Influmeter - an online tool for self-reporting of influenza-like illness in Denmark.

Background In October 2013, we implemented 'Influmeter', a web-based influenza-like illness (ILI) self-reporting system, to monitor ILI in the general population in a timely fashion, to provide data for estimations of the burden of influenza and to gain experience with online surveillance systems, in Denmark. After the season 2013/2014 we evaluated the system to decide on its future use. Methods Influmeter study participants provided personal details upon enrolment and reported symptoms weekly within predefined categories. We compared distribution of Influmeter participants with the Danish population, by sex, age, region, chronic diseases and educational level. We calculated the proportion of participants reporting symptoms of ILI weekly and the proportion of Influmeter ILI cases seeking medical assistance, using the Danish and the EU ILI case definitions. Further, we compared timing of increased ILI rates in Influmeter with existing Danish sentinel ILI surveillance using the Danish case definition. Results Compared with the Danish population, Influmeter had more females (p < 0.001) and persons with a higher education (p < 0.001), while the age group 0-24 was under-represented (p < 0.001). Influmeter ILI activity peaked 1 week before the exceeding of the sentinel epidemic threshold. Depending on ILI case definition 16-22% of ILI cases sought medical assistance. Conclusion Influmeter was useful in the timely monitoring of ILI activity in the population that did not seek medical assistance in relation to ILI. We recommend continuation of the system, targeted enrolment of the young and future analyses adjusted for uneven representation relative to the underlying population.

Evidence for the efficacy of a bioresonance method in smoking cessation: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Since the 1970s, MORA bioresonance therapy has globally been applied in the context of complementary medicine for various indications. In this regard, practitioners also report successful application in smoking cessation. The present study aims to verify these reports in a controlled study setting. METHODS: In order to achieve the aforementioned objective, we subjected the bioresonance method to a prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study involving 190 smokers. In both study groups (placebo n = 95; active bioresonance group; n = 95) the course of treatment and study conditions were standardized. RESULTS: 1 week (77.2% vs. 54.8%), 2 weeks (62.4% vs. 34.4%), 1 month (51.1% vs. 28.6%), and 1 year (28.6% vs. 16.1%) after treatment, the success rate in the verum group differed significantly from the results in the placebo group. Also, the subjective health condition after treatment and subjective assessment of efficacy, polled after 1 week, were significantly more positive among participants in the active bioresonance therapy group than among those in the placebo group. Adverse side effects were not observed. CONCLUSION: According to the findings attained by this pilot study, bioresonance therapy is clinically effective in smoking cessation and does not show any adverse side effects.

Characterizing short dispersion-length fiber via dispersive virtual reference interferometry.

The ability to characterize fibers with near-zero dispersion-length products is of considerable practical interest. We introduce dispersive virtual reference interferometry (DVRI) as a technique for the characterization of short length (<1m) fibers with near-zero disperison-length. DVRI has an accuracy equivalent to standard balanced spectral interferometry (on the order of 10(−3) ps and 10(−5) ps/nm for the group delay and dispersion-length measurements respectively) but does not require wide spectral bandwidths or multiple spectral scans. Following experimental validation, the DVRI technique is used to characterize a 23.3-cm erbium-doped gain fiber (dispersion-length product <0.002 ps/nm), using a tunable laser with a bandwidth of 145 nm. Furthermore, the dispersion in a 28.6-cm commercial dispersion shifted fiber is characterized across the zero-dispersion wavelength and the zero-disperison-wavelength and slope were determined to be 1566.7 nm and 8.57 × 10(−5) ps/(nm2∙m) with a precision of ± 0.2 nm and ± 0.06 × 10(−5) ps/(nm2∙m), respectively.

Simultaneous dispersion measurements of multiple fiber modes using virtual reference interferometry.

We present the simultaneous measurement of first and second order dispersion in short length (< 1 m) few mode fibers (polarization and transverse) using virtual reference interferometry. This technique generates results equivalent to balanced spectral interferometry, without the complexity associated with physical balancing. This is achieved by simulating a virtual reference with a group delay equal to that of the physical interferometer. The amplitude modulation that results from mixing the interferograms, generated in both the unbalanced interferometer and the virtual reference, is equivalent to the first order interference that would be produced by physical balancing. The advantages of the technique include speed, simplicity, convenience and the capability for simultaneous measurement of multiple modes. The theoretical framework is first developed and then verified experimentally.

Chromatic dispersion measurements using a virtually referenced interferometer.

We present a technique for measuring the chromatic dispersion of short-length (<1 m) optical devices using unbalanced spectral interferometry and a virtual reference path. The technique combines the speed and ease of measurement of unbalanced spectral interferometry with the accuracy of balanced spectral interferometry. We demonstrate measurement accuracy for group delay and the dispersion-length product of ~10(-3) ps/m (<0.0001% relative error) and ~10(-5) ps/m (<0.5% relative error), respectively. Measurement precision is demonstrated to be ~10(-5) ps/m (<0.15% relative deviation). We validate the technique via measurement of well-known dispersion standards.

