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Packs
Kinds of Packs Terms modified by Packs Selected AbstractsVom Ursprung des SonnensystemsFORSCHUNG, Issue 4 2003Sandra Többe Der Mineraloge und Kosmochemiker Andreas Pack [source] Needs assessment in dementiaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 4 2005A. M. Meaney Abstract Background Resource allocation and service development traditionally focuses on diagnostic categories and consequent perceived need. Identification of the actual level of need in the elderly with dementia, and the degree to which it is unmet is necessary to plan services both individually and as a group. The aim of this study was to characterise the needs of a sample of community dwelling elderly patients with dementia who were referred to an old age psychiatry service in Ireland between July 2002 and July 2003. Methodology Eighty-two consecutively referred community dwelling patients with ICD-10 diagnosis of dementia were assessed on The Care Needs Assessment Pack for Dementia (CareNap-D). Data on needs across seven domains (health and mobility, self-care and toileting, social interaction, thinking and memory, behaviour and mental state, housecare, community living) is presented (Reynolds T et al., 1998). Results Subjects had a mean of 33 (range: 13,56) identified needs. Approximately 1/3 of these were unmet with a mean of 13 (range: 0,37) and a mean of 20 (range: 4,39) were met. High levels of unmet need was identified in the domains of behaviour and mental state (84% of those with agitation) and of social interaction (79% of those with ,partaking in activities' need). The specific item of repetitive questioning occurred in 68 individuals and was unmet in 88% of these cases. Increasing age, lower MMSE score, and living alone were associated with greater total levels of unmet need. Conclusion This data underlines the degree of unmet need in the community dwelling elderly with dementia and the importance of developing a spectrum of services on the basis of the actual needs identified. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Videos Based Teaching PackCHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2002Charlotte M. Wright [source] Starter Packs: A Strategy to Fight Hunger in Developing Countries?DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE, Issue 3 20082003 edited by Sarah Levy, Lessons from the Malawi Experience 199 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Heat or Cold Packs for Neck and Back Strain: A Randomized Controlled Trial of EfficacyACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 5 2010Gregory Garra DO Abstract Objectives:, Acute back and neck strains are very common. In addition to administering analgesics, these strains are often treated with either heat or cold packs. The objective of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of heat and cold in relieving pain from back and neck strains. The authors hypothesized that pain relief would not differ between hot and cold packs. Methods:, This was a randomized, controlled trial conducted at a university-based emergency department (ED) with an annual census of 90,000 visits. ED patients >18 years old with acute back or neck strains were eligible for inclusion. All patients received 400 mg of ibuprofen orally and then were randomized to 30 minutes of heating pad or cold pack applied to the strained area. Outcomes of interest were pain severity before and after pack application on a validated 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst pain), percentage of patients requiring rescue analgesia, subjective report of pain relief on a verbal rating scale (VRS), and future desire for similar packs. Outcomes were compared with t-tests and chi-square tests. A sample of 60 patients had 80% power to detect a 15-mm difference in pain scores. Results:, Sixty patients were randomized to heat (n = 31) or cold (n = 29) therapy. Mean (±standard deviation [SD]) age was 37.8 (±14.7) years, 51.6% were female, and 66.7% were white. Groups were similar in baseline patient and pain characteristics. There were no differences between the heat and cold groups in the severity of pain before (75 mm [95% CI = 66 to 83] vs. 72 mm [95% CI = 65 to 78]; p = 0.56) or after (66 mm [95% CI = 57 to 75] vs. 64 mm [95% CI = 56 to 73]; p = 0.75) therapy. Pain was rated better or much better in 16/31 (51.6%) and 18/29 (62.1%) patients in the heat and cold groups, respectively (p = 0.27). There were no between-group differences in the desire for and administration of additional analgesia. Twenty-five of 31 (80.6%) patients in the heat group and 22 of 29 (75.9%) patients in the cold group would use the same therapy if injured in the future (p = 0.65). Conclusions:, The addition of a 30-minute topical application of a heating pad or cold pack to ibuprofen therapy for the treatment of acute neck or back strain results in a mild yet similar improvement in the pain severity. However, it is possible that pain relief is mainly the result of ibuprofen therapy. Choice of heat or cold therapy should be based on patient and practitioner preferences and availability. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:484,489 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine [source] BOTULINAL TOXIN PRODUCTION IN VACUUM AND CARBON DIOXIDE PACKAGED MEAT DURING CHILLED STORAGE AT 2 AND 4CJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 2 2000S.M. MOORHEAD ABSTRACT This study was undertaken to determine if carbon dioxide packaging of meat afforded a food safety advantage over vacuum packaging with respect to botulinal toxin production during chilled storage. A cocktail of washed spores from five toxigenic clostridial strains , four reference Clostridium botulinumstrains [types A, B (2 strains) and E] and a C. butyricum type E strain , was inoculated onto lamb chumps. Of these strains, two were psychrotolerant. The inoculated chumps were individually carbon dioxide packaged and duplicate packs were placed into storage at 10, 8, 6, 4 and 2C. All storage regimens included a weekly defrost cycle when meat surface temperatures increased by up to 6 to 7C during a 2 to 2.5 h period. After 84 days storage, packs were assessed for the presence