” – while at the same time allowing for necessary regional adaptations in terms of “secondary competencies”. Take-home messages: Considerable differences in at least five categories of OF currently hinder the comparability of outcome frameworks.

Phonological Development in Hearing Children of Deaf Parents

Phonological development in hearing children of deaf parents Dr. Diane Lillo-Martin 5/9/2010 The researcher wishes to determine the significance of a unique linguistic environment on the effects of phonological development. The research examines whether 3 hearing children of deaf parents, hereafter referred to as CODAs, have inconsistencies, as compared to children in a typical linguistic environment, in their syllable structure, phonological processes or phonemic inventories. More specifically, the research asks whether their speech is more consistent with children of typical environments or more similar to children with phonological delays or disorders or articulation disorders. After the examination of these three components to a child's phonological development, it can be concluded that the linguistic environment of CODA children does not negatively hinder their phonological language development.

Oxygen Supplementing, Biocompatible Outer Membranes for Enhanced Performance of Implantable Glucose Sensors

Lack of linearity and sensitivity, oxygen dependence, biofouling and tissue inflammation hinder the development of implantable biosensors for continuous monitoring of glucose. Herein, we report the development of stacked outer membranes based on LBL/PVA hydrogels that improve sensor sensitivity, linearity, oxygen independence and counter biofouling and inflammation. While the inner LBL membrane affords tunable diffusivity, the outer PVA is capable of releasing anti-inflammatory drugs/tissue response modifying agents to counter acute and chronic inflammation, and to induce neo-angiogenesis at the implant site. Sensors were fabricated by immobilizing GOx enzyme on top of 50 μm platinum wires, followed by deposition of stacked LBL/PVA hydrogel membranes. The response of the sensors at 0.7V to various glucose concentrations was studied. Michelis-Menten analysis was performed to quantify sensor performance in terms of linearity and oxygen dependence. The interplay between sensor performance and inward glucose diffusivity was elucidated using (i) various LBL membranes and (ii) various freeze-thaw (FT) cycles of PVA. Incorporation of LBL/PVA stacked membranes resulted in an 8 fold increase in sensor linearity and a 9 fold decrease in oxygen dependence compared to controls. The enhancement in the sensor performance is attributed to (i) the oxygen storing capability of PVA hydrogel due to the formation of hydrophobic domains during its freezing/ thawing employed for its physical crosslinking and (ii) regulation of glucose flux by the inner LBL membrane. Such membranes offer significant advantages over presently available outer membranes in lieu of (i) their ability to control inflammation, (ii) their modulus that closely matches that of subcutaneous human tissue, (iii) non-necessity of reactive chemical crosslinking agents, (iv) tunable sensitivity and (v) supplemental storage of oxygen.

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 96 - Korrespondenzen u.a. mit Jürgen Habermas (p. III 6, 1-421)

