Pandemics, regional outbreaks, and sudden-onset disasters.

Pandemics of influenza, cholera, and plague are part of global history. Regional epidemics and pandemics of infectious diseases, primarily influenza A, continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality while remaining unpredictable in nature. Sudden-onset disasters such as earthquakes and floods occur with little warning.

3D reconstruction of dynamic liquid film shape by optical grid deflection method.

In this paper, we describe the optical grid deflection method used to reconstruct the 3D profile of liquid films deposited by a receding liquid meniscus. This technique uses the refractive properties of the film surface and is suitable for liquid thickness from several microns to millimeter. This method works well for strong interface slopes and changing in time film shape; it applies when the substrate and fluid media are transparent.

A survey of British Columbia anesthesiologists on a provincial critical incident reporting program.

Purpose: To determine why British Columbia's anesthesiologists have not actively participated in a provincial Critical Incident Reporting Service by submitting reports of critical incidents experienced in their practice.

Methods: An email and postal mail survey of BC anesthesiologists was undertaken, proposing a variety of reasons why critical incidents may not be reported to the Service.

Results: 207 responses were received from 368 specialist and general practitioner anesthesiologists.

Hepatitis A, B, and C in Canada. Results from the National Sentinel Health Unit Surveillance System, 1993-1995.

Objectives: To estimate the incidence of and to describe the risk factors that were associated with the acquisition of hepatitis A, B, and C in well-defined Canadian populations from the Sentinel Health Unit Surveillance System (SHUSS).

Methods: We used the 1993 to 1995 data on hepatitis A, B, and C infection in Canada, collected by SHUSS, a national surveillance system established by the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control in Health Canada in 1993, through consultation and collaboration with provincial partners. We calculated the rates of, and described and discussed the risk factors that were associated with, hepatitis A, B, and C infection, based on the SHUSS surveillance data.