of botulinal toxin using the mouse bioassay procedure. All packs contained botulinal toxin. To compare toxin production in vacuum and carbon dioxide packs at chill temperatures, the challenge trials were repeated for 4 and 2C storage. Packs were examined at regular intervals for toxin presence. Both pack types contained toxin after 21 and 48 days storage at 4 and 2C, respectively. In the unlikely, but not impossible, event that raw meat would be contaminated with psychrotolerant toxincapable clostridial spores, product safety, with respect to botulinal toxin presence after prolonged chilled storage, requires storage temperatures to be maintained below 2C for both vacuum and carbon dioxide packaged product. [source] Bank Security Dye Packs: Synthesis, Isolation, and Characterization of Chlorinated Products of Bleached 1-(methylamino)anthraquinoneJOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 6 2006James M. Egan Ph.D. ABSTRACT: Banknote evidence is often submitted after a suspect has attempted to disguise or remove red dye stain that has been released because of an anti-theft device that activates after banknotes have been unlawfully removed from bank premises. Three chlorinated compounds have been synthesized as forensic chemical standards to indicate bank security dye bleaching as a suspect's intentional method for masking a robbery involving dye pack release on banknotes. A novel, facile synthetic method to provide three chlorinated derivatives of 1-(methylamino)anthraquinone (MAAQ) is presented. The synthetic route involved Ultra CloroxÔ bleach as the chlorine source, iron chloride as the catalyst, and MAAQ as the starting material and resulted in a three-component product mixture. Two mono-chlorinated isomers (2-chloro-1-(methylamino)anthraquinone and 4-chloro-1-(methylamino)anthraquinone) and one di-chlorinated compound (2,4-dichloro-1-(methylamino)anthraquinone) of the MAAQ parent molecule were detected by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and subsequently isolated by liquid chromatography (LC) with postcolumn fraction collection. Although GC-MS is sensitive enough to detect all of the chlorinated products, it is not definitive enough to identify the structural isomers. Liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was utilized to elucidate structurally the ortho- and para-mono-chlorinated isomers once enough material was properly isolated. A reaction mechanism involving iron is proposed to explain the presence of chlorinated MAAQ species on stolen banknotes after attempted bleaching. [source] Starter Packs: a Strategy to Fight Hunger in Developing Countries?JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY: SERIES A (STATISTICS IN SOCIETY), Issue 4 2007Emma Reed No abstract is available for this article. [source] Presence of Listeria and Salmonella spp. in retail chicken in Northern IrelandLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2003N. Soultos Abstract Aims: Retail packs of fresh chicken in Northern Ireland were sampled to determine the frequency with which they were contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria spp. Methods: Packs of chicken were chosen from supermarkets ensuring a diverse range of EU producer codes were sampled. Salmonellas were isolated using BS EN 12824: 1998 methodology, biotyped and serotyped whilst Listeria spp. were isolated based on EN ISO 11290-1: 1996 procedures and identified using a multiplex PCR system utilizing genus and species specific primers. Significance and Impact of the Study: Only three of 205 samples yielded Salmonella spp. indicating that measures undertaken by the poultry industry to control this pathogen have apparently been successful. However, Listeria spp. were present in 38 of 80 samples tested (48%) and 14 (18%) yielded Listeria monocytogenes. Thus Salmonella controls do not markedly affect this pathogen and retail packs of raw chicken must be considered a potential source of L. monocytogenes, and appropriate precautions taken to prevent infection. [source] Commercial Hospital Discharge Packs for Breastfeeding WomenBIRTH, Issue 1 2001J. K. Gupta A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 23 March 1999. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary. ABSTRACT Background: For centuries, there has been controversy around whether being upright (sitting, birthing stools, chairs, squatting) or lying down has advantages for women delivering their babies. Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the benefits and risks of the use of different positions during the second stage of labour (i.e., from full dilatation of the cervix). Search strategy: Relevant trials are identified from the register of trials maintained by the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group, and from the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Selection criteria: Trials were included which compared various positions assumed by pregnant women during the second stage of labour. Randomised and quasi-randomised trials with appropriate follow-up were included. Data collection and analysis: Trials were independently assessed for inclusion, and data extracted by the two authors. Disagreements would have been resolved by consensus with an editor. Meta-analysis of data is performed using the RevMan software. Main results: Results should be interpreted with caution as the methodological quality of the 18 trials was variable. Use of any upright or lateral position, compared with supine or lithotomy positions, was associated with: 1Reduced duration of second stage of labour (12 trials,mean 5.4 minutes, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.9,6.9 minutes). This was largely due to a considerable reduction in women allocated to use of the birth cushion. 2A small reduction in assisted deliveries (17 trials,odds ratio (OR) 0.82, 95% CI 0.69,0.98). 3A reduction in episiotomies (11 trials,OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.64,0.84). 4A smaller increase in second degree perineal tears (10 trials,OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.09,1.54). 5Increased estimated risk of blood loss > 500ml (10 trials,OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.34,3.32). 