5 Briefe mit Antwort an Inga Haag, 1951-1955; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Jürgen Habermas an Max Horkheimer, 1955; 1 Brief von Ministerialrat i. R. Theodor Häbich an Max Horkheimer, 1957; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von cand. phil. Walter Hähnle an Max Horkheimer, 1955, 1957; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Sekretärin Jutta Hagen an Max Horkheimer, 1956; 1 Dissertationsauszug von Volker Freiherr von Hagen, 1954; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Julia Hagenbucher an Max Horkheimer, 1951/1952; 1 Entwurf zu einem Gratulationsschreiben von Max Horkheimer an Professor Otto Hahn, ohne Jahr; 2 Drucksachen von Obermagistratsrat Julius Hahn, 1953, 1955; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Theodor W. Adorno, von Dr. Hans Hahn an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Brief von Theodor W. Adorno an Dr. Hans Hahn, 1952; 1 Danksagung von Rabbi Hugo Hahn, 1955; 3 Briefe mit Antwort von Paul Hahn an Max Horkheimer, 1951-1958; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an die Gebrüder Haldy, 1952; 1 Brief mit Antwort und Beilage von Professor George W. F. Hallgarten an Max Horkheimer, 1950; 1 Rundschreiben von Arzt und Psychotherapeut Hans Hammer, 1957; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Margarete Hampf-Solm, 1955; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Eduardo Hamuy an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Brief von der Stadtärztin Dr. med. Carola Hannappel an Max Horkheimer, 1951; 1 Brief von Hansenmeister an Max Horkheimer, 1951; 1 Brief mit Antwort und Beilage von der Buchhandlung Ludwig Häntzschel an Max Horkheimer, 1958; 1 Brief von Professor Frederick Harris Harbison an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 3 Briefe mit Antwort von Robert Harcourt an Max Horkheimer, 1958; 1 Brief von Karl Hardach an Max Horkheimer, 1957; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Emilie Harlacher an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Drucksache mit Antwort von Oberkirchenrat Otto L. A. von Harling an Max Horkheimer, 1955; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Gertrud Harms an Max Horkheimer, 1955; 2 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Wolfgang Hartke an Max Horkheimer, 1954-1956; 2 Briefe mit antwort von Max Horkheimer an Senator Georg Hartmann, 1951, 1954; 3 briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von Ökonom Heinz Hartmann an Max Horkheimer, 1956-1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Wilbert E. Moore an Max Horkheimer, 1957; 3 Briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von Dr. phil. Leo Hartmann an Max Horkheimer, 1957-1858; 1 Brief mit Antowort von Dr. phil. Eckardt Mesch an Max Horkheimer, 1957; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Luzie Hatch an Max Horkheimer, 1954; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an den Direktor H. W. Haupt, 1950; 1 Drucksache von Haus Schwalbach, 1951; 4 Briefe mit Antwort von Professor Gottfried und Ellen Hausmann an Max Horkheimer, 1951-1958; 6 Briefe mit Antwort von Eva Haussner an Max Horkheimer, 1957, 1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Robert J. Havighurst an Max Horkheimer, 1951; 1 Brief mit Beilage von Herbert Hax an Max Horkheimer, 1955; 2 Briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von Jean Louis Hébarre an Max Horkheimer, 1950-1952; 1 Brief mit Antwort von dem Hebedienst für Elektrizität, Gas und Wasser an Max Horkheimer, 1951; 5 Briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von Professor Otto Heckmann an Max Horkheimer, 1952, 1954; 1 Brief von Melvin J. Lasky an August Heckscher, 1957; 3 Briefe mit Antwort von Marie Heep an Max Horkheimer, 1956-1858; 1 Brief von der Buchhandlung Thekla Heer an Max Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Brief mit Antwort von dem Verleger Jakob Hegner an Max Horkheimer, 1955; 1 Brief von Dr. phil. Rudolf M. Heilbrunn an Max Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Eduard Heimann an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Brief von Professor Eduard Heimann an Theodor W. Adorno, 1957; 1 Brief mit Antwort von stud. phil. Wolfgang Heinrich an Max Horkheimer, 1958; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an den Direktor Helmuth Heintzmann, 1955; 1 Aktennotiz von Professor Bernhard Heller, 1956; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Philipp A. Heller an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Assistent Winfried Hellmann, 1957; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von Professor Arthur Henkel an Max Horkheimer, 1953/1954; 1 Brief von Max Horkheiemr an Dorothy Henkel, 1952; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von Dr. jur. Werner Hennig an Max Horkheimer, 1951; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Professor Wilhelm Hennis, 1957; 3 Briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von Professor Fritz Hepner an Max Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an den Hessischer Minister für Erziehung und Volksbildung, 1950; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Henrietta Herbolsheimer an Max Horkheimer, 1957/1958; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von P. G. Herbst an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an den Herder Verlag, 1953; 2 Briefe mit Antwort, Beilagen und Aktennotizen von Guenter R. Herz an Max Horkheimer, 1956-1957; 2 Briefe mit Antwort unv Beilagen von Professor Theodor W. Adorno, von Dr. phil. Günther Herzberg an Max Horkheimer, 1951-1953; 1 Brief von Professor Theodor W. Adrono an Dr. phil. Günther Herzberg, 1951; 1 Brief von Dr. phil. G. Herzfeld an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Brief von dem Herzog-Film an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Theodor W. Adorno, von Professor Erich Herzog an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Brief von Professor Theodor W. Adorno an Professor Erich Herzog, 1952; 1 Brief mit