Occupational Factors and 5-Year Weight Change Among Men in a Danish National Cohort.

This study explored whether factors related to the work environment could predict changes in body mass index (BMI) and whether the effect of psychosocial factors was dependent on baseline BMI. The sample consisted of 1,980 male employees from the Danish National Work Environment Cohort Study. Changes in BMI between 1995 and 2000 were analyzed, by multiple regression, as a function of background variables and a series of occupational variables obtained in 1995. Age, baseline BMI, job insecurity, and psychological demands predicted changes in BMI. Job insecurity and high or low psychological demands increased the likelihood of weight gain among obese employees, whereas they increased the likelihood of weight loss among employees with a low BMI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psoralen photochemotherapy

Psoralens and sunlight have been used by the Egyptians and Indians for hundreds of years for treating vitiligo. The combination of oral psoralens and artificial ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy was approved for managing severe psoriasis by the Food and Drug Administration in 1982. Since then, PUVA therapy has been an effective modality for treating many cutaneous conditions (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, and mycosis fungoides). However, proper knowledge and administration of PUVA therapy are vital to treatment success and reducing side effects.     

The social effects of juvenile chronic arthritis

We are continually expanding our knowledge of JCA and establishing our understanding on an ever-increasing knowledge base encompassing immunology, immunogenetics, physiology, psychology and sociology. The causes and treatment of this condition are multifactoral and no one discipline can hope to embrace all of them. Nurses, particularly those with rheumatological and/or paediatric expertise, are uniquely placed to provide the link between patient, the family and health care team and thus to coordinate treatment and ensure that care meets the needs of youngsters with JCA and their families.     

Nutritional epidemiology

Epidemiological techniques constitute an important method of nutritional investigation. Historical and geographical evidence suggests hypotheses which can be tested by more detailed studies. Cross-sectional surveys describe populations and provide information about prevalence; they also enable the interrelationships of various nutritional and physiological indices to be investigated. The case-control study is useful in exploring possible aetiological factors in diseases, but has the drawback that past dietary information is difficult to obtain accurately. Prospective studies identify predictors of disease and death; they are especially valuable in elucidating the natural history of disease, and supply good evidence on causation, but their duration and expense are disincentives to their use. Randomized controlled trials provide the most precise evidence about causation, and should be used whenever feasible to answer specific questions.     

Policies to reduce energy use and carbon emissions in the UK

The UK differs from may other industrialized nations in that its carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from energy use have declined in recent years despite relatively rapid economic growth. In all sectors but transport, substantial reductions have already occurred in the level of carbon emissions per unit of GDP output. At the same time, a number of official and unofficial studies have pointed out that the UK has one of the largest remaining potentials amongst comparable industrialized countries for achieving further CO₂ reductions through the implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency and fuel switching measures. This paper discusses past and present patterns of energy use and carbons emissions in the UK. The analysis then examines historical trends in UK energy policy and presents policy options for further reducing the UK's energy-use and carbon emissions in the future.     

Distributed channel assignment strategies using coexistenceetiquettes for land based radio environment

The performance of two distributed channel assignment algorithms which use coexistence etiquettes for point to point links are considered by the authors. It has been found that selecting channels prior to transmission at the transmitter as opposed to the receiver, supports greater offered traffic with the additional advantage of a less complex protocol     

Differences in muscle endurance and recovery between fallers and nonfallers, and between young and older women

BACKGROUND: Significant morbidity and mortality are associated with falls in older adults. We tested the hypothesis that older women with a history of falls demonstrate decreased muscle endurance and longer recovery times following fatiguing exercise. METHODS: We evaluated dynamic endurance and recoverability of the quadriceps femoris of 29 young women (YW) (M age = 21.7), 26 older women with a history of falls (FA) (M age = 73.3), and 27 older women with no history of falls (NF) (M age = 71.2) using an isokinetic dynamometer. Subjects performed repeated maximal concentric knee extensions until the force output of two consecutive repetitions fell below 50% of their maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Recovery was defined as the time required for the return of force output > or = 80% MVC for 2 consecutive repetitions, within a set consisting of 3 maximal contractions. One minute rest was allowed between sets. We collected electromyographic (EMG) data from the quadriceps during all testing to evaluate spectral shifts. RESULTS: ANOVA with a post-hoc Bonferroni-Dunn test revealed time to fatigue was significantly faster in FA than YW (p < .02) and in FA than NF (p < .05), but not different between YW and NF. Time to recovery was significantly slower in FA than YW (p = .01), but not different between YW and NF, or between FA and NF, EMG median frequency power shift (from the beginning to the end of the test) was significantly less in FA (p < .001) than either YW (p < .002) or NF (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Older women with a history of falls demonstrate decreased muscular endurance compared to YW and NF, and increased time to recover from fatiguing exercise when compared to young women.     

Mechanical properties of poly(ether-ether-ketone) for engineering applications

An outline of the characteristics of PEEK and the versatility of its compositional forms (micro and macro composites) are given to illustrate its wide potential for success in engineering applications. Although it is necessary to have particular tabulations of mechanical properties for engineering design, these are seldom available and consequently it is argued that an understanding of stiffness, toughness and strength properties are required to fully exploit available manufacturer's data and thus develop the full potential of PEEK and its composites. Stiffness characteristics are considered in terms of a modulus function which is dependent on time under load and temperature. In its composite forms, whether reinforced with short or continuous fibres, stiffness anistropy can be both considerable and complex, but some empirical ground-rules are apparent. For continuous fibre composites even in the form of complex lay-ups, it is also possible to attempt some stiffness prediction from certain pseudo-elastic constants. Toughness of PEEK and its composites is described in terms of both comparative and intrinsic properties. Instrumented falling weight impact data, particularly as a function of temperature enable some insight into ductile-brittle transitions for the unreinforced material, but crack initiation and crack propagation processes for the various fibre reinforced forms. Intrinsic toughness is described in terms of linear elastic fracture mechanics theory. Strength properties are described for static and dynamic loading configurations. In particular, PEEK and its composites are evaluated for increasing test severities for strength characteristics; stress concentration, loading form and test temperature are considered.     

Improving user security behaviour

Many organisations suspect that their internal security threat is more pressing than their external security threat. The internal threat is predominantly the result of poor user security behaviour. Yet, despite that, security awareness programmes often seem more likely to put users to sleep than to improve their behaviour. This article discusses the influences that affect a user's security behaviour and outlines how a well structured approach focused on improving behaviour could be an excellent way to take security slack out of an organisation and to achieve a high return for a modest, low-risk investment.