6Reduced reporting of severe pain during second stage of labour (1 trial,OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.41,0.83). 7Fewer abnormal fetal heart rate patterns (1 trial,OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11,0.91). Reviewers' conclusions: The tentative findings of this review suggest several possible benefits for upright posture, with the possibility of increased risk of blood loss > 500 mL. Women should be encouraged to give birth in the position they find most comfortable. Until such time the benefits and risks of various delivery positions are estimated with greater certainty when methodologically stringent trials data are available, then women should be allowed to make informed choices about the birth positions in which they might wish to assume for delivery of their babies. Citation: Gupta JK, Nikodem VC. Women's position during second stage of labour (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2000. Oxford: Update Software. [source] Heat or Cold Packs for Neck and Back Strain: A Randomized Controlled Trial of EfficacyACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 5 2010Gregory Garra DO Abstract Objectives:, Acute back and neck strains are very common. In addition to administering analgesics, these strains are often treated with either heat or cold packs. The objective of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of heat and cold in relieving pain from back and neck strains. The authors hypothesized that pain relief would not differ between hot and cold packs. Methods:, This was a randomized, controlled trial conducted at a university-based emergency department (ED) with an annual census of 90,000 visits. ED patients >18 years old with acute back or neck strains were eligible for inclusion. All patients received 400 mg of ibuprofen orally and then were randomized to 30 minutes of heating pad or cold pack applied to the strained area. Outcomes of interest were pain severity before and after pack application on a validated 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst pain), percentage of patients requiring rescue analgesia, subjective report of pain relief on a verbal rating scale (VRS), and future desire for similar packs. Outcomes were compared with t-tests and chi-square tests. A sample of 60 patients had 80% power to detect a 15-mm difference in pain scores. Results:, Sixty patients were randomized to heat (n = 31) or cold (n = 29) therapy. Mean (±standard deviation [SD]) age was 37.8 (±14.7) years, 51.6% were female, and 66.7% were white. Groups were similar in baseline patient and pain characteristics. There were no differences between the heat and cold groups in the severity of pain before (75 mm [95% CI = 66 to 83] vs. 72 mm [95% CI = 65 to 78]; p = 0.56) or after (66 mm [95% CI = 57 to 75] vs. 64 mm [95% CI = 56 to 73]; p = 0.75) therapy. Pain was rated better or much better in 16/31 (51.6%) and 18/29 (62.1%) patients in the heat and cold groups, respectively (p = 0.27). There were no between-group differences in the desire for and administration of additional analgesia. Twenty-five of 31 (80.6%) patients in the heat group and 22 of 29 (75.9%) patients in the cold group would use the same therapy if injured in the future (p = 0.65). Conclusions:, The addition of a 30-minute topical application of a heating pad or cold pack to ibuprofen therapy for the treatment of acute neck or back strain results in a mild yet similar improvement in the pain severity. However, it is possible that pain relief is mainly the result of ibuprofen therapy. Choice of heat or cold therapy should be based on patient and practitioner preferences and availability. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:484,489 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine [source] Precipitation control over inorganic nitrogen import,export budgets across watersheds: a synthesis of long-term ecological researchECOHYDROLOGY, Issue 2 2008E. S. Kane Abstract We investigated long-term and seasonal patterns of N imports and exports, as well as patterns following climate perturbations, across biomes using data from 15 watersheds from nine Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites in North America. Mean dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) import,export budgets (N import via precipitation,N export via stream flow) for common years across all watersheds was highly variable, ranging from a net loss of , 0·17 ± 0·09 kg N ha,1mo,1 to net retention of 0·68 ± 0·08 kg N ha,1mo,1. The net retention of DIN decreased (smaller import,export budget) with increasing precipitation, as well as with increasing variation in precipitation during the winter, spring, and fall. Averaged across all seasons, net DIN retention decreased as the coefficient of variation (CV) in precipitation increased across all sites (r2 = 0·48, p = 0·005). This trend was made stronger when the disturbed watersheds were withheld from the analysis (r2 = 0·80, p < 0·001, n = 11). Thus, DIN exports were either similar to or exceeded imports in the tropical, boreal, and wet coniferous watersheds, whereas imports exceeded exports in temperate deciduous watersheds. In general, forest harvesting, hurricanes, or floods corresponded with periods of increased DIN exports relative to imports. Periods when water throughput within a watershed was likely to be lower (i.e. low snow pack or El Niño years) corresponded with decreased DIN exports relative to imports. These data provide a basis for ranking diverse sites in terms of their ability to retain DIN in the context of changing precipitation regimes likely to occur in the future. