Disaster mental health training programmes in New York City following September 11, 2001

The need for mental health resources to provide care to the community following large‐scale disasters is well documented. In the aftermath of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster on September 11, 2001, many local agencies and organizations responded by providing informal mental health services, including disaster mental health training for practitioners. The quality of these programmes has not been assessed, however. The National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University's School of Public Health reviewed disaster mental health training programmes administered by community‐based organizations, professional associations, hospitals, and government agencies after September 11. Results indicate that the quality and the effectiveness of programmes are difficult to assess. A wide range of curricula and a widespread lack of recordkeeping and credentialing of trainers were noted. Most of the training programmes provided are no longer available. Recommendations for improving the quality of disaster mental health training programmes are provided.     

如何在教学中做到“到位而不越位”——针对中年段语文教学的研讨

<正>中年级的语文阅读教学,既要完成本学段的学习目标,又要为高年级的阅读教学作准备,起着承上启下的作用,是学生语文学习的一个重要阶段。但是纵观中年段的语文课文安排,我们不难发现:有一些是原老教材的高年级课文,移到了中年级,如《太阳》《小英雄雨来》《西门豹》《一个中国孩子的呼声》等。这些文章篇幅长、内容深,对于中年级孩     

Reduction of hexavalent chromium using fungi and bacteria isolated from contaminated soil and water samples

The reductive adsorption of hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) using six indigenous microorganisms isolated from contaminated soil and water samples was investigated. Quantification of Cr⁶⁺ reduction was determined using the 1,5-diphenylcarbazide method followed measuring the absorbance at OD₅₄₀. Bacterial isolates identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus firmus and Mycobacterium sp. were capable of absorbing Cr⁶⁺ efficiently into their biomass, whereas the fungal isolates, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus sp. and A. niger were capable of transforming Cr⁶⁺ to Cr³⁺ relative to cell-wall-binding properties. Infrared spectral analysis of functional groups showed that ?OH, ?NH₂ and C?O with conjugated ?NH were the binding groups responsible for adsorption of Cr⁶⁺ within the biomass of isolates. The data highlight the promising biotechnological application of these isolates in removing carcinogenic and mutagenic Cr⁶⁺ from contaminated ecosystems.     

Contribution of morula cells to allogeneic responses in the colonial urochordate Botryllus schlosseri

Morula cells (MCs), ubiquitous ascidian cells which participate in alloimmune reactions, were studied in allogeneic and xenogeneic assays performed with Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) colonies from the Mediterranean and the Pacific coast, USA. Experiments were performed on the morphological level, on blood cells sampled or vitally labeled in situ and on histological sections. In non-interacting B. schlosseri during blastogenic cycles A to C, MCs congregate in tentacles of the zooids' siphons. During the takeover phase of blastogenesis they disappear, appearing again in the siphons of the newly developed generation of zooids. In both compatible and incompatible allogeneic reactions their numbers in interacting ampullae increased fourfold within 2 h after first contacts, reaching up to 50% of the total blood-borne cells in ampulla lumens. In rejection processes most of these cells died, while in autologous or allogeneic fusions they disappeared from interacting ampullae within days of the reaction. During allogeneic rejections, we followed cases (up to 1 week) in which MCs crossed all morphological/physiological barriers between noncompatible colonies and entered the tunic matrices and blood systems of the interacting partners, forming successful microchimerism. In xenogeneic assays with Botrylloides sp., MCs concentrated at the xenogeneic boundary, but they never crossed into the other species. One week after fusion or rejection interactions, large numbers of macrophages clearing dead cells were found in contact areas. This is the first evidence for compartmentalization of specific cellular defense reactions in the tunicate circulatory system. Received: 23 October 1997 / Accepted: 17 February 1998     

Contract farming and the adoption of climate change coping and adaptation strategies in the northern region of Ghana

In climate change adaptation, contract farming can facilitate the adoption of coping and adaptation strategies, but such dynamics are less understood in the literature. This study uses primary data collected from a cross section of crop farmers in northern Ghana and a simultaneous equation systems approach to examine the links between contract farming and adoption of climate change coping and adaptation strategies. The major coping and adaptation strategies used by farmers include spraying of farms with chemicals, row planting, mixed farming, mixed cropping and crop rotation. Econometric results confirm that contract farming enhances the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies, but there is also a feedback effect on contract farming, such that farmers adopting more adaptation strategies have higher probabilities to get contract offer. This makes contract farming a viable policy instrument to consider in climate change adaptation. Furthermore, land ownership and extension services exert significant positive influence on adoption. As much as possible, coping and adaptation strategies should effectively be communicated to crop farmers. Policy-wise, development actors and successive governments in Ghana should encourage and facilitate contract or group farming, as was in the case of the National Block Farming, led by Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture.     

Epidemiology of subway-related fatalities in New York City, 1990-2003

Problem

Subway transit is a relatively safe mode of transportation, yet compared to all other forms of mass transit in the United States (U.S.), subways have the highest fatality rate. The aim of this paper is to characterize subway-related fatalities in order to identify opportunities for risk reduction.

Method

Medical examiner records for all New York City (NYC) subway-related deaths (1990-2003) were reviewed. Data were abstracted on decedents' demographics and autopsy findings, including laboratory findings.

Results

There were 668 subway-related fatalities, of these, 10 (1.5%) were homicides, 343 (51.3%) were determined to be suicides, and 315 (47.2%) were accidental. Although decedent characteristics varied between fatality categories, they were not particularly informative with regard to prevention.

Conclusion

Prevention strategies that focus on structural controls are likely to be most efficacious in improving the overall safety of the NYC subway systems.

Impact on industry

These findings suggest that structural rather than individual-level interventions would be most successful in preventing subway fatalities.