Antwort von dem Verlag Otto H. Hess an Max Horkheimer, 1954; 1 Brief von Professor Gerhard Hess an Max Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Drucksachevon dem Hessischer Arbeitsausschuss gegen Rekrutierung, 1952; 1 Brief mit Beilage von dem Hotel Hessischer Hof an Max Horkheimer, 1956; 1 Brief mit Antwort von dem Hessischer Landesverband für Erwachsenenbildung an Max Horkheimer, 1956; 2 Briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von Marc Heurgon an Max Horkheimer, 1958; 1 Brief mit Beilage von Ruth Heydebrand an Max Horkheimer, [1955]; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Frederick W. J. Heuser an Max Horkheimer, 1954; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von Professor Joh Erich Heyde an Max Horkheimer, 1958; 1 Befürwortung von Wolf von Heydebrand an Max Horkheimer, 1954; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Heinz Joachim Heydorn an Max Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Brief mit Antwort und Beilage von dem Arzt Otto Heymann an Max Horkheimer, 1955; 5 Briefe zwischen dem Devisenberater und Steuerhelfer Joseph Christ und Max Horkheimer, 1955, 1956, 1961; 1 Brief von dem Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany an Max Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Lebenslauf von Elen B. Hill, ohne Jahr; 1 Brief von Kurt H. Wolff an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Brief von Rolf Himmelreich an Max Horkheimer, 1956; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Dr. Rolf Hinder an Max Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Anton Hinsinger an Max Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Brief mit Antwort von dem Hippokrates-Verlag an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Brief von Bernice L. Hirsch anMax Horkheimer, 1957; 4 Briefe und Beilagen zwischen dem Historiker und Soziologe Helmut Hirsch an Max Horkheimer, 1951-1954, 25.05.1951; 3 Briefe mit Antwort von Lux Hirsch an Max Horkheimer, 1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Trude Hirschberg an Max Horkheimer, 1951; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Ingineur Paul F. Hirschfelder an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Brief von Johannes Hirzel an Max Horkheimer, 1955; 1 Brief mit Antwort von dem Historisches Seminar Köln an Max Horkheimer, 1956; 1 Brief mit Antwort und Beilage von Professor Wolfgang Hochheimer an Professor Theodor W. Adorno, 1952; 2 Briefe von Max Horkheimer an Professor Wolfgang Hochheimer, 1953, 1954; 2 Memoranden von der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie, 1953; 1 Brief mit Beilage von Stud. phil. Erna Hochleitner an Max Horkheimer, 1956; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Helmut Coing an Max Horkheimer, 1957; 3 Briefe mit Antwort von der Hochschule für Sozialwissenschaften Wilhelmshaven an Max Horkheimer, 1957, 1958; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an die Hochschule für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften Nürnberg, 1953; 2 Drucksachen von dem Hochschul-Dienst, 1952; 2 Drucksachen von der Hochschule für politische Wissenschaften München, 1952; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Dr. Wolfram Hodermann an Max Horkheimer, 1951; 4 Briefe zwischen Dr. phil. Walter Höllerer und Max Horkheimer, 1956; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Privatdozent Dr. phil. Walter Hoeres anMax Horkheimer, 1956; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von Stud. phil. Charlotte Hoffmann an Max Horkheimer, 1950; 3 Briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von Professor Walter Hoffmann an Max Horkheimer, 1950-1955; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Wolfhart E. V. Hoffmann an Max Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Dr. Werner Hofmann, 1956; 1 Glückwunschtelegramm mit Antwort von Ernst und Karl Hohner, 1953; 1 Brief von Dozent Uvo Hölscher an Max Horkheimer, 1950; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von Professor Dr. med. K. Holldack an Max Horkheimer, 1957; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von Dipl. Landwirt Bernhard Hollenhorst an Max Horkheimer, 1956; 1 Brief von Hans Heinz Holz an Max Horkheimer, 1951; 2 Briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von Dr. phil. Rudolf Holzinger an Max Horkheimer, 1951, 1952; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Jakob Hommen an Max Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Brief von Adele Hoppe anMax Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Dr. jur. Anton Horn an Max Horkheimer, 1954; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Dr. phil. Emil Horn an Max Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Brief von der Landesabgeordneten Ruth Horn an H. Maidon, 1953; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Reg.-Direktor Dr. phil. Kurt Horstmann an Max Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Brief von dem Hotel Baur au Lac an H. Maidon, 1958; 2 Briefe mit 1 Antwort von dem Hotel Frankfurter Hof an Max Horkheimer, 1956, 1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort von dem Hotel Stafflenberg an H. Maidon, 1953; 1 Brief von dem Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, München an Max Horkheimer, 1951; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Jean J. Hubener, 1951; 2 Briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von Susanna Huber-Weisser an Max Horkheimer, 1956; 1 Todesanzeige von dem Sozialgerichtsdirektor Gustav Adolf Hünniger, 1955; 1 Brief von dem Oberstudiendirektor F. Huf an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor H. D. Huggins an Max Horkheimer, 1954; 2 Briefe mit 1 Antwort und 1 Beilage von dem Humboldt-Verlag, Wien-Stuttgart an Max Horkheimer, 1951; 1 Brief von Helge Pross an stud. rer. pol. Kristian Hungar, 1957; 1 Brief von Helmut Hungerland an Max Horkheimer, 1950; 1 Brief mit Antwort von James R. Huntley an Max Horkheimer, 1954; 1 Brief von Professor Robert Maynard Hutchins an Max Horkheimer, 1957;