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Carbon dioxide balance of a fen ecosystem in northern Finland under elevated UV-B radiationGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009JAANA K. HAAPALA Abstract The effect of elevated UV-B radiation on CO2 exchange of a natural flark fen was studied in open-field conditions during 2003,2005. The experimental site was located in Sodankylä in northern Finland (67°22,N, 26°38,E, 179 m a.s.l.). Altogether 30 study plots, each 120 cm × 120 cm in size, were randomly distributed between three treatments (n=10): ambient control, UV-A control and UV-B treatment. The UV-B-treated plots were exposed to elevated UV-B radiation level for three growing seasons. The instantaneous net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) and dark respiration (RTOT) were measured during the growing season using a closed chamber method. The wintertime CO2 emissions were estimated using a gradient technique by analyzing the CO2 concentration in the snow pack. In addition to the instantaneous CO2 exchange, the seasonal CO2 balances during the growing seasons were modeled using environmental data measured at the site. In general, the instantaneous NEE at light saturation was slightly higher in the UV-B treatment compared with the ambient control, but the gross photosynthesis was unaffected by the exposure. The RTOT was significantly lower under elevated UV-B in the third study year. The modeled seasonal (June,September) CO2 balance varied between the years depending on the ground water level and temperature conditions. During the driest year, the seasonal CO2 balance was negative (net release of CO2) in the ambient control and the UV-B treatment was CO2 neutral. During the third year, the seasonal CO2 uptake was 43±36 g CO2 -C m,2 in the ambient control and 79±45 g CO2 -C m,2 in the UV-B treatment. The results suggest that the long-term exposure to high UV-B radiation levels may slightly increase the CO2 accumulation to fens resulting from a decrease in microbial activity in peat. However, it is unlikely that the predicted development of the level of UV-B radiation would significantly affect the CO2 balance of fen ecosystems in future. [source] Spatial variability of snowmelt timing from AMSR-E and SSM/I passive microwave sensors, Pelly River, Yukon Territory, CanadaHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 12 2007Joan M. Ramage Abstract Spring snow melt run-off in high latitude and snow-dominated drainage basins is generally the most significant annual hydrological event. Melt timing, duration, and flow magnitude are highly variable and influence regional climate, geomorphology, and hydrology. Arctic and sub-arctic regions have sparse long-term ground observations and these snow-dominated hydrologic regimes are sensitive to the rapidly warming climate trends that characterize much of the northern latitudes. Passive microwave brightness temperatures are sensitive to changes in the liquid water content of the snow pack and make it possible to detect incipient melt, diurnal melt-refreeze cycles, and the approximate end of snow cover on the ground over large regions. Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for EOS (AMSR-E) passive microwave brightness temperatures (Tb) and diurnal amplitude variations (DAV) are used to investigate the spatial variability of snowmelt onset timing (in two stages, ,DAV onset' and ,melt onset') and duration for a complex sub-arctic landscape during 2005. The satellites are sensitive to small percentages of liquid water, and therefore represent ,incipient melt', a condition somewhat earlier than a traditional definition of a melting snowpack. Incipient melt dates and duration are compared to topography, land cover, and hydrology to investigate the strength and significance of melt timing in heterogeneous landscapes in the Pelly River, a major tributary to the Yukon River. Microwave-derived melt onset in this region in 2005 occurred from late February to late April. Upland areas melt 1,2 weeks later than lowland areas and have shorter transition periods. Melt timing and duration appear to be influenced by pixel elevation, aspect, and uniformity as well as other factors such as weather and snow mass distribution. The end of the transition season is uniform across sensors and across the basin in spite of a wide variety of pixel characteristics. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Defining complex contributions of NOD2/CARD15 gene mutations, age at onset, and tobacco use on Crohn's disease phenotypesINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 5 2003Dr. Steven R. Brant Abstract Background Multiple factors, particularly IBD family history, tobacco use, age at diagnosis and recently, NOD2 mutant genotypes may influence Crohn's disease (CD) heterogeneity. Methods We performed a multicenter retrospective record analysis of 275 unrelated patients with CD. Age at diagnosis, IBD family history, Jewish ethnicity, tobacco use at diagnosis, surgical history, disease site and clinical behavior were correlated with genotypes for NOD2 mutations, and all risk factors were assessed for independent influence on outcomes of disease site, behavior and surgery free survival. Results Risk of ileal disease was increased for CD patients with two NOD2 mutations (Odds Ratio, O.R. 10.1), a smoking history (O.R. 2.25 per pack per day at diagnosis) or a younger age at diagnosis (O.R. 0.97 per each increased year). Presence of ileal disease (O.R. 4.8) and carrying one or two NOD2 mutations (O.R. 1.9 and 3.5, respectively) were independent risk factors for stricturing or non-perianal fistulizing behavior. Ileal disease, youthful onset and smoking at diagnosis (but not NOD2 mutations) were risk factors for early surgery. Conclusions Carrying two NOD2 mutations predicts youthful onset, ileal disease involvement, and development of stricturing or non-perianal fistulizing complications. Smoking and early onset independently influence ileal site and time to surgery. [source] Attitudes and use of rubber dam by Irish general dental practitionersINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 6 2007C. D. Lynch Abstract Aim, To investigate the attitudes towards and use of rubber dam by Irish general dental practitioners. Methodology, A pre-piloted questionnaire was distributed amongst a group of 600 dentists randomly selected from the Irish Register of Dentists. Replies from dentists working in specialist practice or the hospital dental service were excluded. Dentists were surveyed in relation to their use of rubber dam during a variety of operative and root canal treatments, as well as their attitudes to the use of rubber dam in dental practice. Results, A total of 300 replies were considered from a total of 324 that were received. Seventy-seven per cent