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Society Level (society + level)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

Thirty-six-year secular trends in sleep duration and sleep satisfaction, and associations with mental stress and socioeconomic factors , results of the Population Study of Women in Gothenburg, Sweden

JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH, Issue 3 2010
ANDISHEH ROWSHAN RAVAN
Summary Several European studies have reported sleeping problems in 20,40% of the population. We used data from the Population Study of Women in Gothenburg, based on medical examinations of three different representative cohorts of 38- and 50-year-old women in 1968,1969, 1980,1981 and 2004,2005 to study secular trends in sleep-related factors. The average reported sleep duration declined by about 15 min in the 38-year-old women during the 36 years of observation. No corresponding change in sleep duration was observed among 50-year-old women. During the same period, the proportion of women complaining of sleeping problems almost doubled in both age groups: from 17.7% in 1968 to 31.7% in 2004 in 38-year-old women, and from 21.6% to 41.8% in 50-year-old women. The prevalence of insomnia was higher in 50-year olds than in 38-year olds in all investigated cohorts. The use of sleeping medications remained unchanged since 1968. There were significant associations between perceived sleeping problems and reported lower satisfaction concerning economic, social and family situations, as well as with medical retirement and mental stress. There was, however, no association between alcohol consumption and sleeping problems. Regular leisure time physical activity was not, in most cases, associated with less perceived sleeping problems. Our study indicates that the physician should take socio-economic and family situations into consideration when examining female patients complaining of sleeping problems. Improvements on society level rather than on the individual level could be expected to be more efficient in improving women's sleep. [source]

The genome-centric concept: resynthesis of evolutionary theory

BIOESSAYS, Issue 5 2009
Henry H. Q. Heng
Abstract Modern biology has been heavily influenced by the gene-centric concept. Paradoxically, this very concept , on which bioresearch is based , is challenged by the success of gene-based research in terms of explaining evolutionary theory. To overcome this major roadblock, it is essential to establish new theories, to not only solve the key puzzles presented by the gene-centric concept, but also to provide a conceptual framework that allows the field to grow. This paper discusses a number of paradoxes and illustrates how they can be addressed by the genome-centric concept in order to further resynthesize evolutionary theory. In particular, methodological breakthroughs that analyze genome evolution are discussed. The multiple interactions among different levels of a complex system provide the key to understanding the relationship between self-organization and natural selection. Darwinian natural selection applies to the biological level due to its unique genetic and heterogeneous features, but does not simply or directly apply to either the lower non-living level or higher intellectual society level. At the complex bio-system level, the genome context (the entire package of genes and their genomic physical relationship or genomic topology), not the individual genes, defines the system and serves as the principle selection platform for evolution. [source]

The enigma of the welfare state: excellent child health prerequisites , poor subjective health

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 6 2010
C Lindgren
Abstract The rate of subjective health complaints among Swedish children is increasing by age and over time, and more so than among children in other Scandinavian countries. In contrast, the somatic health and prerequisites for wellbeing are excellent. This paradoxical situation, The Enigma of the Welfare State, is the focus of this viewpoint. We argue that one important background factor may be late adverse effects of the welfare society itself and some of its inherent values. We have identified several possible pathways. We have given them names of diseases , on the society level , like health obsession, stress panic, welfare apathy and hyper-individualism. Together with other factors such as a dysfunctional school and an unsatisfactory labour market for youth, these diseases are involved in an interplay that is constantly inducing anxiety and low self-esteem. Conclusion:, The gradually deteriorating self-reported health among Swedish youth may, to some degree, be explained as a late adverse effect of the welfare society itself and its inherent values. [source]

Learning and skills formation in the new economy: evidence from Greece

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2002
Stella Zambarloukos
In today's knowledge,driven economy, education and training are considered major factors affecting a society's level of economic attainment and growth. Lack of information,related knowledge and skills, in particular, are among the prime factors likely to delay a country's progress towards the information society. Experience, however, has shown that an educated labour force does not automatically translate into dynamic economic development and technological innovation. The human resource potential is not a simple outcome of the education system but it is a much more complex process that involves tacit knowledge, learning by doing and on,the,job training. This means that skills and knowledge acquired depend not only on the educational system but on firm organisation and culture as well as ties between organisations. The present study examines the relationship between skill supply, firm organisation and learning by means of interviews in 23 firms in Greece. It shows that a major problem faced by SMEs in peripheral European countries is the lack of in,house capabilities and knowledge which limits the amount and type of learning that takes place. Finally, the article argues that policy,makers should institute educational policies and training programmes that will compensate for the inability of Greek firms to provide a learning environment. [source]