The effects of antipsychotic medications on eye movements in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is the most prevalent mental disorder in the world, affecting approximately one percent of the population. Antipsychotic medications have successfully treated schizophrenic psychotic symptoms for years, however their positive effects on cognitive dysfunction, a core feature of schizophrenia, are inconclusive. Recent studies have shown that improved cognitive functioning is most often associated with the best long-term prognosis. Thus, clarifying the cognitive effects of commonly prescribed antipsychotic medications is pivotal to improving quality of life and long-term care of schizophrenic patients.^ Previous studies on cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia utilized complex neuropsychological tasks requiring many intact areas of the brain for proper completion. These complexities make interpretation of acquired data difficult. Recently, eye movements have been identified as a more effective surrogate for investigating cognitive functioning. Eye movements are easily measured, require known discrete areas of the brain for processing, and are ubiquitous. They influence what we attend to and process in the brain; thus they are a pivotal aspect of cognitive functioning. This study sought to examine the effects of antipsychotic medications on eye movements in forty-two schizophrenic patients. These patients were divided equally into the three tested medication groups: haloperidol, olanzapine, and aripiprazole. To the extent possible, these groups were further separated into task-impaired and task-nonimpaired subgroups, and again analyzed. Clinical and neuropsychological scales were administered to assess clinical and eye movement changes.^ The results of this study found the olanzapine-treated group exhibited superior cognitive effects to the aripiprazole-treated group, who was superior to the haloperidol-treated group. Furthermore, upon subdivision into cognitively impaired and nonimpaired subgroups, both olanzapine-treated subgroups continued to show improvement, while only the aripiprazole-treated impaired subgroup showed cognitive benefit. The haloperidol-treated nonimpaired subgroup actually demonstrated worsening effects. Interestingly, despite the cognitive decline of some subgroups, the clinical assessment results indicated virtually all subgroups exhibited significant clinical improvement. Hence, careful selection of an antipsychotic medication is crucial, as this study shows some treatments may help whereas others may hinder cognitive functioning in schizophrenia. ^ The results of this study are extremely important given the relationship between cognitive improvement and long-term prognosis in schizophrenia. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, these results indicate that clinical improvement is not necessarily indicative of cognitive improvement. ^