[Study on the clinical effectiveness of electronically stored nosodes from tooth diseases and articular rheumatism on persons with rheumatic diseases]. / Untersuchung zur klinischen Wirksamkeit elektronisch abgespeicherter Zahn- und Gelenksnosoden bei Erkrankungen des rheumatischen Formenkreises.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: For about 15 years, one of the authors (JS) has successfully treated patients suffering from rheumatic diseases with individually tested and electronically stored nosodes from tooth diseases and articular rheumatism using exogenic MORA bioresonance therapy. Until today no human study has tested that kind of nosode therapy. The present, partially controlled study aims to test the effectiveness of that type of nosode therapy. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A partially placebo-controlled study was carried out on 15-21 participants (depending on the parameter) who suffered from rheumatic diseases. The main outcome parameter was the mean EAP(electro acupuncture)-40 value (controlled), i.e. the mean difference of the 40 final measured values from the norm of scale division 50. Secondary outcome parameters (not controlled) were the perceived state of health as well as biochemical, physicochemical and cellular parameters of the blood. RESULTS: The mean EAP-40 value was significantly reduced (p < 0.01) by the verum treatment. The placebo treatment also yielded slight results but these were not significant (p > 0.05). The mean perceived state of health, the sedimentation of blood cells, the mean calcium value and the redox potential of the blood improved significantly (p < 0.01). The other parameters indicated no or only slight changes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that therapy with electronically stored nosodes is effective in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Ligand-exchange processes on solvated lithium cations: DMSO and water/DMSO mixtures.

Solutions of LiClO(4) in solvent mixtures consisting of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and water, or DMSO and gamma-butyrolactone, were studied by (7)Li NMR spectroscopy (for complexation by cryptands in gamma-butyrolactone as a solvent, see: E. Pasgreta, R. Puchta, M. Galle, N. J. R. van Eikema Hommes, A. Zahl, R. van Eldik, J. Incl. Phen., 2007, 58, 81-88). Chemical shifts indicate that the Li(+) ion is coordinated by four DMSO molecules. In the binary solvent mixture of water and DMSO, no selective solvation is detected, thus indicating that on increasing the water content of the solvent mixture, DMSO is gradually displaced by water in the coordination sphere of Li(+). The ligand-exchange mechanism of Li(+) ions solvated by DMSO and water/DMSO mixtures was studied using DFT calculations. Ligand exchange on [Li(DMSO)(4)](+) was found to follow a limiting associative (A) mechanism. The displacement of coordinated H(2)O by DMSO in [Li(H(2)O)(4)](+) follows an associative interchange mechanism. The suggested mechanisms are discussed in reference to available experimental and theoretical data.

Single-arm three-wave interferometer for measuring dispersion of short lengths of fiber.

We present a simple fiber-based single-arm spectral interferometer to measure directly the second-order dispersion parameter of short lengths of fiber (< 50 cm). The standard deviation of the measured dispersion on a 39.5-cm-long SMF28(TM) fiber is 1x10(-4) ps/nm, corresponding to 1% relative error, without employing any curve fitting. Our technique measures the second-order dispersion by examining the envelope of the interference pattern produced by three reflections: two from the facets of the test fiber and one from a mirror placed away from the fiber facet at a distance that introduces the same group delay as the test fiber at the measured wavelength. The operational constraints on system parameters, such as required bandwidth, wavelength resolution, and fiber length, are discussed in detail. Experimental verification of this technique is carried out via comparison of measurements of single mode fiber (SMF28(TM)) with published data and via comparison of measurements of a dispersion compensating fiber with those taken using conventional techniques. Moreover, we used this new technique to measure the dispersion coefficient of a 45-cm-long twin-hole fiber over a 70 nm bandwidth. It is the first time dispersion measurement on this specialty fiber is reported.

[Placebo-controlled study of the effects of a standardized MORA bioresonance therapy on functional gastrointestinal complaints]. / Plazebokontrollierte Studie zur Wirkung einer standardisierten MORA-Bioresonanztherapie auf funktionelle Magen-Darm-Beschwerden.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Many practitioners of natural medicine as well as a non-controlled study have reported about positive effects of MORA bioresonance therapy on psychosomatic diseases. The present placebo controlled study aimed to test the effects of MORA bioresonance therapy on non-organic gastro-intestinal complaints. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized, placebo controlled study was carried out on 20 participants (10 in the placebo group, 10 in the verum group). The main outcome parameters were the patients' and the physician's estimation of the intensity and frequency of gastro-intestinal complaints as well as the examination results recorded by the physician: stomach pain by palpation, meteorism by percussion and intestinal noise by auscultation, assessed pre and post treatment. Secondary outcome parameters were the electric resistance between hands and feet, data from feces, urine and blood, and the subjective general condition of body, mind and soul. RESULTS: According to the participants' and the physician's estimation the intensity and frequency of the gastro-intestinalcomplaints were markedly and significantly reduced in theverum group (p < 0.01). This was also true for stomach pain(p < 0.01) and meteorism (p < 0.05), but not for intestinal noise (p > 0.05). The main outcome parameters in the placebo group changed only slightly (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: TheMORA bioresonance therapy can markedly improve non-organic gastro-intestinal complaints.

Evidence for associative ligand exchange processes on solvated lithium cations.

The ligand exchange mechanism of solvated lithium cations has been studied using DFT calculations (RB3LYP/6-311+G**). The water exchange mechanism on [Li(H(2)O)(4)](+) was found to be limiting associative (A) involving a five-coordinate intermediate, whereas ammonia exchange on [Li(NH(3))(4)](+) was found to follow an associative interchange (I(a)) mechanism. The suggested mechanisms are discussed in reference to available experimental and theoretical data.