of respondents (n = 231) worked in general dental practice and 23% (n = 69) worked in the Irish Health Board/Community Dental Service. Rubber dam was ,never' used by 77% of respondents (n = 228) when placing amalgam restorations in posterior teeth, 52% (n = 147) when placing composite restorations in posterior teeth, and 59% (n = 177) when placing composite restorations in anterior teeth. Rubber dam was ,never' used by 39% of respondents (n = 114) when performing root canal treatment on anterior teeth; 32% (n = 84) when performing root canal treatment on premolar teeth; and 26% (n = 51) when performing root canal treatment on molar teeth. Fifty-seven per cent (n = 171) considered rubber dam ,cumbersome and difficult to apply', and 41% (n = 123) considered throat pack ,as good a prevention against inhalation of endodontic instruments as rubber dam'. Conclusions, Whilst rubber dam is used more frequently for root canal treatment than operative treatment, its use is limited. This presents quality issues, as well as medico-legal and safety concerns for both the profession and patients. [source] Frictional granular mechanics: A variational approachINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 10 2010R. Holtzman Abstract The mechanical properties of a cohesionless granular material are evaluated from grain-scale simulations. Intergranular interactions, including friction and sliding, are modeled by a set of contact rules based on the theories of Hertz, Mindlin, and Deresiewicz. A computer-generated, three-dimensional, irregular pack of spherical grains is loaded by incremental displacement of its boundaries. Deformation is described by a sequence of static equilibrium configurations of the pack. A variational approach is employed to find the equilibrium configurations by minimizing the total work against the intergranular loads. Effective elastic moduli are evaluated from the intergranular forces and the deformation of the pack. Good agreement between the computed and measured moduli, achieved with no adjustment of material parameters, establishes the physical soundness of the proposed model. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Cigarette pack and advertising displays at point of purchase: community demand for restrictionsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 6 2008Jacqueline A. Hickling Abstract Tobacco promotion influences tobacco consumption. Traditional forms of tobacco promotion have been heavily restricted in response to the harmful effects of tobacco. Tobacco displays at the point of purchase are increasingly important as a means of communicating brand imagery for the tobacco industry, especially when advertising is restricted at these points. Previous research has demonstrated that children exposed to tobacco advertising at the point of purchase have inflated perceptions of availability, use and popularity of tobacco. Internationally, laws are being debated and implemented to prohibit or restrict the display of tobacco at the point of purchase or put tobacco out of sight. Such measures would reduce tobacco product exposure and, hence, tobacco marketing among youth and the community. In South Australia, a ban on all cigarette advertising at the point of purchase was introduced in 2005. This study was designed to assess community support for restrictions on cigarette displays and advertising at the point of purchase. A telephone survey was conducted with a random sample of 2026 South Australian adults (aged 18 years and over) in July 2005. Overall, 63% of the community approved of a hypothetical total ban on cigarette displays at the point of purchase, with over three-quarters believing this should happen in the next 12 months. A further 24% believed that cigarette displays should be restricted and 82% would approve of a ban on displays in stores that sell confectionary. Only 7% of adult smokers reported making their decision about the brand of cigarettes to buy at the point of purchase and 90% made their decision before they even entered the shop. The results strengthen arguments that cigarette displays are not necessary to maintain brand loyalty or to encourage brand switching of established smokers. Instead, the results make arguments more credible that cigarette displays normalize and promote smoking among young people and may also promote unplanned purchase or increased consumption among less frequent smokers or former smokers. Placing cigarettes out of sight would be unlikely to impact on brand choice for most smokers, who have already made up their mind before they enter the store. [source] Rejuvenating facial massage , a bane or boon?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2002Neena Khanna MD Background Facial massage is an extremely popular form of beauty treatment and is thought to rejuvenate the skin. We decided to study the benefits and untoward effects of this form of facial beauty treatment. Methods One hundred and forty-two women (aged 17,63 years), who had received facial beauty treatment in three well-established beauty parlours in New Delhi, were entered into the study and observed for a period of 12 weeks after the facial beauty treatment. Twenty-seven of the subjects had a repeat facial beauty treatment 4,6 weeks after entry into the study, giving a total of 169 massage episodes observed. Immediate and delayed effects of the beauty treatment were examined. Results Facial beauty treatment generally consists of three steps: vigorous massaging of the face with creams, steaming (using a hot towel or a steaming gadget), and application of a face mask containing adsorbents and astringents. In our study, the creams used for massage included "off the shelf" creams manufactured by standard cosmetic companies in 95 (56.3%) subjects, herbal creams in 61 (36.1%), and creams containing exotic ingredients, such as gold salts, in 13 (7.7%). Sixty-one (36.1%) patients developed erythema and puffiness within 15 min to 2 h after the beauty treatment. This lasted for 2,6 h. Forty-one (24.3%) women underwent the procedure of comedone extraction after steaming. In 12 (7.1%) of these women, persistent erythema was noticed at the site of comedone extraction. Eight (4.7%) women developed mild dermatitis