An epidemiologic evaluation of a worksite based intervention

The healthcare industry spends billions on worker injury and employee turnover. Hospitals and healthcare settings have one of the highest rates of lost days due to injuries. The occupational hazards for healthcare workers can be classified into biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, organizational, and psychosocial. Therefore, interventions addressing a range of occupational health risks are needed to prevent injuries and reduce turnover and reduce costs. ^ The Sacred Vocation Program (SVP) seeks to change the content of work, i.e., the meaningfulness of work, to improve work environments. The SVP intervenes at both the individual and organizational level. First the SVP attempts to connect healthcare workers with meaning from their work through a series of 5 self-discovery group sessions. In a sixth session the graduates take an oath recommitting them to do their work as a vocation. Once motivated to connect with meaning in their work, a representative employee group meets in a second set of five meetings. This representative group suggests organizational changes to create a culture that supports employees in their calling. The employees present their plan in the twelfth session to management beginning a new phase in the existing dialogue between employees and management. ^ The SVP was implemented in a large Dallas hospital (almost 1000 licensed beds). The Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC) Pastoral Care department invited front-line caregivers (primarily Patient Care Assistants, PCAs, or Patient Care Technicians, PCTs) to participate in the SVP. Participants completed SVP questionnaires at the beginning and following SVP implementation. Following implementation, employer records were collected on injury, absence and turnover to further evaluate the program's effectiveness on metrics that are meaningful to managers in assessing organizational performance. This provided an opportunity to perform an epidemiological evaluation of the intervention using the two sources of information: employee self-reports and employer administrative data. ^ The ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the SVP on program outcomes could be limited by the strength of the measures used. An ordinal CFA performed on baseline SVP questionnaire measurements examined the construct validity and reliability of the SVP scales. Scales whose item-factor structure was confirmed in ordinal CFA were evaluated for their psychometric properties (i.e., reliability, mean, ceiling and floor effects). CFA supported the construct validity of six of the proposed scales: blocks to spirituality, meaning at work, work satisfaction, affective commitment, collaborative communication, and MHI-5. Five of the six scales confirmed had acceptable measures of reliability (all but MHI-5 had α>0.7). All six scales had a high percentage (>30%) of the scores at the ceiling. These findings supported the use of these items in the evaluation of change although strong ceiling effects may hinder discerning change. ^ Next, the confirmed SVP scales were used to evaluate whether the intervention improved program constructs. To evaluate the SVP a one group pretest-posttest design compared participants’ self-reports before and after the intervention. It was hypothesized that measurements of reduced blocks to spirituality (α = 0.76), meaning at work (α = 0.86), collaborative communication (α = 0.67) and SVP job tasks (α = 0.97) would improve following SVP implementation. The SVP job tasks scale was included even though it was not included in the ordinal CFA analysis due to a limited sample and high inter-item correlation. Changes in scaled measurements were assessed using multilevel linear regression methods. All post-intervention measurements increased (increases <0.28 points) but only reduced blocks to spirituality was statistically significant (0.22 points on a scale from 1 to 7, p < 0.05) after adjustment for covariates. Intensity of the intervention (stratifying on high participation units) strengthened effects; but were not statistically significant. The findings provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that meaning in work can be improved and, importantly, lend greater credence to any observed improvements in the outcomes. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)^

Understanding mental illness in Nigeria: Bringing culture and traditional medicine into mental health policy

