Generalized coupling in the Kuramoto model.

We propose a modification of the Kuramoto model to account for the effective change in the coupling constant among the oscillators, as suggested by some experiments on Josephson junction, laser arrays, and mechanical systems, where the active elements are turned on one by one. The resulting model is analytically tractable and predicts that both first and second order phase transitions are possible, depending upon the value of a new parameter that tunes the coupling among the oscillators. Numerical simulations of the model are in accordance with the analytical estimates, and in qualitative agreement with the behavior of Josephson junctions coupled via a cavity.

[Patients' attitudes towards and satisfaction with interns in general practice. Practicing interns and patient satisfaction]. / Patienters holdning til og tilfredshed med praksisreservelaegen. Praksisreservelaegen og patienttilfredshed.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the Danish vocational training scheme from a patient's point of view. This was especially interesting as all young doctors have six months vocational training in general practice after finishing university. During April 1993 junior doctors in twelve general practices in the county of Aarhus, Denmark, distributed a total of 574 questionnaires to consecutive patients after a consultation. The questionnaire was anonymously returned to the research unit. Four hundred and five patients answered the questionnaire. Ninety-three percent were fairly or very satisfied with the consultation, and 87% were sure or fairly sure that they would attend a trainee again. Eighty-five percent said that the trainee was as easy to communicate with as their own doctor. However, 36% said that attending a trainee was their only chance of seeing a doctor on the day preferred, and 47% did not feel fully informed about the trainee system. The data was analyzed with respect to sex, age, and disease related factors, and only minor differences were found. The survey shows that Danish patients were very positive about the GP trainee system, especially compared to previous investigations from other countries. However patients were not sufficiently informed about the aim and contents of the trainee system.

[Health profile of farmers--a study from Djursland]. / Helseprofil af landmaend--en undersøgelse fra Djursland.

The aim of the study was to describe the pattern of illness and the incidence of diseases in a population of Danish full-time farmers. All members of the Farmers Association in Djursland, Jutland, Denmark, (n = 1309), were asked to complete a questionnaire. Of these, 896 (68.4%) accepted, of whom 610 were full-time farmers. The pattern of illness is described by the incidence of chronic disease, the incidence of specific disease, and the incidence of typical symptoms within the last 14 days. Furthermore, the incidence of work-related accidents and the use of medicine were registered. The data were compared with results from a similar investigation in the general Danish population. The incidence of disease in the locomotive and the respiratory system is higher among farmers. In contrast, the incidence of psychiatric and cardiovascular disease as well as insomnia appeared lower. In conclusion full-time farmers have an increased risk of suffering from certain diseases.

[Bacteriological urine analysis as part of check-ups on children. A retrospective study from general practice]. / Bakteriologiske urinanalyser i forbindelse med profylaktiske børneundersøgelser. En retrospektiv undersøgelse fra almen praksis.

This paper presents a retrospective study of asymptomatic bacteriuria from general practice. The general practitioner had screened children's urine specimens for asymptomatic bacteriuria at the eight regular health examinations during preschool age. The urine was collected in special adhesive bags or as a midstream clean catch and investigated by stix and culture at the practitioner's. When significant bacteriuria was noted, a new urine sample was collected for analysis. If asymptomatic bacteriuria was again noted, the culture plates were sent to a microbiological hospital department for determination of bacterial type and antibiotic resistance. The children were subsequently treated with a relevant antibiotic. The material collected during 12 years consisted of 658 urine samples obtained from 1295 examinations of 208 children. Thirty-five samples (5.3%) were positive, and 30 of the children presented at least one positive sample (14.2%). Most of the positive samples were obtained during the first two years. However, the material is too small to obtain statistically positive results and must due to its retrospective nature be interpreted with care. Nevertheless, the high rate of infection in our study motivates the initiation of a regular prospective study.

[Generic prescription/substitution. A 6-month project in a general practice concerning prescription of synonymous preparations]. / Generisk ordination/substitution. Et 6 måneders projekt i almen praksis vedrørende ordination af synonympraeparater.

During a period of six months, two general practitioners with a total of approximately 2,800 Danish National Health Service patients investigated the advantages and disadvantages of generic prescription. Only preparations from Group C (heart and vascular disease) and Group M (bones, joints and muscles) were included. A total of 1,421 prescriptions were issued and synonym preparations were issued for 280 of these. A total of 135 out of 140 possible patients received synonym preparations and 98 (72.6%) out of 135 possible patients replied to a questionnaire sent to them. Out of these 82 (83.7%) were so satisfied with the arrangement that they considered that it should continue. Out of the total of 1,421 prescribed preparations, the savings involved were 6.4% from the Danish National Health Insurance, 4.5% for the communities and 8.4% for the patients. This corresponds to a total saving for Groups M and C of 18,628 Danish crowns (approximately 1,555 pounds) out of the original sum of 278,296 Danish crowns (approximately 23,200 pounds) which corresponds to 6.7%. In Denmark, Groups M and C constitute approximately 25% of all the prescriptions issued. More extensive investigations are recommended to illustrate this subject and before any definite conclusion are drawn.