on the face, 2,7 days after the facial beauty treatment. Patch testing with constituents used in the facial beauty treatment was positive in four patients (herbal cream, 1; witch hazel, 1; orange face pack, 1; and gold cream, 1). In 47 (33.1%) subjects, an acneiform eruption was observed 3,10 weeks after the facial beauty treatment (mean, 6.1 ± 3 weeks). Thirteen (27.7%) of these subjects had taken the facial beauty treatment for the first time, whereas 34 (72.3%) developed an acneiform eruption after every facial massage. The predominant lesions were deep-seated nodules, although a few comedones, especially closed ones, were present in some patients. Lesions were always present on the cheeks, an area of focus during the facial massage, and healed with hyperpigmentation. The benefits of facial beauty treatment, as mentioned by the subjects, included a feeling of freshness and rejuvenation in 84 (59.1%), keeping the skin supple in 76 (53.5%), feeling of warmth and tightening of the skin in 71 (50%), and delaying the onset of wrinkles in 21 (14.8%). Conclusions Although there are several subjective benefits with facial beauty treatment, there may be immediate side-effects, such as erythema and edema, as well as delayed problems, such as dermatitis and acneiform eruption, in about one-third of patients. [source] The concept of the gas turbine-based hybrid vehicle: system, design and configuration issuesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 9 2006Roberto Capata Abstract The object of this study is a theoretical and experimental analysis of a new hybrid propulsion system for a passenger sedan in which the thermal engine is a small gas turbine set. Some preliminary results on the possibility of replacing the conventional ICE of a hybrid ,series' configuration by a turbogas were presented and discussed in previous papers by the same authors: several possible designs were examined under both a thermodynamic and an operative point of view. This paper presents a summary of the project and constitutes an attempt to put things in a proper engineering perspective: the technical feasibility of the project is assessed via a calculation of the required mission loads, a preliminary design of the most important elements of the propulsive system, the choice of the mission control strategy and the implementation of a numerical system simulator. The experiments that provided a verification for the assumed component efficiencies were carried out, in cooperation with the Research Centre of ENEA-Casaccia, on an ELLIOTT TA-45 group. Our results, though only preliminary, allow for a direct comparison between a GT-hybrid vehicle and a modern diesel car, and indicate that the GT-hybrid may be actually a competitor for the FC-powered vehicle concept. Our ,optimal' configuration is a combination of a 100 kg battery pack and two turbogas set of 5 and 16 kW, respectively. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effects of storage under a modified atmosphere on the microbiological and organoleptic qualities of ground beef prepared from pasteurized manufacturing beefINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2003C. O. Gill Summary A 40-kg lot of manufacturing beef, i.e. meat used for the production of ground beef products, was collected at a beef packing plant. The lot was divided into two batches. One batch was pasteurized by immersion in water at 85 °C for 60 s, the other batch was not pasteurized. Both batches were then ground. The ground meat was packed in overwrapped trays, which were master packaged under a modified atmosphere of 70% O2 : 30% CO2. The master packs were stored at 2 °C for up to 12 days. At the time of pack preparation and at 2-day intervals, a master pack containing pasteurized and another pack containing unpasteurized meat, were opened and retail packs from each master pack were displayed at 4 °C for 3 days. Samples for microbiological analysis were obtained at the times of opening master packs and at the end of display. Displayed meat was assessed daily for colour, discoloration and retail appearance, and for odour intensity and acceptability at the end of display. After either a period of storage or a period of storage and display, the numbers of bacteria recovered from pasteurized meat were less than the numbers recovered from unpasteurized meat. The colour of pasteurized meat was perceived as being paler than that of unpasteurized meat, but discoloration was similar or less, and retail appearance was similar or better for pasteurized than unpasteurized meat at all times. The odours of displayed, pasteurized meat were generally somewhat less intense and more acceptable than those of unpasteurized meat. The findings indicate that pasteurization of manufacturing beef to improve the microbiological safety of ground beef provides a product of acceptable appearance and enhanced stability during storage under a modified atmosphere and subsequent display in air. [source] Self-report treatment techniques used by dentists to treat dentally anxious children: a preliminary investigationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 1 2003H. Buchanan Summary. Objective. To investigate the extent to which dentists report their encouragement to dentally anxious children to blunt (distract from the procedure) or monitor (give information about the procedure) during treatment. Setting. British Society of Paediatric Dentistry conference. Subjects and methods. One hundred and two of 155 delegates (66% response rate) completed a Monitor Blunter Treatment Checklist (MBTC), which was included in their conference pack. Participants were asked to tick all of the 10 statements (five monitoring and five blunting) that reflected how, in general, they would treat a dentally anxious child. Results. Dentists chose significantly more monitoring than blunting statements. Treatment strategies relating to explaining procedures were endorsed by the majority of dentists, while distraction was chosen by less than a third. Conclusion. Dentists tend to use monitoring strategies that adhere generally to the principles of the Tell-Show-Do technique. This may have implications if the anxious child has a ,blunting' coping style. [source] The wolves of Isle Royale display scale-invariant satiation and ratio-dependent predation on mooseJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2005CHRISTIAN JOST Summary 1The importance of two features of the predator functional response (satiation and predator dependence) is investigated in the wolf,moose interaction on Isle Royale National Park (Michigan, USA). This is done by fitting and comparing nine different functional response models to the observed kill rates. 