Multistate Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Infections, Including Vaccine Breakthrough Infections, Associated with Large Public Gatherings, United States.

During July 2021, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.617.

Poor-Quality and Counterfeit Drugs: A Systematic Assessment of Prevalence and Risks Based on Data Published From 2007 to 2016.

Counterfeit drugs can hurt patients and harm the pharmaceutical industry. In 2006, the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce expressed a need to generate more and better data to calculate a worldwide prevalence of counterfeiting. This review analyzes field test data that were published in the time frame January 2007 to December 2016, were accessible via Pubmed, and which addressed the prevalence of counterfeit drugs.

A clock network for geodesy and fundamental science.

Leveraging the unrivalled performance of optical clocks as key tools for geo-science, for astronomy and for fundamental physics beyond the standard model requires comparing the frequency of distant optical clocks faithfully. Here, we report on the comparison and agreement of two strontium optical clocks at an uncertainty of 5 × 10(-17) via a newly established phase-coherent frequency link connecting Paris and Braunschweig using 1,415 km of telecom fibre. The remote comparison is limited only by the instability and uncertainty of the strontium lattice clocks themselves, with negligible contributions from the optical frequency transfer.

Evaluation of recruitment and selection for specialty training in public health: interim results of a prospective cohort study to measure the predictive validity of the selection process.

Background: The recruitment process for public health specialty training includes an assessment centre (AC) with three components, Rust Advanced Numerical Reasoning Appraisal (RANRA), Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCT) and a Situation Judgement Test (SJT), which determines invitation to a selection centre (SC). The scores are combined into a total recruitment (TR) score that determines the offers of appointment.

Methods: A prospective cohort study using anonymous record linkage to investigate the association between applicant's scores in the recruitment process and registrar's progress through training measured by results of Membership Faculty Public Health (MFPH) examinations and outcomes of the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP).

Optical frequency transfer via a 660 km underground fiber link using a remote Brillouin amplifier.

In long-distance, optical continuous-wave frequency transfer via fiber, remote bidirectional Er³ ⁺ -doped fiber amplifiers are commonly used to mitigate signal attenuation. We demonstrate for the first time the ultrastable transfer of an optical frequency using a remote fiber Brillouin amplifier, placed in a server room along the link. Using it as the only means of remote amplification, on a 660 km loop of installed underground fiber we bridge distances of 250 km and 160 km between amplifications.

A new competency model for general practice: implications for selection, training, and careers.

Background: Recent structural and policy changes in the UK health service have significantly changed the job responsibilities for the GP role.

Aim: To replicate a previous job analysis study to examine the relevance of current competency domains and selection criteria for doctors entering training.

Design And Method: A multisource, multimethod approach comprising three phases: (1) stakeholder consultation (n = 205) using interviews, focus groups and behavioural observation of practising GPs; (2) a validation questionnaire based on results from phase 1 (n = 1082); followed by (3) an expert panel (n = 6) to review and confirm the final competency domains.

Evaluating cognitive ability, knowledge tests and situational judgement tests for postgraduate selection.

Objectives:   This study aimed to evaluate the validity and utility of and candidate reactions towards cognitive ability tests, and current selection methods, including a clinical problem-solving test (CPST) and a situational judgement test (SJT), for postgraduate selection. METHODS;  This was an exploratory, longitudinal study to evaluate the validities of two cognitive ability tests (measuring general intelligence) compared with current selection tests, including a CPST and an SJT, in predicting performance at a subsequent selection centre (SC). Candidate reactions were evaluated immediately after test administration to examine face validity.

Evaluation of GP appraiser development centres using emotional intelligence: can positive learning outcomes be transferred to practice?

This paper describes a longitudinal evaluation of six pilot medical appraiser development centres (ADCs) with GPs held between February and September 2009 in the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Deanery. The ADCs were developed using traditional development centre methods and incorporated the concept of emotional intelligence (El). Initial evaluation results have shown positive short-term outcomes relating to appraiser skills and self-confidence as well as transfer of learning.

Using emotional intelligence to facilitate strengthened appraiser development.

This paper describes a new approach to developing strengthened medical appraiser skills prior to the introduction of medical revalidation. We describe how we extended previous skills-based models and competency checklists to produce a behavioural model of effective appraiser performance. Development centre (DC) methods were used to produce a one-day workshop to encourage appraisers to reflect on their current level of ability and to identify and address additional required skills through observation, practice and feedback.

"Trust me...": psychological and behavioral predictors of perceived physician empathy.

A sociocognitive model of distal and proximal predictors of empathic judgments was tested among 100 physicians. The authors hypothesized that physician perceived control would affect empathy ratings via physician communication style. Specifically, physicians with high perceived control would use more open communication and be rated as more empathic.

[Long-term oxygen therapy of chronic pulmonary heart disease].

Pulmonary artery pressure was measured in 70 patients with chronic bronchitis. Those with pulmonary hypertension underwent two hours oxygen therapy (flow 10-12 l/min). Those in whom a decrease of pulmonary artery pressure was observed were qualified for long term oxygen therapy (LTOT).

[Effect of mechanical vibrations and noise on creatine kinase activity in workers].

In two groups of workers exposed to vibration and noise exceeding allowable standards within 3 to 30 years for over 4 hrs daily, the activity of creatine kinase-test enzyme for the diagnosis of muscular diseases and traumata was evaluated. Both in group I, composed of 74 workers aged 21-51 (38 on average) topically exposed to mechanical vibrations and noise, and in group II, composed of 45 workers aged 25-51 (37 on average), with topical or whole-body exposure to mechanical vibrations CPK was found to be significantly increased as compared to controls--26 workers carrying on medium (i.e.

[Electrocardiographic examination of the heart and the study of catecholamine secretion in workers subjected to mechanical vibration and occupational noise].

Electrocardiographic tests in 281 workers of metallurgical industry, exposed for 3-20 years to mechanical and acoustic vibrations exceeding allowable standards, were carried out. The control group consisted of 120 subjects unexposed to physical or chemical hazards. In 82 subjects exposed to vibration and noise, 43 workers exposed to isolated noise and 30 subjects of the control group, the amount of 3 methoxy--4 hydroxymandelic (3M4HM) acid before and after work was determined.