One of the major challenges in treating mental illness in Nigeria is that the health care facilities and mental health care professionals are not enough in number or well equipped to handle the burden of mental illness. There are several barriers to treatment for individual Nigerians which include the following: such as the lack of understanding of the root causes of mental illness, lack of financial support to get mental treatment, lack of social support (family, friends, neighbors), the fear of stigmatization concerning being labeled as mentally ill or being in association with the mentally ill, and the consultation of traditional native healers who may be unknowingly prolonging illness, rather than addressing and treating them due to lack of formal education and standardization of their treatments. Another barrier is the non-health nature of the mental health services in Nigeria. Traditional healers are essentially the mental health system. The elderly, women, and children are the most vulnerable groups in times of strife and hardships. Their mental well-being must be taken into account as well as their special needs in times of personal or societal crisis. ^ Nigerian mental health policy is geared toward forming a mental health system, but in actuality only a mental illness care system is the observed result of the policy. The government of Nigeria has drafted a mental health policy, yet its actual implementation into the Nigerian health infrastructure and society waits to be materialized. The limited health legislation or policy implementations tend to favor those who have access to these urban areas and the facilities' health services. Nigerians living in rural areas are at a disadvantage; many of them may not even be aware of services available to help them understand and treat mental illness. Perhaps, government driven health interventions geared toward mental illness in rural areas would reach an underserved Nigerians and Africans in general. Issues with political instability and limited infrastructure often hinder crucial financial resources and legislation from reaching the people that are truly in need of governmental leadership in regards to mental health policy.^ Traditional healers are a severely untapped resource in the treatment of mental illness within the Nigerian population. They are abundant within Nigerian communities and are meeting a real need for the mentally ill. However, much can be done to remove the barriers that prevent the integration of traditional healers within the mental health system and improve the quality of care they administer within the population. Mental illness is almost exclusively coped with through traditional medicine practices. Mobilization and education from each strata of Nigerian society and government as well as input from the medical community can improve how traditional medicine is utilized as a treatment for clinical illness and help alleviate the heavy burden of mental illness in Nigeria. Currently, there is no existing policy making structure for a working mental health system in Nigeria, and traditional healers are not taken into account in any formulation of mental health policy. Advocacy for mental illness is severely inadequate due to fear of stigmatization, with no formally recognized national of regional mental health association.^

Formalizing a Conceptual Framework of Work Domain Knowledge

Background: The failure rate of health information systems is high, partially due to fragmented, incomplete, or incorrect identification and description of specific and critical domain requirements. In order to systematically transform the requirements of work into real information system, an explicit conceptual framework is essential to summarize the work requirements and guide system design. Recently, Butler, Zhang, and colleagues proposed a conceptual framework called Work Domain Ontology (WDO) to formally represent users’ work. This WDO approach has been successfully demonstrated in a real world design project on aircraft scheduling. However, as a top level conceptual framework, this WDO has not defined an explicit and well specified schema (WDOS) , and it does not have a generalizable and operationalized procedure that can be easily applied to develop WDO. Moreover, WDO has not been developed for any concrete healthcare domain. These limitations hinder the utility of WDO in real world information system in general and in health information system in particular. Objective: The objective of this research is to formalize the WDOS, operationalize a procedure to develop WDO, and evaluate WDO approach using Self-Nutrition Management (SNM) work domain. Method: Concept analysis was implemented to formalize WDOS. Focus group interview was conducted to capture concepts in SNM work domain. Ontology engineering methods were adopted to model SNM WDO. Part of the concepts under the primary goal “staying healthy” for SNM were selected and transformed into a semi-structured survey to evaluate the acceptance, explicitness, completeness, consistency, experience dependency of SNM WDO. Result: Four concepts, “goal, operation, object and constraint”, were identified and formally modeled in WDOS with definitions and attributes. 72 SNM WDO concepts under primary goal were selected and transformed into semi-structured survey questions. The evaluation indicated that the major concepts of SNM WDO were accepted by 41 overweight subjects. SNM WDO is generally independent of user domain experience but partially dependent on SNM application experience. 23 of 41 paired concepts had significant correlations. Two concepts were identified as ambiguous concepts. 8 extra concepts were recommended towards the completeness of SNM WDO. Conclusion: The preliminary WDOS is ready with an operationalized procedure. SNM WDO has been developed to guide future SNM application design. This research is an essential step towards Work-Centered Design (WCD).