2Three different observational scales (the whole island, the wolf packs, or a ,mixed' scale) are used to assess the sensitivity of the detected properties with respect to these spatial scales. 3Independently of the observational scale and of statistical assumptions on data structure, strong predator dependence and satiation of the wolf functional response are found. The ,mixed' scale gives the most consistent results, suggesting that predation should be measured for each pack, but that packs share all moose on the island. On this scale, the functional response is clearly ratio-dependent. [source] A world-wide study of high altitude treeline temperaturesJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 5 2004Christian Körner Abstract Aim, At a coarse scale, the treelines of the world's mountains seem to follow a common isotherm, but the evidence for this has been indirect so far. Here we aim at underpinning this with facts. Location, We present the results of a data-logging campaign at 46 treeline sites between 68° N and 42° S. Methods, We measured root-zone temperatures with an hourly resolution over 1,3 years per site between 1996 and 2003. Results, Disregarding taxon-, landuse- or fire-driven tree limits, high altitude climatic treelines are associated with a seasonal mean ground temperature of 6.7 °C (±0.8 SD; 2.2 K amplitude of means for different climatic zones), a surprisingly narrow range. Temperatures are higher (7,8 °C) in the temperate and Mediterranean zone treelines, and are lower in equatorial treelines (5,6 °C) and in the subarctic and boreal zone (6,7 °C). While air temperatures are higher than soil temperatures in warm periods, and are lower than soil temperatures in cold periods, daily means of air and soil temperature are almost the same at 6,7 °C, a physics driven coincidence with the global mean temperature at treeline. The length of the growing season, thermal extremes or thermal sums have no predictive value for treeline altitude on a global scale. Some Mediterranean (Fagus spp.) and temperate South Hemisphere treelines (Nothofagus spp.) and the native treeline in Hawaii (Metrosideros) are located at substantially higher isotherms and represent genus-specific boundaries rather than boundaries of the life-form tree. In seasonal climates, ground temperatures in winter (absolute minima) reflect local snow pack and seem uncritical. Main conclusions, The data support the hypothesis of a common thermal threshold for forest growth at high elevation, but also reflect a moderate region and substantial taxonomic influence. [source] Pyrolysis of tetra pack in municipal solid wasteJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 8 2001Chao-Hsiung Wu Abstract The pyrolysis of tetra pack in nitrogen was investigated with a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) reaction system. The pyrolysis kinetics experiments for the tetra pack and its main components (kraft paper and low-density poly(ethene) (LDPE)) were carried out at heating rates (,) of 5.2, 12.8, 21.8,K,min,1. The results indicated that the one-reaction model and two-reaction model could be used to describe the pyrolysis of LDPE and kraft paper respectively. The total reaction rate of tetra pack can be expressed by the summation of the individual class of LDPE and kraft paper by multiplying the weighting factors. The pyrolysis products experiments were carried out at a constant heating rate of 5.2,K,min,1. The gaseous products were collected at room temperature (298,K) and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC). The residues were collected at some significant pyrolysis reaction temperatures and analyzed by an elemental analyzer (EA) and X-ray powdered diffraction (XRPD). The accumulated masses and the instantaneous concentrations of gaseous products were obtained under the experimental conditions. The major gaseous products included non-hydrocarbons (CO2, CO, and H2O) and hydrocarbons (C1,5). In the XRPD analysis, the results indicated that pure aluminum foil could be obtained from the final residues. The proposed model may be supported by the pyrolysis mechanisms with product distribution. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry [source] TREATMENT OF CULTIVATED HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRIES (VACCINIUM CORYMBOSUM L.) WITH ELECTRON BEAM IRRADIATION: DOSIMETRY AND PRODUCT QUALITYJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2008M.A. MORENO ABSTRACT We determined the dose distribution within a tray of highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) exposed to electron beam irradiation at medium levels (1.0,3.2 kGy) using Monte Carlo and computer tomography scanning technology. We also evaluated the quality of irradiated and nonirradiated (control) fruits stored at 5C and 70% relative humidity during 14 days by a series of chemical analyses. Blueberries packed in plastic clamshell containers (trays) were irradiated using a 10-MeV linear accelerator with single-beam fixture (top only). Irradiation of blueberries at 1.1 kGy had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on the fruit quality with the exception of ascorbic acid, which decreased by 17% by the end of storage. Irradiation had an enhancing effect on the total phenolic and tannin content of all the irradiated fruits (10,20% increases). The calculated dose distribution in a pack of blueberries confirmed that the dose is not uniformly distributed within the pack because of density inhomogeneities (flesh, skin air). Dose levels at the bottom of the trays were 18 (±8%) higher than at the top. These results suggest that careful dose distribution examination must be conducted prior to setting up of an irradiation run for the packed fruits. Excellent agreement was found between measured and calculated doses at different electron beam conveyor speeds. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Little information is available on how electron beam irradiation penetrates a complex medium such as packed blueberries. This study presents unique results from a dose distribution calculation method using Monte Carlo simulation and computed tomography scanning techniques, which can be an effective tool for the development of proper irradiation treatment planning of packed fruits and other fresh produce. The suitability of using electron beam technology to preserve the quality characteristics and shelf life of packed blueberries was verified. [source] Gastrointestinal: Ingested throat packJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 12 2004S GUE [source] The outcomes of an intervention study to reduce the barriers experienced by people with intellectual disabilities accessing primary health care servicesJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2006C. A. Melville Abstract Background People with intellectual disabilities (IDs) experience significant health inequalities compared with the general population. The barriers people with IDs experience in accessing services contribute to these health inequalities. Professionals' significant unmet training needs are an important barrier to people with IDs accessing appropriate services to meet their health needs. Method A three group, pre- and post-intervention design was used to test the hypothesis that a training intervention for primary health care professionals would increase the knowledge and self-efficacy of participants. The intervention had two components , a written training pack and a 3-hour face-to-face training event. One group received the training pack and attended the training event, a second group received the training pack only, and a third group did not participate in the training intervention. Research measures were taken prior to the intervention and 3 months after the intervention. Statistical comparisons were made between the three groups. Results The participants in the training intervention reported that it had a positive impact upon their knowledge, skills and clinical practice. As a result of the intervention, 35 (81.4%) respondents agreed that they were more able to meet the needs of their clients with IDs, and 33 (66.6%) reported that they had made changes to their clinical practice. The research demonstrated that the intervention produced a statistically significant increase in the knowledge of participants (F = 5.6, P = 0.005), compared with the group that did not participate in the intervention. The self-efficacy of the participants that received both components of the intervention was significantly greater than the group that did not participate in the training (t = 2.079, P = 0.04). Participation in the two components of the training intervention was associated with significantly greater change in knowledge and self-efficacy than those receiving the training pack alone. Conclusion This intervention was effective in addressing the measured training needs of primary health care professionals. Future research should directly evaluate the positive benefits of interventions on the lives of people with IDs. [source] Assessment of anger coping skills in individuals with intellectual disabilitiesJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 5 2005P. Willner Abstract Recent controlled studies have supported the effectiveness of anger management training for people with intellectual disabilities (IDs). This report describes an evaluation instrument designed to assess their usage of specific anger coping skills. The Profile of Anger Coping Skills (PACS) is designed for completion by a staff member or carer. Three situations are first elicited in which a client frequently displays anger. The respondent then rates each situation for the extent to which the client deploys each of eight behavioural and cognitive coping skills. In a preliminary reliability study, 20 users of a day service for people with IDs were rated independently by two staff members, with one of them completing the assessment on two separate occasions: the PACS showed good test,retest reliability and lower, but still acceptable, interrater reliability. The PACS was subsequently used, in a different day service, as part of the assessment pack administered before and after a 12-week anger management group, with a parallel assessment of an untreated control group. The treated group showed substantial decreases in measures of anger, which were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Increases in PACS-rated anger coping skills were also seen in all participants in the anger management group, but not in the control group. There were differences in the extent to which different coping skills were acquired by the treated group, and there were also individual differences in the profile of specific skills acquired. It is concluded that the PACS is a reliable instrument for assessing anger coping skills, particularly when used repeatedly with the same informant. It provides information that is useful for both individual care planning and the design of future anger management programmes. [source] Cervical varix with placenta previa totalisJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 4 2007Yukiyo Kumazawa Abstract A cervical varix during pregnancy is a very rare complication. It can lead to hemorrhage and may result in significant morbidity. Furthermore, appropriate management has not yet been established. We present a case of a cervical varix with placenta previa totalis. A 30-year-old woman with placenta previa totalis also had a cervical varix without bleeding. At 32 weeks' gestation, massive hemorrhage from the cervical varix occurred. A vaginal pack controlled the bleeding, and a cesarean section was subsequently carried out because of uncontrollable uterine contractions. A 1655 g female infant was delivered; the estimated blood loss was 1814 mL. The cervical varix decreased dramatically in size. In conclusion, presented herein is a rare case of a cervical varix, which had a successful outcome. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||